August 15, 2009 - 9:30pm
I have been an CP patient for 5 years,IP for 2, taking Oxyconin Er 10mg 3xday with
5mg oxycodone for BT. I had to switch PM doctors and my new doc took me off
oxycontin (after I had tapered to 10 mg 2x day) to Methadone - 10mg 2x day.
The pain reief is about the same - but when I started the new meds I
also started getting HUGE panic attacks. After over 5 weeks on the Methadone,
my resting heart rate is over 100 and it kind of freaks me out.
I talked to my doc about it and he offered a switch to MS Contin.
I really like and trust my new Dr,who told me to consider that this may
just be a adjustment W/D effect from the Oxy.
I started having panic attacks as soon as I started the Methadone
and that is what worries me. I thought/think that maybe it is a real
reaction to the Methadone. I have read some things that say it can be
a side effect - and a change to MS Contin was offered to me if I am
really uncomfortable.
I am confused and worried. I hate the panic attacks but I also hate the pain.
I am worried about making another switch in my body and totally screwing up
my system. I don't want to %?#$$ up the relationship with the new Dr, either.
If your heart was doing this would you make the switch???
I'm sorry if this is stupid - but its my heart - and it won't relax.
This has never happened to me and I'm a little freaked.
Any ideas or help would be wonderful.
I have to decide and let my Dr. know soon. Has anyone had this problem??.
Thanks in advance for any help.
August 15, 2009 - 10:09pm
#2
thank you
Thank you for the reply. I think your answer is a very good idea. If I had a normal ECG from the past would it be reasonable to ask my dr to repeat one and switch based on that- or is it reasonable to switch based on the symptom of rapid heart beat alone.
Yes, I know this is a circle question ....Either answer would probably be right. I was hoping for someone who had an experience like mine and help to ease the worried feelings.
Thank you, again. :)
August 15, 2009 - 10:23pm
#3
Do you already take
Do you already take anxiety/panic medications? I was on methadone for a short time while going to pain management and it did not work for me. I did not like the side effects or the pain relief. I have heard it has done wonders for others and helped many people with addiction, but like I said it didnt work well for my body.
Next my doctor put me on MS Contin and I havent had a complaint since... except for the price, but it is still waaaaaay cheaper than Oxycontin. The only thing I liked about methadone was the price.
August 15, 2009 - 10:45pm
#4
Thank you for the info
Can you also tell me what switching from Methadone to MS Contin was like? That would be excellent help. I know from my own experience, going from oxy to methadone was very easy. I never thought about it much- after I took the last pill. I am careful and have followed my drs instructions which probably helped. I never-ever expected this kind of possible side effect or possible W/D panic.
I hear so much about people going from a pain med "to" Methadone but dont ever hear about anyone going "from" Methadone to something else.
Thanks for the help. You have no idea how much it helps!! :)
August 16, 2009 - 1:39am
#5
Methadone to Opana ER
I went from MS Contin to Methadone to Opana ER (over a period of time) and never had a problem with either switch. Like JJ, Methadone was horrible for me, so horrible, I was one month and DONE. As for the rapid heart beats, my PM told me before I went to the Methadone that it was recommended I have an ECG prior to starting it and an ECG every three months thereafter. Did your doctor mention this? In any case, irregular and/or rapid heartbeats are not something to be taken lightly - if we have any physicians out there, it would great if they advise the OP further on this.
In any case, my feeling is that you should be able to voice your opinion concerning side effects (like the ones you are having) at any time. It may not convince your doctor to change anything as obviously they are going to make the final decision concerning what they feel is more medically appropriate for your health. Narcotics are dangerous medications and any side effect should be mentioned to your doctor.
August 16, 2009 - 2:17am
#6
Methadone to MS Contin
Wow! Thank you so much for the post. No one ever told me that I should have an ecg before/during or after starting this medication. The primary concern with the new Dr. was good pain coverage. A lot of people get good coverage from Methadone, but I am SO GLAD TO REALLY KNOW that this drug is NOT FOR ME. You know how sometimes in different life situations - we are sometimes made to feek like it is us - when it really isn't. I am truly grateful for the feedback here and I like my Dr very much so I feel confident that he will also want to find the right mix for me. The advice has helped me to know now that I need to call him Monday morning and request the switch, ASAP. It will probably not change for the better if I do the "give it a little more time" routine.
I have been so freaked out. I feel horrible. I hate that my chest hurts and my heart races. I hate that I feel winded just going upstairs which also has never happened to me. Thank you again for the advice.
Any thing else that anyone has to share with me - especially about the switch - I will be so happy to read.
Good wishes to all and many, many thanks!! :)
August 16, 2009 - 4:07am
#7
Agreed. The vast majority of
Agreed. The vast majority of people being switched to such a low dose of methadone such as yourself (i.e. 10mg), have no problems at all with it. The vast majority of people who get any cardiac effects from it are those on fairly high doses e.g. those on methadone maintainance (60mg and up).
