Chronic Pain :: Methadone Switching To Opana After 11 Years
Jan 5, 2016
Hi im new to the site..heres my story. 05 was in a car accident head on collision by a drunk. Injuries..fractured acetebulum and broken left pelvis plus 3 fractured ribs and puctured lung. Now 11yrs later im 34yr old mother of of 1, 6yr old son a wife... On ssi since 09... I have been on 10mg methadone bid for about 2months and much higher doses in the past.now my pm is switching me to opana er 7.5 bid. At my request. Just needed a change...methadone was making me feel exhausted and not helping my pain as it usrd to. So i tried the butrans patch a few months ago and it went horrible...after 7days without methadone and 3days with butrans patch on i had major withdraw symptom and i started to have major difficulties breathing. So to no prevail i went back to the beast (methadone)up till now... Now im on my second day of opana er7,5 bid with vicoden 5mg tid for break thru. Im not sure what to expect...im very confident in my decision in swithing meds but...i just started feeling slight withdraw effects n having insomnia...how long will this last...has anyone been on methadone for 10+yrs and swithed to a pain med that significantly helped...thank you for reading. I appreciate all of your posts and i hope to be of help to someone with my many years of experience of living in pain with a smile. Thank you...
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I am on methadone 5 mg X 3/day and increased one dose to 10 but the edema I had got worse. My PM wants to switch me back to MS-Contin 15mgX3 but I am afraid of edema too. and constipation.
Which would be better?
I have lots of problems:
1. small fiber peripheral polyneuropathy
2. failed back syndrome.
3. r-hip derangement
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I have been on venlafaxine 225 for 4 years now and I am currently coming of it slowly every month down by 37.5mg, I am now on 75 mg and feeling so awful with all the normal symptoms.
Can anyone advise me as to which antidepressant to go on next as unfortunately I can not be without one and can I start taking it alongside the 37.5 which I am about to go on.
I was thinking of trying Citalopram which my son is on.
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I have Been taking methadone for 9 years , I was on painkillers cause I have a bad back well my Doctor moved to another town so I couldn't get them! My friend was getting methadone so I would buy some from her!! I was on 60mg a day but I dropped too 30mg a day!! But I tried too drop 5mg the other day but I felt like really bad!
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After over 35 years on painkillers & methadone I'm down to 1mg from an all time historical high of 425mg daily...I have reduced over the last 6 months from 125mg, now on 1mg finishing next week. Do not let pain and panic mongers tell you how terrible it is, or it will become your experience merely by suggestion. Avoid people who relate horror stories, if you want to do this do it slowly, avoid users and poly abusers, or they will undo your complete rehabilitation.
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I was switched from Nucynta 50mg to to Opana 5mg (OxyMorphone) by my Pain Mgt doctor and I have a total different experience. I don't know if they messed up or what, but here's the issue.
While I was on Nucynta, I would take it, and eventually feel the effects, i.e. the lightheadedness, the "high" feeling, and also the pain relief. The reason I was switched was that Nucynta gave me migraines. Bad enough where I got ill and had to run to bed with all lights off.
Onced I was switched to Opana 5mg, things were different. I took 3 last night, my very first dosage, and took the first. No effects, no pain relief, no "high" feeling, nothing. So, about a hour and fifteen minutes later, I took another one. Still nothing. So I wait again, same amount of time, took a third pill...... Nothing.
So, when I saw the doctor originally and was switched, I was told that Opana was an equivalent to the nucynta. So, if it's an equivalent, why did I go from 50mg to 5mg? I'm just curious. I know they are different drugs and probably manufacturers. Can anyone shed some light on this bizarre issue?
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Has anyone been on methadone for over a decade? I've been on this for 12 years and my father asked me,are you going to live like this forever? It hit me so hard cuz I never thought about it.
