How long can methadone withdrawal go on?

I have been on Methadone for the last 6 years, all starting with 5mg dose all the way up to 120mg per day. I was put on methadone to get me off of percocet that had been perscribed to treat my Migraine headaches. Finally I had enouugh of the Methadone and asked to be taken off of it. I had already tapered myself down to about 60-80mg perday, then went cold, on the third day I hurt so bad I finally went to the hospital and they treated me with Suboxone for 3 days. Starting with 4mg per day and I started feeling better almost immediately so I asked if we could taper the Suboxone. The one thing that really confused me was that even though i had not taken any methadone for 6 days by the time i got out of the hospital I was still coming up positive for methadone in my urine. Now i have been home for 6 days and the withdrawal symptoms have come back hard and I am really suffering. What advice do you have?

[oxysbliss]

morning and welcome....
I dont know much about meth other than its a pain in the ass to come off

All I can suggest is that you change the way you eat, dirnk alot of water and juices, green teas, alot of vitamins and supplements...and a multi vitamin

All of this helps but takes a while fo ryour body to adjust without or a taper......
Exercise helps too get the body moving again....get it used to doing things slowly..babysteps..

Hang in there..and someone will be around evenutally taht has more information on meth...I havent done it so I dont relaly know..

C

[DutchessGolden]

well they sure did that backward. Methadone is supposed to start at around 160-180 mg per day( unless you live on the east coast you can start at as much as 300mg/day) then taper down over the course of one to 3 years. Most methadone patients are on the plan for over 10 years because they are not really encouraged to come down b/c the methadone clinics want their money. Many patients have to take the initiative to speak with their counselors at the clinic to set a plan to wean off properly. Coming down about 3 mg per month is about the right pace to go. Withdrawal from any opiate is hell! low doses of xanax or valium usually help but benzos are a bad way to go unless ur just taking them for a week or two after you've been weaned off the opiate. A little known fact is that xanax withdrawal is much more dangerous than even heroin withdrawal. In the healthiest of people it can cause major seizures and stroke for starters. I have found that 500mg of naproxen really helps with hydrocodone withdrawal for me. Many people also use somas for opiate withdrawal.Stopping methadone at 60mg is dangerous and very hard on your body. If you don't have anything you can take today, get some aleve, it's naproxen just not in the amount that a perscription would be, so take however many aleve add up to anywhere from 250mg to 500 mg depending on how your body responds to naproxen. ( if each aleve is 100 mg taking 5 is the same exact thing as taking a 500mg naproxen. It is the exact same drug just a lesser dosage per pill since it is over the counter) I really hope this helps. Let me know if you need anything. Going to your doctor and working out a plan to take you from 60mg or so a methadone and gradually bring you down (like the program was SUPPOSED to do) would be the best course of action for you. If the naproxen doesnt help take a vicodin or darvocet, tylenol4, lortab, any opiate you have to keep the withdrawal at bay and see your doctor asap

[Mis Take]

The only reason I can think of is that meth as well as suboxone have a long half life and stay inside quite a bit longer.  They hang around and w/d usually don't start until quite a bit later (sadly).  There is a great post about tapering suboxone (and I imagine can be used w/ meth as well).  It is in the reply column and is called  "be careful of suboxone"  i think.  I will go back and look and get the correct thread.
I wish you the best of luck and just remember that it will go away and get better soon.  Are you taking anything while at home?  Tapering with anything?  Just wondering b/c that post did state that even w/d of 2mg of Suboxone can be HORRIBLE.  
I am currently on Suboxone so found it all quite interesting.  Let us know how you continue to do.  

Love, M

[DutchessGolden]

oxybliss is definitely right!! exercise and running help your body sweat out toxins and more importantly release endorphins which is what your body is lacking right now. endorphins bind to your opiate receptors which are going nuts b/c you arent taking opiates which is causing the withdrawal. The green teas are packed with anti-oxidants which neutralize toxins in your body so you can excrete them healthfully.

