Doctors Who Prescribe Methadone (Page 3)

I am addicted to strong pain meds and I am tired of having to come off of them, the withdrawal is awful. I went to a urgent care doc and was prescribed suboxone. I take anxiety meds too but he wants me to stop. I really need the anxiety meds but he wants me off them. How do I get him to change it from suboxone to methadone so I can take my anxiety meds?

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@Jo... do not feel bad for not knowing more than you do. Just be sure whenever you get a prescription and aren't familiar with it, LOOK IT UP. Find out side effects, everything you can. You have a right to know what you are ingesting and I won't take a thing unless I know what it is first. Like I never even heard of Nucynta
and don't know if it's available in the U.S. or what it is.

I once had a pain med specialist tell me that if you are taking high-powered meds, i.e., morphine, dilaudid, methadone, or whatever for extreme chronic PAIN you most likely won't get high. THIS is the psychological aspect of it. You will develop a physical tolerance (mine is through the roof!), and of course you know your body becomes physically addicted. This is a FACT so pay no attention to those who say they do get high on Methadone unless they're reaching out for help instead of bragging about getting high on it.

I started taking fairly small amount of Methadone and Oxy a little over a year ago and I don't get 'high' either. A small amount as far as I'M concerned considering my tolerance is higher than whatever relief I get from the meds I'm currently on. Prior to June 2010, I've gone the gambit over the years with failed back syndrome after four back surgeries left me permanently disabled. I'd been on massive amounts of pain meds and didn't get high.

All that said, I'm sorry to be so harsh (not intended for you, however), but I get really frustrated with those who take pain meds for reasons for which they are not prescribed. This makes it harder for those of us who truly need it.

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@who cares....
Wow....U are one angry person to accuse me of what U have. Maybe your the cause of doctors not wanting to help those who need pain relief ? How on earth could a person's confusion over drugs cause that ?
The cause, is all the drug seekers out there, who use them for crap or to get high, or are out there selling them. I watched that happen at one doctor's office so I know that is going on A LOT !! I can't stand people who are doing that. But I somehow feel sorry for them too. (a little bit)
If your trying to tell me that Methadone is not a different type of Opiate... then I feel U are wrong. Why is it that doctors need a special license to prescribe it for drug addicts if this is so ? They can write for other Opiates without it. Explain this.
Yes. I read about Anna Nicole Smith, but her boyfriend had given her a mixture of opiates,benzos and alcohol. And lots of them, to have been caused death by them. Or maybe she took them herself, not knowing that she had ? It's people like that who cause doctors to not want to prescribe for us. Not me !!
I can almost understand it tho, b-coz when your in so much pain, all U want is relief. And sometimes, it's easy to forget how much U took last or when. U need to keep close track and maybe write it down when U took your last dose.
If U had read my last reply, U would've seen that I am a little naive on the drug front. I've not taken a myriad of them over the years. It was only recently, that I was tried on anything different for my pain, and they didn't help like the Methadone did.
I have seen that Methadone is indeed an Opiate, but I had thought it acted differently than most others. My bad, I guess ? But that's no reason for U to say the things U have about me. U are wrong.
But U are entitled to your opinion, so be it. I have no further use for U. So go about taking whatever drug U can get, since U know so much about them all. I simply trust my doctor. Not a bunch of drug seeker addicts who make it bad for those who are REALLY in pain.

My apologies to those who feel like they are addicts from taking meds for pain. I know that at times it feels that way B-coz we have become so dependent on them. I truly wish none of us were having the pain that we are. And if it means anything to U "whocares", I also hope U feel better soon too.