During those 11 years I went up and down a lot,(highest dose was 80mgs) but managed to get myself down to 13 mgs by new years eve 2011. Then started a silly rapid detox and decreased 13 mgs down to 11 mgs for one week. Then 11 mgs down to 8.5mgs the next. I got so sick. Felt like my heart almost gave up on me giving me random chest pains. So I had to slow down. I went only 1 mg each week til I got to 5.5mgs, & stayed on that for 10 days as I felt the rapid detox was catching up to me. Today is only day one and I'm sending myself into a panic attack! I do have clonidine and Diazepam and some loperamide just in case. Has anybody out there been on methadone for over a decade and made it? Are the withdrawals longer than others who has been on it like 3 or 4 years? Will it be harder on people who've been on it too long? Is it too late?
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I have been on Morphine Sulfate 15mgx4 per day for chronic pain. Now my outrageous insurance is saying I must try Opana in it's place before they will let me use my morphine. I am concerned that it will not take care of this pain as I have tried tylenol w/codeine, tramadol and a patch and none of them work. I am afraid that this will not take care of my pain and it will be days before I can get an appeal in. Is Opana/oxymorphone stronger than these others that I have taken. I apologize if I'm not making myself clear...I am totally handicapped and bed ridden and I am fearful that I will be in pain.
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I had spinal epidural on lumbar area which is very successful, as always. Same time I transition from Long Acting 30 mg Oxycontin every 6 hrs and short acting Oxycodone to 10mg Opana Long Acting every 6 hrs and 20 mg Opana short acting 3 times a day.
I feel such terrible upper back pain! Due to shot, i don't feel treated area much, but upper back never hurt me more than it does now.
I know that Opana not working well for me, although was told Opana is stronger then Oxy's, this why my Dr decided to start from lower doses first. I take 20mg of short acting hoping at least some relieve, but 3 hrs later I am still in agony; this can't be normal.
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I am at the end of my rope!!!!!! I have crps following botched surgery almost 5 years ago. I was on percocet for the first 2.5 years until a new pm doc told me it was bad for my liver and changed me to opana - 5 mg, 3 times a day with oxymorphone 5 mg times a day for breakthrough pain. About a yr and a half ago I developed horrible anxiety which has stayed with me since. The doc said maybe the new formulation didn't agree with me but made no changes. I wake up from sleep in the morning screaming and crying, so agitated. The pain docs don't care as long as your pain is under control. the doc added methadone at my last appt to curb the anxiety in the mornings but I'm to scared to take it. I've read it's more addictive than all of them. I don't function anymore, don't leave the house, cry several times a day. Has anyone experienced this? I feel insane and these docs don't seem to care. Last year I went to a psychiatrist and spent the entire year trying every anti-depressant int the book but none worked. They just raised my anxiety. I really think it's these pills.
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Anyone on here have chronic prostatitis. I've dealt with mine for 6 + years now. It's debilitating! Not sure if it came from infected bladder stones or unprotected sex.
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I went to my Pm yesterday and let him know that I wanted off the methadone. So since I had to see the NP because it was considered an emergency visit they decided they were going to put me on the patch where you wear it for three day then take it off. So I asked about the side effect and after hearing them something in me panic and snapped and I said forget I want off of everything. So as off right now I am coming off of the methadone. I decided that with the scare of my heart and the new neurological problems they only way to know is if I come off of the meds. I am still on the Topamax he did not want to take me off of that because I have been on it for over a year and never had a problem. SO I am hoping in with 2 months we will know if it was the meds causing the neurological problems or the something else.
What made me snap was I was telling him that I wanted something for the muscle because I was having a lot of spasms and tightness and off of the methadone and he totally ignored me and said well we are going to give you something a lot strong and this should work since the methadone has not been working. It was as if he was not listening to me. He said to me you are going to Cleveland clinic (CCF) to be treated for the muscle so the will figure it out soon, I said yes but I do not get medicine from them because I have a contract with you. I don't know why he would not give me a muscle relaxer but I feel better knowing that I am coming off of the medicine for a while I just hope I can handle the pain long enough to see of it is neurological or a side effect from the methadone....
