Rosebud54
09-23-2003, 05:32 AM
Hello, Where do I start, well I guess from where I believe my pain started. I was sexually abused from age 4 on up by an uncle, second grade teacher, a close friend of the family and a doctor. I have been through much much more as I grew up that it is too much to go into. But part of that is that, I was also physically abused badly. There are no scars on the outside but they are all inside. Yes, I have been to counseling for many years and different kinds and different ones. I have had many surgeries, I had my gall bladder taken out, hernia repaired twice, two c-sections. I had rheumatic fever at age 12 on up and I had a heart murmur. I had suffered with ulcers, and back pain and leg pain forever. Now I have complete deep body pain and stiffness. I have been told by my doctor after years of test that I have FMS in the worse way. I have so much pain through out my body and I have been on vicodin and soma, well these worked good but only for a short time through out the day and the pain and stiffness would come back as soon as the medication wore off. So my doctor told me that she wants to put me on Methadone. I asked her if it makes you gain weight because I have been trying so hard to lose and I am also on fastin to lose weigh. Well, as I was looking Methadone up on line, I found so many different opines on it, some say there is weight gain, some say weight loss. Can anyone who has used it or is on it PLEASE tell me how it is for you with the pain control and weight issue and any other things that you have found since on the Methadone. I would really appreciate any help. This board is going to be a great help for me I have been feeling very alone and need the support, thank you to those who have already answered my first post. Blessings, Rose
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LookingToTommorrow
09-23-2003, 04:13 PM
I don't know exactly waht to tell you about methadone. It will make you put ono weight because it makes you fell hungry all the time. It is weird because I will find myself eating a huge meal and then 15 minutes later feel like I didn't eat a thing. The drug is good for pain relief and for help with drug addiction but be careful b/c Methadone can be very addictive. If you don't watch out, you will find yourself extremely addicted to the drug and when you try and get off of it, you will have sleepless night with a lot of pain. So I wanted you to know that before you got started on it. It is a good drug but addictive and your weight will go up. Good Luck with whatever happens.
Rosebud54
09-23-2003, 04:45 PM
Thank you so much, Looking. I haven't started it yet and I was just about to but now I am going to have to think this through again. God only knows I don't need to gain any weight, that would make my health even worse. What good is it if I'm tired and over weight all the time. I asked my doctor if it makes you gain weight and she said no but I have looked it up and found information that shows it does except there are other information that shows the opposite, so that is why I came to the board for help. Thank you for your in put I will think more on this. Blessings, Rose
HockeyCrystal
09-23-2003, 05:34 PM
Rose,
It may not cause you to gain weight. Please don't base your taking or not taking it on one person's experience with it. It could cause you to gain or not.. It doesn't mean it WILL for sure cause weight gain. Especially if you're already on something to lose weight, I doubt it's going to cause much weight gain if any at all... Please think it through before giving up on something that could possibly be the answer to your prayers about being in less pain.
I hope you find answers,
Crystal Rose... (My middle name's Rose) :)
It may not cause you to gain weight. Please don't base your taking or not taking it on one person's experience with it. It could cause you to gain or not.. It doesn't mean it WILL for sure cause weight gain. Especially if you're already on something to lose weight, I doubt it's going to cause much weight gain if any at all... Please think it through before giving up on something that could possibly be the answer to your prayers about being in less pain.
I hope you find answers,
Crystal Rose... (My middle name's Rose) :)
grizzk62
09-23-2003, 08:45 PM
Hey Rose,
First let me say welcome to the boards. I have to agree with Crystal. I have been on methadone and have researched this particular med thoroughly. I may or may not cause wieght gain or loose of weight. It is a very potent Narc. Yes it is addicting but several studies have proven that a very small percent of chronic pain patients ever become addictted to there pain meds. So not to worry about that. Just beaware of that is all. Methadone is a great pain reliever when it has been titrated to the proper dose for you. You must take this med very slowly in the beginning and don't incress the dose with out talking to your Doc. This med is one of the few true long acting pain meds. It has not been altered like morphine or Oxycodone have to be longacting. The difference is methadone builds up in your system. The others do not. Thats why it is important to go very slow in the beginning like not increasing your dose except every 3-4 days between increases. Then you should be fine. You may have some other side effects. But these like nausea and sleepines should go away in a motter of time. Again this med has saved my life in the pain relieveing that it has giving me. Do take good care. And if I or others can be of further assistance. Just keep posting and we will be there.
Matt
First let me say welcome to the boards. I have to agree with Crystal. I have been on methadone and have researched this particular med thoroughly. I may or may not cause wieght gain or loose of weight. It is a very potent Narc. Yes it is addicting but several studies have proven that a very small percent of chronic pain patients ever become addictted to there pain meds. So not to worry about that. Just beaware of that is all. Methadone is a great pain reliever when it has been titrated to the proper dose for you. You must take this med very slowly in the beginning and don't incress the dose with out talking to your Doc. This med is one of the few true long acting pain meds. It has not been altered like morphine or Oxycodone have to be longacting. The difference is methadone builds up in your system. The others do not. Thats why it is important to go very slow in the beginning like not increasing your dose except every 3-4 days between increases. Then you should be fine. You may have some other side effects. But these like nausea and sleepines should go away in a motter of time. Again this med has saved my life in the pain relieveing that it has giving me. Do take good care. And if I or others can be of further assistance. Just keep posting and we will be there.
