Has anyone used Methadone for chronic pain

By GinaGrandmaAngel Thursday, January 08, 2009

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My sister suffers from upper abdminol adhesion for over 20 yrs since she had her

gallbladder. She had 8 surgery's the last around 1999. AT that time a chrinic pain doctor put in a morphine infusion pump. She hasn't had surgery since then. She has been in the hospital now for around 6 weeks suffering from severe pain from the adhesions. Of course nothing shows up on any tests as usually. The docs know it is her adhesions and they don't want to operate as they know that with eavh operation it just comes back and they also say that they (the Docs) are afraid of what they will find once they open her up. As they put it a mess. They have tried 2 nerve blocks and she is still with out releif. She cries so much from the pain. They now want to try methadone. I was wondering if anyone could give us any advise on this. If you or anyone you know have had a postive or negative outcome from using Methadone.

Any information will be helpfull.

FYI These adhesion are up abdomin. everytime the surgeons in the past have opened her up they have found these adhesions attached to her liver, spleen, and what not.

I am hoping that she comes home soon and she can write here and maybe give more information then I can give.
Tomm they want to start the Methadone so I hope someone can give there experience with this druga and how it did or didn't help

Thank You

Gina

Living With Stress & Fibromyalgia

Comments (7) | Add comment

BOB the PHARMACIST

1/10/09 8:24pm

The first thing that people think of when they hear the word Methadone is addiction or a drug used to treat those addicted to pain medication. The reality of this misconception is that Methadone is an excellent pain relief medication for many people. It is used often in treating chronic pain and does very well in some patients, however it is a pain medication that cannot be taken in doses larger than those prescribed by your physician. This is do to the fact that it takes a long time for ones body to "clear" the drug from a persons system. By increasing the dose on your own without supervision of a physician it can lead to severe respiratory depression and eventually death by blocking your body's central nervous system that controls your breathing. I hope that answers at least part of your question in regards to your sister's medical problems

Bob

teresa

2/16/09 2:06pm

my name is teresa and i have had three surgeries for intestinal ostruction and 29 surgeries total i am 46. when i had my first abdominal surgery i was informed i had adhesions i guess from abdominal trauma due to beatings or just born with them. i suffer severe chronic pain and i find that an extended release morphine along with the morphine sulfate instant release i can have a better quality of life. i also see a pain specialist and a pain psychologist so to back my pcp (the one who writes my mscontin 100mg BID and msir's 15mg 6 per day for breakthrough pain.) i feel if my pcp is willing to help my severe chronic pain then i should be willing to also help so by having a pain doc who says yeah she is having debilitating severe chronic pain it helps my doc and he deserves that. well good luck to you i am a strong advocate for those who suffer severe chronic pain

Anonymous

3/31/09 10:03pm

Methadone absolutely works for chronic pain. I had a car accident about six years, leading to neck surgery. I still had more herniated discs in my neck, a steel plate with screws, and spurs between the herniated discs. My doctor tried Percocet for a while, but it made me more hyper, as I'm also ADHD. The medication would wear off after about 4 hours, leaving me to have to take a much larger dosage. My choices were Morphine, Oxycontin, or Methadone. Since I've seen so much hardships from people taking Morphine and Oxycontin drugs, I of course chose Methadone. I have been taking it now for about four years as needed, and I must say, it doesn't make me high, and now 1 10mg. tablet gets me through the day. There is a certain stigma, as Methadone is also used for "pill Junkies", and it is synthetic heroin. Oh well, it works for chronic pain, and I definitely see a difference. I hope you have success with it as well.

dawn hart

4/ 6/13 5:05pm

Thank You! A person with common sense!! I see so many people take percocet since I am in the Medical Heath profession and your torelerance builds up so fast on Oxy and Percocet that you continue to need more. My Doctor prescribes me with 3 10mg Methadone a day and I only use 1 and break the other half in two so I end up with 15mg a day and I have been taking it for 6yrs and tolerance hasn't gone up or down. I had Back surgery and severe arthritis and I take 1mg of zanax at night and helps me relieve tension through the night. Has been a God send and perfect balance. I am so disgusted with some of the people I see on here taking 200mg of methadone a day!!! >:( first of all I see then whining about getting of it and I am not JUDGING but Common sense tells you that you are trying to get a High off it rather to ease the pain! Tell me one person that has a Doctor that prescribes 20 methadone pills a day and I will show you a lier! These people start out needing it and wind up taking it for Kicks and killing themselves and giving Methadone a bad rap!! Methadone lasts ALOT LONGER then Hydrocodone, Oxycotin, Oxycodone, and Morphine so use your heads because that it why we are losing Doctor's that want to prescribe it because they don't want to give it to a JUNKIE! It works very well to get you off Heroin and Strong opiates and people have a habit of popping pills to cure all their problems. They were made to help and not for abuse and soon no Doctor's are going to want to prescribe them at all and they are making people go through expensive Pain Management Specialists that cost up to $1,200 to be approved and if you don't have insurance who wants to pay that for a $20 bottle that should last a Month and in my case a Month and a half 45 days.

Billy56

6/11/09 12:17pm

My heart goes out for your sister. I have used Methadone for Chronic Pain. It is a good pain reliever but not without side effects and drug interactions a mile long. I had a lot of confusion(missed Dr. apts., therapy etc.). I could not drive safely. I would go over these issues with your Doctor first. Having someone like you at her side while on Methadone would help a lot. I wish your sister well and God Bless you both.

Anonymous

1/10/10 2:43am

Since a bladder operation i have suffered nerve pain in my lower abdominal area.i spent just over 7 months trying to find a drug to help .i ve tryed (everything) with a lot of side affects,nothing worked very long ,if at all.my pain docter and i decided our last resort would be methadone.well ive been on it now about 10 months,and what a differance.at first it played with my memory and emotions.now im used to the medication,and do not suffer any side affects.i am taking the max dose daily(2 10 mg pills every 6hrs)that and hot baths help.i am not 100 percent,but it is the best ive tryed.i recommend she try it!I WISH HER WELL!!JOHNNY4REAL!!

Earl Roberts

1/19/10 11:19pm

Over the years I have taken methadone off and on for twelve years. It works well at first, but tolerance becomes a problem and the level has to increase steadily, also methadone is not long acting and has its' limitations. I feel, breakthrough medication is crucial to making methadone work successfully. Because of the methadone, abuse is virtually non-existent. The chemicals in the methadone by design, block ALL euphoria type feelings from any/most other narcotics. This is why, when used correctly it is a wonder drug but in contrast can leave the patient back to square one without constant follow-up care and adjustments. Earl

Has anyone used Methadone for chronic pain

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