[JadEdEsCaPEs]

I have been on the methadone program approximately 4 mos. and am in phase one and am still not at my "therapeutic dose". I have gradually been going up and haven't had any "sudden" reactions. Now, for the past two months and more recently the past 2-weeks, my ankles and feet have been ballooned up. I had this happen last month as well, but I also am cornering the corner or sitting on the fence of Menopause and just attributed the swollen feet/ankles to that and also, the humidity where I live has been awful!!
But low and behold I have heard around the clinic walls that my swollen feet/ankles may also be a "side-effect" from the methadone?? Does it go away with dosing levels?? For me, I can only speak for myself, this methadone program SAVED MY LIFE! I am anxious that I may have to stop the methadone? Or can I be able to take a diruretic??
Thanks for reading...~~JadEdEsCaPeS~~

Any information is appreciated and helpful.dlulik@wi.rr.com

[zenith]

There has been some anecdotal evidence that methadone may contribute to fluid retention in some patients. I do not know if it is dose related. If you wish to remain on MMT you may want to ask about a diuretic. Also, it would be a good idea to get an EKG. Methadone has been associated with a condition called prolonged Q-T syndrome, or Torsades des Pointes, which, in a few patients, can cause fatal cardiac irregularities. Dehydration can also contribute to this syndrome which is why I would suggest asking about an EKG before starting diuretic therapy, which is often prescribed in conjunction with potassium supplements to avoid hypokalemia.

Many many meds are associated with prolonged Q-T, including the common antibiotic Erythromycin. Methadone has helped many thousands live a normal life again, but you have to weigh the pros and cons for each individual case.

Good luck.

[DGahan]

I had been on methadone for a year and I'm not sure if it gave me swollen/feet ankles.

However, I used to play basketball every day or other day and after getting on methadone (started on 40-50mgs), my basketball "game" got seriously affected, as I had lost a lot of my speed, quickness/agility, explosiveness and I lost a lot of inches on my vertical jumping.

My entire legs, especially the "lower" part (calves, ankles and feet) just didn't feel right. As I lowered my dosage (with 10mg a day being the lowest I was on), it helped a little but I did not see a vast improvement until I completely got off of it.

[tracey1278]

I have been on MMT for one month .I was fine the first two weeks until I reached 70mgs.,that's when I noticed swelling of my feet and ankles.I have continued to 90 mgs and haven't noticed an increase in swelling.Since,the swelling had me worried,I know that it is a symptom of congestive heart failure,I proceeded to my family doctor .He said that it was a side effect of the methadone and prescribed Lasix.The Lasix works if I take it 2times a day with lots of water and elevate my feet periodically.He said that if it bothered me terribly to stop the methadone.That worries me because the swelling is bothersome,but not as bothersome as the 1/2 gram of heroin a day and the withdrawals that follow.If anyone else has had this problem and knows a solution or something about this side effect I don't please post a reply.Thanks so much !

[LMK20]

Although I do not take Methadone (never have - just stating that for informational purposes only; hope it didn't sound snotty!) but I have had swollen ankles for a couple of years now and I'm all of 5'2" tall and less than 110 lbs. My doctor is incredibly dismissive about it although an acupuncturist seemed more alarmed but didn't want to proceed with too much treatment. Anyway, my point is that even though our drug experiences are not the same, this post has made me realize that I need to address this issue and really push it with, if not my current doctor, another doctor who will listen. Thank you for the data about torsades de pointes and/or QT prolongation, as Celexa I realized after a bit of research has been weekly associated with this swelling and is something I take. I have low blood sodium as well and of course labs always come back 'normal' but I'm sorry, this swelling is not. Once again, thanks for the posts about this topic (it’s the only one I’ve found about ankle swelling!) and I think it is awesome how something although not entirely applicable to each of our own situations, still brings people/issues together.
My best to all,
Laura