Methadone For Pain Control

How well does methadone work for chronic pain management? I went from 10 mg oxycodone then dropped down to 7.5 mg hydrocodone and my pain is totally out of control. I have no relief. I am out of options except methadone or Suboxone. Please help.

REPLY

REPORT

I was taking 10 mg oxycodone 4 times a day. I was forced to go to PM for my pain and got prescribed 7.5 hydrocodone 3 times a day, had to agree to mbnb injections if I wanted my meds. All I need is my pain controlled to get some quality of life back so I'm thinking maybe I should try methadone if it would help me. I need an honest answer.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had back surgery (Removal of discs with fusions L4 thru S1), caught MRSA and had another 3 surgeries after that to clean my back out of infection, he nicked my spinal cord and I leaked out fluid, and after just 5 moths had to take all the titanium rods and screws out. The surgeon had me on 160mg of OxyContin/day!! Then he sent me to pain management. The PM doctor told me I was an addict!! REALLY??!!?? I went to a new PM doc and he put me on fentanyl patches 100mcg and Percocet 15mg for break thru. Not the best in hot or cold as temp affects delivery of the transdermal patches!!! I finally agreed to try methadone.... it was rough at first, but now I wish I had tried it sooner! Pain relief without the disabling side effects! I am on 30mg/day and it works well. Give it a chance : ) Good luck, God Bless You!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I meant 15mg oxycodone not Percocet (same active ingredient without the Tylenol).

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thanks Bill. I'm sorry for all you've had to go through I honestly can't imagine. My back isn't as bad as yours but I've been so close to a nervous breakdown over all the confusion and worry. Knowing that I'm not an addict and have zero quality of life with the pain I've been having to live with and in so many areas of my body, and once I go to methadone ppl say you're marked as an addict but I don't care about that anymore, I seriously need help. If it helps you it has to help me. I've never been one to take pills my whole life till I got disabled enough my working days were over having to draw my soc sec. early. A proud,now depressed person trying my best to keep going, reason to live. God wants me to I know. Thanks for your blessings and good advice. I'm mentally and physically drained fighting it all, explaining etc....... Got bless you and best of luck

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I meant God bless you Bill. Another question though. Is it true that with methadone your pain is controlled enough to give you all day relief with only one dose?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I would say never to go on methadone, it's goes to your bones and it's so bad. Talk with another doctor first. It's not good at all for you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Lynda, Oxycodone is a little stronger than Hydrocodone. If your doctor put you on Hydrocodone (Norco/Lortab/Vicodin)7,5 after Oxycodone (Percocet) 10 mg. It seems the doctor does not think you need something as strong as Percocet.

There are a number of other pain medications you can try that are between Methadone, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. I can't imagine a doctor prescribing Methadone to a patient that has only taken Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. Do you have a history of drug use or abuse ?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I went to my orthopedic surgeon on Monday. I have a trigger finger in 2 places. He explained what he would do and that I would have to take pain meds for a few days. But when I told him I was on 90mgs of methadone he changed his story and said he didn't give narcotics. I won't be in pain. If I'm not that's great but I don't know if I believe him. The methadone does not stop pain.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have had a spinal fusion (l4, l5, S10) and also had cages installed to support upper vertebra stability. Is methadone a good painkiller for my condition?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have had sciatica pain for 6 months. I tried amitriptyline, gabapentin and all of the regular pain relievers. None of this has made even a small dent in the intensity of the pain. Would methadone relieve this pain and if so, how much would it take?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Is it difficult to get a methadone 10mg or dilaudid 4mg prescription for pain by a doctor?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Drone (# 11)

It depends on the patient and the doctor. But, I do not see any doctor prescribing these meds for a new patient. You will need copies of your medical records from your previous doctor to prove you have physical condition that might require opiates. But, that does not mean a new doctor will prescribe the same medications a previous doctor did.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Lynda GB (# 5)
I take it three times a day. I also have break through meds as well. God Bless You - Hope you have it figured by now, but I wanted to respond for others.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I thank God everyday for Methadone.. I have chronic pain and have taken it for 18years. I love it b/c the only side effect is constipation.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Bill (# 2)

I thank God everyday for Methadone.. I have chronic pain and have taken it for 18years. I love it b/c the only side effect is constipation.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hope its working out for you, it has for me. No side effects like with other opiods. Your body does not crave more. It does take a period to build up in ur system, after that Im great. I dont know y they do not use this with all long term pain mgmt. I think there would be less abuse with it. I never have that crave for more. It makes sence. Hope you are feeling better.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Stupblessed (# 16)


If you are talking about methadone i agree wholeheartedly! I was trying to find a closer pain clinic and told them I was on methadone and he immediately wanted to change it! I was like..this is the FIRST THING that has EVER worked for me. Why change it?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: BL (# 7)

Why would you ask if shes had a history of drug abuse?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Lynn (# 18)

Because they said they were out of options except for Methadone or Suboxone. There are many other options between Oxycodone 10 mg/Acetaminophen 325 mg and Hydrocodone 7.5 mg/Acetaminophen 325 mg.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: BL (# 19)

You gotta be kidding... Anything with tylenol or advil in it is bad long term. Plus they flat out suck.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Stormydays (# 25)

