Methadone Hydrochloride side effects

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

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,

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.

sweating profusely edema in ankles. Even after being off for two months

WHAT ABOUT SIDE EFECTS WITH MORPHINE? PLEASE LET ME KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE THE SAME SIDE EFFECTS AS YOU BUT I HAVE A MORPHINE PUMP. ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HAVE ELEPHANTITIS OF THE FEET AND LEGS. PLEASE SUGGEST.
AJB

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 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.

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,

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?

no side effects what so ever if u take it like ur supposed to.
people that take to much or mix it with xanax or downers r asking to die. i just wish methadone would not get such a bad reputation over idiots who dont use it corretly.iv been on it 2 years and am only on 80 milligrams a day and that satisfies someone who was on 160 milli. of oxycontin a day for 5 years.
so if methadone doest work for u dont take it, but dont cause problems for people who it actually helps!!!!!!!
JLC-WESTVIRGINIA

I have been on Methadone for approx. six months for a second time and i have been getting extremely clammy and i sweat and have heat attacks so severe, i'm so afraid of this summer, afraid i might have a heat stroke. It seems my body cannot control my heating system. Someone suggested i might be starting menopause, but i do not have sweating spells unless i'm moving around or even standing ,or if it's hot, not like hot flashes in the middle of the night for no apparent reason. Also i have always had the best blood pressure, now i have high blood pressure since using methasone for pain control and i have to take Toprol. Doctors think it's just a coincidence but i know it's the meth and i am slowly weaning off. I just hope my body can return to normal. Has anyone had these same problems.

i sweat so much i get sick

blurred vision

I just wanted to say that I have experienced a living nightmare with my husband's past and present use of methadone. He burnt everything in our house, sweated prufusivily (can't spell), memory was gone.....got tickets in 6 different counties due to speeding to get to the clinic. Then had to go to a hospital to get off the methadone. Now, again on his third week going to the clinic he has totalled my truck, it rolled 4 times, by the grace of God he survived the wreck. Yes, I do believe Methadone has many side effects. Especially if it is not monitored correctly by the clinic that dispenses it.........Almost a widow........

does methadone affect any one elses hearing
Loud sounds get harsh & distorted , Its not a ringing effect more like a distortion of the sounds one is hearing, very, very
unpleasant

it made me puke for two days straight. I only took two. I think methadone is the worst painkiller you can get prescribed to you.

I'm really scared right now.
My heart,,, i think is destroyed. I can not stop shaking at night. I stopped taking just 20 milligrams a day and still I am going crazy. Should I be worried???

when taking methadone i get very ichty and really tired. There has been times that i couldnt sleep at all i suggest that nobody should take it at all. I experience my skin hurting,my head hurts. people take perscription drugs to get high like myself but not anymore i have overdosed and died on methadone it was alittle freaky please dont take this drug people.

Within the first year of being on methadone,I have gained back the 100 pounds I had just lost .I am still gaining and ready to lose my mind.I continued to diet the whole year I was gaining,but it did not matter if I ate or not,it seems.I feel terrible,like a blimp that is too exhausted to walk even one block without getting depressed,self-concious,and winded.Everyone keeps asking me how I got so fat.I am miserable!

After two yrs on MMT my legs swelled up. Open sores are festering Wound care almost healed them Fluid is now weeping
like sweat from my leg. My doctor shouted at me,"I don't know what causing this. I've looked at everything it could be and your are fine." I can fall asleep and dream standing up at the grocery store, at a red light or washing dishes. I certainly do FALL asleep and I am alarmed when I hit the ground. Am I sweating from Methadone or experiencing hot flashes? I am full blown AIDS and HCV positive w/no viral load. I'm clean 3yrs with the help of large dose w/no craving 240mg daily

My side effects have been in the evening I get very dizzy and will fall asleep anywhrer, like standing up. I also have trouble voiding. I have fallen asleep with cigarettes in my hand, etc. I am on 55mg a day. Could I be on to much?

I wake every morning feeling extreme anxiety, shakiness and nausea.

December 7, 2004
my partner and i are both taking methadone, we both have severe aching in joints, frequent urination. And with the white methadones we experience hot flashes, and i either have no menstraul cycle or a continues one. But the main thing is our waking up with our joints aching wonder if any one else experinces this.

I take many medications for different ailments. I started to have severe edema of feet, ankles, legs, thighs, and also face. I was precribed, depakote, lipitor, i cannot remember the name of the next one, but it was in addition to pepcid, and then methadone, all within 3 months of each other. The vicodin was discontinued at the same time the methadone was prescribed for chronic pain. In addition to this massive water retention, I also am having a difficult time voiding. I have Interstitial Cystitis and need to void every 10 minutes, so it is imperative that I can void easily. So two possible side affects, generalized edema and difficulty voiding. I take the methadone for severe chronic pain. And it or something elso has become a pain.

memory is going fast. but I always had a problem since I was eight years old; Now I am fifty seven and on the program since, I think,fifty two, right now I am coming down because I am ready to get off the program right now I am on 15mgs, they told me to excerise and take vitamins. and come down slowly.

A while back My head was in such pain, my body aches so I take painkillers daily.

If anybody have

I do have sweating problems, also was wondering if others who have been using methadone for a long time have ceased to have mestruation or have irregular menstrual cycles?

i am having headace's extreme constipation, it isnt taking my pains away like it is suppose to i take 10mg a day is it suppose to do this i hurt all the time now what should i do i have multi instibility in my shoulders and neck is this the right durg for me please let me know

i was setting on my computer the other night got up to go upstairs half why there i got out of breath and my heart started to throbb like it was comming out of my chest and then got a burning down my shoulders and the back of my neck just like someone was burning me i am on methadone 10mg 6 times aday i only weigh 117 and man it mess me up but helps the pain great but i thought i was dying im wondering if i should stay on it been on it for a month anybody else had this let me know what to do

it is very addicting,my son is on a program to get off "H" he is now taking "under "doctors" directions"methadone as a coming down drug .he now has to be sent into a hos.fac. for 1 yr.,to get off methadone.just thought you may like to know
""""""Quit it!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to reply to: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 09:27:36 -0500 by carlcbaker, #7729

Did not see how to reply, so will try it this way. Dont mean to be not following procedures, etc. I just wanted you to know that I take 10mg methadone every 4-6 hrs to help with failed back syndrome, and the chronic pain and discomfort that goes with all that. The pain Doc has me on it, and I sweat so badly that my ears fill up and I have to turn my head to empty
at times. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, HOWEVER THAT ANYONE SAID ANYTHING TO ME ABOUT THE METHADONE CAUSING IT! I have a complete analysis by my Endocrinoligst (sp) pending to try and help me with it, as it is so bad that I cannot live a normal life. Sweat profusely, and if I get the least bit upset, it gets worse and is debilitating. Please send me any information you or anyone else has with regard to PR4OFUSE SWEATING. Thanks ....******

Profuse sweating. I've never sweated so much in my life. Having to change shirts several times a day and shower 3 or 4 times. Anybody else this bad? Should I be on a lower dose?

my grandson is dead. his friend gave him methadone at school for his headache. he died in his bed that night. he was 15 years old. I'm so angery, and I miss him so. He was not a drug user. His friend just said," Here just take these and your headache wil go away.

nasua sleepiness heart raceing and memory lost.

i feel like my body is retaining alot of water. i dont know if its the methadone, but surely before i started using it, i didnt gain so much weight. i also feel like im afraid of dieing sometimes, and somtimes i feel like the meth, gives me anxeity attacks.

thank you, very much wilson

mixing with xanax