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Methadone for pain control/its baggage
Rather than tag on an old thread, I'm taking the liberty of starting a new one on a similar subject.
I was injured in a serious auto accident 10 years ago and ended up having 2 back surgeries. I'm presently on Social Security due to chronic pain.
I have not had an issue with alcohol or substance abuse.
For 5 years I took 80mg oxycontin, 2 X daiy, prescribed by a pain control specialist.
Then came the big oxycontin media hype and my pain doc asked if I was interested in trying methadone. Since it was considerably less expensive than oxycontin I agreed to try it, and as it was as effective for pain control as oxycontin was I have continued with methadone for about 5 years now, with vicodin es for breakthrough pain. I take 20mg x 3 per day
Basically I have sufficient pain control to function at about an 80% normal ability.
Several months ago I was diagnosed as having seriously depleted calcium. I am of an age where osteoperosis is checked for and this is when the calcium level was noted.
A naturopath suggested I "go off methadone."
And just recently I read that many dental issues are caused by dry mouth, an issue with methadone treatment. In the past 3 years I have spent thousands on my teeth and am now going to Costa Rica where I can afford to have implant teeth - I have lost 3 teeth this year!
I can very clearly remember the life I led prior to methadone or oxycontin-I couldn't sleep, couldn't walk or climb stairs, couldn't sit in a chair or car for more than 20 minutes and I really couldn't work at all. My ability to function with pain was terrible-I spent time in a wheelchair or on good days, a walker. I was just 55! Now I can travel, garden and even sleep regularly.
OTOH, continuing methadone, according to the naturopath, will continue to cause me bone loss by calcium depletion.
I accidentally forgot sufficient methadone when I went for an extended visit and was appalled at the withdrawal I went through. I ended up in the hospital and was treated like I was less than pond scum because of it.
I am a 65 year old grandmother and not a junky.....or am I? Some blogs indicate that any use of methadone causes addiction and ergo; I am an addict.
I sincerely would appreciate some assistance with these issues, and if you are giving me an opinion, please tell me thats what it is. If it's documented fact, I'd appreciate the url too.
BTW I posted this first on the 'Addiction' forum as that is where Google first led me.
january43 in oregon
I was injured in a serious auto accident 10 years ago and ended up having 2 back surgeries. I'm presently on Social Security due to chronic pain.
I have not had an issue with alcohol or substance abuse.
For 5 years I took 80mg oxycontin, 2 X daiy, prescribed by a pain control specialist.
Then came the big oxycontin media hype and my pain doc asked if I was interested in trying methadone. Since it was considerably less expensive than oxycontin I agreed to try it, and as it was as effective for pain control as oxycontin was I have continued with methadone for about 5 years now, with vicodin es for breakthrough pain. I take 20mg x 3 per day
Basically I have sufficient pain control to function at about an 80% normal ability.
Several months ago I was diagnosed as having seriously depleted calcium. I am of an age where osteoperosis is checked for and this is when the calcium level was noted.
A naturopath suggested I "go off methadone."
And just recently I read that many dental issues are caused by dry mouth, an issue with methadone treatment. In the past 3 years I have spent thousands on my teeth and am now going to Costa Rica where I can afford to have implant teeth - I have lost 3 teeth this year!
I can very clearly remember the life I led prior to methadone or oxycontin-I couldn't sleep, couldn't walk or climb stairs, couldn't sit in a chair or car for more than 20 minutes and I really couldn't work at all. My ability to function with pain was terrible-I spent time in a wheelchair or on good days, a walker. I was just 55! Now I can travel, garden and even sleep regularly.
OTOH, continuing methadone, according to the naturopath, will continue to cause me bone loss by calcium depletion.
I accidentally forgot sufficient methadone when I went for an extended visit and was appalled at the withdrawal I went through. I ended up in the hospital and was treated like I was less than pond scum because of it.
I am a 65 year old grandmother and not a junky.....or am I? Some blogs indicate that any use of methadone causes addiction and ergo; I am an addict.
I sincerely would appreciate some assistance with these issues, and if you are giving me an opinion, please tell me thats what it is. If it's documented fact, I'd appreciate the url too.
BTW I posted this first on the 'Addiction' forum as that is where Google first led me.
january43 in oregon
January,
I am very impressed by your determination. I know the road you have chosen must be extremely difficult. Please let us know how you are doing.
Dede,
You can send January a PM on her profile page. She may get it sooner. If she doesn't respond you should try posting your question and others will reply. We have many members that can relate and comment on all kinds of situations and issues.
I wish you both the very best. Take care, Tuck
I am very impressed by your determination. I know the road you have chosen must be extremely difficult. Please let us know how you are doing.
