Re: Methadone for pain/unable to absorb medication

[Guest guest]

Mickey,

I have been on methadone as well as dilaudid for breakthrough.  But due to

severe crohns, and ulcers (had rouxeny surgery) i also have absorption

problems.  I would have withdrawal symptoms taking my meds until I realized that

my meds were in the toilet.   I kept on telling the doc, its weird its like I am

having withdrawal symptoms.  Due to the absorption the dose you take might be

higher then would ordinarily be expected.  The problem with methadone, or for

some the good thing with methadone, is the very long half life.  This makes it

more difficult to titrate up the dose, and makes it necessary to go very slow in

titration.  Beware of liquid medications due to the amount of sugar that are in

most, which can/may cause you to dump.

I am now on the fentanyl patch, which has been a g-dsend for me.  The break thru

med I take is also a med that is absorbed under your tongue. 

You should ask the physician to write on script for pain control.  Any pharmacy

should fill the RX.  I never had a problem filling mine. 

It might be more helpful to mix the dilaudid in soft food (not something with

sugar that is going to move thru quickly, maybe oatmeal or something like

that.  Liquids can move thru just as fast. 

Deb RN 

>Mickey wrote:

>I had gastric bypass 16 months ago. And because of that I do not absorb

anything well, including my meds. I find the dilaudid useless. I crush it and

take it in liquid (drinking slowly).  I think I just take it out of " hope " when

the pain is really bad, because I do not believe it is helpful - either I do not

metabolize it or another reason that I do not understand.

[Guest guest]

Deb:

THANK YOU. I was on the duragesic patch for 3 years and think its a good

alternative to methadone, but as you say higher doses are often needed after

surgery and I am in that category. As for a pharmacy, especially with methadone,

and previously with very expensive meds, I have had pharmacies say they do not

carry or cannot order the med -- " their distribution center does not stock

it... " a myriad of " reasons. " I have had to find a good pharmacy and stick

with it. Finding a good pharmacy is essential.

Thank you for the oatmeal idea. I did not think about sugar content, since its

not usually my issue and it makes sense that crushed in water is flushing

straight through my system.

I will research liquid breakthrough med options. I am currently looking for a

new PM and until one is found, my primary doc offered to write my meds --

amazing and God bless him. Thanks for your support.

MAKE it a GREAT Day!

Mickey

[Guest guest]

I've had tons of meds, rite aid has only failed to get one and that was because

noone near me could get it. this med was tinrcure of opiate which was for

severe chronic diarrhea.

--- Mickey Hillis wrote:

>

> As for a pharmacy, especially with methadone, and previously with very

expensive meds, I have had pharmacies say they do not carry or cannot order the

med -- " their distribution center does not stock it... " a myriad of " reasons. "

I have had to find a good pharmacy and stick with it. Finding a good pharmacy

is essential.

>

>