Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms When Switching From Methadone To Opana Er
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I am a 55 year old man, and I have been going to a Pain Management facility for lower back pain and now even chronic Osteoarthritic shoulder pain, and have been taking 60mg of Methadone every day (10mg tablets x 2 x 3 times a day -- morning, noon & night) for the past three years. Although I've been doing well on that regimen, perhaps out of more of a psychological concern over the known "qt" (heart) effects of the drug (rather than any "real" ones), I decided to ask my doctor if I could try Opana ER (20mg every 12 hours), which I had taken once before, for a short time, at another Pain Management facility, with great success. All I'm wondering are what the withdrawal effects might be (if any) of stopping the Methadone (60mg) on a Monday, and starting the Opana ER 40mg (in the two 20mg ER, 12 hour divided doses) the very next day on a Tuesday?

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Hi Glenn. I was switched from Methadone to Opana ER after moving to Florida. I was on 60 mg (20 mg 3x daily). I was switched to 20 mg Opana 2 times a day. I went thru severe withdrawal for about a month. The 5mg Percocet 2 times a day helped very little. After my dose was raised to 30mg Opana 2 times a day, I felt better. Doctors in Florida don’t want to prescribe Methadone due to the qt interval heart issue. I’ve been cleared for Methadone by my cardiologist but I still can’t find a doc to prescribe Methadone. Anyone reading this, if u know of a doctor in the West Palm Beach area and surrounding cities, who prescribes Methadone, please let me know. Good luck Glenn.

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Thank you so much for writing this. I am on day 5 of going back to opana er from being switched to methadone 6 months ago (3 tablets x 2 daily) I was in constant leg and arm pain like a deep bone pain unless I took my breakthrough pain. I was not feeling right. I would have rather had my back hurt then feel the way I was feeling in my legs and back. I also developed ulcers after switching to the methadone (no other change in meds) and I thought it might be the methadone but dr kept telling me "methadone doesn't do that" and "I don't want to raise your dose" even tho I knew I wasn't feeling right. I never had these symptoms with the opana er. I just thought it had stopped working and instead of going up on the dose I was switched to methadone. I don't know that I would do without my husband and even my 9 year old daughter has stepped up and helped (although I felt REALLY guilty at first about that, but she was happy to be independent and my pcp said she was old enough) me through these days. Even on the methadone my legs hurt and arms hurt but I have never felt such fatigue in my life. And the restless legs and not being able to sleep like I used to is just driving me insane. I'm also so dang emotional it's crazy. Never experienced this before. You gave me hope. I thank you so much. Maybe by Monday or Wed I will start to feel better. That would be AMAZING!!! My heart also goes out to all of you who are fighting pain and med changes or withdrawals. It's something only the strong can do.

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Don't reply to crap you don't know anything about. It is much more easy to come off of any street opiate than methadone. Methadone is evil!

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Dear Glen, could I ask if you managed to reduce or come off the methadone? I have been taking methadone for a few years now and my doctor is wanting to reduce my daily dose, if you have any input I'd be interested to hear thanks Kaz

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I do not understand the current fad amongst US docs for prescribing methadone for chronic pain; it is the most accumulative lipid-soluble opioid known and is much more addictive, with a massive half-life, than any other including diamorphine and dextromoramide with far worse and much longer-lasting withdrawal syndrome. In my opinion it should be reserved solely in 1mg/1mL and 10mg/1mL mixture form for the maintenance of opiate therapy and certainly NOT as a substitute for much superior and easier to control analgesics such as Endo Opana (there are generics but none worth even considering as an alternative), diamorphine HCl powder whether taken IM or IN, dipipanone, or dextromoramide (Palfium) which sadly now is limited to the Netherlands since being withdrawn in Ireland. I currently use oxycodone, weaker but effective in the correct dosage, but were the Endo product available in the UK would for sure use that in a rotation with those 'd' Rx drugs mentioned, which are the best alternatives. Having only tried Opana once I can say thst on that occasion I preferred it to both dipipanone and dextromoramide - which is just that bit too 'euphoric' & sedating. I am afraid that there is no magic wand to wave for your problem, which has everything to do with methadone's propensity to remain in the system for unfeadibly long periods; I do assure you Opana is the better analgesic but you have no choice but to wait out the elimination of that horrible drug from your body. THEN and only then, (after a month or so rather than the normal complete opioid withdrawal of 8 days) will you realise you are now on a much more effective painkiller with hardly a single side effect compared to methadone, which should NEVER be prescribed in your circumstances. Best of luck, you will get through this faster than it feels and appreciate your new medicine. DO NOT USE OPANA ER - STICK TO IR FORMULATION ON qds BASIS! (Only Global Pharma's generic ER is any worth and you will require around 15-20% higher dosage to compensate for lower quality than Opana IR).

