Hello friends! I have been successfully using 10 mg of methadone for 18 months with no side effects. The past few months I have been experiencing brain fog. It is increasing in severity and frequency. My search to see if methadone or bupremorphine can cause this is enlightening. It definitely can! I will include a few articles below. I am quite concerned. I cannot continue to function with this level of brain fog as I cannot even safely drive my vehicle. I found a few posts in this forum that allude to similar experiences. I don't know what to do now.
This case report highlights that methadone use can lead to extensive injury to the central nervous system, mostly involving white matter and basal ganglia. Long-term methadone use and its possible consequences should be discussed thoroughly with patients and family
In summary, this study demonstrated that Bup administration accentuates the learning and memory impairment induced by Meth administration in rats. While Bup impairs spatial learning and memory, it potentiates aversive memory. Since Bup exhibits lower side effects compared to other opioids, it may be desirable for the treatment of avoidance memory discrepancies in patients with Meth addiction.
Written by
Qalba
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I have been better informed than even my RLS neurologist specialist ever since the new guidelines were published! The moral to my story is do your research!
It seems that these drugs actually alter your brain; therefore, reducing the dosage or coming off the drugs may not show quick improvement. However, after several months the brain appears to return to normal. I will share my progress with the group!
The brain fog that you are experiencing on 10 mg a day would be concerning to anyone.
While the quoted examples I've looked at are mostly at rather higher doses - e.g. the Nature article on MMT for opioid addiction quotes average maintenance doses of 44.7 ± 16.2 ml/day; and doses for chronic pain *can* be higher still - you are suffering within the 5-20 mg/day range used for RLS.
Responses are of course individual, and we have seen reports of brain fog caused by pramipexole, pregabalin, gabapentin etc. How do you intend to proceed?
Thank you for your comments! I can't be certain the brain fog is caused by methadone, but the timeline corresponds and I can't find any other cause. I am not going to discuss this with my physic yet. It has been impossible to find a physician in Kentucl that will even read the research. I don't want to risk what I have now. I plan to reduce my dosage and get off all meds except Tylenol as I need something for arthritis pain (I have cervical back surgery in 2 days and that will be followed by lumbar surgery.) I might be on a short course of opioids following surgery. If so, I will have to factor that into any methadone withdrawal. The surgeon is aware of my RLS and methadone use. I will take it all slow. I am a medical researcher and educator but not a physician.
I expect rls to kick in. I plan to go back to premed days where I would walk and sit in a bath for hours at night. Living with rls is not as serious as the effects of brain fog.
After a few months off methadone, I will discuss with the physician my results and seek his recommendation (he is a long time friend and the only one that would prescribe for me.) I do not want to put a medical professional in a comprosed position.
But one day at a time. I will keep everyone informed. I avoid meds and try to live a healthy lifestyle. I am surprised that I have brain fog , especially if it is due to such a low dose of methadone. Since methadone has a short half life, I doubted that the methadone was the cause. However, one article discussed the specific brain changes. It would take time for that to reverse. I did find one comment that said the changes are reversible.
Thank you for your post, it's important for those of us on methadone to be aware of such possibilities. The key word for me would be 'reversable' and the brain can return to normal. Please do let us know how you get on coming off methadone. You're very brave going med free. Such an impossibly difficult situation! Best wishes for restful nights.
have you considered trying dipyridamole? I personally can’t imagine enduring RLS without meds (I use buprenorphine). Lacosamide is another non-opioid drug that showed promise in one very small test 11 years ago. I assume you have tried gabapentin/pregabalin and ruled them out?
Thank you for your helpful suggestions. Unfortunately, I have been on all the meds, some at increasing doses or on multiple attempts, even some of the maybe drugs. I have also tried every suggested technique, most shared in this forum, from diet, to lifestyle changes, to mechanical devices, etc. Finally I was given opioids which have been magic, but getting a prescription has been nearly impossible. I am so hoping the brain fog goes away, but I am at the point it's even effecting my ability to drive. I have to find the cause!
Thank you for sharing your experience and your research. You are right, it is important for all of us with RLS to do our own research as hard as it is to read sometimes. Good luck to you and your journey. Thanks again!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Methadone treatment or not?
Methadone and cognition
Gabapentin and methadone. 
Methadone and Anxiety 
RLS and methadone tolerance
