Does methadone make u gain weight

[MaraDnB]

I have heard from many people that methadone makes you gain weight.  the doctor at the clininc and my psychiatrist and my primary care doctor all insit that it doesnt... they say it makes you crave sugar and most people gain the weight because they werent eating right before they started the program, and the done makes you crave sugar.  I need an answer from someone who is actually in the program.  I dont want to hear he said she saids... i need the truth.  I spent 600 dollars on a personal trainer last month and lost 15 pounds and 6% body fat... i dont want that to come back.  HELP
-Mara

[barbval]

I have been on methadone pill form from pain management for severe back pain, and yes my teeth have chipped ( molars) and ive gained about 35 lbs..it definitely is the cause..i never had a weight problem or tooth problem !!!! gonna try to get on something different for a long acting pain med...

[megmmm93]

I'm a methadone patient myself, 21 years young, female. From California. Wow you took the words right out of my mouth, tho I have no kids, I have   family and my fiance. The way I saw it finally was to stop beating myself up for not going through that 3-5 day pain and then just leave it alone forever and I'm home free. The thing is I had gone through that 3-5 days over and over again. Sometimes   because I felt I was at my bottom and needed to quit, others just because I wanted my tolerance of H to go down so I could better enjoy my high. I had even quit and not relapsed for two months once. The thing is whether it was 2 weeks or two months it was a never ending cycle that I could no longer control. I take it day by day instead of looking  at  where I'm going to be at in my recovery next week, next month, next year even! I'm getting a controlled dosage of methadone every day. I will never again wake up in pain due to withdraw. I'll wake up not even thinking of how I feel and I don't think of it as a fix at all. Methadone in a way did save me. I am not abusing it, I can't say the same about  H. I know I'll never ID on my methadone  dosage. And luckily I got a wonderful counselor (this is coming from someone forced into therapy and recovery for years) and she is a human being not a by the book robot. I know if nothing else she's rooting for me. And as long as I'm doing everything  I possibly can on my end she will break her back for me if need be. I'm sure other clients are hardly as lucky to click or hit it off with there counselor as me. But if you have a legitimate  complaint about your counselor there's always  someone  of higher power to talk to. I'll quit my rant but if at all you can stop beating  yourself up please do. I'm sure you saved your life deciding to be on methadone , your not weak for not wanting to feel that pain you're human! Your children will never be subjected to having a user for a mother, your a strong person. Please believe that exactly how you feel is what I did I just had to see it from another point of view.. Best wishes.

[bobbibris]

Yes it does. But you do crave sweets you must watch what you eat. I have been on methadone for five years. Two years ago I walked everyday 3 miles and in 7 months I lost  65 lbs. however I got sick and the weight came back plus. It is very hard to lose weight on this drug. That is why I have been tapering off of it. This drug is the worst drug in the world. It is very difficult to come off of. I was at 50mgs a day ,now I am at 10 mg. I plan to be completely off of before Christmas. My withdraw would hopefully be like the flu. You have to be very strong and have people support you. Get off of it.

[jdhldhdmh]

My husband has been on and off of methadone for about 8 yrs was in the methadone clinic probably 4 or 5 years during that period of time.  It helped him when he was in the program he got his life back he was able to work and have money.  Yes he was still an addict because he was taking methadone.  You aren't clean if your taking methadone.  I believe in the methadone clinic program it works for the people who want help.  It sure beats buying it on the street.  He gained about 50 pounds but lost it after coming off the methadone it stores it in your fat so once you stop taking you are no longer absorbing it.  It is a very hard to drug to come off of it took him probably a month after leaving the clinic and he was on 5 mg when he left the clinic to come off it.  The depression that comes with it lasts months.

[ffrancis00]

Educate yourself on this medication and its side effects before posting your opinion.  Methadone causes your body to retain water  and slows your metabolism. Why do you think people immediately lose the excess weight once they cease the medication. There are many people who have used drugs but functioned the same (i.e. eating habits, exercise etc.) while getting high and after being "clean", myself included.  In addition you stated you have been on this medication for only a year.  Your still in the toddler league sweetie, post your dose and weight in another couple of years when you're opinion may actually count,  then re-read your uneducated post to see how stupid you sound.

[NicH74]

YES! YES! & YES!! I went from about 110 to about 190!! The only straight answer is it destroys your metabolism! I kept the same eating habits I had all my life & gained & gained. Now I am dying to lose weight & started the Atkins Diet, which I did once when I was just a social drinker no other vices. The 1st time I did this diet I dropped 20 lbs in 2 weeks, this time I;m on methadone & it's been about 3 wks or more & I've barely lost 10! One thing I remind myself though is that I wouldn't have my daughter if I was a skinny junkie, better to have her w/ me & be a good Mom & fat than the alternative!
Good Luck!

[nette2642]

I agree with you