Methadone No No No!!!!! (Page 4)

Methadone is the worst drug and most wicked drug in this entire world. They give it to people like me with pill problems and then you can never get off the stuff. I made the worst mistake of my life going into a Methadone program. The people at these places pretend like they are there for you but they are not. They are there to keep you on this drug that rots away at your mind and body, and they do it well. They want your money. Do you know how cheap liquid methadone is? They milk off your addiction and act like they are doing something good for people like me. I HATE Methadone. I hate what it's doing to me and I HATE that I came in this place for a pill addiction four years ago, at 22, told I had one year and I would be weened off and here I am. I fight with these people all the time about this but they come up with a million excuses for why I should STILL be on this crap. It is going to kill me, just like the other pills, maybe just slower and more agonizing.

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They lie to people. They completely omit the FACT that you will gain weight with no hope of loosing it, no matter how disciplined you are. They omit the fact that you can loose your teeth, and loose your hair from this. Healing from wounds is slowed, and I am not in any way sure that I was better off before Methadone. What I am sure of is that they do not meet standard of medical care. You should always inform your patient of the risks. What is more, they force you to take the drug at regular intervals at a regular dose, which means your body becomes hopelessly addicted. Yes, they will ween you off if their money is cut off, but you will probably be begging to go back on the program because it will be terribly painful. And they know it. In what world is being obese, bald, and toothless better then being addicted to a pill? I was better off for the first few months. Then I realized that I had gained twenty pounds, then I gained five more. My husband didn't say anything, but I could tell he felt completely differently about me. I started lowering the dose little by little, and they always make me jump through hoops. They act like they are giving you medication instead of a poison. I am not saying NA is for me, because it is not, but I don't think Methadone clinics are ethical. They should let you know the dangers. I doubt that being obese is any healthier then using opiates. I am now down from 86 mil to 45 mil, and I feel good, but it is going too slow, and I know if I went on a taper I would be in screaming agony.

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That is not true. They do not start people at 40 ml, and they certainly do not allow people to start with a clean U/A. And why did you vomit, exactly? That makes no sense.

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Most people can barely afford one child, at least without government help. What would you do with nine kids? Probably should be grateful to God, that you do not have an army of children.

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Can a person take methadone while withdrawaling from morphine sulfate? I am currently taking 105 mg of morphine sulfate daily and my Dr wants me off morphine sulfate.

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In fact, methadone is used primarily as an opioid MAINTENANCE drug, and not for 'weaning off' whatever opiate/oid you presented with a problem of dependence. It is not recommended as a drug to ne used in withdrawals, except by agencies who completely misunderstand the stuff, and its extremely high lipid solubility and long half life. If you simoly can not live without opioids then methadone ensures that you do not suffer withdrawals or need to resort to street drugs which could be adulterated with God only knows what. There is also a trend amongst doctors in the USA to prescribe methadone for chronic pain, which only causes dependence on it, and addiction to methadone is a lot worse than morphine or other opiates, and a lot more difficult to come off; if used for reduction therapy with the ultimate aim of becoming opioid-free, it is likely to take two or three years - using buprenorphine high dosage sublingual tablets is a much faster and easier method. There is a version available which contains naloxone as well as buprenorphine for patients who are likely to use on top of their prescription, so that taking any opiate or opioid will not give the sort of effect that a dependent is looking for, but that is liable to be needed only in such a type of patient, usually those who have made several attempts, unsuccessfully, to withdraw from their opiate/oid of choice. A reduction using buprenorphine can be achieved, dependent on the severity of the addiction, in as little as three months, but often six months may be required, which is still a vast improvement on the several years the average withdrawal from methadone would take. It is not cumulative, and has a shorter half life, and is a partial antagonist as well, making taking on top often quite an unpleasant experience.

Of course the most important factor in any attempt to throw off an addiction to opioids is the motivation, which must come from the patient, and certainly NOT from pressure from a partner or family. I completely agree that methadone is a dreadful drug, which should be used only in a maintenance program, to prevent or lessen the chances of using filthy street drugs. Most projects use it as first line treatment, which in my view is a mistake, but nowadays they are becoming a bit more clied up on it and prescribing buprenorphine as the primary method for a withdrawal schedule. Once you have achieved zero opiates, you will go through a period where symptoms will still be manifest, during which a standard nine day course of lofexidine should be used - it negates any after effects such as prolonged restless leg syndrome and physical effects such as raised blood pressure, which is commonly encountered, followed by a short (3-4 week) course of reducing anxiolytics, as severe anxiety follows withdrawal in the majority of opiate addicts who have just completed their course. It's about time that methadone was reserved for those only who would benefit from it, mainly those who have no intention of letting go of opioids all together and require soke sort of safe alternative to the drugs they buy on the streets. Otherwise, it is, in my opinion, a dreadful choice, certainly for a withdrawal schedule.

