methadone, just prescribed to me for chronic pain 10mg 3xday, freaking me out with this forum

[mechella]

Hydros,Opanas(oxys) just a fancy, expensive abuse resistive form. Avinzas, My paim mgt. Dr. has been all over the map tying to treat and releave my chronic pain for 3 yrs. So I get a new script today for Methadone 10mg 3xaday to start out with and no relief after taking my first one, 2 hrs. later another,ect.4 in all. Other than being wide awake. I feel like I ought as well been taking  motrin. And now I run across this forum and whatthe....Now Im scared.Is this a road I dont even want to go down? Ive heard the DR., pharmacy and in this forum that it will get ahold of me, the Dr. and pharmasist just put it a little different(wording). What to do?

[BaronMunchausen]

Methadone is a full agonist as opposed to a partial agonist like other drugs. Once you're stabilized on it the dose will last for 24-36 hourse, unlike other opiates.

However, once hooked, the withdrawals last two weeks if you go off it to swiftly, and the PAWS can last for months (I've even heard of residual paws after a year).

So I'd definitely consider trying some of the more radical, non addictive pain management techniques out there before using a drug you say isn't even working for you (there should be SOME relief with initial use. If not - it's the wrong drug for you).

You should also consider that after three years you ARE physically addicted to opiates (if you've been using opiate based drugs all this time).

An opiate addiction will actually cause a reverse effect, heightening your sensitivity to your pain when you don't have an overwhelming dose to dull it.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Due mostly to the half life it takes methadone a bit to really become an effective pain agent. Not like the "take one now and the pains gone in a half hour" - -  methadone has both drawbacks and excellent points in its favor. It is truly one of the better pain meds for a great many people. It has fewer negative side affects than most other narcotics when used long term for pain control.  But its also a monster to withdraw from. Only you know your pain level and whether you percieve the pleasure to be worth the pain.

[widow572]

STOPPPPP

unless your pain is at a constant 7-8 out of 10 i wouldn't do it.

I have had major spine problems for years now and was on morphine and opana (which is not oxy in any way) i was at a 3-5 out of 10 a few times a month a 7 and i have passed about 6 kidney stones so i know what pain is.. you are going to go down a road you do not want... withdrawal is horrible... worse than the pain and can make you go crazy for a couple weeks to a couple months pending your age.

i am on day 5 and feel a lot better.. still get cold though but not as bad as it was.  i never have a craving like so many on here do.. i don't wanna take my medication.. whether it be suboxone or opana and i still have like 1000 imr opana that i never took..  

if you have been on opana  (which has multiple opiates in it to make it last longer in your system).. seriously quit it.. you don't need that **** unless your miserable all the time.. i was too and now i am worse with the withdrawal and laying on my broken back all day under covers with sweats on freezing my *** off and my brain won't stop being awake but for a couple hours a night.. which really *****.. your blood pressure goes down.. so all you feel is cold and miserable.. can't eat much and without the opiate your digestive system gets back on track. but you can't eat much so you feel extremely malnurished.. i have lost 10lbs in 5 days..and i am  6ft 160lbs.. not much fat.. funny thing all the fat people i know do way better comming off opiates than skinny people so if your a fatty your better off..probably high blood pressure.. who knows..all i do know is i wouldn't have been on this **** for 3 years if i wasn't in pain..but dealing with opiates is tough you get cold when the juice leaves..you build a tolerance so if you take 2 pills a day one at 10 and one at 6-7pm  you will end up doubling your dosage within a year to compensate... sry i know it's confusing but i am withdrawal so give me a break...  

not worth it at all!!!! esp once you realize the opiates mess with your brain and such and that is not too hot if you have a business with clients. the sooner you quit the better!!!!!!  the only way i would do it again is if  my pain went to 8 or above. opiate withdrawal is horrible

[yeah0right]

I am getting off methadone now. I have been on them for 2 years and then for a time before that as well. I have chronic pain and the methadone does help ALOT for pain but I agree with Prospero73. THat is why I am getting off it. It is very hard to get off of though. In all honesty I would rethink going down the methadone road. Take it from some of us that have been there. It is a bone gripping drug. Best of luck to you and if you ever want to chat about it I would be glad to help.  : )

[Prospero73]

I would think that methadone should  be prescribed for pain relief in terminal cases only.  Using it for chronic pain could only lead to higher and higher doses and major addiction problems.  

[outotown]

I have never been on the methadone but have been on almost every other type of meds, I have heard that meth. is a very good pain releiver, but its like 5 times more addictive than herion. So be careful, some of the meds being prescribed for chronic pain, was meant to be used when someone has cancer and they have done all they can do and they are just being made comfortable. Im in chronic pain and the longer im off the meds the less it bothers me even tho there is times i cant get out of bed from pain. Check out the pain management forum for some diff. types of treatment, the longer you are on pain meds the more your tolerance builds and the more you need, The less pain meds you take over time the better they can work for you. good luck

[paindruggie]

My cousin was put on Methadone for chronic pain and now she is 6 feet under....this was under a doctors supervision. She as  not taking anything else, Take care with that stuff. If it were me I would try to have someone around me the first couple days or week you are on it, especially when you go to sleep. She went to sleep and never got up. Sorry if I am scaring you but methadone can be dangerous.

[worried878]

btw..u do know that 10 mgs of opana is stronger than 10 mgs of methadone?  so if u were on high doses of any of the ones mentioned above..the methadone may not cover ur tolerance at the dose u r at right now

[worried878]

all narcotics are habit forming...methadone is as well..since it has a long half life..the wd period is longer they say//like sub wd..most who take methadone swallow it//at least..many who use oxy etc do not,,,it is snorted or used iv..which would possible make recovery hard...methadone is a level drug..it doesnt peak alot and bombard ur brain with endorphins like shooting or snorting stuff..hydros peak very quickly and have a short half life but bombard ur brain when abused worse than a low level dose of methadone..none are fun to get off of..and goals come into play...if pain relief long term is ur goal..and u have decided to use narcotics to reach that goal...then when u decide to quit it is not gonna be a picnic no matter what u take..have u thought about alternative methaods of pain control?