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Hi Glenn, I do sympathize with your situation. Ironically, I'm in the opposite position, making plans to detox from opana ER, with percocet and soma for break through pain, by starting methadone. From my experience, withdrawals from opana (cold turkey, on your on without medical intervention) is excruciatingly painful and dangerous as well. Furthermore, opana and percocet has proved to be a dead end for me. I should say, I don't get a high or spoken of euphoria, from opiates, never have. I would have to take an extreme overdose to feel a thing. I just get a minimal to no relief of pain. Unfortunately, it is a dead end as all medications for pain relief that lead to physical tolerance, dependence, and finally the gray line of addiction. I wanted off of all narcotics several years ago and used suboxone on and off for about two year. Functionally, I declined, and was then just dependent on the suboxone, so went back on opiates. Now I've hit the dead end again, needing more than what is acceptable, thus, am considering methadone, because one of my doctors has a patient whose history is similar to mine and has found methadone as a life changer. I would appreciate any further information you can provide me regarding you experience on methadone, before I have to make this decision. I'm sorry to sound negative on the use of opana; it was my lifesaver for a good period of time, until, as typical, it reversed to causing more problems than benefit. I wish you the best on your journey of seeking pain relief.

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Hi i just read these posts...i need some help..i have a fractured left acetebulum and broken left pelvis 3 fractured ribs n a puctured lung with back issues also from a drunk driver head on collision..this happened in 2005...I've been on methadone since then with in creased and decreased mg. Just switch ed to opana er 7.5 mg twice a day. with vicoden 5mg for break thru...from methadone 15mg a day which was tappered down from 30mg a day. On my 3rd day of opana...feeling not myself. Has anyone survived this switch....please help...thank you

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opana is an opioid therefore the withdrawals he will feel will be minimal at worst. he will be fine and probably feel a little better considering he is using these drugs for pain management and not simply withdrawal management. what you described is a cold turkey withdrawal which is completely different from simply switching from one opioid to the other. he will be fine especially when he stabalizes his dose.

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Methadone takes a long time to come off of. But not violent illness. Certain opiates can have a violent withdrawal that you would not even be able to get yourself to the dr, let alone type on the computer. It may or may not take away your pain or withdrawal. Oh, and most opiate patients who end up in an ER wait painfully as they are poked and prodded and even the most experienced nurses cannot find an access point to veins inflamed by intravenous use. You will not get sick from taking opiates with suboxone, the suboxone simply blocks the effects of other opiates. No reward = no more seeking other opiates. The rate at which your body adjusts to the dose for methadone or suboxone is also much slower than any legal opiate.

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Methadone is absolutely not the most powerful opiate available. It hits on two platforms you say, actually it blocks on the second platform. Taking doses three times a day, I've never heard of this way of dosing because methadone does not wear off in 4 hours (the long half life is correct); dosing twice in a day is only recommended in cases where your metabolic process of methadone causes it to wear off in less than 24 hours. Otherwise, the methadone taken in the morning blocks the methadone taken at midday which fills those receptors more to block the last dose if the day. A long half life is preferable to many because it gives time to stabilize as apposed to constantly going in pain and out of pain. Up and down. 60 mg is the dosage recommended by the board that issues methadone dispensary licensee as the dose that completely blocks other receptors from the effects of all other opiates. While I have experienced additional pain relief from taking percocet while on 65 mg once a day, it was a shock to me and my counselor and dramatically less of an effect than if I had taken percocet as my primary pain control and hydrocodone as back up. That is how methadone overdoses happen. The effect of opiates or pain control can not be obtained is because methadone is blocking it, but it still depresses your breathing, raises your level of dependance, which causes worse withdrawal without ever feeling a reason for withdrawal. Your dr was shamefully misinforming you. I'm glad you didn't overdose with this info. However, sharing misinformation is very dangerous. You stated the dr was concerned about heart effects that happen as a result of "methadone abuse", it sounds like this dr knew his prescribing method was considered abusing the drug. Taking a medication is not synonymous with abusing it.

