Methadone Maintenance Pain Relief

[msilverstone]

If on methadone maintenance @ 120mg/day, what can I use for severely arthritic knees for Pain?  marks

[Tuckamore]

Hello and Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you found us and took the time to post. However I am very sorry to hear about the severe pain you are experiencing in your knees.

Geminigirl1963 is correct. It is not wise for any of us to suggest a specific medication, for various reasons. I would assume that a NSAID to reduce the pain and inflammation of the arthritis in your knees would be beneficial. However which one and at which dose must be up to your physician.  Indeed he/she may think that another family of medications would be better in your specific instance. He/she may also determine steroid injections may be better or given in addition to medication.

Please consult your physician and let us know what you discover. Don't wait too long. Arthritis can deform the joint capsule and surrounding structures, which is lessened and sometimes avoided with proper medication and treatment.

We'll look forward to hearing how you are doing, I wish you well.

Peace,
~Tuck

[geminigirl1963]

I'm sorry to hear you're having so much pain in your knees.  I, too, have severe arthritis (all over, but my knees are especially bad), so I can relate to wht you're going through.

Unfortunately, about the only thing I can suggest is that you talk to your doctor who presribes your methadone to see what he/she suggests (and permits).  I'm presuming you're under the care of a PM (pain management) doctor, and therefore, probably had to sign a pain contract.  Most of those types of contracts state that you must notify your doctor of ANYTHING that you take that has not been prescribed by the doctor - including over the counter meds.  Therefore, it would definitely be best to ask this question of your doctor so that a) they know that the methadone is not helping with your arthritis pain and b) you don't get into any conflict with your pain contract.  They very well may be able to prescribe you something that would help with this pain - or at the very least - tell you what would be permissable (and appropriate) for you to try over the counter.

Best of luck and I hope you get some relief soon.