Methadone 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

I have p. neurapathy in my feet and legs and it "may" be happening to my hands. I say "may" for I'm thinking it's ANOTHER side effect from Lyrica (150mgs, twice daily). In aprox. 8 months I've gained about 50 pounds which has cracked bones in both my feet! My fingers hurt and are so swollen it's very difficult to play the guitar, something I've been doing for almost 30 years. I'm also take Tylenol 325 2X daily. AM / PM.
These are the same doctors on the Pain Management clinic I attend who also prescribe 80 mgs. of methadone. Okay, the pain only lasts an hour every morning but all these side effects are making me lethargic from all the extra weight. I'm 240, up from 190 - big difference! I've got to find another way! All contacts welcome. ******

When taking morphine sulfate SR for lower back pain, taking urine tests will show traces of methadone. Try explaining you don't to your doctor!

most of you sound like you have thyroid problems or are on too high a dose.

I have been on Methadone for 40 years. Now 90mg. a day it's expensive...300 a month for once a month regardless of dose. I go once a month because I never use other drugs.
The biggest problem is getting off.
after 6 to 10 years, you can't unless you replace it with other drugs. I run a fortune 500 company, so it shouldn't effect your lifestyle.

My first year on methadone, I totaled 4 new cars.....you learn not to drive a hr. after your take your dose if it's high. Don't learn the hard way.

after about a week on my methadone my feet and ankles swell they diagnosed it as cellulitis but cellulitis doesnt go away w/out antibiotic treatment so the next 2x it happened i didnt get antibiotic treatment i just put my feet up and stayed off them and the methadone and the swelling went down! also after about a week i start to do random episodes of passing out once with my face in bowl of cereal and once doing dishes and this was at prescribed dosage!!! be very careful i am on blood thinners and i think the dosage builds up quicker in my system perhaps. i didn't tell doctor because they work for my pain better than anything else he has given me and its hard enough to get something that even takes the edge off my pain i have so many medical problems that three very reputable neurosurgeons refused to operate on me due to my risk of stroke and i am only 49! i have deg disk deg joint rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis in lower back l4-5 and s-1 several disks that are dehydrated and dessicated , many bone spurs poking in spinal canal in cervical spine every disk in cervical spin either bulging herniated or previously operated on severe arthritis in feet toes and severe nerve damage in right foot where big toe and baby no longer can lift up neuropathy in right arm radiculopathy in left missing protein s in blood which is the protein that keeps your blood from overclotting so i have been on blood thinners since 29 yrs old and have had several pulmonary embolisms b4 age 29 and proper diagnosis and the list goes on! and yet even though i got my soc sec disability by myself w/out lawyer assistance due to list of medical problems which spoke for itself i still cannot find a doctor who will try to work with me realistically on a pain management program that even manages to take the edge off to enjoy the quality of life enough to be able to spend time with my 4 yr old granddaughter doing things like fishing and playing with her in ways that i would like such as camping amusement park rides (which they have forbidden!!!) can anybody out ther help me find a doctor who will not be afraid to prescribe something that will really work enough to put me back in the game off life ? did i mention that i need right hip replacement it is bone on bone and left isn't far behind and lower back was listed as severe bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis needing surgery also as of 2 yrs ago and also need several cervical surgeries and that i have a benign tumor in thoracic spine that cant be operated on but does still cause pain! so please if you can be of help to me/as winter is upon me now ,which as we all know multiplies most of our pain problems so speed of the essence!!!!xoxoxoxo please e-mail me if you know of any doctor who can be of real help managing pain no surgeon will touch me due to risk of stroke , i stayed awake for last major surgery it had to be done risk outweighed stroke risk if it didn't get done. i am currently on methadone 10mg 4x daily and it barely takes edge off and causes too many side effects which i wont tell dr. because it is the closest thing ive had to pain relief and have been on same dose for 4 yrs ,and my pain has no hope of improving but only the certain knowledge that it is going to get increasingly worse every day and my granddaughter only has me her grand papa and her uncle, my son, that she can depend on being ther in a good role model form as well as being her only consistent source of love ,affection and proper parenting! I love my daughter but her and her boyfriend ,my granddaughters father of course, are 2 of the most self centered people on earth and unfortunately they put their needs b4 thier own daughters on every level and in way to much detail for me to put here i need only say this combine 2 totally self centered individuals with a pretty big cocaine addiction and you will get enough with that to know my dilemma! they buy her many clothes n toys n moviiiies to keep her busy while they play but never enough food or mmeds or real needs such as affection, love ,food, drinks etc!! they both work in a hosp making great money but i have to provide my sweetie(grand baby) with food meds affection love and all the things they should be doing! this is why it is even more urgent i am able to function well w/out as much pain as possible she needs to be here with me and her pa pa in a healthy ,wholesome loving and affectionate home she loves to bake and read and learn with us she never wants to leave and it tears my heart out when i drop her home with her daddy and she cries hysterically because she doesn't want me to go and she wants to stay with me and i cant! so please help me find a good doctor who can help me function at highest level w/out pain but also as coherently and safely as possible!!??? i would be forever indebted to you for your kindness and help! e-mail is ******* please send referrals or recommendations of any and all sorts tysvm, i live in the area of erie county new york tysvm,xxxooo tysvm for all your time ,much love, pained and troubled grandma in n.y who needs your help to be able to help my sweet grandbabyxxxooo

