Do you lose the weight that methadone puts on you?

[Blondenancy]

I have been on methadone for 2 years. I am 5'5 and before methadone 125. In the last 2 years i gained 90lbs!! Yes 90.
My doctor said that is was the mehtadone. I have detoxed off methadone, while the weight go away.
I go the gym 3-4 days a week. and while on it ,could NEVER lose weight.  
PLEASE HELP THIS IS ALL NEW TOO ME.

[roseamillion]

Hello all! I was very grateful to read this thread. It gave me hope that my situation may work out in my favor as well. I am a thirty year old female. I have been on methadone for a little over a year and a half and went from 110 pounds or less to 175 in about six months time. It is a lot on my five foot frame and my knees and back are killing me. At my highest dose I was split taking 70 in the morning and sixty five un the evening. The split dose was perfect as i metabolized the single dose too quickly and was sick by the evening almost every night. I had to switch clinics due to a car accident and transportation issues. The new clinic only grants split doses to pregnant woman. Even though my stomach looked pregnant I was not. I just got sick of the new clinic who took away not only the split dose but I was at the privilege of taking five bottles home a week and they made me start over coming every day.  I started detoxing two mg a week.I just received word that I lost my insurance because I make too much money..a hundred and fifty dollars more than the poverty level before taxes..why would over government base it on the actual money we take home in our pockets and have to spend that would be crazy..but anyway the clinic doesn't take anything else but Medicaid so to avoid paying out of pocket almost a hundred a week in detoxing five mg a day now! I went from 125 mg a day to 85 in a week and a half. I still feel okay... I know its going to get worse and ill still be paying for two of the weeks at the very end but I hope that after all the withdrawal symptoms ill be suffering through that this weight falls off my body. Any hopeful hints on easing my detox or losing the weight (I have a feeling that shocking my body with such a fast detox will speed up the weight loss) i am just a little scared. I can't miss work.

[Matthew1115]

I came off 120 mgs of methadone in 2 months. I also put on 75 lbs. The positive is that I now have e 4 months clean and yes the detox sucked but I got through it . With the help of meetings and na in my life. It was the hardest thing I ever did but I am so great full. You can do this and you will feel so much better. The weight will take some time and effort but so far I'm down 13 lbs. If I could get off the methadone anyone can. I was on it for three years.  Cause I got my opiate fix I started doing other drugs and it just keeps going from there . But look it was the best decision I have ever made and I am getting my life back. No more waiting to get dosed and them holding groups before you get dosed. I'm not a prisoner any more.

[Scarykerry]

Hi I saw that some of you said to post your own question but I coupldn't find where that button was. Maybe because I'm on my phone? Anyway I too have been on methadone for awhile and I am currently tampering down. I've dropped my dose in half and I've gained weight!!! Please any suggestions would be appreciated. Also I plan on doing the Ayahuasca treatment when I completely taper all the way down. If anyone has experience or knowledge of that treatment please share. Thanks.

[Sara_MHModerator]

To post a question, close out of this question, go to the top of the forum and you should see a red "Ask a Question" button.  This is how you can ask your own question.  You will get more help and support if you start your own thread.  

[kristinalexis18]

I was on methadone for a little over 2 years in that time I gained 80lb. I got up to 115 "therapeutic" level and tapered at 3 mg a week for my entire taper, all the way down to 1mg. While tapering I lost about 30 lb, but it'd been weeks since I've lost anymore. I have successfully detoxed off and have been off done for 10 days now. I want this weight off! Im 5'3 and always been about 120 and I have 50lb to go to get back to normal. I hate myself and how I look. How much longer till its all off?!

[PinkDiamonds1221]

You guys give me so much hope! I have been prescribed methadone for 7 years. I was 128 lbs 5"5 and now I am around 270 lbs. I can't work out much because of my back injury but I do slowly swim daily!

I am miserable, depressed and have lost my zeal for life! I have stopped seeing friends, Family or anyone else. I have been going down and am now taking 35 mg from 90mg in the Am and 80 mg Pm then I went straight to 120mg that was rough!

I am working very hard to get my health, happiness and life back!  Thank you all for giving me hope!

