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Strange head sensations while taking methadone for pain

Posted by profrob @profrob, Aug 27 2:43am

Hello all,

I have severe PN from the calves down, but legs/feet. The pain is unbearable, but for the methadone I take. Even with 20mg of methadone a day, I still have debilitating and pain 24/7.

What I wanted to ask the group is about these strange sensations I have. Now I am a man, so no nothing about 'hot flashes," but I have regularly occurring episodes lasting 1-2 minutes or less....where I feel dizzy/faint, am short of breadth, and a light buzzing sensation comes over my head. It doesn't hurt or anything like that, but it stops you in your tracks until it passes. You have to yield to it, period. The episodes are short, maybe less than a minute....but they are intense. I am nearly always sitting when it happens ( maybe always). I want to say I have them more when I am stressed, emotional or agitated. But I am not 100% sure about that either. You can see I am still learning and trying to figure all of this out, while having pain that beyond what I can take.

Anyway, I wanted to see if anyone has experienced something like that if you are taking medication for PN pain.

Rob

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 27 8:08am

Hello Rob @profrob, It sounds like you may be experiencing some of the more serious side effects of methadone. Here's more information:
-- What is Methadone? Effects, Risks & Addiction | SAMHSA
https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/methadone
Have you contacted your doctor to let them know you are having these symptoms?

REPLY
1 reply
26sabrina | @26sabrina | Aug 27 12:00pm

The sensations you are feeling are not unusual for methadone, it's an option. You might consider asking your neurologist about trying Nortripyline to see if that doesn't help the neuropathy then you won't need the methadone.

REPLY
1 reply
profrob | @profrob | Aug 28 9:56am
In reply to @26sabrina "The sensations you are feeling are not unusual for methadone, it's an option. You might consider..." + (show)
@26sabrina

The sensations you are feeling are not unusual for methadone, it's an option. You might consider asking your neurologist about trying Nortripyline to see if that doesn't help the neuropathy then you won't need the methadone.

Jump to this post

Thank you Dear 26Sabrina. I had not heard of that medicine, so you have taught me something. I'm grateful. Thank you.

REPLY
profrob | @profrob | Aug 28 10:03am
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello Rob @profrob, It sounds like you may be experiencing some of the more serious side..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello Rob @profrob, It sounds like you may be experiencing some of the more serious side effects of methadone. Here's more information:
-- What is Methadone? Effects, Risks & Addiction | SAMHSA
https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/methadone
Have you contacted your doctor to let them know you are having these symptoms?

Jump to this post

Thank you so much, John. It's been all I can do to fight the pain, but I am now also growing weary of the side affects. I will definitely bring this up this week in fact when I have my primary care doctor check-up. Your encouragement means a lot to me. Much thanks!

REPLY
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Aug 29 9:18am

I see many comments regarding methadone. My new pain doc mentioned methadone as a possible treatment for my nearly crippling pain that is hardly touched by my pain pump. The meds I am currently on include 100 mg tramado 3X a day, diclofenac K 3X a day, and gabapentin 600mg 2X a day. These three help with the pain a little but not enough to allow me to do much of anything. How effective do you find methadone to be?

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