Ralinda30
05-25-2005, 12:09 PM
My husband has been on narcotic pain meds for 2 yrs now..He has been dx with peripheral neuropathy.He has been on morphine,percocet,duragisic patches,loratab, and oxycontin.not to mention other types of meds used for off label purposes..now the va doctor is wanting to switch him to methadone. Does this medicine help with pain? every since he has come home from Iraq ,they have keep switching his meds. Any info would be helpful...Thanks, Ralinda
Sponsor
LibraBalancer
05-25-2005, 01:36 PM
BTW - if paying by Medicaid...I've heard that the only Methadone they cover is the 'Methadose' by Mallinkrodt. But if thats the case, do it if you have to. If he hasn't had methadone before chances are he won't notice any effect in quality w/ methadose, so I guess it wouldn't hurt.
Director
05-25-2005, 01:36 PM
Hi Ralinda,
I am on Methadone and have been for two years now, so I want to let you know a few things about it. I don't know what medication your husband is currently on or the dose, but I'll give you some information about Meth that may help anyway.
Methadone is an excellent pain med and most likely one that will work for just about anything, especially nerve pain problems. I have Irritable Bowel Syndrom, Neuralgia pain from lung surgery, and now from doing a colonoscopy last week they discoved I have an infection called Clostridium Difficile or C-Diff for short. This is an infection of the bowel and very painful in itself. My doctor currently has me on 180 mg of Methadone, which is a very high dose, but I had built up such a tolerance from being on Oxycontin, Duragesic (Fentenyl) patch and other short acting drugs, it has become necessary. Your husband may find he is in that situation too.
The only downside to Methadone, is the fact it isn't the easiest drug to come off of, if that time should come. It requires a very slow taper, but it can be done. That said, I can reccomend Methadone a pain med that is very good and it is one that stays in your systems for a long time. It has a long half life, so you're not waiting to take your next dose. Usually doctors will start you on a low dose and slowly increase it to where you are comfortable.
Good luck to you and your husband. Please let us know what you do with the doctor's suggestion to try the Methadone.
I am on Methadone and have been for two years now, so I want to let you know a few things about it. I don't know what medication your husband is currently on or the dose, but I'll give you some information about Meth that may help anyway.
Methadone is an excellent pain med and most likely one that will work for just about anything, especially nerve pain problems. I have Irritable Bowel Syndrom, Neuralgia pain from lung surgery, and now from doing a colonoscopy last week they discoved I have an infection called Clostridium Difficile or C-Diff for short. This is an infection of the bowel and very painful in itself. My doctor currently has me on 180 mg of Methadone, which is a very high dose, but I had built up such a tolerance from being on Oxycontin, Duragesic (Fentenyl) patch and other short acting drugs, it has become necessary. Your husband may find he is in that situation too.
The only downside to Methadone, is the fact it isn't the easiest drug to come off of, if that time should come. It requires a very slow taper, but it can be done. That said, I can reccomend Methadone a pain med that is very good and it is one that stays in your systems for a long time. It has a long half life, so you're not waiting to take your next dose. Usually doctors will start you on a low dose and slowly increase it to where you are comfortable.
Good luck to you and your husband. Please let us know what you do with the doctor's suggestion to try the Methadone.
LibraBalancer
05-25-2005, 01:36 PM
Hi Relinda!
I was in a very similar situation as far as trying those drugs as well. Started off with the Vicodin, Percocet, etc. short acting drugs...then had to start the long acting meds once I was in Pain Management, like the morphines and Fentanyl. They all had some benefits, but where not as beneficial as I would of hoped them to be. Also, the prices (esp. Duragesic) where a big factor in my eventually switching to Methadone.
Methadone is not only the cheapest of the LA medications, but for me and many others out there, Methadone is VERY effective in releaving pain. esp nerve pain...like in my case Sciatica. It really really helps the constant annoyance of the tingle, burn, electric throb feelings of Sciatic pain. Although the pain is still always there...it's much more easy to tolerate thanks to the Methadone. When I was 1st Rx'd Methadone I was taking it twice a day (40mg every 12 hrs.), but noticed it didn't last that long for pain relief, so I went to 3 times a day (40mg every 8 hrs.) and stayed there for a while. As of yesterday I'm now taking it 4 times a day (40mg every 6 hrs.) I guess it just depends on individual reactions, responses to the medicine, but I guess on average it is effective to some from 6-12 hrs. So now it's a total of 160mg's daily. That may seem like alot at first, but it's easy to escelate to that level w/ very few side effects...at least in my situation. I don't itch, I don't doze off, etc. The only side effects I get are mild constipation and decreased sex drive.