[gnarly_1]

Hi  Leandra......for me I did a taper from 150mg to 1 over 8 1/2 months the weight came off as I tapered....I was eating good...no or little carbs and lean protein , chicken breast and fish that was baked or grilled no red meat...(causes inflammation)  I started on methadone for back pain and it was a good pain med however the side effects where more then I was willing to put up with ....your on the right track fruits and veggies add some lean protein and with time you will loose the weight....I walked when I detoxed  it was hard I had no energy what so ever for the first 90 days but my wife would make sure we walked every day and each day a little farther...if you can add some cardio that helps also not only with the weight lose but it will start to help your brain produce natural endorphin's that really helps with the energy....just know that recovery takes time with this drug a lot  has to do with how long your on it??? your dose?? and your age??? all factor into recovery  keep posting here for support
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Gnarly<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

[Leandraamie]

Gnarly....Thank you for responding. I really appreciate your words of wisdom. I love reading other people's stories, especially the ones where they lose all the methadone weight in like half a year. I hope that happens to me.
I was on methadone for 4 years at a steady dose of 50mgs. Almost the whole time I was on it I was still shooting other opiates. I quit another opiates on decemeber 12 2015. Got off methadone June 10th 2016. I'm a 27 year old female. Before methadone I was always 125lbs-135lbs. I was one of those people that could eat whatever whenever and not gain. The first 2 years I was on methadone I didn't gain a pound, but then those last 2 years I started gaining weight so fast it was scary! I would grow out of my jeans, go buy more, and a month later they wouldn't fit! My whole body is covered in stretch marks. .... Glad that's all behind me. I've lost 30lbd so far. I guess that's pretty good considering it's only been 2 months. I'm just really eager to have my body back!!
Well, that's my story. Again thank you for responding. :)

[gnarly_1]

Hi...well I was on methadone for almost 7yrs  got up to 150mg  and said enough was enough  detoxed myself off it in 8 1/2 months  I to gained a lot of weight  went from a slim 190   (im 6'' 1') to 247  as I tapered down the weight cam off....as for the recovery it is ruff I was dope sick for 90 days even after tapering but eventually you do get better  start a new post for yourself go to the top of this page and hit the button that says post a question you will get a lot more answers
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Gnarly<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

[Kelcoo]

i was on 30 milligrams of methadone and lost 78 pounds. I ate veggies brown rice meat fruit and high protein yogurt. I walked an hour a day.

[MisteryMan614]

A lot of you men don't realize that methadone will drop your testosterone levels to almost nothing (lower than girls even!). Your muscles will be perpetually weak and you'll never lose weight without testosterone replacement therapy. I started TRT and I'm on methadone. It's only been a month, and without changing how I eat (I never really ate much, but gained 50lb rapidly after starting MMT), I'm already noticing my body getting sculpted, fat burning away, muscles growing, being able to lift more than I could when I was 18 and working out all the time!

[emk526]

how does accupuncture help?

[gnarly_1]

Hi Amie  well on the bright side as you taper off the methadone the weight comes off also  at least it did for me  dont even think of jumping off at that dose  the withdrawal would be horfic  I detoxed off this drug slowly and it was ruff but doable you need to be in single digets to jump off  go slow with your taper  and when your ready start a new thread  by going to the top of this page and hit the ''post a question'' button  we can help you off this drug  for me it was a struggle  but worth all the agony to get off  it is so so worth it not to be chained to that stuff  we look forward to helping you..........Gnarly

[Kotabear99]

I am on methadone too  I&#39;ve been on it since 2009  I was so depressed over a 40 pound gain thst after 2 years in 2011 I took my self from 140 to 70 then from 70 to 0 and went back on suboxone a week later  big mistake  the subs didn&#39;t help me anymore like they did before I went on methadone  I kid u not I was sick for 11 months  cold sweats never sleeping right,  got these bad brain zaps and my skin always felt so weird to the touch  so I lost all my weight I gained on methadone in 5 weeks  it dropped so fast that ppl thought I was smoking crack(the ones that didn&#39;t know know me)  I was so happy bout that but I never felt right  so I went back on methadone a year later  and gained the 40 pounds again  I tryso hard at the gym and to eat right  altho I get mad mad sugar cravings  I give in sometimes  but thid time I only went to 110 but I had to have back surgery so as year after the surgery they bumped me to 125  so I been on that for a year  then I started taking myself down   now I&#39;m at 90 and I wanna go down to 80 for a couple weeks and so on  thry say as long as u don&#39;t drop more than 10% of your dose u will be fine  but I wanna know,  do u lose weight even getting to 50 and lower or do you need to be off off to start losing weight  I really think I retain water or something   I&#39;ve never been big or chubby  I&#39;m 5&#39;5 always was around 130   but now I&#39;m at 164!! I did lose 6 pounds  I just wanna get to even 140  I wanna wear shorts  I hate the way I look and as a female that&#39;s the worst feeling  everyone else says I put the weight on in all the right places and it&#39;s evenly distributed thru out my body  guess that&#39;s a good thing,  could be worse but I just wanna feel good about my self again   just know that it is gonna be a long Rd to get completely off  can anyone tell me they lost weight coming down and at what milligram if so  thanks  

