Swelling, Indegestion and Methadone

Am on a methadone reduction currently daily 80 mls. Have put on alot of weight and developed lumpiness around thighs and buttocks. What is causing this - water retention? Also have GERD very badly. Trying to get off the methadone as this seems to be causing it all? Any suggestions?

I too am getting off, my legs and hands are swelling, at night they go numb to the point where I wake up in a panic. It is getting worse and I feel slight chest pains and fluttering lately. I am scared too and wish I knew what to do. The nurses at the clinic act like they have NEVER heard of this before but when I type it in the internet, it comes up as a serious side affect that needs to be reported to a doctor immediatly. Problem being is the doctor denies that the methadone is causing these symptoms. I missed a dose on purpose and felt slightly better. When I went back it all came back with a vengeance, therefor I know what is causing my body to act wacky. I believe the doctor at my clinic is also the private owner, so of course he doesn't want that 400 dollars a month to go away? How shady is that, they would rather you die than lose a little money?!?!?

OH MY GOD I have the same the same symptoms and I get the same answers you do what is wrong with these people I want of this stuff I just want help...I cant belive we have the same symptoms The HANDS everything

Guest wrote:

OH MY GOD I have the same the same symptoms and I get the same answers you do what is wrong with these people I want of this stuff I just want help...I cant belive we have the same symptoms The HANDS everything

Have you thought of changing to the medication Subutex. It has made a huge difference to me. Talk to the Doctor at your clinic.

I TOO NOTICED BAD SWELLING IN MY ANKELS AND IN MY FEET ABOUT A WEEK OR A LITTLE LONGER AFTER I STARTED TAKING THE METHADONE. THE CLINIC TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL SIDE EFFECT AND THAT IT IS PROBABLY CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON WITH ME.
MY FEET AND ANKELS WERE SO SWOLLEN THAT I CAN NOT WEAR ANY OF MY SHOES RIGHT NOW ACCEPT ONE PAIR OF FLIP FLOPS AND THEY ARE TIGHT ON ME.

I THINK IT IS GREAT THAT THEY HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS OUT THERE BUT I FEEL LIKE THEY REALLY FAIL TO TELL YOU VERY IMPORTANT INFO, THEIR HOURS ARE VERY INCONVENIENT, AND IT IS VERY COSTLY.

ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET THE SWELLING DOWN? SO FAR I HAVE HEARD TO ELEVATE MY FEET AS HIGH AS I CAN AND HIGHER THEN MY HEART WHEN I AM LAYING DOWN. AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD TO DRINK LOTS OF WATER, RUB THEM A LOT, AND EAT LESS SALT.

I STARTED METHADONE AND GAINED 35LBS OF WHAT SEEMS LIKE WATER. ITS THE LUMPY THIGHS AND BUTTOCKS AS WELL AS THE UPPER SECTION OF MY STOMACH BETWEEN MY RIBS LOOKS AS IF IT IS STICKING OUT. THE DOCTOR AT THE CLINIC SAID ITS A CHANGE IN BEHAVIOUR SINCE IM NOT BUSY LOOKING FOR DRUGS ANYMORE, I HAVE RELAXED AND PUT ON WEIGHT. I WAS ON SCRIPTS FOR FIBROMYALGIA, SO THE MEDS CAME TO ME. THEY DON'T WORK ANYMORE SO I WENT TO THE METHADONE CLINIC, WHERE I AM TREATED LIKE A HARDCORE DRUG ADDICT. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST DRUG ADDICTED PEOPLE, BUT I WASNT LOOKING FOR A HIGH, I HAD ALOT OF PAIN AND ENDED UP ADDICTED. I HAVE TO GO OUT EVERYDAY NOW TO GET MY METHADONE, SO I AM MORE ACTIVE THEN BEFORE. PLUS IT HELPS A LITTLE SO I AM MORE ACTIVE DURING THE DAY. THIS WEIGHT SEEMS LIKE WATER AND LOOKS LIKE LUMPY POCKETS ALL OVER MY BODY. MY UPPER ARMS TOO. THE SUGGESTION SEEMS GOOD, ABOUT TRYING SUBOXONE. BUT THE DOC WILL ONLY CHANGE THE SCRIPT FOR REASONS OF USEFULNESS AND NOT WEIGHT GAIN, WHICH HE CONTRIBUTES TO A SEDINENTARY LIFESTYLE, WHICH TO HIM IS NOT A REAL REASON FOR SWITCHING MEDS. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS. IF I CAN SWITCH, I WILL LET YOU GUYS KNOW IF IT WORKED OR NOT.
LISA TOMASIELLO

