methadone vs. morphine control release

[Shanna707]

I told my doc that my pain management regimen wasn't working as well and he changed my morphine controlled release 100mg every 8 hours to methadone 20mg every 8 hours.  Does that make sense?  Are the doses comparable?  I told my doc I was really apprehensive to trying the methadone because I've heard horror stories of withdrawal When wanting to taper down or quite.  He said Methadone is no more addicting than the morphine and could be better for my pain.

[BOK2Bjan]

Oops - just saw how old this was, lol

[BOK2Bjan]

My last palliative doctor wanted me to switch from Avinza to Methadone. I had already looked into it years ago and talked to my pharmacist who knows me well, and decided I didn't want to go on it. My doctor became more and more insistant, handing me information I already had, and which wasn't pertinent to my case. I stood firm, always being polite and respectful. One month I decided to take myself off all the Avinza (300mg/day at the time), in one months time. I had oxycodone for breakthrough and take Tramadol also. He was shocked.

But when, after reducing the oxy as well, my pain became too intolerable, he got beligerant about the whole thing. This is a palliative care doctor who was a partner of my long time doctor who retired, who had admired how I handled so many difficult trials in my life, etc.... now trying to change everything and ended up giving me the boot when I refused antidepressants when I told him my mom was dying.

Sometimes you find doctors who feel that their answers are the only right answers and to not embrace their recommendations is an a front to their brilliance (or something ). I miss my doc of 30 yrs SO MUCH! I now have a doctor, after a 6 month search for one, who won't prescribe ANY controlled substances and demands that I be managed by a pain clinic. That would be great if I could find one who would take Medicaid!

Thank goodness I have plenty pain meds in my safe, as I take them very conservatively - for just such emergencies - plus, I always try to take the least amount needed.

Methadone IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, and I don't understand why it became popular to push it. The big pharmacy Co maybe, or govt? Something has changed. But to stick up for yourself and say no to drugs you know aren't right for you, shouldn't cause a doctor to dismiss you. Trust me - we had a good relationship, I was more than compliant and a great patient. I just challenged him and think it made him uncomfortable. Finding good doctors is hard. Replacing a great one is impossible. I did just find a great neurologist to treat my MS, which is amazing. I haven't had that since I was dx in 2000.

So, final thought: switching up your pain meds now and then is always advised, but being forced to take drugs not suited for you is bad medicine!!!

[perch101]

Billy, just letting you know you've posted on an old thread so youprobably won't get a response.

[billyc402634]

STart methadone at 20mg every 8 hours thats 60 per day. now if that does not work that is in the weaker stage of the methadone. I have seen people go over hundred a day without any other drug and pain was gone and they were comfortable so really talking with ur doctor and trying different dosages until u find what is right for u is where it will happen.so speak up loud and clear at your drs and tell him if it isnt working dont take well i dont feel comfortable if the doc says that u tell him u r their for u and not him they are many docs out their and if u need any advice on taken meth dont hesitate to call a methadone clinic and speak with a nurse since they deal with methadone everyday. let me know if any one else needs advise i have so an arrange of it email me at ***@****

[1971christine]

i have disc degenerative disease,a spinal compression and 4 herneated discs just got out of the hosp. after 16 days my doctor put me on 60 mg of methadone a day and it is not helping my pain at all i dont know what to do....i am shaking i have to endure physicaltherapy 3 times a week to make my back stronger for surgery i am in the same boat i am nervous to tell him it is not working cuz i do not want to be doped up .....but the pain is so unbearable i hope the best for you and that you feel better soon I will keep you in my prayers,,,,,,Christine,,If you ever wanna talk email me  c.snyder11@comcast,net...