[Marce4]

You sound like you have quite a bit of medical background....you said your mom is a medical attormey....are you a doctor?  You sound like you really know what you are talking about!!!!!! Thanks for being here and helping. I also have a really dumb ??? Is there caffeine in green tea?  My son loves it and I don't want him drinking too much caffeine....he has an arrythmia! (Sorrry off the subject but thought I'd ask anyway!)
marcie:)

[DutchessGolden]

that's not a dumb question at all that's actually a great question because unfortunately green tea has about 30 mg. of caffeine (a cup of coffee has 5 times that amount) And even more unfortunately the decaffeination process takes out most of the major health benefits of green tea :(

[Mis Take]

If your interested, it is called methadone detox and it is on page 3.  Anchorman10 replied and all he/she has to say is very interesting (at least to me).  I wish you the best of luck whichever way you go.

best wishes, M

[lasherslaugh]

Go to Google and type in The Thomas Recipe for Opiate Withdrawal and read it then start it asap, this is the safest and healthiest way that I have found and followed myself. I am 39 yrs. old and have been on Methadone since 1999 and it was a nightmare! The worst part for me when I tried "cold turkey" was the sleeplessness and my mental state because everything (reality) seemed so surreal and frightening.   Then I found the "T" recipe and it made all the difference! So, hang in there and follow religiously! I wish you all the success. From: Lasherslaugh.

[Savas]

Suboxone is only good for methadone withdrawals if your methadone dose is below 20 milligrams.
I'm not sure what will happen to you if you keep going as I've never talked to anyone who switched from such a high dose and actually made it past a day or two.

I would guess if you could stick it out you'd be okay in about a week tops (but not sure!)

It takes about two weeks for the worst withdrawals to pass.

(I'd guess the hospital was an easy low stress environment, which is why you didn't feel the withdrawals to badly. Were they giving you anything else?)

I'd suggest not using the suboxone for more than a month or three...I hear it can be almost as hard to get off of for some if you stay on it long term.

I'd try the clonidine taper to help, or perhaps a neurotonin. But I'm not sure what you should do if you wish to stay on suboxone. If you seek help, they will probably suggest gonig back on methadone and tapering down to 20 milligrams before trying suboxone again.

[ZDragon]

I have been on Methadone for the past 2 years and at tops was taking 80mg per day. I have always been into living healthy due to my medical condition. Daily I take a multi vitamin twice as well as a super B complex. I also made sure my body got all the carbs, proteins, and fats that it needed to heal any damage I was doing to my muscle tissue because of not being able to feel when I was over exerting due to the methadones pain killing effects. The past couple days I tapered down to 25mg and am now out of the medicine due to my doctor refusing to fill it regardless of known facts that I throw up my medicine due to the condition I have and end up having to take more. Anyways my question is if I have taken care of myself during the entire time will the withdrawal syptoms (symptoms) be as bad as some posts I have read. I am thinking of using the Thomas recipe to help. Any advice or info would be great. Thanks.
ZDragon

[Sael]

Why did you taper to 25mg from 80mg?

I am on methadone and you need to come off slowly, just as Duchess Golden has said. You're going to have withdrawals and chances are, if you just came down suddenly you won't start feeling them for about 2-4 days since methadone has a long half-life.

If they get very bad you should try taking some of the smaller dose opiates that DG stated earlier in this thread and definitely see your doctor. That's a bit of a jump and it will be quite difficult.

DuchessGolden:

You sound very wise and knowledgeable about opiates. It's a breath of fresh air for this place.

[blessme386]

My comment is I have been on the methadone program for 17yrs. I started out on 60mgs then I went up to 80mgs. I am know on 10mgs., but my clinic has change the form of medication. I was taking dolophine and was just fine, now they are dispensing the cherry and its horrible. I have been feeling like ****. what should I do? should I just wait it out or just come off. I wake up with anxiety as well as throwing up my guts, its just horrible....

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

I have seen studies that indicate that there is no appreciable difference in c/t from 1mg to 10mg........and from 6mg to 60mg - -   and I do hear you dutchess......I c/t'd 120mg methadone. It can be done.

[deablo]

i have been on methadone for 15 year's i have come to the conclusion i want to quite i have read evaery thing there is to read on withdrawl (withdrawal)'s in my case there's no easy way about it i have recently have went from 250 mg a day down to 20 or 30 i take just enough to keep my stomach in  control i really don't feel bad now but trying to achieve this other 20 or 30 mg is hard to even think about i have thought about saboxon but i had read that suboxon is only good if your on low doses of methadon and the way i see it why substatute one with another and my doctor at the clinic say's i would have to be off methadone for three day's to keep from going in bad withdrawl (withdrawal)'s but the way i see it if i could do without for three day's i would probaly be in a bad way.it just seem's that this last few mg'sis going to be the toughest.the way i have understood anything over a 100 mg's your body stores and i have come to take that as a fact because at 250 mg i still wanted more the doctor always ask me if i was getting drowse when i ask for a increase i have never had that affect but again i have seen people on as little as 50 mg's haveing the nod's none of it really makes since each person is different so there for every one has different situations but i can say it's a mind over matter thing wilpower and prayer is your best alternative i think you can do whatever you put your mind to but you don't have to be sick as a dog while you do it so if the rest of my journey don't get no worse than it has been i think anyone can achieve there goal if that's what thay really want but i guess i have said enough and i hope everyone the best and good luck

