methodone for norco

[TKK333]

my doctor gave me up to nine methodone per day to get off my norco of three years.  taking only three to six a day of the 10 mg.  takes away the edge of my missing norco.   doesnt do much for my pain so i supplement the methodone with a few motrin a day.  Its working well  so far.  no more norco.  I usually take only 30mg of the meth. a day.  I am now playing softball on a league and am happy to be back playing. However.  I am always tired and feel a little extra anxiety and lack confidence.  on the norco,  i was superman.  Now , i am slumberman..  any help friends.  I am happy to be hydrocodone free  but now ,  i must get off this zombie med.  methodone,.  does take away my desire to pop twenty norco a day.  

[Ghilly]

My doctor just switched me to Methadone last month.  At first I was worried as to whether or not I would get the same quality of pain relief that I was getting from the oxycodone, but it turns out my worries were totally unfounded, because I am taking the 10mg Methadone pills, and while my doctor has prescribed six a day (one every four hours), I usually only end up taking 3 or 4 a day because it works SO well for controlling my pain that I forget it's even time to take one!  I still have my oxycodone 15mg for breakthrough pain, 2 tablets every four hours, however I have yet to take two tablets, and most of the time I don't even need ONE!  I can go five to six hours between my Methadone doses and only remember that it's time to take it because I'll look at the clock, not because the pain in my body is reminding me.  It's also HUNDREDS of dollars a month cheaper than the oxycodone, so this has been a HUGE blessing for me!  And it doesn't make me even a little bit drowsy, I can function perfectly, but it doesn't hamper my ability to fall asleep either.  When I lay down in bed at night, I fall asleep literally within 3 to 5 minutes, but it's because I am relaxed and pain free, not because I am sleepy from my meds.

Ghilly

[tanglewood]

I take Methadone and Norco for chronic pain. I have gone through withdrawl for both and getting off of the Methadone is way harder than getting off of Norco. The Meth makes me drowsy also and I've been taking it this time for about 8 months. I hope things level out for you. Talk to your doctor about cutting back on the dose or taking something in addition to help you stay awake. Just don't cut the Meth pills in half or anything like that - could be dangerous. Good luck.

[sandee1818]

I was put on methadone years ago and I could not stay awake at all! My son was only ten then and we was used to going to beach daily and just doing anything we could to have fun and learn. When I was changed from hydrocodone to the methadone though I slept the entire month basically. My son was upset that we were not doing the things we were used to doing but I could not even begin to think about driving because I literally could not keep my eyes open!
I was then put on the oxycontin which was new then and I still take the same dose of that basically:)
Give it time you may get to the point where it does not make you drowsy. A lot of people say it has really helped them but they had to get used to it, or rather their bodies had to get used to it.

[Tuckamore]

Hi TKK,

Congratulations. You are brave and have my admiration.

Methadone, as you probably know if often used for pain management also. It is effective in controlling and relieving chronic pain. In my opinion your physician has made a wise choice as Methadone is effective both in addiction or dependency and in pain control. It will make you a bit drowzy until your systems adjusts to the medication. In time, maybe a few weeks or months your system should adjust. It is something you can discuss with your prescribing physician.

Forgive me but I do not completely understand your post. Are you struggling with addiction or chronic pain or both? Because we are the Pain Management Forum we do not have a lot of information or personal experience to assist you with a journey through recovery if that is what you are dealing with. So if that is the case you may want to consider posting on the Substance Abuse Forum in addition to the Pain Management Forum. There are many knowledgeable and compassionate ppl there also. Please do not misunderstand me, you are always welcome here.  

I will look forward to your updates. Take care and please keep in touch.

Good luck to you,
Tuck