hi my is T. and be on methadone of 5 years and just want some to talk to me who go thought the same think and no some think about methadone so give me a write back hey try not worry about it to much

About 6 years ago started methadone for RSD 90mg a day with some relief
but was aware of no libido,sweats (thought from RSD), weight gain, lethargy and
speech- thought confusion, dropped to 40mg a day with great difficulty but pain remained pretty much the same, back up to 60mg daily but lethargy,tremors,no libido-- very low testosterone,anxiety over uselessness but methadone is cheap but now is ineffective. Added Ritalin for alertness but when it wears off I must sleep. Also don't like feeling of perhaps requiring uppers.very depressed (over statement) but I take 450mg of Wellbutrin.No end in sight, am 64 and married, wife understands but she is burdened and sad. Evidently no other solution. RSD resulted from coleus fracture 1/02/2001,right hand useless.

Hi,

I have hot flushes (feels like my body temp is out of control, with profuse sweating).
Morning aches and stiffness in joints).
I used to have sexual dysfunction before I started testosterone decanoate injection.)
I also used to have horrible fatigue and apathy.
I still have depression.
Since methadone has a negative effect on the various endocrinal mechanisms in the hypothalamus and pituitary, it makes sense that it would interfere with body temperature homeostasis.
I am on 100mg a day.
APC.

daily headaches, waking every hour till 2 am, vision, but mostly the headaches are what are bothering me the most. This is my second time on methadone. the 1st time was 8 months start to finish with 3 years clean then a relapse. I realized that both times I had headaches. Why the headaches? I feel like I am losing it. I'm trying to be a wife, mother to 3, independent rep and so on. Am i alone?

I was prescribed methadone for chronic pain associated with partial paralysis from the chest down, 5 Macerated Discs, and a slipped disc right against the spine, preventing surgery as a cure. Believe me, the partial paralysis begins ONLY on the right side, and ONLY from the leg down, so the back pain is horrible!
Methadone has SLOWED the pain, but has not cured it in the least. Morphine helped, but I was so irritable to be around, I was losing family, so I tried changing to Methadone, and so far have not been very impressed! Highly addictive, cancels out any Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Morphine-based meds, so if your treated in the hospital and they treat you with any of those meds, they will not work for around 3-5 days, and then not well for another couple of weeks. I was in the ER for Kidney Stones, and was given, over a period of a couple of hours, 20cc's of Morphine straight into my IV, and was still wide awake, and was only on 60mg of Methadone per day. I WOULD NOT recommend this as treatment to chronic pain, even though more and more pain clinics and Neurologists, or even rehab specisicialists are changing to it, because the AWFUL SIDE EFFECTS. I still have not found my medication of preference, yet, but Methadone definitely is not suitable, for me. Though everyone is different, for me, the Methadone has increased the pain level due to, when I am NOT on it, I feel awful, so I wake up having to dose myself, and can not sleep until I have stopped taking the meds long enough to cause pain.

