Longterm process of body adjustment to no opiates

[MethMan]

What is the longterm process the body takes when opiates have not been present in some time?
After over 7 months of not having methadone (after a 16 year run), I still feel a little achy, the runs are still present (somewhat) and approximately 40% of the time, my energy is "lack lustre".
I do feel better than I have in years, but I still would like to feel... say 18 again.
Thanks,
Methman

[Ginaluv]

When I recently was detoxing off meth the doctor prescribed me welbutrin. Its suppose to give you a little bit of energy. I have not taken it since I detoxed off the meth but now I am detoxing off the suboxone I will start taking it again. Believe me right now my stomache is cramping, my eyes are watering, I slept about 2 hrs last night. I feel weak as all hell. I don't feel like going to work tonight(I'm sure you get the picture). I guess this is going to go on for quite some time. Hope this helped.      Gina

[Kurt Cobain]

Well, never having had methadone (must have been one of the few drugs I missed :), I'm not as familiar with it as some other narcotics, but it seems like after 7 months without, it would be safe to say it was definitely all out of your system.  If you're being followed by a doc who is familiar with your problem (and hopefully you are), you may want to mention it to him/her.  Your symptoms may be usual after as many years of use as you've had, but again, it's beyond my experience.  Best of all, listen to what the others here who may have been in your situation have to say. . .practical experience is nearly always of more value than theoretical.

Peace,

Kurt

[AmberHunter]

it has been a few decades since i was on methadone but i remember it well, lol! i know that i started doing heroin again and planned on getting strung out on heroin so i could detox off of heroin instead of methadone. the withdrawls off of methadone were more than i could handle. now it is pretty bad when a person WANTS to come off of heroin, sees that as easier, than doing the methadone withdrawls...

so to me i have to say that i think that you have stayed off of it this long is quite the accomplishment! it takes a long, long time to get completely out of your system... it is either that it takes that long to get out of your system or that there is damage done that takes a long time to get over. don't really know which it is but i know it is hard.

i have alot of respect for the drug methadone, a healthy amount of respect... don't EVER want to go through that again...

peace,

amber

[bmac]

Man methadone hurt me like a bandit. It is one of the best pain killers I have ever been on but the withdrawals were hell cold turkey from just 20 mgs a day, it hurt. I regret not tapering like I was advised to do. But after 51 days of pure hell I started getiing better and when I got back on the Kadian the withdrawal pains went away. But I can only imagine being clean, it's one thing I'll never get to feel again, count yourself lucky Mike, I would trade a few cold shakes and the runs for clean time anyday! Peace brother!  Bill

[suzieneedshelp]

Hey man!  In treatment i was told that the physical effects can last for a year or even up to 2.  It may be in your bones and so...Of course physical to me includes the mental cuz its in our brains.  If we work on both it helps it along.  Our minds..thru some structured program to renew our thinking...cuz mine is screwed by this disease and then healthy intake and activity for our bods.  If we dont change our way of living besides just not using..then it willl linger on infinitum, until we use again as a result of our diseased minds or until we get a program to help us battle this foe!
Did u say u were comin to FL?  Hehe...
Love and hugs...
Suzie

[AmberHunter]

where in florida are you? i grew up in miami...

[needhelpnow]

Here's what I did today. I called my heroin connection and I told him that the cops were watching me and never to deal to me again. I know that this is a weird way to stop but its the only way I was able to quit twice in the past 4 years (once for 8 mos and once for 6). Both times I quit it was because my connection vanished and I didnt seek out more. I feel like now I can get at leat 3 days under my belt! In the past 8 mos since I relapsed I have only not used for 5 days and thats cause I was on vacation and couldnt get. I am a hopeless junkie. I have been lying to everyone who loves me and I lost my job. I feel like I am the sickest addict in the world and that all the lying is unprecidented. However, I know that others have been down this road. I just feel like I cant stand life straight. The longer I use the less I feel like I can cope with life w/o drugs. How do I get ovber this boredom and hatred of life on its own terms? HELP

[percsnomas]

Well my good friend, I'm kind of hoping the good Doc. has one of his "bang up" answers; as i have zero experience with Meth.

I only can say that life after opiates for me, has been for the most part "energized", i believe due to a fairly rigorous exercise program(like 5+ days/week in the gym, with lots of cardio).  It took almost 6 months clean, before i got the high from working out though.....so it just must require time.