Overall I would say, given in the right dose, Methadone is extremely cheap and effective. But there is only one way to find out...and that's by taking it. So good luck to your husband and I would tell him you've read good things about it, and to be positive when trying it. OH, it does work immediatly (30-60 min.) after ingesting it, BUT....it will take 4-5 days for someone to 'balance out', so to say reach a plateau of even pain relief. So essentially, the more days it's taken....the better it works.
*Word of advice, if possible get the medicine made by Roxane Pharm. They have a superior product. Try and stay away from Mallinkrodt (sp) Roxane makes the 10mg and 40mg waffers that disperse in liquids. Both Roxane products have a '54' above a 3 numerical code. The 10mg is 54/142 and the waffers are 54/883. I only tell you this, because many people KNOW that mallinkrodt's version of methadone (METHADOSE) they call it, it's just not up to par, for WHATEVER reason, but believe me I'm not making it up. It may be just a tad bit cheaper, but not by much. For instance my Dr's office has a pharmacy there (a pain mangement practice) and they go by price per pill/tablet, not quantity. So for each 40mg tab it's .69 cents. Thats $82.80 a month. Compared to Duragesic 50mcg/hr @ around $300.00 a month. And 40mg's of methadone every 6 hrs is alot of pills, in comparison to what a patient might start out at. So the savings are even greater. Good luck...I hope it works for your husband.
I was in a very similar situation as far as trying those drugs as well. Started off with the Vicodin, Percocet, etc. short acting drugs...then had to start the long acting meds once I was in Pain Management, like the morphines and Fentanyl. They all had some benefits, but where not as beneficial as I would of hoped them to be. Also, the prices (esp. Duragesic) where a big factor in my eventually switching to Methadone.
Methadone is not only the cheapest of the LA medications, but for me and many others out there, Methadone is VERY effective in releaving pain. esp nerve pain...like in my case Sciatica. It really really helps the constant annoyance of the tingle, burn, electric throb feelings of Sciatic pain. Although the pain is still always there...it's much more easy to tolerate thanks to the Methadone. When I was 1st Rx'd Methadone I was taking it twice a day (40mg every 12 hrs.), but noticed it didn't last that long for pain relief, so I went to 3 times a day (40mg every 8 hrs.) and stayed there for a while. As of yesterday I'm now taking it 4 times a day (40mg every 6 hrs.) I guess it just depends on individual reactions, responses to the medicine, but I guess on average it is effective to some from 6-12 hrs. So now it's a total of 160mg's daily. That may seem like alot at first, but it's easy to escelate to that level w/ very few side effects...at least in my situation. I don't itch, I don't doze off, etc. The only side effects I get are mild constipation and decreased sex drive.
Overall I would say, given in the right dose, Methadone is extremely cheap and effective. But there is only one way to find out...and that's by taking it. So good luck to your husband and I would tell him you've read good things about it, and to be positive when trying it. OH, it does work immediatly (30-60 min.) after ingesting it, BUT....it will take 4-5 days for someone to 'balance out', so to say reach a plateau of even pain relief. So essentially, the more days it's taken....the better it works.
*Word of advice, if possible get the medicine made by Roxane Pharm. They have a superior product. Try and stay away from Mallinkrodt (sp) Roxane makes the 10mg and 40mg waffers that disperse in liquids. Both Roxane products have a '54' above a 3 numerical code. The 10mg is 54/142 and the waffers are 54/883. I only tell you this, because many people KNOW that mallinkrodt's version of methadone (METHADOSE) they call it, it's just not up to par, for WHATEVER reason, but believe me I'm not making it up. It may be just a tad bit cheaper, but not by much. For instance my Dr's office has a pharmacy there (a pain mangement practice) and they go by price per pill/tablet, not quantity. So for each 40mg tab it's .69 cents. Thats $82.80 a month. Compared to Duragesic 50mcg/hr @ around $300.00 a month. And 40mg's of methadone every 6 hrs is alot of pills, in comparison to what a patient might start out at. So the savings are even greater. Good luck...I hope it works for your husband.
Shoreline
05-25-2005, 01:42 PM
Hi Ralinda, sorry to hear about your husband. Methadone is often used to treat chronic pain, It's a pretty potent panin killer that works particularly well on nerve pain if he can handle the drowsiness. The initial drowsiness will deminish but he may still fall asleep when he's not actively engaged in activity. It can also effect personality, but everyone responds differently.
Read these, they are some of the better chronic pain info on meth, unfortnately you have to dig past alot of addictin management info to find pain managementinfo on. The more you know about CP and these meds the better. IT does have avery long half life and takes 5 days to reach peak and stable blood levels, so day one or two may be uncomfy but it will get better. BY day 5 you pretty much have double what you take each day in your sytem.