I too am on methadone maintenance for opiate abuse including abusing methadone before I met my doctor. I peaked in my abusing of methadone at about 140mg but I sometimes took even more sometimes less. I wanted off of it, so I started weaning myself off I got to around 70-80mg per day when I finally got insurance and met my doctor who is a physicatrist and specializes in addiction and withdrawls. I am now down to 30mg day, with a benzo started with Librium then to valium and I want to go back on the librium it helped more. I also take clonidine which helps with withdrawls but I also have hypertension so it helps with both for me. Im feeling better but I have put on 50lbs easy, and have recently had sever swelling in my left foot. I had a sever knee injury in my teens and my knee they say will eventually have to be replaced so it could also and more likely be the culprit in my swelling, becuase I am having bad pain again in my knee, shooting pain from my foot up my shin. Whatever ppl say, I think methadone is good just dont abuse it.

my-health-sucks wrote:

I TOO NOTICED BAD SWELLING IN MY ANKELS AND IN MY FEET ABOUT A WEEK OR A LITTLE LONGER AFTER I STARTED TAKING THE METHADONE. THE CLINIC TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL SIDE EFFECT AND THAT IT IS PROBABLY CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON WITH ME. MY FEET AND ANKELS WERE SO SWOLLEN THAT I CAN NOT WEAR ANY OF MY SHOES RIGHT NOW ACCEPT ONE PAIR OF FLIP FLOPS AND THEY ARE TIGHT ON ME. I THINK IT IS GREAT THAT THEY HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS OUT THERE BUT I FEEL LIKE THEY REALLY FAIL TO TELL YOU VERY IMPORTANT INFO, THEIR HOURS ARE VERY INCONVENIENT, AND IT IS VERY COSTLY. ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET THE SWELLING DOWN? SO FAR I HAVE HEARD TO ELEVATE MY FEET AS HIGH AS I CAN AND HIGHER THEN MY HEART WHEN I AM LAYING DOWN. AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD TO DRINK LOTS OF WATER, RUB THEM A LOT, AND EAT LESS SALT.

Try wrapping an ice pack with a small towel and taping it to the swelled area...I have same problem with my left foot swelling and I dont know if it's from the methadone or I also have a very bad left knee and had a portion of my poplatiel artery replaced because of clot. Everything else you stated ive tried except the less salt idea, but ice takes my swelling down, doesnt get rid of it but if I elevate my leg/foot with pillows and ice it for about an hour it helps. Good luck to ya I feel your frustration. I found a doctor that helps me with my weaning off methadone. If you want to try suboxone you have to not take methadone for 2 days and for me that wasnt an option cause I would get severly sick. Good luck, Redbluffer

Wow it is great to know that i am not alone in this ...just as you have wrote above I to had the swelling in my hands and feet and numbnes in my hands at night and in the morning and also very stiff ....... my doc told me that this was also not a side affect that could be caused by methadone ..."no way" it must be a cawincadence he said hahaha well I knew it wasnt and now after reading this site i am completely convinced that it is simplty a side affect of the methadone and ... I have been on this before "methadone" but just not as high.... i found that i did not get these symptoms until i went above 50ml ... so I am now gonna aim to get bellow that over the next few months and and level off and see if this makes the difference.... and stop worring that i have carpotunnel or diabettes lol .... well anyway thanks for helping me self diagnose ....cause we know those docs who have never been on the shit dont have a fu#%in clue

I am going through methadone withdraw for the second time. First off the swelling in the feet and ankles means you are too high along with the indigestion......I dont care what any clinic pain or maint. tells you....i have used opiates for 10 plus years, methadone for 4 and every time i took more than i should my ankles and feet would swell to the point i could push my finger on them and make a half inch hole that would last for half an hour...now if you are just starting you will likely gain weight you have never had i gained forty pounds over 2 1/2 years of methadeath and lost it within 2 months off use...if your quiting GET HELP i thought i was so strong but here i am withdrawing again im on day 8 i didnt have the luxury of a detox program
i went down 5ml a day for 16 days i still dont sleep i sweat and freeze i still have horrible anxiety cramps diahrea and occassional vomiting usually in the morning...this is no joke if u r using oxy vic even heroin and u dont think u can get off your success of getting of methadone will be less likely...know for some good news suboxone works miracles after 2 1/2 years at a clinic i switched to suboxone i had my relaps i wont lie but i did successfully detox and get clean for real clean.....but i know now it does end there i got depressed and started using again after 6 months of being clean.....you have to fix the original problem before u can fix the symptoms being clean is not being numb you will never feel the way you feel on opiates you will have good days and bad thats just life...the best part so far are the tears i cry i have feelings flooding back im emotional whether it good or bad im alive not just rolling through life numb and unresponsive wish me lucky in kentucky