Methadone in Florida?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 5:58 pm
Hello All,
I joined this form for this specific question as I have hit a roadblock in my own research. I am a 35 y/o male with debilitating RLS.
I lived in Connecticut for 10 years and was prescribed every class of medication indicated for RLS (dopamine agonists, anticonvulsants, benzos) with little success. Mirapex relieved my symptoms for a period of time but resulted in terrible augmentation that required me to take FMLA for joint pain, bruising, and insomnia. I found a wonderful doctor at the Yale Sleep Medicine center who prescribed me methadone which completely eliminated my symptoms. I have been taking this for nearly 3 years and it still works well.
I have moved to Florida and have had nothing but trouble finding a provider than understands RLS and methadone as an effective treatment for RLS. I finally saw a doctor in Orlando who stated basically methadone is the only thing that will help but he cannot prescribe it to me because opioids for chronic conditions have to be prescribed by a certified pain management physician. He referred me to someone but stated he is not hopeful as pain management doctors generally have little understanding of the condition and will not likely be open to methadone as a treatment. He told me to try Neupro patches but he stated that they will most likely be ineffective based upon the severity of my symptoms.
I am considering flying back to Connecticut every 6 months to see my doctor there if things don't work out here, but my concern is that problems may arise with prescribing opioids across state lines. In addition, it will be difficult to afford the trip and to take time off work. So, my question is:
Has anyone in Florida found success with a doctor who is willing and able to prescribe methadone for RLS? I am willing to drive as far as I need to. I live in Clermont, about 30 miles west of Orlando.
Thank you so much!
I joined this form for this specific question as I have hit a roadblock in my own research. I am a 35 y/o male with debilitating RLS.
I lived in Connecticut for 10 years and was prescribed every class of medication indicated for RLS (dopamine agonists, anticonvulsants, benzos) with little success. Mirapex relieved my symptoms for a period of time but resulted in terrible augmentation that required me to take FMLA for joint pain, bruising, and insomnia. I found a wonderful doctor at the Yale Sleep Medicine center who prescribed me methadone which completely eliminated my symptoms. I have been taking this for nearly 3 years and it still works well.
I have moved to Florida and have had nothing but trouble finding a provider than understands RLS and methadone as an effective treatment for RLS. I finally saw a doctor in Orlando who stated basically methadone is the only thing that will help but he cannot prescribe it to me because opioids for chronic conditions have to be prescribed by a certified pain management physician. He referred me to someone but stated he is not hopeful as pain management doctors generally have little understanding of the condition and will not likely be open to methadone as a treatment. He told me to try Neupro patches but he stated that they will most likely be ineffective based upon the severity of my symptoms.
I am considering flying back to Connecticut every 6 months to see my doctor there if things don't work out here, but my concern is that problems may arise with prescribing opioids across state lines. In addition, it will be difficult to afford the trip and to take time off work. So, my question is:
Has anyone in Florida found success with a doctor who is willing and able to prescribe methadone for RLS? I am willing to drive as far as I need to. I live in Clermont, about 30 miles west of Orlando.
Thank you so much!