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First of all, I am in the medical profession, and have been on MMT for a number of years. You do realize that obesity and weight gain are a direct result of the foods and/or drinks you consume on your own volition. Craving sugar IS a common side effect, but the choice to consume it is yours and yours alone. And sugar can cause weight gain if the calories are not burned off. As far as tooth loss/decay? Methadone is one of MANY MANY medications that can cause dry mouth, which in turn causes bacteria overgrowth in the oral cavity, which in turn causes tooth decay. There are many solutions to this particular problem including mouth moistening mouth wash, mouth moistening drops and even tablets you can use at night that stick to the roof of your mouth. As far as hair loss? That's a new one. I've never heard of that before nor have I seen a multitude of bald methadone patients walking around the clinic. I would get a physical to look elsewhere in the body for the cause of your hair loss. I am certain that methadone doesn't cause hair loss. I can tell you that the friends I have who went on methadone are still alive and most of the ones who continued down the path of opiate addiction are no longer on this earth. I don't think I would be here if I hadn't made the right choice (for me) to get help and go on methadone.

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I have been in Thailand for 6 years and collect methadone every week, but I am 61 and I wouldn't know how to get it if I didn't go to the hospital. I have been thinking about moving to the Philippines, but am always worried in case I just get refused. I have been on methadone for almost 40 years, and get a paltry 30 mls of diluted mixture/linctus. In Thailand they dilute by 10% to try and wean people off, but mine has never changed. Very few months I go to a private hospital and pay $150 for 280 mls, which is crazy but I just cant get by on the 30ml. I don't drink, and don't know anyone in Thailand who even uses cannabis, so it is impossible to find, and If I took yaba I would surely die, as I have heart and liver problems. I just want to know how long it would take me to actually get a prescription. When I came to Thailand, my doctor in the UK gave me 6 months supply of methadone tablets, so waiting to be processed was not a problem, but now I only have this awful sickly linctus, to carry with me.

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Hate to say any of the following but you need do whatever it takes get off the methadone. I know everyone is different so the medical team tells us..I agree with everything you wrote and you want to get off this poison but we all know it is easier to say than do..the story I am sharing is that of a 33 year old female family member. She was an only child, never married, had so much life left. She suffered from chronic pain along with severe depression. Her story started with back and neck pain. Went to several doctors all told her surgery was not an option and to treat with medications. She followed doctor orders ..wasn't long before she was in pain management the doctor had her on Fentanyl patches and 6 per day of the #30mg oxycodone. She was on pills from doctor for several years..the pills became her partner in life..she depended on the pills to get thru a day of pain. She ended up being approved for disability from Social Security during this time. Then along came Obama Care ..and the state medical insurance that had paid for her doctor and pain meds came to a stop. No warning..just one month told her next month they would no longer see her due to insurance changes. She was being discharged. Ok..just find another doctor, right? Nope..the state changed policy and would now only pay for narcotic medication if patients are currently in treatment under an Oncologists care..Wow..this hit her hard..emotionally and physically..so she was sent to Methadone Clinic. From the first day her mother had so many doubts and begged her consider detox and maybe rehab..Rehab? She wasn't mentally addicted..her body could not function without the meds..she could not bear the thought of returning to life of pain again. So she started the methadone journey. And did I mention her mother was willing to pay cash to keep her on pain medication but the doctor and the pharmacy told them they would not take cash payments for controlled substances..so back to methadone hell..they told her she would be off meds in one year..and would be easy and then she could be reevaluated for possibly surgery or PT for pain control.