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I also have spinal stenosis, herniated discs, with the addition of interstitial cystitis *just to name a few of the chronic pain conditions I have been diagnosed with. My body started falling apart when I was 22, it was after u weaned my daughter from breastfeeding for 11 mo. So, with so many different specialists needed, and everything just popping up at once, I was sent to pain management. They started me in fentanyl patches 37.5mcg with morphine 10 for breakthrough. I did this regime for 4:mo before I nearly died from accidental overdose* (July heat did not mesh with the old gel durogesic patches) I got scared, quit cold Turkey and within 6 hrs I had severe cramps, not rls or the cramps that make me want to jump around or walk when I'm sleeping, I'm talking rock hard thigh muscles cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, cold chills, ptsd flashbacks, and the worse hallucinations that were more real than on any hallucinogenic drug I've ever taken. It was 3 days of intense hell, after 4 mo of PAWS, (which o didn't know what PAWS was back then) and of course, uncontrolled pain, I found another doctor. For 5 yrs I stayed stable on Roxi 15. But then they were in shirt supply. And thus begins MY personal battle to treat my chronic pain without making my addictive personality get the better of me. Pharmacists stopped filling my script about two years later. Not because I had done any ring wrong, no dr shopping, no failed drug panels, no selling my pills, I was using everything how it was meant for me by my doctors, but her in GA, USA it's the pharmacists discretion to fill my script. I don't look sick, therefore I'm not sick, therfore fill your script somewhere else. The whole time I'm thinking 'I was on fentanyl in my 20s but I don't look sick enough at 30s for roxi 15 (I had managed to decrease my dose by then! On my own, to keep the smallest amount working. The only thing more frustrating then 12 pharmacists refusing to fill my script is being on such a high dose of pain meds, like fentynyl (-even 12.5mcg is a lot, don't fool yourselves over the micrograms like I did) that a flare up of pain is completely untreatable by an ER. So, I finally just went to a methadone clinic like adicts. I do have an addictive personality and taking meds every 4 hours for years and years so that I can live my life definitely was ignorant as a long term treatment. I should have at least had extended releases. I was on 65 mg methadone a day, which was the first time in more than a decade that I only took medicine for pain once a day, I went 4 mo without an ER visit, and didn't miss out on any plans, work, or play/ responsibilities with my kids due to pain. I say was became now the clinic has cut my dose to 55mg because I take klonopin for the muscle spasms. My life is just like before, pain uncontrolled. Through research I learned that methadone is used up more quickly in the body when the body is actually hurting it, which will put you in the beginings of withdrawal from methadone. Stress on your body can also speed up the use of your dome by your body. Steroids (the dose pack) actually does cause all of your symptoms and is probably 90% of the problem. I told you my battle stories to assure you that I have detoxed from many different opiates over the years and also discovered that I have a steroid intolerance. The tremors-hands shake like too much caffeine, can't sleep, nauseated, crampy, irritable, all of those are z pack related. It's actually medically too soon to have those symptoms from the change from methadone to opana. I say that because methadone does not peak in your body until 3 consecutive days of dosing. And all the info I have found said that wd from 'dome don't peak until 3-7 days. The first 24 hrs after missing a dose, your body still has methadone in it. Generally until day 3 you still have methadone in your body. And that is why methadone can be so dangerous. The effects so delayed that ppl keep taking other meds but tge dome kicks in and - bam- overdose. Opana xr is extended release, too. Instead of kicking super high in 4 hours or DYING because of the oxy's a nerve pill or hot tea is what you needed to take the edge off the steroids. Plus, I forgot to point out the other part to methadone. It's still in your body, which means it's still blocking, yes blocking!, the effects of other opiates. You will probably be much happier with your new regime because you will no longer be taking a medication that blocks the others. I'm sure you had some effects from the pain meds through the dome, but definitely not the maximum be nifty that may sneak up on you as the dome clears out. I have swapped from methadone to perc 10x2 4x day due to an emergency medical problem and the only thing I noticed was diarrhea, but that could have been tylenol. I can go a day without methadone easily if I'm not in any pain. There are charts that compare different opiates to each other to try to equate doses.

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I'm glad both of u are doing a little better, but u guys should get a room lol,or meet and have a nice dinner

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First of all, thank you Carla, I appreciate the kind words; but secondly, I have a MAJOR concern that's really been upsetting me! Today is September 16, 2015, and not just because I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos predicting horrible events to come this month; but the "general" thought I've been having is: what happens if there is some horrendous event in September (or at anytime, for that matter), which makes it virtually impossible to obtain Methadone through ordinary channels? How would anyone be able to deal with that? I mean, for instance, I'm legally disabled because of my back, and I'm on Medicare. So if the electronic infrastructure were to collapse (i.e. the Internet, computers, banking, etc), how would people on Methadone be able to handle it if we couldn't get the drug? I do NOT want to commit suicide for fear of where I'd go; but how would anyone on Methadone be able to deal with the withdrawal symptoms, anyway? The scenario scares me, a lot!! Any ideas or suggestions aside from prayer? I already know about that.