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@ Ms. Tweetie,
I'm not totally sure exactly what Nucynta is, but I think it's a more modern Opiate that they have developed that is similar to drugs like Opana ? I'm not even sure what that is, except for what I've heard other patients say about it. I think it's like any other opiate but supposedly it has a coating or something. I think it and others were developed to replace Oxycontin, so people could not crush it and get high. It's been a while since I've read anything on it. I would have to check again to be sure.
I can't swear by any of my explanations about Nucynta. Just know my doctor at that time said it was very strong and a small dose should help. I will admit that along with it giving me a "weird" type feeling of a high, what it mostly made me feel was a strange puffy feeling in my feet. I say my feet b-coz I have most of my pain located in my feet. I have severe nerve pain there, and up my legs, among elsewhere. So possibly the doctor was right about it. I just didn't want to feel "out of control" on any drug. And I felt like I was going to be there while on the Nucynta. Maybe it's a drug that might help U ? I haven't tried all of them and that one is a new one. (I think)

I know it sounds like I never read the inserts that come with meds or look online for explanations, but I tend to avoid doing that b-coz of the many side effects they ALL list. After so many years on different meds, I get tired of reading the same warnings on side effects. I've learned that I can't obsess over them coz most people don't get more than some common ones. If I were to feel odd taking anything, I would stop it, no matter what it was. Plus, I never take anything that isn't prescribed for me. I have to trust the doctors.
I also know better than to take alcohol or things like that with my meds b-coz of the risks that combining them with narcotics can cause. (I have Ativan in my home for sleep/anxiety, but try to avoid using it as much as I can)
I will only take one when I feel I desperately need it.
If I do attempt anything like that, it is in very small doses, and only on occasion. Like U take your anxiety meds along with your pain meds. (sort of...) But as long as your doctor writes it for U, then he feels U need it and I'm okay with that. A doctor will generally weigh the risks with the need anyway. Then they prescribe both drugs depending on what they decide. I doubt they would do that for a patient who just showed up at their door, out of the blue.
I have to admit that when my nephew got married, I did drink a couple of glasses of champagne while I was also on my meds. I don't normally drink at all, but that night was special and I wanted to feel better for a few hours without overdosing on my meds. Punish me if U must, but that's how I felt that night. I was careful to stop if I started to feel anything like I was getting drunk. I don't care to get drunk. Alcohol actually makes me want to vomit if I drink more than 1 drink, anyway. (cheap date) lol
I like having full control of myself if possible.

This must make me sound quite dull....but as long as I only get a tiny bit giddy, I may do it once in a while. Like at a wedding. I am human.

I often wish I could have surgery to correct my problem. But I have a lot of nerve pain that there is no surgery for. So when I hear about so many of U who have had surgery, only to still be in major pain, I get leery of it anyway. One doctor I saw told me that my pain is in the same class as RSD? pain. Not sure exactly what that is, but I know it isn't good. It is very difficult to treat and control. I know that much.
I see that your PM doctors have decided to give U Methadone for your pain now. I'm glad. Comparing the relief factor of other Opiates with it, I feel the Methadone works better. Don't know why. It just does for me. The very 1st PM doctor I went to was the one who started me on it too. He must've known something, I would say.
Thank U for understanding where I am coming from here. I really don't appreciate someone calling me a dope. If they were truly in pain, they would think twice before judging anyone that way. All I can figure...is that they were just in a lot of pain at that moment and lashed out. I was the lucky recipient. I understand if that was the case. I have been there. At least...I hope that's all it was....tho I don't wish anyone be in that condition. Being without needed meds is a horror for any of us.
Addicted or dependent, as I like to explain it. There is a difference.
And I know how all of us feel about those who use these meds unecessarily or for entertainment. I feel the same way. I have signed so many petitions this past year, it isn't funny. It's getting out of control, how the gov't is making all of these new rules for us. There are so many other harmful things out there for them to concentrate on.
Okay, I'm stopping. This is entirely too long already.

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I do not use any medications other then an aspirin for you information. You have been very active on this forum going from extensive knowledge to saying things like you had no idea that methadone could get people high. The methadone clinics are licensed to give methadone as a treatment for opiate replacement. There is no special license a MD needs to write a prescription for methadone specifically. Physicians needs classes in addiction to prescribe triplicates. That could be Desoxyn (methamphetamine) , Morphine and Methadone. There are sub-classes of NARCOTICS that range from 1-5. The Methadone you speak of is a Schedule II Narcotic in the United states requiring a triplicate prescription. You talk so much about people judging but, you sit right here and tell me to " go take all the drugs I want"...when or where did I ever say I took or used drugs? You have argued continually with everyone on here about a subject you have very extensive knowledge of and pretend to be so naive or unaware. You are very aware that what you are taking is a very strong narcotic and is used to treat Heroin addicts because, it is so strong. They can not give a heroin addict Vicodin or Lortab because it is not strong enough to curb their withdrawals. So how does it make you feel to be taking a narcotic that is basically in the same line with heroin? I think you know full well that Methadone can get a person high if they take a large enough dose. I also thing you take it to get high.