Dede,
You can send January a PM on her profile page. She may get it sooner. If she doesn't respond you should try posting your question and others will reply. We have many members that can relate and comment on all kinds of situations and issues.
I wish you both the very best. Take care, Tuck
Hi,
I am new to the board and just read your letter. I have some questions for you, as I am in the same situation you are in. If you are still on here, please let me know so I can ask you some qestions and see how you are doing.
Thanks,
Dede
I am new to the board and just read your letter. I have some questions for you, as I am in the same situation you are in. If you are still on here, please let me know so I can ask you some qestions and see how you are doing.
Thanks,
Dede
You have my best wishes for the journey you are taking. It is similar to my own story. My pain meds have taken their toll on my teeth and hair. Tell me about your implant story if it is not to personal, as I am in need of the same.
Good Luck
Good Luck
I decided I wanted to go off methadone because of the way it is affecting my body, Mollyrae. I am one step away from serious osterperosis - if I fall down the stairs today I may break a hip. Methadone has leached the calcium from my bones in a serious way and I don't want to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair because of it. Also as mentioned before my teeth are seriously affected by methadone.
This seems to be the way my body has reacted to this drug.
I have only been on it for 5 years and formerly, due to my very physical job, I had excellent BMD..I had a BMD test 7 years ago and was told I had BMD of a 30 year old woman athlete. (I was a 58 year old retiree from the phone company who couldn't work out any longer due to injuries).
In just 7 years I now have the BMD of an 80 year old. This ***** full time.
Thus, the need to at least try and go off methadone....in that journey, which I have been researching all this summer, it was suggested I needed to go to NA and thus the above story.
Of course I knew not to give my meds to anyone--I'm sorry you didn't catch the implied humor in that story.
Nor do I let others dictate the way I live my life.
And yes the meds work for pain control....however since I haven't been off ANY meds for 10 years I want to really research just how much pain I have now.
Perhaps I will discover I don't need opiates any longer, perhaps I will find out I do..however there is only one way for me to know and that is to detox.
january43
This seems to be the way my body has reacted to this drug.
I have only been on it for 5 years and formerly, due to my very physical job, I had excellent BMD..I had a BMD test 7 years ago and was told I had BMD of a 30 year old woman athlete. (I was a 58 year old retiree from the phone company who couldn't work out any longer due to injuries).
In just 7 years I now have the BMD of an 80 year old. This ***** full time.
Thus, the need to at least try and go off methadone....in that journey, which I have been researching all this summer, it was suggested I needed to go to NA and thus the above story.
Of course I knew not to give my meds to anyone--I'm sorry you didn't catch the implied humor in that story.
Nor do I let others dictate the way I live my life.
And yes the meds work for pain control....however since I haven't been off ANY meds for 10 years I want to really research just how much pain I have now.
Perhaps I will discover I don't need opiates any longer, perhaps I will find out I do..however there is only one way for me to know and that is to detox.
january43
Hi, Why would you decide to go to Detox or have someone decide for you that you need to Detox. I don't understand. If your in such pain then I wouldn't even consider it.
Don't let others dictate how to live your own life. You have such pain, stay on your own path. If the meds work and enable you to function them use the. It is not a crime.
Also, never let anyone talk you into giving them your Meds. When the day comes and you are no longer able to care for yourself, that is the only time you should give someone your Meds.
Well, I guess I'm done venting too. Hang in there................
Don't let others dictate how to live your own life. You have such pain, stay on your own path. If the meds work and enable you to function them use the. It is not a crime.
Also, never let anyone talk you into giving them your Meds. When the day comes and you are no longer able to care for yourself, that is the only time you should give someone your Meds.
Well, I guess I'm done venting too. Hang in there................
I really appreciate your comments-it's been a real face wack to be told I am an addict and to go to NA so I can detox. I did go to NA-I'm 65 and felt very out of place, though I was in Al-Anon to support my son about 25 years ago when he was a teen-I had never been to the meetings myself. I just didn't feel like the other people there express their feelings and when I did speak up and said that, I got all the wise heads nodding and sorrowful looks and was told that 'Denial is not a river in Egypt'.
HUh???
Essentially I was told that by saying I wasn't an addict it was proof I was? I just don't understand that concept. But, ready to try anything, I got the phone number of a nice guy who then said he'd help me with C/T detox.
Turned out he wanted me to give him my methadone 'for my safety'..So do I look like I just fell off a turnip truck? No way I was going to C/T detox #1 and no way was I going to hand him a bottle of almost 200 methadone pills 'for my safety'.
Needless to say, I didn't return-there has to be something else!
