M 47 symptoms and conditions

I'm 47 yrs old now, & have been on Methadone since 92'. My journey with pain started at age 11 yrs, when i had a disease that totally screwed me up. From 11 yrs to 24 yrs, I was prescribed everything from Tyl #3 to Fentanyl patches. I don't know how many of you were around back then, but the 70's & 80's for pain patients wasn't easy. Lots of us put bullets into our brains because the Government made Doctors afraid to treat us "humanely" (so to speak). I was one of the lucky ones because I had outward physical signs of being in pain, so Doctors treated those outward pain symptoms. If i had not had those signs, I know I would wouldn't be here typing this now. I'm relaying this history, before my methadone side effects, because its important pain patients know something.

When I was 21 yrs old, got married & had a child. He didn't live very long, and it was at that point i started using my pills to stifle my feelings. At first I didn't realize what I was doing.. but.. it didn't take to long, and I realized it. Up to that point.. after losing both limbs, skin, and bone grafts, ulcer surgeries up the wazoo, fusions, countless medical procedures, hospitalizations, and operations.. to many to remember.. I had three surgeons, and a internist. All of them knew about one another, but it was up to me to keep each informed as to what they were prescribing.. and I didn't do it. Cut to the chase... About two years after my child dying, my internist retired, so I had to have my records transferred to another Doctor, at another Clinic. Everything with the Dr/ Patient relationship went well, up to about a month. One day.. Something in my head told me I should go to the clinic office, and read my records (i.e. Chart). So.. for the first time in my life, I listened to my head, and went into the clinic, told them what I wanted.. they directed me to medical records.. I told the lady there what I wanted.. she took me to a private room.. handed me a waiver to sign.. kind of stupid waiver, since I was reading my own file.. but.. none the less, signed it.. she handed me my three volume chart. It didn't take long for me to see why, and I'm sure most veteran pain patients will know why too. Right there in Bold Red on the very first piece of paper was "Drug Seeker! Abuses Opiates". Now.. I'm not saying I'm not deserving of that title, but what I am saying is.. "They don't let you know you've been labeled, they let everyone else know, but you." So.. If you are a pain patient.. read your chart once in a while, because once you get that title.. life gets much harder, & you have no idea how judgmental people (even Doctors) are. To most M.D.'s your too big of a liability, & a "criminal" Lastly.. be very careful with these medicines because, it's not that far of a jump from, you controlling them, to them controlling you." Once it happens, its not easy to turn it around again. From age 24 yrs to 27 yrs.. it was hell. I came close many times. Loaded my 30-06 three times, & My 45 twice that I remember. My wife came home early from work on that second time, and found one live round that had fallen on the floor, bent down to pick it up, then found the revolver under the couch.. took me to the hospital.. the E.R. doc admitted me for the pain, and actually treated it with Methadone. With the first dose, I noticed a relief, as I had never felt it before. Not all pain was gone, but after a could days of upping the dose.. it was. When my pain was controlled, it was time for discharge. The doctor that took over my care during admission sent me home with a week supply, & wanted to see me in a week. When I went to his clinic, he had read my previous doctors notes, & now wanted me to come off, & go back to something else. He told me, "that people like me, have to go to Methadone clinics to get methadone." I had been conservative with hiss discharge meds, so I left his office, went home, looked up the nearest methadone clinic, and stayed there for over 7 years (ME BEING STUPID AGAIN!). During those 7 years, I met 4 "pain patients" who were only guilty of being in pain, & having a doctor that didn't want to deal with them, so (like my doc) they mention the only real place, they can get it without bothering them (Methadone clinic). What I didn't realize until the day I walked out, and never went back (and never will), is that Methadone Patients are treated like criminals.. not patients.. AND by being a methadone criminal, you give your state permission to be part of your treatment (And believe me.. you may not see or hear from them,, but they know you by name). I found out after my pain doctor at the time got authorized to prescribe to me, supplemental Methadone at bedtime. After about a month, I get called into my councilors office, & she tells me "the State Methadone Authority says, I have to go back to Phase I because, apparently the pain doctor had been prescribing to other methadone patients without their permission, and that all of us patients had to go back to Phase I". There was no way I was going back to driving 90 miles a day 6 days a week, for something I had nothing to do with. I'm guessing the State was thinking I spread the news about my good fortune with this new pain doctor.. but everyone at the Clinic knew, I came there, sat & waited for my turn, & left. I might say Hi as i passed someone.. AND.. none of the 4 pain patients I mentioned above, were the patients being punished by the State.

