Is there a recipe for non-narcotic Methadone Withdrawal?

[crimpshrine]

I am on my 7th day of Methadone withdrawal. I am sufferring tremendously. I've noticed all the recipes provided for Methadone detox include Benzodiazapines (Valium, Xanax, etc...). Well, the reason I am kicking this **** is because I want to get clean. I don't want to take narcotics anymore. I am trying to change my life.
    I have been doing the whole hot shower, hot tea, heat pad ****. And it's cool for a minuter or two. But what can I do to sleep? What can I do to alleviate this unspeakable anxiety besides taking more ******* drugs?
Please help, Sean

[ImDONENoMore]

Hi tiffany, just wanted to add my two cents on this, but Ultram is not a non-narcotic.  It contains a synthetic opiate and there is also an anti-depressant quality associated with this drug.  So please be VERY careful and if all possible, stop using the Ultram.  It could lead to a very nasty addiction, and coming off Ultram is very tough.

Good luck to you!

[tiffany_1991]

clonidine is the BEST EVER to help with sleep and anxiety, and WILL NOT BOTHER PREGNANT WOMAN! ... and something else that helped me with those hot/cold sweaty nasty wet feeling, Ultram, just a simple non-narcotic the ER gives.

[Greatgreebo]

Chamomile tea is good because it is herbal and has no caffeine. I get major creepy crawlies from benedryl and other antihistamines too.
Ignore my PM about no Kava Kava. If it works...then do it. PS..remember how I said get some GABA-see this info. about the Kava kava below:
Although it’s not clear exactly how kava works, kavalactones may affect the levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells) in the blood. Kava has been found to affect the levels of specific neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine.


So-if ya' can't get the GABA...go with the Kava if it works :-)

[crimpshrine]

I tried Benadryl last night, and just like the Great Greebo said: It made the creepy crawlies waaaay worse. I'm now working with Kava Kava, Multi-vite, Aleve, Chamomile tea, hot showers, walking, and B-Complex. I ******* wish I could get my hands on some Clonidine. I haven't seen that **** since I was in prison.
    Anyways. Tell me what you think.
I have been takin 10-50 mgs a day for the past few months. How long do you think this horror will last? Thankyou, Sean

[Greatgreebo]

Ga Guy knows the drill....Listen to him.
My personal opinion: I think Trazadone works best because sometimes the hydroxyzine can have an opposite effect and make the creepy crawlies worse .....the clonidine probably will knock you out also--but it is a heart medication first and foremost.
Keep posting...
don't worry...sleep will return when it is ready :-)

[GA Guy]

Oh yeah, there area few things you can ask the doctor for. Trazodone is an old school antidepressant with sedative properties that's widely prescribed for withdrawal induced insomnia. It's woth a try. Also, hydroxyzine (Atarax,Vistaril) is a sedating antihistamine that's useful for sleep. You can also ask to try clonidine.

[GA Guy]

Here's the hard truth. You're just not going to sleep for a while. It *****. I know, I've been through it. I was withdrawing from Oxycodone and I didn't sleep well for 30 days. Methadone withdrawals are notorious for being pretty drawn out. The good news is that you WILL sleep when your body absolutely has to. The one thing I will suggest is this...sleep whenever you can. Many people get sleepy during the day or afternoon at home and don't sleep because they think it will hurt their night sleep. Don't do that. If you only take a 10 minute nap in the afternoons, get it when you can. Before long you'll have a normal sleep cycle again.

[pharma9]

Sean..I understand not wanting any benzos during withdrawal.I withdrew from codeine taking vitamins b121000mcg/under the tongue,vit d2000U,omegas,b complex with Vitc and zinc,Coenzyme Q10 200mg.
High doses of vitamin C help.Some studies suggest as high as 20Gm/day for 10 days helps detox.
Take lots of electrolytes for dehydration.
I also took nyquil without the decongestant a few nights for sleep.
I still take the vitamins every day,but do not need the nyquil.

[Greatgreebo]

Get some Emergen-C drink mix and dose up on Vitamin C. Also, make sure you are taking a multi-vitamin everyday AND get yourself some GABA (in health food stores). Trust me, I was CRAWLING until I discovered the GABA. It doesn't get rid of it but it seemed to take the 'edge' off for me. The no-sleep is a killer...I suffered from it really bad. Can you talk to a doctor? there are things they can give you to knock you out for a few hours that aren't habit forming (i.e. trazadone).
I vote you stay away from the benzos...we both know they will make it worse in the long run.
Another thing that will help is MOVING.....get yourself moving. Walk on the treadmill or something...it will help-trust me.
Methadone has a long half life so it takes a while to kick it...but you are getting close to feeling better--hang in there and keep posting.
Definitely get some exercise....it helped with my creepy crawlies and the over-whelming anxiety.

Keep posting Sean.....you are so close to feeling better
Stay strong!!
Greebs