Matt
Rosebud54
09-23-2003, 09:04 PM
Hi Crystal Rose, well it looks like there is a whole garden of us Roses out there. It is nice to have that in common besides the pain factor. Thank you for your advice, and I am reconsidering taking this drug, it's just that I am so confused and I have tried so many drugs that the doctor has given me, one was Paxil that I absolutely hated, it made me sleepy and depressed, and it is used for depression and pain, yea right, with me it made me depressed and the worse of all it is when I put on 50+ pounds along with other types of meds the doctor was trying. The only two that helps to some degree are Soma & Vicodin, but they don't last too long with the relief of the pain that is why she wants me to try Methadone, but I am so scared, I will have to do more thinking and praying on it. I have a VERY sensitive stomach so I am scared of how it will effect me and if I don't like it I have to go through withdrawals. So I will see and let you know what I decide. I thank God for all of you here for the support I so longed for. God Bless you and everyone.
Hi Matt, I understand what you are saying and respect what you say being you are on it and it is helping you. I am very happy that it helps you and I still may try it in hopes that if I have bad side effects they will go away in time as you said. I will probably give into trying it at the very worse of my pain. I'll let you know. Thank you for you advice. Take Care and God Bless, Rose
Hi Matt, I understand what you are saying and respect what you say being you are on it and it is helping you. I am very happy that it helps you and I still may try it in hopes that if I have bad side effects they will go away in time as you said. I will probably give into trying it at the very worse of my pain. I'll let you know. Thank you for you advice. Take Care and God Bless, Rose
HockeyCrystal
09-23-2003, 11:27 PM
Rose,
I hope you decide to at least try the Methadone. And thanks for letting me know what you decide. I like to keep updated on everyone who posts here. I know a lot of people's stories here on the board, especially the ones who post a lot. I read every post that is written, and usually I try to at least reply to most of them. Especially the ones I can offer support or any kind of advice on. I hope you don't gain any weight from the Methadone, and I will pray for you that you don't, if and when you do try it.
Have a great night, and yes there's a big garden of us roses out there... Even though my middle name is Rose. My oldest and dearest friend whom I have known since I was 19 months old is named Rose. She's very sweet. Her aunt's name is Rosa (they're Mexican) and Rose was named after her. My boyfriend's sister's name is Crystal Rose also. It's weird that her name is that, because I have never heard of another Crystal Rose before. And she is my boyfriend's sister, and she was a very good friend at one time, but we haven't spoken in a while...which is quite a long story so I won't go into it.
Have a great night, sweetheart!
Much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif
Crystal Rose.
------------------
-21 year old chronic pain patient..
-Have a transitional vertebrae @ s1.
-Slight bulges in disks L4-L5 and L5-S1.
-adhesions from years of not knowing gallbladder was bad then had it removed, lots of abdominal pain now... also referred pain in mid and upper back from gallbladder as well...
-Chronic severe migraines, and tension headaches... Taking Axert for migraines.. Working well...Nothing px'ed for tension headaches... Sometimes even get both kinds of headaches at the same time..... Really weird.
-Lots of low back and mid back pain growing up..
-Then was in 2 very bad car accidents not even a year apart, 1@17y.o. and 1@18y.o. Had fractures in both... Arm in one, and wrist and hand in the other wreck. Arm was broke by airbag.. Wrist and hand by impact of hand slamming into steering wheel... Also had back, neck and chest (from seatbelt) pain from these wrecks. And in one slammed knees into dash. Also fell on ice a couple yrs ago and landed right on tail bone. This is what my PM doc feels caused the bulges.
-Also have had a few cysts on left ovary, that burst.
-Also had pre-cancerous cells on cervix, and had surgery in Dec. 2002 to have them removed. Have been having normal paps ever since! (Didn't have one of those for like 3 years!)
-Now having lots of knifelike shoulder pain between spine and shoulder blades..Also having a lot of hip/pelvic pain and soreness under my butt, if that even makes sense...And pain in low-back/sacral area and tailbone area...like it's going to crack and break or something... It hurts to sit for very long at all.
-Pain overall between 7-9 everyday with OR without meds.. Because Percocets aren't working well anymore at all.
-Still somewhat undiagnosed, but have had these tests for my pain issues... :
*CT Scan on entire spine
*CT Scan on abdomen
*X-rays on shoulder and entire spine
*MRI on head and spine
*Also been to these specialists: Chiropractor-Did adjustments, and a few other treatments; Orthopedic surgeon-gave stretches and PT exercises to do, also px'd Ibuprofen800 which I can no longer take any NSAIDs; D.O. (my PCP)-Did adjustments, and px'd my meds until I got into pain management.
Pain mgmt doc and his P.A. Have changed my previous meds, and plans on doing Trigger point injections and a couple steroid injections on November 19, 2003. Hope that helps! Then maybe I can go off these pain pills! If not, who knows what's going to go on, but I'm trying to stay positive!
-Started at PM Clinic on 9/9/03, and went wonderful. First saw the P.A. Then saw the PM doc on the 18th, and he's absolutely wonderful.
