Let’s try Methadone

I fibbed a little in my previous entry, where I said I lost 15 pounds by sleeping.  I think I actually lost 10 pounds through sleep, and another 5 courtesy of nausea.  Almost a year to the day that I started to take oxycodone products, I was hit with wicked nausea.  This is exactly what happened to me three years ago, when I was also taking oxycodone for FMS.  I had to stop taking it because I developed bad nausea after 12 months.  I don’t know what’s special about the one year point, but my body doesn’t like oxycodone over the long-term.  I could get a bit of nausea-relief from Ativan, but I didn’t want to start piling on the meds if I didn’t absolutely have to, and I especially didn’t need any more sleepiness in my day.  Oh, I forgot to mention that my 15mg of oxycodone every 4 hours wasn’t controlling my pain anymore, so I was facing an even bigger problem if my dose had to be increased.

With my doctor, I decided to switch to methadone for pain relief.  The great thing about methadone is that it lasts for up to 12 hours, and a full month’s prescription only costs about $12.  The bad thing about methadone is that there are a lot of horror stories about it, and it seems to be a drug that many people have a hard time weaning from.  Flippy had tried it earlier this year and had a really tough time adjusting to the side-effects, so I took it with a bit of trepidation, worrying I’d be hit with even more queasiness.

I’m thrilled to report that so far, my methadone experience has been wonderful.  My nausea is gone, thank goodness (although I don’t want to gain back the weight I lost!).  My pain level is really low, and I have consistent relief from pain, not the rollercoaster of relief I had with short-acting oxycodone.  The only negative thing I notice is that it makes me drowsy, but I seem to be getting better-quality sleep, so when I’m awake, I’m more productive.  I’ve felt more energetic and enthusiastic, even though it’s only been a week.

My tolerance to oxycodone developed rapidly, and I hope the same won’t happen with methadone.  I want to enjoy a few months of pain relief and a smaller waist and comfortable sleep before I sink back into the pain pit.  This year has been really bad for my FMS and CFS, and I’d love it if all that was over.

Posted by on 10/28 at 06:29 AM

  1. I hope you find relief long-term!

    My FMS pain has been thru the roof lately.  My meds just aren’t cutting it anymore.  I dread talking to my doc about it : /

    Posted by Angel  on  10/30  at  02:56 AM

  2. Angel, I’m not sure what meds you’re taking, but all the physicians in the practice I go to agree that oxycodone causes the fastest tolerance in patients.  I went from 5mg to 15mg in just a couple of months, and 15mg only worked for about four weeks.  That was why I switched to methadone.  Developing a tolerance to any med over time is completely normal, so try not to be afraid to bring the issue up.  If nothing else, you can tell your doctor that your FMS pain is getting worse, rather than saying that your meds aren’t working.  I know it’s the same thing in the long run, but maybe the doctor won’t look at it the same way.

    Posted by Leigh-Ann  on  10/30  at  03:51 PM

  3. I just started methadone yesterday and I am gobsmacked at how well its working!

    I am hoping this will be my answer...until there is a cure. It’ll be a lot less than vicodin and pot. grin

    Posted by Fibrorager Girl  on  06/12  at  04:13 PM

  4. Fibrorager Girl, I’m so sorry it’s taken me three months to approve your comment—it got buried with spam.  I hope methadone is still working well for you.  I’m actually trying to wean off it right now, and I’m back down to 20mg per day (from my high of 60mg).  I’m sure starting to feel the pain again at this low dose!  I’ll write a blog entry detailing why I’m weaning off… it’s for a clinical trial.

    Posted by Leigh-Ann  on  09/17  at  03:02 PM
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