methadone and my mom

[jill6]

My mom called last night - she's been on methadone for about a year now - she was taking it 3x a day (30mg) but said she is only taking it at night now - but she has recently started sleeping all the time - she's always relied on some type of narc or opiate (car accident, many back surgeries, knees, blahblah) - she has always liked pills -  

I'm not too familiar w/methadone and I'm also not sure if she abuses it - I know she passed a recent drug test - she also has an implanted pump that gives her medication -

My question - can methadone 30 mg at night cause pretty serious drowsiness?  I'm concerned b/c she said she was driving and got so tired she fell asleep and almost hit 2 cars - I told her NOT to drive but she probably won't listen.............again - not sure she is telling the whole truth.

[house1]

Hello there are other factors that you have to take into consideration. There are some meds that take away strength from Methadone and there are some meds that will make the Methadone stronger depending on what she is taking. The way your talking it sure sounds like she is taking other meds as well.
I work at a Methadone Clinic for instance if she is taking Valium that will make her Methadone stronger and cause her to get sleepy but she should not be driving.
Across the board 30mgs is not a large dose many clients take much higher doses it really depends on the patient and there history.

[wait2long]

Dilaudid is an extremely strong drug, this is what is causing this type of nodding and sleeping...definately!  wow, i am sorry she has had to resort to the implant. this is a serious medication and unfortunately she may be on too high of a dose? not sure, but eventually her body will adjust to the dose she is on now and she will seem ok for a while, then she will need to have it increased...its a vicious cycle to be in.  do you really believe that her pain requires this type of strong opiate? or is she one to play up her pain in order to get the stronger drugs?  is so, then she is definately not just dependant, she is addicted , physically and mentally. you have a battle on your hands hun. i am so sorry she has resorted to this type of pain management, of course unless it is absolutlely necessary?  what are your thoughts on this?  she should NOT be driving until she has adjusted to this med....

[jill6]

Her pump is for back pain - they just lowered her dose of meds - I think it is dilauda (sp?)?  mixed with something else She's gone thru quite a few different ones to see which one works best -

She does not drink and that I am sure of.

She claims she doesn't take any benzo's or other narcs - but not sure and she would most certainly lie if I asked her.  

She is ALWAYS getting tests done by her doctor - so it would be hard to imagine it was non- drug related but not impossible.  Thanks for any advice - I hate the thought of her driving and falling asleep - it's just asking for trouble -

[nogie1717]

If she has been on for a year, she would have stabilized and not be tired or NODDING as it was put.

It sounds to me like she might be taking a Benzodiazapine with her pain meds.  These drugs (xanax, valium, klonopin, ativan) have serious effects when mixed with Narcotics.  I don't want to be accusing here, b/c I don't know her, but you said she liked pills and the drowsiness sounds like a combo.

Two questions:  1.  What is the pump for and what drug is in it?
                        2.  Does she drink alcohol?

[wait2long]

I would wonder what this implant is and what type of medication it is pumping into her...if she has lowered her dose of methadone and is only taking it at night that wouldnt be what is causing her drowsiness, i would be concerned about the implant...

[johnnykelly]

Hi Jill, its not methadone,but narcotics in general,yes i have seen people on the NOD.Tell your mother to be Very, Very careful,as Doctors are bound by law to report any drugs that are causing the patient to not be in a state where him/her is Lucid. The methadone in Canada comes in liquid and is taken usually in the morning. The side affects will cease and no longer be a problem,but for her License dont be discribing  that to the physican,as under-Law he/her is obligated to report her.I no longer have a DRS> LIC as i was on methadone a in several urine tests was Positive for Cocaine, The doctor gave me 3-chances,but at that time my addiction was more out of control. all the best john