Addicted to my pain meds and doc wants me to try methadone but I'm scared to

[moonshyne777]

I was prescribed oxycontin a year ago after diagnosed with spinal stenosis. I became addicted to them and although I am prescribed 3 20's a day I do 5 or 6 a day.

I wanted to go on suboxone and found a sub doctor. I just spent the last 24 hours in withdrawls preparing to go in today and see the doc and leave with a prescription for sub. Well the doc saw me but instead of prescribing me sub he told me that sub wouldn't take care of my back pain and said he wanted me to start methadone pills instead. I begged him to at least let me try sub and he said no. I am very upset right now. He told me to go home and research methadone for chronic pain and if I want to go back tommorow and he will start me on methadone. I am torn on what to do. On one hand I understand where he is coming from as far as the pain goes but on the other hand I have heard so many horror stories about methadone.

Can anyone suggest anything? Sub doctors are hard to come by where I live (canada) and I just don't know what to do anymore. Please help. I know I can't stay on oxys as my tolerance just keeps going up but like I said, the methadone idea scares me. Is there anyone here on methadone for pain management that can help me?

[brynrevels]

I know a lot of people that take methadone to get off of oxies, and a few of them had to stop taking the methadone because they ended up more addicted to that then the pain killers, but like she said, every one is different. If you aren't 100% sure about it then don't do it.

[rafecu]

Im a recovering drug addict who at one time would take a whole of of pain pills.Even to the point of ODing a couple of times.  I ran out and went thru with drawls so many times. What id suggest to you, if you can do it, is to slowly get off the meds. I know its hard, hell i never could i always had to go cold turkey.I did this for 20 years. I would not ever get on methadone! I no longer use pain meds and hope i never have to again. But you can beat this.  Go to some na meetings they do help. And rememebr its no shame, getting hooked on those things are so very easy to do. You already know u have a problem so ask your doc to really help you to get off all narcotics. God Bless you and i can help in anyway just ask.  

[sandee1818]

Hi,
  I am glad you see that the Oxycontin may not be for you, but please realize that everyone reacts differently on different medications. What may be great for one may not work for you. Just like the Oxycontin does not work well for you it helps many others. You will see horror stories on every medication as these people have had bad reactions or have abused that certain medication.
If you feel strongly about not trying the methadone then do not feel pushed into it. Do the research and go back to this doctor and explain why you feel this medication is not for you.
At that point ask again about the suboxone and explain that you do realize it may not provide the pain relief you need but that you will address that issue if it becomes one at that point and time.
There are medications you can take with the suboxone for pain too.
But as you said you have to detox from the Oxycontin and stay off of them while on the suboxone or it will make you severely ill.
Become your own advocate here and explain that you want to be involved in making the decisions on what medications you take and that you really would rather try the suboxone verses the methadone and take some research with you that will also help explain your reasoning.