Are Doctors Beginning To Not Prescribe Methadone Anymore For Chronic Pain? (Top voted first)

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I am 56 years old and am disabled due to a work-related injury therefore I am rich by no means! I have heard that they are considering taking methadone off the market due to too many overdose issues, plus people on it, get a prescription filled and sell it for profit making it even harder for folks like me who take my meds honestly as prescribed. If Methadone is removed from the market, what am I supposed to do? I already know I can not go off this stuff cold turkey and am scared. Does anyone know any doctors in the Warner Robins-Macon, GA area that prescribe Methadone ILLEGITIMATELY? I am not looking to sell meds, I just want to be sure I will not be in pain. I've been on Methadone since November 2008 and so far it works fine for me. I just neeed a backup plan just in case that does not involve a methadone clinic. Those clinics are no better than drug dens over charging for Methdaone and the one here in town never checks my vital statistics. They don't care... just want money. Any suggestions?

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12

For the last 11 years, Methadone, at a relatively low dose, (with low dose oxycodone for break through), has allowed me to stay in the work force and contribute to my community in a meaningful way. Two months ago, the doctor at the pain clinic I have been attending for 11 years chose to switch all methadone prescriptions to Opana ER. He already knew that I cannot handle morphine, but for some reason thought Opana (oxymorphone) would work.

I had no withdrawal issues as he had figured out the titrration levels. However, as with morphine, my bowel just quit working. It didn't matter how much Miralax, Konsyl, and laxative tabletsI threw at it, it wouldn't budge. I had low dose oxycodone for break through pain, so I just stopped the Opana ER, took the mild oxycodone and kept taking the Miralax, Konsyl, etc. and waited. I had to switch to a liquid diet, so I wouldn't end up with an empacted bowel. After another week, my bowel started working again.

I saw the doctor the other day and he increased the oxycodone and put me on Mobic for the arthritis part of the combination. Well, as soon as I got home, I looked up all the contraindicatins for the Mobic. I have high blood pressure, have had a a stroke, have an ulcer and have a messed up kidney. The warnings were very clear, that I should not take Mobic. I also can't take enteric coated aspirin or ibuprofen, becuase they are dangerous when taking Mobic.

In the past month, I've missed work, in that I now can't last through the day. I had to drop out of a community panel on people with disabilities. I'm also part of a State wide Planning Council for people with disabilties. I couldn't attend that meeting either, because I can barely handle sitting in a cushioned chair for five minutes, let alone drive 60 miles one way and sit for four for the meeting

In less than two months, I've gone from being a vwey productive member of society, to coming home early from work and having to just lay on a heating pad for my lower back and wear an ice pack around my nek. My quality of life has plummetted.

I've no idea how to find a doctor who isn't terrified of the DEA. I'm sure there are a few within the state, but Lord knows, I've no idea how to find them. I want my productive life back. I'm bright, educated, 59 and if I can keep my pain lelvels down to something tolerable, I should be able to contribute well into my 70's.

This pain physcian witch hunt has got to stop. Those of us who never abuse are medications are being treated shabbily. It's like arresting bystanders, because they witnessed a crime. Sheesh.

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37

I don't understand. You have been on methadone since 2008 for chronic pain and you would rather get medadone illegally because clinics are nothing but "drug dens"? You must have been to one or are going to one because you said they don't check your vitals. I take offense at several of the things you said. First off you must be going to a horrible and maybe bordering on an illegal clinic. Methadone clinics are watched very closely by The DEA, the FDA and every other watchdog group there is. Illegal methadone comes from pain management clinics, not from methadone clinics. You are a chronic pain sufferer but that doesn't make you any better than me, a opiate addict. Whoever told you that methadone is going to be taken off the market has no idea what he/she is talking about. The only thing that changed is the stopped prescribing the 40 mg tablets, and that was years ago.. If you are so terrified to be cut off of your pain meds then suck it up and go to the methadone clinic. Most of the patients there started out just like you..Chronic pain. No one wakes up one day and says " I think I want to be an opiate addict. Get off of your high horse or go cold turkey.

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6

WOW! According to the converter I would have to go to a level of Oxycontin I would be terribly uncomfortable with not to mention there's no way my doctor would prescribe that amount as it would be considered unsafe in my case. Thanks for the info, though. Guess I'll have to find some other way to get off this methadone and on something that WILL work on my pain without having to go through withdrawals in the meantime.JCDEQ

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8

Methadone is more potent but not actually better at treating chronic pain, different painkillers work in different ways, your best off slowly coming off methadone them switching, also have you tried pregabalin/gabapentin as a long term solution, their actually anti seizure medications but have prooved effective in treating chronic pain in over 30% of people who have frequent and unbearable pain.

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36

That's not correct. Methadone has been around since 1943, and the worse thing that could happen in the US is the removal of a drug treatment medication when opioid addiction is the worst, no.1 problem in this country today. Plus, Methadone Clinics are protected by FEDERAL LAW...and they won't remove it from pain management use either. I don't know WHERE this crap starts...SAD people with nothing else to do but stir up crap..I suppose...