-Moderate case of TMJ
-Lots of throbbing pain in left knee and left arm from previous fractures.. (knee from sports; arm broke in a car accident)..
-Also arthritis in hands.. Broken 6 of my fingers several times, and also broke 3 of my toes...
-Meds I was taking, then the meds I was changed to and I'm taking now : Percocet 7.5/500 every 4 hrs as need for pain changed on 9/23 to Percocet 10 (hope it does better!), Flexeril 10mg 2x/day changed on 9/9 to Zanaflex 3x/day, Tofranil 50mg @ bedtime changed to Gabitril 40mg @ bedtime on 9/9, Imitrex for migraines changed to Relpax on 9/9 then to Axert on 9/18, also given Zoloft 50mg in the morning on 9/9 to counteract all the meds that make me drowsy to keep me more awake.
I hope you decide to at least try the Methadone. And thanks for letting me know what you decide. I like to keep updated on everyone who posts here. I know a lot of people's stories here on the board, especially the ones who post a lot. I read every post that is written, and usually I try to at least reply to most of them. Especially the ones I can offer support or any kind of advice on. I hope you don't gain any weight from the Methadone, and I will pray for you that you don't, if and when you do try it.
Have a great night, and yes there's a big garden of us roses out there... Even though my middle name is Rose. My oldest and dearest friend whom I have known since I was 19 months old is named Rose. She's very sweet. Her aunt's name is Rosa (they're Mexican) and Rose was named after her. My boyfriend's sister's name is Crystal Rose also. It's weird that her name is that, because I have never heard of another Crystal Rose before. And she is my boyfriend's sister, and she was a very good friend at one time, but we haven't spoken in a while...which is quite a long story so I won't go into it.
Have a great night, sweetheart!
Much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif
Crystal Rose.
------------------
-21 year old chronic pain patient..
-Have a transitional vertebrae @ s1.
-Slight bulges in disks L4-L5 and L5-S1.
-adhesions from years of not knowing gallbladder was bad then had it removed, lots of abdominal pain now... also referred pain in mid and upper back from gallbladder as well...
-Chronic severe migraines, and tension headaches... Taking Axert for migraines.. Working well...Nothing px'ed for tension headaches... Sometimes even get both kinds of headaches at the same time..... Really weird.
-Lots of low back and mid back pain growing up..
-Then was in 2 very bad car accidents not even a year apart, 1@17y.o. and 1@18y.o. Had fractures in both... Arm in one, and wrist and hand in the other wreck. Arm was broke by airbag.. Wrist and hand by impact of hand slamming into steering wheel... Also had back, neck and chest (from seatbelt) pain from these wrecks. And in one slammed knees into dash. Also fell on ice a couple yrs ago and landed right on tail bone. This is what my PM doc feels caused the bulges.
-Also have had a few cysts on left ovary, that burst.
-Also had pre-cancerous cells on cervix, and had surgery in Dec. 2002 to have them removed. Have been having normal paps ever since! (Didn't have one of those for like 3 years!)
-Now having lots of knifelike shoulder pain between spine and shoulder blades..Also having a lot of hip/pelvic pain and soreness under my butt, if that even makes sense...And pain in low-back/sacral area and tailbone area...like it's going to crack and break or something... It hurts to sit for very long at all.
-Pain overall between 7-9 everyday with OR without meds.. Because Percocets aren't working well anymore at all.
-Still somewhat undiagnosed, but have had these tests for my pain issues... :
*CT Scan on entire spine
*CT Scan on abdomen
*X-rays on shoulder and entire spine
*MRI on head and spine
*Also been to these specialists: Chiropractor-Did adjustments, and a few other treatments; Orthopedic surgeon-gave stretches and PT exercises to do, also px'd Ibuprofen800 which I can no longer take any NSAIDs; D.O. (my PCP)-Did adjustments, and px'd my meds until I got into pain management.
Pain mgmt doc and his P.A. Have changed my previous meds, and plans on doing Trigger point injections and a couple steroid injections on November 19, 2003. Hope that helps! Then maybe I can go off these pain pills! If not, who knows what's going to go on, but I'm trying to stay positive!
-Started at PM Clinic on 9/9/03, and went wonderful. First saw the P.A. Then saw the PM doc on the 18th, and he's absolutely wonderful.
-Moderate case of TMJ
-Lots of throbbing pain in left knee and left arm from previous fractures.. (knee from sports; arm broke in a car accident)..
-Also arthritis in hands.. Broken 6 of my fingers several times, and also broke 3 of my toes...
-Meds I was taking, then the meds I was changed to and I'm taking now : Percocet 7.5/500 every 4 hrs as need for pain changed on 9/23 to Percocet 10 (hope it does better!), Flexeril 10mg 2x/day changed on 9/9 to Zanaflex 3x/day, Tofranil 50mg @ bedtime changed to Gabitril 40mg @ bedtime on 9/9, Imitrex for migraines changed to Relpax on 9/9 then to Axert on 9/18, also given Zoloft 50mg in the morning on 9/9 to counteract all the meds that make me drowsy to keep me more awake.