I'm not sure if this is a "new " side effect but I too get "hot flashes" ,Ya right more like being on fire! And I also have this pins and needles feeling over my entire body, it kinda washes over my body usually starting at my feet. The nausea is unbelievable. At first when this started to happen , it was about 3 months after I started taking the methadone when I stopped taking over 800mgs of morphine a day to keep the pain at bay,. Then I was taking 250 mgs of methadone. My doctor didn't have a clue what this was because it started so late. However now that I'm almost off of this crap I am in more pain than I care to deal with, so I'm not sure if the depression I feel is from the methadone or just me being frustrated over this.

Sounds like withdrawal effects. Stay away from them for anything other than pain if you have an addictive personality. These are lesser forms of heroin, morphine released in the brain. The effects you are describing are absolutely withdrawal. If you take them for extended periods of time, you will find the withdrawal symptoms getting worse and worse. You will NEED to have a pill to get out of bed, when you SHOULD be otherwise healthy. Tolerance to the drug will build and you will quickly become addicted... If you have problems with alcohol, you are at heightened risk of opiate addiction, so stay away from it. (family history, substance abuse problems.)

If you are currently addicted to opiates, Vicodin/percocet/ etc. There are treatment options available. If you are feeling down after a short period of use, these symptoms will subside and you will be back to normal in a little time. If you keep taking them, it will only get worse and you may require medical treatment, IE: Suboxone/Subutex , methadone. Paths you don't want to go down. The high, eventually will NOT be worth the HORRIBLE, UNBEARABLE, withdrawal symptoms. You will have to take huge amounts of pills to feel 'normal.'

If your addicted to painkillers, get help. They retard your life IF your using them for recreational 'high' OR to maintain or avoid the withdrawal symptoms, post addiction. If you have legit pain, they are a life saver. But really unless you have a CHRONIC condition, you shouldn't take these any longer than your pain is present, until you are healed, or advised by your doctor.

Get with god, drink water and get a lot of sleep. Some people find anti-anxiety medication helpful for the mental discomfort (don't get abusive of that too, those withdraw symptoms can be fatal.) The addicted brain is damaged by the drug and MUST HEAL. If you believe you may be addicted to painkillers, there is A LOT of help these days. There is no excuse for taking opiates to 'maintain' normality.

Good luck, hang in there!

I have itching, pain in the abdominal area, sometimes panic attacks, and sometimes drowsiness.
The pain I took it for has gone away now, but I still keep taking it cuz I feel like crap when I get up in the morning, runny eyes and nose, and an anxious feeling, with no energy. I take a perc and drink some coffee and I'm good to go. Think I'm addicted? I do.

I have been taking 160milligrams a day for almost a year. After a serious accident in '99 that left me Partially Paralyzed and been on all kinds of pain meds...hate them all. Especially the Oxycontin. The Methadone has been a life saver. I am a productive, well-adjusted member of society....instead of a junky needing another OC. Take it like your supposed to Kiddies and the rest of us won't have the magnifying glass on us for no reason. Eat right and you won't "Gain Weight or be constipate." Just like regular Folk.... Duh.

I HAVE BEEN ON METHADONE FOR ABOUT 4YEARS NOW AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH WEIGHT MY ENTIRE LIFE.NOW I MIGHT EAT A SMALL MEAL A DAY DUE TO MY ILLNESS AND I EXCERCISE AS MUCH AS I CAN AND NOTHING WORKS. I HAVE A CHRONIC ILLNESS (with several operations) AND HAVE ASKED MY DOCTOR IF METHADONE IS THE PROBLEM TO MY WEIGHT GAIN. OF COURSE HE SAID NO POSSIBLE WAY.I HAVE ASKED TO CHANGE MY MEDICATION TO SOMETHING EQUAL TO WHAT I AM TAKING AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS ON SUCH A HIGH DOSE AGE (160MG) IT WOULD TAKE A VERY HIGH DOSE OF ANOTHER MEDICINE TO BE ADEQUATE.I JUST WANT TO FEEL O.K AND TRY TO LIVE MY LIFE AS ELL AS I CAN WITH DEALING WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS AND NOT BEING OVERWEIGHT JUST FOR BREATHING.HELP!!!!!