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46

Post 18,

Folks disregard this post. Subs are NOT just like methadone. Granted it's a dated post but some who come across erroneous information can be misled into initiating a treatment that is not medically indicated for their condition. Please post carefully. Thank you all.

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1

Any time there is a medication on the market that proves to be habit forming and addictive, there are people that want to get it removed from the market. If you search you will find the same type of thing in relation to all controlled substances on the market.

However, due to their necessity to the quality of life of many people, this rarely ever actually happens, unless a drug is proven to have unique dangers, with little therapeutic benefit, such as with Propoxyphene.

That said, yes, many doctors are reluctant to prescribe it for pain, due to the fact that is highly habit forming and addictive.


https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Methadone/­

Really the best thing you can do is stick with a good doctor that knows your medical history.

Does anyone else have any advice to add?

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2

Hi there, methadone is found to be less effective at treating chronic pain than standard time release morphine and has a few extra considerable dangers on top, the main prescribed strong opioids at the moment are oxycodone hydrocodone and morphine, they all generally give the same effect with similar withdrawal symptoms, methadone is now mainly used for treating opioid dependency not for actual pain relief

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3

Scott: I am considering discussing with my PCP about changing my pain meds to Oxycontin but the issue would be at what dose for me. Presently, I am on 60mg/day on Methadone. I am just wondering if I should stay in that range strength-wise with oxycontin (20mg 3X daily?). I'm not the doctor so I have no idea.

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4

I advise you ask for OxyContin and see how it works for you on a Lower dose, if you find it effective in anyway try increasing the dose and compare the effects, the best way is to keep a diary of the pain on a scale of 1-100 on both medications and compare which painkiller best suits your pain.

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7

SCOTT: Just got your message regarding my switching pain meds from methadone to oxycontin. Ideally, I would like to be able to do this so, in time, I could titrate down to a level that would work for me by keeping out of pain but also without having to deal with any withdrawals from the methadone. It is my understanding that methadone stays in your system much longer than most medications as it is stored in your fat cells as well as the pain receptors in your brain. And the last thing I want to do is go to the local methadone clinic here in town as it gives me the creeps the way they treat their "patients."

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9

Also yes methadone stays in fat cells for a very long time, its been known to make people fail drug tests despite them stopping the medication long store hand, and to cause overdose if for some reason all the fat cells release the stored methadone at once, high amounts of exercise can cause that to happen if I remember correctly

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10

You know, I rue the day I ever got started on Methadone. It has caused me so much misery (family issues) and now I am told by my doctor I will probably be on it for the rest of my life. I'm so depressed now and constantly "out of it," that family members are always asking me if I am okay... I hate this feeling.

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13

Ricard M. No, they are not taking away methadone. Please don't ask for dr. names. to be posted. Ask and leave a e-mail address. This is how Dr.s get busted or every drug addict wants to see the doctor!!! Anyone who has real pain can go to a pain clinic, if they need something stronger than their real dr. is comfortable to prescribe!

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17

I am on 120 mg. of methadone daily I also have lots of medical issues and have been on this dose of methadone for 13 years can you send me some of the dr.s phone # also that may prescribe this in the Athens Ga. area.

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18

Look in pain management database that writes "SUBAXONE" I THINK ITS SPELLED THAT WAY. It's exactly like methadone the write this for people to get off opioids. Hope it helps. There are special doctors who write this btw physiatrist can write it as an alt.

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22

Hey dude I'm in a position like urs I moved to pa 3 yrs ago the whole time traveling to my Dr in nj cause that's where I'm from and where my Dr is, well he retired w no dam notice!!!! So I'm in pa I tried count them 25 Dr's so far most pain mgmt! I'm almost out of my meds (methadone 80 mf a day) I'm still praying and hoping a Dr helps me somewhere, somehow I totally put it in God's hands I look daily and call etc nothing yet the last time I didn't have my med due to house robbed, I had seizure and was in hospital 3 days later after seizure I woke up wires all over me etc I don't know wat to do I pray for comfort I'm 41 divorced w 2 boys I am basically by myself! Just know u r not alone and if anyone can help me please let me know. Thanx I hope I helped u

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26

I've been taking Hydrocodone 10mg and neurotin300 mgx3 daily for over 10 years. My Dr. Says I need
to try OpanaEr but are so expensive, with no insurance, I can't afford it. The Norco' s don't work anymore, I need something else, anyone have any suggestions that can be useful. Is there anything similar, older and just as effective?

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34

Posters,

Methadone is the best and cheapest long acting pain medication on the market. The most progressive pain specialists will utilize it.

Do not presume at all because it has been used for opiate addiction that you will be flagged. An experienced physician would know better.

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39

I was having a hard time following the posters story. The one thing I do understand is Darvon was given to me the very first time I went to a methadone clinic. That was like 1979. The Darvon made me sick because I was given so many to take..The next time I went there for a 21 day taper I was given methadone. I am glad Darvon is off the market, but the bad news is Rouge pharmacies are still selling them..Bottom line....Darvon is dangerous because patients have to take too many, and people can develop horrible side effects.

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