Rosebud54
09-23-2003, 11:51 PM
Hi Crystal Rose, that is such a beautiful name, the combination of the two is so beautiful. You sound a lot like me, I too like to offer support when I can. I was reading all that you have gone through and some of which sounds so much like me. I have had a hysterectomy because of very bad problems, I had my gall bladder removed, I had my tail bone and broke it and suffered with the pain as well, I have TMJ very badly,Back, leg problem and on and on. How do you post your things and medications on there so that every time you post it tells people your problems and what your taking for them? I would like to do that. Do you do it under profile? Have you tried Methadone for all your pain? If not why not? I have been on zoloft,paxil many many others and those have all been bad for me. I'm still praying on the Methadone, and thank you so much for your prayers, I do believe greatly in prayer. God Bless, Rose
HockeyCrystal
09-24-2003, 12:03 AM
I haven't tried any kinds of long-acting meds. I just began with my PM doc on the 9th of this month... Before I was seeing my PCP and I first was given Ultracets which didn't even touch the pain, then I was switched to Lortabs which never helped much either, because of a tolerance I already had built up, then my PCP gave me Percocets which actually were helping quite a bit at first, but now my tolerance has built up a bit, so the PM doc just changed me to Percocet 10's today to see if that helped... I think they want me to go through all the lesser options first before they change me to a longer acting med like Methadone. Plus they'd like to see me off of meds all together if I can handle it after I get my trigger point injections and steroid injections and whatnot... I would also like to go off of the meds, but I won't even have my injections until November 19th... Then hopefully my pain will go down to a more tolerable level.. But like I said, they want to go through the lesser options before they switch me to something like Methadone... And if I'm going to go off of meds in November anyway, I don't want to start on something that has horrible WD's...
And about the signature thing, yes, it's under profile, and it shows a Signature box where you can type anything you want, and then when you type a message it has a box you click to include your signature.. "Show Signature: include your profile signature. Only registered users may have signatures."
Hope you are having a wonderful evening!
Much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif my dear sweet new friend!
Crystal
And about the signature thing, yes, it's under profile, and it shows a Signature box where you can type anything you want, and then when you type a message it has a box you click to include your signature.. "Show Signature: include your profile signature. Only registered users may have signatures."
Hope you are having a wonderful evening!
Much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif my dear sweet new friend!
Crystal
Rosebud54
09-24-2003, 12:18 AM
Hi Crystal, Thank you so much for all the information and for answering so quickly. I do appreciate it so much. I understand why you want to get off pill all together as that is how I feel completely, in fact I have tried on my own for two weeks and boy oh boy did I ever suffer for it, I was on the couch in pain and so stiff and I just couldn't move any more. I felt like I was turning into stone. The pain was horrible. The Methadone does had very bad WD so that is why I am really thinking this things out. You know I notice something just today, I use to watch my grandson as my daughter worked but she decided to be a stay at home Mom in agreement with her husband and me. Well, this happened only a week ago and my husband and I noticed that I haven't been having as much pain and stiffness lately, and we just realize today it is because I no longer need to get up early to take care of my grandson and I am sleeping longer. It seems that sleeping longer has helped with the pain and all, and when I have pain now I take the vicodin and one soma at night to help me sleep and so far I'm doing better. That is something we just talked about and noticed. So we both feel that the Methadone may not be needed. I have an appointment with my doctor in two weeks and if all goes well I will tell him all of this. I just hope she doesn't think that it is in my mind because of my fears of weight gain, because at first when I started to feel better I was wondering was it in my mind, but then I realize what was different in life just recently. So I do believe the added sleep is helping. any thoughts on this? God Bless my dear friend, Rose
[This message has been edited by Rosebud54 (edited 09-23-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Rosebud54 (edited 09-23-2003).]
HockeyCrystal
09-24-2003, 01:25 AM
I imagine getting an adequate amount of sleep would help with the pain... I am pretty sore when I don't get much sleep, but when I sleep too much I am awfully sore also. Haha... I just have to get a perfect amt of sleep to not be too sore...
But I'm glad you've felt better lately. And I don't blame you not wanting to take the Methadone if things have gotten a lot better and the other meds are working okay, but I thought you said they weren't working long enough.
Anyway, I'm going to go unwind and drink a beer. I know I shouldn't drink, but I've been pretty stressed all day with the test I had to take in Anatomy lab tonight, but now that it's over, I'm going to chill out and drink a beer or two... Just to help me relax a bit... And my bf is coming over so we can watch our show that I taped...
Have a great night sweetie!
Much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif
Crystal Rose
But I'm glad you've felt better lately. And I don't blame you not wanting to take the Methadone if things have gotten a lot better and the other meds are working okay, but I thought you said they weren't working long enough.
Anyway, I'm going to go unwind and drink a beer. I know I shouldn't drink, but I've been pretty stressed all day with the test I had to take in Anatomy lab tonight, but now that it's over, I'm going to chill out and drink a beer or two... Just to help me relax a bit... And my bf is coming over so we can watch our show that I taped...
Have a great night sweetie!
Much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif
Crystal Rose
lindao1
09-24-2003, 01:47 AM
Hello dear Rosebud.
I can understand your hesitancy in regards to the Methadone. There is a lot to consider when it comes to this particular med.
