Guest guest Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 , If nothing else, your experience with methadone withdrawal has taught us all about the importance of being properly tapered off of any narcotic. Your experience has alarmed me enough to not consider methadone at all at this time. My Duragesic usage has been going on for two and a half years, and is still working very well for me. I have tapered down to a 50 mcg. patch, and because of very infrequent use of the oxycodone, I'm thinking about asking my PM to let me try the 25 mcg. patch next. Now I've got a " stash " of oxycodone that would pull me through a very long emergency..... It's time to drop down on the Duragesic, again. It was my GI who told me about the methadone, and his inaccuracy about it really surprises me, since he's so knowledgable about everything else, but even he will quickly admit that he's not a specialist with narcotics....that's why he sent me to a Pain Management doctor in the first place. He doesn't prescribe any analgesics for me anymore, a regimen that's agreeable for us both, now that I have a PM doctor that has been so agreeable to anything I suggest. The whole discussion about methadone came up with the GI when I told him I was tapering down on the Duragesic and wanting to see if I could get off of it entirely, but he wouldn't be the one having any say so on how I did it, the PM doc would. I'm going to ask the PM doctor about methadone, just out of curiousity, when I see him next, and see what HE has to say about it. I'm convinced I could wean off of the Duragesic some other way. I'm really sorry that you're still having such misery from the nausea. Fresh ginger root in the side of the mouth is really the only thing I've ever had success with, other than ginger ale, and I know that's out for you because of the carbonation. Maybe you could drink it after it's gone stale? Like 24 hours later when it's flat? Having nausea that long must be such a pain. Are you able to eat anything? I ask this because I'm never able to eat anything when I feel nautious.....I'd rather starve than heave! Curious, too, about the advice that it's okay to drink alcohol again. I hadn't heard that before. I'm sure that whatever you do, you'll do in moderation, anyway. Thanks again for telling us about your experience. Everyone's reaction to meds is so very different that it's important for us to know about these things beforehand, and take our own chances. I would have researched the methadone thoroughly on the internet if the time came where it was going to be prescribed, I do that with any new med so I can be aware of the side effects and other people's comments. Neurontin has been a life saver for me, with no ill effects or side effects after the initial few weeks of drowsiness, yet others who have tried it couldn't tolerate it at all. An increase in that might just be enough to cover me, should I go off long acting analgesics all together. I won't know until I try, right? With love, hope and prayers, Heidi Heidi H. Griffeth SC State & SE Rep PAI Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion, and should not be substituted for consultation with your medical professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 >Heidi- Let me remind you that they now have a Duragesic patch that is 12.5mcg so you can step down from the 25 when you are ready. From that level, there should be minor withdrawal (which is what I experienced). > , > > If nothing else, your experience with methadone withdrawal has taught > us all about the importance of being properly tapered off of any > narcotic. Your experience has alarmed me enough to not consider > methadone at all at this time. My Duragesic usage has been going on > for two and a half years, and is still working very well for me. I > have tapered down to a 50 mcg. patch, and because of very infrequent > use of the oxycodone, I'm thinking about asking my PM to let me try > the 25 mcg. patch next. Now I've got a " stash " of oxycodone that > would pull me through a very long emergency..... It's time to drop > down on the Duragesic, again. > > It was my GI who told me about the methadone, and his inaccuracy about > it really surprises me, since he's so knowledgable about everything > else, but even he will quickly admit that he's not a specialist with > narcotics....that's why he sent me to a Pain Management doctor in the > first place. He doesn't prescribe any analgesics for me anymore, a > regimen that's agreeable for us both, now that I have a PM doctor that > has been so agreeable to anything I suggest. The whole discussion > about methadone came up with the GI when I told him I was tapering > down on the Duragesic and wanting to see if I could get off of it > entirely, but he wouldn't be the one having any say so on how I did > it, the PM doc would. I'm going to ask the PM doctor about methadone, > just out of curiousity, when I see him next, and see what HE has to > say about it. I'm convinced I could wean off of the Duragesic some > other way. > > I'm really sorry that you're still having such misery from the nausea. > Fresh ginger root in the side of the mouth is really the only thing > I've ever had success with, other than ginger ale, and I know that's > out for you because of the carbonation. Maybe you could drink it > after it's gone stale? Like 24 hours later when it's flat? Having > nausea that long must be such a pain. Are you able to eat anything? > I ask this because I'm never able to eat anything when I feel > nautious.....I'd rather starve than heave! > > Curious, too, about the advice that it's okay to drink alcohol again. > I hadn't heard that before. I'm sure that whatever you do, you'll do > in moderation, anyway. > > Thanks again for telling us about your experience. Everyone's > reaction to meds is so very different that it's important for us to > know about these things beforehand, and take our own chances. I would > have researched the methadone thoroughly on the internet if the time > came where it was going to be prescribed, I do that with any new med > so I can be aware of the side effects and other people's comments. > > Neurontin has been a life saver for me, with no ill effects or side > effects after the initial few weeks of drowsiness, yet others who have > tried it couldn't tolerate it at all. An increase in that might just > be enough to cover me, should I go off long acting analgesics all > together. I won't know until I try, right? > > With love, hope and prayers, > Heidi > > Heidi H. Griffeth > SC State & SE Rep > PAI > > Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or > opinion, and should not be substituted for consultation with your > medical professional. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 ,I willl remember that, thanks! With love, hope and prayers, Heidi Heidi H. Griffeth www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html Bluffton, SC SC State & SE Regional Representative Pancreatitis Association, International Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical consultation. mzdenni " wrote: > Let me remind you that they now have a Duragesic patch that is 12.5mcg so you can step down from the 25 when you are ready. From that level, there should be minor withdrawal (which is what I experienced). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Heidi, You are so correct about tapering. I've learned my lesson and already begun to taper off the Roxicet. I was taking 40 cc's and now I am down to 20. Doing well with the pain, still battling the nausea. Like Bert said, the usage of Methadone for pain reasons is relatively new, but it floors me to think that some believe there is no side affects or withdrawal issues. I was so desperate, I didn't have time to research it. I knew withdrawal was going to be an issue, so I am trying to deal with it. Just be wary, I was being followed by the pain center and when I discussed my concerns about weaning off of it before surgery, the pain doc blew me off. At that point, it was really too late to do much about it. I am going to check out the ginger root, thanks for the tip! I thought it was that suggested flat ginger ale, but I forgot about my GI doc saying it was okay to do that. I will try it this weekend. And no, I am not considering having a drink any time in the future. It was just so strange. I've been programmed to think no alcohol and low and behold, one of the top Pancreatologist/Pancreatic surgeons says it is okay in moderation??? I don't know. Best of luck and feel good, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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