Does methadone cause weight gain and/or slow down metabolism?

Mann! I feel for everybody bcuz I'm just like all of you. My story starts out the same back in 01 I got into a terrible car accident in Miami. Had L2,L6 in my lumbar region herniated discs. I started out with 2 percocet 10s a day, then after graduating to 15 Perc 10/650MG a day my doctor told me to try OXYCONTIN!! I started with a 80MG a day and after about 4 years I graduated to 40 OXY 80MG a day! Believe me, I know?? NO BS cuz I was going to da same doctor and I was under a microscope! By the way I'm 6'3" and on the OXY I got all the way down from 190lbs. to 160lbs. Then I kicked with METHADONE in April of 07 and I got all the way up to 260MG a day. Now I'm gradually tapering and I'm at 165MG. In spring of 08 after a year on Methadone I was 268LBS.!! I have stretch marks all over me! I went to 10 different endocronologist, orthapidics, neurologist, anything you can think of I've tried. But I keep getting the same answer, METHADONE NOT ONLY MESSES WITH YOUR THYROID N METABOLISM BUT YOU RETAIN 80% MORE WATER!! If you press your thumb down on your forearm, your thumb print will stay there for awhile!! ITS ALL WATER!! GOOD LUCK TO ERYBODY, GOD KNOWS ITS HELL GAINING 100LBS IN ONE YEAR! RIGHT NOW I'M STILL 233LBS. !!

Well, in one way I am glad to find out that there are other people like me gaining weight from methadone, but I know how you all feel. I had a creeping feeling that it was the methadone and when all these posts came up after I put weight gain methadone in google, I found out I was right. I was on methadone for 10 years, was very obese, got off, lost all the weight, then wham, ended back on the stuff, (methadone) and back came the weight, I am positively sure it is the methadone that causes the weight. I have tried everything, now I plan on following another posters suggestions and lowering my dosage a bit, drinking a ton of water, and no more late night sweets, we will see what happens, I think there should be some kind of study done about this, like they really care right? Does anyone know if there is a support group for people like us? take care and good luck, Barb in Va

I just got put on methadone threw a pain managment program. I just took my dose and decided to look up about the drugs. I am getting married Oct 09 and there is NO way I am gaining anymore weight. I have already put on 15 due to the inactivity the pain has caused. They also put me on Neurontin which could cause weight gain too. As habit forming as the methadone seems to be...No way. I am not taking it.

I have been on methadone for a year, and have gained 30 pounds. I hate this. I exercise, eat less and am still gaining. My methadone Dr. gave me a choice of going on Suboxen. It is basicly the same thing as methadone without the weight-gain, or severe sweating. Look it up, it might not be good for everyone, Im going to give it a try. One down fall is you have to endure methadone withdrawls for 2 days before starting the pill. Good Luck!!!

I have been on methadone for 9 years . i got clean off everything a year ago that is when i noticed the weight gain . i have been takin vitadone for a couple months and it has helped with the sweet cravings and sweating but i have recently started to try and diet i never was fat i always weighed 120 and now i am up to 180 imdepressed and i look pregnant like most of the other things i have read about people on this site it does make me feel better to kno that there are others and im not going crazy i was actually trying to make myself throw up im goingcazy and hate my body yes im glad im clean now but sometimes i want to just give up and start smoking crack i was doing that for a while on methadone but hey i was skinny i started shootin dope young like try 18 years old im 29 now i just want to kno how to get some of this damn weight off i have never even been on a diet im asking for some input out there thanksby the way i kno several people who tried to switch to suboxen and it didnt work they were very sick and ended up back at the clinic my couselor said to go try to grt on a low dose of phetermene and it would help me lose the weight :cry:

I have been using heroin for 10 years. It never made me lose weight- in fact the last 2 years on the sh*t, i gained about 35 pounds. No one except my dealer and my ex knew about my addiction, so i was basicly living in a lie. In the spring of 2007 i had to leave overseas for what i thought was for good. I was using up to a gram and a half of the most pure heroin, so i was pretty bad. I wanted to stop it many times, especially knowing that where i was going i couldn't afford anyone to find out about my problem. So i left in may, with 40cc of liquid Methadone- smth that i would use for 2-3days max if i was home. But i had no choice. So i started with 8cc the first day and reduced my dose with 1 cc every day. When i had 5cc left, i stopped taking it and left the 5cc in case i can't manage the withdrawals. Guess what- i couldn't sleep for a week, had diarrhea in the mornings but otherwise i was great. 10 days later i was a new person- was able to get up in the morning and do stuff without depending on some drug!!! By that time i was 180 pounds( my usual weight, before starting to gain was always 135). I couldn't stand myself, i was so fat and sloppy! i felt like a hippo... So, what was supposed to be a trip for good, turned out to be just for 6 months. I came back home and started a diet- my own- i ate all but rice, potatoes, bread and sweets(incl. soda). In 2 months there was no result and i was ready to give up, but smth told me to give it time. In 2 more months i weighed 145 pounds! Now, i am back to my previous weight-135, i am clean, i had no nightmarish withdrawals and my secret stayed in the past. But there has not been a single day that i haven't thought of heroin- mostly how not to give in to the temptation to make the phone call...
I hope this helps at least a little...

I have been on methadone for almost 5 years and just come across a vitamin for methadone patients only calles VITADONE. It is supposed to help with numerous things. Just started taking about a week ago but will let you know what I think about it and other people think about one more week so that it will be in my system good!!

id like to know if the vitadone really does cut out the sugar cravings? Ive gained about 55 pounds since being on methadone, ive recently been taking xenadrine and dieting/exercising, ive lost about 7 pounds in 2 weeks, but its a lot harder than it used to be to lose the weight and ive also noticed that since being on methadone i gain weight in different places, than i used too, example--My face almost looks swollen because of the weight ive gained in my face, same thing with my stomach. I know why ive gained it, i feel sleepy a lot and i eat a lot during the night and go right back to sleep after eating, more than anything i only want to eat sugary snacks, no real food, you know what i mean??? %-) %-) ?

I have been on Methadone (120 mg) for 7 years. I am very active. I work outdoors drilling oil wells. I have gained 50 pounds!!!
Will the VITADONE really work?? I could use the energy boost. Also the sweating is embaressing!! I used to have such a killer shape. But, being back on drugs is not an option. I love being like the "straight people" now. Just living a normal life is great!!

Thank you. This guy is an *****. I too have gained weight after one year in the methadone program. Exercise and dieting dosen't seem to be helping. Feels good to hear similar stories.

I am 31 years old and had my first major surgery when I was 14 years old, another at 17, one at 19, another at 22 and yet another one at 25 years old. These were all serious surgeries which require, and will continue to require, monthly doctor's visits. I was on and off of opiates each time I had a surgery until the last one, when I could no longer take the 24 hours of pain a day. I started on the same as most people, hydrocodone with too much acetaminophen, so I was put on Morphine and Methadone. I am 5'6", my whole family is small, and I had never weighed more than 135 pounds even though I tried like crazy to gain weight the proper way by adding muscle and reducing fat (muscle weighs more than fat believe it or not). When I was put on the Methadone, I started gaining weight in the exact same ways. I could no longer fit in any of my pants due to much larger legs and butt. I also have gained a stomach which I NEVER had in my entire life, and I could eat anything that I wanted. I am now at 180 pounds, a gain of almost 50 pounds, and some months I gain or lose up to 15 pounds. I know this is not healthy. Having read the articles here, I am now convinced myself that Methadone makes you gain weight for some reason. I don't even think that my doctor believes that it does this, so I am having a hard time convincing him to take me off of it. I am in pain wheter on my medicine or not, it only helps me cope. For my heighth, I am obese. Whether narcotic or not, does anyone know a medicine that can take the place of Methadone? I would be much happier taking 3-5 OxyContin 80 mg. than 15 Methadone. I truly believe that I have broken the desire to be "high" off of my medicine, I just want to be able to have some kind of normal life, able to cope with the pain that will never go away. If I wanted to get high, I have plenty of Morphine to do that, but I never take enough to feel euphoric, I refuse to do so since making the decision to be clear headed, so I am not worried about abuse, I just would like to know a substitute for the Methadone. Please help, the weight has significantly decreased my energy and I don't like taking so many pills. Thank you.

I too am on methadone, and have been for a year. Have gained 30 pounds. Just recently started taking vitamins, and Acai Berry, as well and a colon cleanse. Only been a week and a half and I am lost 5 pounds, and feel great. I have more energy and am finally "pooping" like a regular person. I got the idea for the vitamin use from researching "Viatadome" the vitamin for methadon users. Very expensive and from what I read, regular vitamins and a good colon cleanse are the same. Try it, I did and feel great.