I was just wondering whether your dr. has suggested any other long-acting pain med besides the Meth? I currently take Oxycontin which for two years worked quite well for my pain. This year I've developed a tolerance so I had surgery for the morphine pump. But that had to come out later (long story). Anyway, the oxy, in my opinion, did a good job at controlling my pain for a long time. Now I am at a crossroads as to what else my dr. will suggest for my pain. I've often wondered if he will suggest Meth for me too but like you, I would have to think about it a great deal. I know that Matt has had an excellent experience with it and so have others, so it can't be all that bad. And everyone responds to meds differently anyway. I would think that you could ask your dr. what other alternatives, beside the Meth, he would consider for your pain. There are so many different ones and even combinations that are excellent for pain control. I'm just really curious as to why the Meth and no other?
Anyway, just wanted to lend my support here. I'm glad that the extra sleep has helped. Besides all of my surgeries and injuries, I, too, suffer from FMS. That in itself is tough to deal with that's for sure. And getting adequate sleep can definitely make a difference in your pain level.
Well, I wish you luck in whatever you decide, dear. Linda :D
[This message has been edited by lindao1 (edited 09-24-2003).]
I can understand your hesitancy in regards to the Methadone. There is a lot to consider when it comes to this particular med.
I was just wondering whether your dr. has suggested any other long-acting pain med besides the Meth? I currently take Oxycontin which for two years worked quite well for my pain. This year I've developed a tolerance so I had surgery for the morphine pump. But that had to come out later (long story). Anyway, the oxy, in my opinion, did a good job at controlling my pain for a long time. Now I am at a crossroads as to what else my dr. will suggest for my pain. I've often wondered if he will suggest Meth for me too but like you, I would have to think about it a great deal. I know that Matt has had an excellent experience with it and so have others, so it can't be all that bad. And everyone responds to meds differently anyway. I would think that you could ask your dr. what other alternatives, beside the Meth, he would consider for your pain. There are so many different ones and even combinations that are excellent for pain control. I'm just really curious as to why the Meth and no other?
Anyway, just wanted to lend my support here. I'm glad that the extra sleep has helped. Besides all of my surgeries and injuries, I, too, suffer from FMS. That in itself is tough to deal with that's for sure. And getting adequate sleep can definitely make a difference in your pain level.
Well, I wish you luck in whatever you decide, dear. Linda :D
[This message has been edited by lindao1 (edited 09-24-2003).]
Rosebud54
09-24-2003, 06:19 AM
Hi Crystal, I am the same way if I don't get enough it hurts if I get too much it hurts, but I think I'm learning what may be enough, 7 to 8 hours no more no less. Thank you again for your support. Blessings, Rose
Rosebud54
09-24-2003, 06:26 AM
Hi Linda, thank you so much for your advice and support. The reason for the Methadone is because I have been on many other drugs before that didn't work or were awful, but now I have been on Robaxin, Soma and Vicodin and sometimes Tramadol. But what I feel really works fine with out the tiredness is just the Vicodin and Soma. The Vicodin wasn't helping with the long lasting pain I was having, so she suggested Methadone along with the vicodin. No she didn't suggest any other, why I don't know, she just said that the Methadone was a long lasting pain killer that she finds work very good with her FMS patients. So that is all I know, but for now with added sleep I will see how I do just on the Vicodin and if I do feel I need more then I will indeed asks her about the oxy one. Thank you for caring and for your help. Oh one more thing did that drug have side effects such as throwing up, weight gain, tiredness? Blessings, Rose
Rosebud54
09-24-2003, 06:31 AM
Oh Crystal, I forgot to answer you on this what you said:
And I don't blame you not wanting to take the Methadone if things have gotten a lot better and the other meds are working okay, but I thought you said they weren't working long enough.
It wasn't working before because you see this all came about, it has just been recently that I stopped watching my Grandson and I just got the Methadone a week ago, so I have noticed in the last few days that I haven't had to get up early for my Grandson that I have been doing better. I hope it isn't just a few days but that it is because of not getting enough sleeping and also because I don't need to look after a 3 year old every day. I love my grandson very very much but sometimes it can be very exhausting. well hope that makes it clear. Thanks again for your support and for caring. Take care, Blessings, Rose
And I don't blame you not wanting to take the Methadone if things have gotten a lot better and the other meds are working okay, but I thought you said they weren't working long enough.
It wasn't working before because you see this all came about, it has just been recently that I stopped watching my Grandson and I just got the Methadone a week ago, so I have noticed in the last few days that I haven't had to get up early for my Grandson that I have been doing better. I hope it isn't just a few days but that it is because of not getting enough sleeping and also because I don't need to look after a 3 year old every day. I love my grandson very very much but sometimes it can be very exhausting. well hope that makes it clear. Thanks again for your support and for caring. Take care, Blessings, Rose
HockeyCrystal
09-24-2003, 06:48 AM
Rose,
Hey again... Actually you slightly misunderstood me.. It wasn't really a question, just more like a statement. I do hear you on the whole watching a 3 year old though. Hyper age! And too quick for us CP patients who can't move too fast! I don't have any children, but I used to babysit a lot, and of course I have my 2 nephews (they're actually my 2nd cousins, but my cousin and I are the same age and we're very close, so I just call their sons my nephews. Then I have quite a few friends who have children. But no babies of my own! Not 'til I graduate college, get married, and get a great job.. And if my boyfriend is the one I marry, and he still wants to be a doctor and makes it into medical school, then I'll probably wait to have babies til after he graduates also.
