PLEASE HELP! I am jumping off of 45 mg of Methadone.

[LindyTara]

Hi,  I am jumping off of 45 mg of Methadone.  Thursday morning is my last dose.  I have to make it until Monday which is when the saboxone doctor will start me on a 6 week taper off of the methadone.  I have been on methadone for 4 months and one week.  I was on 85mg and tapered down over the past 6 weeks or so, I am starting to get back pain and slight insomnia.  When should I start taking the amino acid protocol? Does it take a few days to start working?  At what point do I need to go to the ER if it gets bad?   What symptoms are dangerous? Beside the protocol, what else should I have handy?  Is there anything that I can take for pain( Non narcotic )?

xxxxxLins

[VICourageous]

Hi Girl..I jumped between 30-60mg and 2 other meds. Weaver is right on trying to eat very Healthy right now. Also get some good ol natural plant based vit/min if you can..These kinds of vit/min do not have all the fillers and stuff in them..Yes the vit/min take time to kick in but the food works faster..I used the Cal, Mag, Ds, Potassium at night because they do help relax the muscles. Methadone was a very different w/d then my other opiates. I think my benzo played a big part on why my Anxiety was to the moon and it did take a while for it to come down..If you experience any Bone aches take that bath and go lay under a heating blanket..You have been on here long enough to see the vit/min and things we used. I also just heard that avocados have more potassium then a banana and also if you put lemon and a small dash of sea salt in your water this will help keep you hydrated. Just look up all the things that will help pull out Toxins..Berries are a good one. Then you will want some vit/min for sleep & anxiety and other ones for energy..The best thing is to let the sun shine in your eyes and listen to some music as you walk..This wakes up and brings up all the happy chems/hormones that we knocked down during our drug use.
I am not understanding one thing here?? Why are you going on the Subs if you got your self down to such a low dose with the dones..Plus you have not been on them for to long it will not be as intense like some of us that where on high doses and for over 10 years..Whatever you do make sure you stick with Support..Your Brain needs time to balance back and sometimes we feel like a yo-yo for awhile..Some longer then others. It has been a little over 2 years and I still am balancing back in my Brain from my drug use for most of my Life. Shoot if I only knew then what I know now. At the age 58 it has not been no picnic and with all the things that has happen to me in the past two years did not help my Emotions at all..
I know you will be fine..Heck anybody who can do methadone and have such beautiful teeth as you do has something going on here..lol
I will be here for you..I too am getting a bit better and may be back on more since I had that Heart Procedure..SO This time I will get back sooner then later..lol
Bless

[Ejm7263]

I jumped at 20 mg of methadone, also on benzos & hydrocodone. I'm on day 34. So glad I did it. I got all the supplements, did everything suggested. Things are so much better for me. You have so much to look forward too.
Praying for you. Keep posting. I even asked the same question 2 days in a row. Everyone just answered it again. There is so much support here.
You can do this.

[Sweetness91]

Anytime I see methadone in a title, I'm instantly drawn...and I'm sure you have gotten some great advice already. So... all I want to tell you is that it really CAN be done! I did it..so can you, and anyone else that is reading this! I was always so scared of the withdrawal..of not being able to "function" without it. If you just get thru the initial w/d's  you will see that it can be done, that you really are ok. Our minds can make us believe so many things that really aren't true..it's a trick! I took that junk for EIGHT years...8!!! That's kinda crazy when you really think about it. You can do this. You really can..don't think about tomorrow..actually, don't think about today. Just think about the moment..moments are what get us thru. I could say so much right now, but honestly, I'm super tired and always lurk here and just had to let you know that everything will be ok. Pm me and we can talk more, but right now, sweetness has to get some sleep time so she's ready for work in the mornin:) I wish you lots of luck!! Keep pushin on cause I know you can do it:):):)

[Merri123]

Can you taper down anymore, the lower the dose the better for you.

Really. Many have tapered all the way down and their wds were very easy. 45 mg is going to be hard. All the advice above will help a lot though. Even down to 20 would help.

[weaver71]

Start the supplements now, give your brain the food it needs to heal. I would like to discuss COWS and a few things my doctor told me, but I have to run right now. I will get back to you in a little while. Try not to freak as you wait for Monday, just get mad at the dones and always remember, they are making you feel the way you feel. It's not you, it's the drugs. TTYL

[LindyTara]

The nurse who works for the doctor told me this is what I should do.  Should I not?  Weaver jumped from 165, he was ok. I am going to write him after I type this. Thanks for love and support guys .  I really need to know if I should start taking the amino acid protocol yet.  The nurse at the clinic wasn't in today.  I gave her the list on Friday and she said she would be in today and let me know if it's safe to take while I am still taking the methadone.  Anyway, I am scared.

[gnarly_1]

Hi Lins so your going to jump off at 45mg you just have to tell yourself it is only for a few days  comming off that amount is not going to be ez that is a high dose did the sub doctor tell you to do this???...just know we will support you in your deccion  what ever you decide may God be with you......................Gnarly...........................................

[jugglin]

HI Hon -
Wow...Thursday.  You are a strong, determined lady.  Your strength and positive attitude will be the main ingredient to getting thru WD's. I think you have probably read the WD protocol.  NeverAgain gave you some perfect advice above.

I would add to that Ibuprofen can help with the chills and aches and pains. Epsom salts in the baths really do help relax you both physically and mentally.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Gatorade, Sobe, whatever you prefer that you can force down (cuz u won't want to), Bland foods. Bananas are a great source of potassium. Chicken broth.

Keep your brain distracted.  Watch funny movies or TV (I watched 'That 70's Show' reruns over and over). Sappy movies will do you no good. Headphones with your favorite music queued up. The more your brain is distracted the better so u aren't so focused on how crappy u feel.

I recommend that you look up a wonderful gal who was on here "BanMethadone".  You can get to her thru my friends list if u would like.  Read her journals.  You remind me of her...fierce and determined.  She journaled her recovery with some sound, honest writings. Her words will give you advice on methadone WD as well as hope and encouragement.

You rock girl and we will be here with you!
xoxoxo

[NeverAgain127]

Hi honey, welcome.  

I have never been on methadone, but I am on day 18 of an 8 year dependency on opiates (oxy).   Withdrawal is withdrawal.   You will have some very unpleasant days until you can get on the suboxone; that is what everyone here seems to say.

I guess you cannot take subs until you are into the withdrawals.   There are things you can to try and take the edge off...hot baths and hot showers for pain, Immodium for diarrhea, trying to get SOME exercise, even if it is just walking around your house or yard.  

But in the end, you are just going to have to grind through it.   There just isn't any way to do this without feeling bad for a while.  Keep telling yourself that it is "pain with a PURPOSE."  You're getting your life back.

I wish I could give you more advice.  There are lots of folks on here with much more experience with methadone than me and I'm positive they will reply.  I just wanted to give you at least one answer to read....hang in there honey.. Life without opiates will be better.

I wish you luck and hope.
.

R.