Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms When Switching From Methadone To Opana Er (Page 2)
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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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Dear Melissa, you won't believe this, but it's nonetheless true! Ever since I received your message on the 3rd of February, I must have attempted to reply to you on no less than seven different occasions! (Maybe more!) I know I shouldn't act like this when composing a casual message; but I consider myself to be a writer by "gift," and when I say something, I like it to sound good! Yet obviously in this case, I set my standards, too high!

There were even times when I took so long to write something, that I fell asleep! Later, when I checked out what I wrote, all I saw were strange looking characters, and jumbled words! Yet I was tremendously grateful that in my unconscious state, I hadn't hit the "Send" button! You might have thought it was funny, but I would've been three shades of red, and then who knows what you would have thought of me! Oh God! I hope I'm not making a fool of myself, now!

Melissa, seriously, I want you to know that I'm enormously ashamed of myself and ask for your forgiveness; but if you have it in your heart to give me another chance, I promise, I'll remember that I'm not being graded, and will respond much sooner!! (A lot sooner!!)

Alright, so here we go! I'd like to address everything you touched upon in your last message to me--your fears and concerns. But first allow me to answer the last question you asked, at the very end of your message: "How long did it take me to get the Methadone back after I switched to Opana?" (Incidentally, it's not that important unless you're actually on it; but the specific opiate I took was called: Opana "ER." You know, the long lasting one.)

Well believe it or not, I switched to Opana ER on "two" separate occasions, only because it took me until the second try to figure out what the problem was! After the third day on it, I would experience tremendous discomfort; but didn't know why! Being as "brilliant" as I am, I concluded that Opana ER was too strong for me! It never crossed my mind that I just might be in the throes of Methadone withdrawal! But to answer your question, after reporting these effects to my doctor, the "first" time (and this was already my third day on it); by the fifth, I was already back on the Methadone! BUT HERE'S A DEADLY SERIOUS CAVEAT FOR YOU, OR ANYONE ELSE "RETURNING" TO A "REGULAR" DOSE OF METHADONE, AFTER HAVING BEEN OFF IT FOR AWHILE! PLEASE BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL HOW YOU RENEGOTIATE YOURSELF BACK ONTO IT!! I TOOK IT A LITTLE TOO QUICKLY (EVEN JUST WHAT I HAD BEEN ON) AND MY HEART BEGAN TO BEAT VERY IRREGULARLY!! I BELIEVE THAT HAD I BEEN ASLEEP, I MIGHT HAVE DIED!! SO TAKE HEED!!

Well by the second time that I tried Opana ER, two years had gone by! I was also with a new physician, a nicer one; but I really felt I knew enough in knowledge and perseverance to make it work, this time! Yet once again, even with "both" opiates in my system this time (Opana ER and OxyCodone) they still couldn't overcome the Methadone in my system; but because of some bad circumstances this time, it took me a whole week to get back on the Methadone! I'll never do it again!!

Now Melissa, with regard to all of the "nightmarish" scenarios you described to me in your message; where "suddenly" either or both of us, might find ourselves out on the street, out of the program, void of insurance (for whatever reason): governmental decree (as in a change of rules, entitlement, new legislation, etc.); natural disaster; as in a flood, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, volcano?; or even your doctor has an accident, the facility closes (goes bankrupt), so now you have to drive much further away; or even something as ridiculous as a mixup of paperwork (I'm sure it can happen); or whatever other horrifying scenario life can throw at us; exclusions caused by sickness; or for that matter; ANYTHING AT ALL!! I'm sorry, Melissa; have you passed out yet in fear? LOL!!

