Methadone Maintainance & Weight Gain!!! Help!!! (Page 4)
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I AM A METHADONE MAINTAINANCE PATIENT, CLEAN FROM OXYCONTIN FOR THREE+ YEARS & I HAE PACKED ON 40 POUNDS! I AM RETAINING WATER & EXPERIENCE HORRIBLE CONSTIPATION...ANYONE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES OR TIPS TO HELP ME OR FIND THE CAUSE???

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Wow, I just noticed this thread started in 2006!!!! Its crazy, 11 years later and it's still a huge problem; literally...

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Yes! I lost every single pound I gained during my methadone days! Like I said I went from a size 12 to a 24 in 6 years. It was a nightmare. I got off of it and the weight fell off

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I've been taking vitadone for 3+ weeks, I know it takes up to 3 months to work depending on the person, but I was wondering if weight gain was one of the side affects it helps with, I know sweating, sugar cravings, fatigue and other side affects it helps with but no one ever says if it helped them lose weight, all the reviews I've read said it helped them with sweating or that their hoping it will help with their weight and will reply within a few months with an update, and never do...

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Nicky Nub,

That comment is about as valid and real as your username. Hormonal issues greatly enhance the adverse effects of methadone when used for addiction maintenance in females. What benefit do you receive from making insensitive and scurrilous remarks when folks are reaching out for hope, understanding and knowledge. I just don't understand that passive aggressive response.

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Folks,
For all those dealing with the inevitable adverse effects of methadone when used as ORT there are some things that can eleviate the wieght gain, sluggishness, excessive perspiration and insomnia.FIRST It is essential to undergo a comprehensive medical examination and full lab work up. If the results indicate that no underlying medical condition are the cause there is an excellent nutritional supplement that can assist you greatly. Marketed under the name Vitadone. It can take up to a month to derive substantial benefits but it has proven miraculous for myself and for many others in my network of recovering addicts.It is essential to educate yourself as much as possible so insensitive or uniformed clinical support staff won't profligate this misinformation.Everyones recovery is individual and no person should detour your commitment to recovery.Dont give up Increased physical activity healthier diet and nutritional supplementation will ease these soul crushing side effects of methadone as an Opiod replacement protocol.hang in there...

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YOU DON'T RUN AROUND TRYING TO MAKE MONEY AND SCORING SO YOU'VE SLOWED YOUR ROLL AND ARE MORE SEDENTARY. HENCE, WEIGHT GAIN.

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I also haven't had my period since January 2015, I haven't read about anyone having that issue but slot of women would be too embarrassed, I had an ultrasound done and they saw nothing every doctor I've seen say methadone but then the counselor acts like the doctors don't know what their talking about and makes me go to a different office

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I've done so much research online about it and everyone has a story but no one says if the weight came off staying methadone or taking vitadone, I know they say when they got off or switched to suboxone it did, but I'm not ready to be off for a while at least a year if I taper 2 mg a week and don't stop, which probably won't happen, and suboxone never worked for me and as gross as methadone is subs are disgusting I cannot hold it under my tongue that long without gagging...if you find anything let me know please, I'm trying to find an endocrinologist around me that will accept me without a referral right now, I read slot that opiate induced endocrinologist-whatever it's called was usually the cause and once getting treated for it they lost weight along with other issues...

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It's not you. I'm not lazy either. I workout, try to eat right and if you do enough reading you will notice the same trend with all women. Is your belly like mine and look pregnant? It's terrible. I feel like I have a fat suit on. I would just like for someone to reassure me this weight will come off.. anyone?

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Same as me, I started tapering after 4 years (last month made it 4) I started at 104 I'm now 200!!! I go between 200-203 depends if I ate that morning or went to the bathroom I guess lol...I stopped tapering because I was getting withdrawals but I think I'm gonna start again..I bought vitadone I only been taking for 3 weeks, I heard it takes a few months to start working, I haven't had my period in 2 1/2 years also...my counselor acts like she's NEVER heard of someone gaining weight on methadone and makes me feel like its just me and something's wrong with me...