You have to adjust this med slower and wait to see the end result on the 5th day.
Cut and paste these addys into your browser
http://www.ampainsoc.org/pub/bulletin/sep00/upda1.htm
This one is really good and talks about blocking NMDA receptors.
http://www.mainehospicecouncil.org/MaineLink/vol2no2/methadone_rediscovered.htm
And you should read this to learn how chronic pain is different than acute pain
http://www.hosppract.com/issues/2000/07/brook.htm
And this is part 2 which talks about drug selection and the difference between adiction and physical depenedence *very important*
http://www.hosppract.com/issues/2000/09/brook.htm
These really will help undestand more about what's goin on, why and what's available.
Good luck and take care, Dave
PS If you need a recipe to relieve constipation, I got one of those too. ;)
Read these, they are some of the better chronic pain info on meth, unfortnately you have to dig past alot of addictin management info to find pain managementinfo on. The more you know about CP and these meds the better. IT does have avery long half life and takes 5 days to reach peak and stable blood levels, so day one or two may be uncomfy but it will get better. BY day 5 you pretty much have double what you take each day in your sytem.
You have to adjust this med slower and wait to see the end result on the 5th day.
Cut and paste these addys into your browser
http://www.ampainsoc.org/pub/bulletin/sep00/upda1.htm
This one is really good and talks about blocking NMDA receptors.
http://www.mainehospicecouncil.org/MaineLink/vol2no2/methadone_rediscovered.htm
And you should read this to learn how chronic pain is different than acute pain
http://www.hosppract.com/issues/2000/07/brook.htm
And this is part 2 which talks about drug selection and the difference between adiction and physical depenedence *very important*
http://www.hosppract.com/issues/2000/09/brook.htm
These really will help undestand more about what's goin on, why and what's available.
Good luck and take care, Dave
PS If you need a recipe to relieve constipation, I got one of those too. ;)
LibraBalancer
05-25-2005, 01:49 PM
Shore....what is your 'recipe' I HAVE to hear this. I can go to the bathroom in the morning, but it's not everything 'hence my saying I have 'mild constipation' but I still deal w/ it. So please, lets hear it.
Ralinda30
05-25-2005, 06:40 PM
I want to thank everyone for there reply..They have a consult in to switch him to meth. He takes oxy and loratab everyday plus his muscle relaxers for headaches. Shore u mentioned it may alter his personality, the oxy seems to do that already. He has very little patience. I hope they will give this to him, I would love for him just one day to be pain free.....Thanks, Ralinda
sirsickalot
05-26-2005, 03:51 AM
Hi Ralinda,
I have been taking Methadone for Peripheral Neuropathy for about six years. I tried EVERYTHING else. Nothing has even come close to helping me as much as Methadone. There are some nasty side effects in the beginning. (Nodding off, sweating, nausea and increase in the urge to smoke as well as other minor side effects). Tell him to bear with it; the side effects will moderate soon. I don’t know if I would have been able to make it through the severe pain without the methadone. I bet I tried over one hundred different meds before Methadone.
I would even be able to work if I were not having GI problems not related to Methadone. I strongly recommend he give it a try. Give the Methadone some time to work. It takes a little time to build up in your system. I have studied much about Methadone and PN and it is the all around best pain reduction med available for Peripheral Neuropathy with chronic pain.
Also, at CVS, they have some leg and feet inflatable gizmo that has helped a lot when the pain gets unbearable. They are about $39. They inflate and deflate over and over. If you go to CVS and ask, they should be able to show them to you. When he is having a bad PN day they can really help. Make sure his feet get lotion rubbed on them at least twice a day. That helps as well.
Again, go with the Methadone. I am sure it will help. Tell him to bear with the side effects; they will go away.
Good Luck
Rich
I have been taking Methadone for Peripheral Neuropathy for about six years. I tried EVERYTHING else. Nothing has even come close to helping me as much as Methadone. There are some nasty side effects in the beginning. (Nodding off, sweating, nausea and increase in the urge to smoke as well as other minor side effects). Tell him to bear with it; the side effects will moderate soon. I don’t know if I would have been able to make it through the severe pain without the methadone. I bet I tried over one hundred different meds before Methadone.
I would even be able to work if I were not having GI problems not related to Methadone. I strongly recommend he give it a try. Give the Methadone some time to work. It takes a little time to build up in your system. I have studied much about Methadone and PN and it is the all around best pain reduction med available for Peripheral Neuropathy with chronic pain.
Also, at CVS, they have some leg and feet inflatable gizmo that has helped a lot when the pain gets unbearable. They are about $39. They inflate and deflate over and over. If you go to CVS and ask, they should be able to show them to you. When he is having a bad PN day they can really help. Make sure his feet get lotion rubbed on them at least twice a day. That helps as well.