All said, as far as the foregoing is concerned; you and I, Melissa, have a choice to make! Which "voice" are you going to listen to? Are you going to listen to the voice of fear and panic, where you fill your mind with the news of the day, or think about everything I just mentioned before; "OR" are you going to "trust" in the "Only One" Who loves you, beyond measure, and has the POWER to keep you from ALL harm and calamity?!! I know Who I'm going to trust!! He's the One Whom I invited into my heart back in 1988, called the Lord Jesus Christ! Did you know, Melissa, that for a "genuine" Christian, it's a "sin" to worry? That's right; a sin! BUT, thanks be to God; because of the Lord Jesus Christ, NONE of your sins are being counted against you!! Isn't that awesome news?!!

But wait a second! I said, a "genuine" Christian has no reason to worry! So what's a "genuine" Christian? Melissa, for your sake, and for anyone else who may be reading this, please allow me to go over a few basics, so no one wonders what a "genuine" Christian is, alright?

God doesn't complicate this for us, or want to complicate this for us, because He wants everyone to know how to make it into His Kingdom! In other words, how to get "Saved!" He loves us more than anyone could possibly know or understand; and beyond what anyone will EVER deserve!! That's powerful!!

So as I asked, Melissa, please allow me to provide a short synopsis of what it means to become a "genuine" Christian! As I said, no one knows who else may read this; and even just for yourself, a fresh review can always be helpful! So here we go! These are the "simple" steps by which "anybody" may come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior!

(1) A person may arrive at a point in their life where they come to understand who they "really" are from "God's" perspective. A wretched sinner, hopeless, and who even by doing nothing, is by "default" headed straight for an eternal destination where they will be separated from God in a horrible, tormenting place; originally created for the devil and his angels (demons), referred to as the Lake of Fire!

But if they can reach the point where they can admit to Jesus (God) and themselves of who they "really" are, in God's sight (perspective); as mentioned above; then they will have taken the very first and most difficult step to become a fresh and spiritually clean child of the living God: the Lord Jesus Christ!

**Believe it or not, a person's pride is sometimes a major hindrance to being able to take this first step!

(2) The next step in becoming a "genuine" born again Christian, is to come to an understanding of Who Jesus Christ is and why He came to the Earth! To accomplish what? So this means to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the second "Person" of the "Triune" God-head, making Him exactly the same as God! But He came to Earth in the form of a man; while also as existing fully as God! Jesus Christ lived a perfect (sinless) life (in our place) and took upon Himself the sins of the entire world (including our own sins) and then died on the cross (in our place) as a "substitutionary" death to pay the "sin debt" for "all" mankind!

(3) So now, once a person has admitted they're a sinner, and understands Who Jesus Christ was in the flesh, and what He came to the Earth to do; he or she now accepts by faith, for themselves, that vicarious death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, three days later (as witnessed by more than five hundred people), as full and complete payment for his or her own sin debt!

(4) And then, this same person, invites the "risen" Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Holy Spirit) to come into his or her own heart as their personal Lord and Savior and thanks the Lord Jesus Christ for coming into their hearts and Saving them, and making them into a brand new creature in Christ! A "child of God!"

They may now refer to themselves as a "born again/Spirit-filled child of God!" It's a time for rejoicing as also witnessed by a gradual degree of change for the better in their lives, referred to as "Regeneration!" But this happens little by little and at different rates for all different people, as they read God's Word, the Holy Bible, pray to God, and attend church with other children of God. The more a person does these things, and relies on God to mature them; the more they will grow up in their Salvation!

So with this in mind, Melissa (and I went through these steps for anyone else who might be reading this); a "genuine" Christian need never worry about what "might" happen to them by sheer happenstance! Their lives are hidden with Christ in God and "NOTHING can ever separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord! I hope this helped you, Melissa!

Now, returning to my original point, Melissa; if you can agree with God's definition of what a "genuine" Christian is; then when it comes to the kind of fear we all face, you "are" ALSO the "blessed" recipient of ALL of God's beautiful and precious promises and blessings that He has made for you--as His beloved and very special child! And without getting into all of them (which I just couldn't do here), I'll mention the one which seems to sum them all up! And that would be: Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (KJV)

So then what would all this mean to two born again Christians who are hooked on Methadone, for the time being? Well for one thing, it means that we "don't" live in the "what-if," world! "What if this happens? What if that happens?" "IF" God "allows" you to go through something, or to "bear up" under it, Melissa; then that event or circumstance will be under nothing but the control of our Heavenly Father: the Lord Jesus Christ!

