Methadone Withdrawals

I had been on methadone pain killers for about 4 years for a back injury.  I about 3 weeks ago decided I was tired of this drug ruling my life. I quit cold turkey.  Well as you could imagine the withdrawals kicked in real soon.

With no insurance, and unable to be employed during this most horrific time of my life, I five ER trips later am surviving, but barely.  It has been 3 weeks since I have had any form of opiates, but the withdrawals are still HELL!!  Basically all that I am dealing with now is restless leg syndrome (never had before) and I cannot sleep no matter how hard I try.  I stopped taking the wd medication about a week ago, I could not tell that it was helping.

What on God's green earth can I do for sleep and the restless leg syndrome?

[chemmonster7]

hello, I am clean from methadone for 3mnths and I wet c/t w/d lasted about 7=8 wks and still feel some effects of them. sleeping is a issue if you have acsses get some xanax or valiumn may help here if you to talk

[orangefyre]

Hi, my name is Lisa. I am 20 days clean from the same demon. Drink lots of water. I cannot stress that enough. Drink until you feel sick. The RLS, you should take a supplement called 5-HTP, may also help you sleep.
Can you get your hands on some Valium? That's the BEST for correcting your sleep pattern.
Lisa

[Whenwillitend]

Never had methadone - and *knocks on wood* thank god, never had rls (if I keep this up, I'm bound to get it sooner or later)... sleeplessness stinks. Nothing helps me - I fall asleep fine, but I can not stay asleep. I take melatonin, flexril, heck even eat when I wake up, so I can fall back asleep, but after 2 hours of sleep, I start waking up every 30-45m. I can not tell you how long this lasts, as I have yet to go long enough to find out myself.

As for rls - I've ready from many users that potassium helps. Some swear by eating a banana or two before bed time. Again, I have no experience (yet) with rls, but hopefully this is a cheap way for you to try. :)

[chas37]

Help, I quit methadone cold turkey at 80mg 10 days ago and im still in hell. I tried suboxone after 2 days and that took me to the 7th level of hell for 24 hrs. I didn't think humans could endure that kind of pain. Does anyone know how much longer this should last. Im going out of my mind but trying to stay strong. Thanks.

[gnarly_1]

hi coming off 80 is torcherus and using the sub so soon threw you into precipitated withdrawals you tryed to use it at way to high of dose and dident wait nearly long enough for the methadone to get out of your system so yes you have been to the 7th level of hell thats what happpens when you experment with something you know nothing about.....now your recovery it is going to be a wile it is not uncomon  for someone jumping off at 80 to go threw acute withdrawals for 2 weeks mabe longer you cant undo this at this point and your into it to far just wait it out and slowly you will get better are you sleeping??? hows your energy ??
anyway where out here for you to help incourage you to hang in there if you need to talk or vent where here....it would be best if you went to the top of the page and started your own post go to the green box marked post a question it will be ez for people to help you good luck and God bless.....Gnarly