I realize there is a lot of concern about the dangers of using Methadone for the treatement of pain. However, there also appears to be a real scare program going on trying to frighten both doctors and patients from utilizing this medication on a repsonsible basis.
I suffer from severe chronic pain brought on my Osteonecrosis, Crohn's Disease, and Osteomyelitis. Over the years, many different drugs, both narcotic and non-narcotic have been prescribed for my pain, and the only one that actually controlled my level of pain, without disturbing side-effect or the need to constantly re-dose after short periods is Methadone.
My doctor and I are partners in managing my pain control and I go for frequent examinations to make certain that all is well with my health as it relates to taking this drug. In my opinion, the only time danger exists is when doctors prescribe the medication without fully understanding the nature of the patient's pain, as well as their overall health. Or, if the patient does not follow the prescribed dosage.
I am so tired of the fear-mongering that goes around concerning Methadone and all other narcotic analgesics. The government's phoney baloney war on drugs, has been used to harass doctors and patients as well. Doctors are becoming fearful of prescribing necessary drugs due to the pressure they experience from government sources who threaten to prosecute them for prescribing these drugs. Many legitimate pain patients have to exist without help because of the paranoia that has been created in the medical field over these drugs.
Please, I urge people to educate yourselves about the use of narcotics for pain control, and to not just constantly overstate the potential side-effects. Every single drug on the market has some kind of potentially dangerous contraindication, but one rarely hears about any of them except for narcotic analgesics.
A little fairness please.
I could not agree more with the comment above. I have just been put onto Methadone for severe and chronic pain. I have a rare form of dwarfism which causes severe joint degeneration. Both of my hips are now broken due to the degeneration over the years and that is compounded by avascular necrosis in both hips as well. Avascular necrosis, or AVN, is simply a lack of sufficient blood flow which makes the surrounding bones die. Needless to say, all things combined makes for a very painfull existence.
I was previously on Fentanyl, and Oxycontin before that. These worked well for quite some time, but as happens, I grew a tolerance and they lost their effectiveness. As I said, I was just put on the Methadone yesterday and so I'm still getting used to it. I feel very different in both mind and body (nothing like a high feeling or anything like that, just unexplainably different) but I know that with time I will get used to it. The pain is receding though, which is the point, so that's always a good sign.
I do believe people tend to look at the negative or less attractive side of things frequently, especially when it comes to lawfully used prescription medications. I have been on narcotics for several years now and never once used a medication in any other way than it was prescribed. Do I know that people do not always follow my and most other's examples? Of course! However, that does not mean that the lawful should be punished for the actions or inactions of the lawless.
Many thanks,
Azazel
i am exhausted and sick of the scare tactics by folks who group ALL methadone uses as somehow "deadly". shut UP...my wife has been a chronic pain patient and the QUALITY of life is a priceless positive side effect of using this much maligned drug. There will always be folks who unfortunately dwell on the experiences they have had to personally suffer through when things do not go as prescribed...it happens with ALL drugs and it IS a trade-off and a personal decision...mind your own business...folks, work with your doctor and do what works for YOU...ignore these groups.
I TOTALLY agree with your response to your wife's methadone use for chronic pain. I too am on methadone (10 mg 3X per day) and norco (2x daily, if needed) for break thru pain for 2 herniated discs and pain from a broken tailbone. I also have severe curvature of my spine. I am a mother of two, age 3 1/2 and 11 mos. I tried just vicodin, but had to take it around the clock for relief. I finally saw a pain specialist who started me on Morphine and vicodin for the Break thru pain. The morphine effects were horrible for me...extreme constipation and mood changes (i.e. irritable, etc). Since changing to Methadone for chronic pain, my life is back! I can now lift my baby and I have a normal life! I only take the meds as prescribed and never abuse or drink alcohol. I DO understand there are side effects to meds, but as you mentioned, there are side effects to ALL meds. Please, please, please do not judge those that need methadone for chronic pain. The medication has done nothing but provide relief and made me a functioning mother, wife and member or society. :))
iwas unable to finish my comment so as i was saying i was weaned several times over the years by my m.d. i think you are probably talking about illegal users! I think it is a life saving medication because I can lead a fairly decent life with this drug ,without it I would be confined to a bed and my quality of life would be no quality at all!
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Are you sure about all this I would like all your refrence material added to the article.