Can I take something you said, Melissa, and prove what I'm saying through scripture? Absolutely! Toward the beginning of your last email, you said: "Not ever saying someone is a liar but methadone withdrawl for me is literally so bad that I do believe I would take my life." Now Melissa, think about it; "suicide" would be a "temptation," wouldn't it? And don't get me wrong! I, too, [in the "flesh"] have had the exact same thought concerning the "fear" of "what if" I couldn't get anymore Methadone? It's a realistic fear! I'm not saying otherwise; but here's where "faith" comes in and is SO important!

Look what 1 Corinthians 10:13 says:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (KJV)

Now take what you said, Melissa, and apply it to that verse (and "promise"). How does it change the outcome? Well, "suicide" would be the "temptation," brought about by your inability to deal with the withdrawal effects of either insufficient or no Methadone, right? "But God..." (and if I ended the sentence right there, with just those "two" words, you'd "still" have your answer!) But read what it says below, dear:

"God isn’t a mere human. He can’t lie. He isn’t a human being. He doesn’t change his mind. He speaks, and then he acts. He makes a promise, and then he keeps it." Numbers 23:19 (NIRV)

In the above senario, where you "feared" not being able to get your hands on more or enough Methadone; this is what God would do!

He would make certain that you were either able to obtain more of it; or He would "supernaturally" enable you to deal with it so that the thought of suicide would never even enter your mind! Personally, I think He would simply enable you to get more; but that's my own thought. What I do know is that the situation would definitely work out in your favor! In that you could be sure!

So the way you deal with all the fears that the devil throws at you; is through "faith!" Fear and faith cannot "both" live in you at the same time! Remember that!

Well this has been super-duper long; but I hope it helped you, Melissa! Yet all of this is ONLY AVAILABLE to the born again Christian--the ONLY true Christian there is!

Very quickly, Melissa; did you notice they didn't permit you to give me your email address? Well I encountered this problem once before, and I assure you; they have excellent reasons NOT to permit that sort of thing because of some big problems they used to have with "abusers" on the website!

Yet, since I've been on the website for awhile, and they granted me access, along with someone else once before; they "may" allow it again; but I can't be 100% sure! They really are a very decent group of people and they probably would allow us to exchange addresses if we asked. So let me just find out first from you, Melissa. Would you be "willing" to exchange our email addresses if the good folks at MedsChat were to allow it? I only ask because "I" certainly would and you expressed an interest in doing so, yourself, once before! Melissa, please see message number 14, and click on the highlighted link, if you would like to. Either way (whether you contact them in the meantime, or write back to me telling me what you'd like to do), I'll await your decision. Okay?

You take care, Melissa; and I assure you: in the future, I will take no longer than a day or so to respond to you (of course pending MedsChat's review of the message, itself; unless we can contact one another, another way! Be well, Glenn