It's easy to say your teeth can fall out and it won't change your opinion-however when your teeth DO start to need pulling and you have gaping holes in the front of your formerly nice smile, you might change your tune just a lil' bit! I have spent, literally, thousands of dollars in the past 3 years on dental work. My insurance covers a pittance after co pay and the initial deductable so just about anything is out of pocket for me. I just had my 3rd root canal this year, I've had 3 teeth pulled this year due to bone loss in my gums and I'm looking at needing 3 implants which, here in the states, cost about $3K each. So I'm going to Costa Rica where it can be done for about a third of the cost. I am spending my savings on my mouth when some advance warning from the pain docs, to "bone up" on cal/mag when starting methadone, might have made a huge difference.
OK enough venting....thnaks for your support
elle in oregon
HUh???
Essentially I was told that by saying I wasn't an addict it was proof I was? I just don't understand that concept. But, ready to try anything, I got the phone number of a nice guy who then said he'd help me with C/T detox.
Turned out he wanted me to give him my methadone 'for my safety'..So do I look like I just fell off a turnip truck? No way I was going to C/T detox #1 and no way was I going to hand him a bottle of almost 200 methadone pills 'for my safety'.
Needless to say, I didn't return-there has to be something else!
It's easy to say your teeth can fall out and it won't change your opinion-however when your teeth DO start to need pulling and you have gaping holes in the front of your formerly nice smile, you might change your tune just a lil' bit! I have spent, literally, thousands of dollars in the past 3 years on dental work. My insurance covers a pittance after co pay and the initial deductable so just about anything is out of pocket for me. I just had my 3rd root canal this year, I've had 3 teeth pulled this year due to bone loss in my gums and I'm looking at needing 3 implants which, here in the states, cost about $3K each. So I'm going to Costa Rica where it can be done for about a third of the cost. I am spending my savings on my mouth when some advance warning from the pain docs, to "bone up" on cal/mag when starting methadone, might have made a huge difference.
OK enough venting....thnaks for your support
elle in oregon
Hello January,
I am glad you found the Pain Management Forum at MH. Your post sounds so familiar. Many of us here could have written it.
Mollyrae said it well but I will second her opinion. You are NOT a drug addict. Those without pain for the most part do not understand what CP is and what we endure each and every day. I am in my fifties and believe me I went years without pain medications because I looked so "normal"..so .."good." Anyone who was not writhing in pain with visible injuries did not or was not "entitled" to have pain medication. It is many of the medical professionals that no nothing about chronic pain and those in "society" that no nothing about CP that have stigmatised us as "drug seekers" or "weak"...we need to "buck up". I think things are changing. There are now clinicians that are aware of our plight but they remain far and few between. Unfortunately society is far behind their enlightenment.
If I do not take my pain medications I do not function, much as you describe. I no longer care who thinks I need to "buck up." I had reached the end of my rope. You are not a "Junkie" nor am I, or Mollyrae or Sandee (our CL) and the other members at the Pain Management Community. We need opiates to just get by.
If my teeth fall out or my hair falls out, I will continue to take these drugs. And as far as bone lose there are some good products out there that can help replace the calcium that your body is missing. Exercise also helps increase bone density, that includes walking.
Health Science Journals printed a study on this issue, IE Bone Density Loss of Methadone Patients. (BMD = Bone Mass Density.) and (MMT = methadone maintenance treatment) Study Conclusion as follows:
" Conclusion
More than three quarters of this sample of patients in a MMT program had low BMD. Treatable conditions associated with low BMD were commonplace. Efforts to increase awareness of low BMD in MMT patients should be considered so that effective treatment may be employed to lower future fracture risk." End quote
If you are looking for documentation that you are not a Junkie, Sandee has some good articles. I know she will be along shortly. If not I will send her a message to get to this post. So relax January you are a normal CP suffer, don't let anyone tell you differently.
I am so glad that you found something to ease your pain. Please hang with us and keep us posted on your progress.
Take care and best of luck, Tuck
I am glad you found the Pain Management Forum at MH. Your post sounds so familiar. Many of us here could have written it.
Mollyrae said it well but I will second her opinion. You are NOT a drug addict. Those without pain for the most part do not understand what CP is and what we endure each and every day. I am in my fifties and believe me I went years without pain medications because I looked so "normal"..so .."good." Anyone who was not writhing in pain with visible injuries did not or was not "entitled" to have pain medication. It is many of the medical professionals that no nothing about chronic pain and those in "society" that no nothing about CP that have stigmatised us as "drug seekers" or "weak"...we need to "buck up". I think things are changing. There are now clinicians that are aware of our plight but they remain far and few between. Unfortunately society is far behind their enlightenment.
If I do not take my pain medications I do not function, much as you describe. I no longer care who thinks I need to "buck up." I had reached the end of my rope. You are not a "Junkie" nor am I, or Mollyrae or Sandee (our CL) and the other members at the Pain Management Community. We need opiates to just get by.
