From: Sharon Levin [fmssha@ibi.co.za]

Sent: 09 May 2009 09:09 AM

To: 'FMSHA@IBI.CO.ZA'

Subject: OPIATE ADDICTION IN FIBROMYALGIA

Methadone Frequently Causes Menopausal Symptoms in Young Women

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Methadone medication frequently depresses estradiol, progesterone and testosterone hormone levels to menopausal levels, even in women less than thirty years old. Hormonal suppression, caused by methadone, can cause depression, anxiety, fatigue, weight gain, bone loss, bladder pain, decreased pain tolerance, hot flashes, and increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Dr. Rick Sponaugle, Medical Director of Florida Detox, observed, "Thirty of the last thirty female methadone patients, between 20 and 30 years old, who we detoxed from methadone arrived with estradiol, progesterone or testosterone hormone levels, in the post menopausal range."

A 1975 University of Pennsylvania study revealed severe hormonal suppression caused by narcotic pain medications. Despite this study, most methadone patients report physicians prescribing methadone failed to inform them of hormonal suppression risks caused by methadone. Physicians prescribing methadone, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percocet, morphine and other opiate pain medications, seldom test or treat patients for hormonal deficiencies caused by these medications.

Although studies reveal methadone and other opiate pain medications do not benefit fibromyalgia patients, physicians frequently prescribe opiate pain medications to fibromyalgia patients. Fibromyalgia patients frequently become addicted to ineffective opiate pain medications, including methadone.

Methadone Frequently Causes Menopausal Symptoms in Young Women

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Methadone medication frequently depresses estradiol, progesterone and testosterone hormone levels to menopausal levels, even in women less than thirty years old. Hormonal suppression, caused by methadone, can cause depression, anxiety, fatigue, weight gain, bone loss, bladder pain, decreased pain tolerance, hot flashes, and increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Dr. Rick Sponaugle, Medical Director of Florida Detox, observed, "Thirty of the last thirty female methadone patients, between 20 and 30 years old, who we detoxed from methadone arrived with estradiol, progesterone or testosterone hormone levels, in the post menopausal range."

A 1975 University of Pennsylvania study revealed severe hormonal suppression caused by narcotic pain medications. Despite this study, most methadone patients report physicians prescribing methadone failed to inform them of hormonal suppression risks caused by methadone. Physicians prescribing methadone, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percocet, morphine and other opiate pain medications, seldom test or treat patients for hormonal deficiencies caused by these medications.

Although studies reveal methadone and other opiate pain medications do not benefit fibromyalgia patients, physicians frequently prescribe opiate pain medications to fibromyalgia patients. Fibromyalgia patients frequently become addicted to ineffective opiate pain medications, including methadone.