I'm not sure what your body will allow(for physical activity), but i can't emphasize how much it helped/is helping me(i think). In whatever form!!!

Many of my aches(i was surprised how many; and in the weirdest places) have slowly dissipated in the last few months also.....either that or i'm just getting used to them.  Lots of stretching(which i never did before) and a nightly soak in the hot tub might be helping also.

As far as the Hershey Squirts go, don't know bud.


I genuinely hope things continue to improve for you sir!!!

[MethMan]

Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback.  Unfortunately, I think the good doc is thinking something along the lines of "Damn, the Indians sure are restless." :)
Come on in, white man with the fire water. We've smoked the peace pipe long enough to chill a bit.
Amber, I know EXACTLY what you are referring to.  I don't want any more of that monster detox either.  In my case, it serves as a healthy reminder to keep running the opposite way.

TO ALL THE NEW FOLKS HAPPENING IN ON THIS UPRISING:

Don't let ANY of this deter you from asking what you want.  Things happen once in a while, then they calm down again.  Some time ago, I came in right in the middle of another (at the risk of sounding like SOMEBODY) "Storm".  I felt a little apprehensive about commenting or asking a question out of concern that I too was gonna get flamed.
But, like will happen in your case, there are people here that will step up and help you.  All you gotta do is let us know you need the help.

Everybody knows, addict folk are the best.  Shizzle, dizzle my whizzles!

Peace,
Methman

[Expillman]

I just passed the 240 hour mark off of Oxycontin.  Having said that, I will not tie up this message base talking about myself.  I'm sure that there are others that are in much more dire straits than myself.

Just one question and I will only speak when spoken to, or help someone if I can, what should be expected after 10 days?  I had the gut bombs yesterday and it was pointed out to me about the rebound effect of opioids.  How many times does this occur?  What should I be on the watch for the next 20 days or so?

[AmberHunter]

was that last line a reference to missy elliotts gossip folks?? lmao!! too cool, and if it wasn't, i am just going to pretend that it is!

amber

[AmberHunter]

possible secondary withdrawls at about 30 days... a little something to look forward to. ;-)

amber

[mrmichael67]

Methadone does not get into the bones.  That is one of the biggest myths about methadone.  Unfortunately, it is a long and drawn out withdrawal as those familiar with methadone can attest to.  And, as suzie said, slight withdrawal symptoms can last up to a year or two in extreme cases.  The methadone is definitely way out of the system by now, though.

[Erika_Ann]

Hello-
I was wondering what happend to you. You asked for my email address but i didnt hear from you. Im so sorry to hear your not feeling so great. It sounds like your on the right track though. You need to give yourself some credit for severing off your ties to the drugs. That is a step forward in recovery. So congrats on that! :)
Im here for you if you need me.
Erika

[pammy0690]

I hope it makes you feel better to know that you have been an inspiration for a lot of poeple since you first posted here on this board.  It was the interaction between you and Bill that made me want to be friends with you guys and I am so happy that I am.  I hope that life gets easier for you I think it will!  Pammy

[suzieneedshelp]

Pammy, I miss you...Come back to us plz.  How r u btw?  And your hubby?
I fergot to mention that I was told post acute withdrawal can peek at 3 to 6 monthes but stil unfortunately go on far beyond.  So.. at least you may be on the other side of the peaks Mike.
Peace and hugs to you bofe!
Suzie

[jack daniels]

i 45 hrs clean from Oxey and feel like ****...but alittle better...will i get much better i the next few days    Help...thanx

[needhelpnow]

I would like to talk to you. Could you post your email address? I am still high but this bag is almost gone and I suspect waking up tomorrow will begin the trial. I feel very liberated knowing that I cannot get the dope like I usually do after a few hours of agony. I will need to talk tomorrow. It will last 3 days of agony and 10 of discomfort. I have not been clean more than 5 days in the last 9 mos!

[Erika_Ann]

Hi hun-
Glad to hear your still around. Please email me tommorow okay?
***@****
Im here for you! Dont forget it!
Luv ya-
Erika

[Poppylover]

needhelpnow What bag are you refering too?? I was very lost on oxy abuse,clean now for 51 days. What can I do to help?

