Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Methadone detox
by BoboR, Jul 04, 2008 07:08AM
Hello all. I'm new here, and I'd like to share my story here, and I appreciate any input or advice.
It all started after a surgery in 1999. Painkillers like lorcet and percs were precribed for post-op pain. Had complications and required painkillers for an extended period of time...3 months. Guess what? I became addicted to the Lorcet. Later found out I had degenerative disc disease. Began seeing a doc who freely wrote me Lorcet scripts. Doc finally cut me off, but that didn't stop the addiction. I just bought them on the street. When that became too expensive, I discovered the wonder drug methadone. Wow, I thought, this stuff is great. One dose per day, it's cheap, cool. How stupid I was. Eventually I was taking 20-30 mg of methadone per day for about 4-5 years. (I know it doesn't sound like a lot to some, but I couldn't go without it without having severe withdrawals.)
I was buying the methadone off the street, too. Never saw a dr. for a script, nor went to a clinic. But I had ready access to it. Plenty of "friends" willing to sell. A few months ago in my state, doctors stopped prescribing the 40 mg wafers, and replaced the wafer scripts with the 10 mg pills, just giving the patients 4 pills for each wafer they had been getting. After several "pain clinic" and doctor busts, and the reduction in dosing by the friends' docs, I saw the writing on the wall. I felt like this would be a good time to start a taper program. I've been wanting to get off methadone, and this seemed like a good time to do it.
I had plenty stockpiled, so I had to control myself. I had the support of my husband, too. The beginning, I made sure I took no more than 20 mg the first week. Not too bad, as the extra 10 mg I sometimes took was just for an extra "buzz". Second week, I cut back my dose to 15 mg. Granted, it's easier to measure amounts with the smaller pills. Stayed on 15 mg for about two or three weeks. Tolerable, I felt pretty rough the first 3 days, but I hung in there. Next step, tapering down to 10 mg. This one seemed to be the most difficult period. I felt like **** for the first several days, but didn't cave in, even with a bottle of pills sitting in my bedroom. I stayed at 10mg for 3-4 weeks. Next taper was to 7.5 mg. Yes, even tiny amounts made a difference for me, at least. Stayed on 7.5 for about 3 weeks, too. Then the step down to 5 mg. This one lasted about 2-3 weeks, perhaps a month. Can't really remember. When I felt comfortable, I decided to cut down even more. It's really difficult to measure doses less than 5 mg, but I cut back to 2-3 mg per day and stayed at that point for about 2 or 3 weeks.
Finally, I thought I was getting somewhere. Friday, June 27, I took my last dose of about 2 mg. I happened to have access to a few Lorcets to take the edge off in the last 6 days. I've been taking 10-20 mg of hydro per day, in 5 mg doses. Some days I only need to take two doses of 5 mg hydro to feel "normal". I plan on tapering down on the hydrocodone now, as I realize I'm right back to square one, if I keep taking the hydro.
It's day 6 with no 'done, and I feel pretty good. I guess the worst suffering was the first three days after any reduction in dosing. After the first 3 days, I didn't seem to notice the reduction and stuck with it. The only side effects I've had in the last few days was some mild diarrhea, fatigue, and a bit of disorientation. Overall I feel OK.
I'm trying to get out and exercise as often as I can. I've been gardening, walking, drinking lots of fluids. I had quite a few sleepless nights, and some nights where I got only a couple hours of sleep, but that seems to be over. An occasional valium helped with the sleep issues.
My friends are shocked that I've been able to do this without the help of a doctor. I spoke to one of those "friends" on Tuesday, July 1, telling him I'd been methadone free since Friday. His comment: "Well that's fine if ya wanna go without it." I strongly did. Tired of being a slave to a drug I really didn't need in the first place. I know it benefits many people who couldn't otherwise function. I was just a bit surprised to receive the response I did from someone I consider a friend.
I just wanted to share my story. I'm also wondering if I can expect any further withdrawal symptoms this far out in my detox of methadone. I'm thinking since I did a very long taper program, I've pretty much got it whipped after nearly a week without. Any comments or advice are extremely welcome.
----------------------------------------
Can someone please tell me how long I can expect the sweats and chills to last? Still having drenching sweats at times, followed by a cold chill. I'm kinda worried now after reading some other posts by folks who are in day 10 of detox and are *still* really sick. Maybe I don't have this thing whipped after all. Not feeling nearly as good as I did earlier, took 5 mg hydrocodone which seems to have worn off. Took a B-12 shot, too. I'm really jittery and my lower back hurts (duh). Wondering if I should dip into the old stash and chip off another 2 mg of 'done or just take some more Lorcet or just suffer.