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@Jo... I may be way off base here but you REALLY should get your facts straight before posting a lot of this stuff you appear to not know a thing about. You come across as very judgmental, and worse yet, condescending with a major focus being on the defensive (of your own experience?) of obtaining Methadone for pain as you're "not an addict". Who cares! I take methadone, get a script monthly along with one for Oxy and don't give a damn what others may think. Only me, my doctor and my pharmacist know what and why I take Methadone for anyway. It's no big deal anymore.

You come across sounding like you've been "doc shopping" quite a bit. OR appear all over the place responding to other's stories from people not on this thread is making ME confused. Do you live in the U.S., because some of the things you mention (seeing Anesthesiologists for instance), unheard of in the U.S. as far as I know, Primary care docs, methadone clinics(?), it's been difficult trying to figure out just where you're getting your meds and what you're taking. Do you have ANY idea how strong Methadone is? I found out on these forums that Methadone is actually considered stronger than Oxycodone, so if you take a 60mg dosage of Methadone, the converters show that you'd need 150mgs of Oxycodone. THAT'S A LOT OF OXY!!! Not to mention the potency of Methadone.

What dose of Methadone are you on and have you ever taken it in liquid form at a clinic. You weren't clear talking about a place near you where people would show up on motorcycles and leave with prescriptions. Sound like some illegal activity going on there if the 'doc' was giving out scrips for "cash" visits.

I get a sense you are very young (pardon if I'm wrong), but for you to tell people NOT to take benzos such as Valium or Xanax with Methadone or other pain meds is downright WRONG. Methadone DOES NOT inhibit or affect the effects of benzo's. ALCOHOL will! It could also KILL you if taken at the same time.

Also, you talk a lot about KNOWING much about methadone maintenance clinics but say you've never been to one because you "aren't an addict". And it blows my mind that your preference for anxiety is PAIN meds? You said this! "Personally I preferred the narcotic for anxiety tho, since I didn't need to take it every day."

And once AGAIN you apologized for providing incorrect information". Please try to concentrate on what some of these people are saying. You're not a doctor, don't claim to be one, so it's not necessary to respond to every single post unless you have FACTS to back it up, not just your experience.

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I live in Phoenix,Az, does anyone know of any doctors here who can prescribe methadone. I've been on it for 35 years and exhausted every meth clinic in valley, now they're detoxing me 5 a day, and I'm scared, I desperately have to find a dr. like yesterday. They won't let me have suboxone cuz I have a heart condition, please can anybody help,?

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@JoLinda,
I'm nowhere near U, unfortunately, so I can't really help.
It must be difficult being detoxed after being on Meth or any other drug for that long. I can hear that U are scared.
I don't think any doctor will give U more Methadone if your being detoxed by another doctor. All drug records are shared by the doctors and pharmacies, so they will immediately know if U are out there seeking more drugs.
Try more relaxation exercises or ask if they can give U something to help U relax more. It might help some ?
Good luck to U. Hope U feel better soon.