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I gained 80lbs in 4 months the last time I was in a methadone clinic. I don't believe it's the methadone that causes the weight gain; in my experience it was the fact that I shot straight up to a high and unnecessary dose of 150mg. I found that the high dose caused sugar cravings so bad that I became addicted to Cookies n creams Blue Bell brand ice cream only. It's all I ate 24/7 anytime I was hungry and nothing else. Unfortunately I gained the 80 lbs without knowing what hit me. I immediately dosed myself down to 40; as I found it was all I needed for the opioid cravings and it immediately stopped my ice cream addiction and 4 months later all my weight was gone. That was back in 2010. I'm in treatment again for 6 months now; so far staying at a low dose of 50 and no addiction to sweets, no weight gain and keeping my opioid cravings at bay. I hope this helps.

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I'm tapering off of methadone after 4 years. I am genetically tiny. I never was over 105. I am 198 and want my body back and be able to love myself and fashion again! How long did it take you to lose the weight? I need some positivity!

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Did you lose the weight once you got off the methadone tho?

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I was on the methadone clinic for 6 long years. When I finally came off methadone I was at 283. I'm only 5'3. I went from a size 12 to a 24!!! It was horrible! Thank you Suboxone. It saved my life! I finally feel like a normal human being.

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I feel the same way I have been on methadone sense Aug I gain aleast 50 pound a friend mine hasn't seen me in 2 weeks he said you fat what can you take you lose this weight the methadone is make me so fat and make me think maybe should go back on dope I was skinny

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Thank you for posting this!!! I've gained a lot of weight as a result of methadone related sugar cravings combined with lethargy. (not blaming the medication itself, ftr)
My go-to move is always a drastically reduced caloric intake. Given the lack of activity it seemed like a reasonable decision.
Anyway, I'd forgotten how counter productive it is to "starve" your body. Thanks for the healthy reminder!

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I've been skinny my whole life as well, when I found out I was pregnant and child services basically forced my hand to get clean or lose my 2 kids and the one I was pregnant with, I went on methadone. I was 102 when I started and even the day I had my son I was only 139, I haven't had my period since having my son(I had it for 6 weeks after having him) but since then, nothing, January2015 was the last time I had my period, in stead I gained 3-5 lbs a month and I don't even eat some days! Now I'm 202 I cried my eyes out when I was weighed last month, it's so depressing, I hate getting dressed everyday, I used to always dress nice too, now I hate going out or looking in the mirror....

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Hi. I understand all of what u said. I've been in the methadone clinic for exactly 9 yrs and for me in one sense it is a godsend cus if not for being on this methadone i'd most likely end up in jail for sure, but a drawback is the weight gain. I hate it. And doesn't it make u so mad when u ask sum of counselors at the clinic sum will say nah weight gain really isn't from being on methadone and we're like b*****s yes it is. In my total 9 yrs i gained at least 65 to 70 lbs. U can even stop eating and u wouldn't even lose weight but dam ive been addicted to the tv show 600 lb loser and im like well dam i sure aint that big but if they can lose weight dam me too. So im tryin now to drink over 10 glasses of water a day and exercise a lil more every day and going to see if i could lose some weight this way.

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You should talk to your MD it sounds like you have narcotic bowels syndrome/opioid induce constipation. Google it also try Ducolax or Mira lax my son went through the same thing. I also think some of the weight gain and belly fat is due to constipatuion.

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Hi Staycee,

First let me say congratulations with your success. It's a breath of fresh air to read that you got off of the methadone with ease. I know this post is old, but I do hope I get a response. I am in the same boat as everyone. I'm 36 and up until I started MMT I was genetically TINY. I have gained 80 lbs. I went from being a pretty girl to having zero self esteem. I love fashion and have always looked my best. Although my face hasn't changed I look pregnant. I'm so unhappy about it. I workout and limit my sugar to 13 grams per day, yet nothing helps. My life should be at it's best right now. 2 years ago while our daughter Olivia was just 6 months old, she and I lost her father to an OD. I've remained clean, am a great mother and am currently in school to get my CASAC so my daughter and I can live a good life. When I first kicked opiates I did it with little physical withdrawal symptoms. I have been on 90mls of methadone for under 4 years and after long consideration I have decided that on Monday I am going to speak with the doctor and slowly start to taper off. I have heard horrendous stories about kicking methadone and am petrified. Is there any advice you can give other than to slowly taper? I'm ready. It's my time. If anyone has any POSITIVE feedback please reply! Thanks in advance and everyone keep fighting the good fight!

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