Possible drug interactions for Methadone

[maximus]

I was severely injured at work over 2 years ago.  I have been taking Paxil for depression and was also recently switched from morphine to Methadone for pain treatment.  I read on the Internet that Paxil (or any SSRI drug) can cause a spike in blood pressure and possibly a stroke when mixed with Methadone.  My doctor is now recommending Effexor in place of Paxil.  Isn't Effexor also an SSRI? and to your knowledge, does it pose significant risk(s) when taken with Methadone?  If so, is there an anti-depressant that can be safely used with Methadone?

[susanlea]

I have been thinking about you the last couple of days. This Monday the 4th will be 4 years ago my mom died of cancer. I know this will not really help you when I say this, but time does heal the pain. My mom was diagnosed with brain cancer Jan. 4th 1997, she was 68 years old. She had surgery to remove the tumor, she refused chemo and radiation. They told her she had 6 months at the most. During this time my mother  had the most fun she had ever had. She became a very loving and wonderful mom and grandmother. As the months went by, she began to forget things, who we were, where she was. Finally we put her in Hospice. She lived in Pinellas County Fla. There she said she was so happy, she had her garden and her angels. When her time came, she went with such peace. We in the family were so lucky that she never suffered. No pain, nothing. It was hard at first, the first year or so. There is no pain imaginable, no pain so permenant, no pain so awful, as losing your mother.  One day I woke up, and the sadness had lifted alittle. As the months went by, it got better and better. Now when I think of my mom, I smile, I remember how wonderful she was. When I go to my parents grave (my day died in 1988 from the same thing) I feel such peace. The pain never goes away, but it does change. On monday when we go to Arlington Cemetary to see my mom and dad. My little boys will each take a helium balloon and send it up to heaven to them. This has been a ritual all these years for them. They were so small when she died that this was the only way I could get them to understand where they were. Look inside yourself, remember all the good and wonderful things she taught you. She gave you compassion and love, because I see it everyday here from you to others. Your ability and understanding, wanting to reach out and help others all stem from how you were brought up. I see your mother as a very special woman, she gave the world you. In time you will find peace. I am here for you always.....Much love to you Cindi....Susan

[cindi]

Kerrie,  I am so glad to hear from you....you have been on my mind...send me some mail and let me know what went on with your testing?   Get some rest, that is what you need right now,,,You deserve it....God is with you.....and I have said a prayer and  many for you and your daughter....and everyone else here....You will be fine,I know you will...and so will your daughter,  It takes times for us to see the light...one day soon she will have a complete change come over her..I can see the changes now when you talk of her....the miracle is happening now only it takes time.   Ohio has not sunshine for the past week,  we alos have had the coldest may that I can remember...but the summers can get down right nasty  with the high humidiy which is a whiner like me's worst enemy...LOL   I don't know how the hell I'm gonna stand Florida... ahhhhhhh  but the Ocean, the sand, the shells, suntans, palm trees, sleeping in the pool when my dad takes the kids....    I CAN handle it  LOL   and I can finally be with my dad....funny, when we are younger we need to get away from the master parents,  LOL  now I need to be with him....I'll tell ya what we need this weekend,,,we need to not be so serious and let loose.....Ok   Did ya hear about the blonde...(sorry blondes) that thought ROE vs WADE was the decision that George Washington had to make when he crossed the  Delaware?   ROFLMAO     OKEY DOKEY    AHEM>>>>>>>>>   have a great day  catch ya'll later  Love to all   cin

[Wizard]

Don't you dare shut up girl! Talking, helping, unloading and praying for each other is what this forum is for.You are so very right about the man with no shoes. There is ALWAYS someone in worse shape then ourselves. You have been through so much and yet you also continue tto keep your faith and go on with life. I admire you tremendously lady. The Wizard here will keep you in his thoughts and prayers. Kerrie, you just keep on keeping on!
You've got angels in your corner!
Power & Magick 2 U,
Peace & Light on ya,
Wiz

[Kerrie]

