Doctors Who Prescribe Methadone (Page 8)

I am addicted to strong pain meds and I am tired of having to come off of them, the withdrawal is awful. I went to a urgent care doc and was prescribed suboxone. I take anxiety meds too but he wants me to stop. I really need the anxiety meds but he wants me off them. How do I get him to change it from suboxone to methadone so I can take my anxiety meds?

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And people in need, need to know the FACTS, so unless one has them one should either refrain from posting or refer people to a professional. If people give information that is false, they need to be called out on it. These are serious topics we're discussing where if someone just goes off and "talks out if their butt" they could put someone in real danger, not to mention stigmatizing doctors who are out there helping people as greedy drug dealers who only take cash. I'm not here to bash anyone, but if I know someone to be completely incorrect on a subject they try to pretend they are an authority on then I will say something every time.

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Ms. Tweetie, I believe it. My doctor has never had an infraction against him, he gives u.a's all the time, does blood tests to make sure your liver is doing well, does not give early refills; basically he doesn't serve people trying to play the system. He's currently having to go through all kinds of seminars (started in September) and such and, while he is, he cannot write the prescriptions I need, and even when he is back up (hopefully around the first of next year) he's not sure what restrictions will be placed on him. I can possibly understand the government doing this for future patients, due to the highly addictive nature of the medications, but once people have been on them for over a decade like I have, I don't understand how they can do that to people. They will be causing deaths I guarantee it. It's sad what this country has come to when people with legitimate health problems are treated like drug addicts and that they and their pain simply don't matter. Best of luck to all, and if anyone knows of a good doctor in the northwest Illinois area I could see until my doctor is back I would really appreciate any help.

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I'm sorry to say you guys have truly confused me & the purpose/ reason for this site. Everyone is more concerned with trying to prove they are right and someone else is wrong.... but I've forgotten what the whole " argument" is about. This was once a friendly, supportive & informative site but now I'm reading posts for entertainment... it's like a soap opera. I quit reading & commenting for quite sometime but just decided to check in & sure enough! People be kind to each other! Don't we have enough problems?

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Ms Tweetie, Do not confuse me with anyone. I have never said that one blocks the other nor would I. Never claimed to be a doctor and only offer advice on things I know. Over the years I have learned a few things and have helped where I can. In the past I used the site quite often but no longer do so because of all bad comments. I wish everyone good luck because it can be a difficult road. Take Care.

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@Pam & @ Tessa... Ladies, PLEASE don't leave on my account. I was not in any way addressing you in my comments because I was accusing either of you of anything. I was only making an attempt to let you know that there are others that appear new to this thread Comment #137 by Illustrated Grrl, who is not afraid of telling someone that they are giving false information. No need to get defensive, I did not infer that you did anything wrong. I agree with both of you, and maybe I went a tad overboard, but being on this thread since the beginning, if ANYONE is telling us (or someone else) information that is known to be incorrect, ambiguous (or a suggestion that may harm someone else) I'm going to say something. And I would expect someone to call me out if I did the same thing. We've all had lots of experience with PMDR's, both good and bad. I have also been doing a LOT of research on the heavy duty pain meds peeps like we seem to need. I only mentioned your names because I was addressing my message to you. Not because you did anything wrong. I'd hate for you to leave this thread if I offended you. If I did I'm sorry.

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Yea they will :) I take 30mg of Methadone a day and 20mg of Valium. RX'd by the same Dr.

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Dr. Sherman Do Anderson Sc

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i went to a shrink he gave me 7 mg of xanax a day he new i was on 200 mg of methadone i know a lot of people on methadone and benzos

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Ha.. I don't know why I have sit and read through this composite of garbage and ignorance. I guess, like everyone else, for entertainment and to post my useless opinion. Anyhow, I didn't realize we had so many experts in pain management and substance abuse. I'm not very old, young actually, not an expert in any field of substance abuse, mental or health care, english, chemistry.. etc. But, I don't think it takes a genius in any of those fields to figure out that most people on here are full of $h!t!! I may be wrong, which im sure you'll say, but I've never seen anyone with a "doctorate" in ANY field with such poor grammar, sentence structure, and lack of vocabulary. Given that every university in the country that offers undergraduate school requires a basic English course to obtain a degree. I'm trying to be humble and not call everyone in this forum out, frankly because I didn't read every post you may have posted. But a doctorate in psychiatry? Come on... Although, I agree with things you have stated... I just believe that to be a little over the edge.

