Methadone

[mike]

My doctor just recommended Methadone for my CP. Has anyone used this? Any benefits, side effects?

[thenose]

There might be folks who think it is bad, due to becoming reliant on it.
I have heard good things form people about it and bad things.
One huge benefit is it often will work pretty well. :)

Take your laxatives ;)

[angel7]

I just got on it 2 months ago. I take a total of 25 mgs. a day. The only side effect I've found was I get a littlle sleepy around my 3:00 p.m. 5 mg. dose. Believe it or not it also took away a lot of my fear of dependency, in other words, before I was injured I spoke my mind to anyone if I didn't agree. I lost some of that when I was injured. The methodone gave that back possibly because I wasn't in as much pain.

This was the type of pain I was going through:

"Dr. Young, David, Anyone - Intense Pain!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay guys I am reaching the suicidal stage with this pain. Bear with me this is a long one.

I was injured in 2000 a C5/C6 incomplete quad. Due to return of some sensation and function I am now a C7. Starting in November 2005 I had my first two bedsores due to a harness I wear to excercise. I also starting experiencing intense central nervous system or neuropathic pain along with diaherra around the same time. I have been tested for every conceivable problem including:

Blood tests - all normal
Colonoscopy - nomal
Stool samples - normal
Gall bladder Ulrasound - normal
Liver Enzymes - normal

I take vicodin for the pain and it has no effect. I am trying to get to a pain management center but have to wait for all the different doctors to fax my records. My bedsores are almost healed but I can't take this pain anymore.

At least 3 to 4 times a week I wake up with lower abdominal cramps. My body from the neck down but especially my hands, triceps, stomach, and legs are either frozen or on fire. This is accompanied with intense cramps and electrical shocks. I'm sick to my stomach and it feels like there is a strap tightening around my stomach and ribs that feels like my ribs are going to break. I still have the diaherra and have lost at least 30 more pounds since November. I have an appointment with my gastro doctor to have him scope my throat and stomach as he did in 2003 when he found ulcers in my throat and stomach. My stomach constantly gurgles.

When I last visited the ER due to the intense pain I thought maybe it was my gall bladder or liver. After waiting 8 hours to be seen they said they were both normal. I literally cried because I was hoping they would tell me it was my gall bladder and at least I would have an answer. The only relief I received that night was the nurse gave me a full syringe of Dilaudid(sp?) that at least made me loopy enough that I just didn't care about the pain.

Has anyone experienced this type of pain or symptons before? This is going on 7 months now with the worse episode being today. I would have some type of this pain over the last 5-1/2 years but it used to be much more sporadic. What's worse is it seems none of the doctor's know or care what is causing this and it's so hard to explain to them. I went to a neurologist about a month ago and he kept trying dopamine which had no effect. I tried Lyrica and it only intensified the pain.

I'm running out of options and courage. Any comments would be helpful.

Deb"

I take 10 mg at 6:00 a.m., 5 mg at 4:00 p.m., and 10 mg at 10:00 pm. Give it about a week to get your body adjusted to it.

Let me know how it goes.

Deb

[prayer]

It made my son sick to his stomach. He also had a problem w/dry mouth and constipation when he was on the methadone. I hope it works better for you.

[JonnyC]

I take 50ml / day in liquid form.
Its good for pain and yeah, it is highly addictive. However, if one needs it, one needs it.
Its not a med which gives long term probs e.g, liver damage.
I've come of it before without tapering and it was a bad move. However, coming off it gradually is fine.
Give it a go and see what you think. You can always up your dose.
On the consipation side. Taken with "Movicol" and theres no such thing as constipation!