Detoxing off Methadone

[tomma]

I've been slowly tapering off of a 15 year Methadone maintainence program for about 2 years now. Roughly dropping 5 milligrams every month or so. About a month ago my dose was at 3 mgs. At that point I really didn't feel to bad during the day although the nights were horrible due not being able to sleep.

At that point I decided to just stop the meth all together, rather than prolonging the agony of dropping from 3 -2, then 2-1 etc. I stopped altogether about 3 weeks ago and have not slept more than 3 hours a night since. What makes it worse is it's not a simple toss and turn all night, it's an almost indesribable twisting, knawing feeling in the pit of my stomach that forces me out of bed, even though I'm so tired I can't hold my head up.

I've tried having a couple drinks before bed, over the counter sleep meds, even got some halcion from a friend, all to no avail.

How long can I expect this to last, or is there something I can do to lessen the pain in the meantime?

[BodhiJones]

Well I am on day 2 of going cold turkey from 80-120 mil of Methadone a day, and 60 of oxy. a day. My pain management doctor started me on this 3 years ago for back, neck pain and daily migraines. I just can not live my life as an addict anymore. I went from being in pain to being addicted to drugs. I asked when we started this if I could get addicted and the doctor said, "Just let me know when you want to get off and I'll prescribe something for you." Great advice, not. I was prescribed ambien and Klonopin about ten years ago, I when cold turkey off that about five years later and that was terrible. That was horrendous.
So I'm at day two. I'm not in good shape but i'm making it. I have the creeps, the sweat, I'm in it big time. I'm not going to work for the next three days, I haven't started vomiting, but my skin is crawling. I know that the worst will be over in a few days and that everything will begin to get better. Even though I feel sick, I know that I am no longer a prisoner to these pills, and every tragic thing that comes with making sure you have enough each month. My kids think I have the stomach flu, my husband is helping me. I can not believe some of you are able to pull off working through this. I can do this, I am doing this to save my own life, to prolong my life, to live a better life. We deserve better than this. I will sign on later to give an update if I can. Reading everyone's stories here has given me so much strength. Thank you all for letting me know I am not alone. Bodhi

[jenniferbryce]

Hi people, my names jennifer and I'm coming up 3 yrs being on the program! Been up and down the first year, second year was my personal appifiny(ha ha) and now this year I'm tappering off! All of your words have reached me and most importantly seems as though we all have something in common! I find if you strengthen your mind, get some meds for sleep and sweats you'll notice its not as bad! If ya can't sleep perhaps an evening job will suffice! Some of the symptoms are horrible but the point to it all is you're "getting off" of it now and yes it feels like crap,(I just spent 20 minutes in the bathroom),feels like you can go nutz from not sleeping,feels like you're all alone as the sweat pours off your whole body,yer muscles ache so bad that it feels like ya won't make it to the washroom, so be proud of yourselves for handling all these crappy feelings,be proud for being able to stand by your decision and free yourself and your family of it! Although we may feel like staying on it cause it feels so bad getting off,remember your getting better, not worse! Its going outta your body and outta yer mind and life...for those bad dayz just remember there are a a few of us who know,really know how ya feel...you're not alone...

[SanchezC]

I have come down from 180mg to 25mg dropping 5mg every two weeks. I have been given an anti depressant Venlafaxine which has really helped. I also have Clonazapam 10mg daily to help when I get stressed or cant sleep. Since all addicts, opiate that is create problems with their CNS which allows pain to flow through your body quickly and hard. ( I can get more detailed if anyone wants.) For this I am given Gabapentine 300mg daily.

This has been the easiest withdrawal I have ever had, but I am a veteran and this is all free. I see a Dr or a nurse every 2 weeks. I never thought I would ever be off this drug. I feel amazing. Sometimes I get a little dope sick but compared to kicking Methadone cold turkey this is a 1000 times easier and more humane. My Vet clinic is going to start teaching other Vet centers how to do this. I used to be a drug and alcohol counselor but, relapsed so I have a good understanding of methods. This is state of the art for Methadone withdrawal.

[gnarly_1]

HI Methadone robs your body of vital nutrients I detoxed off 150mg took 8 1/2 mo but it is doable you want to pick up some vitamins up at walmart its a 3 in one calcium/magnesium/zinc take 4 with breakfast and 4 with dinner this will cut down on the withdrawals your feeling in about 2 to 3 days this was a real lifesaver for me and I recamend it to all who do this there is no comfortable way of coming off this stuff at best things like the vitamins can  make it more bearable it a slow prosess dont try and rush it this is a race one by the tortus not the hare if you just stick to it cut your drops in 1/2 you should be fine if you need more info message me........Gnarly    

[jimg11]

Hello...I am trying to ween off Methadone...clinic reduced me 5mg every 3 days..started at 200mg..got to 175 and feel terrible...they want me at 150mg soon...can someone please give me info about proper tapering regiment?..I also am on 7mg of Xanax a day...they want me off Xanax altogether...my Psychatrist says no way...I've been on Xanax for several years...I hate Methadone, but it saved my life...I've been on it for 3 1/2yrs...need to get off...my life is at a standstill...any info or help would be appreciated...thank you very much

[gnarly_1]

HI welcome to the forum.....you have been threw the gauntlet girl im sorry about your ingerys  had a bout with black ice on I 65 joust outside loal indiana
wound up destroying a brand new minivan....so your doing well with your taper ether I miss wrote or you mis read but it took me 8 1/2 mo to taper off 150mg of methadone nether here nor there back to your taper first off I cant discuss dosing on the forum its agest rules but I can give you some guidelines slow and steady wins this race take at least 3 days between droping doses it about serum level and allowing enough time for it to adjust in your blood also get up to walmart and pick up a 3 in one vitamin calcium/magnesium/ zinc take 4 in the mornig and 4 at dinner this will cut way down on the withdrawals you feel anything below 10 your miserable ...'''you just got to be ok without being ok for a wile your almost threw this once your getting withdrawals daily its time to jump the drug is only prolonging the process 5mg is a good number to jump from try to get down to there if you can lower if you can if the withdrawals arnt that bad the vitamins take about 2 to 3 days to work but should bring you some badly needed releaf once you jump expect about 7 days of feeling like you got beet with a pipe the chills the swaets diarea the whole enchilada of withdrawal symptoms then recovery take aprox 90 days dont get discouraged you do get better a lot better after the first month bet it just hangs on to you for around 3 mo then you start to feel yourself again stan in touch with me I have helped many people off this drug to many to count and I know how it goes do your best to keep a positive attitude and your spirit high this is a struggle to break free from but in the end will be so so worth it if you want to talk in more detal message me thats not sensored I can only say so much here in the open forum without breaking guidelines witch are there for everybody's protection on the bright side your almost done with this then its just the long post withdrawal recovery I will help you along the way good luck and God bless.......Gnarly