[geminigirl1963]

I'm sure part of my w/d problems with the methadone were because I stopped it pretty much cold turkey and didn't wean off of it.  This was not a planned thing at all - I had come down with a case of the flu and for a couple of days I wasn't able to hold down the medication.  When I was over the flu, I made the choice to not start the methadone again because I had not found it to be helping me (and it in itself was making me sick).  I guess when I had the flu, I didn't really notice the w/d symptoms because I was already sick from the flu, but when the w/d really kicked in, it was quite obvious that it was w/d from the methadone (but yes, I was on another opiate by this time).  The nausea and vomiting were absolutely horrible adn like I said, I ended up in the hospital because of it as I got severely dehydrated (my potassium level was almost non existent so they were very concerned about my heart giving out)  I also had bad tremors and horrible chills with no fever.  I had some testing done just to make sure nothing else was going on, but in the end, it was determined that everything I was going through was all related to w/d from the methadone.  I, too, was on 20mg every 8 hours and had only been on it about a month - never AT ALL did I abuse or take an additional dose of it.  My doc told me that some people are more prone to w/d symptoms even after being on a medication for only a short time and I guess I'm just one of those "lucky" ones.

Obviously, I'm no doctor like I said, but rather a fellow pain sufferer.  Definitely do not do any adjusting to your medication schedule or regime without talking to and getting it approved by, your doctor.  I, personally, will never take methadone again - in my case, the "cure" was definitely worse than the "disease".

I know everyone reacts to medication differently - this was one medication that is definitely not for me.

I wish you the best of luck and please keep us informed as to how your'e doing.

[Shanna707]

hey I was wondering did you go through the w/d cuz u didn't take a different opiate after stopping the methadone?  I might have to give it 2 wks b4 I can get it changed. I can't understand who would prefer this drug.

[Shanna707]

I still don't like the methadone.  I'm just really tired and feel icky and still in pain.  I don't think I want to give  the methadone a full 2 weeks and then stop and risk withdrawals for something that isn't helping the pain.  Only the oxycodone for breakthrough is helping the pain, but I'm gonna run out too soon cuz the methadones isn't working at all.

He wanted me to give it the two weeks but I just don't feel good about that.  

wish I had more money or some insurance for a second opinion, but unfortunatly like many people out there, I don't have assests for a second opinion,

I know in my heart what I need to do , but I don't want to **** my doc off and end up without doc or scripts.

[geminigirl1963]

I'm sorry you're having so much pain.  I, personally, did not find any relief from methadone when I was on it - all it did was make me sick and did not touch my pain.  Pain medications sometimes do take time to "build up" in your system, but I'm not sure methadone is one of those and for me, it didn't make any difference the longer I was on it.

Withdrawal from methadone is pure HE**.  Even though I was only on it for a short time (about a month), I went through the most horrendous w/d when stopping it - I was literally sick for weeks and even ended up in the hospital because I got so dehydrated from the vomiting/nausea.

I'm no medical professional - simply a fellow chronic pain sufferer - so please take the information I've given with a grain of salt.  I, personally, will NEVER again try methadone - it's bad enough being in constant pain, but if the so-called treatment/pain reliever doesn't touch your pain and makes you constantly sick, it's not worth it to me.

I would most definitely contact your doctor again and tell him the methadone is not working for you.  there are many other treatments/medications out there that can be tried.

Keep us posted and feel better!

[Shanna707]

I've taken 2 doses of this methadone 20mg and I am not impressed.  My lower back still hurts.  Does it accumulate and work better after time?  I'm getting irritated. I went to the doc to get better pain control not less.

Please more people give me some personal experience about this stuff.

[Shanna707]

THanks I took my first dose and already feel like u said sleepy, but still in pain.  My Dr. suggested this cuz he didn't want to increase a breakthrough med of 5mg oxycodone but was more than willing to give me high dose oxycontin with more oxycodone, but I can't afford the oxycontin cuz it's like $800 and I have no insurance.

[sandee1818]

I also wanted to add that if you feel that this medication is not right for you after doing the research do not take it. Call your doctor and ask for other options.

[sandee1818]

Everyone reacts differently to medications. I tried methadone years ago and it wasn't for me as I slept all the time. If you feel you would like to try this after doing the research then you should do so. Talk to your pharmacist also as he can help understand the side effects and etc.
Twenty mg is fairly normal and to my understanding compares to the dosage of Morphine you were on.

[Shanna707]

from shanna707 actually

Please someone tell me what I can expect trying methadone.  Is 20mg a high dose??  I am  apprehensive to start this med but my morphine is wearing off and I'm really starting to hurt.  I just wanted to know from someone with experience what they think about methadone good and bad and if it relieves muscle and joint pain well!!
Thanks fellow pain management friends