That said, anyone can still have some problems, though rare, with methadone. I think it would be prudent to speak with your physician and request an ECG. The fact that you had one in the past will be very helpful to compare it to, as a baseline.
Methadone, esp. in higher doses has, on occasion, been the cause of:
1. Blocking potassium channels.
2. torsade de pointes and QT interval elongation with high doses
3. in very rare instances, sudden cardiac failure.
But remember, that is with typically higher doses, and even those cases are quite rare. But still, I would def. do an EKG. You may also just have psychogenic effects because you know you have changed meds, and this could be the cause as well. Could be some withdrawl from your oxycontin as well. If so, should clear up fast.
In the past, I was on oxycontin 40mg TID, and switched to 120mg methadone QD, and I had no problems whatsoever. The pain was actually much improved throughout the day with methadone, but, the occasional breakthrough pain was worse, because methadone is not good at all for breakthrough pain, because it has such a long half life, and takes a very long time to start working. So it is great for many people (not all) for round the clock pain, and lasts a long time (usually up to 24 hours), but for breakthrough pain, another shorter acting pain med is reccommended.
Oxycontin is about equipotent to methadone. 10mg oxycontin is about equal to 10mg methadone. Pending a normal ECG, your Dr. might consider clonidine and/or a fast acting anti-anxiety agent like alprazolam or lorazepam. I would be fine switching to methadone pending a normal EKG, and no serious side effects.
Good luck.
August 16, 2009 - 5:01pm
#8
Methaone vs MS Contin
Thank you for the reply. If I were to ask for clonidine - would it be something I would always take - as long as I am taking Methadone for PM? I know that my PM Dr. does not like alprazolam w/pain meds or without. It was a question in the beginning when the panic attacks started.
If this is a psychogenic reaction - which I am open to considering - how would I treat that and how long would I expect that to last?
Thank you for the amazing advice and info. I am learning a lot and am grateful for any info. :)
August 16, 2009 - 6:42pm
#9
Clonidine would probably just
Clonidine would probably just be taken until the withdrawals were over.
Regarding the possibility of a psychogenic reaction, I'm not aware of any widely used treatments but you could probably expect it to subside within a week or two...just a guess though...
August 16, 2009 - 10:34pm
#10
REMEMBER
what you were doing the days your pulse was racing.
hot weather, makes respiration harder thus it picks up the heart rate, part of it may have been partially anxiety issue, but the only way to know for sure is in a air conditioned enviroment as a control test
its my person opinion that the morphine would have higher respitory problems over the methadone but I m no DR.
HOPE YOU LUCK
wOODSTOCK
August 16, 2009 - 10:52pm
#11
Methaone vs MS Contin
I was working at my desk in an air-conditioned office when this whole thing started. I have to work - but maybe I would have been better off outside picking blackberries or something. Honestly - my schedule or eating habits hadn't really changed at all - so it really confuses me.
Since seeing my PM dr. I have been at home - doing as little as possible - and avoiding any stress at all, and the heart is still racing.
Part of my PM agreement includes behavior mgmt and biofeedback, but that doesn't start for a couple of weeks. I'm doing my best - but I'm really starting to think it is the Methadone. If its in my head or not - I am so troubled by this racing heart - would it be best to try the MS Contin and see if it quits?
Thanks to all - This is an excepionally classy and compasionate group of people. :)
August 17, 2009 - 8:03am
#12
that is a question
for a qualified MD
You are not taking any supplements, out of conveince stores are you.
Woodstock
August 17, 2009 - 11:38am
#13
No supplements for me
I have one more day of this until I see my Dr again.
As far as diet and exercise, I am very, very healthy - just crazy in the head I guess. But seriously, I eat well and have always had good cholesteral and blood tests. I'm not overweight and I am mostly active. I dont do energy drinks and gave up all the partying fun a long long time ago. Bummer for me, huh? :)
Until this accident - I had headaches. Before I got into PM I took tons of advil & tylenol- but I don't even take that anymore. There is really nothing in my body to conteract the methadone.
Confusing. I hate that this is happening to me - but I am still very thankful for all the help and advice.
August 18, 2009 - 4:17pm
#14
It is higly probable that a
It is higly probable that a switch would be made if your ECG's are coming back abnormal whilst your on methadone, so a repeat one, or several preferably . and if they still come back abnormal after a few weeks I would say they would switch you. That's what I think anyway. I have been on both medications and did not experience palpitations e.t.c. on MST Continus, but I did on methadone, they were terrible . I was prescribed a beta blocker for palpitations ( propanolol ) it also helped with the associated anxiety. Hope they work something out for you. Best of Luck.
All comments are the users opinion and are not to be construed as medical advice.
Methadone can have possible side effects that include arrhytmia, tachycardia , palpitations and flushing. The best way to confirm or negate this is to have regular ECG's and to establish whether there are abnormalities or not. It may be as your doctor said a result of the adjustment, but if it continues you should consider making a change to MST Continus in tandem with your doctors judgement. But regular ECG's should show if it's the methadone. Best of Luck.
All COMMENTS ARE THE USERS OPINION AND ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.