You can get vitadone online.
I take the vitamins 3 times a day, along with 2 other multivitamins, and antidepressants.
I feel like I have more energy than I did without the vitamins.

I have been on methadone for about 7 months now.
I have researched this, been to meetings, talked to doctors, anything and everything u can think of, and they all basically say the same thing.
Now, before I share this with you, just know that this is all the information I got, then reasonably processed this with my thoughts.

Methadone WILL stop the cravings, but it doesn't always stop the thoughts of the drugs. I still crave weed, and I smoke it. I think it's the safest way to feel that "euphoric" way while on meth. (I think)

It really depends on how severe of a habit you have, I was 3 years using percs, sniffing oxys, probably somewhere around 300 or more mills a day. For me that was insane! Im a mom of 2, and I was freakin super mom on that sh*t! I was able to literally run around and get everything and then some done, with a smile on my face.

I went to meth cuz, I hit rock bottom. It saved my life from "scoring" but, it made me fat, tired and scared what would happen if I didn't get my meth for a day.

So, meth can save you, but just know it's temporary!!

THE GOOD - stops cravings, cheaper (to some people), it's legal (to some) lol! and it's monitored by the people who give it to u,( unless u OD on your take homes) if u do that than u need in patient rehab for real!!

THE BAD - weight gain, tiredness, constipation, rotten teeth, ( when used for years) and the worse thing of all, you have just traded one addiction for another!

Methadone Clinics are "Cash Cows", it really is all about the money for them. There maybe some good counselors there for some, I'm not knocking it but seriously, I wouldn't be suprised if it soon became illegal.
Lets call this what this is " A legal drug dealing clinic" there might as well be a drive through. LOL!!

As far as constipation, I will tell you 2 things that really worked for me.
1. Benefiber capsules, ( take 2 3 times a day)
2. Quaker old fashioned oatmeal!! I made it with milk, sugar, & cinnamin.
Now, I don't mean to be nasty, but the oatmeal I would eat late morning, a big bowl, the next morning I would take an ENORMOUS c**p!! I swear to god, I friggin clogged the toilet once!! LOL! Im not kidding, I don't know what the hell it is, I tried everything, and I will tell you what, It will clean you out!! Unfortunatley, I don't go when I don't eat it.
TRY IT!!!! YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY!!!! ;)

My advice is try not to be on it more than 1 year. Then ween yourself down 2 milligrams a week, NOTE: If you want to detox off meth, you have to be on 20 mills or less, or they WILL NOT take you, your are considered "high risk", basically, they don't want to risk getting sued.
Also, the same mills apply if you want to make the switch to suboxone.
Unfortunatley, if u talk to a "counselor" about weening down, they will tell u NO u are not ready for that, u will relapse! You know what maybe they are some what right, but I have to wonder, are they seeing it as another $80 a week lost.
Anyway, Best Of Luck to all of you, I really hope this helped at least a little:) :) :)


