My mother is on methodone for pain and I want to know more about it?

You'll find lots of information by searching on Google using the
spelling "methadone" rather than "methodone."

Easy...methadone is used on Heroine addicts. It, in Canada at least,
has been known to make the Heroine addicts just as dependent on the
methadone. Not to say your mom is a heroine addict, but its most
popular use is on Heroine addicts in regulated facilities. The
withrawl and pain from heroine is excruciating and methadone is
constructed as an artificial form to sort of trick the body into
thinking its getting what its craving. Interesting ey.

Although methadone is most well known for helping people recover from
narcotics addiction, some doctors are now using it to help treat
chronic pain illnesses (for example, fibromyalgia).  This use is not
very widespread, but it is catching on, as methadone does not have to
be dosed as often as drugs like morphine.

You may find these resources helpful:

Methadone Oral - MedLine Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682134.html

Do make sure that if your mother is taking any other medications that
she discuss them with her physician and pharmacist to ensure that
there are no interactions that may reduce the efficacy of either the
methadone or her other meds.

-- Rose
Methadone - Drugs.com
http://www.drugs.com/methadone.html

Methadone - The Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methadone

all very true, methodone is mainly used as a substitute for
withdrawing heroine/morphine addicts

althought it can be used to treat pain (morphine like effects)there
are other kinds of effect drugs.

eg:vicodin, codeine, etc..

Methadone is an opioid (like morphine) with a long half life.

A long half-life means it stays in the bloodstream a long time, and
does not have to be taken as long. Opioids have long been used as pain
killers.

Methadone, as has been stated, is given to herion addicts. It blocks
the effect of any herion or morphine they would inject into
themselves. It is true that many people stay on methadone for a long
time. It is a liquid, given as a drink under supervision. This reduces
the number of dirty needles on the street.

Lots and lots of medications can be used for pain, from
antidepressants, to gabapentin to diclofenac.

Methadone is given rather than morphine, as morphine causes more
nausea and drowsiness in many people.

*taken as OFTEN

Methadone IS NOT just a drug for heroin addicts.

Methadone is an opiate drug.  That means it acts on opiate receptors
in your brain.  This causes you to feel well, and also modulates pain
impuses in your brain.

There are many drugs in the opiate family, including
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Methadone

They all work the same way

The reason why heroin is so addictive is because it is very short
acting.  It gives you a short intense high.  Morphine and fentanyl are
not so short acting, so they are used clinically for pain relief.

Methadone is a very long acting opiate
It is given to heroin addicts, because of this.  It basically gives a
lesser and longer high, and blocks the receptors in the brain, so that
if they take heroin at the same time, they dont get such a high.  It
basically stops them from going into withdrawal, AND discourages them
from using Heroin.

Because it is long acting, it is also given in CHRONIC PAIN.  It can
work exactly like morphine, but longer.  It is given to cancer
patients with chronic pain.  It is very largely used in chronic pain
situations.

This may be the reason why your mom is on it.
Ask your mom why they started her on it.

Hello.
I have been on methodone for quite some time.And I have met people
whose reasons for being on it have differed remarkably.It is a very
affective form of treatment for a wide range of medical issues.They
differ from alcohol withdrawal,doctor prescribed medication,long-time
injury drug dependency,herion treatment,severe pain treatment;just as
an example.
You need to have an open mind when dealing with this issue,society
frowns upon 'methodone',I don't know what they (society) thinks about
what would happen if methodone wasn't available.
Be strong and supportive for your Mum,she needs you.
I am a working professional woman with children,I'm
kind,honest,reliable and hard-working.Please don't believe everyone on
methodone is a yucky 'junkie.'
You may have never done drugs in your life to be on methodone.
Good luck with your Mum and your life.
Regards,Gillianlisa.