Methadone Taper

[KEP0523]

Good morning! This is my first post on here. Looking to see if anyone has suggestions for the withdrawal symptoms from Methadone. I just finished a 6 month program and started my first day today with 0mg. I had been lowered 5mg every 3 days. I know this dosen't work for everyone but mentally even before I decided to try Methadone I was DONE with oxycotin, perc's, xanax's and everything else I used in pill form. I know that I will tough it out because I went 2 wks with nothing while waiting to get into the clinic. (I am not a doctor so do not comment on if that was the best idea!) I had nothing left and moved back home with my parents after being on my own for 10 years. Drug use was not allowed on my parents property or in their home. This was my last chance to get it right and I wanted so badly to undo all the damage I have done to my life, family, finances, job, but most of all my own body. I know it is no one's fault but my own on how I landed here but I know I can last through these symptoms just trying to find out if anyone might have something that helped them through this as well? I'm not too bad right now although it is still early. I have an upset stomach (both nauesa and running to the bathroom,pins and needles through my body and the chills are coming!!! My brain feels very foggy, which I know this goes away as time passes! I know when I was lowered from 10mg to 5mg I definately felt it....but up until then I hadn't. No matter how bad this gets im not going back to the way I was because I know this time I will not come back from the mess it creates! So if anyone has anything please send it my way :) I started to walk to keep my endorphines up and stay out of a depressed and anxious state. I am already using bendryl (as recommended) and I only take 2 pills in the am so my afternoon wont be so anxiety filled! I am looking forward to the day when I can wake up and just BE ME! I appreciate any help you have to offer!

[JenniferLutt]

I totally agree with you there. Yesterday I was watching tv and there was a lady on there that just started crying wasnt sure why at the moment but I found myself balling like a baby. Everytime I seen someone cry I cried everytime I seen some thing sad (which really wasnt that sad) I would ball. My emotions have got the better of me but I can deal with that part I used to having to deal with these things b/c I dont take meds for my bipolar cause I cant afford them. So I have learned to cope with these types of things. It is just the feeling bad part that has gotten the best of me. Anytime you need me send me a message and I will be checking off and on.

[KEP0523]

YES support i found is the best thing! There were times when i didn't even know I was on the edge until my family said are you sure your going to be ok? I started sobbing!!! So cry when you have to cry....vent and ramble when you just need to get it out! It HELPS SO MUCH!!!

[JenniferLutt]

Your right we all will get thru this with time we just have to hang in there. Luckily my hubby is being very supportive thru this time. There were times last night I thought I was going to die a long painfull death. But it finally eased off some and that was enough for me to say ok I can do this. I know deep down I can but some times it feels as if I cant. But we all CAN and WILL BEAT THE DEMON THAT LAYS INSIDE US!!!!!!!!!

[KEP0523]

Thanks! That definately makes me feel ALOT better about what is going on physically! Yes menatlly i'm there but that is only with the support of my close friends and my parents. When I started Methadone I know that I felt GREAT!!! But I started only a 6mnth program....and again the only reason I chose Methadone is because many times on my own I tried to use subs and just wasn't there all the way mentally and normally broke my cycle of only after taking subs for like 2 days at a time. I realized I had a mental block with subs...not to mention im a type 1 insulin dependant diabetic!!!! And let me tell you there have been times where I went out and drank my face off then decided I was feeling awesome why not take it to the next level!! Well that next level is the freakin demon to me! I have been in the er countless times because i took subs after my night of drinkin mistaking hangover sweats withdrawals. Well they weren't and i would end up so violently ill that I was rushed to hospital 3X!!!! And that was my own fault!  I think the only reason why I have had such an ok day on day 3 is that I started my taper down at 3 mnths....so I was up at 65mg...and started to drop 5mg every three days. I realize this isnt for all people BUT for me it worked....I knew not only my body but my brain was sick. I had people around me warning me that I should take steps now before i taper down and it's too late to build steps of success. Basically Methadone helped me seperate the delusional world I had come to know as "real life"....when I hit real life without ANY DRUGS or subs I survived 2 wks of misery I had never knew an oxcy could bring. Don't get me wrong I was craving it like hell....but I was holding out for the clinic. To me my mind was made up....I DO THIS NOW OR THERE WILL NOT BE A NEXT TIME. It's true...last night i slept an hr....was on here...watched tv...but most of all I rested. Pay attnetion to your body listen to what it's telling you then I promise this will go easier. I sat in my car and rocked myself back and forth for hrs...listening to music that helped me through and of course had some cigs to make it a little less edgier. Today was a rough morning to wake up...but your right excerices is the best! I start out slow in them am....have coffee then slowly build my energy levels up...dont try to push yourself when the only thing that helps is time!  I have to say yesterday was on a scale that I felt couldn't even be measured!!!! Today I'm happy to say my day didnt suck all that bad! Yes the legs and now it feels like even down to the bones it hurts...I took a nice hot bath (first one going through this) and I am telling you my body was screaming at me to do it! Physically I know this will last ALOT LONGER...or maybe since I hadn't actually been on a high dose for a long period of time my withdrawals will be minimuak from here on out. It does gets better everyday! If I wasn't menatlly strong enough or prepared for whTat was to come I don't think I could have made it. Serisouly my day was going second to second..minute to minute! But I can tell you that my mind is becoming less foggy....so now I hope from this day forward I will see bits of improvement! But to be honest I wouldn't trade this for the world....showed me no one can tell me I can't do something! And I know when I was going through those moments off being on the edge yesterday that my family, and friends were what got me through! I used to talk to no one about anything...even before oxy's...I realize know this is an addictive behavior and it neeeds to be avoided at all costs. I found that talking through the hard times are now what pulls me through! Whether I sit there and im mad, hurting physically, having a panic attack I talk it out! Today has been more physically draining than anything and my whole body is slowly hurting in every muscle but i am going to go get melatonin and the other vitmain that starts wuth a V (cant remeber) I know tonite if I get more than an hr's sleep it would def help for tommorw ;) I hope everyone in this fight knows that there is an end in sight :)

