mckee
Newbie
Reged: 03/30/04
Posts: 31
Loc: U.K north
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Hi all,i keep reading on the boards that US doctors are prescribing methadone for pain releive(i know its spelled wrong,sorry im British  )here in the UK the only way you can get methadone is if you have heroin addiction,and even then its bloody hard to get methadone from your local doctor,perahps 1 in 10 will prescribe.Anyway,seeing as quite a few of you Americans get methadone for pain relief(il get it right yet )i was wondering if any/many of you suffer from the same problem as me,which is chronic sweating.....i just cant seem to stop,exercise is out of the question as i would be litterally dripping.!!!When i go to sleep at night its not uncommon to wake up drenched,and no,im not under medicated,which would be making me sweat.Please reply if anyone else is suffering from the same symptoms(got that right)email me if you dont want to post on the board at Thanks in advance....and if anyone knows a source(email source)where you can buy methadone tabs(or liquid)please,please email.Thanks a lot
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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I have been on methadone for nearly a decade now and have always had sweating with this drug. For me, the problem is dose-dependent. The higher doses cause a bigger problem than relatively small doses. Another problem I have had with methadone is the "body jerks" as I am just about asleep. These are also worse at higher doses.
Methadone is a drug to be VERY cautious of! First of all, it has a very long half life (about 48 hours as compared to most opioids which have a 1.5-4 hour half life) and that can cause two problems---potential overdose and dangerous and prolonged withdrawal to dependent persons.
Research this drug well before you attempt to self-medicate with it. No matter how much of another opioid you are using currently, start small...no more than 10mgs-20mgs/day for CHRONIC opioid use. You will find it is quite sedating at higher doses.
BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS USING ANY BENZODIAZEPINE CONCURRENTLY. Methadone programs in my area refuse any patient using benzodiazepines from admission to the program unless the need is for something like epilepsy.
I find it to be a great pain reducing medication, personally. Very little development of tolerance in the many years I have been taking it.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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parg
Journeyman
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 60
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I agree 100% with the sweating, I move more then 10 steps and I start sweating, it is unreal at times and very annoying too!!! It is a awesome pain reliever, I've been tapering now for 2 months and I've noticed with every decrease I end up with more back pain. Please explain what the major harm is woth methadone and Benzo's????
Parg
Edited by parg (08/25/04 08:13 AM)
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unified
Stranger
Reged: 08/17/04
Posts: 9
Loc: usa
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My pain specialist I had in North Carolina prescribed methadone for pain, 3 10mg tablets daily. Along with 3 10/500 loratabs daily. I had vertually no pain. Was involved in auto accident that nearly killed me. Had to learn to walk again, and as I mentioned before, I had 7 surgeries in 1year. I worked for a prominent police department (911/pd dispatcher) at the time of the accident. I had no problem with pain specialist giving me the medication. I even went back to work but for almost 2years, due to all the surgeries, and my increasing pain, I eventually had to accept the fact that I couldnt hold down my job. I moved back home to Va so that I could possibly get some help from family members. I could not find any physican that would give me methadone. If I even mentioned the word, the physicans went crazy, and automatically labled me a drug addict. Sorry for rambling, I had to cold turkey getting off the methadone, and honestly thought I would die from the side effects. I was terrified that I would die in my sleep or seizure, I too had severe night sweats, and leg cramping. the W/d's was like nothing I have ever encountered in my life. I only take hydro's 10/500 now 3x daily, (thats all any physican will give me here). Please research methadone before you take it, the W/D'S ARE UNBELIEVEABLE. I still crave that medication, and always will.
OOPS..RAMBLED AGAIN. REF RXBETTERDEALS.COM I placed an order for hydro 10/325's on Sat. received tracking number on Monday and meds on Tuesday. Was very pleased with Meds. (very effective). You guys and gals are so cool and informative glad I found this site.
Quote:
FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT
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loki569
Newbie
Reged: 12/02/03
Posts: 48
Loc: coffee and rain
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The sweating will always be there on methodone comes with the territory, it effects your blood pressure, lowering your dose will help. I have found ( I am not on it now ) absolutely no problems mixing other drugs with methodone whether that be benzo's, muscle relaxers or pain killers.
With methodone YOU MUST TAPER SLOWLY. If you do the WD symptoms are nothing, if you don't they are the worst hell.
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scifi
Stranger
Reged: 04/13/03
Posts: 5
Loc: southeast
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methadone I'm told gets into your body on a cellular level - hell, I sweat like a moose on 5 hydros a day. and I mean going through two or three towels in the morning after a shower. so methinks its the opiod not the flavor. I've heard of others sweating profusely on hydro. Its the worst symptom going, except the wd's.. holy mackerel I'd almost rather expire than going through that again. but starting tomorrow I'm doing just that - CT off the hydro. I can't stand the sweats and guilt anymore.