[Liz_Louisiana]

Oh my god im living in hell. I am 27 yrs old i have lupus w/ nephrotic syndrome, DJD,osteoporosis and osteonicrosis. two years ago i was put on the fentynal patches. for the past 6 months ive been trying to get of them. i was at 175mcg q every 48hrs. by 30 hrs i would already start to have withdrawls before it was time to change my patches. i desperatly wanted off this toxin. the only thing that anyone wanted to do for me was put me on suboxone. so i went to see a doc on tuesday 5/5/09. i took my 175mcg patches off at 7pm on monday the 4th. he sent me home with a script of suboxone. to take 2 8mg sub pills at 7pm on tuesday. i called them to see if i could take it earlier cause the withdrawls were getting really bad. they said yes, so at 5:30pm on tues i took two 8mg sub. by about 7pm i was in the bath tub trying to console my withdrawls and was literally loosing my mind. i beat my head up against the tub to try and knock myself out. i also bit the **** out of my arm because it felt better than what i was going through. so eventually i dialed 911 and was rushed to the hospital and apparently the wonderful suboxone wasnt working like promised. when i got there all they did was shoot me up with lots of atavain, that caused me to crawl out my skin and sent me home. i took another 4mg of sub that night and it seemed to be ok except for the fact i couldnt sleep for **** and the hot and cold flashes were unbearable. today is friday 5/8/09 i still cant sleep, the sweats are insaine and my attitude *****. i have vailum and xanax to take but they give me acidic type nightmares. im starting to think that this is not the right medicine (the suboxone) for me but i dont know of any alternative. im scared to death of the withdrawls i might face again. my doc talks about putting me in the hospital to detox by using a combination of steriods, vailum, atavain. and im sorry but isnt that what their doing now and i feel like ****. i want more than anything in life to just be normal again the way i was before the toxic patches i was on. please tell my story and give or ask for advice for me i am desperate. thank you all for listening. Liz in Louisiana.

[buprenex]

Methadone could test positive even at 10 days. It does have to with a long half life and I have heard it accumaltes in body tissues. I am not clear on that. Buprenex-which is what you had has been a big dissapointment for me. Others have made it work. Buprenex has a long half life as well and you felt okay until the half life went down which took DAYS, 3 days sound about right where you would feel withdrawls escalate. I had the the same expirence I think as you have. I had buprenex given for almost a week and left the clinic feeling quite well. High on and looking back and after learning I was just high on Buprenex which did feel good and normal. The longer we are on drugs the longer and harder it is to adjust to no drugs. The body in any event takes time,not daays but weeks and months all depending on variables. I believe I just got addcited to Buprenex in that first week or if that did not occur then I was still addicted or in withdrawls that where managed by the Buprenex and I went straight into withdrawls after a few days of leaving. You need help I think you could consider going back on Buprenex and do a longer short term taper dose schedule. Talk to a Buprenex doctor to see what you think of doing that. I am not very big on Buprenex but i do not see a better course for you from what I know. Which is a lot.

[buprenex]

Also 60 MG jump from Methadone is way to high to jump from and in my opinion is almost like comiting suicide without knowing you where going too. You are in incredible SUFFERING as you descirbed it. I know and see that. So that is why I say get back Buprenex-Suboxone as fast as you can, and plan a strategy very early on to get off in a fast but more less drastic taper. I thing you thought I feel great, get me off Buprenex and I will have esacaped the pain of w/d and I am back to normal. You could taste it and you overestimated what Buprenex can do.  

[buprenex]

I think you where overlooked becaus you needED to start a new post, you started a question in the answer part of someone elses ?. I hope and am thinking Subxone put you into withdrawls and it can do that if taken too early. I have taken it early and late and have had troubles with precipated w.d. I think you body had adjusted to Buprenex as it stay for days and you came back from the Hospital and took one more tablet which has helped. Just not enough. If it is getting better then I would continue with your Sub tabs, slowly increase the dose as you feel better. Just hope you do think no one cares, I think most did not see your ? in the answer part of someone elses ?. POST AND LET ME KNOW YOU ARE ALLRIGHT.