I can only assume that you have never suffered moderate to severe chronic pain. I have been dealing with chronic pain for 14 years now. I have had multiple traumatic injuries ( none involved illegal activities, alcohol or drug related activities- they were all job related or simple accident- helping a blind person on some stairs and then falling down those stairs) I have seen multiple neurologist and orthopedist until finding a very good pain management clinic. I had been on many different opioids, as well as nsaids, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractor care,epidural injections, splints etc. I have always worked full time, as I have no other choice. I have made every attempt for my child, as I am a single parent, to live a full and active life. I was finally put on methadone for pain management, guess what, I had a base line ekg,cbc, liver profile and chem 7 done as part of the base line. Now first let me back up, my pain management doctor, generally spends anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes in the room with me.. he does a physical exam, speaks to me about work, family, stressors, other health issues. Everytime there has been a medication change he has reviewed the risks, the benefits, the things to avoid, to watch for, red flags of every medication. He was very clear that I was not to drink alcohol, I was to contact him before starting any benzodiazapine, any maoi inhibitors, tranquilizers etc while taking methadone. This clinic does baseline bloodwork yearly, drug test at least once to twice a year, nurses call to follow up after any procedure,. They are very very conservative. They have inhouse massage, chiropractor, and highly recommend using alternative methods such as the above mentioned, as well as seeing a therapist since depresssion is often part of chronic pain. They stress treating the entire patient, not just tossing a prescription at people.They are very strict, but by the same token, I have received exceptional overall health care from them. I was told that while on Methadone I will be required to have at least two ekg's a year, blood work at least twice a year and I will still have to come to the clinic every 3 months for an appointment and see a nurse every month for my refills.
I think many of the deaths are not due to the drug, but like anything else, the misuse of it.. oh yeah.. i am in a carreer where I see it.. see people mixing all kinds of meds, alcohol, driving, being stupid, taking much more than they should..
People need to be responsible for their actions. People and their families need to understand that this drug and other prescribed meds are not bad, but misuse, lack of compliance, mixing alcohol and medications, taking too much, all can cause serious if not fatal effects...
I am a productive citizen. I work full time, take care of my child, I do not receive aid of any kind. I pay my health insurance,my taxes, my bills and send my child to private school because my pain is well controlled. this medication allowed me to live a full and productive life, the underlying damage from multiple traumatic injuries can not be undone, but I do not have to be miserable from them either.
Give me a break!!! It works well for my chronic pain.
iam a methadone user and have been for 16years.ive 3 children ages 6/2/1.without methodone i wouldnt be able to look after my 3 girls housework,walk to school play or even socialise. i got addicted to herion when i was 17years and iam 32 now. i know what your thinking i did it to myself but iam trying yo put it right by taking metodone not herion.its helped me have a normal life.
Same here and it works great, accept i was addicted to oxycotin and iv been clean for 4 months and i dont even think of drugs at all, its a miracle.
How meny die from drinking beer every year? and you can get it everyware.
Melissa I'm sorry that drugs have affected your family and caused you to fear them because of these experiences. My mum died in a car accident and my father in a light plane accident, this does not mean that I do not drive or fly in planes. The amount of people who get killed in cars each year is high but I will not live in fear of going out driving on the roads, that is a risk I will take so that I can get about and have a life. I will not allow other people's mistakes, sickness etc... stand between a quality full lived life opposed to a life of fear or constant pain.Yes there are risks with most things, but not everyone is going to die in a car accident or of a drug over-dose, just because they get in a car or take medication. Most deaths regarding prescription medication are from abuse, like Anna Nicole Smith and others, we are not them and should not all be put in the same basket. Pain medication has been a life saver for many people and their families, how about researchng the good things that have come out of pain medication such as methadone etc.... I can tell you there are many successful stories and great outcomes. Unfortunately where you work is not a good example of drugs playing a productive role in people's lives , just if I were to work in hospital I would see the worst of people regarding accidents etc... It is a very bias view, perhaps you need to change occupations, something more up-lifting.
Lou
i have been taaking oxycontin and oxycodone for pain relief for some time now.it works great for me.i have a new pain doctor now and he is pro methadone.i was prescribed methadone many years ago and it made me a mad man!i was so irritated i was ready to take people's heads off in a very short time.i couldn't deal with people at all.my wife was getting phone calls from people telling her i was about ready to do someone harm.bigtime!after reading your post now i'm scared to try it.i also take xanax and have heard the two drugs don't mix and people have died from these two drugs.i have a business where i deal with people up close and i can see myself dragging someone across my tables at a gun show ready to hurt them for saying something the wrong way.it's taken me 8 years to get my pain levels tolerable.i know everyone is diferent and other drugs work for them and not me.thank you for the info