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@whocares,
Okay, so I got the wrong impression from U. It looked like U were making accusations that weren't true of me so I got angry.
I really don't have professional knowledge of all of these drugs. I can only say the things I've been told or have seen. I guess most people on here are having a hard time with the fact that I am not a professional. So it's probably better that I don't try to comfort anyone's feelings, since it looks like I'm doing a bad job. My apologies.
I'm not guilty of any of the accusations made on me. Just so U know. I had gone to a doctor who I felt was reputable, but later found out she was doing wrong things. Why am I so guilty for that ? I was being honest.
And the only reason I have had a few different doctors, is all because of these DEA regulations that have scared most doctors not to prescribe anymore. So I had no choice if I wanted any relief for my pain.
That situation has ended, thank God, because I am now in a hospital based program.
I suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy for the last 18 years and have only been being treated with these strong medicines for the last 7 to 8 years. These were chosen by a doctor, Not me. The other medicines I have mentioned were mostly from one temporary doctor who was trying to tell me to use those instead of the Methadone. A "weaning" of sorts, I suppose. But I knew that if I wasn't given a huge dose of them, which probably would've gotten me high to some degree, they wouldn't work as well for my pain, so I did not continue them. I, personally don't understand why a doctor would allow me to take other narcotics but not the Methadone if it's been the only thing that has helped over the years.( Just my opinion. ) I think most of us are so fed up with the actual drug addicts ruining the comfortability of us having our own doctors turn us away now, that we are jumping down others throats.
In any case...rest easy that I will not be giving anybody advice on their drug use or choice of drugs taken. Doesn't seem to help that I'm telling my story or not. People just aren't understanding me.
Be well.

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@Ms. Tweetie,
I feel really bad that your feeling this way about me. Your opinions have been forming like crazy. I'm sorry for that. I guess in my attempt to help people it may look that way. Tho since I'm not that knowledgeable on all of this I probably shouldn't say all the things I've said because of too much misunderstanding of me. This tends to happen online a lot. I should realize this.
Okay now. For one thing. I do live in the USA. I am in New Jersey. I have never gone to a Methadone clinic where they give patients the liquid form of it for addictions. I only know they exist. The only reason it may seem like I've been "doctor shopping", is because I went for a special treatment meant for my Neuropathy and during that time, my regular treating doctor had quit on me, so I was seeing a doctor temporarily for my pain while getting this new treatment. Then I had to find a permanent doctor; which is the hospital plan, but they have a waiting list, so I was without my meds for some weeks and suffering tremendously. I'm sure U know what that feels like.
I was not trying to judge U for taking both Methadone & Oxy. I was on the same mixture for a while. However, I know that my new doctor doesn't like doing that and have since stopped using the Oxy. It's difficult, but who knows ? Maybe at some later time, if I can't stand the pain in between doses of the Methadone, I may need to take it again ? I suppose U may know how long a dose of methadone lasts for U ? I know for me, it lasts about 6 hours. Then I either need another dose or I used to take an Oxy. Right now, I just suffer in between.
I'm trying.
A lot of what U say is very true. I can understand what your saying about many things. I am not here to judge U at all. Nor do I want others to judge me. I Will say it again. I am not a professional drug person. I only say things I either have experienced myself or heard other patients experiencing. The ones who rode in on the motorcycle to my old doctor is who I was talking about. That doctor, unfortunately, used poor medical practices, which I wasn't aware she was doing until much later. I no longer see her. But I did report her to my present doctor.
I don't mess around with illegal stuff. And like U, only my doctor, my pharmacist, and myself know the reasons why I am on the meds I am. So like U feel...Who cares ?
I get very upset when I come across people "using" for reasons I don't feel are valid. U know how badly they are ruining it for those of us who really need it. I agree, wholeheartedly.
If I insulted U somehow, I am sorry. But please don't feel that I am here to harm anyone. Never my intention.
U seem to understand a lot about all of these medicines. Much more than I do. And I appreciate your sharing your knowledge. I also agree that using alcohol isn't a good choice to do while taking these meds, tho I admitted I had had champagne at a wedding. Forgive me, but I am human.
I don't use alcohol in general at all. It makes me vomit.
Just that day, was an unusual occurrence. My honesty seems to have gotten me in trouble with U.
If it really bothers U that I am here, I just won't come back.
I lost my normal site for this sort of thing. I used to go on to a site for pain patients but they closed up. It was a good source for information on pain medications, but now it's gone; so I was sort of happy that I found this one. Maybe it isn't what I thought it was ? I dunno. Maybe ?
If I can answer anything more for U, please let me know. I am honest.