Expillman how much oxy were you taking & did you snort or use the needle? I was snorting and eating the Shi-!!! Very hard CT

[Expillman]

Neither.  This was a legal pain prescription.  I was on for almost 3 years and got up to 240-300mg per day.

BTW, today I felt great!  I got up and ate 4 hot dogs with mustard, A-1, Alabama....I mean Louisiana Hot Sauce, Xtra Red Dye #1 and two Peach NEHIs.   That was just for breakfast.  Then I cut my lawn.

[Poppylover]

My gosh I would be in bad trouble eating hot sauce, I'm a whimp when it comes to spices. My daughter in law comes from Alabama' she is very fiesty. I know alot about pain, been suffering since early 1980's after a boating accident, has about done me in. I never had a problem with narcotics until the oxycontin I think I was trying to end pain & my life. But I'm hanging in here the fog has lifted, the body will hopefully come around. After all {its just a pain thing} Be well,

Linda {PoppyLover}

[hippy]

hi mike, i am not experenced with methadone .
but i have experence with getting clean and staying clean.
when i got clean off drugs and stayed clean , it took me about a year to feel normal. the one thing that really helped
was hardcore exersize, it really gets the endorphines
going.
Iplayed a lot of b ball.
did a lot of smiming.
and bought a 1200 dollar rowing machine which really
help a lot.that is waht i have been doing for the last 10 months
and after a 15 to 20 a day vike habit. my energy level was at
an all time low during the 1st 2 months into my cold turkey with drawls.
thomas's recipe made just getting off the esay chair possible.
it also gave me enough energy to work.
but i was uncomfotable to say the least.
I would look into a real good workout regement.
along with kind of energy drink or vitamines.

i would love to know  what you end up doing and how it works out for you.

peace !!!!!!!hippy

[KimH]

Hello, I just wanted to thank everyone for sharing your stories. I really does help me out. When I feel blah (or more like finding my way back from hell), it gives me hope and encouragement. I think, oh I cant wait to get to that point (or similar to). It gives me a goal to reach, It works better for me to have a goal to strive for! I also asked you to share the hell part which some of you did. The reason for that is it makes me not want to loose everything. I am in college and I think to myself " oh your supposed to party and get high ect." But when your popping fistfuls of pills all day long and I just can't stop once I start. I have gone to class having JOLTS meaning very close to a sezior. I can't believe I haven't made ti to the ER yet! I have weened myself of this 15 times, no more! I hope it will be easier this time, I have a doctor who is helping me. I am not holding the pills (no more counting and trying to figure out what I need and what I can take away so I can have a few more today). I did print out some stories for encouragement when I'm down. sorry so long! Kim H

[hippy]

expillman, you seem to be doing better them most
at this stage fof your withdrawls.
you sound like you have a strong will and mind dealing with
the withdrawls so far.
At the point you are at now most people go through severe
depression, and a real lack of energy.
Also lack of normal sleeping habits is  another pain in the ass
withdrawl symptom.
the inabilty to sleep makes any pain we do have a lot worse.
so i guess sleep is a big issue.
working out and getting the endorphines up and running agian
should be part of the agenda.
are you clean off all  drugs., that does effect the with drawls.

ps. yes  my grammer is very poor, do to the fact that i was the only white kid in the projects growing up. i spent my energy
battleing my way to and fro school everyday. i grew up
street fighting in gangs and stealing cars and doing drugs
at the age of 12  up untill i moved to center city phila
and married a girl who's dad owned a few book stores.
it is nice to see you have calmed down. i hold no grudges.
by the way thomas 03 and mr michael deserve a lot of respect
for all the good they have done around here the last few years.
that is what this fourm is really all about    lping
people when they ask for help. like i said in my 1st post
i think you have  a lot to offer.

i was once told respect is seeing the god in others

peace hippy

[NotDarkYet]

Wow, can I relate to you!  I, too called my dealer back in April and told him to cut me off, but 2 weeks later I copped and, of course, it was through him- you know, the $$$!  I reached that point as well where I just couldn't see life without getting high, without heroin (and for me, cocaine) everything seemed boring & tedious, it seemed like I needed the fix just to do the simplest things and to feel a sense of enjoyment out of them.  I don't know about you, but I couldn't relate to the regular person, I would think 'how do they get by everyday w/o doing speedballs or whatever?'.  It's a lonely world when we get like that, but it is not the end!