Hi. I'm so very tired after being on the road at 6:30 this morning to go to the doctor. I didn't plan to write tonight,just read. But I can't do it. Your kind words are so uplifting and I just had to tell you how much I appreciate all your prayers. I want to tell you with all my heart I believe I'm going to be alright. I wish I had this much faith in my daughter. But I will keep supporting her like each of you do me.
  Wizard, I read your story and I'm am very proud of you. What determination you guys have. I have degenerative disk disease and  I though my back was the only thing on me that wasn't broken until I had the Cyst on the spinal chord. It didn't hurt. I just suddenly went paralized one day.Then it turned out to be the cause of my horrible headaches. So they did surgery and now I have back problems to boot. Then a poor excuse for a doctor, did a bone marrow biopsy in my back at the T12 L1 level. Blew it out.
I attempted to make him pay for his stupidity but quickly learned that all doctors stick together. Long story short. My back is a mess. I went from jogging 4 miles a day and arobic exercise to 220 lbs of pain. I can't bend over. My legs are still weak but I can walk,so thank God.But we bought an above ground pool so I could get some exercise. But would someone send some warm weather our way. It's the coolest May I've seen in Tennessee in 18 years.
Now I've lost down to 180 to 185 lbs. and maybe God thinks I deserve a break somewhere besides my bones. Just kidding. I don't deserve anything but a good spanking now and then. I just admire your courage to go without the pain meds. I can't bear the pain in my back.
  Thomas, I'm glad your a strong advocate for AA. I've known them to be good for a lot of people. I printed off the 12 step program and gave it to my daughter. I imagine it's in the garbage somewhere. I read it though,it's inspirational for sure. I do believe in prayer. God has seen me through so much , and when I underwent the two surgeries that lasted 10 and 12 hours, I prayed God would take my fear away. The day of each surgery, I was more worried about the I.V. than how long the surgery would take. He is an awsom God. I thank you for your prayers.
  Cindi, You are going through a very normal time hon.When my father died, I didn't think I would ever quit crying.Your going to be fine. You have a strong faith and love and concern for others. I have asked God to return your joy to you and ease your pain. You've heard the old saying. I was sad I had no shoes until I saw a man that had no feet? Your sad because you lost someone you dearly loved. How wonderful it is to have that kind of relationship with your mom. I miss my mom a lot. But I wish I had  had a relationship with her like you had with your mom. But I know some people never had what I had. They never knew their moms at all. You hang in there. Your very normal.
  Angelica, You inspire me as always. I know you suffer with chronic pain as I do. But your concern for others is always what I hear from you. Do you ever complain? Your making me look bad girl. I wish I had your stamina. Your truly a friend in deed. God bless you.
  Bless you all. I will shut up now. I just wanted to tell you all how great you are. Friends are people who come in when the whole world has gone out. Thank You.
     God Bless,
          Kerrie

[cindi]

You guys are too cool  wow,   alot of pain,,,I admire you both so much,,,pain management if a nasty thing when yiu are an addict but i just talked with someone tonight who said her non addict hubby has ben on percocet for while now and they are making him irritable,,today he did not take any and went into withdrawals....i have been on Norco and Vicodin for awhile for this pain that FINALLY has been partially diagnosed  waiting for an MRI of my back....rule out blown discs....I know when the time comes to get off the vis I will have to taper...hard to do but I'll have to ....Wiz, you have no clue how much of an inspiration you are to me.....you have fought this on your own,,,and Angelica,  you are proof it can be done with going overboard...I have had a really really difficult 2 days....very sad,,,crying alot and missing my mom so very much....on the 25th it will be six months I have not seen my mom,, I can eat all the pills in the world but the pain is not gone....tell me if this is normal...for the past week of two I have been totally overprotective of my daughter,,,,,I have actually been so afraid something is going to happen to her while I am not there,,,that is one of the reasons I went to the zoo with her....I am not so fearful of my son because he is with me 24/7  he comes to work with me and everywhere I go....so he is safe with me....all though tomorrow he is going to chuckie cheese with a teacher at the pre-school am I scared?   terrified, but he will be ok there....I have this feeling of doom or something...I'm sure it's a passing thing...thought I was developing Some obsessive disorder or something...well, I've babbled long enough.....I love you guys   cin

[Wizard]

Hang in there I will, for sure darlin! I went down the Naprosyn road and it didn't do much for me. i just got approved by my insurance for Vioxx finally after fighting for a month with them. It seems they would pay forever on the opiates but get something non-narcotic that you take once a day and it cost's more @ $140.00 for 30 pills, and I had to jump through hoops. It kinda pissed me off that the decision to authorize it was being made by non medical clerical people. They turned it down and I called them myself and threw a flaming fit on the phone LOL. I asked the person what her medical degree was and she said she didn't have one. I said "Ohhhhh, I see, you'll pay for me to get addicted and high but not to get well? I got the silence treatment a minute. I asked her are you gonna pay for my funeral?  Bottom line I got a letter saying that they would pay for my Vioxx for life as long as I was on the plan LOL. What I've been doing is alternating the Vioxx and 1600mg of Motrin which seems to get me through the days when I'm bad. I don't take them both on the same day though. Any way it seems to make it tolerable, just no high from it. The 1600mg motrins work fairly okay for the headaches too. I just have to learn how to relive my life "Dragon" free! Thank God I have had an iron cast stomach LOL.  Angilca, YOU keep inspiring as you do also.
I'll be praying and casting good Wizard dust on ya!
Power & Magick 2 U,
luv 2 all,
Wiz