If my teeth fall out or my hair falls out, I will continue to take these drugs. And as far as bone lose there are some good products out there that can help replace the calcium that your body is missing. Exercise also helps increase bone density, that includes walking.
Health Science Journals printed a study on this issue, IE Bone Density Loss of Methadone Patients. (BMD = Bone Mass Density.) and (MMT = methadone maintenance treatment) Study Conclusion as follows:
" Conclusion
More than three quarters of this sample of patients in a MMT program had low BMD. Treatable conditions associated with low BMD were commonplace. Efforts to increase awareness of low BMD in MMT patients should be considered so that effective treatment may be employed to lower future fracture risk." End quote
If you are looking for documentation that you are not a Junkie, Sandee has some good articles. I know she will be along shortly. If not I will send her a message to get to this post. So relax January you are a normal CP suffer, don't let anyone tell you differently.
I am so glad that you found something to ease your pain. Please hang with us and keep us posted on your progress.
Take care and best of luck, Tuck
Hello January and welcome to MH. I cannot sympathize enough for the situation your in. You are not a "Junkie" nor an "addict". You are a person with a dependancy to pain meds due to the unbearable pain your in. There is a huge difference between being addicted and being dependant. Sandee1818 the Community Leader has some good info on her Profile page in her Journals about the difference between the two.
Unfortunately we chronic pain sufferers who have to take daily narcotics carry a social stigma with us. Society (mainly the ones without pain) does not understand why a person needs constant narcotic relief to function therefor, we are Addicts.
Many of our ER Staff do not understand either. They do not understand forgetting your meds or not bringing enough. Unfortunately because of the rampid drug use in America today, many of us are not believed when we need help the most. It is so sad.
I wish things could be different in our Country but it is what it is. Please don't let anyone tell you that you are an addict. Hold your head up high and be thankful that you have a Doctor that understands your pain. You are all that matter.
Please take care and keep posting...........
Mollyrae
Unfortunately we chronic pain sufferers who have to take daily narcotics carry a social stigma with us. Society (mainly the ones without pain) does not understand why a person needs constant narcotic relief to function therefor, we are Addicts.
Many of our ER Staff do not understand either. They do not understand forgetting your meds or not bringing enough. Unfortunately because of the rampid drug use in America today, many of us are not believed when we need help the most. It is so sad.
I wish things could be different in our Country but it is what it is. Please don't let anyone tell you that you are an addict. Hold your head up high and be thankful that you have a Doctor that understands your pain. You are all that matter.
Please take care and keep posting...........
Mollyrae
Well, I hope I do get some comments..I'm really at my wits end with what decision to make. I have read a lot about Subutex and the clinics that will detox you from methadone and onto it, but I want to just see if I can, now, function off all drugs.
I'm at the balancing point with methadone where I don't really have great pain control, but I can function. If I take more, for better pain control than I am sleepy and lethargic all day and don't do anything but read, eat or watch TV...I went thru a year of that in 2005 and hated it. OTOH, I don't want to develop osterperosis from calcium loss and I can't afford to replace all my teeth with implants, as methadone is destroying my mouth!
Since I haven't really had any idea what my pain level is, sans drugs, for 8-10 years, I'd like to try detoxing off all pain meds and discover what develops.
I know yoga has been very helpful in relaxing my sciatica pain-I find myself hugging my right knee when I am asleep..just wake up that way. At least the pain isn't waking me up
Lets hope someone has something good to tell us
january43
I'm at the balancing point with methadone where I don't really have great pain control, but I can function. If I take more, for better pain control than I am sleepy and lethargic all day and don't do anything but read, eat or watch TV...I went thru a year of that in 2005 and hated it. OTOH, I don't want to develop osterperosis from calcium loss and I can't afford to replace all my teeth with implants, as methadone is destroying my mouth!
Since I haven't really had any idea what my pain level is, sans drugs, for 8-10 years, I'd like to try detoxing off all pain meds and discover what develops.
I know yoga has been very helpful in relaxing my sciatica pain-I find myself hugging my right knee when I am asleep..just wake up that way. At least the pain isn't waking me up
Lets hope someone has something good to tell us
january43
I want to read the responces you get.
I have stage 4 Lymes disease and no matter how hard i try or how long i stay off pain meds....i always end up back on them due to real unbareable pain.
So i have been on Subutex (alot like methadone) and my doctor says i should just do that for life and just go on.
I have stage 4 Lymes disease and no matter how hard i try or how long i stay off pain meds....i always end up back on them due to real unbareable pain.
So i have been on Subutex (alot like methadone) and my doctor says i should just do that for life and just go on.
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