I started having panic attacks while taking Percocet. I am a chronic alcohol user, and I am saying this just in case it rings a bell for anyone. I have since stopped taking Percocet (about 3 days). I was a habitual/recreational user ... meaning that I took them when available, but I did not always have them. Since my last dose, I have been having recurrent panic attacks that are very scary. They include physical symptoms (heart pounding, cold and hot flashes, feeling of difficulty breathing, sweating, shaking) - and the much more scary mental symptoms (fear of death, walls closing in, inability to think or concentrate, vivid dreaming, fear of people, etc.). It appears that some other people have had issues like this, but not everyone. Can someone share their story with me. Has anyone had similar experiences ? Do they go away at some point ? Is it withdraw (I am not sure since they started while I was using them - but continued after I stopped) ? I have heard that it just takes some time, but it is very scary. I get some relief by drinking ... in fact almost complete freedom from most of the symptoms, but I can't just drink all day. Please help.

I have been on methadone for about a year now. I started at 90mgs a day and it seemed to help my fibromyalgia but now in a period of 6 months I have gained 62 lbs.I went from 109lbs to171lbs at 5ft 4in. I am fat my husband will not have a thing to do with me. He thinks I can just stop the methadone no problem. After all I have read about the withdrawals I am now scared to death, Where do I find help? Is there anything my doctor can prescribe that will make any easier? Oh and I should have mentioned that I have gone down to 40 mgs a day on my own, its hard and some days the pain is so unbearable I have gone up to 60mgs.

I haven't had a whole lot of bad side effects from methadone. Mostly all good ones. I have started to gain weight but I think that means that I just need to start exercising and eating better so I don't continue to gain. And also I have had some swelling in my feet and ankles, itchy skin, severe drowsiness, confusion at times, sweating and hot flashes, irritability. But compared to what I was going through when I was a really bad drug addict that stuff is NOTHING!!! I am also off of drugs( except for methadone of course) and I don't even think about them or desire them at all! I have been like that since the very first dose of methadone. It is a wonderful drug that has saved my life and as long as you are careful and take good care of yourself physically and mentally and stay away from other drugs ( especially benzos) you will be just fine. You will lead a normal wonderful life. Having to go everyday to get it is a small price to pay. And as long as you don't use you can start bringing it home instead of going everyday. Its all up to you. Most people who die from methadone use are mixing it with other prescription drugs and other things that it shouldn't be mixed with. Just be educated about methadone. It is also a wonderful pain killer. Much safer than all the other narcotic meds. The negative physical side effects are minimal compared to all the wonderful stuff it does!!!!

I have been on methadone for about 4 years. I have gained about 60 pounds within 2 yrs of being on the program. I never had a weight problem in my whole life until now. Dieting and exersize did nothing.Also have severe constipation.Ive tried about 15 diffirent drugs to help the constipation. Most of them helped the issue but still leaving me with 1 or 2 bowl movements within 8 days.If I dident take anything for it Id wind up in the er with no bowl moement at all in severe pain.Also my stomache is huge, at times I look about 5 months pregnant. If anyone has any advice for the problems I am having please let me know.

I have been taking Neurontin for 2 months. I didn't think it was really helping because I still couldn't function normally. I have had 3 disk surgeries on L4/5, and still have severe pain in my right hip and down my right leg all the way to my foot. I am told there is scar tissue build-up in the area causing the nerve pain. I started taking Neurontin in small doses and have built up to 1200mg 3 times a day. I still couldn't walk more than 20 feet without leaning on something, but the pain was noticably less severe. My doctor put me on Trileptal instead, and the first day off the Neurontin was a nightmare...the pain was worse than ever. I went back to the Neurontin immediately. I have experienced some weight gain, but have attibuted that to no exercise. It does seem to make me forgetful, tired and somewhat depressed, but without it, the pain is completely debilitating. I want my life back, but I don't know what to do from here. Neurontin has helped the pain to a more tolerable level, but if I still can't even walk, I'm not even close to functioning normally. If anyone has a suggestion, I would love to hear it...thanks.