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.I had a C5-C7 disc fusion done 5 years ago that alleviated all of the pain in my neck and shoulders. What I am left with is a severe case of peripheral neuropathy. My feet and legs are numb to the touch but hypersensitive when I walk so I cannot go very long distances without the tingling burning throbbing pain. This pain is heightened at night when I go to sleep thanks mostly to the 300mg of Lyrica twice daily. I had an EMG nerve conductivity test performed which of course indicated severe neuropathy.
Now I am going to a neurologist who says I have to put up with the pain. I am going back on Monday to my neurosurgeon to ask for a lower MRI (never done) and I wanted a referral to PM because the pain is out of hand on 600mg of Lyrica daily. I have been on Oxycodone before and hated it and I do not like the stigma attached to these drugs so I thought I would ask my doctors to consider Methadone. What does everyone think? I know Methadone has its own stigma but is long acting and something I NEED right now and probably for good as I have had this neuropathy for 5 years.
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I am 36. I have chronic prostatitis for 18 years, that's half my life. My experience in the disease and treatment follows:
The pain is intense and crippling. I have to be in bed all the time. Intense spasms. Symptoms move from urethra to prostate, back,ass, testicles so when you feel you finished with a symptom there starts another. I also may have difficulty urinating and some time ejaculating. This condition has remained idle for a total of 6 years out of 18 and whenever I feel it is gone I have a really good flare up the very next day. Idle means I am not in pain but I get to wet my pants after urinating.. That is the closest I can have to normal life. My sex life is not good because I get erectile dysfunction when chronic prostatitis is active. When it moves to being idle there is a tendency for restoration of erectile capacity however it is clear to me that I do not respond to visual stimuli any more . Reason for ED is venous leakage. Location of pain is as such that I frequently check both my urinary system and intestines.
Findings: High bladder neck, non typical inflammation of colon, prostate has no infection
Medical checks so far: Urethroscopy, Colonoscopy. prostate, testicular, bladder, kidney ultrasounds. urine and prostate fluid cultures.
All cultures have come back negative. Bladder ultrasound shows some urine remaining after fully urinating.
Experience with medication: I have used antibiotics, a-blockers, mesalazine for my intestines and cortisone (buddy cole). For ED I have used Viagra and Cialis.
When I have flare ups NO medication works to control the pain. Or it may work for some weeks and then all of a sudden stop working. Medication for ED seems to be effective provided my symptoms are either gone or are not too intense. Symptoms come and go and it seems I cannot really control them.
Psychological impact: I am desperate and seriously considering suicide when I have flare ups
Social impact: No friends left. I do not have the energy to move out of bed
Fertility: Thankfully no problems whatsoever. However I am extremely worried whether my offspring will have the same problems as I do.
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Has anyone tried methadone for nerve pain? I've just started a low dose and wondered if you had any side effects and how long they lasted? Most important, any relief?
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The left side of my face has been swollen EVERY single day for almost 2 years now. I went to an ENT specialist who diagnosed me with allergic rhinitis and a bit deviated septum. I did a skin prick test but results were negative. I also did a CT scan. It showed i have a turbinate hypertrophy (left) and slightly deviated septum (no mention about sinusitis). I have difficulty to breath from the left side on my nose especially during night, during day is quite ok. I have no other symptoms (besides the swelling). Could it be chronic sinusitis?
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I was wondering if 2 5mg methadone a day will help back pain-,i was taking 3 a day but now my appt has been moved because i wait on my check and i will only be able to take 2 of the 5 mg pills a day
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I've had cfs for 25yrs at the moment I'm having a very bad relapse i would like to no if anyone has the weakness in your head my brain stem has been weakened so my nerves system is all over the place my. Body shakes inside pain deep in the back of my head been told that is coming from my brain stem have poor concentration and cry a lot.