Again, go with the Methadone. I am sure it will help. Tell him to bear with the side effects; they will go away.
Good Luck
Rich
Ralinda30
05-26-2005, 10:12 AM
Thanks so much Rich. I will go to CVS and get them. I hope if he does get nausea it doesn't last long, that is why he quit taking the patch and morphine. I am glad the methadone works so well for u with the pn. Thanks for the info, Ralinda
Shoreline
05-27-2005, 09:21 PM
Yakima Fruit Paste
used in hospice care for terminal high dose patients
DOSE: 1-2 tablespoons per day
1 pound prunes
1 pound raisins-pitted
1 pound figs
4 oz senna tea (look in your health food store, it looks like a bunch of leaves)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup lemon juice
1. Prepare tea-use about 2 1/2 cups boiled water added to tea and steep 5 minutes.
2. Strain tea to remove tea leaves and add only 1 pint tea to a large pot, then add fruit.
3. Boil fruit and tea for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add sugar & lemon juice. Allow to cool.
5. Use hand mixer or food processor to blend fruit mixture into smooth paste.
6. Place in plastic container and place in freezer. (Paste will not freeze but will keep forever in freezer).
7. Spoon out what you require each day.
Enjoy eating it straight off the spoon.
Spread it on toast or add hot water and make a drink.
* If the fruit paste is not working (you are not having bowel movements) then you need to increase the amount of fruit paste you are taking.
* If the fruit paste makes you have very loose stools then you need to cut down on the amount of fruit paste you are taking. Perhaps even taking it every other day in some cases.
This cost about 30 dollars to make and yo end yo with about 3 qts and 4lbs of the stuff Its cheaper to make than 2 bottles of SEnekot, lasts 3 times longer and works without the twist your bowels into a not cramps.
haven';t used an OTC or script med since I strted using it. Plums will add small seeds and if you have dioverticultis, don't add the plums like I did, I usI just thought it would be another good thing to add since the bags of dried frut came in 12 oz bags. I also couldn't find the senna leaves so I bought senna tea from te healthfood store. The recipe cals for 4 Oz so I had to by 2 boxes with 30 tea bags each to equate to 4 oz of senna. It was some pretty potent tea and I had to squeeze every bag to get my tea back, But out of the 2&1/2 cups I started with I ended with with 2&1/4 cups, I didn't loose much although the bags look like they absorb all th tea.
It works and is more cost effective.
Enjoy, I prefer it on crackers or on peanut butter toast.
used in hospice care for terminal high dose patients
DOSE: 1-2 tablespoons per day
1 pound prunes
1 pound raisins-pitted
1 pound figs
4 oz senna tea (look in your health food store, it looks like a bunch of leaves)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup lemon juice
1. Prepare tea-use about 2 1/2 cups boiled water added to tea and steep 5 minutes.
2. Strain tea to remove tea leaves and add only 1 pint tea to a large pot, then add fruit.
3. Boil fruit and tea for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add sugar & lemon juice. Allow to cool.
5. Use hand mixer or food processor to blend fruit mixture into smooth paste.
6. Place in plastic container and place in freezer. (Paste will not freeze but will keep forever in freezer).
7. Spoon out what you require each day.
Enjoy eating it straight off the spoon.
Spread it on toast or add hot water and make a drink.
* If the fruit paste is not working (you are not having bowel movements) then you need to increase the amount of fruit paste you are taking.
* If the fruit paste makes you have very loose stools then you need to cut down on the amount of fruit paste you are taking. Perhaps even taking it every other day in some cases.
This cost about 30 dollars to make and yo end yo with about 3 qts and 4lbs of the stuff Its cheaper to make than 2 bottles of SEnekot, lasts 3 times longer and works without the twist your bowels into a not cramps.
haven';t used an OTC or script med since I strted using it. Plums will add small seeds and if you have dioverticultis, don't add the plums like I did, I usI just thought it would be another good thing to add since the bags of dried frut came in 12 oz bags. I also couldn't find the senna leaves so I bought senna tea from te healthfood store. The recipe cals for 4 Oz so I had to by 2 boxes with 30 tea bags each to equate to 4 oz of senna. It was some pretty potent tea and I had to squeeze every bag to get my tea back, But out of the 2&1/2 cups I started with I ended with with 2&1/4 cups, I didn't loose much although the bags look like they absorb all th tea.
It works and is more cost effective.
Enjoy, I prefer it on crackers or on peanut butter toast.
LibraBalancer
05-28-2005, 04:45 PM
That sounds pretty freakin good! i love prunes, figs, plums all those dried or not dried. lemon juice and brown sugar. I'm DEFF. going to make this! thanks dave...!