[kathywe]

Hello, All--

My boyfriend who has a T6 injury from 5 years ago has been suffering greater pain in the last year and a half--nerve pain and abdominal. He was recently using Fent patches, but suffered withdrawals in between new patch applications. He has now just started methadone but has not felt any relief PLUS now he is in major withdrawal from the Fentanyl. I have read that relief from methadone is accumulative in your system. Does anyone have experience with this? Does anyone know how long withdrawal systems generally last from Fentanyl? He already experienced terrible, terrible withdrawals from Valium several months ago. The thought of going through this again is unbearable, and the doctors are useless with this kind of information. I am beyond frustrated and feel really helpless. And my boyfriend is beside himself. These experiences make me want to go to medical school and become a pain doctor with some bedside manner and true compassion.

I am sorry for all that suffer these types of pain. I may not know what it's like firsthand, but I live it as a supportive partner every day.

Many thanks for any insight. It is much appreciated.

[Yasko]

I don’t know much about it but I've been in hospital with heroin addict for about 1 year. He was taking methadone and he has told me that methadone is worst than heroin, and ones he said whatever you do don't ever get hooked on Methadone. Hope your boyfriend will be better soon.
Good luck!
Yasko

This post has been edited by Yasko: 10 April 2009 - 06:21 PM

[E-DOG]

Is fentanyl an opiate?
If it is, then the methadone should counteract the withdrawal symptoms. Maybe he isn't getting enough of the "done"
And yes, as Yasko mentioned, addiction to, and withdrawal from methadone is worse than heroin. Lots worse. But it does kill pain if enough is used.
E

[cubanito_016]

I feel your boyfriend I suffer from those abdominal pain I am a t5 para complete.I youst try to live life and forget about the pain sometimes it hurts so much that I have to relax for a while.YEAH THE ABDOMINAL PAIN is cramping and bloating in your abdomen.It could be constipation maybe gots to much poop cause when i get constipated the pain gets whorse and when I have gas the same.When i am not constipated it still hurts but no as much but see maaybe he is constipated or have to much gas and if not tell him he is not alone suffering with this pain many people suffer from this pain and its very painful.Tell him to try to forget about the pain witch its hard but we cant do do nothing about it.I take lyrica 600mg it dosnt do much but it helps a little bit.

[edlee]

Cubanito has pretty much said it,,,, it seems to be a matter of acceptance of some pain. No matter what med you take for relief,, it only takes the edge off,,,, unless you take so much that you can't function rationally.

For a lot of us with SCI,,, pain is a given. If you are taking anything in quantities that make withdrawal a real issue, you may need to rethink what you are willing to endure to prevent that.

I feel for you,,,, it's sometimes harder to watch a loved one in pain than it is to be in pain yourself.. I hope you get things sorted out soon.
ed

[wheeliebear75]

Somehow there has to be a level where the pain can be controlled with out him becoming addicted. However there is the chance that although he is in very real pain his body still becomes physically dependent on the meds. It has happened to more than a few, and this is not to say that it is the same thing as being a strait up drug addict........more that due to the "real need" he ends up putting himself "between a rock and a hard place". I think a pain management specialist is key to dealing with the pain and if the Dr. has any additional training experience in SCI and or addiction it would be a good move. I only say this because you have mentioned that he has become physically dependent on more than one drug.

No offense intended. And the best of luck to the both of you.