Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.

Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

This community is a place to share information and support with others who are trying to stop using drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other addictive substances. Discuss with others, the symptoms of addiction, addiction recovery, ways to quit like tapering and cold turkey, and withdrawal symptoms. If you are interested in general "chat", please visit our Addiction Social Community.
Post a Question Back to Forum
 | 
MedHelp Member's Question

slow methadone detox

by sharonver, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
Tags: Addiction
Anyone out there have any experience in detoxing slow from methadone?  I have been detoxing 1 mg. every other week.  I was on 65 mg for over 15 years!  I was doing ok until I got to 6 mg. now the old familiar withdrawal symptoms are returning.  I could use some feedback on this please...
Member Comments (68)

by Bodymechanic, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sharon
You will make your life much easier if you switch to buprenex. There is nothing else that will help you reach your goal while remaining sane.  Use 1-2mg a day at first but no more.  You can stay on the buprenex for as long as you like but you should be fine in about 2-3 months.  I have been using it and I have had no trouble reducing the dose. I use it for pain but it seems I can get by with less and less as time passes.  I cannot say enough good things about this drug when compared to other opiates. You can detox and give your brain receptors a chance to heal at the same time. The is no other drug that has this property.



I did a methadone detox from over 100mg a day.  It was hell but that was 20 years ago. The buprenex was not an option at the time.  If it were, I would definately have done it.  You can stay with your current plan and still be successful but I think you will be tormenting yourself needlessly.

by 2bpainfree, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sharonver
I went thru the exact same thing detoxing from methadone which I just completed last October.  When I got down to 8 mg I was getting horrible withdrawals and I was going down 1 mg a week at this time.  They told me to go even slower like 1mg a week, I even knew people who go down 1mg every month.  I was stubborn enough to suffer it out and continue my 1 mg a week using clonidine which helped very little.  When I was completely done I had horrible w/d's for over 2 weeks.  I dont recommend my method.  Either go down slower or try to get the Buprenex body mechanic was taking about.  Good luck



Brian

by sharonver, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
How would I get this Buprenix?  Can you tell me more about it? Sounds like it might really help me.  Thanks so much...



Sharon

by sharonver, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
Also, if I go on this drug will I then have to withdraw from that too and prolong the withdrawl symptoms?  Anybody out there use this to detox from meth?  Very interested in this...



Sharon

by hyjack, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sharon
If you can find a Doc to prescribe you Bup, you can go directly onto that if you are on 30 mg meth or below.  I've never detoxed from bup, but I have tapered on occasions, and it's a breeze compared to meth.



It holds you similarly to the meth, for me, even better.  If I'm not in pain, then I don't have to take it, and NO WITHDRAWALS.  That is the best thing to not have to worry about withdrwals.



It was just approved in Oct., so it is difficult at this time to find it.  But it is becoming more wide spread.



In your case, I think an addictionologist would be your best bet.  I've had bad luck with pain management docs, but that's just me.  Some states may have better resources.



It comes in the form of Subutex/Temgesic (sublingual) and Buprenex (injectible).  I take a compounded version that is specifically made for me.  I think that when Subutex is readily available here, then I probably will be switched to that.



If you go to google.com and do a search for buprenorphine, you will find some answers to your questions...I hope.



I hope I've helped.

by sharonver, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: hyjack
I just looked it up on the internet.  I was very excited at first, it sounded like it could be the ideal thing that I need to complete this detox.  My mental state is very good, it is just the physical withdrawal that I worry about.  But after reading on it, it sounds like it may be very difficult for me to obtain.  You have to have a liscenced physician in addictions to dispense it,and many pharmacies may not even carry it. This means my family doctor can't prescribe it and I don't know if my clinic will approve of it. But I will certainly check into it. It would be nice if the methadone clinic would agree to it. Any other ideas on how to get this will be appreciated...



Thanks so much...  I see some light at the end of this lonnng tunnel!

Sharon

by sharonver, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: hyjack, 2bpainfree § body mehanic
I am in tears right now, right when I think that maybe there is some hope to help me get through this something happens to blow it all away!!!  I just called my clinic excitingly telling them of this drug i would like to try and they said they are doing a study on it and that they can;t give it out, and that it will still put me in the same boat that I am in now.  I tried to tell them that I think that the withdrawals would be so much easier to go through but she just said she had to hang up she was too busy to talk to me about it!  I am so upset.  There is not addictionologist in my area.  I don't know what to do.



