Question: I am a 65 year old man with a 11 year history of failed back surgery syndrome, 4 back (spinal) surgeries, able to ambulate, only with a walker, severe and chronic pain. Pain Meds are Methadone 120 MG Daily, and Dilaudid 8 mg. Methadone 3x4 , Dilauadid 2x4 PRN. Recent (within 2 weeks) EKGs showed abnormal twice, with myocardian infraction can't be ruled out, the other 2 were normal. Drives me and Doctors crazy. Problem: To continue or stop Methadone based on QT/QC levels On 1/8/2014 levels were 426/428, then on another machine at Cardiologists Office levels were 394/457, both EKG's repeated within minutes. One day I was told by Pain Clinic Physician, " FINE " " NO PROBLEM " Then, the EKG's went to the 394/457 ms, it was then the Nurse from the Pain Clinic called me, stated "WE HAVE TO TAKE YOU off the methadone NOW! "WHY?" Your EKG. So I am on line now, asking someone whatis the situation? I know the QT/QC levels are meaningful, even critical, and I KNOW I have GOT TO get off the METHADONE I am a retired Administrator of Substance Abuse Programs, since 1972. Yes, i am a former addict, (current addict!), easily agitated, depressed, and I'm in therapy. I would like an opinion and a answer as to WHAT QT/QC levels ARE? What should the numbers look like? I do suffer from mild hypertension, treated with 20mg on Monopril daily, steady and undercontrol. I was married to a woman with hx of ETOH Dependency, successful tx, same educational level as me, once she realized I would never be able to work again, divorce was her way out. So she did. XMAS 2007 she said DIVORCE with no discussion, no therapy, I live alone, she has the children, ages 16 and 22. She works very hard at despising me. Very ugly situation, children negatively affected. Question, NO, Statement: Yes, question could be the affect after all these years. I go to a therapist, AA, NA, I write, published.

I am only partially understanding your answer, to wit; The QTc is the corrected gap B? (was this a typo?)the two waves. OK. What is an "arrhythemia" ??? What is the acceptable variation? Remember, these were two different machines; hence two different technicians and interpreters at competing HealthCare Providers.The first one taken was on January 8,2014. According to the Pain Specialist, and his NURSE, I was just FINE, HUNKY DORY. The QT/QTc was426/428, I questioned them thoroughly. The next EKG was taken on Feb 20, 2014, 6 weeks later at my Personal Cardiologist's Office, a noted Physician on Chicago's Gold Coast. The QT/QTc was394/459. The only differencce was my pain level was higher on 2-20. The Pain Dr. had his nurse call me to schedule a visit, and said : " YOUR EKG INDICATES NO MORE METHADONE ALLOWED " Same exact nurse who called six weeks prior and said I was "Perfect" In between the two EKG's, I saw the Doctor's PA, who said the Methadone was GOOD for me and should be tapered off very slowly. Who do I believe? Me 1st, Cardiologists 2nd, and GP's then ER Docs. I have too many cooks stirring the broth; and though they do actually SHARE the information at my behest, there IS NO Multi-Discipinary Cooperation; NONE. It seems as though their primary function is to make it certain and well known that a Patient Like Me is a man who cannot be trusted or believed because of his "Multiple Psychiatric Diagnosis" That is what the President of the United States's appointed Head of Veteran Affairs in D.C. The chronic pain is unrelenting; internal electrical stimulus, pain pumps, epidurals all were failures. I brought it on myself, I take full responsibility for it; I trusted Surgeons who I should not have; I'm educated, but not enough You know, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX lives close by, perhaps he has some answers, yes? Ooops, see? There is the problem; the cynicism, sarcasm, internal anger. Add it all up to a 65 year old divorcee and you got trouble.