[Leandraamie]

Hey so just wondering how fast did your weight come off after getting off methadone? I've been off for 46 days and I'm not losing the weight! I lost 20lbs or so when I started dropping, but after I got off completely I seemed to have plateaued..... I'm running everyday and pretty much just eating fruits and veggies. Does it take a while for the hormones or something to get back to normal before I can lose weight?

[AimeeA1985]

Hi,

I know this post is old, but I am wondering how things turned out for you.
I am on 65 mgs. per day for the past 3 years for chronic pain. When I was prescribed vicodin for pain I was thin, but my moron of a doctor switched me to methadone because of the amount of tylenol in the vicodin!
That day was the begining of the end for me!!!  I gained 60 lbs and I cannot even bear to look in the mirror!! I used to be thin, fit and healthy, now I look like a cow thats ready to give birth!!!!
What is the "pill" you spoke of???
I am literally so suicidal over my weight that I am ready to just stop "cold turkey" and go through the horrific withdrawls!!!!

Please let me know how you are and how things worked out for you!!

God bless,
Aimee

[LightWriter13]

thanks for sharing your story, i really can relate. i've been on methadone for a little over 2 years and have gained 100lbs. i've gone from loving myself to hating myself, which has effected my relationships and my social life big time. one one hand i am grateful it is summer because i can hide my dimply thighs with a long skirt but at the same time sure wish i had the courage to put on a pair of shorts, of course if i had a pair that fit!! i have tapered down from 160mg/day to 90mg/day but went back up to 100mg/day as it was handling my chronic pain management better. i see the doc today about making the switch to suboxone. i've heard there is much better results with it so hoping, praying, for my body and mind back. thanks again for your share.

Sasha, BC, Canada

[13leaf]

ON MY 26 TH DAY CLEEN OF METHODONE, COLD TURKY, AFTER 10 YEARS, OFF A 100 MILL, STILL FEEL LIKE POO, HOW LONG DOSE IT LAST FOR, PLEASE ANY HELP,

[13leaf]

HI IVE BEEN OFF 100 MILL OF METHONE , COLD TURKY, 26 DAYS NOW, STILL FEEL LIKE POO, HOW LONG WILL IT LAST FOR

[13leaf]

HI, IVE BEEN OFF A 100, MILL OF METHODONE, 26 DAYS, AND LOST, NARLY A STONE, MY BODY STILL FEELS GRESY AND HAVING 3 BATHS A DAY, FEEL RALLY SLUGISH, AS IF I HAVE FLUE, HOW LONG DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS FOR, HOW DID U GET ON PLEASE, ANY ANCERS, WHISH ID NOT DONE IT , BUT TOO LATE NOW

[2thorns]

I was on methadone for 6 years. First two yrs, I took 90 mg and gained about 65lbs! I was always one of those enviable gals who could eat whatever and stay slim, and boy was that a shock. I felt like I was wearing a fat suit, and I could not believe how rude society is to overweight women. I tapered my dose down to 45 mgs after 2 yrs, lost about 35lbs, then tapered again to 24mgs and lost another 10lbs, then finally tapered to 6mgs and discontinued use. ALL the weight i put on just effortlessly melted away. it was amazing. day by day i was physically transforming into my old self and could wear my favorite "before" jeans again, which i had saved all those years just in case i ever could lose the weight. My story doesn't have a happy ending, though. I tapered too fast those last 20mgs, and I started using pills again, and after heading back down that road, I returned to methadone after 4 months. Now, 10 months later, I've gained back 30lbs. So here I am again. Exercise and diet don't do anything for me. It is strictly tied to the dose of methadone. Such a shame, too, because I feel mentally stable when I'm on methadone, but the weight makes me feel awful. Without methadone, I'm a basket case emotionally and it doesn't matter whether I look good or not because I'm either sobbing or screaming. I surely opened Pandora's box with my opiate use, that's for sure. There are so many of use in the same predicament, why are our only two options methadone or suboxone?