This ia my secon't time around,doing a did better.First time I became a hermit.Did not wanna do anything.Any one eles feel like that?The heat really does me in and I sweat so bad.I have craving for candy or anything that is fatning.And I never aet sweets before.I was a model.Cant speel I'm from Holland.I'm dizzy and fatiqed al the time.Concentrate forget it. wanna come down again.I'm at 75mg,how long will it take me.The first time I came down in 3 weeks I had to.For health resonse.Can anyone help me give me some tips in coming down.Thanks LULU,

My husband was on 80mg of Oxycontin 3 times a day and 40 mg twice per sometimes he would take three if the pain was really bad.
He had a hierniated disc and tried every drug under the sun.
He was on these amount for about a year and half and was well a different person, he dropped down to 80mg on his own ...........he had back surgery and after the surgery really wanted to get off them and be off this awful drugs he suffered withdrawl for about a month and could not drop any more on his own it was too much to bear so he did the methadone maintenace program and got off the oxy you stop the oxy the day you start the methadone, the methadone takes away the craving an need for oxy anyhow he did the methadone maintenace for 3 months he came down in large amounts on his own he started at 15mg and came down from there to 10 and then in singles coming off the methadone was also so brutal and he went through hell with it...........he is now pain free and drug free expect for the occasional anti inflamm he is so so grateful to be off the oxy and able to live a normal life he never wants to touch that drug again.
I want all those out there addicted to this drug to know you are not alone and there are groups and doctors that can help you get off this awful drug and live like a human being dependant only on oxygen food and water and not opiates you are sick and need help and my heart goes out to all of you and your families and I hope you can find the strength and courage to do what my husband did.

Been on Methadone tabs for 9 yrs. I gained 130 lbs, have edema in my ankles and feet for the past 8 yrs, I have an endocrine problem (pituitary gland doesn't produce testosterone anymore), I'm itchy all over, I get drowsy, and I have hot flashes. I think I should get off this drug and deal with my chronic pain. At least I'll lose wieght, stop itching, lose the edema and aching feet, maybe restore my endocrine system balance, etc....
Whata ya think?

I HAVE BEEN ON METADONE FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS NOW AND I AM UP 150 MGS A DAY, I HAVE FIBROMYALGIA AND THE PAIN IS JUST TERRIBLE MOST OF THE TIME, WHEN I FIRST WENT ON THIS DRUG I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE PERFECT DRUG, IT TOOK ALL OF MY PAIN AWAY, IT WAS SOMEWHAT CHEAP, AND MY DOCTOR WOULD GIVE ME ENOUGH OF IT TO TAKE CARE OF MY PAIN. HOWEVER ...I WAS ALWAYS A SMALL WOMAN THE MOST THAT I EVER WEIGHED WAS 150 PONDS AND THAT WAS WHEN I WAS 9 MONTHS PREGNANT WITH MY CHILDREN, I USED TO HAVE TO MAKE MYSELF EAT TO TRY AND GAIN WEIGHT..AFTER BEING ON METHDONE FOR ABOUT A MONTH I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT I HAD INTENSE CRAVINGS FOR SWEETS THAT I COULD NOT DENY...IT WAS LIKE NEEDING A HIT OF HERION OR SOMETHING.. NOW THAT LITTLE GIRL THAT USED TO HAVE TO TRY TO GAIN WEIGHT AND WHOS NORMAL WEIGHT WAS 115 POUNDS IS UP TO 162 POUNDS AFTER JUST 7 MONTHS ON THIS DRUG, I AM ONLY EATING ONE MEAL A DAY AND JUST HAVING A FEW BITES OF SOMETHING AT BREAKFAST..THE MORE I TRY TO DIET THE MORE WEIGHT I GAIN...SOMEONE HELP!! IS THERE ANY THING AT ALL THAT I CAN DO .. I CAN SOMEWHAT DEAL WITH THE CONSTIPATION THAT IS NEVER GOING AWAY AND I CAN DEAL WITH THE SWEATS THAT ARE HORRIBLE - I CAN EVEN DEAL WITH THE SLEEPINESS AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES BUT I CAN NOT DEAL WITH ALL OF THIS FAT..THIS IS MAKING ME EVEN MORE DEPRESSED AND SUICIDIAL THAN I EVER WAS BEFORE METHADONE....I REALLY AM THINKING ABOUT TRYING ANOTHER DRUG BUT THEY ALL JUST COST SO MUCH.....ANY ADVICE FOR ME ABOUT THE WEIGHT GAIN???

SWEATING profusley, and MASSIVE Weight Gain are my biggest problem with being on methadone. That is why I am swiching to suboxon. WE will SEE!!