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541465 tn?1219427886

Does methadone make u gain weight

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
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Avatar universal
The term "meth mouth" refers to people on METHAMPHETAMINES, not methadone...the chemicals in methamphetamines DO rot your teeth, whereas methadone increases saliva production, which can lead to an increase in the bacteria in your mouth, which if not properly adressed through adequate oral hygiene can cause tooth decay. Make sure you have your terminology right - too many people want to associate the ills of methamphetamines with methadone patients because they never look past the "meth" part, as you have done, and its erroneous and judgemental.
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Avatar universal
why are you assuming that your experience is the same everyone else should have?  You also assume that people are making poor nutritional choices in their diets if they gain weight. You also assume everyone on methadone is taking it after using drugs, also not true.
Taking methadone for pain relief is quite common.  Getting dry mouth from methadone is also common which lets bacteria run rampant. Metabolism also comes into play. Because everyone's body is different it would be safer to assume that possibly all the discussed side effects are possibilities. Side effects are only experienced by a percentage of the users.....they are not mandatory.
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Avatar universal
Actually methadone is known to cause dry mouth which lets bacteria run rampant and as a result people begin to suffer with tooth decay.  Many others claim methadone causes sugar cravings which also contribute to the tooth decay.
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Avatar universal
That is very incorrect.  Methadone attaches to the same receptor sites as sugar and alcohol.  You do crave sugar from the methadone and it is not an excuse.  
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Avatar universal
im in exactly the same situation i was aways 120-130 , on dope 90-110 when i got on meth i thought id get back to what i was normally and i was so upset because ive always had a weight problem always wanting to be really thin, i was really happy when i was on heroin i mean i hated being sick and i ran out of money so i got on methadon and it makes me lazy fat and sweaty!! to be honest in my personal situation my life and mind were so much better on dope and that is really sad but true. it *****.
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Avatar universal
I gained 50 lbs on methadone. I eat only 20 carbs a day and no more than 1500 calories a day and run 2 miles 5 days a week. I cannot drop below 160 no matter what I do. I am weaning off methadone now and am at 4 mgs. It was not hard to do at all. It gets you away from street drugs long enough to get your life together. My metabolism has slowed down so much on methadone. Can't wait to be off and down to 0mg.
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