Anyhow, I used to go to school. Graduated high school with highest honors, 3.91 GPA, member of The National Honors Society, member of The National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine... Went on to a 4 year university(majoring in chemistry), and hoping one day to become a pharmacist. But I was hiding something... It just so happened to be a 3 year addiction to prescription narcotics. I knew I wanted to go to college and knew I wanted to be something, I just didn't know what. Instead of going undecided, I thought, what better than pharmacy? I could sure figure out a way to get pills if I become a pharmacist! Well, to cut it short, I can just tell ya... I didn't last long. One year to be exact. I moved back home from the city with an even bigger addiction, lost every hope and dream I had, but now I'm starting to feel PAIN from the years of abuse and neglect of beating my body and blacking out while walking up stairs and waking up in hospitals in neck braces... Herniated discs, torn muscle tissue, ligaments, tendons, passing out and losing circulation to my leg for hours. I'm 26 years old now, I've never returned to school, can't get a job, can't afford insurance, child support, served 2 years in jail, went through 6 month rehab in jail(twice), 3 month treatment in another state, and the only help I can get is a cortisone shot in my knee every 3 months with physical therapy added on top. When a doctor is required to do background checks for criminal and drug abuse charges, KASPER, and watched like a hawk from the DEA to make sure they do, they're not going to help anybody. They're not gonna take a chance on losing their license to help someone with neither pain management nor substance abuse. I guess we can say, there are very few that actually care enough for their patients to take the time and requirements to make the correct judgment that may actually help them. If they have legitimate reason for pain management and the doctor has specific reason to treat with judgment that the patient doesn't abuse drugs, they have a choice to write them or not. Whether it be a schedule 2,3,4, or whatever. If you present a prior drug abuse with all honesty to your doctor and for me, methadone truly saved my life, I don't see any reason the doctor can't write a prescription for a narcotics as long as they monitor randomly (I.e... Random u.a's and medication counts). Because they can! Most just don't! They don't care. And you get the same with substance abuse. Be honest, they make a judgment with legitimate reason, and there is nothing the DEA can do. As long as they have a license to practice in that state and a DEA# to practice the scheduled drug they are prescribing. My grandpa was a licensed family practitioner for 35 years until he passed away in 2009. He had more patients than anyone in our region. I've seen him write every narcotic and/or scheduled drug out there, but he didn't do it without knowledge and caution and reason. I've seen cases where he's went to court from everything from a social security case to expert opinion of other doctors prescribing methods. I've seen his license to practice, I've seen his DEA# to practice schedule 2,2N,3,3N,4,5. I know it can be done, but not recklessly. Its just the case that most doctors nowadays are not willing to chance it.

I have been taking methadone for several years.. I went from taking up to 2-300 mg of anything I can get my hands on, to taking 10-15 mg of methadone a day. Don't get me wrong, I stay sick as hell from only taking this amount, but I'm just not willing to go out and get it illegally. I can't afford it, can't afford to go to the clinic, and can't afford to get insurance to go to a doctor that does pain management or substance abuse treatment with methadone maintenance. And honestly, when you're in pain, true pain, I'm really not willing to take it from a doctor for abuse.. Although I'll always be a recovering addict, I need it for pain, and while treating my PAIN they're also treating me from abuse. I don't want it the other way around!

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To my goodness, I'm not sure if you are inquiring or making a statement and that is my fault. You say any Dr. With a DEA# can prescribe methadone. If it is for pain management yes but for addiction no. There are strict guidelines that are in effect, if for addiction they can only treat 30 patients, have special training and licensing along with the DEA number, just saying. No doctor just previous knowledge.

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@illustrated girl,

I wish U would not go by what someone else is accusing me of saying. Their words are incorrect and anytime I might have said anything incorrect, I have immediately apologized for it. As a matter of fact, if you were to read every post in here by this person and compare it to all of mine, you would easily see that they say I say things that are not there, anywhere. It's all construed in their mind. I'm accused of stating all different kinds of doses I take, and of saying things others said. Wasn't me. All kinds of things. I have not once said I was a doctor or anything near that. I have never straight on told anybody to take or not take the wrong medicine. I would never say anything to harm someone here. I have only tried to help. I have stayed off this forum because I do not need to read all these bullsh_t accusations. That's all they are. And I would say they are written on days this person probably just does not feel well at all. I was at a point in the beginning of coming into this sight where I was not feeling too well myself, but I still am not guilty of the things I was accused of. If you have the time, as I did this morning, you should go back and re-read every post I have written and read it carefully. You will see I am being true.