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Hey Glenn. Im not so sure I can believe this Chet guy. Not ever saying someone is a liar but methadone withdrawl for me is literally so bad that I do believe I would take my life. I don't know what will happen if I ever lose my insurance. As for the tramadol posts. Once you are on methadone nothing else will ever be the same. Ive taken tramadol. And believe it or not, you get some pretty crappy withdrawls from that too. Nothing once again compares to methadone. What is weird is that everyone DOES handle it differently so Chet could really feel that way. Only because my husband years ago did the same thing. He had been on 95mgs and cold cut quit one day. He could've gone in and dosed for 13 days but didn't. I couldn't believe it. He just laid on the couch with no sleep for months. The first 22 days was simply hell but he still handled it so well unlike me. But he has schizophrenia and I believe because he is not all there in the head, That gave him an ability not to be focusing on the withdrawls. I will never know but I do know that it has been proven for whatever reason that methadone withdrawl is worse for women. I have also come down from 250mgs to 140mgs throughout a period of 2 years. And you are right about that being the best way to do it. BUT. Once I got this low, I started feeling uncomfortable and I cant seem to go any further. Atleast not now. I figure no matter how long it takes, just concentrate on going down 2mgs at a time whenever you are comfortable enough to do so. And also. I know doctors would say no but if you can at all I would put some away for emergency. If I wasn't on liquid and I could put any away, I would. Im always so pyranoid. Like what if a tornado wipes out the city and the clinic? LOL Stuff like that. Or theres a problem with insurance. Being at the clinic for 10 years now I have seen many unfortunate people get kicked off their methadone cold for many reasons. Most had to go to H because there simply was no choice. Trurthfully if I could and didn't have a daughter, I would. Because once getting hooked on it, I feel it would be way easier to quit due to the short life of it. 3-5 days usually. But once your body has been used to heavy opiates for sooo long, I just don't think theres any going back for most and that includes me. It makes me sad cause I do believe Im stuck on it. My emotions are dulled from it. No libido. It definitely makes me lazy. I know that sounds funny but absolute true. I couldn't even go the 3 days off methadone to switch to suboxone. But I wouldn't recommend that for most because what if there was an emergency and you had to go to the hospital. You couldn't get any pain meds or it would make you sick. What if your arm was ripped off you know. This maybe all stupid thinking but Its just what I have come to thru years of this and researching for a miracle cure. Which I am so hopeful they will invent someday. And I am Christian also and hope Jesus helps me thru it too. How long did you have to wait that time you were switched to opana in withdrawl before you got your methadone back.?

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Hey, Melissa! Hi! I am soooo glad you finally responded!! Fantastic!! Just so you know, dear, Post 19 had been specifically for you, originally! It was a response to your first message! You bet; I would love to chat with you!! Please DO DEFINITELY respond, once you get "this" text; and we'll talk! Sound good? I'm soooo looking forward to it!! Hope we'll be talking, soon! Take care!

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Hey Chet, first of all, thank you so much for your reply! Secondly, I definitely appreciate the information you gave me with regard to Tramadol! I know that, "knowledge is power," and any information which results in a reduction of pain, is always welcomed by anyone dealing with it! Yet it's also so coincidental that you mentioned "Tramadol," of all analgesics; because two of my closest friends down here in North Carolina, who I met shortly after arriving, both suffer from Fibromyalgia! They're a couple (man & woman), and the woman, who's 65 years old, hurts worse than the man she's with, to the point that sometimes she has to remain in bed UNTIL her Tramadol kicks in! She explained "two" things to me, when I told her how much better I thought she'd be on Methadone, which gave me a whole new point of view on the subject! She told me that she'd rather put up with the pain of Fibro, than deal with the "withdrawal symptoms" associated with Methadone! Alright; I could appreciate that; but secondly, to my surprise, she also taught me how Tramadol is more directly "engineered" for Fibromyalgia (like the adjacent piece of a puzzle) than Methadone could ever be! Interesting, isn't it? Yet better designed or not; Methadone is so powerful that even at its worst, it could still knock Fibro's pain right out of the ballpark!! You'd never even find the ball again!! That's the "one pill 'fits' all" idea behind Methadone! Yet of course, unless you're in pain beyond measure, you're absolutely right about the benefits of Tramadol! Now shifting gears here, Chet; kudos to you regarding your "rare" ability to tolerate withdrawal symptoms associated with almost any Opiate! The DoD might have an opportunity for you in one of its black ops projects! You never know! LOL!! Unfortunately, I'm one of those, "everyone's different," guys! Too bad, huh? Anyway, as an event which might just catch the eye of a number of "current" Methadone "withdrawers;" I have begun to do something, in my quest to be free from the drug, which has "already" proven successful! Beginning on 1/07/15, I began to reduce my intake of "60mg/day" of Methadone (10mg tablets -- 20mg/3-times/day) by 2.5mg less, at the last, "bedtime" dose: with NO withdrawal effects, whatsoever!! I find that reduction of the bedtime dose is most effective (even at the beginning), because you're asleep at the biggest potential point for any ill effects!! This is extremely important if a reduction cycle of one month (instead of six weeks) is desired to achieve each 2.5mg reduction of Methadone! It has worked for me with "virtually" NO withdrawal symptoms, whatsoever! If this encourages someone else out there who has otherwise given up on their dream of Methadone-free living; please let me know! Mutual encouragement is so extremely important to success!! (This is not for you, Chet, obviously; but you're not the only one reading this!) Well Chet; I've truly enjoyed responding to you; and the only other thing I'd like to say is simply that, NO other drug, that I know of, is capable of eliminating the withdrawal effects of Methadone, altogether! For me, I actually thought Opana would do the trick, because I was naive and listened exclusively to what my physician told me! Yet it could never happen in a million years!! Anyone who has used the drug, knows that! Doctors are beneficial, but they're trained to think, theoretically, instead of experiencially! Imagine what a profound effect they would have if each one of them had experience with the drug they prescribed! In our dreams, only, I guess, huh? Be well, Chet! Take care! Bye.

