Switching from daladid to methadone for pain management...

[sithie]

I am currently at 1/2 5mg methadone 3 times a day. Monday slept 20 hours, tues/weds 16 hours and would have slept more if hubby had not forced me to wake and call Dr. Walked in living room and just started to bawl, unstobbably. Am currently taking 40 mg Lexapro for depression. Dr said this is probably Daladid withdrawels, continue with methadone, and stop sleeping til I see him monday, and quit all daladid. My problem is, in the 3 years I have been on Daladid, there have quite a few days I have taken none at all, so I wonder if that is all that this is? I am severely dpressed and very easily angered, which is totally unlike me. Has anyone here ever heard of emotional problems from methadone? I will continue with the dosage increases if Dr says to, am just wondering what I may be in for, I have found it is easier if I know what may hit me.

Thanks from a very confused Sithie

PS I have CRPS I & II and severe peripheral nerve damage to left lower leg.

[mpvt]

Lexapro can raise your methadone serum levels. You certain emzynes that break down everything that you put in your body. Sometimes when you are taking a drug like lexapro it can change the way the methadone is broken down (for lack of a better term). Also methadone has an extremely long half life so it stays with you a long time were as diaudid has a very short half life and by 6 hours it's completely worthless as a pain killer in your body. So this could very well be you taking a bit to much. I would try it 2.5mgs twice a day rather then three times a day. Methadone is probably the strongest opiate you can take by mouth and it will take you a week or two to fully adjust to it. Give it a chance as it is an excellent pain killer and very safe when not abused........Dave

[ashley1515]

Methadone usually lasts 24 hours, much longer than most painkillers. I have seen women experience emotional problems while taking methadone. Methadone is highly addictive, so be careful taking. I have a family member that takes 120mg a day from a methadone clinic. His body is used to the high dose, but he does fall asleep at random times. Do not drive a car until you are stable. Some people also experience severe weight gain.