Research generally shows that people get the most pain relief from as stable a dose as possible throughout the day. Methodone accomplishes this better than most due to long half life. You are not supposed to really notice pain relief from your next pill unless you are withdrawal from you last dose. That rarely happens with methodone.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Methadone or Suboxone? It depends on how your brain comprehends a drug. Methadone is amazeing for pain, and is dependable. Suboxone my body rejected, took care pain, but the med gave intense state of Euphoria, that came and went as in unpredictable. If Methadone is tried, and not seeking Euphoria, it can stabilize you. But, if for any reason you would stop it, seek hospital for withdrawal. Usual stable dose 30 mg once day.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

New to methadone. Before now, my PM regimen was 60mg morphine 3x a day with 10mg Hydrocodone 12x a day (liberal I know) for in between morphine doses. I've seen my PM dr for 4 yrs. Now, he is pulling all patients off anything other than: Zohydro ER, hydrocodone, and methadone. No oxy, morphine, morphine ER, fentanyl patches, dilaudid. He said the govt is cracking down too hard (don't blame him, he isn't a pill mill). So, I lost my morphine and now on Methadone 10mg 3x a day with 10mg hydrocodone 8x a day (lost 4 a day). Manufacturer of methadone is Mali (read there are differences, but I know no other brand so not what this is about). My topic has a couple of questions:

PROBLEM: Methadone doesn't seem to bring me pain relief. Onset is SO slow and I've read I'd be better off finding a new dr who's not afraid to prescribe alternatives. I don't want to change doctors because he performs rizotomy and those DO help for a few months. With that said, I hurt. My dr will not budge.

ADVICE SEEKING: After reading on those sites where people get REALLY creative on methods of ingestion, I hurt so bad I'm seriously considering trying other methods than oral. I'm not a chemist, nor do i understand half of what people refer to using acronyms on those sites. Any opinions, other than DON'T do any other method (cuz I wouldn't be on here asking if my pain was under control). Thanks in advance. All nice and layman's term replies would be appreciated.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: TIM (# 22)


I have been taking methadone for approx 15years. I have an EKG every 6 months. There has never been any problems thus far.(knock on wood!) When I was taking oxycontin or anything with a "codone" in it, 20 mins after I should have taken my next dose I was sweating. With Methadone I can go a couple hours without feeling bad. I have DDD and arthritis in most joints. It has been a godsend for me. Side effects that Ive noticed are constipation and lethargy. No feelings of being "high" or disconnected. I think if you have chronic pain you should give it a good month for the build up as TIM states in his answer.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Methadone is great for pain. Once a day. It does not need to be raised unless u r seeking euphoria. It is hard on the Cardiovascular system. Retaining water, lowers B.P. and can deplete calcium of the bones. But compared to Suboxone, and other opioids, I have to say Methadone is the most dependable med. Alas if you stop Methadone you will feel pain that is unbearable. It has to be a serious decision as to whether u will be able to ALWAYS get it for home daily use. 30mg average is more than enough.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Methodone is an excellent opioid analgesic that has a longer half life by far than any other opioid (over 24 hours). As a result, there is a "stacking" effect when taken over time. It is stronger than morphine or oxycodone. It tends to work better for nerve pain than any other opioid. It can cause some mildish problems with cardiac function so an EKG is recommended yearly.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Vickie (# 6)

I very much agree with you. My uncle was switched from Percocet to Methadone. He is a walking zombie at times & rambles on & on when speaking but can’t get a full sentence out. That medication also made him have seizures especially if he was not taking it until an hour or 2 after his next scheduled dose. Not just one seizure either, I am talking many of them. He wrecked his car in front of his house hitting the neighbor's cat & was alone opening a window the next time which came down on his head. He lost his license because of it. I would never take it!! It took me 5 yrs of crawling across the floor in pain to even touch Vicodin, but now I am allergic to almost all pain meds but 2. I myself prefer Opana ER or should I say the generic now. I like the regular ones better for pain only because they caused no side effects. The generic makes me sick to my stomach no matter how long I wait to eat & I get a strange aftertaste in my mouth from them. But they work for me & last 12hrs. No way I would ever touch Methadone, never.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had an allergic reaction to a medicine that I was prescribed for migraines and on Easter of 2009 I literally died. I f...

4 REPLIES

cronic disabling pain about 16 yearsand taking previous listed meds for 6to 8 years as tolerences increased and pain wor...

4 REPLIES

I am taking 60mg of methadone a day for pain management, given to me by a rheumatologist in Pa. We are moving to NJ. Wil...

6 REPLIES

Does Methadone work well for Neuropathy in the hands & mouth? I'm in need of pain management in Tyler, Tx or aro...

1 REPLY

I was in a auto 04/2010. My back is broke in several places and my L shoulder. My family an I were told I need a 24 hr o...

3 REPLIES

What is the recommended dose for chronic pain? I'm on 60 mg/day, but I'm still experiencing sharp pain. ## Iv...

5 REPLIES

I have been prescribed methadone since 2009 for nerve and chronic pain. I have had 7 surgeries need 2 more major surgeri...

2 REPLIES

need to find doc who can prescribe methadone for chronic pain. Primary care put me on methadone and oxy for breakthrough...

1 REPLY

They want to prescribe it to me for bad pain as insurance won't cover OxyContin or Codeine products anymore. ## Yes....

2 REPLIES

Hi I am trying to find a doctor in the Rochester, ny even buffalo area that will prescribe methadone for my chronic knee...

2 REPLIES