Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:58 am
Kathy, it sounds like you have had a tough time and are in a tough place. I hope you can get to Ondo and he can help get it straightened out at least for now. Finding a new doc may not be easy, as you have already found out. Docs are very afraid of this class of drugs. One of the reasons the docs may look at you like you are using MEthadone for herion withdrawal is that your dose is a very high dose for RLS.
Just to clarify, everything I have read says that when used for RLS, we do not get immune (or tolerant) of it. In one study, only one person of 136 (they were followed over a seven year period) got tolerant to it. What causes dose increases is when a person isn't on a high enough dose to begin with. Also, Methadone used for pain is what is more likely to result in tolerance. The average dose in this study was only 15 mg! The highest dose was 30 mg. According to one RLS specialist, at these low doses, a person can quit Methadone immediately with no adverse effects - not something that can be done at higher doses.
Just to clarify, everything I have read says that when used for RLS, we do not get immune (or tolerant) of it. In one study, only one person of 136 (they were followed over a seven year period) got tolerant to it. What causes dose increases is when a person isn't on a high enough dose to begin with. Also, Methadone used for pain is what is more likely to result in tolerance. The average dose in this study was only 15 mg! The highest dose was 30 mg. According to one RLS specialist, at these low doses, a person can quit Methadone immediately with no adverse effects - not something that can be done at higher doses.