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Hey Glenn, please post back if you are able to chat more about your whole thing and mine. my email is {edited for privacy}

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You can even try Tramadol, in high doses, 200 or 300 mgs q 4 hrs, works for me most of the time, and it's much easier to get. If you're actually in pain the withdrawal from opiates is usually not that bad. I was taking 80 mgs of methadone daily for a little over a year, and I just stopped taking it cold, and aside from lower back pain returning after three or four days, I really didn't get all the bad symptoms. When I was much younger, I am now 58 yrs old, I was taking H, and I went through countless withdrawals, but it was really nothing more than going to bed for two or three days with a bad case of flu. Granted, it was a couple of daze of hell, puking, the runs, sneezing fits, depression so strong you wish you could die, but it was short lived. But, as the other guy said, "everybody is different". Good luck.

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Dear Melissa, I'd be more than happy to explain that to you, but first, please let me provide you with a short background so you might be better able to put things in perspective. I'm a 56 year old man, and I've been legally disabled, as a result of my back, since October of 2009. The culprits? Seven herniated disks; Spinal Stenosis; and Osteoarthritis throughout my whole body! I've also had four invasive back surgeries (with metal)! After my wife separated and divorced me in 2009 &10, respectively (taking our daughter with her), I had no choice but to move down to North Carolina from where I had been in northern New Jersey; because the cost of living is so much cheaper here! After I arrived in September of 2010 and got settled; I began to be seen by an Anesthesiologist at a Pain Management facility here in Hickory, who strongly recommended I choose Methadone as my primary pain relieving "prison cell;" since, as he explained; it hits two pain receptors in the brain; instead of just one! (For breakthrough pain, of course, I received Percocet; which is pretty much standard for most PM platforms.) Well from that point on, as they say; "the rest is history;" except for a major blunder, of mine, a year ago! (This is where I begin to answer your question!) You're probably aware, Melissa, (having been on Methadone for 10 years) that you and I are in the "belly of the beast!" Do you know what I mean by that? I think you probably do! In addition to "extremely" dangerous (and deadly) cardiac arrhythmias, called "qt prolongation," caused by the abuse of Methadone; it is also known to have the absolute longest half life of any known opiate; on top of being the absolutely most "powerful" narcotic agent available; legal or otherwise! So finally, with regard to your question (and according to what my doctor "erroneously" told me); "switching from Methadone to Opana ER would 'simply' be a case of going from one opiate to another!" "Short and sweet!" ***WRONG!!*** You may as well try to hold back a Tsunami with a sandcastle!! It "ain't gonna work!" Melissa, initially, after I switched to the Opana ER, I thought it would be a breeze!! It seemed to be working great and without a hitch! I was thrilled! But let's not forget Methadone's "half life!" By the third day, I immediately thought that perhaps, for some odd reason, the Opana ER was too strong for me this time! I didn't immediately associate the horrible way I was feeling with its true source: Methadone withdrawal!! And I actually continued to believe the "lie" until the reality of the situation descended upon me like a ton of bricks!! That's how blind both I and the "doctor" was! Ha!! Well needless to say, Melissa, I "attempted" to switch back to Methadone faster than a frog trying to leap off a hot sidewalk!! The only problem was that my doctor was NOT readily available; and even after he was, I had to convince him that I was truly experiencing Methadone withdrawal symptoms!! What a horrible nightmare!! Incidentally, Melissa; I never told you what my dosage of Methadone is. I take a total of 60mg (10mg tablets) divided three ways over the course of a day. I actually wanted to increase the dosage at one point, but my doctor was afraid of the possible cardiac effects! I guess I can't blame him; yet look how much you're taking and thank God; you're still here!! I'd like to leave you with one extremely important caveat! (Well maybe you already know this!) If you ever, for some reason, stop your Methadone even for a short time, "PLEASE" be "VERY" careful how you continue on it again! After this horrible situation I went through with my switch; I "simply" resumed taking my "normal" amount!! Very dangerous move!! My heart began to beat very irregularly! I thought I was going to die; and had I been asleep (as when most people who have died on the drug, have been), I just might have!! But then again, my life is in the mighty hands of Jesus!! Melissa, if you care to, please respond to me! I would love to know if you read this; and It took so long time to write! LOL! Glenn

