[monitrice]

I have a disease lupus and I was put on a bunch of meds,iI don't think they help me and I want off the one they gave me for pain,its called methadone,I read such horror stories about this med 1st I've gained 150lb in an 8 month period. I don't over eat its like I have a bunch of water under my skin,they are going to ween me off if I want, I heard you go through a lot of painJ don't abuse my meds,and they say they will go slow and I shouldn't feel anything,most of the stories I've read the people abused a lot of drugs so I wondered if that's why they got so sick , I hate this crap ,I do better with holistic treatments and vitamins, can someone help me to know what to espect I'm a mid wife and have 5 kids and been married for 30 years my husband has lymphoma cancer he's in remission doing well on alternative meds but I can't afford to get really sick,I can't imagine id feel worse than I do now its depressing to be this heavy,I never sleep through the nighti so hot is that common? Please help but don't scare me .

[DrBill100]

What dosage are you on?

[jmjoseph]

You can probably be tapered off Methadone, somewhat. But your body isn't going to like it too much. You might want to consider going in for detox. Methadone has bad withdrawals during cessation. Talk to your doctor, and try to get clinical help.

Be strong. God bless you.

[monitrice]

What dosage are you on?

I take a total of 120 mg/day.I thought this drug was suppose to stop people from using drugs? Fromm what my phamasist says its not that good for pain relief ,the only thing I can say good is it doesn't make me feel funny,like themocycontin ,I don't know what ppeople see in that crap it killed my stomach.so they switched me to this.I do best with calcium/magnisium,it relaxes my muscles beter than anything,how much can I stop a day without getting sick ,I have to be careful with the lupus I get sick real easy and I only have one of my lungs due to lupus.I don't want to die but the weight is going to kill me either way.

[jmjoseph]

A while back, someone decided that Methadone, given in controlled doses, would help heroin addicts. All it did was make them "substance shift". It was the answer to IV drug users' "beg, borrow, and STEAL" lifestyle of drug addiction. They could CONTROL the addicts' dosage, unlike heroin. In hindsight, not a very good plan.

I have personally witnessed firsthand the difficult time that Methadone addicts had trying to get off it. While in rehab for Oxycontin, I talked to a professional baseball player that was put on Methadone for pain. He said "never be put on Methadone"... "the withdrawals are hell".

And I agree with the pharmacist, there are better pain relievers.

Don't be scared though. There is help for you out there. Please seek it.

God bless you.

Edit: look into Methadone:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methadone

[DrBill100]

Here's some good news for you. Half of your withdrawal is already accomplished. Most people with a physical dependence have a psychological dependence. They started taking the drug for it's pleasurable affect and that led to cellular adaptation and psychological dependence. One reenforcing the other.

You have, we must assume, the cellular adaptation but, based on your statement, you're not going to be fighting the urge to restore a euphoric state.You are absent the psychological dependence. That is a major factor in withdrawal. It is this push and pull psychodynamic that returns so many to drug use even months or years after detoxification. This duality complicates cessation during withdrawal. Fortunately you never liked the affects and found them to be aversive rather than pleasurable. That, by the way, isn't uncommon. The neural mechanisms for some people simply don't stimulate the pleasure circuitry to the extent it does in others.

You're left with the scary thoughts of physical withdrawal. No one can advise exactly how you will respond. It's not just the properties of the drug it's how your system processes that drug. You already know that you have had some unique responses.

If I were in your position I would sit down with the doctor that is going to be managing your withdrawal. Tell him/or her of your fears and apprehensions. Tell them also that you do not expect to be left waiting two weeks for an appointment if things aren't going well. Ask them to set up a system for dosage adjustment (or other intervention) that can be implemented within hours and not weeks. I believe this is essential in managed out-patient withdrawal.

If you've read or heard something that is causing you concern, bring that up to the doctor. Be prepared for every possibility as you begin reducing the medication and do it strict accord with the schedule provided. Knowing that X result is likely to occur greatly reduces your anxiety when it does. Thorough and comprehensive preparation saves you worry and saves time for your doctor. Insist on that.

I wish you the best and feel confident you'll be entirely successful.

[monitrice]

Thanks for the advice,I think I'll take it.Does any body or you know if this weight will come off me,I look blown up with water and its not like fat its dense and my skin is tight and heavy ,I look freaky,With in a week of the Dr starting the methdone I started blowing up in my belly,I can barely walk any more.the Dr said it doesn't make you gain weight,all I know is Ive went from 110 to 240,and barely eat anything my husband said I barely eat or drink enough to keep me alive,that crap makes me nauseated,if anybody knows if this is common let me know I just want my normal life back.I can handle the pain from the lupus I just want this stuff out of me,again thanks for your advice on methadone sights you get some strange advice of ways to stop it. They all seem to get so sick but they seem to be taking other drugs,so hopefully with vitamins and exercise Ill do OK, Bless you for you help.

[DrBill100]

Interestingly, the Sheet on Methadone makes no mention of weight gain as a side effect. User reports however tell a much different story.

Edema (the water retention you mention) is a known side effect but varies from individual to individual.

Finally, here are some user reports about weight loss after quitting. This should give you a little lift.

If you have further questions just ask.

[jmjoseph]

I agree with DrBill. The withdrawals are usually worse because we (addicts) WANT that euphoria. You aren't getting it, and the desire to use this drug is gone.

Please get the help of a detox professional. At least make sure your healthcare provider knows the proper cessation process.

I'm concerned about your pain, and the need for some kind of pain reliever.

I wish you the best.