Okay I've babbled long enough, and I really need to get to bed. It's 4:45am, and I have a 10:30am class and I need to leave home by 10 just to make it on time and find a parking spot... Plus I can barely keep my eyes open right now, even though I'm trying to finish my sandwich I just made myself..
I need to lose weight!! haha...
Have a great day tomorrow, sweetheart!
Much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif to you, my friend,
Crystal
Hey again... Actually you slightly misunderstood me.. It wasn't really a question, just more like a statement. I do hear you on the whole watching a 3 year old though. Hyper age! And too quick for us CP patients who can't move too fast! I don't have any children, but I used to babysit a lot, and of course I have my 2 nephews (they're actually my 2nd cousins, but my cousin and I are the same age and we're very close, so I just call their sons my nephews. Then I have quite a few friends who have children. But no babies of my own! Not 'til I graduate college, get married, and get a great job.. And if my boyfriend is the one I marry, and he still wants to be a doctor and makes it into medical school, then I'll probably wait to have babies til after he graduates also.
Okay I've babbled long enough, and I really need to get to bed. It's 4:45am, and I have a 10:30am class and I need to leave home by 10 just to make it on time and find a parking spot... Plus I can barely keep my eyes open right now, even though I'm trying to finish my sandwich I just made myself..
I need to lose weight!! haha...
Have a great day tomorrow, sweetheart!
Much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif to you, my friend,
Crystal
Rosebud54
09-24-2003, 09:06 AM
Oh my Crystal, you have a busy life, but a very good one. Wow that would be great when your boyfriend becomes a doctor he will be good to have around, lol.
What is your major in College? Well thanks so much for sharing and I sure do admire you with all your doing and hope the best for you. But please take better care of your self, you need more rest. Your going to bed much too late with all that you have to do. Ok now I sound like your mother,lol. Just hoping you don't over do it ,ok. Take Care friend, Blessings, Rose
What is your major in College? Well thanks so much for sharing and I sure do admire you with all your doing and hope the best for you. But please take better care of your self, you need more rest. Your going to bed much too late with all that you have to do. Ok now I sound like your mother,lol. Just hoping you don't over do it ,ok. Take Care friend, Blessings, Rose
lacydoll
09-24-2003, 08:32 PM
Hi Rose
I have been on and off methedone for at least a year. I am afraid of it, even though it is the only pain med that helps me just a little. I have lost over 30 pounds since I have been taking meth, as I lost my appetite. Food doesn't even look good to me at all. I force myself to eat things I really like.
All people are not the same and this does work different on diff people.
But on me, it has to be the meth, as it is the only thing I take, and I don't normally lose weight easily..
Arlene
I have been on and off methedone for at least a year. I am afraid of it, even though it is the only pain med that helps me just a little. I have lost over 30 pounds since I have been taking meth, as I lost my appetite. Food doesn't even look good to me at all. I force myself to eat things I really like.
All people are not the same and this does work different on diff people.
But on me, it has to be the meth, as it is the only thing I take, and I don't normally lose weight easily..
Arlene
Rosebud54
09-24-2003, 11:22 PM
Hi Arlene, thank you so much for your post, that does give me something good to think about if I do end up taking it. Right now I'm dealing with the pain all right on Vicodin. How many mg are you taking a day? I have read where it changes your taste buds so that is why you don't have a taste for food. I am scared of it because I have read where it can build up in your system and cause you to over dose, now I know you have to start off slow and under doctors supervision which is what I will do, she wants me to start with 5 mg in am and 5 mg in pm, but I am still scared because what I have read with these over doses is that they were under doctors care and there's just no telling who's body can handle it and who's can't, even the doctors thought is was OK to give to these patients who died from an accidental over dose. But I guess I will try it if the Vicodin doesn't work any more and if the pain gets worse, so as far as for the weight issue that helps me to feel better about that part of it. Thank you and many blessings to You & Yours, Rose
HikingFan
09-25-2003, 01:16 AM
Hi Rose
Welcome to the boards! I saw a couple things here I want to comment on. I read some replies about the methadone, and I want to provide my feedback on what I heard. I suffer from buldging disks, degenerative disks and arthritis in the neck and shoulders and I have been on about all of the short and long acting narcotics, except for the patches. I think I have a pretty good understanding of methadone because I researched it extensively, and took it for a few months.
My first advice is, make sure you read posts with a very close eye to make sure you think the advice is applicable. For example, some people respond with support about methadone who haven't taken it, so make sure you realize that and don't base your decisions on their opinions, whether it is good or bad (However, the support is still great! This is not what I'm referring to!).
Second, there are sometimes people who post on this board who really should be posting at addiction and recovery. I say this because since methadone is used to wean people off herion, they usually end up telling chronic pain patients to be wary of it because they (addicts) become dependent on it (replace the high of heroin with the maintenance using meth). The problem is, when you have dependency issues, of course you will be prone to become addicted. Your typical chronic pain patient has not had a history with heroin addiction, and is mentally able to taper off meds when they no longer have the pain requiring medication. Even though methadone doesn't provide an instant high, it does give you what I describe as a "basically good, pain-free mindset." It is very different than that beginning loopiness and euphoria of short acting opiates. It really impressed me because I was able to wake up in the AM pain free, even if I took my last dose 12 hours prior. It really does build up in your system and work steady.
