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I’m the parent of a heroin addicted son. He’s 38 and started drugs at 17. Up until his mid 20’s he was probably having a pretty good time but the last 17 years has been hell for him and for me.
This is the story that’s been told thousands of times before. Last April he started on methadone treatment and I was so thrilled that there could be a glimmer of light in this dark tunnel. But since April he’s lost so much weight, actually wasting before my eyes.
What at first looked like face acne now is more like lesions. I’m scared. I’ve asked him if this is HIV and he says no. His eyes are so sunken and dark circles around them.
He started methadone at 85 mg and is now at 4mg and expects to finish up in the next two weeks. He tells me that the weight loss and lesions are caused by the methadone and once off it will get better. I see what I see and I hear what he says….but it’s not matching up.
Besides him does anyone really know?
Hi – and a very warm welcome to Wired In to Recovery. Although I wish that you were blogging in less worrying circumstances.
I am not an expert but I know that in some cases methadone can cause rashes and loss of appetite etc. I am hoping that others with more knowledge will be able to give you some more information.
Hi there
There is no better basic guide to the rationale for and use of methadone than this: http://www.exchangesupplies.org/drug_information/briefings/the_methadone_briefing/methadone_briefing/section4.html
Hopefully this will help.
All the best to you and your son.
In general methadone does NOT cause lesions and weight loss, if anything weight GAIN is a more commonly associated side effect, but then everyone is different and reacts differently to different medications.
I would be worried that coming from 85mg to 4mg since April is very quick, after so many years of addiction, if you see what I mean?
People are often on methadone or subutex for a couple of years of more before they start to reduce with a view to abstinence.
Perhaps your son has some problems that he is scared to talk to you about, he probably knows how hard his addiction has been for you to bear, so is wary of telling you anything but good news?
Can you talk to him, tell him that whatever is going on with him that you won’t be cross or disappointed, that you just want to know so you can be there for him?
I’m sure he probably wants to tell you what’s going on, but he just doesn’t want to upset you?
Good advice from Sapphire.
Hi Parent, Its Jo.
In my experience people can go thin on methadone. Also if he’s not eating he won’t have the nutrients in him to fight whatever bacteria or infection he has on his face.
The face thing could be a number of things- his GP could sort it out for him.
It sounds like he’s doing really well and that he’s had a hard time. If he’s lost his appetite its difficult to put weight on.
I don’t know where you live, but if you’re around greater manchester you can get access to Family Intervention Therapy?
Hi,
I am a nurse and have been working with Methadone for many years. While there are mixed feelings regarding this drug, it is a life saver for many, giving them the chance to re assess their lives and make changes without the daily grind of buying drugs and feeling unwell. I agree with other posters that this sounds like a pretty fast reduction/detox. I wonder who is providing the treatment, generally the advice is slowly slowly unless an in patient. Lots of support is needed from the prescriber, and constant review of health both physical and psychological while detoxing.
I think he needs to speak with his prescriber, who must have noticed his decline surely?
Warm wishes to you,
Claire
Good advice Claire!
