Methadone For Pain Control
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Re: BL (# 19)

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

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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.

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Re: BL (# 7)

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

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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?

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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?

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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.

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