- Methadone

[Guest guest]

,

I work with a woman who has suffered from chronic pain for more than 10

years. Her DR at the Pain Management Clinic finally put her on Methadone in

the past few months, this after trying countless other pain meds. They make

her drowsy, so she tries to only take them after getting home from work. She

also was of the mind of " Methadone, the last resort, " but the dosage is low

so that eased her mind somewhat.

As for getting addicted to it, Methadone, like any other drug, is only

addictive if you start taking it for the " high feeling " rather than for when

you are in pain. I was on Vicodin, Vicodin ES, and Vicodin HP for over a

year, and my mother was really worried that I would be addicted to it as

that's what you always hear some celebrity is entering the Betty Ford Clinic

for. Gees, and I was trying to stretch them out for 8 hour intervals rather

than the 4 - 6 hours that was on the prescription.

My first Rheumy was of the mind that all I was in her office for was to

obtain narcotics. I told her if that was the case, I wouldn't need to pay

for an office visit, I would just go down the street and buy them from the

drug dealer. (Yes, I live in a wonderful neighborhood....LOL) My current

Rheumy has prescribed Darvocet, but I try and limit that to 1 a day, less if

I am having a " good " day. Otherwise, yes, I try and get by with just taking

my Neurontin and Ibuprofen.

I wish you luck with the choice you make!

M : )