Methadone Hydrochloride and chronic pain

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.

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 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.

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 ....******