[mchiurazzi]

ya that definatly sounds like you were in percipitated withdrawl (withdrawal) i had the same problem this last time i took my first dose too early and experinced the worst withdrawls ive ever had! yea and sorry for the late reply you have to keep in mind also its mothers day so there arnt as many people on here as normal! good luck! hope your feeling better

[goseearealdoctor]

You are dispensing terrible information. It would be incredibly unlikely to be initiated on a methadone dosage of 300mg/daily from nothing as this would most likely result in respiratory depression, coma and death. In fact, stopping a dosage of 80mg/daily for several days and then resuming that dose could result in respiratory depression. This is why methadone is so closely monitored to prevent accidental overdose. Withdrawal from opiates (methadone included) is NOT dangerous, even though you feel terrible. Taking Naproxen, an analgesic NSAID with no opioid component, would be a poor decision as this would not eliminate the withdrawal symptoms. If you are not tolerating methadone withdrawal, go see a doctor. They may consider starting you on clonidine, oxezapam (a benzo) and Imodium (immodium), only for the duration of the withdrawal.

[bkwrm679]

Kind of harsh - not my business I guess. Wouldn't the starting dose be dependent on what you're on? I mean it somebody's doing a gram of IV heroin every 4 hours and goes on methadone, they're going to start on a pretty high dose of methadone I would think. Anyway, I think treating a percocet addiction with methadone was huge overkill to begin with. My advice would be to stick on the suboxone since that helped with the methadone withdrawals, then taper taper taper, and finally wean off of it.

[40yr_OldJUNKIE]

it's been 30 days since my last trip to the clinic. gone cold turkey at 70mg. it's been the most horrible time in my life!!! by the 3rd. day just wanted to hang myself, the pains in my legs was so bad. starting on the four day got ahold of  some valium 10, took those for 5days just so i could get some kind of sleep( 4hrs. aday if lucky!!). buy the 2nd. wk had 2 use herion 4 3days, then a friend turned me on to some suboxone. took half a pill 4 a wk 2mg. then some more herion 4 2days. now am finally feel half way normal, still have some pain in my legs but can tolerate it. havent used **** since then, feel like my life is finally get back on track. 20yrs. i was a junkie. it's a beautiful thing to look at your kids with no more shame in your eyes!!!  alot of prayer also part of my journey though the valley of shadow of methadone!!!!!!!!!!!!!      by the way i was on the program a little shy of 5yrs.   i wont need advise anyone to get on this **** ever!!!!!!!!!!!!

[irishlass00]

I have been on methadone four 6 years 80mls on a daily basis , i have spent the past 6 months tapering down but i didnt allow my body to adjust i dropped from 80 to 60 in one go an 5mls aweek there after , i got down to 8 mls (coz at 20mls i changed from dropping 5mls to 2mls a week ) at 16mls i dropped to 8mls and from that to 4mls within a day, two days later i dropped all of it im now 6 days into it and i cannot sleep my legs hurt but not as bad as the first few days  but it hsnt stopped there i am very tired (due to lack of sleep ) and i have no will power i try to move around but my body just  will not let me d too much this whole experience is taking its toll on me as it playing on my mind alot and is depressing me coz because rite now i do not see an end i hope for it all to be over i just want to experience life like have not done in so long  it is worth it an at times that is hard to see that ! i have tried taking sleeping tablets but to no avail but sheer will power and determination will pull me thru i have done this mostly alone and sympathy for my own affliction is not wat im looking for i just want others to know it can be done and it does take time just stick with it ,all the pain is normal due to ur body forcing it out and try not to think too much much coz the last thing u need is regrets and for watever reason u have been on methadone for really does not matter now wats done is done now u can just try and deal with it ! i wish u all the best and good luck x

[gnarly_1]

hi and welcome to the forum...you found an old post ...you'll get more responses going to the top of the page where it saize post a question ..(green box) and start a new thread but I look for the ones on methadone...sounds like you got anxious in the end and quick tapered off....I think thats why your feeling so bad but your into it a couple of days now so no turning back now ...you should be past the physical aches and pains in a few more days...I came off 150ml and was on it 6 1/2yrs it took me a good 7 day week to get past the physical part it may take you a bit longer because of the fast taper but you will start to feel better sooner or later..it takes 2 weeks for some but eventualy it will be just the mental part you will have to grind out...the sleep thing is one of the hardest aspects to deal with it comes back slowly sleeping pills will get you to sleep but wont keep you there ...I tryed them and would wake  up at 3 in the morning once I was up I was up for the day...the mental mind screw is hard to deal with but try to keep a positive attitude it helps ...I know right now all looks hopeless to you but it does get better as time goes by...each week you get you will feel a bit better then once you hit a month things start to improve a lot ..I just want to incorage you to stick it out in the end it is so so worth it...I did what your doing 159days ago and have no regrets life is finely getting back to normal now I wish you the best of luck and God bless....Gnarly        

[TonySuprano]