As far as the weight gain and loss....this is something I think I've learned a good deal about in my research and asking questions. Heres the deal: some narcotics make people nauseous, and inheriently make them eat less. Therefore, it is not the med that makes them "lose weight," it is the side-effect. And let me tell you, the nausea for me with the methadone was awful at first. I felt like I had the flu. Luckily, a script of promethazine was very helpful. If you do not get nauseous, it is known that sometimes narcotics can increase appetite. HOWEVER, the main cause for the weight gain with methadone is not the medicine....it is that us chronic pain patients are usually facing something else very serious when we start these meds....PAIN THAT WILL NOT ALLOW EXTENSIVE EXERCISE. So basically, it is going to be very difficult to determine whether you are losing weight because of nausea, or gaining weight because of being sedentary. Whether you are losing weight because of the meds reaction on your metabolism, or gaining weight because of the meds reaction on your metabolism.
I guess my main suggestion is to just try the medicine, with an anti-nausea. Then, give it a few weeks. NOT just a few days, since this is really a med that takes a few weeks to work yourself up to the right dose. Make sure you are VERY comfy with your doctor, and that he is watching your dose and upping/lowering it as needed. If you gain a pound or two, look at all the factors that might be contributing, i.e, your activity level, food intake, etc. because it might not be the medicine. Hopefully, it will be able to provide you enough relief that you can start exercising more and lose all the weight in your goal! :)
Well, let me know if there are any specific questions I can help you with. I think you will find good info here, you just have to be very careful looking at who is responding. While I don't think anyone would come on here with bad intentions, there are some people who hate methadone because of their addiction problems and feel they should inform everyone, even if you are using it for pain. PLEASE take those with a grain of salt and realize they have a an additional problem they need help with.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Sara
Welcome to the boards! I saw a couple things here I want to comment on. I read some replies about the methadone, and I want to provide my feedback on what I heard. I suffer from buldging disks, degenerative disks and arthritis in the neck and shoulders and I have been on about all of the short and long acting narcotics, except for the patches. I think I have a pretty good understanding of methadone because I researched it extensively, and took it for a few months.
My first advice is, make sure you read posts with a very close eye to make sure you think the advice is applicable. For example, some people respond with support about methadone who haven't taken it, so make sure you realize that and don't base your decisions on their opinions, whether it is good or bad (However, the support is still great! This is not what I'm referring to!).
Second, there are sometimes people who post on this board who really should be posting at addiction and recovery. I say this because since methadone is used to wean people off herion, they usually end up telling chronic pain patients to be wary of it because they (addicts) become dependent on it (replace the high of heroin with the maintenance using meth). The problem is, when you have dependency issues, of course you will be prone to become addicted. Your typical chronic pain patient has not had a history with heroin addiction, and is mentally able to taper off meds when they no longer have the pain requiring medication. Even though methadone doesn't provide an instant high, it does give you what I describe as a "basically good, pain-free mindset." It is very different than that beginning loopiness and euphoria of short acting opiates. It really impressed me because I was able to wake up in the AM pain free, even if I took my last dose 12 hours prior. It really does build up in your system and work steady.
As far as the weight gain and loss....this is something I think I've learned a good deal about in my research and asking questions. Heres the deal: some narcotics make people nauseous, and inheriently make them eat less. Therefore, it is not the med that makes them "lose weight," it is the side-effect. And let me tell you, the nausea for me with the methadone was awful at first. I felt like I had the flu. Luckily, a script of promethazine was very helpful. If you do not get nauseous, it is known that sometimes narcotics can increase appetite. HOWEVER, the main cause for the weight gain with methadone is not the medicine....it is that us chronic pain patients are usually facing something else very serious when we start these meds....PAIN THAT WILL NOT ALLOW EXTENSIVE EXERCISE. So basically, it is going to be very difficult to determine whether you are losing weight because of nausea, or gaining weight because of being sedentary. Whether you are losing weight because of the meds reaction on your metabolism, or gaining weight because of the meds reaction on your metabolism.
I guess my main suggestion is to just try the medicine, with an anti-nausea. Then, give it a few weeks. NOT just a few days, since this is really a med that takes a few weeks to work yourself up to the right dose. Make sure you are VERY comfy with your doctor, and that he is watching your dose and upping/lowering it as needed. If you gain a pound or two, look at all the factors that might be contributing, i.e, your activity level, food intake, etc. because it might not be the medicine. Hopefully, it will be able to provide you enough relief that you can start exercising more and lose all the weight in your goal! :)
Well, let me know if there are any specific questions I can help you with. I think you will find good info here, you just have to be very careful looking at who is responding. While I don't think anyone would come on here with bad intentions, there are some people who hate methadone because of their addiction problems and feel they should inform everyone, even if you are using it for pain. PLEASE take those with a grain of salt and realize they have a an additional problem they need help with.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Sara
Rosebud54
09-25-2003, 02:12 AM
WOW Sara, I am impressed by how informative and well written your post is, not to say that the others weren't, but you wrote with real clarity and answered many of my questions about Methadone as well as helping me to know what to look for when receiving many wonderful and different advice from many caring people.