The methadone was hell for her..She would get up to use bathroom middle of night and fall asleep standing in hallway, her constipation was so severe her stools could not fit in the toilet pipe..had to bury in back field..she was passing stools size of small basket ball..she would scream like giving birth and this was with stool softeners. What the methadone was doing to her body was cruel..she gained so much weight she looked disfigured. She started taking less of the methadone..only taking what she really had to so she could get the day. The clinic evaluated her and she didn't have the level she was suppose to have..she tried explaining so many times all the horrible things but clinic staff could care less..so then she was required to go in for them to stand and watch her take her required dose..Even then she begged for the dose to be lowered..all her pleas were ignored after all they are the professionals..She tried so many times get less dose but they threatened her with discharge..she was so scared to end up with nothing and be in pain and sick from WDs..She went in on Friday for her dose..the Saturday..and Sunday morning she didnt want to go..she was so tired..she had slept all day Saturday..She could barely wake her self to take care of clinic for sunday..but the thought being discharged scared her. Later we would all come to understand how long methadone stays in your body..She could of skipped Sunday which she should of done but her fear being without any help at all was just too scary.. She came home from sundays poisoning dosage..went to bed and never woke up..Died at age of 33. Toxicology report came back ruling her death drug overdose from methadone. Not at her own hands..at the clinic staff..the professionals..They were forcing 150 mg per day on her..it was building up..Friday and Saturday's doses were still strong and loud in her body. It is a state funded agency protected from litigation. Not much the family can do from a legal stand point after all paperwork was signed giving the staff the right to give her the toxic liquid. What is so hard to understand is when the patient is saying it's too much they should of listened.. the state claims the new laws were to protect and save money but how many other lives did they take in the process? If you're taking methadone please take charge of your choices..your body and your mind..these clinics are all about the money..they don't care about people..it is legal drug dealing..Drug dealers can be charged when someone ODs..even doctors now yet State funded methadone clinic is protected.. Wish they all could be shut down and find other options..These places are not our answers.

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First off, I am in the medical profession and a MMT patient. Sorry about the passing of your loved one but I am almost 100% certain there are things being left out of this story. Blood evaluations are a MANDATORY part of MMT and you stated she HAD blood work done before. So the clinic isn't being negligent in that respect. These doctors know what they're doing. They are not there to overdose people, keep them there longer than necessary or intoxicate patients. These clinics are HIGHLY regulated by the state and federal governments and they will not hesitate to pull a license if a random audit shows malpractice. Most clinics are for profit so it's in their best interest to do everything they can to NOT get shut down. You say they were watching her take her dose so if that dose was too high, BLOOD WORK WOULD SHOW THAT and BLOOD DOES NOT LIE. It's impossible. Even if the blood work was taken before she was up to 150 (which really isn't a lot for most opiate addicted patients, I'm a split dose at 189/twice daily for the past 5 years) the doctors know exactly how much is a safe increase. Sorry, but I have a very strong feeling your loved one had either something else in her system in combination with the methadone or she was taking illicit methadone along with her dose over that weekend. Sorry for not buying this story but I have A LOT of experience with these kinds of issues and everyone wants to blame someone else. It's actually part of the grieving process in drug overdoses. It's just unfair to lie like that on a forum that should be used to help others suffering with addiction make informed decisions. Lies like that just freak people out and make them paranoid.

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F***, I had a really bad experience with the stuff too, I f***ing hate it. It ruined my life, not to mention the dentist bill. I was young like you. I'm thirty now, I only have one more week left on it. Every one gets so defensive about it too when you say it didn't help you. I hate the stuff. Apparently it's really hard to get off in America, they let you decide where I am. It's your body and they can't tell you what to do with it.

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Unfortunately, I have been on methadone since 1977, and I live in Thailand but have to pay a lot to doctors. Nobody uses or knows what it is here. The problem is besides the crazy prices, it is laced with glycyron and alcohol,which is not good for my dodgy liver.

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Methadone is an incredibly effective anti-depressant which gives the user energy and euphoria.

When people don't respond well to methadone it's usually because they have a low IQ.

It's not your fault but don't rag on it because you aren't very bright.

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Nobody needs 190 twice a day, in fact that sounds like a misunderstanding, amount per ml, or just wrote it wrong. Who in the world is going to prescribe 400mg methadone a day? It sounds silly. Nobody on this planet needs 400mg a day. When I was young we used to get stuff from a pharmacy or hospital, and the May and Baker Diamorphine was 42%, and people used to OD all the time, same when we had some methadone powder from the war and people OD'd on 60mg. Obviously, inj. will increase the effect, but 400mg a day, is someones mistake. What would be the point in drinking 400ml? It would just be wasted and the user would sleep and have a constant headache. If you changed to 100mg twice a day you would hardly feel a change. 190mg twice a day will have little benefit, other than making you fat, and a huge user, which is nothing to feel proud of.

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I know what you mean...my husband has been on methadone for well over 25 yrs. And looks like he will be on until he dies...he has asked to be weaned, but that was months ago and they have not even tried to wean him. He has come down 20 mgs by himself but is still taking 160mgs a day.