Well methadone will show up for sometime, Did they put u onto a suboxone program?, you will go in like daily pick that up like methadone. Any Doc putting you on methadone for Pills should be shot, like mine should, its harder than heroin to detox off..I am down to 14mg.... but each 1mg is like ripping teeth out. Glad your on suboxone though, for me i dont want to go onto anything else, and see how i go without first. My Gp keeps trying to get me onto it though. Give yourself some time on the Subxone too its a different drug and only 1/4 of an opiate compared to  afull opiate like methadone. A month to stablise would be good for you.... if you still feel the same try 6mg..Suboxone..Just try be patient i know its hard and keep busy

[TonySuprano]

40yr OLDJUNKIE  10yrs for me now, and it's finally i think turning on me...... Cant say its all been bad...Last year though has.!  If it gets to bad i will try the SUboxone !

[7weeksclean]

hang in there irishlass00 im going through the samething. i cut off all contact w/ my old friends 4 yrs ago and havent looked back. been tough but doing it alone or with a support group is best way for that. i was "too proud" to go to na now paying for it cause i dont really know anybody healthy anymore. i was on 130 mgs for 4 yrs got a great job then they took my carry homes away . i had already started tapering but i started going down 5mg a week. at bout 50mg i really started to feel it. getting clumsy, tremors loss of sleep, then it got worse but it was never the physical stuff that got me it was the mental wd's. depression, anxiety around peepz i dont know. thoughts of suicide at times cause yer so wired and so tired. u want to sleep but u cant stop moving. yet u dont wanna go anywhere. lots of counless nights staring at theúceiling and playing vids.anyway its been 7 weeks since my last dose and ican see some light. the good times are happening more frequently. but i am still depressed  alot of times but it can take up to a year for your chemical levels in your brain to start getting back to normal, 2 at the very least to fully recover. a guy told me man yer like a soldier from iraq u been living a crazy lifestyle and when u get back to reality u dont know what to do with yourself. the lilest things will **** u off or make u cry u know? the only thing i can tell u is staying busy and out of truble is the only way to stay clean. theres no miracle drug. im curious how long for some of u before the depression nervousness go away? also heard the mental cravings never go away is this true?

[gnarly_1]

HI and welcome to the forum....you posted on a old post but I look for the ones on methadone its best to go to the top of the page and start a new post...theres a green box that says ask a question start there...anyway I detoxed off 150ml of methadone 216 days ago....it take a wile to start to feel better but it dident take a yr..you will notice improvements at 30 60 and then at 90 days things started to turn around for me
the sleep thing can be pritty ruff to get past  try a hot bath right b/4 bed it helps
as for being wired ...it takes some getting use to but once your off the stuff life come at you at 100 mile an hr and in tec/na/color you dont realize just what a fog that stuff puts you under till your not on it...as for the depression its different for everyone if after 90 days its still an issue you may need to go on antidepressant for a wile so see your doctor...there is no hard time line for when you will feel better I found methadone to be very cyclic you will feel better then bam your down again with symptoms try not to get discouraged as time goes by you will slowly get better...hook up with some sort of aftercare like N/Aor A/A  if thats not a good fit try a drug consolor od an addiction therapist but with methadone the post withdrawal can go on a wile and your going to need all the help you can get...keep posting but start out at the top of the screen these old post tend to get lost...where all here for your support good luck and God bless......Gnarly    

[boag952]

i'm now on day 10 of kicking methadone 45 milligrams after a year, i got put in jail 10 days ago just got released. kicking in jail is terrible let me tell you especially in a hard core one like the LA twin towers where if you act up twitching or anything your gonna get takin in the shower and get the crap beaten out of you not only that but its freezing in there and you know how the goosebumps are with withdrawals (in my opinion its the worst part). in jail i noticed drinking coffee and having good conversations with people and staying posetive is key.  i've found its mostly in your head. think of yourself as a strong person (which you are) and as a hero for taking the challenge of the withdrawal. i'm now at day 11 and i feel great besides the chills, it's mostly in your head and thinking posetive IS KEY. trust me people exorsize think posetive eat healthy and talk with posetive people and don't psyche yourself out and you'll be just fine. although your legs will hurt push yourself to excorsize it will help. best of luck STAY STRONG.

