Detoxing off methadone

[Methsuxbad]

Hi new here have been reading alot over the last few days....I've been on methadone treatment for about two years, was on 70mg most of it started tapering over the last 6 months, took my last 10mg 5 days ago and feeling really bad!!!! Havnt slept or ate much, chills ect....any tips im desperate...thought about doing the subox but then would be back here at some point...anything that will help me sleep??? HELP!!!

[Bubulous]

The best thing to prescribe is diet and exercise.  Diet for your body and exercise for your mind.  Either go to after care or start learning everything you can learn about addiction, depression, and recovery.....everything.  Read a lot of posts on here to.  Most likely any question you could possibly have will be answered in great detail by some of the threads already started.  You will likely get a lot of information on this post as well but while you are waiting for responses I urge you to go back and look at some of the knowledge that has been building on here for years.  

I have no knowledge of methadone or suboxone but other do.  Good Luck and welcome to the forum.

[gnarly_1]

HI jumping at 10 is pritty ruff but it is doable your going to feel horable no mater what dose you jump at so dont go back on it last anbout 7 days then its just a battle with no sleep and the energy crach this can take a couple of mo to get over so just be ready for it it is different for everybody for me it took 90 days to start feeling better we have had some members do it in 60 days and I have a hopeful to do it sooner then that she will be along im sure to give you some advise right now you need to get on the whey protein shakes there loaded with amino acids along with vitamins and protein all of witch the brain needs to heal.....you can pick up a 2 lb can at walmart for 15 bucks the chocolate flavor is good you just mix it with milk drink 2 a day this is not a quick fix but rather the building blocks back to good health keep in mind you may be sick a wile just know in the end when it all said and done it is so so worth it keep posting for support good luck and God bless......Gnarly

[jewlz2626]

I totally feel your pain!! I am 19 days clean today from 10 year Methadone addiction, and I will not lie to you, jumping from 10 mg may be tough, but as Gnarly said, it is doable. YOU have to want this! I personally detoxed at home very slooooow, which relieved some of my withdrawl symptoms, eventually jumping off of 2mg, but by no means eliminated them. This is a battle you must win, and mentally want to win. Theres a light at the end of this, just remember that!! There are some otc things that will ease some of your symptoms...It may sound like hogwash with as bad as you may feel, but as addicts our bodies are lacking many aminos & nutrients that are important to us, so it is important to get them going again. On the Main forum page, bottom right "Health Pages" You will find The Thomas Recipe, and the Amino acid Protocol, read them, it will all begin to make sense to you. I personally, use everything on both. POTASSIUM is a big one you need to get, It is important for nerve transmission & muscle function, will help control that muscle jumpy crawly anxious feeling. You can take up to a few thousand mg a day safely.... it helped me out alot, I take 5 3x's daily. Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc also helps, Immodium AD, Push fluids, Gatorade, Bananas...Stay on this forum! Ask questions, we are here to help!! I wouldnt be clean 19 days if I hadnt found this forum!! Let us know how you are!! Best to you! Julie

[Methsuxbad]

thanks for the advice today was a tough one...but managed to sleep two hours and eat a bit feeling a little better now...its almost 9pm my time so made it through day 5...was wondering if lunesta or something similar would help with the sleep? again thanks for the response!!!

[jewlz2626]

Hello again there! I actually created my own "sleep cocktail" with all natural indredients, which I also took throughout my taper- Passion Flower, Valerian Root, Melatonin, Hylands Calms Forte, Advil PM, also Hylands Leg Cramps. Sleep will eventually take a while to fully come back on it's own, thats why I stick to the naturals, I dont want to depend on a prescrition sleep aid. These can all be found in Walgreens, but there the 1st 3 are usually in weaker mg & much more expensive, so I go to Puritans Pride vitamin website & get the stronger ones at great prices.You are doing great, if you made it this far you CAN push thru this! I think last summer I tried to jump at 20mg and lets just say I didnt make it passed day 2...So you keep on truckin! Please stay here & stay srong!! Julie