The Country says, "its doing better when it comes to treating chronic pain patients." and to a point, I'd say its better.. but there are still miles to go.

METHADONE SIDE EFFECTS:

Someone here mentioned that by taking methadone, he doesn't feel the need for any other opiate. Thats very true. I felt it, & its why they use it for heroin addics. THe first month, I felt really sedated after about 20 minutes of taking it.. But that went away, & now all i get is pain relief.

Constipation-

When I have a operation, I stop taking them about two days before. Three if its possible, because its also true.. after the operation the pain increases, but you get little pain relief from anything.

I can't think of anything else.. except.. soon my only doctor since being on methadone is leaving to another State 3000 miles away, so soon, I'll be back to unthinkable thinking again, I'm sure. Who's going to take a past "drug Seeker-Methadone clinic patient? No Body that doesn't know me.. thats for sure.

I'm sorry this is so long. Good-Luck All

ladies I had mine removed February 23, and feel more alive no longer a veggie tired and sluggish!! All other symptoms gone hooray!!!, I am waiting for my normal period though..haven't gotten one since...I hope that funky device did not send me into menopause......I'm 47 and do get kind of warm flashes periodically...hmmmmm.stay tuned. Mirena definitely needs more research

In skimming through these posts, I think I only saw one other that mentioned nasal problems. I have been on NR for almost two years, and it only recently occurred to me that that may be around the time my congestion problems started. I have chronic sinus congestion and fluid in my ears, and am on Flonase and Singulair. The worst thing is that I have constant chest congestion and have to clear my thoat constantly...I drive myself and my family crazy! I have had a chest x-ray with normal results, but sometimes I feel like my lungs are drowning in mucus! Oh, and after reading these posts, my husband will be very glad to know that NR apparently kills the sex drive. I have had no interest for quite awhile now and just thought it was my age. (I'm 47).

Mirena removed in October. Has a period in December have not had a period since. I am 51 year old. Did the mirena put me into menopause. Any one else have a similar case.

I responded to a previous post but don't see it here so I'll post again. The post I was responding to suggested that maybe it was a different ring than the past rings:

You may have something there, regarding a change in the ring's chemistry. I'm 47, and I've been on it, happily, for 4 years. Just this last month I had my period and, at 4 weeks am still having it with large clots coming out. (I went through 3 boxes of 40 tampons, 2 boxes of 20 and 2 packages of pads. I'm extremely dizzy and sleep 12-14 hours a day, still waking up exhausted. I went to my natural doctor and he gave me some supplements that usually help immediately, but still I bleed. I've decided to take the ring out after reading all of these posts. Have you stopped? I'm hoping to get my life back. I've had no energy to do anything, I love the beach (live 3 minutes from it) and went ONCE this whole summer. I've read that some women feel better within a day or so of taking it out - any thoughts? Also, I, too, went through a period in June/July of extremely high blood pressure. I'm normally 120/80 and I skyrocketed to 250/120....felt like I was going to collapse. I also couldn't sleep which is SO not like me. I love my sleep. I went to the doc thinking it was my hormones. He said "If you're on BC your hormones are regulated, so I don't want to do a panel." He then prescribed Ambien for a few days just so I could get some sleep. Three days later I couldn't stop crying and was extremely depressed. I thought it was the Ambien. I never thought about it being the ring, just thought it was my high-pressure job. I really wonder if they've changed it in the past few months. There are lawsuits against NuvaRing - does anyone know about these? Take Care.

