Really need direction and support!

[aloneinok_04]

I just spent 30 min trying to type this all out and then I lost it all so I'm going to try again, it's like every force in the world is working against me! I have been on Loratab 10 since 2004 , after my back surgery I stopped taking it for about a year and I can't even remember why I asked again but I did. I have also been dealing with shingles the kind the effects your face, nose and eye only on my right side. since 2006, and its pain, it's awful over the last few weeks it's been getting worse so during my 30 day dr visit I broke down and told my dr how bad the pain was getting and that from time to time I would double up on my pain meds usually I only take 2 or 3 a day one in the morning and one after lunch. Nothing at night but I do take ambien at night , anyway so I told my dr, this is what he said, I would have to deal with this the rest of my life the shingles and the pain, he starts to write me a script for morphine but I'm allergic to sulphur so he checks a convertional chart and when writes me a script for methadone.! I have been on here before and read all the post so you can imagine my shock when he handed it to me, I told him I was very nervous about taking this. He said it was stronger then what I was on and would help. I'm so upset about this I slept on it lastnight and called him back today his nurse said she talked to him and he said how do I know it would help if I don't try it. I really need some direction and support with this please! I tried talking to my husband, he's not understanding and takes my pain meds for medical reason , he's verbally abusive narcism and we have had problems for years because of his drinking drugs ect but I thought I could talk to him I was wrong! He started yelling at me and telling me methadose was not even used for pain.. Can anyone out there help me please. I feel so lost and alone and I don't know what to do.

[Hajji]

it's me again, hajji, knocking louder this time! Methodone is also so addictive. Not as quickly as the others cuz it's a synthetic manmade opiate, however, herion does the same thing when you first take it, it makes u puke, wanna puke, and then as your body becomes physiologically used to it/dependent on it, it no longer makes you sick. instead you begin jonesing for it, craving it. So, if you really want to get better forever, re-read my earlier post to you from today. Typical Internists, meaning general physicians aren't schooled in the whole autoimmune system driven by the hormonal imbalance. if they were they'd be super docs with 3 degrees not just M.D.s. Also, they would have to relearn and resubscribe to their whole education like swithcing religeons. You will hit a wall and remember what I said today and maybe you'll move in the right direction. So like, whats the pain med suppose to do? Did the doc say your shingles will just go away and until they do here's something to make you go away like a bug sprayed with pesticide? Did the doc suggest finding the cause of your shingles or did he/she say, " we don't really know what cause shingles." Cuz if that's the case they just dont want to deal with or are not able to dig further cuz their protocal is get hte next patient in, out, in out. money, understaffed, overworked. get your hormones balanced girl. at least consider what I'm saying and start by getting them checked. the less expensive saliva swab test way. blood test far less accurate and more expensive. just look intoit. I'll go away now. ba bye, hajji out      

[aloneinok_04]

Right now at this point I don't want to take anything , anything at all... I know the methadone is not something I'm willing to take at all, it made me so sick I thought I was going to. Die, all I wanted when I went to my dr was to try and explain how awful the PHN shingles pain was, maybe there was something that would help , i just normally go in and get my script and say nothing but this time I did and now I have this mess. My skin is bright red and light hurts my eyes and  head burns and itches every part of my body hurts. I just want to Feel normal and not hurt. I came here looking months ago to just get of all the pain meds together and now its just worse.

[aloneinok_04]

Yea, ok , thanks

[littlebit667]

Not sure how active the group is, but there is a pain management forum here as well.  I am not saying to quit posting here, but you might get some insight in that forum as well.  Please do not lose hope....there has to be an answer for you that will feel right!

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Pain-Management/show/53

[aloneinok_04]

Is it possible to feel so alone in this big world with everyone in it, in so much pain.  I haven't felt this way in years and for once in my life I feel like I have no where to turn.

[vicki595]

I really don't think it's that crazy. Methadone is also a pain killer and many doctors prescribe that amount for pain.

It's important that you keep something in your system so that you don't begin to withdraw. Plus, you need the pain relief. You know, two or three Lortab per day is not unreasonable...

[justme1119]

When I first got off of the methadone and then the Norco, I had the  herpes type blisters on my face for at least a month.  I also get migraines.  As the time ticked on, I realized that I didn't have any herpes outbreaks or migraines.  This lasted for about six months.  I know that stress is the biggest factor in these outbreaks.  And since it stopped after I stopped the hydrocodone, I'm wondering if that wasn't causing it.  Don't know if this applies or will help, but I thought I'd share.

[aloneinok_04]

The dose is 10mg, methodose, I think what I fear is thst he won't change my meds back to the Loratab, if thsts what I choose. I dont take a lot like I said 2 or 3 a day and it is for pain, but I have come to this site looking for help in the past to not even take that and here I am with methadose! Crazy! So I think I will just sick to maybe half of my normal dose of Loratab so I have something in my system because if I break out at this point this going to be bad .

[bewitched_queen]

If your pain is not too bad then why make the choice yet? Monday is only two days away. You should talk to your Dr & express all your concerns & get answers to every question you have. Methadone is a very big step to take without being sure.  

[vicki595]

What is the dose or mg he ordered?

It would really be fine to take it until you speak with them. Also, you could call the pharmacist who filled it and express your concerns; he/she could advise you.

