What are alternatives to methadone for pain?

Question

I had shingles in 2003 and it caused nerve damage (phn). I take about four or five 5mg doses of methadone a week to control the intense pain in the trigeminal nerve in my face. I am afraid of becoming addicted to this drug. Loritab does me no good at all. Has anyone had this experience. I have a physician that will prescribe methadone but I would really like to get away from it and him. My family physician can write lesser painkillers but I absolutely don't know which way to go. Are pain management doctors usually effective?

Answer 1

the key to pain meds, like methadone, is that if you have pain, and use the medication for that purpose, you do not become addicted. Addiction occurs when you don't need the med for pain and you only use it to get high, then you become dependant on the stuff. If the methadone works for you, then be grateful, because many meds will not work on neuralgia like yours.

Answer 2

If addiction is a problem, you can find help at this site: http://www.turntohelp.com/find_doctor/Default.aspx?qs=ga&gclid=CJvC3ZK4hosCFRlmWAodrxPaJg, Methadone is extremely addictive and the side effects on your body will be worse than your pain. Yes, pain management doctors are generally effective. I have nerve damage due to scar tissue from a surgery. Be honest and detailed with the doctor and you should be able to get some relief. Let the doctor know your concerns about certain medications and that should save both you and the doctor some time. Do your research on line. You can search for a doctor in your area:
http://webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/html/patient.html
You can research different drugs at: http://www.drugs.com/

Answer 3

Any pain killer type of drug can be addictive if it's taken over a long period of time. There are drugs that are less addictive than methadone, but it's really a question that should be answered by a doctor. Pain management is an alternative, but I personally have never been to one.

Answer 4

I have suffered chronic severe pain for many years, I have tried just about everything out there, many are short acting, such as hydrocodone, you need to take it every 4-6hrs to gain relief. I take Methadone, and I wish it would have been offered to me a long time ago, it has made my life of pain easier to deal with, yes you can become physically addicted, I'm not and I don't really understand why, but I am just grateful that it is available to me. I have not tried a pain management clinic, but if the Methadone begins to not help, it will be something I will consider. Good luck with your jouney.

Answer 5

What is it about the methadone that you don't want to continue using it? It sounds like it's been effective for you and that you are not having any problems with it.
You're not using a high amount of it and you're only taking it when needed. It doesn't sound to me as if "addiction" is an issue you need to be worrying about because you're using it for the right reasons and taking it at the right times.

Answer 6

I eventually went off all of my narcotic medications for my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (nerve pain). My pain management doctor was able to help me out a ton with other options that didn't include narcotics. I would recommend that if you don't know how else to get off the medication, and control the pain.

Answer 7

If you really are in pain, its unlikey you will get addicted. I doubt you feel high, all you feel is a reduction in pain that allows you to function. For nerve pain you might want a pain medicine that actually targets the nerves like neurotin or topamax. Neurotin works better, but you gain weight. You loose weight while on topamax, but it fogs your thinking for about six weeks. The longer you take it, the more clear you think and the side effects go away.

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20235&name=NEURONTIN

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20505&name=TOPAMAX