I do hope your situation improves for you. Unfortunately, the doctors I know of are not near you. Though I did help one person who was near me. I just didn't type information for the public to see because pain doctors hate when you publish their names on the internet. It's the best way to make them drop you like a hot potato. I did not need that to happen just because one person got annoyed that I didn't publicly share. I wish I could help every single one of you, including the one who has made me look so bad. It's just impossible. I would appreciate it if before you make accusations at me, you would do it fairly by reading all of my posts 1st and not later. I started at Post #7. Long before this person ever got involved posting, although they say they were hear long before me. I just couldn't find that evidence anywhere. I believe their 1st Post was at #34, and her buddy at #40. Sure...some people have disagreed with some things I've said. But if it was wrong, I have always apologized instantly. I don't plan on keeping any arguments up in here. That's why I haven't been here in a while. But when I saw what you said, it brought back a bad feeling.

I truly hope this person will take the time to go back and re-read my posts. If they do.... in their right mind, they will see how wrong they have been. (I hope so anyway) If this person would like to speak to me and clear things up, I would be happy to exchange emails so we can do so. I just doubt they will ever admit they were wrong. Good luck to you. I truly hope you can find the help you need soon. I know it takes a lot, but you must keep trying for your own sake. And don't be afraid to write to your local congressman for help too. Sometimes, it can help. After all...they are the ones who make the laws and cast the votes on them. I do it every chance I get..

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did u say you methadone are you a doctor i need one i have been out here in co and need help right away a er wont even help

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I am on the liquid now in Michigan and Yes a doctor will prescribe the 10mg white pills. I have had a prescription wrote for me when I was robbed and n the hosptal just to hold me oer the weekend so I could get into a clinic.

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I have an addiction to H and have on many occasions tried and obviously failed to stay clean including going to drug rehabilitations. also, I have very bad reactions to suboxone such as severe migraine, severe constipation ( for as long as 1 month not even laxatives would allow me to go) and my hands, feet, and face swell as well as a red rash. Because of those reactions that even after 5 straight months of taking the suboxone did not subside so, i'am looking for a doctor to prescribe me methadone instead. I live in Columbus, Ohio my zip code is 43207. can you possibly give me a list of possible doctors who may prescribe the methadone for opiate withdrawls?

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You can't take anti-anxiety meds while on methadone, either. I used to get methadone for pain in a pain clinic but dr lost his license, and no other dr's here in PHOENIX, AZ prescribe it for pain. So I ended up at a methadone clinic, where they made me get off my anti-anxiety meds that I was taking for years.
So now I don't go anywhere and do anything cuz my social anxiety is awful-and I have tried yrs of therapy, too.

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Jo, I can't believe some idiots rx you anti-depressants for peripheral neuropathy! But, what a pain that is to take methadone and be taken off of it and have to withdrawal on your own! I tried withdrawing myself and the pain is twice or 3 times that of what my normal everyday pain is (I have myofascial pain syndrome & various other back probs). Have you ever tried Lyrica? Or, gabapentin? Those are supposed work quite well for your issue.

And, you could get it from your regular doc instead of scouring the state looking for a pain mgmt. doc who will write methadone for you!
It's a suggestion-but you may want to look into it.

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In reply to Pam's message:
The only doctors who can write for methadone are pain management/anesthesiologist and addiction medicine specialists, and ALL doctors have a DEA number if they are writing prescriptions.
And yes, VALIUM is a benzodiazepine.
Just want to make sure people are getting false information and running with it. :)

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Joyce, my doctors have told me they can write it for pain but not addiction that has to be an addiction specialist and they have. So I will continue to go by what the doctors have told me and continue to get my needed scripts. There are very strict guidelines for writing methadone so it is not something easily prescribed. Medical proof must be provided.