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@Ms Tweetie,
I know I didn't address everything U said in your comment to me, but it isn't because I'm trying to ignore U. I just could not remember every point U were trying to make.
I am currently taking a 25 mg. dose of methadone. Not 60mg. I don't know where U got that fact from. And a few of the other facts U said I said, were not what I remember saying myself. I did read some others saying so tho. A doctor will not tell U that it's safe to take all those medications together. But if they feel that U, yourself need them, they may very well prescribe them all for U. Mine are against that. That's all I know of that. And No, I have never gone to a Methadone clinic for any treatment. Some here have. Not me. The temporary doctor I was seeing had tried to send me to one. He happened to be an Anesthesiologist, which I would think U might know about. Most Pain Management doctors also have that license. That's been my experience. Maybe not yours, but mine. And I know all about the connection of alcohol and narcotic/benzo medications. All I did was honestly confess that I had done it one time. But I was careful. I know I was. My meds had worn down, so I had little left to mix with the champagne. Champagne is mild compared to what alcoholics will mix with their meds. And I certainly did not drink an entire bottle !!
U do know about Keith Richards, right ? I hope U wouldn't be classifying me with him. Just saying.....

Anyway. Hope I've cleared some things up for U.

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@Jo You seem to be wanting to share your experiences with people and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Some people may find comfort or valuable information in what you post. Do not stop sharing, all Ms. Tweetie and I are saying is be careful what you post and make sure it is accurate so someone does not mix or experiment in the wrong way. Methadone is an extremely strong opiate and should be used with the utmost caution. Now your situation is not at all uncommon in the sense of opiates be tried and exhausted and then finding one(methadone in your case) that relieves your pain symptoms. This is usually done by one practitioner and that is why some would think you may be "doc shopping". The fact that you have been to multiple pain management doctors is alarming and would send off a red flag to most people in the industry. You are fortunate to be given such a strong narcotic for neuropathy because, most physicians will not go stronger then Tramadol for that condition. They prefer things like Syvella, Lyrica, and Cymbalta for neurapathy not narcotics especially methadone. Seldom will you find a pain management physician that is not an anesthesiologist as well. The pain management doctors are probably 70-80% anesthesiologist. The reailty is that the only connection that Benzo's and Methadone have is for a drug addict that wants to "nod" they will mix the two and that can be very dangerous because, they both work on the central nervous system and depress breathing and heart rate. Now I am not sure what the issue is with being "right" or "wrong"...you do not have to be either when sharing your experience just be careful not to provide information that could effect the well being of others in a negative way. Peace to you and may your path be filled with light and hope always!!!!

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@WhoCares,
Hi. I actually wasn't tried on a lot of Opiates when I 1st began taking Methadone. As U say...most doctors will prescribe the other type medications for Neuropathy before anything else. Unfortunately, tho I went thru several trials of those types of medicine, nothing was giving me relief and I got nasty side effects from them.
I'm not going to list all I tried for fear that someone will assume I've been chomping down a bunch of strong meds for fun. It did take all of the 10 yrs. prior to my taking Methadone to figure out none of them were going to help. I was really suffering. Neuropathy like I have...does not let up no matter what U do. It is a 24/7 type of pain. Lying down in bed helps nothing. Even sleep doesn't help. (when I can get some) I've had several EMG's to verify my pain. So I know I am not over reacting to it.

So like I said...The very 1st pain management doctor I saw gave me Methadone to try and it worked. Halleluiah !! is all I thought. Finally, I was getting enuff relief to function sort of as a human being. I still feel plenty of pain. I can barely walk. I am slow as molasses !! My balance is way, way off too. And there is no way I can even wear a normal shoe. I have to wear sneakers or slippers. My only choice, if I want to walk at all. It's pretty awful when I get an invitation to something I have to dress up for. It looks pretty silly wearing a dress with sneakers or slippers !! I found a flat that I could wear that was made of lace, so I depend on them for fancy times.
If U read more on P.N. U will see how difficult most doctors find it to treat with any success. Nerve damage is extremely hard to fix. Unless they can find something else in U that is pressing on it. Neuropathy doesn't work that way. I think the way they explained it to me yrs. ago, was that the myelin shield to the nerves is damaged ? They don't know how to fix that. Or treat it properly.
Pain, in general is a very difficult thing to treat, and each person is different too. I usually have a high tolerance for pain. Always used to anyway. Until I got this. I didn't even take medicine for childbirth. Tho it was offered to me. I've always been more of a Tylenol type of person. Until I learned of the liver damage it could do. Now I will go to Ibuprofen, but in small doses. And with food in my stomach.
Thank U for trying to understand where I was coming from. But I will be being very careful to not give advice. I wasn't meaning to anyway. Just trying to caution some. I guess I was getting the wrong impressions too ?
Now I have to try to get some sleep if I can. I don't usually get much. Even with medication. I can't remember the last time I got a normal amount of hours of sleep. It must feel good to tho. I wouldn't know anymore.