:) :D

I'm new to this and I'm not sure if I am doing this right or not,and the message that I want to reply to was awhile ago I know,but I just saw it and I am so mad that I am shaking!
But then I think ,"don"t let a missinformed,ignorant fool get you mad",but it makes me wonder how many other ignorant fools are out there that just don't understand pill addiction?
I had major,life threatening problems that I had many serious surgeries for and while revovering in the hospital they put me on iv moraphine and so on and lots of pills to take home. I WAS IN PAIN AND I TOOK THEM! I WAS NEVER WARNED about getting physically or mentally addicted to them! I thought like alot of people do that the dr. knew what he was doing and that if it was bad he would tell me. Anyways I became physically and mentally addicted and when I knew this I didnt know what to do about it.
I am dealing with military drs and my husband has a security clearance for navy intel and I didnt know where to turn for help so it continued for a long time. You say that it isn't as bad an addiction as tar heroine and you say that you lost all from your addiction. First let me say that ALL HAVE DIFFERENT BOTTOMS that they will fall too befor enough is enough.
Your bottom was having to lose all.
With my addiction I chased opiates for years, everyday for hundreds of miles. I had to use every three hours or get sick and yes I am talking VERY,VERY SICK! And I DO know what being sick is like!!!!
I drove my husband into near bankruptcy and yes he lost his clearance and now has to work doing something else in the navy and I have to live with that guilt. But bless him he has stuck with me through ALL. And he NEVER puts any blame on me. But it was my fault.
Anyways I drove for hundreds of miles,sometimes all night long,dragging my husband around and even begging him to help me get them because I was so sick sometimes. And like I said spending our money and so on.
By the end I was 95 pounds and tired as hell and I didnt want to lose anymore! Plus I had a great outlet for help through my husband who like I said stayed by my side.
I ended up in the er at a navy hospital and they ordered my husband to take me to inpatient treatment,and guess what? I met a few people with your story,with the tar heroine and you want to guess what? My withdrawls were harder!!!! This isn't and shouldn't be a contest though,I am only saying that and this because of what you said,or I would NEVER mention who or what drug whoever used had it "harder" because we ALL are addicts and we should unite not divide ourselves! With that attitude all I can say is this too you,dont just take the methadone but get some real recovery as well!!!! With that said though I had a very hard time with withdrawl. I sweated so bad that my blood pressure dropped so low that I passed out in the treatment center. As a matter of fact my dr was worried so much that methadone was suggested for me.
I couldnt get clean. I would walk out of treatment centers and I had super bad headaches that just wouldnt stop,plus I still had the pain issues from befor and it is known that methadone can help pain.
So because of those reasons I got on methadone.
I have been on methadone for 8 years and have been clean most of the time.
I had a hard time the first year because it seemed no matter how much they raised my dose I couldnt stop using or withdrawing. I evened out at 165 mgs and have been clean since.
Also you say that there is a long line and pill users are taking space? Well my husband is military and we move ALOT. I have been from washington,to hawaii and california and NEVER have I had to wait on a list and there has ALWAYS been lots of room for patients everywhere I have been,even with just one clinic in hawaii! So thats hard to believe and where I am now there is at least 5 clinics. I know that there are some people that have to drive a bit to get to a clinic,in washington I had to drive from Bremerton to federal way! About 100 miles. I did that everyday. the clinics never had a waiting list.
And you cut down the people that say that they have gained weight because of mcdonalds! How the H.LL would you know what everyone eats!!!!
I have also gained weight. Like I said I was 95 pounds when I started and I have ganed about 40 pounds plus.
And let me tell you! My eating habits have NEVER changed!!!!!
As a matter of fact the doctors just put me on heart meds because I am so enymic that I am having heart problems!
I dont eat!!!!! ESPECIALLY MCDONALDS! That would make me sick!
I am trying to eat better though because I need too. for all of those that are having weightgain. Like I said befor I have been on methadone for 8 years and one thing that I have noticed is that it is us women who seem to have more of a problem with this issue. I feel that methadone just slows down our metabalysms "oops spelled wrong" and thats why.
I have lost 10 plus pounds in the last couple of weeks by walking.
I walk at least 1-3 miles a day. AND IT IS WORKING! I know that I am going to still weigh more than I did but I dont want to be fat and I think the walking is helping with that. Just walk more and more each day and do it faster and faster. The more that you get your blood pumping the more you will pump up your metabylism. And eat fiber! Drink water!
Anyways back to "mr. give me a break". I really hope that you will learn something and maby not be so ignorant or mean hearted.
Its that "whoas me,I have it worst than everyone else syndrome!" Addiction is addiction and we ALL no matter what we were addicted to need help anyway that works for us!!!!
Also I have used Vitadone for those who are asking about it and I would suggest getting a good multi vite without iron for those with bathroom issues and take those instead because they will work just as good. The more healthy you are the better you will feel!

I was forced to switch to Methadone a year ago when I became unemployed because it's cheap and I had no insurance. I have steadily gained prob about 30 lbs myself. I can't afford to buy new larger clothes & I can't afford to get OFF the methadone because my pain would be so substantial. So I think part of the reason I REMAIN unemployed is DUE to the wgt gain. I don't interview well w my confidence in the toilet due to this wgt gain. A lot of it is pure edema because I had a Dr tell me that after seeing how my ankles and such swelled and my skin remained "pitted" when you pressed it w yr finger. In one day I lost 8 bls of water after starting prescr diuretic. But, online it even says w/ narcotics like Mthdne, you get edema that Diuretics only help eliminate for a short while and then they stop being effective. :'(