What is a equally doable opiate
Is there a Opiate that you can take that will keep you from not withdrawing off methadone?
How would you go about the switch?
You are going to be on Opiates for life you know that due to underlying issues.
But what is best one if methadone is not possible?
And how does one do the switch?
Not sure if this is better here or under pain management sorry if in wrong place.
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Are you currently on methadone and wanting to change to another opiate? I guess I am a little confused by the post.
Opiates can be changed out for other opiates fairly easily, there are opiate conversion charts that the dr uses (along with experience) to change a patient from one opiate to another.
JILL
*Disclaimer: Any information provided or requested in this post is not intended to imply or constitute the existence of a patient/professional relationship between any parties. It is for informational purposes only, unless otherwise under written contract with this writer.
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
kind of depends on what you're looking for.
if you're looking for maintenance alone, I'd say bupe.
once, in a dream, I have been here, but now, when with you, I have no fear. . .
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Sorry was not clear i am currently on methadone taking it for pain through clinic.
I however had to jump through hoops to get into PM due to HMO not having one in my area now i have changed HMO and have a PM in my area and the clinic i am on is aware that i am really there for pain but want me out as they are not to treat pain
PM doc wanted to give me methadone BUT the HMO will not cover the dose he wanted to give me to treat my pain
So i meet with him next week to figure what i should be on that will give me relief I just fear that there will be a issue(withdrawals ) due to being on the done.
I honestly just want relief i am doing fine on what i am on i am able to walk i no longer need a scooter or a cane but still have to take breaks if i try to over do it.
I am too young to be walking around with a darn cane like my grandmother and i fear i will end up back there
i have in the past used Opana and was able to function all day However i bought them off the streets when i missed 3 days at my clinic due to friends death and them refusing take homes and that was a few years back. i can not tell this doctor that yea i self medicated and had great relief with a drug that i bought off the street
I guess i am just having anxiety over what path to go with this and how to take it Frankly i am happy to change to something else as long as it works
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Well a Methadone rx is very chep at the pharmacy, like 10 cents/10mg pill.Originally Posted by Lilbay
Any other opioid at a dose almost equal will cover W/D
“ I can’t think of anything off the top of my head that seems more important than something designed to raise money to keep something going that keeps IV drug users from dying. ” - Elliott Smith
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Thanks mainline.
Actually i did call to check out the cost is would be 54.00 for my prescription which well i am already on a limited budget so it may not seem much it is not possible right now.
Funny thing how easy it is for someone to pay for it if they wanted to sell it but those of us like myself who just want their meds and have financial issues are forced to go without those medicines because the Government fears you will sell it. LOL seems so backwards to me.
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Ya it's tough to get doctors to write another med that's equal to the dosage of methadone they're willing to prescribe. A lot of pain doctors see methadone as a safer option (probably because it's not as abusable and thus less diverted than say IR oxycodone. Methadone is still a very dangerous drug though because of the high levels of it that build up in the blood stream so even though you're on say the same dosage of 40mg a day, depending on ur metabolism it can build up to higher and higher levels every day you're on it and it leads to OD's just as frequent if not more often than other narcotics.
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
http://www.prescriptiondiscount123.com/ is a website that offers an awesome discount card (works just like insurance, there is a negotiated price with specific pharmacies that you can look up in advance). I highly recommend it. I have been without insurance for a few years now and this card has saved me a small fortune.
Last edited by LorTabitha; 06-20-2012 at 08:44 PM. Reason: fixed URL
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Can you get those insurances even if you have medicaid? I am still waiting to kick in to medicare as i am disabled.
Frankly i am Happy to take whatever they want to give me as long as i can function as well as i do now it just drives me nuts that i fought 4 years to get into a pain managment doc and he is understanding and ready to give me what i am on and the darn insurance is the hold up.
I am seriously looking into options to pay for it myself but well income on disability sucks
I will check it out Lortabitha Thanks
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
U can use this discount card on anything that isn't covered by another insurance. It's a great deal & I highly recommend it. Not all pharmacies accept the card but the website will give u a list of pharmacies in your area. What I did with my meds is look each one up and found which pharmacy offered the best price since I typically fill about 10 scripts a month. I found that by going to 2 different pharmacies each month I'm saving quite a bit of cash.
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Can you get your doc to write two methadone scripts? One for the amount your insurance will cover, and then one for the rest of what you need (to lower your out of pocket cost). I know how tough it can be when youre on disability, but $54 isnt really that much. I know it wouldn't be standing between me and my script. I mean no offense, but there has got to be a way to come up with fifty bucks a month. It's not always right or fair the way healthcare works in this country, but its unfortunately the way it is right now.
I was just thinking you probably spend $50 a month on gas going to the clinic, I know I spend at least that.
“God, but life is loneliness, despite all the opiates, despite the shrill tinsel gaiety of "parties" with no purpose, despite the false grinning faces we all wear. And when at last you find someone to whom you feel you can pour out your soul, you stop in shock at the words you utter - they are so rusty, so ugly, so meaningless and feeble from being kept in the small cramped dark inside you so long. Yes, there is joy, fulfillment and companionship - but the loneliness of the soul in its appalling self-consciousness is horrible and overpowering.”
- Sylvia Plath
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Well it does not seem much but I have kids and the monthly budget is 850 a month so well it is not a lot and 54.00 is a lot and would mean cutting something
As far as gas no i get a bus service for all my appointments and it is covered by my medicaid so no gas spent.
Actually your thought of having them write two and i pay one and put one in for HMO to fill but i feared that it may look funny??
I am not giving up just going to have to weigh all options.
I wonder how it would look and even if he would do the two prescriptions?