[gnarly_1]

HI congrats on 10 days....kicking in jail must have su cked bot you got to do what you got to do....now that your out what are your plans for staying clean  ?? for most people successful at this working a program like N/A or A/A really help out with the mental end of this
I agree a positive attitude will help out emencly but you need help with things like cravings
and learning how to go threw life without the help of a pill...our best thinking got us here
it takes help to learn the skills and tools to stay clean.....getting clean is the ez part staying that way takes work....I wish you the best of luck in your recovery plug in somewhere
and you will be successful .....Gnarly

[greygoose711]

I've just done a double-detox from methadone (60ml), diazepam (10mg) and am well into secondary withdrawal (my back feels like its gonna ****** break!). Methadone IS (in my opinion) MORE addictive then heroin, it has a long half-life, is longer acting and after continued usage binds itself to your bones especially the spine. If you are reading this and are on the gear and are thinking of getting a methadone script STOP, THINK! Subutex (buprenorphine) or increasingly from what i hear from my sceptic tanks Subuxone (buprenorphine with naloxone) is a much safer, smarter and a much less painful (in the long run) option! I am on my 4th day without opiates or benzo's. I have had to make a concession with regards to my back pain (the muscles violently spasm locking the spine into a vice like grip in an attempt to protect the kidneys); i'm taking co-codamol (paracetamol with a small amount of codeine) to manage that. Take lofexidine for the last 10 days of detoxification, it is a non-opioid medication that is used primarily to control blood-pressure (diabeties etc) and secondarily as a liquid cosh on "difficult" prisoners. It just so happens that this undoubtedly nasty yet non-addictive drug blocks the noradrenaline gland whose overproduction of noradrenaline following discontinuation of opiates is the main cause of those hellish withdrawals. I would suggest taking no more than 6 0.2mg tablets in a day (although the state sanctioned drug dealer also known as a doctor) will tell you its OK to take a maximum of 12. Lofexidine causes you're blood-pressure to drop and can if used for more than 10 days knock your heart out of sync! So take it easy! Take ibuprofen and paracetomol or aspirin every 4 hours, take quinine at night for the cramps but do not be tempted to take it in the daytime as although herbal is toxic; it is given in Africa to those suffering from symptoms associated with Malaria. Eat well (easier said than done when your rattling i know) and replenish your fluids as you need to sweat that shite out. Start exercising as soon as you feel strong enough, you need to get your brain producing endorphins again. Regular masturbation can help with this also. Do not expect to get any sleep, if you accept it it becomes easier to deal with. Most importantly stay positive and focused. If you are otherwise (apart from being a junkie) healthy and have a roof over your head for the duration of the cluck you should be alright (as long as you are determined) in 2 months; 3 weeks of which will be agony (acute withdrawals) after which symptoms will generally subside but you will still be suffering (secondary withdrawals). Remember even when you feel you have nothing left inside, there's usually a little bit more. And that little bit is what gets people through **** like this. Believe in yourself and ask your Higher Power to guide you. Reach out to your loved ones for their support. Peace. Forward.... Into The Struggle.  

[iwillbefree]

I have been on methadone for a year never going over 20 mg a day. I got myself.down to about 2-4mg per day and stopped cold turkey. The withdrawls were miserable by the third day. I tried to tell my pcp about it however he was not concerned he just stated "you should not have painful withdrawl (withdrawal) from such low dose" but I beg to defer. So I took a dose of methadone to curve the withdrawls and went back down to my 2-4 mg a day. I'm desperate to get off but my doctor is cutting me off and will not prescribe any meds for the process to be any easier on me. I tried talking with him about atleast two weeks of suboxone to help with the symptoms I'm having. I feel like I am so close to my goal of being off methadone. However quiting cold turkey even off of a low dose is a nightmare. everyone out there good luck I wish you the best it has been a tough road for all of us. I ended up on it for chronic pain due to a horrific car accident at the time seemed like a good idea to just take what my Dr perscribed it gave me a life at the time but ultimatly took it away because quitting is the toughest part.

[gnarly_1]

hey dude the initial withdrawal last only about a 7 day week with some symptoms lingering into 2 weeks if you can get past that your threw the worst of it physically the post withdrawal is another story it takes a good month of no sleep and the energy crash and depending on dose and leth of use it can go on a couple of months going on sub for 2 weeks will do no more then postpone your methadone withdrawals if you do sub do it for 90 days and that will get you around the methadone withdrawals the only ketch is you have to face off with sub withdrawals witch can be very mild or 2 weeks of hell you just dont know till you try it to me the 90 day sub route is worth the chance it sure beets 90 days of methadone withdrawals....I help a lot of people off this drug I was on it for 6 1/2 yrs myself and it took 90 days to start to feel better once I quit if you need help or someone to talk to or answer questions for you I will be happy to help  just know ether way just jumping or going with sub for 90 days it is doable ether way I just tuffed it out wasent any fun but today in only a couple days shy of 2yr clean dont give up you can do this good luck and God bless......Gnarly  