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Hi glen, My names Melissa. Ive been on methadone for 10 years at 160mg a day. Im desperate to know how you managed with the methadone to opana switch. Please let me know.

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Belinda, 'yes' I saw that beautiful message (email). I was so happy to receive it! I sent you an email which will explain everything--where I've been for almost the last 12 hours! I love your name! It's beautiful! And it literally means: "beautiful!" Glenn

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Hi Glenn! Good News! Meds Chat has allowed me 2 give u my e-mail address. Did you c the post? We just had 2 give permission, and, I did. I even got a confirmation from them, saying, they sent it. 2 u. As far as your withdrawals and suffering, I was going 2 mention 2 u about the methadone. How, maybe, u should get back on it and increase the dose . There is NO need. 4 u 2 have 2 suffer. And, I'm sure the clinic will get back 2 u soon. If not , I'd call , again in a day or so. Well, hopefully tomorrow we can talk more privately. Hope 2 hear from u soon. Cats (Belinda)

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Cats, why not give you an update? It's only been 20 minutes since I submitted my last message to you for approval on this website. 5:00 came and went with no return phone call from my Pain Management facility. Finally the phone rings and the verdict is handed down! I cannot be switched to anything (including back to Methadone) until I have my next appointment on July 7th! And since my M.D. is going on vacation the first two weeks of July, a P.A. will see me, instead! My fear is that she won't have the authority to make any changes, at all! Which would then cause me to ask why they even made the appointment for me with her, in the first place! You see, it's times like these (and yes, part of this are the mental withdrawal symptoms I'm going through), but I'm getting very discouraged now! I can't believe that if it's an acute, crisis-like situation like this, that my PM M.D. can't make an exception just this one time! I don't know how I'm going to get through the next 26 more days! I'm sorry, Cats. I'm very upset right now that I'm the victim of a medical machine! The nurse who called me back asked me if I wanted her to speak to the doctor once more? The problem is, he's a brand new doctor I'm seeing (an M.D.), whom I saw for the very first time because the prior one did not participate in Medicare; AND this new doctor is a very nice guy! I am so afraid of giving him a bad impression of me! So I told her, to speak to him if you want, but please not put me in a bad light! I even told the nurse that I have to be one of their best patients because I make it my business to obey ALL the rules! Look how much obeying the rules does for you! I'm sorry I'm so discouraged right now, Cats, but all I can do is trust God for the outcome! Speak to you soon, dear. Glenn