You can do it, you can regain back your old life, the life you lead before the drugs- nothing is impossible, it's just how much you want it.  Yes, the withdrawls are a pain in the ass, kicking heroin is probably the hardest and ugliest thing I have ever done (and I did it way too many times).  No one wants to be hooked, but now I'm going on 2 months & everything is changing, becoming better and I like it!  In the past when I kicked I knew a relapse was more than likely, I just lied to myself and said 'I'll control it next time, be just a 'weekend warrior' or whatever', that was BS.  Or I've kicked and said, 'that's it- never again' set myself up right away.  It's one day at a time and if you really want something bad enough, if you want to put a stop to this mental & physical straitjacket, then you will!  If I can do it (and I was a fiend, shooting around $100-120 a day) you can do it.  

My thoughts are with you.

[AmberHunter]

not dark yet... i think that when i got clean the first time i would have never made it w/o the fellowship of NA to show me how to live clean... (giving credit to NA here ya'll, leave me alone! lol) i seriously had to put as much effort into going to meetings as i had in using and slowly i learned how to live life clean... and i stayed clean for 8 years so, yes, "it" does work! lol!!

hippy, damn dude, trying to remember what it was i was going to say here... oh yeah, i was responding to how difficult it is to feel "well" at less than a week, or ****, more than three months! lol, the constant need for the bathroom, the freaking insomnia, i hate to even think about the first few weeks clean...  i really do... damn, i hate to even think about it! glad i am not there right this minute and i sure as hell feel for anyone who truly is going through withdrawls...

peace,

amber

[mrmichael67]

That would be a bag of heroin, I would imagine.

[Chezz2]

Expillman,

I must say your detox has blown my mind. If you were taking over 300mg a day of oxycontin, swallowing the doses as you said. You should have been going through hell not until the 48-72 hour mark and been going through hell for the next 72-110 hours. Although you were posting like you were detoxing from 5-6 vicodin a day. I don't know how you did it, but you should feel like one lucky m. ******. That is the 1st time I have EVER heard someone go through a detox of that much oxycontin with so little pain/discomfort.

Amazing to say the least...

NeedHelpNow,

You said that you still have some left in your bag and would be out tomorrow. IF YOU CAN, save enough to take some tomorrow morning. It will stave off the withdrawals for the day and allow you to sleep hopefully tomorrow night, and then not FULLY start detoxing till the next day. This is how it has worked for me when I have detox off of meds. I would save 2 for the next morning and I wouldn't feel the best that last day that I took the 2 in the morning, but I would be able to get around, and even sleep that night. Then start to fully detox the following day.
Just something to help.
I hope the best for you. Make sure to eat bananas to help with the RLS and eat other stuff to keep your body with some food in it. Also drink a ton of water. Walks as much as you can after the first 3 days of acute withdrawals.
I wish you the best and hope this is the FINAL time you have to go through this. Everyone is here for ya, so keep posting, it HELPS...

Chezz

[NotDarkYet]

Yes you're so right about NA, I forgot to mention that in my earlier post but now I am attending meetings every night, hooked up with a sponsor- I'm moving out of state in 3 weeks but I'll keep up with the meetings.  They've made a total difference, constant reinforcement.  Before I always kicked on my own and alone and it always ended in relapse, plus I was never that serious about staying clean, my clean times were primarily to recharge my batteries and lower my tolerance, it's different now, this time around I really want it and really need it.  Had enough of chasing bags and all the **** I pulled to pay for my ever increasing habit, it's a burn out!  Everything has to change, attitude, friends, outlook- it isn't easy but it's worth it...

[Chezz2]

3 years on Oxycontin 240-300mg and you are on your second week of withdrawals out eating hotdogs with hotsauce, and as you said "that was just for breakfast!"

I have held this in. But I think it is time to be perfectly honest with you.

THAT IS COMPLETELY UNFUCKING BELIEVABLE. Since day 1 you haven't even acted or posted like you have had the slightest withdrawals. No complaints of not being able to sleep, hot/cold sweats, not being able to sleep, extreme lethargia.
For you, you have been posting and telling EVERYONE else what THEY need to do to make things easier.

