getting off methadone

[gorephine]

i have been on methadone for 12 yrs started at 19 am 30 now tried 4 times getting off it tried going down 5 a month tried cold turkey tried clonidine every tranquilizer known to man i had a seizure almost died last time i tried coming off i am fearful i will never get off it because my withdrawls are so bad i wouldnt even wish it on hitler please someone help me i am scared for myself

[gorephine]

thank u very much need all the support i can get right now the vitamins are kinda starting to work i actually wanna sue the damn meth clinic although i would never win it pisses me off they prescribed this death drink to me before i was legal age to buy smokes and alcohol i had tried every rehab available to me before i went on the program, but started shooting anything u can stick in ur arm at 16/17 and started buying methadone on the streets at that time i caught hepatitis c at that time too, the meth doctor said to me at 22 my liver was the size of a football and had a year to live if i didnt recieve pegetron/interferon treatment right away luckily had the right blood type for it to work and is now in full remission gonna be 31 in 2 months i am lucky to be alive still. been an addict since 12 yrs old my ideas on how i lived my life have changed dramaticly in the last 2 years for the better dope sickness has been part of my life since being 12 had to try every drug availavable and been sick and tired of being sick and tired since than i am blessed but curesd at the same time need all the support i can get so again thank u i was at the point of almost giving up a few days ago but i am takin 1 day at a time all we can do THANK U SO MUCH FOR YOUR KNOWLEDEGE AND SUPPORT MUCH APPRECIATED AND I WONT GIVE UP THANKS AGAIN

[weaver71]

You are doing awesome. The acute withdrawal is usually about 3 wks after you stop methadone. My largest struggle was the Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrom. I am at 57 days without methadone and am finally sleeping and dreaming. Don't give up. I can tell you that it is worth it. Just remember, a few months is worth the rest of your life. You came here because you probably didn't like the last years of use. A few months is not that lone for a new life for the rest of your days. You will feel capable of anything after this. Imagine using the strength it takes to stop methadone applied to something you believe in. You have much to look forward to. I know it feel like forever. For me time went very slow during initial detox, but it speeds up and gets better. Contrats on your progress.

[gorephine]

thanks for the possitive comments my biggest wory is when im finally off and the sickening feeling doesent go away for months beeing drug sick has been a part of me since i was 12 going on31 now and just want it to end i picked up vitamins yesterday calcium magnesium and zinc plus a b50 that has all the b vitamins im trying so hard im almost there dont wanna give up now thanks for all the support
                                                                        mike marin

[atthebeach]

wow that is awesome. good for you, so proud of you. you are doing it.
the lower mgs you have to go slower when you drop. once you get to 5mg just stop, tapering below 5mg doesnt make a difference when you stop.
the supplements that help are zinc/magnesium/calcium also protein shakes. look at the bottom right of this page under the health pages, there is also an amino acid protocol regiment. this is alot of great info. in the health pages.
remember it is going to take some time for you to feel better even once you completely quit. the methadone has a long half life and stays in your system a long time.
exercise, healthy diet,lots of fruit,veggies,protein, keep hydrated, keep yourself busy, are you in counseling? attending support groups? church? the chains and bondage of addiction can be broken. stay strong. one day at a time. keep moving forward.
thanks for the update, keep on keepin on.
sending hope,prayers,strength,peace,
keep the faith,
debbie

[gorephine]

was on thissite months ago my story is been on methadone 14 years at the highest dose u can be at after about a year im finally at 15 mgs which my family doctor told me is 10 times less of a dose in general im doin real good on the other hand im getting real sick im taking what im prescribed 3 1 mg lorazapam a day and 1 mogadon 10 mg at night plus zyprexa 10 mg and clonidine and it still is not enough the pharmacist told me i had went down fast been at 15mgs over a month and still isnt working last post i made someone responded with i think 3 different vitamins to take and 1 of em never heard of it but cuts the withdrawl in half im so close to getting off but i wanna give up please someone tell me the vitamins to take specially the 1 that cuts withdrawls in half be very in debt to u thank u for your time have a great day hopefully soon i will have great ones too thank u