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Dear Cats, yes, they "did" edit out my information, but it wasn't anything bad! I had simply sent you a Skype username, but in their estimation, it was just too personal! LOL! I was hoping to have an opportunity to speak to you on a slightly more personal basis. I sent them a message asking them to ask you if you wouldn't mind receiving a Skype username from me. I also asked them to please allow you to decide for yourself. Cats, I felt I had no choice, because although I haven't mentioned this to you, I really have been suffering enormously in the arena of Methadone withdrawal! Like you first mentioned to me, I've had some superficial flu-like symptoms, strong feelings of Central Nervous System agitation (as though someone were running a current up and down my spine) along with chills, insomnia and malaise! Not good! Plus, the Opana ER (20mg. every 12 hours) is just not handling my Osteoarthritic pain! So obviously I have to go back on the Methadone where, as my doctor once indicated, more than one pain receptor is "satisfied" (or "hit") by the drug! In other words, it does more good than harm (if there even is any, at all)! I just hope you're not disappointed with me, Cats, but if anyone could understand, you would! I pray a door will be opened by which we will one day be able to communicate with each other, in perhaps a more personal manner! Maybe by phone or Skype (if indeed, you would like to). Only time will tell! I just left two messages on my Pain Management's voicemail, but I always feel so insecure with them, as though, if I leave more than one message, they'll get disgusted with me and kick me out of the program! I don't know why that should happen? I haven't done anything wrong, but people are sometimes fickle! I shouldn't have to feel that way, but they're the vibes I get! Yet who else can I call if I have a problem? I'm "supposed" to call them! Hope to hear back from you soon, honey! Glenn

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Hi Glenn! How r u? Congratulations, on your weight lost. When I was on methadone, I gained nearly 50lbs. One I got off, I lost all the weight.(Thank God) I've always been a tiny gal.(5'1 and 114lbs) don't want 2 back there again. That's one of the side effects of methadone. Of course, no one tells u that! I have 2 sons, grown and out of the house. Neither married, yet, and, no grandchildren, yet. I'm almost 46.(next month) I don't look my age, but, sometimes, I feel it. I'm glad 2 hear your weather is nice and warm. We hit 80's a couple of days. But, mostly 70's. We have short summers, and, LONG harsh winters. Well, going 2 go now. Have some errands 2 run. Will talk soon. Cats

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Hey Glenn! I'm so glad 2 hear from u. Also, happy u r doing better. Have all your withdrawals gone away yet? Sometimes, it takes awhile. I sent u a post about an hour ago, and, it said,"needs 2 b reviewed" I don't know why, I didn't say anything wrong. Congratulations on your weight lost. I've always been a tiny gal, but, when I was on methadone, I gained nearly 50 lbs. It was terrible 4 me. Once I got off, I went right back 2 my size 4. The suboxone doesn't have that side effect, Thank God. Lately, I've been waking up at night and staying up 4 a couple of hours or so. So, I go on this site and the suboxone site and answer ???. I'm on SSDI now, but, I am a nurse by proffesion. I loved helping all kinds of people and treating them. I have 2 sons, ages 24 and almost 26. They r out of the house. None married yet, and, no grandchildren, yet.(I'm almost 46) So, u r lucky 2 b having warm weather. We hit the low 80's a couple of days, but, mostly 70's. Still chilly at night.(50's) we never have a long summer. But, winter is long and harsh. They edited out whatever u tried 2 send me. ( NOT fair!) well, I'm going 2 get something 2 eat. Hope 2 talk, again, soon. Cats