[Methsuxbad]

Hey thanks for the response....I am drained menatally, physically and spirtually!! But not giving , up, its day 6. Ive been forcing down gatoraid and some instant breakfast shakes but no sleep!!! I fall asleep for like an hour wake up and my heart starts pounding!! everyone says after a week it starts to get better so im hoping in a day or two it will ease up. I think the lack of sleep is really whats effecting me more now not to say the other symptoms are gone. Ive tried unisom and melatonin (30mg) I even tried a glass of wine with and only rested maybe 45 min. Just wanted to vent I guess, thanks again!

[gnarly_1]

HEY DUDE  Jewlz is the only one I know that has found something to help with sleep listen to her I help a lot of people off this stuff and sleep is the no 1 complaint that and the energy crash I have found a new tea that help me on the occasional night it called yogi kava stress relieve as far as methadone goes im bipolar my doctor dident want me slipping into a manic episode so she percsribed several differnt sleep aids ....none worked well some dident do a thing others put you to sleep only to wake up 2 hr later wired for sound I would try Jewls formula in the 2 yrs of detoxing people off this stuff its the only thing I ever herd of that worked hang in there keep posting your wining the battle one day at a time good luck and God bless.......Gnarly    

[jewlz2626]

It is totally draining! I am still lacking energy, but once I get my day going, I am good. Our bodies were used to synthetic energy, so now you have to do what you can to get everything in your body insync again. Staying as functional as possible is key, staying positive, you are almost out of the tough part!! Sleep is the number one thing that drives people nuts and is probably the last thing to get back to normal. Everything I took, I would add more natural sleep supplements till I ended up getting some sleep!! That website I previously mentioned has the Valerian & Passion Flower in 1000mg potency, Valerian Root stinks, but it helps! Advil PM, Hylands Calms Forte, Hylands Leg Cramps, can all be found at Walmart/Walgreens, make sure you are taking your Cal/Mag/Zinc & Potassium, I know it's alot, but all of this will play a part in your body stablizing itself & getting vital nutrients- Taking B6 will help with the absorption of all of this. Remember, Methadone also plays mind games while you, especially when your lacking energy, but giving up is not an option! Your doing great! Like Gnarly said, one day at a time- and 6 days is awesome!!!!

PS- A glass of Wine sounds good to me right about now ;) My new puppy is keeping me busy while driving me a tad insane! :)

Keep up the good work!!! Jewlz

[Methsuxbad]

hey guys, thanks so much for the support you have been more help than you know.  today me and my fiance got on the 4-wheeler, its been years since Ive done that and he gave me a "Pep talk", said maybe I was focusing on all the bad and I needed to focus on 6 days clean and not only that I can do this but that I am doing it.Im lucky to have him he's never done drugs but is very understanding and supportive.Going b
ack isnt an option for me I dont want to be that person any more this time is different cant pin point all the reasons why but I really want it this time and not just for my family or child but for me...I want to follow some old dreams make a happy healthy life be proud of myself again..not be in line at the ******* clinic or searching for my next high. Just got to take it a day at a time and know that each day I'm closer to being back to normal..thanks again guys

[jewlz2626]

That's so great of your fiance! I have to tell ya, my man has never touched an opiate/methadone in his life & has no idea of the effects, but when I came clean to him, he was very supportive as well, as much as he could be with as much as he knows...I had to explain alot to him. But it really means the world to have them in your corner!! He is right, focus on how AWESOME you are at 6 days!! Tomorrow is my 3 week mark & after 10 years im still kinda in disbelief lol

YOU go girl!!