[patpat74]

my mother has had 46 surguries on her stomach was taking percs. for pre and post op. on and off for six years.  Her doctor put her methadone 10 to 20mg everyday for 8 mons.  She herself went off them by taking 10mg every other day and then stopped has not had any in 10 days.  Is taking 1mg of xanex to help she didn't know she was in trouble, how long would you expect the withdrawral to last would the aleve help.    Thank you very much

[cangma29]

I'm coming off a fast taper. I had been on 130 when I was pregnant. After I went to100mg. Then I was cut 25% for a dirty UA for benzo. My clinic does not allow u to be on any benzo even if u have a script for. It. (Is that common?) 78mgs a day then and forced to go down 2mgs a day. I'm down to 26mgs now. Will I start to feel even more withdrawl (withdrawal) when I'm completly done?? Also, no one has recomended colnidine/catapris patch for withdrawl (withdrawal). I don't get it but I had a friend who got it from her doc. Just want to say good luck to everyone who is goiing through this krappy time like me. I don't feel so alone. I don't know ne one except 1 friend that had went through this. Thanks!  

[gnarly_1]

HI welcome to the forum.....benzos are not tolerated at most clinics the combo has killed lots of people so what they did was not unusual but it had to s u c k coming down that much so fast...as fare as your taper goes you will go in and out threw withdrawals as you go along the lower the does the harder it gets right arond 25 or so is where most peope start to have problems you really feel the drops in dose if you take it all the way down you will go threw a withdrawal that will last about 7 days it not so much the initial withdrawal that make methadone so hard to come off of its the post withdrawal that last around 90 days you cant sleep for a month or 2 and there is just this energy crash that is debilitating I help most of the methadoinains here on the forum what im describing is typical if you want support and help I can help you there are vitamins and other things that can make this a bit ezer get back to me if you would like some help good luck and God bless.......Gnarly    

[cangma29]

Thanks for responding. Yeah, if you have anything that u think would help ill try it. I have 2 babies I'm a stay at home mom so I think its has been hard to try to keep my head up and pretend I don't feel like crap when I'm with my kids. Yes. I already feel like I don't have the energy to do much. I got 25mgs today. Again thaks for your help!

[gnarly_1]

HI  get up to walmart they have a 3 in one vitamin ....calcium/magnesium/zinc take 4 in the morning and 4 with dinnewr this will greatly reduce the withdrawals you feel I found this out about right where yourt at and was struggling it really helps there only 6 bucks at walmart I was researching methadone withdrawal when I cam across it give it a try it gets harder from 25 to 0 then from 50 to 25 keep posting for support I will help you where I can but get the vitamins they will do the most for you now it takes about 2 to 3 days for them to build up in your system good luck and God bless.....Gnarly    

[StayStrong87]

I only want to positive! I'm currently going through methadone withdrawls myself. On my 5th day. It *****. I cant sleep, I have chills, I'm straving but cant eat...and i can go on and on and on! BUT the way I see it I can go through hell for about 2 weeks and gradually feel better, happier, BE FREE ....OR I CAN BE A SLAVE TO A DRUG FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! I don't care if its opiate, methadone, benzo, herion, or crack the only thing I want to rely on in my life is the love of my daughter, my family, God! People you have 2 choices...be an addict or be free! Don't make excuses...make changes!!! Grab your vagina and woman up! I have a life, A GREAT LIFE just waiting for me! So I will suffer for the next 10 days or so but i'll do it with a smile on my face! I'll continue being awake night after night for the 10 days or so but I'll dream. I'll dream of me running on the beach laughing with my daughter. I find strength in telling my old friends to **** off when they call. Life is about the choices you make. Everyone has to make that choice. I don't believe in taking methadone to get off opiates, or take xanax to sleep NO DRUGS PERIOD! Everytime you taper down its painful why not just do it and get it over with! I'm sorry if I offended anyone. I only meant to give someone strength or support:) God Bless...I'll pray for you as i lay awake all night lol

[gnarly_1]

HI read your post.......I think you may be in for a rude awaking ....methadone withdrawals last for months not weeks the acute stage is a week to 10 days but there is a post withdrawal that can keep you down for a wile I detoxed off 150mg over a 6 1/2 yr period it took 8 1/2 mo to taper off then I was sick for another 90 days b/4 I started to get well.....my story is not unique I woulk with most of the methadonioans and 90 days is fairly typical the hose record is 60 days done by nicoblue she was in her 20s and poped out a lot faster then most so just be ready for this to take a wile its mostly an energy crash and lack of sleep but there are other symptoms I wish you all the luck in the world on your recovery I wish I had a magic wand to make it all go away but I dont and methadone plays by its own rules good luck and God bless......Gnarly  