Also i seen on the approved medicine list that the state also covers it so i wonder if they have a dosage cap on it as well i am going to check into that tomorrow.
I am thankful for all the info and help
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
If you'd like, you're welcome to email me your zip code & script info & I can research prices for with the discount card.
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
I looked it up it comes to 41.06 so that is a good savings now if i can get the card it will work i will find a way.) THANKS
it is saying i reached a page that is not a distributor and will not let me join can you send me another link Please
i have to go get my kids and animals to bed i will be back on shortly
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
I'm sorry if I came off as unsympathetic, that wasn't my intent. Methadone is pretty much the cheapest opiate pain medicine, so it's likely thats the cheapest you will be able to get by. You could call the pharmacy and ask about the 2 prescription thing, it couldn't hurt. Some churches have funds for medical assistance, it sucks having to ask, and wouldn't be a long term solution, but maybe could help in a pinch. It seems ridiculous that Medicaid will pay for the clinic but not an equivalent dose from a pharmacy since that would much cheaper. Anyway, sorry if I came off as abrasive, that wasn't my intent.
“God, but life is loneliness, despite all the opiates, despite the shrill tinsel gaiety of "parties" with no purpose, despite the false grinning faces we all wear. And when at last you find someone to whom you feel you can pour out your soul, you stop in shock at the words you utter - they are so rusty, so ugly, so meaningless and feeble from being kept in the small cramped dark inside you so long. Yes, there is joy, fulfillment and companionship - but the loneliness of the soul in its appalling self-consciousness is horrible and overpowering.”
- Sylvia Plath
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
I fixed the URL on my post above. Let me know if it still won't work for u & we'll figure something out.
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
That worked
Again Thanks so much
--- auto merge ---
Not a problem i did not take it as being unsympathetic I just took it as you not knowing my situation.
Believe me few things really get to me i am pretty thick skinned as i believe most addicts are really at least those who have been through what i have.
I do agree it is amazing to me that because i get medication in one place and not another that it makes such a difference. i am going to do what i can to get these funds one good thing is the day i get my prescription will be the day after i get my check so i will get it every month the same time and be able to pay for it and i am hoping that after talking to my Aunt that i will have even more help with paying. of course getting two written prescriptions would be even better but we will see.
Again THANKS for all the help. i am so happy membership finally opened up here and i caught it when i did.
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
I understand completely about being broke. I too have an income that is barely livable, in fact its a little less than yours. If Medicaid is paying for
PM Dr. they should pay for your meds too; they pay for mine anyway. They will also cover a wide variety of meds; I know that they cover Oxycontin,
Oxycodone, Methadone, Dilaudid, etc. However they do have limits on number of pills per month, but still fairly liberal. I don't think that your Dr. will
write two different scripts for same drug, at least mine would'nt.... said something about legalities. Don't worry it'll all work out. Peace be with ya.
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Yep i have faith if nothing else
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
I am scripted methadone, plus an IR breakthrough med. Maybe that's something your dr would consider?
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
I thought about that option as well. i think i am going to just ask him what he thinks and let him know that i have a family member willing to help me pay for the prescription and ask him if he feels that is my best option.
It is driving me nuts all this waiting and not knowing.
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Everybody's different, with regards their own self-control. Two best things about methadone is it's about the cheapest opiate you can get, and the fact that it's less 'fun' than most other opiates prescribed, so it's easier to not abuse of. That's why I prefer it to oxycodone: I just got honest, and realized I can't 'sit' on any kind of oxycodone. The best drug for replacing methadone--I've seen--is heroin, but it's a problem for obvious reasons...the other is buprenorphene, which if you are down to 30mg daily methadone, can be switched to. Most of this is all pretty common knowledge, and a lot here is more what you know you can do, and control, and what will be a problem.
I bounce between what I consider low-dose methadone--30-40mg daily--and heroin sprees. Never have any problems, except the fact that I wish I wasn't so damned strungout...but it works good on pain. Hell on veins tho
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
I know that feeling Duckfeet i have chipped for the last 10 years i have stayed away for a while cause well mostly money issues when i was able to it was due to some lil legal hustles i had going but those have dried up and well i just can not justify spending the funds at this point.
That said i am Happy to report all has worked out and today i left my clinic and ran into Walgreens to get that script filled
that said after looking and having him discuss my results from my MRI well i have to say as did he that i will likely be on pain meds for the rest of my life and he said he is still amazed that i am actually moving around as well as i am.
So i want to thank everyone who helped me out.
Bay
“Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.”
Ralph Nader
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Glad it worked out, methadone is an incredible pain killer.
You can always consider adding a cheap IR drug in the future if your pain fluctuates.
Re: What is a equally doable opiate
Absolutely. I suppose methadone is a bit like insulin for diabetics. I might hate the shit, that I need it, but I'm damned sure glad it's around.
To me, the best of all possible solutions for a long-term addict, in the USA (where choices are limited), and who also has verifiable injuries that cause physical pain, is methadone pills. Anything else--other than subs--I would cheat on. Subs I don't like for all the reasons people have described in other threads. Methadone pills alleviates the pain, and, coincidentally, keeps withdrawals at bay. I could go on for endless boring paragraphs on the 'down' side of methadone...but we all mostly know that anyway...but what else can I reasonably do, if I can't quit?
If I needed higher levels, I"d do what so many veterans do, which is go 'admit' to being an addict, and get on the free methadone clinic they pay for, and get what dose I need. But low dose suits me, ...and going the 'clinic' route sucks for the fact that then I'm treated in a sort of scummy way by all the other doctors....but since what I get for *pain* is also my secret defense against kicking, all is good...or maybe not 'good', but bearable....
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