[bmdad]

Congrats on day 3! Keep that strong mindset going as so much of this is mental. When I was in the Marine Corps they always told us, "Mind over Matter" which pretty much means the our mind is more powerful than our body. If we put our mind to it there is nothing we can't accomplish. With the way you are going into there is noway you will fail!

Insomnia was always the symptom that I hated the most. What helped me the most was to try and physically exhaust myself during the day with exercise. I would go out and jog, run sprints, jog some hilly trails in the woods and weight lift. Just make sure you call it quits no later than 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening. You want to give your brain and body time to settle down.

I have always had a little bit of an issue with insomnia. In the past I would always have trouble falling asleep but once I was asleep I was fine. Now I'm not having too much of a problem falling asleep it's just that I wake up every few hours throughout the night. I usually jump on the forum so if you need anyone to chat with, just let me know.

You said it best when you said that if you went back to your old ways you wouldn't come out of it. So many of us are at or close to that point and eventually every addict will get there unless they do something about their use. I'm glad you found this forum and shared your story!

Hang in there and remember that what you are feeling is temporary and it will pass. To be honest with you I'm surprised your motivation level is where it's at on day three. It's great because it proves to everyone that if we go into it with determination  we have a whole different outlook on our goals. You are true inspiration!

Best of luck to you!




Brian

[JenniferLutt]

I am right there with you I am at 53 hours now and am lookin forward to the day I can just drive my hubby to work with out the heating pad in the car. What have you done to help with the wd? Just curious b/c I hear alot about taking vitamns help.

[KEP0523]

Thanks!! It's day 3 now and even though I only got one hour of sleep I am feeling a hell of alot better than yesterday. I saw my doctor for my mood stabilizers and anti depression/anxiety and he also gave me a non addictive anxiety medicine. I strongly feel that recongnizing I needed counseling and something just wasn't right with me helped me endure the physical. I still have the restlessness and the anxiety is at a liveable range. Any little bit helps...I just always think about the day before and how close I am to feeling a little better each day!!!! Taking the day off of work has helped me ALOT. I have gone for walks....drives listening to music with the windows open :) Basically I know that my body is still sick but I am enjoying where this is headed!!!! I am sooo proud of myself for sticking to it!!! I know there will be less sleep again tonite but if I have to suffer sleep and have less anxiety and function a little better each day I will take it!!!! To everyone out there with me WE CAN DO IT!!!!

[krittykat]

Keep up the good work!  Life will only get better as we heal!!!   I'm also on a taper.... off subox and I understand!  I had a 6 year narcotic use/abuse and am so done with that life!  I have been using faith and prayer to carry me through. And forums for guidance.  You can do it!  Your story helps encourage me... and I hope I can help as well.
God Bless,  K

[IBKleen]

Jennifer, Why don't you start your post so we can get to know you and help you. You are posting in other members threads and your questions could easily be overlooked. Go to the top of this page and hit the green "Post A Question" button. Follow the instructions and you will create a post just for yourself. You can copy and paste what you have been writing in your last 3 posts. If you need help, let someone know. Hope to see you out there.

[JenniferLutt]

I am on day two of no methadone and can relate to how you feel b/c I am bipolar myself. I started using it 2 years ago to get off of hydros (and it was the only thing I could find). After going to the clinic for a year and a half I decided to start coming off of it. I got down to 70 mg from 110 mg in about 6 or 7 months. Then one day I woke up and said enough is enough. I am tired of taking a pill everyday to just get out of bed. So I decided at my last visit to the clinic I wouldnt be going back (I had a 2 weeks supply of 70 mg). I started taking myself down. I jumped to 40 almost imediately with no problems so I think hey this want be to bad. So finally I get down to 10 mg at just a few days which I should have stayed longer but what you going to do with no more methadone. So this has been hard. Yesterday and the day before I was experiencing major wd mainly back pain and leg pain. Today I woke up (after I took a 0.1mg clonidine to sleep last night) and felt really good for a hour then it slowly came back. My question is will that hour of feeling good slowly increase over time or will I just finally wake up and feel good?

