Re: Patty B-Methadone

[Guest guest]

Dear Patty,

All drugs seem to affect us all so differently. I tried Methadone twice

since I was building up a tolerance to morphine, but I found I couldn’t take

it. It made me so nauseous I wanted to die, and I couldn’t keep my eyes

open. So at least as far as I’m concerned, it affected me the complete

opposite it did you. Clear-headed and having extra energy was certainly

not me when I tried methadone. I have to say though that even through all

the horrible side effects it did really cut my pain in two, and that’s the

main reason I tried it about a month, at a lower dosage, later one more

time. I think it’s really toxic to my body, since I don’t think I have ever

gotten that sick from a drug so quickly.

As far as worrying about becoming dependent on one type of narcotic

medication, I have worried just like you. My pain doctor always reassures

me that they have alternatives and not to worry. Are you currently going to

a pain clinic? Very few GP doctors will prescribe methadone since they worry

about their license. The thing I like best about pain management is they

really understand pain and all the consequences it can cause in your life.

They are specialists and when you develop chronic pain, which is with you

daily, then you really do need a specialist as far as I’m concerned. The

other thing is most of these drugs are serious drugs with a lot of side

effects. It makes all the sense in the world to have a concerned

professional monitoring what you take and how often you take it. It takes a

lot of the worry away from me. I’ve been in pain management almost 7 years

now, and I know they have saved my life many times over. I hope you find or

have a great doctor who can help you along the way.

Good luck with Methadone. I know I was always afraid of telling anyone I

was even on Methadone, but if it works for you, then I’d just be glad you

found something to help with the pain.

Take care,

Fran from Florida. P.

[Guest guest]

Hi Fran,

It is great that you've found a good pain clinic.

I had high hopes when one opened in our area but it seemed to be a

joke when I went there. The doctor's casual attitude did not make a

favorable impression on me nor my husband, who is seldom critical of

anyone, especially on first meeting. This guy did not do any exam for

himself other than ask a few questions (Was that expecting too much?).

He seemed too quick to write out scripts for new narcotics for a new

patient, was flippant about my problems with the one side effect that

troubled me most (constipation, which *can* become a serious problem)

and he offered no other resources for coping with the pain like

physical therapy, psychiatric counseling, etc. He made no allowance

for the fibromyalgia which makes some people more sensitive the

medications and/or require smaller doses. I " overdosed " the first week

which scared the daylights out of my husband and me!!

My PCP apparently decided to trust my judgement and my hard-learned

lessons, because she has been writing the scripts for me lately. (I

keep the doses small and below the daily limit. Her records will

support that the month's supply lasts much longer for me.)

Would you mind explaining your concerns about telling anyone you were

on this medication?

Thanks for sharing you experience with this pain medication,

patty in the Pineywoods of East Texas