Methadone Doctors In Alabama

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Is anyone living in Alabama getting pill cuts of methadone? My doctor told me it was because of Governor Bentley signing in new opiate restriction for all pain doctors. (Not Clinics). Is anyone else going through this pill cut? I have never failed a drug panel nor have any of my pill counts been off. I know I have done nothing wrong so I just wanted to see if anyone else is being cut also... (I was wondering if maybe my doctor may have got in trouble and this is why but I don't know)?

20 Replies

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1

Hello, Sami! How are you?

It is actually a directive that was issued by the DEA and applies all over the U.S. They have requested that everyone be put on no more than the equivalent of 120mgs of Morphine a day and some states have lowered it even further to no more than the equivalent of 100mgs of Morphine a day, with the only executions being for those suffering intractable pain from a possibly fatal illness, such as stage 4 cancer.

I understand this doesn't help you and what you're dealing with, I'm just letting you know how things currently stand and that your doctor isn't making it up.

The FDA classifies this medication as an opiate, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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2

Verwon Thank you so very much for your reply... I still can't understand why my doctor took me from 10 -10mg methadone pills a day to 2 -10mg methadone pills a day. I didn't understand why such a large cut in just 2 months time... Only 2 pills a day is not helping me... But if you say it's happening to everyone then I guess I will have to suffer....
But I do appreciate your reply....

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3

Hi ! I also was prescribed 10-10 mg methadone tablets daily. My doctor said that he could no longer write methadone . He wrote me my last script of methadone on the 5th so when i go back he will be writing me opana. But shouldn't he wean me off the methadone ? Bc even though i will be taking the opana my body will still want/need the methadone. Seeing how i have been taking it for over 8 years . So will I go through withdrawals when i change pain meds ? Bc i feel i will and i think he should wean me off of the methadone then change my pain meds . what are your thoughts on this bc i am very concerned .

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4

Hi Livinglifelopez, Your doctor should wean you before changing your meds but they don't... I have been cut also from 10-10mg methadone to 2-10mg methadone and I have been going through some terrible terrible terrible withdraws. I have been having some very severe pains a lot worse than before I started pain meds but everyone keeps telling me it's opiate withdrawal and it's normal... I have found a new doctor in central Alabama who will see me the first of September who said he will give me 7-10mg methadone to treat my pain... Don't give up hope, just call around and see another doctor who will treat you. I have been on so many different types of pain meds and only the methadone works best for me... But everyones different and what works on one doesn't work for all. Good luck and GOD BLESS

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5

Question

So let me understand, these medical butt clowns down south are actually expecting patients to reduce from 100 mg of methadone daily to nothing or in some cases opanas ?? Is this actually true?? If so each and everyone participating needs pain inflicted upon them so they have a clue what horrific pain of withdrawals cause. im mortified because I have endured this agony once for 48 hours and it nearly killed me as a much younger man how can this be allowed in 2016 America to anyone. I'm sorry it just hit me all at once no one should ever suffer like this NO ONE FOR ANY REASON!!!!

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6

I am sorry to say it but YES our pain doctors will cut you off without a warning... not all. But mine did it.. I was on. 10-10mg methadone a day and was cut to 2-10mg methadone a day... I did go through withdraws so bad I felt like my body was about to die from all the pain and suffering from not having enough medication in me... I wish I didn't have any medical issues to have the medication but that's a lost wish for me... I also wish the doctors had to endure 50% of my daily pain I can promise you they would know just how bad I really hurt.. but that's a lost wish to.. I guess I just have to hope I will get by... Sorry but I don't understand how people can be just cut off without a second thought.....

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7

Verwon,
Thanks for all you do....just a quick FYI...It isn't actually the DEA that issued it...The CDC issued their infamous Opioid Guidelines for Primary Care that state the goal should be to keep patients under 90 morphine equivalents, preferably 50 if possible. If there is an upward departure from these levels the physician should "carefully justify" their rationale. In order to get confirmed in his position at the FDA Califf got an enormous amount of scrutiny on the opioid issue. In past years, he and the FDA had been relatively silent on the opioid hysteria issue. The FDA refused to implement PROP / Andrew Kololdy's first attempt at radically reducing opioid usage - the citizen petition by PROP to the FDA to request relabeling of opioids. The FDA DID make a slight change in labeling for long acting opioids that was actually applauded the chronic pain community. Rather than an indication of "moderate to severe pain", it now states "pain severe enough to warrant daily, around the clock, long term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatments are inadequate"

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8

There is no primary care physician in Alabama that will write a opiate pain medication or I have never heard of one.. I see a pain physician who specializes in both pain and wound practice... My doctor is not a methadone clinic. But my doctor told me that none of the methadone clinics were effected by the new regulations... I have never attended a methadone clinic so I don't know how they treat... I just know methadone is a great pain medication for daily pain...

