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Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Methadone
Question: I am currently being treated for pain associated with MS and Sarcoidosis that has hit my lymph system and possible neurosarcoidosis. My sarcoidosis doctor was treating the pain and decided it's too much so he sent all his patients experiencing pain to pain mgt doctors. I selected a doctor in my hometown who is treating me like a dug addict, I am OK with that. What I am not OK with is that I am experiencing major side effects...I gained over 30 lbs in one month and numerous other adverse reactions and side effects. I got my disability from STAND PRUDENTIAL based on debilitating fatigue. I told him this and that the methadone was causing more excessive fatigue. I have had headaches some being migraines everyday. I called him and was told I couldn't see him for over 2 weeks. How or when should I look for a new doctor or how do I handle this with the current doctor? I brought some issues to his attention and he basically ignored me and had the next patient brought in. My original doctor made no inclination that he thought I needed to be off opiates. He just didn't have time to manage it any longer. I am at a loss on what to do next especially with wait times to be accepted is 2 to 4 months. I'm honestly afraid I don't have that much time left because the number of serious side effects is quite large. Thank you for your time to help me.
Brief Answer:
Get a second opinion. Consult a spine specialist too.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
You use too much drugs, all of these with probable side effects, so, it is difficult to decide which one is more responsible for side effects in regards to others.
If you experienced these side effects after the start of methadone, is probable that a good part of them are related to its use.
Methadone is used for both, pain management and withdrawal from opiates.
If you wasn't addicted to opiates, then, in my opinion methadone should be substituted (tapering it) with other painkillers with less side effects.
In my opinion, you need a second opinion by another pain management Doctor.
Returning to opiates if you felt better when you used them is a possibility.
Consulting with a spine specialist also is necessary to evaluate the part played by your spinal condition to pain and possible treatments. (physical therapy, spinal epidural injections, even surgery to remove herniated disc)
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Get a second opinion. Consult a spine specialist too.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
You use too much drugs, all of these with probable side effects, so, it is difficult to decide which one is more responsible for side effects in regards to others.
If you experienced these side effects after the start of methadone, is probable that a good part of them are related to its use.
Methadone is used for both, pain management and withdrawal from opiates.
If you wasn't addicted to opiates, then, in my opinion methadone should be substituted (tapering it) with other painkillers with less side effects.
In my opinion, you need a second opinion by another pain management Doctor.
Returning to opiates if you felt better when you used them is a possibility.
Consulting with a spine specialist also is necessary to evaluate the part played by your spinal condition to pain and possible treatments. (physical therapy, spinal epidural injections, even surgery to remove herniated disc)
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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