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@jo--Oh I know. People are very ignorant about methadone and I was too at one time but Drs. should know more. You mentioned it being used in 1947. I believe that was mainly because of the war opium was almost impossible to get so a genius scientist invented methadone. Any feedback is welcome.....

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@Jo I am so glad that you found a doctor that was willing to stick it out and finally find the right medication for you. Now I am not sure of your medical insurance situation but, there is a new test out that is a Genetic Profiling test specifically for Pain or Opiate medications on a individual Genetic level for you. They take a swab from inside your mouth and send it off to a lab and they can tell you exactly which medications will be best for you and which ones wont touch your pain. It is a miracle test please ask your doctor about it next time you are there. You may benefit actually by having some break through medication for those times that you just are not getting enough relief from the methadone alone. youscript.com/healthcare-professionals/what-is-youscript/pharmacogenetic-testing/cytochrome-p450-2d6-genotyping please go read this.....you will like it and it will explain to you why some medications just will not work on you due to your genetic make up. I have extensive knowledge of Peripheral neuropathy in diabetics and non-diabetics and do know that there is very little if any relief. You are strong to keep an upbeat personality about it. YouScript may be an answer to many years of frustration and the best part is they provide you an wrist band and genetic proof as to why only certain medications and dosages work ON YOU.

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Cuge, Yea you're right.Methadone was being used in World War II by the Germans They ran short of pain meds that when methadone came into play. Then after the war americans bought the factory where it was made and discovered it helped with relieving withdrawals without leaving people dazed or high as alot of opiates did. Just a little info.

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@pam--Thanks for the info.

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It was developed in Germany in 1937, mainly because Germany required a reliable internal source of opiates. Because it is an acyclic analog of morphine, methadone acts on the same opioid receptors and thus has many of the same effects. Methadone is also used in managing severe chronic pain, owing to its long duration of action, extremely powerful effects, and very low cost. Methadone was introduced into the United States in 1947 by Eli Lilly and Company.
Methadone is mainly used in the treatment of opioid dependence. It has cross-tolerance with other opioids including heroin and morphine, offering very similar effects and a longer duration of effect. Oral doses of methadone can stabilize patients by mitigating opioid withdrawal syndrome. Higher doses of methadone can block the euphoric effects of heroin, morphine, and similar drugs. As a result, properly dosed methadone patients can reduce or stop altogether their use of these substances.

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@Cuge,
Yes. I had read about the troops being given Methadone during a "reading up on Methadone" day. I appreciate the added info Pam added to that too. Ya see...she agrees that U don't get the same "high" from it as U do from the other Opiates. That's why I couldn't understand why some were seeking it to get high. I didn't think it did that....but I was told I was wrong, by quite a few. Maybe that's what they believed back in 1947 but not now ? I don't know. I had been trying to say that earlier. I messed up & typed the word "Benzos" by mistake. I don't even use that word when I talk about narcotics. Just picked that one up in here. I had been referring to Ativan at the time.
I think a bunch of us are a little confused about a lot of things in here. And Methadone is only one of them. But I don't think it's any of our faults. We can only go by what we are told or have read. Or even what we have heard or experienced.
We just have to trust our doctors and hope they are right. After all...they DO "practice".

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@Cuge,
Yes. I had read about them using Methadone for the troops back in 1947, for pain. I'm glad that Pam has added to this info.
I'm also glad she agrees that Methadone indeed does not act like other Opiates as far as getting U high goes. This was my opinion from the start. Maybe I was wrong, but it is what I had heard or read. Many disagreed with me, however. Maybe they know more ?

