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?

[dominosarah]

This is an older thread so am not sure you will get alot of responses.  Go to the top of this page and click on the Post a Question, copy and paste what you have written here, you will get alot of helpful responses........sara

[Jools81]

Hi Nyc1369;

You mentioned that you got on the meth coz you were pregnant?
I'm in a similar boat although I was already long on the meth before I got pregnant.....now I don't know whether to try and carefully come off, so that I don't put my baby through a detox when it's born....or stay on the meth because some websites I've read have said it's dangerous to the baby to come off while pregnant....!!!! Dilema.
I just wanted to know; how did your pregnancy go, if you don't mind me asking?
Jools

[nyc1369]

I've been on methadone for 14yrs i was put on it for addiction during pregnancy they jacked me up to 150mgs . I tried getting off by just walking off big mistake i almost killed myself the pain is unbearable. I wound up back on method and it tool 6yrs to get to 20mgs and I'm stick. I caution any addict to try another way it can help but to kill the craving for dope you need a high dose at 20mgs I've relapsed twice. Now i need it for pain of a spinal injury. Its a awful cycle

[tuned]

Hello,. I/m considering going to to detox center to get off of mmt. whick i've been on 14 yrs. I was wanting to ask you how you felt when you went home from the detox.
Thank You
tuned

[gnarly_1]

hi well if he wants to get off the more power to him it tuuff to do but worth it in the end you do it in baby steps a little less each week now if your talking about jumping off at 60mg I got to highly advise ageist that jumping at anything above 10 is torture now if he gose to pain management and tells them he has been taking it for pain control you might get lucky enough to get a sympathetic doctor that will write him a script for it you could also tell the doctor you want off and he might right it for that but if it where me I would go with I use it for pain control you got a lot better chance of getting a script let me know what happens at the doctor will go from there if he has to jump from 60 it can be done but he will be misrable for a month or 2 this is nothing you recover from quickly lets hope for a good doctor good luck and God bless......Gnarly  

[worriednscared235]

hi Gnarly.. im a little scared.im writing about my boyfriend..he has been on meth.for about 4yrs.(hes an addict) 3 1/2 yrs. he had a car accident..which messed up his back..he  finally was granted SSD..but now the insurance will not pay for the meth..I have a family i don't have the $ money for his meth.he says hes tried of it all...my fear is he gets sick and the cycle begins again...he does have a pain management dr. which he is seeing next week..he started meth @ 110mgs... now he is @ 60mgs..want can he do not to get sick or stay up...im going to pick up the vitamins and im sure hes dr will give him perks ( sorry no spell check )..what can i do to ease his pain from withdraw and back pain..i know God is on his side..he has been going to church for 2 yrs.plus he just seems tried of going to the clinic ...help im scared...