I seriously question how you could be detoxing off that much oxycontin and literally having a party while doing it.
If detoxing was that easy, especially after the high doses you say you were on, why in the hell wouldn't everyone just quit?

This is just my observation and opinion, take it for what it is, just that...

I have been here a long time, and you are the first person EVER that I have heard of that has had it so good...
So I am sure you will understand my observation...

Chezz

[MethMan]

"Nobody paid him any mind, nobody gave a ****."  Missy who? :)Damn... you don't miss a THANG!

Pammy, what a nice thing to say.  Thank you.

MrM, thanks for the info on methadone not getting into the bones.  I actually believed that it did.

Percs, thanks for being who you are.  Always there.

Bmac.... Get your funky fresh dressed ass up and go to your room.  You are SO grounded!

Suzieeyes, um.... hugs, sugars, other sweet stuff and oh... blackberries. Big Juicy ones.

And finally, I'd like to thank my Mom and Dad, props to God, to hippie to teaches us all that livin' is just a "chillin' state of mind" and thank you to the Academy Awards who FINALLY recognized my inability to do ANYTHING worthy of recognition!

GOOD NIGHT!

[motox4fun01]

Are you trying to start the arguing AGAIN? It sure sounds like you are.
If Pillman is lying then he will soon fess up when the w/d's really hit him or MAYBE he will just hang around and help others.
Why don't you stop trying to start trouble and just use ythe forum as it is intended
James
Just an observation :]

[Chezz2]

Thanks James. I will keep that in mind. It was just an observation, maybe I should have kept to myself.
Its just a first and after I thought about it, really blew my mind.
With all of the stuff we already went through with this, I should have kept it to myself.
So lets just strike that post from the record.

Thanks for calling me out on that. We have had enough controversy here for a while.

My bad...

Chezz

[motox4fun01]

Thanks for the great response.
We are finally getting back to business here.
James

[MethMan]

No Chezz, I'm afraid it's not that easy.
Guido, take this man out back and show him a good time.
Or, we could just blow it off, continue to have a good time and forget it.

[Poppylover]

Thanks not to street smart about drugs, all mine were from Doctors.
Wishing everyone "pain free days & sweet dream filled nights"

Linda  PoppyLover

[Chezz2]

Whats up my Texas wrangler buddy?

Hope all is well with you. It is nice to see "the old crew" all posting again.

Chezz

[mrmichael67]

No problem.  Mine were too.

[MethMan]

I am hangin' long and strong dude.  Doin' any Cessna flyin' lately?

[Expillman]

Maybe Chezz will feel better if I bring my Goat back in here to post all the gory details about my withdrawl.

Then you can blame him for the debacle and give him the gwunted chicken treatment [messy, but effective].

EXp

[Chezz2]

No flying till I am off the meds. I did find a school here though. We have an airport about 15 min. away. 5 more hours of flying and I am ready to take an FAA flight examiner up for a spin. So I am excited. I just need to get my back fixed, and I will be on my way.
I can't wait. It will be the first time I have flown in the US, ironically enough! ;)
All my training was in Tokyo. The flight school that I went to was surprised that I had never flown in the US, and that all of my flight instructors were Japanese with over 5000 hours of flight time in the Jumbos. Where the guys here in the states bearly have either over 500 hours for single engine training, or 1500 hours for twin engine. So they know I was trained "professionally" which makes me feel pretty good.
Obviously I can't wait to get back up in the sky, otherwise I wouldn't have written a book on it!!!
I am going to use my Moms life insurance to pay for it. I know it is what she would want me to do with it. She knew how much I loved to fly.
Then I will be able to fly in the clouds with "her"...

Thanks for asking Mike, it brought back some pleasant thoughts I really needed tonight...

Chezz

[lisabet]

Hi there...I'm glad to see you're taking a "kinder" approach to us poor suffering souls on the forum...smile.   I knew there had to be a "heart" beneath all that gruffness.  Welcome, and I really mean that.  No grudges from me, either.  Hope you're still doing well.  Way to go!!!  Love/Peace, Lisabet

[lisabet]

Hi Chezz - I think your Mom really would approve of using her insurance money and doing what you love to do...good for you!  (Moms know - they always know).  And I'm sure her spirit will be right there with you when you fly; don't ever think for a minute it won't be. The strongest love in the world is a mother's love for their child, and it transends throughout time.  Love, from Lisabet (a mother myself...so I know!!!)...smile.

