Which is best for chronic pain? Morphine or Methadone?

8 Apr 2012

Morphine in pill form is tricky as it doesn't work the same from person to person. It's not at all like the inject-able and if you don't have insurance the extended release can be expensive, and it tends to make you sleepy. Methadone is dirt cheap but very hard to get off after taking it for a long time, like months. Both are better as there's no Tylenol in either and neither acts like the two you were taking before. Best bet is to try the Morphine first, give it a good 3 weeks before you know how it'll work for you.

9 Apr 2012

I think Methadone should never be your first long acting drug. I would recommend that you try long acting morphine (MSContin or a generic), OxyContin, Fentanyl or Opana, if you have insurance coverage. Methadone is actually the tricky drug-it can be very difficult to dose correctly. It can cause respiratory depression LONG after the pain relief component wears off so if you do go to Methadone, it is IMPERATIVE that you stick to the Dr ordered dosing schedule because unauthorized dose escalations can kill you!! Your Dr also needs to be very familiar with prescribing methadone. It can be a very dangerous drug because it can build up in the system over long term. Yes, it is dirt cheap but that is not always the safest route to go.

10 Apr 2012

Dear swoops,
I don't judge anyone for using Methadone. I don't judge people period. I have been on all of them, including Methadone, and I would tell you, per my opinion, to try the Morphine first if you only have a choice between the two. Methadone was very hard to come off of for me. I agree with Dzoo. If you have insurance the Fentanyl or Opana would be good to try. I am on Fentanyl and am quite pleased with it. Different strokes for different folks though. I wish you the very best in whatever you decide. Take care and best wishes to you. Ruth

11 Apr 2012

Hi Swoops, I agree with a few others that I would try Morphine first out of the two. Although for me Morphine didn't do much in giving me enough relief for the pain I was in a few years ago, so I was given Methadone to try which was much better for me in controlling the pain. But you have to remember we are all different and in my case one was good and made a difference and the other done not much at all. But if I was to be honest with you, I had such a very hard time getting of the Methadone, and if I new what I know now about this drug I so would not of tried it. But we all have to make our own decisions as to what we want or be willing to try, you still have to make the final pick out of the two drugs if any you want to try. Good luck and I really hope you get the relief you need. Liz.

11 Apr 2012

I was put on methadone way back in 2000 for my chrontic pain & started at 5mg, & within no time was up to 150mg. I was falling alsepp at red lights while driving & it didn't help my pain, but I didn't care becuse I was so out of it. I was put on it because they thought at that time I was having a liver problem from the shorter acting vicodin. After getting my common bile duct fixed that was spasming, I was switch back to now oxycodone, & have never been happier. At least I can take it as needed whereas with methadone you will have to take it several times a day to build up a level in your blood, & take it that way everyday. I absolutely hated methadone, & feel like I lost 10 years of my life. Just my thoughts... Mary

17 Apr 2012