[penny926]

I am no longer in my pain clinic, been on Methadone for over 5 years. Thank God I was only taking 30 mg daily. In the past two days I have cut my dose to 15 mg per day. I feel the pain already in my legs and back. I did take some Neurotin to help with the nerve pain, and believe me it is helping.
I am worried about this post withdrawal you talk about. I have a full time job and don't know how I'm going to do it with no sleep and energy crash. I will go get the vitamins you suggest, but already take a multivitam daily, Potassium 2 x daily, B12 daily & Calcium + D. Is there anything else I can take to help ease this withdrawal? I know I haven't even hit the worse of it yet. I have pain every day anyhow from a back surgery (dbl fusion with metal rods/screws) & fibro) So, to Hell I am going, but know that after I endure this I will be off of Methadone....I can't even imagine the long term effects this must have on your body....

[gnarly_1]

hi penny you cut your dose by 50% thats way to much you go off methadone a couple of mg at a time otherwise the withdrawals are unbearable you got the right idea with the vitimins take 4 at a time you want to saturate your body with them also 2000 mg of vit C will help also you should do this slowly it painful enough that way what your doing borders on cruel good luck and God bless.....Gnarly

[dolores918]

your comment is exactly what i need to hear i am about to be detoxed off 80 mgs down to 0 in like two weeks and was so scared of what i am going to go through but it is worth what i will get at the end freedom from this life of drugs rehabs clinics and methadone , etc ..  so thank you  !!!!!!

[jk72]

i don't recomend..i've been on 100ml for over 10 years.over the last year i went down to 30ml and then 5ml a day till i hit 0.it's been 10 days now and i'm about to lose it.but i have taken calcium,zinc,b6 and tyrozine and the really bad leg pains only lasted 4 days....i know the pain we go through to get away from this **** is really,worth it.i'm sure i've still got a ways to go but as long as this does'nt kill me,it can only make me stronger.......good luck

[njr1013]

I am addicted to loritabs and I am starting suboxine in a couple of days. I have used it once before and it was great but the money for the doctor got to me and I quit. Of course I ended up taking loritabs again but the amount I took increased. Anyway my question is I took methadon for 2 days because I couldn't find any tabs and was sick (a total of 40 mgs) but this not a drug I have taken before then. How is this going to affect taking the suboxone treatments? How long will I have to wait before it is safe to take or will they even let me have the suboxine?

[android4578]

i have cold turkeyed a 200 mg a day habit that i was on for four years and the physical withdrawals lasted 3 weeks and the mental lasted about 8 months really bad before i could say i had a at least decent sleep pattern and was clean for 2 years had surgery and the pain pills sent me right back to the clinic on methadone again now im back at 140 aday and going cold turkey again tomorrow. Ppl stay strong this is a monster and some of you will never stop short of being incarcerated. you will be depressed for months , cry all the time and just about lose it thousands of times but its definitely worth it to have that clear mind free of opiates and toxins. i always said after i quit the first time i would never get back on it again but it was always in the back of my mind and the craziest part is the drug doesnt even intoxicate me very much good luck to all of you

[ryan772]

hey i just wanted to drop some words of encouragment. i was on methadone for about 5 yrs i peaked at 60 mgs daily. i ended up tapering 2 or 3 mgs a week for like 7 months sometimes holding my dose. when i finally finished worst w/d lasted about a week. my friend made me start playing tennis which i thought was retarded cause i damn sure didnt feel like running around, but guess what within a week i was running around and noticed i was sleeping so much better.unfortunatley i ran into an old friend about a month later who had roxys and got hooked on them 3months later i was back on methadone for 2 yrs and peaked at 70mgs. well recently i decided to kick methadones *** all over the place and went from 70mgs to 0mgs from a sunday to sunday. i am on my 4th day with no done and havnt been able to sleep much or sit still while laying down for that matter but i can honestly say its no worse than when i tapered down.it just comes on a little quiker.www.*****************  has a dr. article that tells you how to quit cold turkey saftley using over counter supplements and proper nutricoun and i have to say im pretty happy considering. contrary to popular beliefe coming off opiates is not that dangerous, you just feel like crap. alchahol and benzos dont try it.so in conclusion it can be done you wont die make sure you have someone around to check up on you and ride the wave. goodluck ryan.

[hopeful9957]

My son is about to detox from methadone in a clinic.  He is on 100 mgs aday.  After the 1-2 week detox he is heading into the Rockies for 3 months with his brother to try to stay clean.  Is this dangerous.  His clinic says yes but his MD says no.  I am also concerned about his brother.  They are 21 and 25