Switch from Oxycodone to Methadone? Whatcha think?

[debbluebird]

I've had WED PLM for about 25 years. I took Mirapex for many years. Then came augmentation. I tried many other drugs. Ended up on Methadone. I've taken it for 4 years. Some weeks I only take 10 mg, other weeks I need 15 mg. I take 5 mg, then if no issues, take 2nd one about 2 to 4 am. If issues, I take 2nd one at midnight, & 3 rd one about 4 am. It goes up & down. If I were to take more, then I would itch. I have taken oxycodone, I itch right away. Good luck.

[badnights]

not sure any doc around here would prescribe Dilaudid for RLS

but they will prescribe methadone? I would have expected it to be the other way around - harder to get a script for methadone than hydromorphone.

[Joanie60]

Only two opioids ever discussed with any of my Hopkins docs were Oxycodone and Methadone. Not sure why??

[ViewsAskew]

Only two opioids ever discussed with any of my Hopkins docs were Oxycodone and Methadone. Not sure why??

From the book Clinical Management of Restless Legs Syndrome: "Despite the lack of proper medical studies to determine the efficacy,safety, and dosing of this drug, there is a significant cadre of RLS specialists who preferentially use methadone over other opioids...This is due to several properties of methadone that make it useful for managing RLS. Furthermore, this drug tends to be more effective and better tolerated than other opioids for the majority of RLS patients (based on clinical experience)."

The books continues to talk about the long halflife and symptom relief for up to 12 hours. They also mention that it may cause fewer issues with tolerance and few cases of rapid increases.

The book suggests that oxycodone is often the next in line if methadone fails. But, they do not say why.

[Joanie60]

Thanks Ann! My little blue book (Clinical Management..)is home and I am in Germany. I would just LOVE to have 12 hours relief. Does the book talk about a recommended starting dose?

I have been thinking about the "alerting" nature of opiates. I have never noticed that to be an issue but since I have not been sleeping well in Germany, I have been taking a fourth pill right before bed so I am comfortable while I do not sleep. Now I am wondering if I am not sleeping because of the fourth pill!! Wouldn't that be something

I'll experiment tonight!! Thanks for those who have been addressing the "alerting" on other threads here

Joanie

[Rustsmith]

Joanie, I checked and the "little blue book" says that the typical dose for methadone is 5-10 mg every 8 hrs.

[Joanie60]

Thanks Steve! I imagine Dr Guyani will go low and slow, that is fine with me, but I like to have an idea of what I am shooting for.