New in methadone maintenance therapy

[jenwop7573]

Hello,
I recently joined a methadone clinic, about three weeks ago. So far so good but some of the side effects are kind of weird and I am wondering if they are normal. I'm also interested in if anyone is, or has been, on methadone and how it has worked for them.

I have really bad heartburn but I have heard that some antacids can affect methadone, either make it not work and I will go into withdrawals, or the antacid will potentiate it, or make it stronger. Does anyone know anything about this?

Also I am experiencing A LOT of muscle twitching, or spasms since starting methadone. Is this common? Is it from withdrawal of the opiate pills or is it from the methadone?

Thanks so much!

 

[T. Calderone]

Hi Welcome to Bluelight! Did you have heartburn issues before you started methadone? It's been known to cause stomach upset in some people. I didn't experience twitching but heard of it happening in the beginning of treatment. If these symptoms persist, speak to your doctor and he can tell you what's safe to use.

Homeless --------- > BDD

 

[jenwop7573]

Hello and thank you....I did have heartburn issues before starting methadone. I was just wondering if methadone makes it worse because it seems worse now. I am hoping the twitching will subside. So will you post this in a forum that you think it belongs in or should I post it somewhere else? Thanks!

 

[wezface]

It can definitely make your heartburn worse. You should be allright taking some otc omeprazole as long as you don't take it within about an hour of taking your dose, though, and those should last a good 24 hours. If this doesn't help, try a bit of lemon in your water half hour before meals. While this sounds counterintuitive, many people actually have low stomach acid so they end up overproducing to compensate, and this can help combat that.
Good luck.

 

[TheRapperGoneBad]

Not 100 on the whole heart burn issue but taking my methadone with a meal greatly helped with all the stomach problems associated with it.

I would also say a doctor or your prescriber would have the most accurate info on what to take an not to take with the mdone.

When do you dose?
Mgs?
and as I said before, do you eat with it? Before after whatever.

Finally what's your water intake like? That can also increase heart burn from eatin an such.

 

[Erikmen]

Methadone has a lot of side effects. But it all depends on how much you take and most specifically for how long you use.
Although it´s an excellent medication for you to have a 'normal' life, it´s very common to be linked to that for years in a roll and still have a reasonable life.
Most of the side effects, imo, happens when you use it for a long term. And quitting is definitely the worst of all. So be careful and always talk to your doctor. Sometimes a different one, just to get some perspective.
Hope you get better!
Erik

 

[jenwop7573]

It can definitely make your heartburn worse. You should be allright taking some otc omeprazole as long as you don't take it within about an hour of taking your dose, though, and those should last a good 24 hours. If this doesn't help, try a bit of lemon in your water half hour before meals. While this sounds counterintuitive, many people actually have low stomach acid so they end up overproducing to compensate, and this can help combat that.
Good luck.

Hey...so what is the reason for not taking it within an hour of my dose? Does it affect the methadone somehow? Would it make the methadone weaker or stronger? Just curious as I'm cautious as to what I can take with the methadone. I have been told it's ok by the clinic but have seen some things on other sites regarding antacids and methadone.

Thanks all for the responses!

 

[jenwop7573]

Not 100 on the whole heart burn issue but taking my methadone with a meal greatly helped with all the stomach problems associated with it.

I would also say a doctor or your prescriber would have the most accurate info on what to take an not to take with the mdone.

When do you dose?
Mgs?
and as I said before, do you eat with it? Before after whatever.

Finally what's your water intake like? That can also increase heart burn from eatin an such.

I dose in the morning and don't usually eat with it as I have no appetite in the morning. I take 70 mg and will probably go up to 75. I am trying to drink more water for the heartburn but I was a little dehydrated too. Another thing I have noticed is it has become a little difficult to pass urine although I do have to pee. Sometimes I have to "go" all the time and it's not a small amount. That's becoming a little frustrating as well! Thanks!

 

[cj]

I have found a table spoon of baking soda 15 minutes before dosing potentates the methadone and gets rid of heartburn. Win win.

 

[Erikmen]

Hey...so what is the reason for not taking it within an hour of my dose? Does it affect the methadone somehow? Would it make the methadone weaker or stronger? Just curious as I'm cautious as to what I can take with the methadone. I have been told it's ok by the clinic but have seen some things on other sites regarding antacids and methadone.

Thanks all for the responses!

I´ve taken methadone for too many years and could careless if my stomach was full or not or whether I´d take it after or before medications.
As long as I did not drink it was all okay. Methadone is a very strong opiate and a very long acting one too.
It´s very difficult to 'unpower' methadone IMO/E.
It may perhaps affect when it will kick in, probably delay 15 or 20 minutes, but it will surely find its ways.
After all it stays with you for 24/48 hours at least.

That´s why it´s so hard to quit methadone when you´ve taken them for a great while.
Anyway this is my experience, my opinion based on years and years using methadone and of course talking to my doctor monthly.

 

[Erikmen]

I have found a table spoon of baking soda 15 minutes before dosing potentates the methadone and gets rid of heartburn. Win win.

^It´s worth a try.
Methadone has a great number of side effects and we are all so different. So this may work, I guess it all depends on the doses
you are taking, for how long. And of course how old you are.

Within some of the most common side effects, I can say it may affect your hormones, sleeping, constipation is definitely an issue, gaining weight, not to mention thyroid issues, stomachache, mood swings, drowsiness, sweating etc, etc.

"God bless" if this is only affecting your stomach. You could have your stomach checked for gastro issues just in case. Just follow the doctors instructions and you´ll find your ways.

You will be okay. Avoid alcohol at all costs.
These inputs comes from me only. I don´t really know if it is that bad for others. I just wanted to share how bad was for me when I had to quit it. It seems impossible at times.

 

[Raki]

Im on 220mgs and have been, in between maintaining on morphine depending upon the nation, since 1993. I also have H. Pylori so "heartburn" is an understatement to stay the least. Methadone has never had any affect on my stomach issues, both in my subjective experience and in the clinical examinations. There is no change when I switch to morphine for almost a year at a time. I suffer alot with my stomach but methadone has no bearing on it.