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9

Need help with any info on doctors that write methadone. I have been taking methadone for 9 years for degenerative disc disease, 2 building and 1 torn disc and of course the sciatica. Anyway, someone called my doctor and reported that I was selling my prescription. Methadone has been heaven sent to me, bc it is what helps me get out of the bed on a daily basis and have a functioning life. Currently take 50mg daily. When I went to my appt I took my meds with me and was trying to tell my doctor that I had over the amount of what I was supposed to have and also have never failed a drug panel. Never been non-compliant. Well all of that didn't matter. And I can understand my docs situation, I really can. But now the only docs that I can find want to keep pushing the epidurals or inj's. and I can't do the epidurals bc I get the spinal headaches. Now I am gonna be punished for something someone did to seek revenge. It was an ex of mine and he knew what to do to make me hurt. Please if anyone knows of a doctor in these areas please let me know.... Talladega, Oxford, Anniston, Jacksonville Alabama. Thank you!

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10

Hey I just seen your message about the clinic u we're going to. If you don't mind me asking. What pain clinic we're you going to that released you. I live around the same area and I had the same thing happen to me . I was on methadone as well. Your reply would be greatly appreciated and very helpful. The place I was going to also still prescribe it. If you reply to this message board. We can help one another thank you.

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11

TO CONSTANCE..
Sorry to hear that but you also made a mistake by having too many over on your pill counts when you're doctor did your pill counts... If you have to many then that shows your doctor that your not taking them as prescribed... You should never take any extra pills to a pill count. a doctor will cut you off for that too... That's where they catch you when they do pill counts.. The doctor will think they are over prescribing if you are ever over on a pill count... You should always have the correct amount when you go... Hope this helps you in the future.... Good Luck to you

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12

HI, Im so glad you found a doctor that will give you what works for you. I am looking for another doctor in my area. I have been on methadone and oxycodone for 9 years, my doctor retired and the doctor he sent me to hates methadone. I have been with this new doctor for several months now and I am looking everyday for a new doctor. He is so mean, and incentive. Can you please help me.

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13

If you don't mind me asking, where did you find a doc to prescribe methadone?! I have been looking for mths now! I had to join the clinic just for pain relief and it unbelievably expensive!! I have chronic pain and MRI's to prove it. I just can't find a doc that don't want a huge cash payment upfront or that will prescribe methadone, which is the only pian meds that have ever helped my pain! I would really appreciate your response and insight. Thanks

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14

I have been on methadone for 16 years, I live in the Cullman Alabama area, went to the pain Dr.Mark Murphy,Boy did he have us believe that he was retiring, found out he's in Lewisburg,Tenn. I had cancer 3 times. Anyone wanting to go to Tenn Valley don't waste your time and money. They don't write methadone. Why the hell did I go? For nothing.

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15

If you have insurance or can pay cash there is a doctor in Birmingham AL that still writes methadone for cronic pain. But you have to have referral.

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16

Looking for a doctor in Alabama that will perscribe Methadone to get off and stay off of drugs.

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17

I’ve been on Methadone before. It’s the only thing that helps my pain. I’m so tired of being in pain and can’t do anything, not even housework or cooking. Does Dr. Cosgrove in Jasper, AL prescribe Methadone?

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18

I know that this is an old thread, but I'm still going to leave a response. In 2003 I was put on fentanyl patches with oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I was getting really no relief with the patches, only felt sleepy. Oxycodone however set my brain & body alike into a euphoria that I quickly saw was going to run my life!! I'm in pain, yet Fentanyl only really made me sleepy, the oxycodone did help with the pain, yet the euphoria was outweighing what I needed it for!! Scared to death, I spoke real talk with my Dr. & we together thought methadone was a good choice. It saved me!! Not only from the chronic pain I was in, but light me up!! Fast forward to 2017, I was on 90mg of methods a day, also had to start nerve ablation by this time in my neck & lower back. Well in walks all new guidelines and the "wonder" drug suboxone. For many it is a wonder drug, for me, well, they did a rapid "detox" & while I was still holding on methadone, they decided to put a suboxone patch on me. A few hours later I was writhing in precipitated withdrawals!! I ripped the patch off & thankfully still had some methadone. It took 16 10mg methadone pills, 160mg to bring me back to a "normal". I called Alabama pain mngmt. A few weeks later to have my records transferred, they had a suboxone clinic set up!! I was able to find another Dr. That saw me for a short time before he "disappeared"!!! The staff wasn't even sure what happened. He only went to Cullman a few times a month and he just vanished!!

I had to make the decision whether to withdrawl, or go to the clinic. After trying inpatient "detox" I came out & went to the clinic. They do take insurance now, but per protocol it took me 3 YEARS to get 2 weeks worth of my methadone!! I've been told that a private Dr. Can no longer write methadone for pain. It has to come from the clinic and for the use of opiate addiction. I was/am certainly psychically dependent upon methadone and they will take pain patients, you just can't go in and tell them out right it's ONLY for pain. It still has a stigma, but the majority of Dr's understand why long term methadone patients chose the clinic!! Dr.s can't actually see that you're being prescribed methadone due to it being under chemical dependency treatment, but I always tell any new Dr. I might see. I'm just not ashamed & I also don't want to be in the er or something & them give me something with an antagonist in it such as tramadol or stadol!!! But luckily I've only had to go to the hospital 3 times since 2003 and only needed pain meds once!! So I'm 20yrs on methadone and my only concern is what if I get cancer or something.... but I'll cross that bridge if I ever get to it!! Be blessed!!

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19

Re: Just trying to help (# 15) Expand Referenced Message

Who is that doctor please?

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20

Re: out of my mind (# 14) Expand Referenced Message

He was a piece of work. Did you ever find you another doctor?

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