[Rdytoquit]

I am up to 400mg a day of oxycontin. I take it for back/hip pain and only take it per the doctors directions. I see that Expillman was close at 300mg a day. I take the meds for pain but if I ran out I can not say what I might do to keep from feeling the WD! My question... can I realy quit cold turkey?? When I go more than 10 hours without the pills I feel like I am running out of air and I will die! I havent realy talked to my doctor about this, he seems to think that the amount I take is justified to control my pain. I have been on the oxy for over 4 years and reading everyones posts I wonder if I might have a chance of getting my life back, but what will the price be? Could I die from WD? I take Norvasc for high blood pressure, could the pressure get so high that I have problems? I am so scared to quit but also scared to continue!

[bmac]

I have always gotten my meds from the docs office too MrM.
I guess that makes me a legal druggie huh? I wonder if that meets with approval or not. BTW I don't even like hot sauce!Alabama or otherwise!
JK  James, I am not trying to get him started again, just an observation! LOL   Bmac(AntiAethistDude)......

[MethMan]

Hello!
If I am reading your post correctly, it appears as though you are taking 400mgs of oxy for chronic pain, am I correct in that assumption?  Or are you taking that amount to feel "normal"?
The reason I ask, is because if you have a legitimate reason to take oxy (i.e. Hip and back problems), then I would absolutely discuss your idea of quitting with your doctor first.
  I, like you, take Norvasc along with 100mgs of Toprol XL daily for BP. During my detox, my blood pressure was fine until about a week into it.  At that point, it began to skyrocket (210/130 range).  The doc handling my detox gave me Clonopin and it really helped with both the blood pressure AND some of the detox sensations.
If you've decided to quit but are worried over the detox, talk to your doctor.  He or she can help you work out some of the issues you will encounter.
Chronic pain aside, if you want to get off the oxy, it is completely doable.  But you'll need to be dedicated to the cause and you'll need help.  Hopefully, people at this forum can help provide the latter.
Its no fun detoxing and there is no way around going through a lot of discomfort.  But the payoff is well worth the ride.
Peace,
Methman

[pammy0690]

Wow!  That is a high blood pressure!  That goes to show what detox does to the body.  Anytime I have taken Clondine during detox it has an additionaal benefit for me in that it knocks me out.  I have naturally low pressure so with the clondine I am in danger of going to low.  I have never gotten Clondine from a doctor I got it from my mom inlaw who had it for menopause.  I guess my point here is to becareful and if you can speak to you Doctor about a detox if you can cause it can be dangerous.

Hippy - the pther thread is closed but I wanted to say that you and my husband have the same problem.  He has a shoulder injury and nerve damage in his neck but also is an addict.  He can't take narcotics and is searching for something to help.  He was on Bup for detox but is off now but his shoulder still hurts him.  One of the many docs we have seen for him said that shoulders can be especially painful.  Also a type of pain that is hard to treat.  Let me know if you find anything that helps.  Pammy

[bmac]

Hey, where are You and how are you? I hate it when people come here and vanish like this, please let me know if you are OK
***@****     Bmac

[bmac]

I understand your position on religion, no one hates religion more than me. It sux and 99% of these so called churches of God are just money making scams but I can not do as you ask on the respect your opinion thing. I can't have passion or anything but pity for anyone that claims to be an aethist or satanist or whatever that is anti GOD.
I have all the respect in the world for any religion(used loosely) that believes in the ONE TRUE GOD. 'YHVA' HIS NAME BTW
I mean this not out of rudeness or to get this forum into a conversation over God. Everyone has their own opinion on God but I will not be apart of any Kenite BS, and you know what a Kenite is, don't play dumb with me(I can't believe I said that to you)!LOL Anyway Expillman, I have nothing more to talk to you about so I will just pray God will open your eyes and heart and one day you might just make it thru Judgement but on the other hand you prolly won't BUT PEACE TO YOU, our problem is solved and OVER! Thanks man it has been a learning experience but I don't have the time for a Kenite or Aethist! Sorry, so this is Goodbye old foe, we will meet again one day and maybe we can talk this thru!   Bill