[gnarly_1]

SORRY FOR calling you a dude just looked up your profile and see your a girl...lol
anyway just wanted to encourage you to keep pressing forward your doing good this stuff can be a monster to get off but like I told Julie its all about attitude you cant change the way you feel only the preseption remember to exersize ...I highly recamend drinking whey protein shakes there only 15 bucks for a 2lb can at walmart the chocolate flavor is good and its loaded with amino acids vitamins as well as protein all of witch the brain needs to heal drink 2 a day this is not a quick fix but it will give your body the building blocks to heal methadone is ruff on your body and really depletes these things you need to get them bake in you keep posting for support never give in and its time to start looking for aftercare this stuff will play mind games with you also good luck and God bless.......Gnarly    

[Methsuxbad]

hey guys well its day 7 still going I slept some last nite but woke up feeling extremely tired...took vitamins and drank a shake a few moments ago going to try to go outside and walk for a bit try to get in a better mind frame...keep you posted!!!  Thanks for all the support!!!!

[kevkev726]

From what I have learned:  Midol Pm, a lot of water, Immodium or equivalent (store brand), fiber (counteracts immodium) some movement outside--really hot now but even walking a few blocks will help.  With the immodium take two to three time the recomm. dose with a couple midol (during the day reg midol not pm) and u will be on your feet in an hour or so--it works.  Some sort of mental stimulation so you dont dwell on the fact that u are in w/d major part is the mental and depression.  Good luck !

[Methsuxbad]

thanks so much for all the support guys really means alot!!!!  well i made another day still feeling very jittery, TIRED but have to say little better than a few days ago..felt hungry for the first time in a week, thats a good sign. went out on the boat for a few hours today saw a snake and moved faster than I've moved in a very long time:)...So glad I found all of you and this site feels like im not alone in all this. So 7 days free of methadone thank you lord!!! Thinking of finding a meeting...im new to the area is there a number or website of listings????

[gnarly_1]

HI THIS addy will help you find a local metting and it is the best thing you can do right now it will really help you heres the addy........Gnarly
http://portaltools.na.org/portaltools/MeetingLoc/

[rush2112]

when i detoxed i found i was able to eat fruit, lots of fruit...watermelon, honey dew melon, blueberries raspberries etc...i found it helped with detox as they all have natural fiber and other goodies to help clean out the system...on top of that i tried all the other stuff suggested, sleep is a pain, but it will come eventually.

[jewlz2626]

ONE WHOLE WEEK!!! Awesome!! That is simply proof that you CAN take this all the way & you will, you deserve it!!! Today is my 3 week mark!! Me?!?! I never would have thought!! We can do SO much more than we give ourselves credit for, staying positive is a big part & you seem to be doing a great job at it!! This site definitley helps play a part in our recovery, it reminds us that we can be fixed & we are not alone in this. Keep up the great work!! Julie

[gnarly_1]

how goes it today  ///??? are you sleeping yet....? that took me 2 mo to get down hows youe energy?? will check back in the morning hope you have a restful night.......Gnarly

[Methsuxbad]

morning all...slept some but very jittery still,energy what energy...but dont feel as bad as I have so at least im closer to being back to normal..is there anything you can do for the anxiety??/feels like someone is sitting on my chest at times and my ears start to "clog" like when you are on a plane and im not in a high elevation area what is that about???

[jewlz2626]

That's good you got some sleep! Definitley makes a difference on how you feel, make sure you are feeding your body your nutrients/supplements, they will help. SO glad things are looking up for you!! I've heard of the "foggy" head, but I never really felt that. My detox taper was super slow & I began my supplements about a week before I jumped, so my withdrawls were minimal. As for anxiety, L-Theanine is a good supplement, and L-Tyrosine helps support healthy glandular function, also valerian root & passion flower may help you relax. The energy takes a while, B12 & a B vitamin complex should help!

[Methsuxbad]

Hello guys well the day started out bumpy but made myself get a shower, cleaned the house a bit and got in my car and drove actually felt good for a moment even a real smile....jammed out even sang along with my little one I felt good for the first time....
feelings are definately coming back some good some bad but nice to feel something...feels good to know im clean and that life is waiting...thanks for the support guys!!!!

