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