need help about methadone - Pain Management Message Board

bucky77 · 11-09-2005, 12:16 PM

hello everyone, I have a few more questions, if you dont remember me , I'll tell how it's been, I had surgury 3 years ago, because i took a 2o foot fall and landed on my bum and back, I had surgury on l4-l5-s1 they took my disc out and put mounts it and then plated across, I have been in lots of pain since took all kinds of different meds up to 6 months ago I was on 100mg of oxycontin 3 times a day, and it just seem to keep going up, so for the last 6 months I have been on compounded methadone, 45mg 2 times a day, it workes ok, but still have a lot of pain, but I have a lot of side effects, I forget things, dizzy,sleepy,cant think right alot of problems, my dr said that everyone has side effects, they said there is noyhing they can do for any more surgury, so I half to take pain meds the rest of my life, and I'm only 28, just wondering what is good for the long term, I found that oxycontin worked better before, but my doc said it will start low again and keep going up, but with methadone, it has a long half life, and wil work better he said, but I dont like it, or it dont like me, what should I do.
And one last question, I went to the doctor today and now need to be scoped or something, they crack all the time and are getting week, does anyone know how they scape under your nee caps, and how long before i can walk, I have a limp now, what to do, really depressed, ready to give up, I might lose my job, and convensation, dont want to help me, if anyone can help, thanks, and i'm from canada

RetiredDirector · 11-09-2005, 01:24 PM

Hi Bucky: It sounds like you're in for taking narcotic pain meds for a long time. I'm more or less in the same situation and I've got a few things I can point out to you.

First of all, I agree, Oxycontin is an excellent pain med, but your tolerance goes up extremely fast with it. I was on it for a little over a year and I was taking 160 mgs, TID, plus Roxicodone, 30 mgs, Q3-4qh PRN for breakthrough. So you can see I was taking a lot of meds in a short period of time. I have also been on Duragesic patches (Fentenyl) and several short acting drugs.

I am now on Methadone and have been for almost three years. There are some definite drawbacks to it and the side effects are sometimes difficult, but it is probably the best long term med you can be on. I take 60 mg TID, or 180 mg per day. Sedentary jobs or activities, driving, watching TV, reading, are just some of the activities that make me sleepy. There's no getting around it. I have a real problem driving long distances. I sometimes have to cut way back on the Meth until we reach our destination. It's that or fall asleep at the wheel.

Even with these drawbacks, if you're going to be on this type of medication for a long time, I think Methadone is the best bet. If I can answer any other questions, please let me know.