Sharon

by theGolden1, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sorry for my last post
I am trying to get over the flu.I went to the doctor and I am on amoxicillin and robotussin. I wanted to appologize if my post to southernbelle and 1st24 came out a little strong. I am so sorry.

I should be quiet until I have my own act together. I get emotional when I see such wonderful people having to "feel bad" about this problem. Hold your head up high ..... you are more than this and you will prevail .... (here I go again) ... Happy New Year Everyone

by Rex1, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: sharonver
Did you talk with the actual doctor? Nurses/receptionists are often there to get rid of you.



Call back and demand to speak with the doc himself/herself. Also, realize today may not be the best day to get a lot of sympathy from any dr's office - they are likely slammed trying to finish and get out early!



Rex

by hyjack, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sharon
What state do you live in?

by sharonver, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: rex1,hyjack
I spoke to the director of the program!!  She makes all the rules!  I asked her if I made an app't with the doctor could I possibly look into this?  She said they are studying it and it wouldn't help to make an app't because he won't give it to me.

I live in CT.



Sharon

by Rex1, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sharonver
There are always always always other options when you need treatment like this. Don't let your frustration snowball.



There are sometimes clinical studies done and perhaps you can partipate



Can you switch doctors?



IMO, it is always better to make an appointment and have a heart to heart with the doc in person. This way, they are getitng paid, their primary responsibility, and they can also sympathize with you better.



If I counted the numbers of times doctors told me know, only to later agree, it would be over 5 times. You just have to remember the golden rule with docs - they work for you, not the other way around.



Also, you will get their attention when you let them know that you are contacting the insurance company's director and they will be getting a call!



Good luck!



Rex

by hyjack, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sharon
I am in Maine, so we're not that far.  My addictionologist is in Westbrook, which is southern Maine.  If you want his name and number, let me know.  It'll be worth your while, I promise.



***@****

by hyjack, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sharon
I did a search for Addictionologists in CT.



There are a lot.



www.asam.org/Frames.html  go to member directory and just type in CT under the city.  There will be quite a few to choose from.  Then you start calling them all.  You will find one, I bet, that will be willing to prescribe you bup.



Under that same site, you will find some info on Bup.  



Another option is to call your insurance company (if you have one) and tell them what is going on and they will help you find an addictionologist to suit your needs.  You might have to travel.  I travel 150 miles to see mine.  But like I said, it's worth every mile.

by sharonver, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: hyjack
I looked at the site there are 10 doctors in CT. but it doesn't really specify that they are addictionologist, only that they have an interest in ADM.



Sharon

by sharonver, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: hyjack
I did check out that site and they listed 10 doctors in CT. but they didn't specify that they were addictionologist they said they had interest in ADM (addiction medicine)I guess I could try calling anyways.

by hyjack, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sharon
That is the American Society of Addiction Medicine.  I believe out of the 14 listed, one could help you.  You have your work cut out for you.  If I can help further, don't hesitate to email me.

by sharonver, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: hyjack
sorry for the double message, it didn't show up the first time, so I re-typed it.  Anyways I'm feeling kind of low right now. I had such high hopes a few hours ago, I thought that maybe I could actually get some relief. Now I have my doubts.  My family doctor is pretty understanding but you have to have a special liscence to dispense this I read.  Have a wonderful New Years Eve everyone!  I will be thinking about all of you tonight and hoping that everyone is hanging in there!



Sharon

by PeaceNick, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
To: Sharon
Hi,

  I've been reading the various correspondences.  I know where you are right now...you think you have finally found a way out of your personal hell/slavery and the folks at the Meth Clinic are less than sympathetic.  One thing I have learned about Meth clinic staffmembers is that they are little more than licensed drug dealers! I also know that addicts like us want what we want and we want it NOW!!  My advice, for what it is worth.  Take a step back, gather your wits and make the phone calls you need to make.  If not today, you WILL eventually find someone willing to help you.  You don't neccessarily need the clinics permission to go on Bup.  :-)  In fact, I suspect that their motives for steering you away from this alternative may be shady. (i.e. you no longer need Methadone if you kick with Buprenorphine