I love this site and the folks who post here. gimme a hug, will ya? ; )
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Listvoer
Board Addict
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 384
Loc: New America
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Another complaint I hear from methadone patients, mostly MMT patients and not methadone PM patients, but I often hear complaints that the stuff causes weight gain. Over the years i've heard it hotly debated as to whether it's caused by the drug, the fact that you're now 'stabilized' and not hustling to get money/meds to keep the pain & withdrawals away, whether it just makes you lazier, wither being stabilized med-wise gets you back on a more normal & healthy eating/sleeping schedule, whether the med lowers your metabolism, or about 100 other hypothesis that are floating around out there.
Any personal stories with weight gain/loss to report? Personally, when I was on methadone for pain management (not anymore, problem solved for now) I didn't gain any extra weight but i'm a naturally skinny person who has to fight just to keep at what's considered a normal weight and if I don't make myself grab snacks & eat until i'm stuffed i'll lose weight. Anyway, point being that neither opiates or opioids or benzos or any other meds i've been on have increased my weight, but a large number of methadone users seem to think that it causes them to gain weight.
As to sweating, I sweat when on any opiate/opioid that's sufficently strong enough to cover the pain I took it for. It's just part of the price I pay, like the itching from the histamine reaction if I forget to take an antistamine before the pain meds.
L - Just my rambling 2¢..
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Due to PM spam I rarely check mine so if you send me one, make sure to let me know...
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Vicadonna
Stranger
Reged: 12/09/03
Posts: 11
Loc: New York,N.Y. USA
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OK, I'm sorry to the people who have heard my take on Methadone before but here goes. At this point in time I am being tapered SLOWLY, 2mgs a week from Methadone. My DREAM is to be methadone free and I will get there.
SWEATING? PROFUSELY, but I have noticed that the lower my dosage gets, the less I sweat.
WEIGHT GAIN? OVER 100pds. I'm serious.
LAZINESS? Was once full of Best if kept off the board and vinegar, always going somewhere, doing something, was VERY involved in Recovery, going out speaking, leading meetings, but for the time being I just don't feel like I belong there, contrary to what my fellow "addicts" feel.
My life,, has spiraled downward for the past 4yrs I've been on this drug. I STILL live with my Mother and can't figure out how to get out and desperately NEED to. I'm on Welfare, am unemployable temporarily due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome that I got being a Hairstylist/Color Technician for over 30yrs. I already had the right hand done,,now the left at the beginning of September.
And then, back to life, God willing.
To my knowledge,,,and I have been around the block, Methadone is by far, the WORST drug to go through withdrawal from. Hydro is no day at the beach either but Methadone is by far, THE WORST.
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BABYBLUEYES
Stranger
Reged: 03/09/04
Posts: 21
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Hi All
My Boyfriend has been on methadone, it was not a great thing for him. Weight Gain? YESSSSSS. When he wanted to get off the methadone, it was "NOT PRETTY" and he, as well as I have been in recovery for over a year (yeeehaa) and we did this with Suboxone. Withdrawals from anything is nasty, Been there. One thing for sure, at least in our opinion, suboxone was a miracle for us, and is also used as a pain reliever. Interesting Topic here..thanks!
Babyblueyes
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Quote:
Another complaint I hear from methadone patients, mostly MMT patients and not methadone PM patients, but I often hear complaints that the stuff causes weight gain...Any personal stories with weight gain/loss to report?
I was 23, weighed 115 lbs (I am NOT kidding, I was skeletal!) and 5' 8" tall when I got on methadone maintenance (MMT). I increased my dosage to the maximum allowed at that time of 100mgs a day (it is now 140mgs a day) because I COULD, NOT because I needed that much, and because I was incredibly naive about this medication. I gained weight steadily throughout the time I was on the MMT program (I got off the MMT program in January of 2003 after taking 1 year to reduce my dose from 100mgs to 20mgs a day--my doctor took over my detox from there.) I weighed 195 lbs when I left the MMT clinic for the last time (my dose was down to 20mgs/day at that time.) I now weigh 128 lbs (just was at the doc's today, as a matter of fact!)
I began craving sugar like crazy when I got on MMT. I carried around a bag of Starburst (the BIG bags, not the candy bar sized ones) or Milk Duds or Reeses, etc. I ALWAYS had candy at hand to quench these INTENSE sugar cravings. Even though I brush my teeth at least twice a day, I rotted most of my teeth out of my head in the past decade!