I do agree with you about the addictive nature that some may have. I on the other hand have no problems with getting off any medications. Many years ago I smoked and I decided one day it was not doing my health any good, so I just quit and never went back.
It does make a lot of sense also what you have said concerning weight gain or loss.
Thank you for taking the time out to write to me and give me some clarity on making my decision with Methadone.
I do have some questions for you about side effects. Did or do you get the sweats and did Methadone make you very tired, if so for how long?
I appreciate your help and wonderful advice so very much.
I am overwhelmed with warmth in my heart how much people really care enough to take time out to write what they think and how they feel.
Take Good Care of your self and I look forward to hearing from you again.
Blessings to you and yours, Rose
I do agree with you about the addictive nature that some may have. I on the other hand have no problems with getting off any medications. Many years ago I smoked and I decided one day it was not doing my health any good, so I just quit and never went back.
It does make a lot of sense also what you have said concerning weight gain or loss.
Thank you for taking the time out to write to me and give me some clarity on making my decision with Methadone.
I do have some questions for you about side effects. Did or do you get the sweats and did Methadone make you very tired, if so for how long?
I appreciate your help and wonderful advice so very much.
I am overwhelmed with warmth in my heart how much people really care enough to take time out to write what they think and how they feel.
Take Good Care of your self and I look forward to hearing from you again.
Blessings to you and yours, Rose
HikingFan
09-26-2003, 06:43 AM
Hey Rose!
Glad I could help.
The answers to your questions...
I did have a very bad problem with sleepiness using the methadone. Sometimes I would fall asleep sitting up right in the middle of work around noon, even if I had a great night of sleep, etc. I found that my anti-nausea medicine seemed to increase this side-effect. Once I stopped taking it, I was still a little sleepy, but nowhere nearly as bad. After 2 months, I was used to it, and could function much better (I knew when I needed to get up and walk around before I got too sleepy, and started taking energy-promoting supplements, and drank some tea and coffee).
As for the sweats...I didn't notice this on methadone. I do always notice the sweats though when I am feeling fairly pain-free and am able to taper off my meds for a few days. After 24 hours of not taking my meds (I no longer take the methadone...I am adjusted now to Norco 10/325 8Xday) it is inevitable that your body will feel withdrawal, and it always hits me as sweats, chills and aches. After about 3 days this will stop. I do know that many people on pain medications, especially the stronger narcotics, deal with this sweating issue. It is, next to the nausea and sleepiness, probably near the third most common side-effect from what I've heard and experienced (percocet did that to me!!).
Anyhow, again I want to say WELCOME, and I wish you the most pain free weekend ahead as possible. Please keep me posted on how you are doing, and TAKE CARE of yourself!
:)
Sara
Glad I could help.
The answers to your questions...
I did have a very bad problem with sleepiness using the methadone. Sometimes I would fall asleep sitting up right in the middle of work around noon, even if I had a great night of sleep, etc. I found that my anti-nausea medicine seemed to increase this side-effect. Once I stopped taking it, I was still a little sleepy, but nowhere nearly as bad. After 2 months, I was used to it, and could function much better (I knew when I needed to get up and walk around before I got too sleepy, and started taking energy-promoting supplements, and drank some tea and coffee).
As for the sweats...I didn't notice this on methadone. I do always notice the sweats though when I am feeling fairly pain-free and am able to taper off my meds for a few days. After 24 hours of not taking my meds (I no longer take the methadone...I am adjusted now to Norco 10/325 8Xday) it is inevitable that your body will feel withdrawal, and it always hits me as sweats, chills and aches. After about 3 days this will stop. I do know that many people on pain medications, especially the stronger narcotics, deal with this sweating issue. It is, next to the nausea and sleepiness, probably near the third most common side-effect from what I've heard and experienced (percocet did that to me!!).
Anyhow, again I want to say WELCOME, and I wish you the most pain free weekend ahead as possible. Please keep me posted on how you are doing, and TAKE CARE of yourself!
:)
Sara
Rosebud54
09-26-2003, 10:36 PM
Hi Sara, thanks again for your help. I still haven't yet tried Methadone but now really thinking of doing so because I have been having such a tough time getting to sleep, it use to be that I would take a soma and it would help but it hasn't in the last few days. Gee just when I said if I get enough sleep I'm doing better with the pain. You just can't win. I'm feeling very down and tired. Pray that it is better for you and for all in this board. Blessings, Rose
[This message has been edited by Rosebud54 (edited 09-26-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Rosebud54 (edited 09-26-2003).]
grizzk62
09-27-2003, 09:56 AM
Rose,
Hey just start on the methadone take it for a trial 2 week period and if it hasn't help in that amount of time stop. You should know in that amount of time if it is working well enough for you. There will be side effects. And you will want to treat the side effects very fast. And remeber most of those side effects go away after about 2-4 weeks. So just give it a go. You have nothing to loose. Take care...
Matt
Hey just start on the methadone take it for a trial 2 week period and if it hasn't help in that amount of time stop. You should know in that amount of time if it is working well enough for you. There will be side effects. And you will want to treat the side effects very fast. And remeber most of those side effects go away after about 2-4 weeks. So just give it a go. You have nothing to loose. Take care...
Matt