Would opana be a good severe pain reliever that won't cause such awful weight gain like methadone, but be more effective, too?

[JanetM757]

Methadone absolutely has made me gain weight and I do days of total fasting, with no loss.  I take methadone for cripling back pain.  Will switching to opana allow me to lose the weight I've put on and help back pain, which the methadone was taking more and more with less relief?

[spitfire2]

Thank you much for your information--greatly appreciated.  Take care, and best wishes to you as well.  
Cheers,
spitfire2

[JanetM757]

http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/medicine/painkiller-comparison.htm   <~~~If you know how to copy and paste this webpage into your browser, it is an excellent chart of pain meds from aspirin to the strongest opioids including fentynl, morphine, etc. plus the strengths, side effects, length of relief, etc.  Curiously, methadone isn't on it...But it is worth looking at and printing and taking to your doctor's office to discuss...it gives you the upper hand in being able to INTELLIGENTLY, talk to your doc. about their choice for you to relieve your pain adequately.  

[JanetM757]

Thank you all!  I have tried Fentanyl maybe 5 yrs. ago...it didn't seem to work...could have been too modest a dosage by the physician...I mean, how do you know...but I think spitfire was the best answer...I've been on methadone/morphine mix, the latter for breakthrough pain, so because of pain seeming worse, the doc incr. methadone by 20mg/day, and I start feeling just like spitfire described opana...don't need that, although doc offered it.  Instead, I opted for Morphine CR (controlled released) that builds up over time and then also Morphine IR (or immediate release) for breakthrough pain...and we'll see.  I think I feel more awake on the morphines, but I know I have to up the controlled release one, since I'm on a beginner dose, since I still have the methadone in my system, which can take several weeks to be totally gone, when I will be increasing the morphine to gradually make up for everything evening out.  The methadone not only makes you gain weight, I just don't think it is too good for pain...it's probably best they just use it for narcotic users to wean off street drugs.  I had my failed spinal fusion/ laminectomy by a jerk, irresponsible neurosurgeon bacy in 2001, and once he was aware of the failure, he dismissed me as a patient, not wanting to deal with pain management end of it.  I've tried to correct his mess, and tried epidurals and facet injections, but the dope neurosurgeon screwed up so bad, he created massive scar tissue damage and it is now too difficult to get injections in, and more surgery would just make it worse.  Yoi, yoi!  Good luck to you all...there are no winners in this room, but it's good to exchange successful methods...Best wishes to you all...Janet McD

[chrise4983]

I just started Fentanyl 2 motths ago and vicodin for break through pain for RA and Fibro. I was not told the high content of medication the patch contains. So to my dismay reading this how can I be in so much pain still? Have stopped for 3 days(missed a patch) and I really see no difference so maybe its time to jump ship early enough with that med

[Melissa_1982]

Fentanyl is the STRONGEST pain medication out there & not something to joke with. I've been on it for years & HATE my dr with a passion for putting me on it due to the withdrawals that happen easily & the tolerance that you build up quickly.  

I've never taken Methadone before but have seen what it does to ppl who do take it & one of the effects seems to be weight gain.   I've also heard that it causes damage to your teeth & gums.

I would suggest talking to your DR about other options, but REGARDLESS of what he suggests do your research !

Good luck
Melissa

[spitfire2]

I wouldn't try opana...tried it for a while myself, and I was so groggy and washed out, in a daze, and feel asleep at times.  It makes you feel practically dead.  I take pain meds for terrible chronic pressure pain/tight feeling across my forehead as a result of brain surgery (i.e. craniotomy).  Have you tried fentanyl?  Works somewhat, but it certainly beats opana.  GOod luck to you.

[cocochennel]

I take opana er 40mg 4xd it does help I have back,neck,and leg pain.c-3,c4,l4,l5,s-1,siatica.