As I decreased my dose from 100mgs/day downward about 80 mgs the first year (while I was still on MMT) and another 20mgs the last year (yes, it took me one YEAR to reduce to nothing from 20mgs!!!) I steadily lost the weight I had gained. The weight was both gained and lost steadily...no big jumps or drops. I began to have ENERGY again once my dose went below 60mgs/day and I could even stay awake while having a conversation or writing a letter. My self-image improved dramatically after the weight was lost. I am now at my ideal body weight, perhaps a bit under it, and started wearing fashionable clothing (hip pants, stretch shirts, etc.) and taking care of my appearance--taking a shower every day, putting on makeup, keeping my nails up, etc. I also noticed that my weight loss was directly proportionate to the rate of dose reduction. For example, the faster my dose decreased, the more weight I lost.
I rarely crave sugar any longer. I have energy to do things and sleep/nap far less, and I am feeling so much better about myself. I am still on methadone, 10mgs 3X a day for pain in conjunction with 10mgs of OxyIR for breakthrough pain. I have not gained a single pound since I started my pain management in February--even though my dose INCREASED 30mgs a day. I think the difference is in the way it is taken. I now take it by tablet form one 10mg tablet every 8 hours. This definitely makes a difference in how the drug acts on my body. I am more inclined to believe that MMT patients gain more weight due to taking the drug once daily.
Well, that's my experience to add to the fold.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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Diana02
Stranger
Reged: 06/23/04
Posts: 16
Loc: Oregon
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I've been on MMT for past 5 yrs, trade off for herion addication. I was 104lbs, 5'6" when I started. Daily dose is 99mgs orally.
STATUS AFTER 5 YEARS:
1. Sweat profusely, which I thought was due to menopause.
2. Now weigh 173lbs. My weight when I was 9 mos pregnant.
3. I eat a quart of Ben & Jerry's everynight b4 going to bed, thus, not brushing my teeth until I wake up in AM, so of course, all my teeth are completely decayed.
4. No energy or drive.
5. Stay constantly depressed.
6. Lost all self-esteem due to weight gain, & tooth decay, sweating problem very embarrassing.
7. TOO AFRAID TO DETOX.....
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Mercedes116x
Newbie
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 47
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The methadone alone does not cause weight. My brother has been on and off it for 5 years and when I started taking it the first thing he told me was to make sure that I remembered to make myself eat. He was totally right because some days I would forget to eat at all. I mean nothing. Methadone is basically a substitute for heroin. How many overweight herion addicts have you see? And when given for herion addiction you should have energy. I think maybe you should look into an anti-depressant and counsling. I have known at least 30-40 people who have been in MMT and methadone alone is not the answer for addiction. I used to live in San Francisco and everyone I met was either on H or in MMT. Good luck on your journey.
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CoolHandLuke
Stranger
Reged: 08/18/04
Posts: 10
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The myth that Methadone is only for the treatment of Heroin addiction is absolutely absurd. Methadone was created in Germany during WWII as a pain reliever because Morphine was in short supply. It is a synthetic Opiate and is a wonderful pain reliever. Methadone does not give you the typical euphoric high most Opiates give and blocks other opiates you ingest while on it. It may be used to treat any type of opiate addiction such as Oxycontin, Opium, and even Hydrocodone addiction (Someone taking 300-400mgs of Hydro a day has a huge Opiate addiction). It does not work miracles but can help an addict in recovery. Methadone does not cure your addiction it is simply a legal substitue for your Opiate of choice. It is legal and can be properly tappered by a medical professional. Methadone simply keeps you from getting sick and returning to the illegal cycle of addiction while you learn the tools to stay sober and heal the troubled areas of your life that led you to addiction in the first palce. For many people Methadone is a great pain reliver and for addicts it is sometimes the only way out of an early death or prison.
Edited by CoolHandLuke (09/08/04 10:15 AM)
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Listvoer
Board Addict
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 384
Loc: New America
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I have to very strongly disagree with the statement that methadone doesn't give any kind of euphoric opiate/opioid high, as just about everyone I know on MMT or PM & prescribed methadose will attest if they've ever took too much. I don't advocate drug overuse or abuse AT ALL, but I would bet with 99% acccuracy that if a person with only a little opiate tolerance (say 5 mg hydro once or twice a day) took 10 mg of methadone they would certainly be buzzed. In "the real world" I know of quite a few "methadone junkies" who use it purely for recreational purposes, and they'd pick it over oxycontin, dillaudid, demerol, fentanyl, hydro, or just about any other opiate/oid that I can think of, because to them it's all about value and they swear it's the best anyway. I've known many people who have moved from hydro use straight to methadone abuse just because the methadone has no APAP in it and also because the buzz they seek lasts about 4x as long for about the same price as more in-demand meds. I do agree it's a great method for detoxing and for pain management, but if your dosage isn't dialed in properly and you're taking more than necessary you'll get the nods and all the rest that you would get if you took any of the other pain meds we all know and hate to have to take. I know I've ran out of my pain meds a day early a time or 2 and only had methadone on hand to take care of the pain & med-gap, and I can swear that it was much stronger than I expected for quite a long time yet it really helped me not go through w/ds even though it had my head spinning far more than I ever expected.
