Hi, Scott.

Congrats on weaning off the Fentanyl! I'm sorry that you are still in pain. Are you being followed by a pain management specialist? There are other options out there to manage pain that don't involve opiates. I'm guessing that your doctor wants you to take methadone in order to safely taper off oxycodone. As Eric said earlier in this thread, the withdrawal process is hell, but it can also be very dangerous, even when done correctly. You will be at increased risk of seizures and cardiac issues, among other things. I am not an expert either, but I know a little bit about pain management.

I hope you get the help that you need and an appropriate treatment plan. Remember that knowledge is power. Write down all of your questions/concerns and take them to your doctor. Find out your options and the risk-to-benefit ratio of each type of treatment.

Best of luck and please keep us posted.

Kerri

37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!