[worried878]

Congrats!
There is a great example of a methadone taper and his experience during and after in the health pages.  Methadone is another narcotic, just a long half life like suboxone so wd can be a bit drawn out and tapering is often the best way to go.  6 months is not a long time to be on methadone as many come off after years of using it.  
It is do-able and keep your mind set positive.  90% of this is mind over matter.  Many decide to dwell and anytime they feel a headache or down in the dumps, they blame it on wds or after effects.  Fact is even non-addicts have a headache here and there and feel down.  Addicts just do not seem to tolerate not feeling fantastic all of the time!  LOL  I know I hate feeling tired, and the pills gave me a boost...but that ends after a while, and the pills drag us down and become our own worst enemy

good luck to u!

[KEP0523]

Good morning. Yes today is def physically harder...i took nyquil last night and slept through without any issues. Which I know save my sanity today. I did work through the whole day yesterday and am currently at work but feel like I wont make it though the day. It more emotional and physical now. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist today so hopefully he has some suggestions as well. I recongize that my body wants to move so I am trying to be as mobile as can be. I know the light is at the end of the tunnel it's just making it though the first few days!!!!! It WILL GET a little better each day :) Thanks for your suggestions and I will definately will go pick some of those vitamins up! I am going to try whatever works to get this outta my body!!! MIND OVER MATTER

[gnarly_1]

HI....your tapering to fast in the end here....take your time we cant post tapers in the forum its agents the rules but slow is better you wont feel the withdrawals as bad...im also bi/polar you really have to be careful and taper slowly or you will risk sending your self into a mania
coming off it when your down to 0 you will feel manic that on top of no sleep can be ruff with our condition I took it all the way down to 1mg b/4 I jumped.....the final withdrawal last about a 7 day week with some symptoms lingering in to 2 weeks its not so much the withdrawal that makes methadone hard....but its the post withdrawal...the lack of sleep and the energy crash that make it hard...just know its doable I got off 150mg in 8 1/2 mo and I did it fast
get up to walmart and pick up a 3 in one vitamin....calcium/magnesium/zinc....take 4 in the morning and 4 with dinner in a few days it will really cut down on your withdrawals I only wish I would have found out about this sooner...if you need help or support I have helped many get off this stuff so just message me if you have questions or need someone to talk to good luck and God bless.....Gnarly  

[t_nuh_had_nuf]

thx for posting on my thread. I came here to say that I know you can do it!  I did taper myself but it was still awful once I was down to nothing. They say everyone is different.  If I can do it YOU CAN TOO. I am done being a slave to those pills. I too have done so much damage to myself.  It is going to get better.  I made it 9 days today.  GOOD LUCK! I hope you keep posting.  Teena

[KEP0523]

Yes I started counseling as soon as I started Methadone treatment (outside of the clinic counseling) I was diagnosed with Manic Bipolar...which if anyone's not familiar with gives me extreme highs and lows mentally and physically. I have been on mood stabilizer (non addictive) and also a depression/anxiety (non addictive). Thanks for the tips! I know it takes about 6 wks to be completely out of me but when I lowered from 10mg to 5mg it took about 4 days to have the symptoms weened down to the point where it didnt bother me so much. Does anyone know if there is a time period in which these syptoms range from once you are down to 0mg?

[sudie58]

hi i just wanted to send you good wishes, take some imodium for your stomache and the runs, i think you have quite a way to go ,but you know that, hot soaks will help you and drink plenty of fluids, have you thought about some aftercare, such as NA or counseling, therapy,  i really wish you well, keep posting, and god bless   sudie

[KEP0523]

Thanks! I know my mental is more stronger than my physical right now:) Once i moved home and stopped using it was hard on both! But I was very lucky everything fell into place because I got a job that I LOVE one wk after starting Methadone. My boss does know about what I'm going through and I feel it's best for me to continue to work rather than sitting somewhere and focusing on how bad I'm feeling! IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY! Thats what I keep reminding myself....and I can do this! Wish the best for you as well!!!

[detoxmom]

I am on day 5 norco free and the best thing is this forum.  Keep posting! Every day is alittle better you can do it.  Look to a higher power.  Remember just focus on sobriety the family finances and job will fall into place but dont blame yourself constantly because that is a drug trap.  Take responsibilty and go forward which sounds like what your doing! It will get better one day at a time.  The depression is normal which is what this forum has shared with me.  I feel alittle better every day.  Keep it up! God Bless