What EXACTLY IS METHODONE??????? I AM ON 10MG., 3 TIMES A DAY FOR SEVERE CHRONIC PAIN.?

Question

I HAVE BEEN ON NORCO, ETC. DUE TO 2 MAJOR BACK SURGERIES LAST YEAR, NOW I HAVE TO HAVE A TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT AND POSSIBLY KNEE SURGERY ALSO. I THINK THIS HIP THING HURTS MORE THAN THE BACK.

Answer 1

Methadone is a synthetic narcotic which is very similar to heroin in its effects, but which does not interact with the body in the same way.

It is very good at controlling pain, and does cause addiction if used over a long time, or if it is abused, but methadone withdrawal is less severe than heroin withdrawal.

One of the main reasons methadone is used instead of a natural opiate narcotic is because unlike the opiates (dilaudid, morphine), methadone does not suppress respiration (breathing), so there is less chance of accidental overdose leading to death. It basically has the same strengths, or nearly so, in reducing pain as natural opiate derivatives, but it is less dangerous, especially when it is being taken at home, in a non-controlled setting.

Methadone is also used to help people who are addicted to natural opiates, such as heroin. The heroin is replaced with methadone, which also induces a high, though one not as intense as the heroin induced. If possible, people are later weaned off the methadone, and their withdrawal is not as difficult. Some people are not a good risk for removal from methadone, however, as they would go right back to heroin or other legal opiates, so they are placed on maintenance methadone for long periods of time.

The fact that it has been prescribed for you probably means that the doctors know that you have a lot of pain, and that you require strong medication. However, they are probably trying their best to keep you from becoming addicted to something that can kill you, so they have given you something that has less chance of doing that.

Answer 2

For those websites listed, you still have to have a dr's prescription for them, they will not just send you narcotics by calling them. Even on the canada pharmacy site this is the disclaimer at the bottom: FDA's general position: The FDA, due to the current state of their regulations, has taken the position that virtually all shipments of prescription drugs imported from a Canadian pharmacy by a U.S. consumer will violate the law. And the sites that say they will set you up with a telephone conference with a dr who send you pain meds is most likely illegal, I wouldn't take the risk. Most likely the pain pills you are getting will be coming from some 3rd world country, will almost certainly have been expired for a very long time, etc. And they will charge you an arm and a leg. It would probably be about $300/month. The sites themselves say they are legal, but the US and State government say they are not. I think I would believe the latter. So even if it was legal, I assure you it isn't safe or reliable. To cvtlady above: you cannot possibly be in the medical field and not know that hydrocodone comes in 10mg tablets! Of course it does. He didn't say vicodin, which is 5 mg tablets, he said hydrocodone which can come in 2.5, 5, 10mg and probably more. They come in 10mg/325 apap sometimes called norco, 10mg/650 called lorcet, lortab. That's fine if you didn't know this, but you shouldn't imply this guy's an idiot and doesn't know what he's talking about. Also, to the guy who asked the question, it is almost definate that you are exceeding the level of tylenol you should have in your body each day, slowly but surely killing your liver. What is the amount of APAP in your hydrocodone?

Answer 3

Methadone is addictive. It is a medication given to people with heroin to get them addicted to it instead of the heroin. Pain management docs also use it for chronic pain managment. If you went from Norco to Methadone that is a big jump. There is other options out there you can use to help with the pain that is not as addicting.

Answer 4

The cost of hip replacement surgery is very low in India as compared to USA,UK and Canada. You can get the surgery done there in a fraction of cost of what would you pay in USA or private UK

There is one company that is very famous in India that arranges orthopaedic surgery for foreigners in India.They are called the Forerunners Healthcare.I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and about their patient stories.

I have also read that they arrange financing for american and canadian patients as all surgery is not covered by insurance or by NHS in the UK.They also have photos pasted of their International patients.You can checkout their website.The cost savings are incredible.As a doctor i personally believe that your hip replacement surgery can be easily handled in India as the quality of healthcare available here is simply best in the world.The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

My cousin also got her hip replacement surgery for in India through the forerunners healthcare .She is more than very happy with the results.She is totally pain free now.She just paid 25% of the amount she was quoted in USA and is all praise for this forerunners healthcare company. hope this helps.


http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com

Answer 5

It is a substitute for heroin, an extra strong pain reliever. Unlike heroin it is not addictive.................