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Hi Glenn, so glad 2 hear back from u and know that u r ok. I know what u mean about having someone 2 talk 2. Someone who understands u and what your going through. I don't know why, but, lately, my schedule has been off. I wake up late at night and then, I'm up 4 a few hours. So, I go on this site and answer. ??? And , now , check 4 your responses. I am now on SSDI, but, am a nurse by proffesion. I know u tried 2 send me your e- mail or something, but , the site edited it out 4 privacy. Congratulations on your weight lost. I've always been a tiny person. But, when I was on methadone , I gained nearly. 50 lbs. once I got off , I lost all the weight . Back down 2 a size 4. I'm short, too. (5'1) I have 2 boys, ages 24 and almost. 26. Both of them r out of the house . They r not married yet and no grandchildren. (I'm. 45) next month I'll b 46. I was married 14 years. Well, I'm going 2 close now and try 2 figure out if there's a way 2 get an e- mail address 2 u. I'll wait 2 hear from u next. Talk soon! Cats

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Hello again, Cats. I'm doing alright - I apologize if you haven't been receiving my posts.

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Hi Glenn! Don't mean 2 b a pain, but, r u alright? I sent 2 posts and haven't heard back, yet. I hope u r not in the hospital or something. I'll wait 2 hear from u. Cats

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Hello again Cats68 from Hickory, North Carolina! How are you doing? Wow! Was it nice to hear from you again! You have no idea how good it feels to speak to another human being, in my predicament! I say, 'my predicament,' not only because I now feel so bad, physically, but because I live alone and I miss companionship from another human being! Yet especially now, in my current condition, I wish I could just hold onto someone and know that they're there for me! Someone who understands what I'm going through! It's horrible, and I guess because I follow all the rules of this Pain Management facility, they trust me enough to leave all medications within my grasp; but that also means that I possess the power to return to what I know will make me feel 110%! I "could," technically, simply start taking the Methadone all over again, and be free of this agony, but what victory would there be in that? I simply would have "failed" for the second time, and I don't want to live with that! Perhaps a good example of my willpower is the fact that, by trusting God, in a year's time, I lost nearly 140 lbs! I started out at 371lbs. (even having completed my Pre-Op for Gastric Bypass surgery) and decided against it at the last minute! In the same way, I feel I can trust my Lord Jesus to get me through this too! I just wish I could talk to someone when I'm really feeling down or ready to give up! The reason I live alone is because I was married for almost 20 years; my ex-wife divorced me, and I had to find a place where the cost of living would be low! Yet I do enjoy the weather down here, too! Lately, it's been hot as Hell! Close to 90! That's good for my bones and joints, but because I also live alone, I find myself lonely as all Hell, as well! I'm alone and down here in North Carolina because my ex-wife divorced me a number of years ago, and I had to find a place where the cost of living was low! I doubt I could have done any better than where I am right now! At least I have a beautiful, healthy and intelligent (thank God) 11 year old daughter who loves me! Well, I'll end it here, (that's funny, it sounds like I'm going to commit suicide!). No. My dissertation, that is; but let me simply remind you, Cat68, that your communication with me is far more appreciated than you realize! {edited for privacy}. Peace! Glenn

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Hi Glenn! Sorry it took me a few days. 2 get back 2 u . I didn't check 2 c if u would respond 2 my post. I'll b checking every day , now . Talk soon.

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Hi Glenn! Just got your post now. I'm sorry 2 hear that u r going through some withdrawals . But, at least the pain meds work. I'm disabled 2. I have bulging discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and sciatica. But, I can't take pain pills, because of my past addiction. The suboxone helps somewhat with the pain. R u still having withdrawals, or, have they subsided? I remember how bad they were 4 me. Been on suboxone almost 8 years now. If I have 2 stay on it another 8, I'll do it. I don't ever want 2 b where I was 12 years ago. I have a female cat 2. Well, she's a kitten and her name is Ana. I lost 3 elderly cats in the last 4 years. That was hard 4 me. Don't they just give unconditional love in return? Mine is only 11 weeks, so, she runs around the house like a nut. I live in Rhode Island. We t finally getting some warm weather, after having one heck of a winter. Hope 2 talk soon. Cats

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