[TRA2594]

I know this is an old post and i hope that it renews or gets to you Henry,
Your post is awesome news to read. i have been on MMT for 1 1/2 yrs. and put on 60 plus pounds, i am off the meth 6 days and this is my 3 days on subs. so far, so good. i have to stay i didnt believe it would work for me ( like Im so unique) but its really awesome, I am pleasantly surprised, especially since i am working and can't kick and work at the same time its impossible.

[Avybaby]

hey henry!! I am currently on 280mgs and going down 5 mg weekly until I hit 30 and switchin to subs also..do u have any advice for me? Im worried im going to feel like crap and not go threw with it esically cause I hear you have to b sick for 2 days in order to switch?..please let e know how it was 4 you!! thanks

[Angle1979]

I've been on meth for 10 years on and off now I'm the same can't loss the weight but until today I didn't think it was the meth I thought it was my thyroid its under active. I'm nearly off it now down to 28ml so hopefully when I'm off it I will loss a bit of the weight. Hate all the weight I've gained on it wish I could just go on the tables but they make me sick and still feel ill

[Cait1013]

I've been on methadone for 3 years now, and I'm only 5'0", I was 98 pounds when I started at the clinic and now I am 185, I've doubled in weight! I'm disgusted with myself and honestly I will hardly even leave the house. I go to work, then come home. All the people that knew me from before look at me like "wtf happened to you?" It's horrible! I couldn't lose it if my life depended on it, it's literally IMPOSSIBLE! I don't know what else to do besides get off of it and I'm afraid to honestly. I've never in my life had normalcy like I do now, I can actually Live like a regular person and not an addict! But I can't stand how I look.. I'm at a loss, someone please help!

[Infamous32]

I gained about 30 pounds while on Methadone. I was on it for 2 years. Pretty much as soon as I got off I started loosing the weight. I was 160lbs while stable on Methadone and 130-135lbs without. So it's been about 3 years and I'm 135lbs again. Personally I believe Methadone effects your metabolism (Slows it down) I did hit the gym pretty hard for about a year after I kicked Methadone, but I didn't gain any weight (which is what I was trying to do) protein, creatine and all. At that point I realised the Methadone had slowed my  metabolism while on Methadone. 3 years later135lbs.

[dia1025]

I been on methadone for 8 month and I've put on 15 to 20lbs I refuse to weight myself again bc ill go back to using just so I won't put on weight. There r good and bad things when it comes to this drug..the only good thing is that it keeps me off the street drugs. Since taking meth I've been hiding in my house on the couch with all the blinds closed and light off its got me in this depressive state of mind. I just want to be home and left alone. The only time I leave is to go to the clinic and when.I go there I can't wait to.get home in my p.js I don't know if its from the weight gain or the methadone..not only does the methadone take away withdrawals but it also takes away Ur life bc it makes u lazy..my advice to anyone is if u can handle the withdrawals from whatever u were on then do it cold turkey don't turn to methadone bc its has more bad effect then good ones..

[girlygirl28900]

People I know it's hard but you have to make yourself work out and drink drink drink WATER. I am female 28 on 60 mg of done a day. I also went from 5`3 96lbs to 165lbs within 2 years but I was being a lazy slob I started working out every day for an hour and cut soda out to only one a day and count calories only eat 1300 a day. Started this about 2 months ago and am down to 145! For my height and build 105-125 is the reasonable weight. I t is hard cause the meds do make you feel lazy but they have also improved my life in many ways. I plan on tapering starting in june so wish me luck and good luck and God Bless to y'all.

[girlygirl28900]

People I know it's hard but you have to make yourself work out and drink drink drink WATER. I am female 28 on 60 mg of done a day. I also went from 5`3 96lbs to 165lbs within 2 years but I was being a lazy slob I started working out every day for an hour and cut soda out to only one a day and count calories only eat 1300 a day. Started this about 2 months ago and am down to 145! For my height and build 105-125 is the reasonable weight. I t is hard cause the meds do make you feel lazy but they have also improved my life in many ways. I plan on tapering starting in june so wish me luck and good luck and God Bless to y'all.