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@WhoCares,
Ya know...I'm not sure I'm understanding all that your saying to me. For one thing...I have not been the only person to post incorrect facts about drugs in here. So why pinpoint only me ?
It's true that I have responded to several people in here, but only b-coz I like people and wanted to help or encourage, if possible.
Ms Tweetie has mentioned several things that if she knew so much about pain management doctors, she would've already known that most of them are Anesthesiologists. She has also gone to different states to get her meds. If this was b-coz she lives on the borders of both, then that can make sense however. I can't help wondering what Ms Tweetie's knowledge actually is. Especially since it sounds as if she has only just begun on Methadone. U, yourself just said the majority of PM doctors are also Anesthesiologists. I agree with U and said so.
Now I see that Pam agrees with my thought that Methadone does indeed not cause U to get a "high" like other Opiates do. So who is right here and who is wrong ? I think a lot of us are making mistaken posts lately. Either that...or we are just confused and misunderstanding each other ?
U have misunderstood me when I tried to explain why I have seen several PM doctors in the last several yrs. too. I would like to explain if I may...
The 1st 10 yrs. I had this pain, I had been tried on just about all of the medicines U mention here and then some. None of them worked for me. I had even tried Neurontin 3 times with no luck. I got very bad side effects from a lot of these types of drugs, also. I had never been tried on different Opiates until recently, and that was only done by one PM doctor who apparently had the wrong impression of me. He was assigned to me by the place that was giving me this new treatment for Neuropathy; which once again, did not work on me. When that treatment ended, this temporary PM doctor blew me off, but I was already on a waiting list to be taken into the hospital program I am now in. I just needed some temporary scripts to get me thru to when the hospital took me. (if they did ) He refused...altho he had told me he would find me another PM doctor when I finished that new treatment because he would not be giving me my meds anymore at that time. He was the one who also told me that he did not have the special license to write scripts for Methadone. Yet for 4 months, while I was under that treatment, he already had. Because of this situation, it may have appeared that I was "doctor shopping", but I assure U I was not. Not in the way U think it was.
I also have no idea what the term "nodding" is all about, by mixing certain drugs together. I've never heard of that in my life. But I have heard that mixing Opiates together and adding Benzos too can be extremely dangerous, as in stifling your breathing abilities. I know this is true because I also have Asthma & some drugs will do that to me. I haven't had a problem with the Methadone I am on, however. It's weird tho...b-coz when I tried straight Morphine, I had to stop it b-coz of breathing problems. That temporary doctor did not believe me !! I know that Methadone is a derivative of Morphine as well as other Opiates, but for some reason they affected me differently. And by the way...my Endocrinologist suggested the 1st PM doctor give me some form of Morphine for my pain. He's the one who originally sent me to them. That was b-coz he was also trying me on the other type of meds and had exhausted all he knew to try.
The only reason I was able to survive without Opiates for those 1st 10 yrs. of my pain, was b-coz I don't think it was a severe as it is now. It has worsened over time.
However, altho I've been taking Methadone for the last 7 to 8 yrs., I have not had to increase my dose a bit. I've been on the same amt. for almost all of these yrs.
To my knowledge...when your on most any other Opiates, like Percocet, Vicodin etc...U build a tolerance for them and must increase your dose often, as this happens. I've not experienced this on the Methadone.
I've even forgotten to take it on time until I feel the pain returning. Then I know I must have forgotten it and take a dose. I've regretted those times, b-coz once that pain settles in, it takes longer for the dose to work again. With the other types of Opiates, I knew exactly when they were going to wear off and needed to take another dose.
Methadone is very different.
I can only go by how I am affected. Not anybody else.
Not even how a doctor may expect me to be. Doctors all "practice". They are not all knowledgeable as we may think.
In my mind...the patient knows himself and the doctor must depend on what each patient tells him is happening or not. Each drug will work differently on every person or every malady. It has to be judged one problem at a time. And for each individual.
I hope U can understand my explanations better now.

It upsets me to be misunderstood to a degree that I'm being accused of false things. I realize I sometimes I type things in wrong, but I do try to correct those times.

If I can ever re-explain anything to U, please feel free to ask. I will attempt to make things as clear as I possibly can.
Thanks. I appreciate it.

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