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Yes Joyce I'm sorry but I have to agree with Pam. Before seeing my neurologist I was getting my methadone prescription from an internal medicine/PCP or primary care doc. With no problem. I have countless backups of course....very extensive tests, CT scans, hospitalizations when I was near death....very definitive proof as to why I was taking methadone. STRICTLY for pain. For the record I also receive klonopin for anxiety....i used to get both klonopin & xanax but I'm only on klonopin now, plus amitriptyline, Celexa, and lamactol for bio-polar.

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@ Joyce,
Yes Joyce, I have tried both Gabapentin and Lyrica to no avail. I know they're "supposed" to help my issue, but you can't believe every commercial you see on TV or believe these drugs will work for everyone. Gabapentin made my brain freak out and I saw spots before my eyes. I had tried it 3 X with increased dosages each time. I gave it the best chance I could. Lyrica was tried also. In 2 weeks I gained 10 pounds with no relief from pain and since I am Diabetic, I do not need any weight gain to deal with. If it hadn't affected me this way, I may have been able to try an increased dose for relief but I couldn't. I asked doctors if there was any drug for pain that would not cause weight gain, but the one they tried me on, I was also sensitive to. I think it was called Topimax ? Was also tried on Ultram, along with Lidoderm patches and the anti-depressants together. I hated taking so many drugs and not getting relief, so I had to stop. Add to that the many anti-depressants that were tried on me with no good results, and I was left with being put on the Methadone, which finally gave me some relief. It took about 10 years to get to that point, so I had been thru the mill with medications. I don't want to go thru that again. The pain is too severe now. I learned that when they forced me to not have anything for weeks. I thought I was ready to die !! And all because most doctors became so afraid to prescribe or just couldn't do it for me without the proper training. I assume they weren't aware of the qualifications to treat for pain and just shied away from it. I'm not sure why, really. Maybe they thought I was an addict ? ( that seemed to happen a lot. ) Tho a few were more honest and explained to me that they weren't qualified to treat me with the Methadone. I understood. Except for the person who tried to send me to a Methadone clinic as an addict. I guess most of them know there is a choice to do that, but who wants to ? That's not only expensive as Heck, but you have to go every week !! Not for me, thank you. I can't even stand going in every 30 days.

Joyce, I do appreciate your empathy and understanding, so thank you much. P.N. is not an easy thing to treat. Most doctors have a lot of trouble handling it for their patients. And most patients don't do very well unless their doctors include some narcotic if not with other drugs to try easing the pain. It is a wicked, wicked disease.

I know there's been a lot of advertising for Lyrica and also Cymbalta; which if you notice has fizzled out. But even patients I've known were on Lyrica still need a narcotic to enhance their pain relief. If I can tolerate the pain with only one drug, I'd rather do that than take several different ones. The less I take, the better I feel about it even tho I still feel pain every day.

Also Joyce, I have heard that many doctors will prescribe several drugs to their patients along with Methadone and that includes anti-anxiety drugs, anti-depressant drugs and also tranquilizer types.. Some of it is written for break-thru. Maybe they aren't supposed to, but I've heard that many do. I guess they decide according to each patient and how well they know them. I, myself, at one time or another have had scripts for other meds with the Methadone at the same time. Once I got a script for Oxy for break-thru. And once I had Ativan for sleeplessness. It was temporary however. But doctors do do it. Guess it depends on each individual and doctor. And also the general health otherwise of their patient.

I supposed it can be different anywhere you go and to whom you go. I'm just saying what my experience has been. Nothing more.
Once again, I want to thank you for your advice and empathy. And I'm glad you bothered to read my posts to know where I was coming from too. It's appreciated.

And yes...If I could end this going out to the doctor every 30 days for meds, it would be so pleasant. I hate being forced to travel in bad weather or when I don't feel well, just to get a script and my blood pressure taken. Then if I can't get there, I'm without meds and that's not good !! Especially lately here with all the snow storms and extreme cold we've been getting. It's been difficult to get there some months. And to be honest...I'd rather stay in bed most days when the temps are in the teens or below zero out. The cold brings me more pain, so I try to avoid it, if possible. But what choice do I have ? None. Unless they find a non-narcotic drug to treat pain with that works on me. And my pain can't wait another 10 years to go back to taking trials of meds to figure it all out again, either. So no more of that, please.

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