[gorephine]

thanks for the comments and trying to give me inspiration one thing im worried about is getting back on street drugs if i do get off methadone. i am a drug addict always been since 12yrs old i might go a year clean or 10 years clean im positive i will get the urge again and it will start all over again so i am at a stuck crossroad thanks for listening

[justme1119]

Hi gorephine, I'm a 54 yr old female.  I never took high doses, but from what I've been told it's just as hard to get off of the low doses as the high ones.  I'm 134 days off of it completely.  I didn't taper much, but like I said, I was already on low dose. You CAN DO THIS!  The bad part for me was an energy crash at around 8-10 days that was like coming back from the dead, but knowing it would end and I wouldn't be a slave to the medication and totally humiliated every time I had to admit that I was taking it, was my motivation.  Gnarly said 90 days after I finally stopped it all, and while it was a little longer for me, at 90 days it was totally bearable.  Once your mind gets attuned to each little nuance or side effect of the withdrawals, at least you know what to expect every day and I was able to mentally talk myself through each bout of anxiety, or hot flash, or hour of sleeplessness.  Knowing that  you won't die from it, makes it easier too.  Tapering seems like the only plan for people who are on higher doses.  There are more than a few on here that have done it.  Find them and read their posts.  Post on here every day and every hour if you need to.  People will help.  If they don't respond at first, post again.  Do it!  You'll be glad you did!  

[Teri9498]

Hi I just read your post, I too take methadone and am trying to taper off.  I have been on it for 7yrs.  I was taking 80-100mg a day.  Then in Sept. I decided I really wanted to stop, I have wanted to stop for along time, but just been really scared because of all the stuff u hear about being on it for life.  But I have been tapering and am now at 10mg and it hasn't been all that bad.  Listen to Gnarly and get the vitamins they really seem to help.  I wish you all the best! Good luck you can do this!  Teri

[gorephine]

thank you everybody for the comments im scared and 12 years off my life has been wasted  on this horible drug although it keeps u from using other drugs it seems impossible to get off please keep the knowledge for me and comments coming i want to beat this thanks everyone

[gnarly_1]

hi sounds like your body is hyper sensitive to the stuff 5mg a month is prity fast at the doses your at I cant give you specific numbers or a taper plan on here it breaks the rules but if I where you I would cut it back to just a couple of mg a mo so what if it takes a long time I came off 150mg and it wasent ez but it is doable it takes resolve and perseverance and you got to want it bad start with a 3 in one vitamin calcium/magnesium/zinc get them at walmart I know the dosing for there brand take 4 in the morning and 4 at dinner time this will cut your withdrawals in 1/2 and make this a lot more doableand go slow there is no rush if you only drop a couple of mg a mo then so be it at least your heading in the right direction I tell everybody starting out .....'''you just got to be ok without being ok for a wile ''......this to shall pass also never under estimate a good hot soak when your in withdrawal as you taper you will go in and out of withdrawal that is to be expected what where trying to do here is make it manageable I help most of the methadoinans if you want help im out her for you also keep posting we all want to see you get well good luck and God bless......Gnarly        

[atthebeach]

hello and welcome. what dose are you on now? how low did you taper last time before you jumped off? once you stop taking methadone the withdrawal symptoms can last many months. it is very possible to get off methadone. the clinics want you to believe that most people dont get off.
we are here to tell you yes you can. we are here to encourage you,support you along the way. you have to be patient you have been on it a long time and it will take time and patience to detox.
sending hope and encouragement
debbie

[all_alone1]

hello and welcome to the forum.....althought i do not have any experience with methadone, there are several members on this site who are knowledgable and can give you some good solid advice...

from what i have read about methadone it is said to cause seizures when trying to CT from it..in some cases it is said it may be neccesary to taper slowly off of...

some members should be come along shortly to give you some knowledgeable advice to help you out..

so haing in there.