[jewlz2626]

And that's how it goes! It gets better & better!! I too feel better after my shower & once I get going. You will have days with some better than others, but you remember just how far you've come & like you said you already did, it will make you smile & be SO darn proud of yourself....and rightfully so! It feels great to be clean doesnt it?!?! To not have to wake up & slave your life away to a freakin substance?!?!? Your kicking Methadones a$$ & there's not a darn thing it/he/she can do about it ;) haha! You go girl!!

[BattlesAlmostOver]

hi.im new to this site. a bit on myself. when i was 13 years old, never having used any sort of drugs before, i guess i jumped right into the deep end pretty quick,started off sniffing 30mg hydromorphs.started doing so daily from that moment forth.moved cities a year later,and could not get hydromorphs but was very able to get oxycontins,40mg oxycontin pills to be exact.started sniffing those everyday from 3-5 40mg pills a day.of course. as any drug addict knows,eventually what use to give you your fix,get you off, whatever,doesnt work forever, so your tolerance builds.by the time i was 16-17 years old, i was using 7-10 80mg pills per day.
days with the pills were great. was able to function,days without pills,well im sure as most of you know,if there was a rope handy, you would have found a way to hang yourself. atleast thats what i wanted to do to myself EVERY single time i went into withdrawl.
a few weeks before my 20th birthday, i moved back to the city where i originally started using.continued using for a few months.money being low, i was desperate to try anything just to stay from withdrawl. thats when i started the methadone treatment.started at 15mg,went up to 20, then 25, then finally up to 40mg of methadone.now,40mg of methadone is hardly anything compared to people that are in and around the 100mg mark but anyways i stopped at 40mgs.stayed at 40mgs for a year and a half.me living in toronto and my girlfriend in DC.i was about to be moving there and i knew they dont have free health care there and it would cost an arm and a leg to get treatment there.so 5 weeks i went from 40mg of methadone down to 7mg.i can tell you,being on such a low dose such as 40mg, I PERSONALLY never had an issue dropping 5-7mg a week.did not affect me till i got down to about 15mg,had a bit of sweats and restlessness but had to keep reminding myself that its either putting up with that is NOTHING compared to the full withdrawl i have experienced!
finally down to 7mg of methadone. i asked my doctor if he could send me with a weeks carries just to help fight the withdrawl once i am off the program. and he did. sent me with 6 carries at 10mgs each.
i made those last me 3 weeks.
by the time i was done, i had lowered myself down to about 0.5mgs a day.
and yes the first couple weeks coming off the methadone was a little rough, but it was tolerable.nothing like full out withdrawl!
now i got off methadone 3 months ago.i cant lie, i may be fixed physically but mentally, i still have the cravings,maybe not as much and not as strong,but the cravings are still there. so right now, i am trying my best to stay sober, cause i would rather die then have to go through another day of withdrawl, or hunting the city looking for drugs or whatever.so basically, im here to say, methadone does what its suppose to do, it will help you beat that monkey on your back, but at the end of the day it really all comes down to how bad you really want to kick the addiction.
im taking it not even day by day but minute by minute.
im really just proud that i can say i beat my addiction and was hoping maybe my story might help someone else somehow.
and i may be young, im turning 22 next month, was addicted to pain killers for 7 years, but i know the struggle,pain happiness and heartache of just like any other drug addict.
i hope my story helps atleast someone.may god bless you all in your journey and may he find you to the path of recovery!

[jewlz2626]

Well Kudos to you!! You are still so young! I have been struggling with Methadone for about 10 years now, I am 30 yrs old, and took the last year to taper from 15mg all the way to 2 mg and I jumped! I am 22 days clean today & over my last 10 years, this detox was NOTHING like I have gone thru cold turkeying off of 100 mg or even 20mg. The way you taper, along with your attitude & want to wanna change I believe, plays a huge part in recovery. You are lucky to get out, it is tough, but just remember how great it is to not depend on anything! I have heard that meetings/aftercare helps out alot with dealing with cravings, you should look them up in your area!