[Minuie]

Hi, I have been taking methadone for about 3 yrs now and it has worked well for me. It has provided fairly good pain relief and no side effects. However, during the past yr., I was diagnosed with a very serious heart condition. I take 3 new meds for the heart condition and am having a sharp increase in my chronic pain as side effects from the new meds. I have degenerative disk disease, & Fibromyalgia but the worst pain has been and is in my lower back and legs. I would like to discuss this with my pain dr. but don't know what type of medication he can give me for the pain as well as without side effects and interactions to the heart meds, not to mention the possibility of causing further heart damage. He's the type you have to make suggestions to....any advice?

[Dave87666]

You have to make suggestions to your Dr. as to what to prescribe you? I'd say find a new Dr. who knows something about meds....

[mpvt]

You need to be careful taking methadone with a heart condition.I would imagine that you have regular EKG's.Regular high dosing of methadone can cause problems with the QT Intervals????Anyway what you want to look at is the duragesic patch(fentanyl).If you do decide to switch pain meds (I would stay on the methadone if you can) remember that you will not get the full benifit from the new pain killer for about a week as your receptors get used to the change over.Good luck to and hang in there.....Dave