Just my 2¢ from a long lifetime of experiences
L
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Due to PM spam I rarely check mine so if you send me one, make sure to let me know...
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CoolHandLuke
Stranger
Reged: 08/18/04
Posts: 10
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I have been on Methadone for 8 months now for pain management and it works wonders. I do not disagree with every part of your statement. It does have some aspects of the "Opiate high" such as nodding off and fatigue while you adjust to your dose or consume too much. I am sure that if I kept increasing my dose these symptoms would continue. If you consider extreme fatigue, sweating, and constpation "euphoric" then I guess Methadone has a euphoric high. However, it has no euphoric feeling, in my case, such as Oxy or Hydro and other Opiates. After adjusting to Methadone I no longer feel any affects from it. I take 60 Mgs a day, 20mgs in the morning, 20 mgs in the afternoon, and 20mgs in the evening. I feel completely sober and alert. It is almost as if I am taking ibuprofen or asprin. Simply my opinion and nothing else,
Marcus
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vastchoirs
Enthusiast
Reged: 08/05/02
Posts: 287
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I know someone who has been taking this medication for sometime as well. I can attest that in the beginning of taking it, they did get that "euphoric" feeling people speak of, that it lasts longer than anything they had.
As time went on, and the dosage I think adjusted, I was told they did still feel some sort of euphoria, just not as intense. But, they did still get that "howdy doodie" feeling I used to tell them they came out with.....lol. I did notice them sweat though, not everytime I seen them but, I wasn't with them 24/7.
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Doc, you're a pain in my pain
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stevesmith
Reged: 10/01/04
Posts: 431
Loc: Southern
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Quote:
Hi all,i keep reading on the boards that US doctors are prescribing methadone for pain releive(i know its spelled wrong,sorry im British )here in the UK the only way you can get methadone is if you have heroin addiction,and even then its bloody hard to get methadone from your local doctor,perahps 1 in 10 will prescribe.Anyway,seeing as quite a few of you Americans get methadone for pain relief(il get it right yet )i was wondering if any/many of you suffer from the same problem as me,which is chronic sweating.....i just cant seem to stop,exercise is out of the question as i would be litterally dripping.!!!When i go to sleep at night its not uncommon to wake up drenched,and no,im not under medicated,which would be making me sweat.Please reply if anyone else is suffering from the same symptoms(got that right)email me if you dont want to post on the board at Thanks in advance....and if anyone knows a source(email source)where you can buy methadone tabs(or liquid)please,please email.Thanks a lot
I know several ppl on methadone and they all sweat all day everyday. I think this just goes with the terriroty.
IMO
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PPL don't argue over ideas or possible solutions, but instead argue to assert their egos and release frustration. Once U realize this, U will neither argue nor take arguments seriously
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WickedNoah
Member
Reged: 10/02/04
Posts: 122
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Taking antihistamines help a lot. There are some OTC ones that are outright labeled antihistamines, like Benadryl, but in fact a lot of OTC meds are antihistamines and can help. In particular , you've got Dramamine, day and night formula, Claritin, Pepcid AC, and Tagamet, though I think Tagamet interacts with methadone metabolism. Try one or all of these if you want; it's histamine that causes the sweating, and it's antihistamines that are the answer. The problem is, is that none of these meds get into the brain, and I'm afraid the sweating might be an order at least partially coming from the brain.
Noah
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stevesmith
Reged: 10/01/04
Posts: 431
Loc: Southern
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Quote:
Taking antihistamines help a lot. There are some OTC ones that are outright labeled antihistamines, like Benadryl, but in fact a lot of OTC meds are antihistamines and can help. In particular , you've got Dramamine, day and night formula, Claritin, Pepcid AC, and Tagamet, though I think Tagamet interacts with methadone metabolism. Try one or all of these if you want; it's histamine that causes the sweating, and it's antihistamines that are the answer. The problem is, is that none of these meds get into the brain, and I'm afraid the sweating might be an order at least partially coming from the brain.
Noah
awesome I am gonna email that to my buddy. he is on the methadone and still tries to run his business and he sweats liek a hog in there. I know he coudl sue soem relief.
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PPL don't argue over ideas or possible solutions, but instead argue to assert their egos and release frustration. Once U realize this, U will neither argue nor take arguments seriously
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WickedNoah
Member
Reged: 10/02/04
Posts: 122
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But remember, though, this is only a partial remedy, since some of the sweat signal comes from the brain, and the OTC antihistamines don't get there. You could try dropping them in your ears... Just kidding.
This worked for me and other opioids, but I need to emphasize that it doesn't completely cure the problem!
Noah
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woolius
Member
Reged: 02/08/02
Posts: 159
Loc: US
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I agree. I noticed I was sweating a lot more even on small doses (15mg day).
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