Flippy - I Rant, You Read
Sunday, June 03, 2007
I’m Totally Prepared If I Ever Become Addicted to Heroin
The cost of my meds was getting completely out of control, and they weren’t stopping the pain, so I either needed a higher dose, or I needed to try something else. After much research, on Tuesday I asked my doctor for a prescription for Methadone. At first, it sounded a little scary, especially when it was going to be time to stop taking the meds. However, the pain was making it so I couldn’t think of much else, so I decided that withdrawal was something I’d worry about another time. So, on Tuesday evening, I took my first dose of Methadone. I didn’t feel much, except a little woozy and a little nauseous. No pain relief. On Thursday or Friday, it started working for me. I worked completely through the night on Thursday, sitting at my computer for hours and hours. Ordinarily, that would’ve had me writhing in achey pain. But nope, just a little bit of ache. My average pain went from about a 6 to maybe a 2 or 3, and I didn’t have to take any breakthrough pain meds at all.
My OxyContin was costing about $230+/month, plus extra Oxycodone. In order to get a better handle on my pain, I needed to up my dosage, so it would’ve cost more than $250. The Methadone cost me $13.16 for a month’s worth. I also paid another $22 for 5mg Oxycodones for breakthrough pain. So far, I’ve only taken two for pain I was having on Tuesday, and two for Wednesday. I didn’t need anything extra at all on Friday, except some Sudafed for my sinuses. I’m still on a rollercoaster of nausea, but it’s usually not terrible. The Methadone has worked better than the OxyContin, and it lasts longer. I love the financial savings, so maybe now I can afford to get my Protonix (for reflux) refilled occasionally. I know everyone thinks about heroin when they hear Methadone, but it’s time for that to stop. I’ve never used heroin - eek, needles! Also, with Methadone, as far as I can tell, there isn’t any sort of “high”, just pain relief. And it’s cheaper than Advil or Tylenol. The side-effect of nausea sucks, but I’m hoping that will go away soon. I also can’t drink any alcohol or take anything like Ativan, but that’s fine. Pain relief is what I want, and pain relief is what I’m getting. I’ve been more active in the past few days than I have been in quite some time (brushing the algae-covered pool walls), and so far, I haven’t suffered any of the usual painful consequences for getting a little exercise.
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The nausea will also help you lose weight if you want to. If you don’t, be careful about that. I’m very very glad that you have affordable pain relief.
on 06/03 at 03:21 AM -
Wait, I missed something somewhere. Last I remember, you were ordering Medicinal Marijuana. Did that not help? I was looking forward to your post about the pros and cons of it - did you not post an update or did I just miss it.
The only negative sides I’ve seen from people who are using methadone are mood swings and some really serious RAGE when missing a dose after long time use.
Doesn’t it stink that the Protonix is so expensive and a lot of health insurance isn’t covering it?
Denise on 06/03 at 04:12 AM -
Georg - weight loss would be great!
Denise - I haven’t been able to afford the MM process yet. It’s $200 here, $150 there, $100 over there, and then fingerprints and sending the paperwork in to do more waiting. I haven’t had the extras to use on that. As for missing doses and serious rage...my goal is to not miss doses. I know the first thing felt would probably be nausea and I hate feeling barfy.
Yeah, the Protonix is pricey for it being the drug my ins. co. wanted me on. Of course, that was many moons ago, when they were actually paying for some of my meds.
on 06/03 at 05:01 AM -
I really hope this proves to be a good solution to the pain!
Nancy on 06/03 at 05:06 AM -
Whoa! Who knew methadone was so dirt cheap?? I hope the nausea wears off and you can manage your pain without breaking the bank.
roro on 06/04 at 11:01 AM -
I’m so glad you are having pain relief, but so pissed about the affordability of other drugs. I hope that this really is the best, and it’s not just a $-saving thing, although that is a huge bonus. Hang in there and I am thinking of you.
Susie on 06/04 at 12:02 PM -
I wish you didn’t have the pain. Glad you are finding relief. Really wish it didn’t have to cost you so much.
And - a question. When you write at 5:00 am, are you just getting up or have you been up all night?
laurie on 06/04 at 05:12 PM -
Thanks everyone. The pain relief is still going fairly well, but ugh, the nausea is worse. Blurgh. Nausea and wooziness. They say it stops within a couple of weeks, so I hope “they” know what they’re talking about. I like the cheap meds, but not if I’m gonna feel weird and barfy.
Laurie - When I write at 5am, I’ve been up all night. You’ll never find me voluntarily getting up early in the morning. I much prefer the 5am of late nights versus the 5am of early mornings.
on 06/04 at 06:02 PM
