Chapter of My Life

methadone
Generic Name: methadone (METH a done)
Brand Names: Diskets, Dolophine, Methadose

What is methadone?
Methadone
is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine. Methadone also
reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other
narcotic drugs without causing the "high" associated with the drug
addiction.

Methadone is used as a pain reliever and as part of drug addiction detoxification and maintenance programs.

Methadone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about methadone?
Taking
methadone improperly will increase your risk of serious side effects or
death. Even if you have used other narcotic medications, you may still
have serious side effects from methadone. Follow all dosing
instructions carefully.
Like other narcotic medicines, methadone can
slow your breathing, even long after the pain-relieving effects of the
medication wear off. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.
Never use more methadone than your doctor has prescribed. Call your
doctor if you think the medicine is not working.

You may have
withdrawal symptoms when you stop using methadone after using it over a
long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without
first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before
you stop the medication completely. Do not drink alcohol while you are
taking methadone. It can increase your risk of a fatal overdose. Check
the labels of any food or medicines you use to make sure they do not
contain alcohol (also called ethanol).
Avoid using drugs that make
you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, sleeping pills,
muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety).
Methadone may increase the effects of these other drugs and could also
result in a fatal overdose.

Methadone can cause side effects
that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or
do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using methadone?
Taking
methadone improperly will increase your risk of serious side effects or
death. Even if you have used other narcotic medications, you may still
have serious side effects from methadone. Follow all dosing
instructions carefully. Do not use this medication if you are allergic
to methadone, or if you have:
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders; or

a stomach condition called paralytic ileus (intestinal blockage).

Before taking methadone, talk to your doctor if you have:

liver disease;
kidney disease;
underactive thyroid;

curvature of the spine;

a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";

low blood pressure;

Addison’s disease; or

a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

If
you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use methadone,
or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA
pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby.
It could also cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if
the mother takes methadone during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Methadone can
pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults and people with debilitating conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.

How should I use methadone?
Use
methadone exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the
medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your
doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Last night, i was sleeping not very late like usually… i started to sleep at 11 pm, usually i sleep at dawn, even morning… ;P Bad Habit I have.
Actually, i’ve tried to change my habit become normal human, well u can say i’m not normal like common people… hehe… i’m nocturnal person.
Anyway, back to the story… yes, i was sleeping very early last nite ( for me ofcourse), then suddenly when i began my dream… strange feeling i have, i felt like i was in the process of waiting something, it was like waiting my turn in hospital or bank, but i’m not sure, the situation was unclear, i cant remember precisely, but all i know that someone was asking me some questions that i couldn’t even understand what he/she was saying. The language was unclear, or maybe my brain stacked at that moment. Then, suddenly… i was like reversed from other world… i cant breath, like i was running from something or someone, i was so exhausted… terrified.. horrified.. then…suddenly i woke up from my dead… or i can say i was almost dead. when i woke up…i opened my eyes, i was hardly breathing… like something choke my throat or pushed my chest. i just can cry n cry…oh my god… Please forgive me for all my faults n sins…i promise i’ll be a good person from now on, i’ll follow your commands as i could. Then…the suffers i felt slowly but sure disappeared. God…u give me another chance to repair myself n prepare to be a better mankind in your judgment’s day… It was 3 am when i started to get normally breathing since it was 1 am i was woke up. Now.. i just can thanks n thanks to God… cos i still can gather with my family n chat with my friends… what a fortunate person a am… a strange but priceless experience i’ve had, n that was not the first or the last time i’ve ever had… only me n God know it