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I hate methadone as much as the original poster. Thus when I started treatment never went higher than 30mgs and at this dose still felt groggy and a little loopy all day. Drs. Depending how the clinic is setup don't give 2 s***s about you or have a good clinic with psychologist and social worker available along with Dr. and support groups. The ladder is sadly usually only found in bigger cities where funding is available. In the town I'm in now costs money to just see Drs. in clinic unlike in bigger cities along with drug costs. When you are in recovery and working it makes it harder because of all the costs to get clean. If you are on assistance it's free. It almost doesn't pay to work of you want to recover or have someone financially supporting you. Also town I'm in now, don't think clinic likes I'm almost at the end of my treatment. Everyone I ever see in clinic or picking up their script you can just tell they are still using or on high dose. It's quite sad that nothing will change for these people because public support isn't there even though your own family may be going to these clinics and are addicted. Everyone just has to pull together and help each other out.

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Johny61 - are you SURE they are giving you methadone LINCTUS? That is NEVER used for opioid maintenance, only for use as an antitussive. It is 1mg per 5mL, as opposed to methadone MIXTURE, which is 1mg per 1mL, and is the standard strength used for opioid issues. The linctus is very rarely prescribed. I think you have your formulations mixed up. You must have brought one bucketload of tablets with you, since for the past 30 years, the ONLY strength of tabletted methadone available in the UK is a paltry 5mg, and in other EU countries (save one in which 20mg are sold) 10mg, and the US 40mg. I would check everything you have, and have been prescribed if I were in your position. Something does not sound right about your regimen.

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I'm 47. I have been on methadone for 12 years. I no longer abuse any drugs and have been off everything my entire time at the clinic. I agree with you a million percent. I want off this s*** so bad. I have only seen two people in 12 years be able to do so. Both of them went thru horrible long withdrawals. Like 60 days worth. I now have cancer. My pain can't be controlled because of methadone. I have no support from the clinic in detoxing. I feel so trapped. It would of been much easier if I just got off opiates and never took methadone...

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Re: Pat (# 6)

For all the Methadone users, whom let the government become legal pill pushers, you will think twice in about 2 to 5 years. The stuff is horrible on your body and is absorbed into the bone marrow, so withdrawal is hell. It takes forever to come out of your system. It rots your teeth, makes you fat, causes lethal cardiac arrhythmia and will ruin your life just like any other drug. I know this because I could be the poster child for the evil s***. It was invented by a doctor/chemist that worked for Adolf Hitler. Yeah it will get you off the other s*** but once you start your romance with methadone you are screwed. So my advice is to get off of it quick, no more than 6 months and good luck when you detox. Oh yeah, please do not let anyone tell you it is ok to take it through pregnancy. It is so sad to watch an infant detox off Methadone. Thank god I did not have my addictions when I was pregnant. And about the cardiac arrhythmia she, you won’t know you have them until your private doctor does an ECG because the Methadone clinic don’t care enough about you to check. They just want your money ever week.

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You're exactly right. I’ve been on methadone for over 11 years and I don’t know where to begin to try and get off it. They do treat you like s*** and take your money once they’ve got you in the program and hooked on it. Most of the places, especially the one where I go my counselor is worse than any probation officer I’ve ever had. They’re almost as if they’re a legal drug dealer. I pay $370 a month to go there and my medicine they give me per month cost them roughly $40. A 40mg Methadone wafer costs about .20 cents at a pharmacy out of pocket with no insurance.

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I honestly think it depends on the person. I went to a methadone clinic, because I was a single mom and could not do in-patient rehab. I got up to 50 mg of methadone, and chose not to go higher. I staid at 50 for a few months then slowly started reducing my dose each week (I had weekly take homes, so went down 2-3 mg each week). Until I was completely off. It took a little over a year. It was the best I ever made for myself. I made sure to choose a clinic that offered counseling as well. That helped immensely! Because getting off opiates does cause a lot of depression. It’s been over 5 years now since I got off methadone and have had no problems since. However, I feel like you have to REALLY want to do it. and you can’t do it for any other reason than you wanting to, otherwise it’s too easy to fall back into old habits. There were people at the clinic who’d been going there for years and years, but they never seemed that interested in getting off methadon. Some expressed concern that if they stopped with methadone they’d go right back to using opiates again. This is why I feel it’s different for everyone. I know some who get low enough on methadone and then switch to suboxone and that worked for them. I don’t think methadone is evil, though you do have to remember it is also habit forming. My life is 100% better and I’m so thankful that program worked for me. I pray that everyone can find a program that works for them, whether that be methadone, suboxone, or whatever. Just find what works for you and stick to it. I wish all of you the best.

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