Hi Lilylizi,
I am not an expert but I can give you my recent experience involving
Methadone. I don't want to bore you too much with my history, but just so you understand my condition, I was diagnosed with DDD of lumbrosacral spine in Dec. 07 after several months of "hip joint" pain leading to numerous diagnostic procedures to pinpoint the cause. I had always been active throughout my life up until my mid-forties, when my back pain began to worsen. At first, I experienced aching & mild discomfort, especially during and after gardening & softball, my two favorites recreational activities. I was actually diagnosed with a minimally bulging disc by MRI around 10 years ago, and at the time the orthopaedic md said that the condition could "resolve itself". The MRI that I had in '07 did not show a bulging disc, but did show mild DDD of L4-L5-S1 & on flexion view some mild spondylolysthesis. A nuclear bone scan confirmed arthritic changes. Anyway, the hip pain led to extreme trigger point pain in legs & back, and severe & sharp pain in lumbar area along with sciatica. At that point I was taking
Lortab 5mg &
Flexeril up to 6x daily with no relief, so I contacted my primary md who referred me to a pain management md. She diagnosed piriformis syndrome in addition to DDD & increased Lortab to 10mg, replaced Flexeril with
Zanaflex. I continued monthly appointments until this md left the practice 6 months later, even though it was very difficult traveling 100 miles for each appointment. I then I began going to a local md who also handles pain management patients. By last October, I was back to the unending pain/max medication dosage cycle. My md suggested that I try Methadone to alternate with Lortab. I agreed & began therapy with 5mg. I never took more than 5mg at a time & during the next 3 months I had horrible hot flashes, felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest at times, low blood pressure, extreme drowsiness, & difficulty with my vision at times. I decided to discontinue Methadone therapy when a routine morning visit to the nursing home where my mother resides ended abruptly with chest pain. Needless to say I ended up in the local ER (the hospital was next door) with dangerously elevated blood pressure & angina that took 3 sprays of Nitro, an injection of a beta blocker & ACE inhibitor to resolve. After I was stabilized, my primary md made the decision to send me to a cardiologist via ambulance for a complete cardiac workup. I was admitted to a larger, more advanced hospital 100 miles away & had numerous diagnostic tests the next day. I knew that I was in danger of a stroke or possibly heart attack, but did not realize how close until I was later told that I was "on the verge of a massive heart attack". Fortunately, all tests were negative for any heart damage. I don't know for certain that the Methadone caused all these problems, but I will never take it again because of all the risks & documented cardiac deaths. Also, heart disease, CHF, and stroke run in my family--parents & grandparents. Just for the record though, it was a wonderful pain reliever! I just made the decision to try
Oxycodone even though I am really nervous about some of the documented side effects, but after an epidural last week which has not helped at all, & my current uninsured status as of May 1st, I do not have many other alternatives. I will let you know how the Oxycodone works if you are interested. Also, I would appreciate any advice you might have on pain management options.
P.S. I have never used the
Fentanyl but I have seen too many warnings about problems with it also. My dad was on the patch due to chronic pain in 2003-04 and had a heart attack, which ultimately lead to his death due to heart damage. Again, this cannot be proven as causing his life-ending cardiac problems due to his other health conditions: diabetic, high-blood pressure (controlled with medication), bedridden following stroke in 2002 and chronic back/hip pain.
Is Oxycodone a good alternative to Methadone?? 
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