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I had my long-anticipated consult with a Pain Management doctor yesterday (Monday 1/27) It went reasonably well, though as expected we both have HEAVY accents, with his being Egyptian and my being SOUTHERN=) We had some issues understanding each other, but nothing we can't work through. I was "happy" to find that I had nothing to prove to him because my pain is well documented (partly due to my OCD) through my medical records and subsequent reports on various treatments. He had no interest in repeating any of the modalities that I have already tried with no success. That, too was well documented, including but not limited to Injections, PT, TENS, Biofeedback, Cognitive Therapy, Psychotherapy (counseling). He seemed "baffled" that I am "still standing" with the extensive problems that I have. He said it was most helpful that I have seen specialists in all fields of expertise pertaining to my pain, to rule out the need for further surgeries and treatments.
Now, we go forward with pain management. There is an IRONY here. I have finally found a doctor who will help me to "manage" my pain through medication. However, as of January 2014 my insurance will not cover medication. Believe me, I'm not complaining, as I realize I am fortunate to have insurance period, in today's environment. It just horrifies me to know that I cannot afford most of the medications that a PMD would prescribe for me.
He has no problem prescribing the Fentanyl patch for me, with my gastric/absorption issues. However, without further research into a generic option (which will still be expensive) I don't feel that I can afford that. I used the patch successfully in 2005-2006, but I had excellent insurance with $25 script co-pay. We discussed that Morphine has helped me, but he says that, too is extremely expensive. He suggests Methadone for not only its similarities to Morphine, but also its steady release once established. I must confess I freaked out (just a teeny bit) because I asked him if that was like the drug on "Breaking Bad". Yea...He thought I was silly, too. He chuckled and said "Funny you think I prescribe that".
He suggests that if I can't afford the patch (I can't ) then let's try the Methadone, starting with 5 mg twice daily with the option to increase if necessary. He wants to try one medication at a time (I agree) so that he can determine it's effectiveness vs. multiple meds causing multiple side effects. He explained that he will work with me until I can achieve an acceptable level of pain relief, by seeing me once per month. WHEN, not IF...say hallelujah...we reach success, he will start seeing me every 3 months. I can certainly do THAT.
I have concerns before filling the Methadone script and starting to take it. I'm hopeful that some of you may be able to share your experience. Is it effective for pain relief? Is it sedating or is it mood-elevating? I cannot cope with sedative effects because my career is demanding that I am alert and on my game at all times. I could benefit from my "mood" being elevated, as these past months of "fighting" for help have really dragged me through the depths of Hell. I take medication for anxiety and depression, but they're not magic pills...I guess I will always battle those demons. I just want to be very selective and careful to avoid any pain medication that may exacerbate my emotional issues.
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I just started reading about this and it really sounds like I may have this but I'm not sure. I have headaches sometimes that are awful and seem to start from my neck and back of my head. I see a chiropractor once a month and my x rays showed problems in c5 and c6 in my neck. I also have notalgia paresthetica which itches me too death sometimes in my right back shoulder. We figure it's caused from the c5 and c6 in my neck. I never sleep all through the night, always tossing and turning. And I feel fatigued ALL the time no matter how much rest I get. I had a blood test and my vitamin D is low. I can find "knots" on my back, usually I can find about 5 or 6 of them, even on my sides. I work a very physical and mentally stressful job and this causes me a lot of pain. When I am working usually mid day I will get a horrible sharp pain somewhere in my back and it just stops me. It's like someone taking a hot knife and stabbing me with it. It's hard for me to straighten myself up. My pain is in my mid and upper back, rarely ever in my lower back. I do get dizzy sometimes also and feel off balanced.
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Has anyone else been diagnosed with this condition? I shall explain! for 10yrs i've been told i had arthritis in my right hip and right hand giving me chronic pain, only to be seen by 5 different doctors due to a recent change in location and investigations i've now been told i have , mild osteoarthritis in my right hip and the joint between my thumb and index finger.
Not only that but all differnet 5 doctors have said it was different things. seeing my own doctor today, she said (or applied) that the pain might be in my head, then to turn round and say that she was certain that i had A chronic medical condition and what it was she was unsure of.
Is this Chronic pain syndrome another name for they havent a clue whats going on?
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