Methadone Clinic And Lung Cancer

Hi. I have been on the Methadone Clinic for about 3 years and have been slowly decreasing my dose and doing very well. I am down to 60mgs daily and had 6 take home doses. I started having really bad pain in my neck and shoulders so stopped going down, and after literally harrassing my doctor for 2 months and becoming very swollen in my whole chest, face and neck I have been diagnosed with lung cancer which is causing SVC Syndrome. I am in constant pain, rarely sleep and only sitting up. Methadone is not helping the pain at all. My doctor gave me 5 mg valiums. Which now takes away one of my take home doses so I now have to go 2x per week to the clinic. I am mostly bedridden atm. Has anyone had any experience with this? This is BRAND new. Supposed to have 1st appt with oncologists tomorrow but insurance is being troublesome. I am terrified, look like a bloated monster, am in CONSTANT awful pain and because of the methadone I don't know if I can even get treatment for the pain. Someone please help me.

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Beth,
I'm so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and issues dealing with your methadone clinic.As a client at a methadone facility in the north east region of the country ,I can share the following as particular to my region as some clinics may differ .I recently underwent surgery that required hospitalization for nearly a month.During that time, I required some sedation and analgesic support.Despite my fears of clinical retribution following my discharge, the hospital care team actually intervened on my behalf As reluctant I was to accept assistance of these additional meds of possible habituation. I agreed but only after speaking with the clinical treatment medical director who is an exceptional human being. Pain relief is often problematic for MMT patients but can be achieved with competent providers.Most patients accept tolerable pain levels as opposed to aspiring for a pain free state, That is just unrealistic.There are protocols and methods of delivery that can provide relief for you but it is essential to be 100% honest with all parties concerned.Have your oncologist consult with your clinical treatment team.If you are willing to be proactive and relentless most will see this as a reasonable request for pharmaceutical support and you should recieve humane treatment.I applaud your efforts at reducing your dose and seeking a more holistic approach to addiction you should be respected and treated with the dignity you so richly deserve.Dont give up solutions are available for every problem.Iam confident you will beat this challenge you have been forced to face. God speed...,

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Thank you very much. I am also in the Northeast, in New England. My Clinic has been very concerned and kind so far but I haven't even met with an oncologist yet. My insurance I had to pick to cover the Clinic now won't cover this treatment so I have a whole other set of complications. I am afraid I will need to be prescribed pain meds that will make me have to go back to daily dosing and losing my take homes. I have been truly IN recovery, I do thr steps and treasure my recovery and have been very much looking forward to getting back to TRUE sobriety with no methadone. Now I don't even know if I ever will. I am damn sure going to try. I just know I can't get strong enough to fight in all this pain. I agree pain free is just not possible. But livable would be an improvement. We are researching all the herbal and natural supplements and foods to make me and my immune system strong but I will need radiation and chemo. Honestly I am terrified and still can't believe this is really happening to me. Thank God I have a huge support network of husband, family, sober friends, I have NEVER felt so loved. I am truly grateful and if I get through this I will be family to someone else who doesn't have the family I have who is going through it. I cannot imagine dealing with this alone. So I will help someone so they don't have to. I just need to get there. Thank you for your words and advice :)

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