What Are Alternatives to Methadone for Pain?
Question by Richard S: What are alternatives to methadone for pain?
I had shingles in 2003 and it caused nerve damage (phn). I take about four or five 5mg doses of methadone a week to control the intense pain in the trigeminal nerve in my face. I am afraid of becoming addicted to this drug. Loritab does me no good at all. Has anyone had this experience. I have a physician that will prescribe methadone but I would really like to get away from it and him. My family physician can write lesser painkillers but I absolutely don’t know which way to go. Are pain management doctors usually effective?
Best answer:
Answer by the_only_solorose
the key to pain meds, like methadone, is that if you have pain, and use the medication for that purpose, you do not become addicted. Addiction occurs when you don’t need the med for pain and you only use it to get high, then you become dependant on the stuff. If the methadone works for you, then be grateful, because many meds will not work on neuralgia like yours.
Answer by Charlie B.
Any pain killer type of drug can be addictive if it’s taken over a long period of time. There are drugs that are less addictive than methadone, but it’s really a question that should be answered by a doctor. Pain management is an alternative, but I personally have never been to one.