Please - Need clarification on a point Re: Methadone - Pain Management Message Board

igy76 · 02-02-2003, 02:59 PM

Ok, I'm going to try to be as clear (and succinct) here as I can. Last Wednesday my PM doc gave me Kadian (30mg 2xday), and Methadone (10mg 4xday or as needed for BT). I was able to fill the Meth but NOT the Kadian as they didn't have it, then intended to put in the order but at a place closer to home, but then my car broke down, I didn't get it back til yesterday. I tried a few places last night but couldn't fill it. So yes, I still haven't even filled the Kadian. This is all for a kidney stone problem (although it may be a different back problem, because they knocked me out for a lithiotripsy on Thurs, only to wake me up and say there was nothing to blast, everything had passed), but I'm still having some pain even now. So in the meantime I've just been taking the Methadone as needed (roughly 4-5 a day). Now, I don't know if it was in a post I read here or in some other article, but someone said that with Methadone, it negates the effects of any other opiate medication, and thats a large reason of why its used in the whole gov't sanctioned heroin detox program. (oh, and real quick, the PM doc gave me meth after we talked about how highly tolerant I'd become to Vicodin, Lorcet,etc, and my concern of much Tylenol I've had - it has/had nothing to do with any drug problem I had - I've never used illegal drugs in my life. I think to mention it because even the nurses who were prepping me for my lithiotripsy, when they asked what meds I'm currently on they were a little shocked when I said Meth). Anyway, yeah this thing said it ruined you for those other opiates. What my concern is now, even though he gave me a whole months supply of Methadone, I already have some side effects that I've never had with any other opiate med (it makes me nauseous (sp?) and I've never experienced that before, and the urinary retention- not blockage, it just takes it a while for the pee to come out- is far worse than i've ever had, even all my time on Percocet, I have to end up pushing kind of hard sometimes). So bottom line is, I'd like to go back to Percocet 10/325 to handle the pain, or maybe something else I dont even know about. But from what I read now about the Methadone, because I've taken it (albeit only about 4-5 days now) will all the other usual opiate meds not have an effect on me? Does it mean I'm stuck taking Meth now becausd now nothing else will help? You guys have any idea?

I'm sorry, as usual I've taken the long way around (I think also the Methadone is getting to my focus more than any of the other meds did either. Its weird but of all the other stuff I've taken, opiates have always seemd to help improve my concentration). But I'll sincerely appreciate any input you'd have. this is a real concern for me. THANKS

backdraft · 02-02-2003, 05:42 PM

Methadone dosent block opiate effects from other medications. Methadone itself is made in such a way it dosent give you that 'high' or euporhic feelings. Also methadone can be severely nausiating. When I was on it like you were. I was severely sick, couldnt hold ANYTHING down, throwing up all the time. Then Id be sleeping for two days straight from the stomach medicine I'd been given to get over the nausea. Finally I got fed up and asked for some vicodin. That finally helped some what. I would strongly encourage you to find an alternative to methadone. If you cant get the kadian, tell you're PM doc and ask for MS CONTIN if its possible, since your script for kadian isnt gettin filled.

Hope this helps

maildawn · 02-02-2003, 08:30 PM

Hi, igy. I'm with backdraft...MS contin sounds like a good choice. I worry about the Methadone for you and again, I've NEVER heard of it being used for BT. I'm on it myself with Percocet for BT. I've also read that it renders others opiates useless...for what it's worth. But, I don't think 4 or 5 days would be anything to worry about. I do know that coming off of Methadone after long term use IS HORRIBLE!
As for the drug problems...Methadone gets a bad rap for that side of its use - it is the BEST pain reliever I've ever been on. There's no "high" and it lasts much longer than the others for me.
You take care and I hope you're better real soon!

igy76 · 02-02-2003, 09:07 PM

MAILDAWN - thanks for the thoughts, but I thought I read somewhere that Kadian and MSContin were the same thing? (because I know Kadian is morphine sulfate and it's sustained release, and isn't MS Contin really (M)orphine (S) sulfate (Contin)uous)?

Also, I noticed you said twice now you thought Methadone was an odd choice for BT pain, so let me bring this up (which I apologize, I should've said this at first): When my PM doc and I talked about what harder drug to use, we already covered the tylenol excess issue, I told him that I overheard him talking to his last patient about Methadone, and he pretty much right away said 'Okay, let's go with that'. Now, I was going to be JUST ON THAT. Then at the end of the conversation he said, "Go on that, and if its not enough when you come back we can talk about what else to try" and I said "Well yeah, I know there's harder stuff out that I've heard of, but never tried, stuff like Kadian, and...." So I just mentioned it as an example. Well that set off a lightbulb for him becuase I guess he remembered this test program he'd been waiting to use on a patient. So literally at the last minute, my plan suddenly turned into trying Kadian 30mg 2xday (the test was for 14 pills) and having the Methadone for when I needed it in the middle. Hopefully I'd only have to take 2 Meth at the most in between the 12 hours between Kadian doses. And he said if it turned out I need 4 Meth, next month he'd bump me up (I think to 40 or 50mg of Kadian - I forget the exact mg #).

So that may change everything, sorry I forgot it before. But again thanks for your concern.

maildawn · 02-03-2003, 12:12 AM

Well, igy, I'm just thankful you have a doctor that's trying to take care of your pain! It's not right for us to suffer! This is such a hard life... You take care of yourself! Bring your questions here - it's nice that we can all support one another and "throw" our questions out to people suffering similar plights.
I hope you're feeling better real soon! Pain BITES!