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Glenn , PEACE BROTHER, GOOD TO HEAR YOUR OK, AND FOR THE REST OF YALL, THANKS ALMOST HAVE MY DECISION MADE, 14yrs. OF WICKED METHADONE TO SOBUTEX, AND SURE IT DOESN'T MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT??

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This is not a Bible session to your Ex Girlfriend, Man!! I would hate to be sitting next to you at a family reunion! You just jabber on and on and on and on, I think you took a wrong right at Google, Nobody in this blog setting cares about you trying to get a women back, And Opana Er is Oxymorphone Extended Release , Its much more potent than methadone by far only there's something called Bio Availability , When you swallow tablet like I had to swallow all that corny apologizing and born again crap, (I'm Roman Catholic BTw so its not I'm atheist just wrong place for it) You only get 40% of the Opana into your bloodstream, So injectable or supository you would get 100% All drugs have a bio availability. Again this is not church or a dating service, "You can listen to two voices" Rol!!!! Yeah take that somewhere else and that was pathetic. Have a blessed Day:)

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Dear Melissa. ..my way is guaranteed the best to minimize withdrawal like i said was,on methadone 140-160mg atleast for most of,four years and quitting wasnt A option untill,got a good doc. Try a sub clinic,and explain your on done and need help and ask about the transition. .they hardly do it but if u keep searching for,doc someone will help. Started me,on 30mg opana er 3 times a day and kpins 2mg,4times a day. And neurotin and anti depressant..was scared cuz couldnt handle cold turkey was torture..im on day 24 and down to op 20s and less benzo..but im,so,amazed that withdrawal is at about 15-20percent i can work and function,and feel,good somedays.ive tried everything from kratom to oxycodone to loritab and otcs..i know im trading,,one,for,another but so much easier to,beat opiate and,or,suboxin..subutek..than mdone which,drags out,for 30-60days thats just the psyical...any question juzt ask

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Methadone wds are nothing I've kicked methadone in my youth behind bars at least 6 times every time I kicked on doses over 200mg a day, Oxy or opiate withdrawals are far worse, The thing with methadone is it can take months to Feel even slightly normal again, shorter acting opiates have brutal wds but after 5-6 days your off it, I've been on methadone on and off for 15 years always at doses over 200mg a day, now I am missing disks, DDD, Sciatica, OsteoAuth, 3 Herniated and I take 3 10mg methadone tablets 3xdaily along w oxycodone 30mg 3x daily klonopin 2mg 3 x daily, Flurazepam 30mg at bedtime and Tizanidine 6mg 3x daily and I just switched from patch fentynl 100mcg every 48hrs brand name to the methadone and back every six months, keeps you from building a tolerance to any one med, as long as doctor gives you proper conversion you will have no withdrawals switching from methadone to any other narcotic, they all are opiates and all fill your opiate receptors, Methadone just has a really long half life 40-240 hrs depending on each person's metabolism, if you feel bad while converting go to doc and tell him and if he's a good doc he will compensate to make it smooth, Its not bad at all, my back pain is worse than withdrawals, suck it up it will be OK.

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Hey guys, this is kage and tbought i would,check in..i am on day 23 and i think i got this 23 dAys no methadone after close,to five years of 140-160 mg of,mmt..im,staRting,to,cut back on,opana now taking,20mg 4times a day and nexf week less..also less klonopin..still sick in the am wakiing up with,meds out,of,system i usually throw up and sneeze immediately and feel real bad..untill meds kick in...so it can be done dont,give up .methadone is evil and i know someone is gonna see this and be in same,situation so keep trying and power thru it..u need help and it is oit there...goodluck and be safe

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He's not a junkie he's asking about switching to Opana which is a strong narcotic and stopping methadone, He's not at a clinic, The Opana will stop the methadone withdrawals, trust me I know before my pain doc I was on 320mg of Done a day.

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I'm actually going thru the same thing now and I hope this helps other people going or thinking of going thru the methadone kick. Ive tried cold turkey with exception of otcs and hell starting 48 hours in. Was on 140-160mg of methadone. For five years. This time I found a doc who was willing to help. Anyway I said im gonna do it..the cold turkey was almost unbearable and torture. No sleep hot/cold. Super sensitivity. Whole body hurts nonstop. Can't get comfortable. Nausea. other stomach issues.. SO NOW the new doc wrote me opana er and a good benzo and anti depressant. AND let me just say a huge difference stomach hurts but day 3/4 and im up dri kin coffee and tv and.I feel hope like this might happen this time. So guys in my opinion mmt is good but for short time like monthish or two and get off it...get a doc who cares if I can and try tbis and there is hope. i know i got a long road ahead and i'll keep u guys posted.. good luck to u and be safe.... off to get a doc if I can.

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