I hate it! My doctor prescribed 1200mg a day. When I followed this dosage for a week (approximately 2 years ago) I was so lethargic, my tongue felt as if it weighed 10 pounds plus it was numb and I was the most unproductive individual! I stopped taking 1200 and started with 600; the same side effects occurred. Now, I take it every few days which really sucks because the manic monster rears its ugly head. At this point, I have to do my own research to find the right medication for my bipolar. I do know that I cannot continue this medication. I thought it was going to help control the severe angry outburst; I've broken one of our ceiling lamps by throwing my shoes. It's like being trapped within myself. I hope any and everyone who posts to this and even those out there that have bipolar, finds the right medication. It is so incredibly difficult not knowing which way my mood will take me; what journey: being ok one minute and the next, feeling terrible.

OMG -I'm 47 and I've been on for 6 months now and I've had a hunch for a few weeks but never thought I'd find this!! I was on Hydrochlorothiazide for 1 wk-had cramps in my toes so Dr. immediately took me off even though I said I felt great-but peed a lot!- He said this would be better for me..... EVERYTHING I've been feeling is the same as you.......I've just not been able to put my finger on it - I just felt "different", I thought it was me and I was getting "old" with a nagging tinkling cough, at the worst time "bed time"...ruins any sex life! I had fatigue, problems concentrating, headaches- back of my head, blurred vision- my eyes would kinda fog over- scared me to death so had tests but all was ok), I've been getting that "bummed out feeling" & didn't feel like doing anything but I've always loved Summer and Fall - going to the beach, riding motorcycles, swimming, my garden and to be outside, but now I kind of force myself to do. Then just this past week I've been feeling sick and nauseated, with an acid reflux vomit feeling and I've just had enough.......There are way tooo many coincidences here....... I have to get off of this stuff!!

Hi- I was on Lopressor 50mgs. twice a day for my slightly elevated BP, MVP, SVT, palpitations, and anxiety attacks. Started having some intermittent chest pain (not bad, just annoying). Dr. switched me to Toprol XL 100 mg/day. Of course, insurance made me get Metoprolol ER 100 mg/day (the generic) but I haven't had a problem with it!! I love taking just 1 pill a day instead of having to juggle the two pills and remembering if and when I took them. I take the pill every morning with breakfast (which is usually an apple and a small bowl of cereal and a glass of water). I have gained some weight since being on the Lopressor, but I started the Dash Diet and have lost about 8 lbs. in about 4 months, not too good but I'm not following the diet as well as I should be! I also get tired and occasionally have problems with hearburn and gas, but anytime you take any kind of medication you will have side effects. Wish I didn't have to take any meds but am not willing to subject myself to the effects of high blood pressure, I would rather have the side effects from the meds. My BP is usually 110/75 now and my heart rate is around 70-75. I'm 47 years old and feeling like I might make it into my 90's now!!

I've been taking Levaquin for about 3 weeks. Last week, suddenly, every joint in my body started aching. I mean from my neck, hands, hips, knees, ankles, feet, everything. For the past week, when I wake up, I can't even make a fist without experiencing excruciating pain. I've always been very active, running, basketball, soccer, skiing, you name it, so this is scaring the heck out of me. I'm 47 years old, and up until a week ago, I was hiking with my family, running everyday with my dog. Now I feel like I'm 100 years old. It hurts to walk, stand up, etc! I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow! I'm ticked about this!

this is a wonderful website. I was just put on the lisinopril hctz yesterday. My doctor said to try this first rather than the benicar hctz due to the difference in price. After reading these posts I could care less about the cost. I just called him and asked him to switch me to the Benicar. Thank you for your comments and I hope things get better.

Three days into the ultram 200mg, once a day, I experienced a "tonic clonic seizure" what is formally known as a grand mal seizure.

From what my husband tells me it was so severe that he had to call the paramedics. I don't remember the entire seizure at all. I faintly remember seeing 4 heads coming to me down the hallway, and that was all I remember. John, my husband told me that was the paramedics and the fire department. Since they did not see the seizure taking place I was not taken to the emergency room or hospital.

