stomach flu and meds - Pain Management Message Board

tina76 · 01-06-2006, 07:36 AM

Hey guys... I was hit pretty hard last night with this terrible stomach flu that is going around. So far I seem to be throwing up my methadone doses. I tried calling my PM doc (the only one in our clinic) and she is out for the whole weekend + Monday. I'm not quite sure what I should do? Stick to my normal dosing and hope for the best is what I've been doing. If I throw up after taking it, should I take another? I don't want to end up in pain OR in w/d..... ARGH!!! My mom had this flu last week and it lasted about 5 days... It looks like I am in for a rough weekend and need some advice.

Shoreline · 01-06-2006, 09:13 AM

Hi Tina, take smaller more frequent doses, so if you loose it, you haven't lost it all. Meth is pretty forgiving because of the long half life. WD doesn't really get bad untill after the 5th day when you have no meth in your system. If pain/WD does become an issue, Methadone can be used rectally but is more potent so I would cut back on the dose if you had to do this. Your not the one taking liquid meth are ya? It does get confusing.

If you throw a dose up imediately, within 5 minutes and can see the pill, If you feel like you can get one down an hour later, try too. I wouldn't count the one you threw up.It's wasted but using smaller more frequent dosing it should be as big a waste.

Sorry, I know it's everyone fear. Do you have any Visterill or phenergan around the house, It will help some, once you get past the initial projectile stage.
Good luck, Dave

tina76 · 01-06-2006, 09:25 AM

Thanks for the tips Shore. I do have some phenergan at home and I tried taking some this mornign with no luck. Too soon I guess! This might sound like a dumb question... but if it comes down to it and I had to use the meds rectally (right now I have ten mg methadose tablets) how does one do that and how much should I use? I'm hoping that I don't have to go that path... but if things get too bad tonight or tomorrow in the middle of the night I might have to give it a try... Would I use like a quarter tablet or something at first? Why does it become more potent that way? Just curious. I've never had to do anything liek that before... I guess it makes a lot of sense if you aren't keepign down what you swallow!!!

Another thing... Can you take ANY med rectullly if you are throwing it all up? For example, could I take my nausea meds that way too if necessary?

RetiredDirector · 01-06-2006, 10:25 AM

Hey Tina: I know this won't do you any good now, but years ago I was on Methadone for a period of time and the doc I had at The University of Oregon Health Sciences Center was treating me. He wrote a script for me for injectable Meth to have on hand for this very problem. All the years I've been on Meth (in the 80's and now) I only remember having this happen to me once. In fact I don't have any now, so maybe I should talk to my doc when I see him.

I hope you're feeling better soon. As far as what doseage to use if you have to go rectally, I'm not positive, but I would think 50% would be ok. Shoreline Dave?

Fabrashamx · 01-06-2006, 12:21 PM

What I have been told is that you need to 1/2 the dose rectally, and rectal delivery compares to snorting a drug as far as how fast it is absorbed by the body (MUCH quicker than oral doses) Makes sense, both areas of the body are mucous membranes. I have never actually had to do it, but I have read and heard about it being very effective. Best of luck sweetie and I hope your tummy is better soon, or at least you can get some pain relief. Hugs, Fabby