[aloneinok_04]

Good morning I think not really sure.. Lol didn't sleep well lastnight he also changed my sleeping medication. From ambien to lunsta , lunsta dose not work as well so it was a rough night. I have to make a choice about my pain meds , the shingles aren't to bad this morning I haven't had my Loratab since 12 noon yesterday or Im trying to make a choice to try the methadose it just take my loratb I wish sooooooooo much I didn't have to take any of it. That's why I visited his site in the first place..

[kk1303]

U need to listen to your gut feeling. If you feel something isn't right, why not go to another doctor and get a second opinion?

[snakejones]

Hi, sweetie, welcome to the nuthouse....errrr, forum! Lots of nice, smart people are here to offer help, support, sympathy---sometimes, rarely, a gentle scolding if needed. I feel really bad for you right now and understand your confusion and how upset you must feel. Herpes pain (shingles) can be really bad, as it is nerve pain. Yes, it's there for life, but many times it can be helped with various therapies and medicines. It can also improve for months at a time for many patients.Opiate pain medicine, while a very fine thing, doesn't always work too well with the nerve pain shingles produces. There are other medicines more related to the Valtrex you already take that also work well. Have you been to see a neurologist? He/she might have some insight as to what might help. A pain management doctor might also be good because they know of other therapies besides pain pills. Just a thought!
It's perfectly okay to try the methadone this weekend. Takes a little time to tell if it works, as it is slowly metabolized. You may want to stick around the house and not drive until you see what it does. If you don't like it, fine--at least you tried it like your doctor wanted. And if you don't want to take it, dispose of it so hubby can't gobble them up. They are very strong, and if he takes too many, he's in grave danger. This medicine has a long half-life--if I remember correctly, it's somewhere between 16 and 30 hours; for this reason, methadone overdoses are troublesome and ongoing. You're fine to try them---you will not be in danger in the least if you take them as directed. And if you decide to take the methadone, hide them!
Hang in there, and let us help you! I'll be looking for your posts!

[Imdone12]

It was fine to fill it. Only you and your dr can come up with the best plan of action for you. If your in pain it won't hurt to try the methadone over the weekend and see if it helps. There is no point suffering and if you take it like your supposed to then I wouldn't worry about addiction. Your actually in pain and it is ok to take pain meds. If you decide you dont like it or it doesn't work then at least you can tell your dr that you tried it an d it didn't work or you didn't like it. I'm sorry your husband is not supportive believe me I know how that feels. I think many of us do. Maybe have him google what methadone is used for so that he can see for himself. Either way there is no reason for you to be in pain and I hope on Monday you and your dr can come up with something that works for you. Good luck

[aloneinok_04]

And yes I filled the methadone today after I got off the phone with his nurse? Was that the wrong thing to do? That was the other thing my husbad was yelling at me about the fact I got it filled, even after I expressed my concern to take it, should I have not filled it?

[aloneinok_04]

I think the bottom line is based off my reading everything on here , I'm scared to death to make the methadose but I feel like my dr is leaving me no choice, I have tried to explain in person and on the phone, but he's insisting that I try it. So what choice do I have.?

[vicki595]

He gave you an rx for Methadone right?  What is that dose?

I agree with you, something is wrong with the picture.  He should definitely document the Methadone.

Do you still have Lortab to take?  Did you fill the rx for Methadone yet?

In light of this information, you better wait until you talk to him tomorrow or Monday.

[aloneinok_04]

Thank you for all the support, it's very difficult right now, feeling alone makes it worse. Just trying to find my way.  It's awful to feel alone when your married. I wish that I had never told him about the methadose vs my Loratab like I said before I think I know he takes my pain meds because I find half of pills in my bottle. But he totally made me feel like crap tonight . Yelling at me and telling me that methadose wasn't even for pain.

[littlebit667]

hmmmmm, I would definitely call him back Monday!  ***** that you have to wait, but something like that would give me pause!  Glad he/she is doing the other stuff.  Shingles so s u c k!  I hope you can handle it til then.  

[aloneinok_04]

Yes I take valtrex everyday, and he gives me a shot of Predisone from time to time.that was the other things about what happened yesterday, I had just started my taper dose of Predisone, 60 mg and I told him and he still have me a shot of Predisone during my appt. so you can imagin how out of it I was feeling. Here is the other thing I feel I need to say when I called my dr nurse the first thing she asked me was I sure he didn't give me my lortab because thats what he wrote in my chart , Loratab not methadose. So I have odd feelings about that also. I feel like right now I'm taking a pill for everything and I still feel streesed out and in pain most days.

[bewitched_queen]

Well done littlebit!! Lol I love you bright shining people on here. Pursue all of your options for treatment aloneinok and THEN decide on how best to treat your pain :) good luck, we are all here for you!

[littlebit667]

oops forgot the url

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-treatment-overview

[littlebit667]

Were you given antiviral meds to start to see if that helps with the pain??  Another option is cortasteroids if you can take them??  Those are usually the first steps to help.  Here is a whole list of possibilities.  I hope you can find something to helps.  My son had shingles at age 11 and it was really hard for him and us to watch him hurt.  If you have not been given other options, perhaps a new doc is in order.