I do remember laying on the bed for 4 days after the seizure unable to move, eat or drink. I was completely exhausted. I've a follow up appointment with my primary care physician on Tuesday, as in required by law to be seen and I believe I may have to sign a paper requiring me not to drive for the next 6 months.

I'm worried to say the least. I'd never had a seizure before in my life and I'm 47 years old now. I'm still experiencing nausea, inability to eat...even though its been just 2 weeks since the seizure.

I have been going through depression and extreme exhaustion and not wanting to be alone in a room since the seizure. The abdominal pains feel almost like when a menstrual period will start, severe enough to make one bend over double and an aching inside as well. Having had a hysterectomy over 7 years ago, I know that is not the issue.

I've been taking Topamax for a couple of months now to help with my lifelong (I'm 47) migraines. I had been taking at least 10 Axerts each month, using Amyltriptyline about twice a month, and had completed one lifetime's supply of Aleve (my belly revolted so it's only Tylenol for me from now on). I'm on 100mg and have very mild tingling, which I tell myself is a message that I don't have a migraine (hooray!). For me, this is a wonder drug - it nearly completely prevents my suffering. The problem is that I have absolutely raging diarrhea. I've spent weeks on the BRATTY diet & using probiotics to no avail so I've begun dropping my dosage to 75 mg to see if that helps. I would do nearly anything to continue taking Topamax.

Interestingly, I had more fuzzy brain problems taking excess Axert & Amiylriptyline than I do now on Topamax. I feel much less like I have ADD now. Amazing how differently meds affect different people.

Hi
I posted my story with my son on March 29th approx. at 11 something. My story is talking about my 15yr old son and his struggle with his emotions and drugs. Is there someone out there that may be going through the same thing? I am desperately struggling with this. I need to know if there is someone else that is going through this. If so, PLEASE email or reply to my story.
Thank you

I am 46 and was given Loestrin to stop excessive bleeding for the past 4 weeks. Within days I had the most horrible cramps, back pain, heavy bleeding, emotional distress. Doctor wants to do an ablation or remove uterus. talk about distress. took me 10 days to realize my problems really began after taking Loestrin. I was about to undergo the ablation he was pushing for. (Which I've heard more terrible things about). Stopped the pills. Loaded up on vitamins and iron and within one day felt alive again. three days later the horrible cramps stopped and the bleeding is almost gone. Now I remember how much I hate prescription drugs. I will resist all forms of hormones, birth control pills and the like from now on. I was never one for heavy bleeding. I was told repeatedly that this is normal at your age. I still don't believe that one.

Help!! I need some advice. I'm 47 and have been diagnosed with HBP. I'm 6'2", 250 lbs. My Dr. has prescribed Lisinopril, which I'm suppose to pick up today. I've never been on any prescription medicine before. Don't have any known allergies. My BP averages 138/90 in the am and 170/117 in the evening. My fear is once I start taking this medication, am I on it forever? The side-effect described on this board are frightening. Any advice??

Hello, everyone. I didn't know there was a page like this, but I'm glad there is. I've been on Topamax for 3 weeks because the medicine I was on for 2 years didn't do anything and the headaches weren't going away at all anymore; they were continuous. The first week at 25 mg I had the tingling for a day or two, the involuntary muscle twitches, the terrible mouth taste, and the chest pain. All but the terrible taste went away by the second week at 50 mg but I started getting wobbly legs and dropsy. I read an article somewhere where a person on Tomamax called the drug Stupamax or Dopamax and said anyone on it turned into a box of rocks. The box hit me at 3 weeks and 75 mg. I'm not wobbly anymore, I'm still irritatingly dropsy, and I am doing things that only a person with half a brain would do. Plus, my ears have been ringing for two days, and today I feel like I'm in a tunnel and everything is far away. I'm getting ready to call my doctor. On the OTHER hand, I haven't had a headache that lasted for more than a half hour in 3 weeks. So what's best? Going back to headaches or continue to evolve into a box of rocks?