----------------------------------------
I must say that I did first visit the "We Speak Methadone" forums. I posted my story there, got one response in support, then got a slap on the wrist by the moderator for using the word "methadone monster". After reading a few other posts here, I agree, that site apparently is mostly for people who want to stay on methadone permanently. I read some of those comparisons to insulin, too, and was quite shocked. I was also quite shocked at the cold shoulder I got over on that forum. I'm registered under the same user ID there if anyone wants to see the "outpouring of nothing" that came from the users over there. Just looking for a little support and guidance, and maybe I shouldn't take it personally, but it felt like a slap in the face.
-------------------------------
My last dose was Friday, June 27, took about 2.5 mg. I'm using lorcet still to keep the lower back pain, fatigue, minor disorientation, shortness of breath, etc. at bay. Anyone got any advice as to what I can expect in the next week or two? I thought after a week, I'd be free from WD, but so far I've had to use a crutch, the hydros. I feel pretty good in the early mornings, but by about 10 am, I feel as if I can't take another step without taking 5mg of hydro. Taking occasional valium and smoking a j at night to help with sleep. ANY advice or input is welcome.
It all started after a surgery in 1999. Painkillers like lorcet and percs were precribed for post-op pain. Had complications and required painkillers for an extended period of time...3 months. Guess what? I became addicted to the Lorcet. Later found out I had degenerative disc disease. Began seeing a doc who freely wrote me Lorcet scripts. Doc finally cut me off, but that didn't stop the addiction. I just bought them on the street. When that became too expensive, I discovered the wonder drug methadone. Wow, I thought, this stuff is great. One dose per day, it's cheap, cool. How stupid I was. Eventually I was taking 20-30 mg of methadone per day for about 4-5 years. (I know it doesn't sound like a lot to some, but I couldn't go without it without having severe withdrawals.)
I was buying the methadone off the street, too. Never saw a dr. for a script, nor went to a clinic. But I had ready access to it. Plenty of "friends" willing to sell. A few months ago in my state, doctors stopped prescribing the 40 mg wafers, and replaced the wafer scripts with the 10 mg pills, just giving the patients 4 pills for each wafer they had been getting. After several "pain clinic" and doctor busts, and the reduction in dosing by the friends' docs, I saw the writing on the wall. I felt like this would be a good time to start a taper program. I've been wanting to get off methadone, and this seemed like a good time to do it.
I had plenty stockpiled, so I had to control myself. I had the support of my husband, too. The beginning, I made sure I took no more than 20 mg the first week. Not too bad, as the extra 10 mg I sometimes took was just for an extra "buzz". Second week, I cut back my dose to 15 mg. Granted, it's easier to measure amounts with the smaller pills. Stayed on 15 mg for about two or three weeks. Tolerable, I felt pretty rough the first 3 days, but I hung in there. Next step, tapering down to 10 mg. This one seemed to be the most difficult period. I felt like **** for the first several days, but didn't cave in, even with a bottle of pills sitting in my bedroom. I stayed at 10mg for 3-4 weeks. Next taper was to 7.5 mg. Yes, even tiny amounts made a difference for me, at least. Stayed on 7.5 for about 3 weeks, too. Then the step down to 5 mg. This one lasted about 2-3 weeks, perhaps a month. Can't really remember. When I felt comfortable, I decided to cut down even more. It's really difficult to measure doses less than 5 mg, but I cut back to 2-3 mg per day and stayed at that point for about 2 or 3 weeks.
Finally, I thought I was getting somewhere. Friday, June 27, I took my last dose of about 2 mg. I happened to have access to a few Lorcets to take the edge off in the last 6 days. I've been taking 10-20 mg of hydro per day, in 5 mg doses. Some days I only need to take two doses of 5 mg hydro to feel "normal". I plan on tapering down on the hydrocodone now, as I realize I'm right back to square one, if I keep taking the hydro.
It's day 6 with no 'done, and I feel pretty good. I guess the worst suffering was the first three days after any reduction in dosing. After the first 3 days, I didn't seem to notice the reduction and stuck with it. The only side effects I've had in the last few days was some mild diarrhea, fatigue, and a bit of disorientation. Overall I feel OK.
I'm trying to get out and exercise as often as I can. I've been gardening, walking, drinking lots of fluids. I had quite a few sleepless nights, and some nights where I got only a couple hours of sleep, but that seems to be over. An occasional valium helped with the sleep issues.
My friends are shocked that I've been able to do this without the help of a doctor. I spoke to one of those "friends" on Tuesday, July 1, telling him I'd been methadone free since Friday. His comment: "Well that's fine if ya wanna go without it." I strongly did. Tired of being a slave to a drug I really didn't need in the first place. I know it benefits many people who couldn't otherwise function. I was just a bit surprised to receive the response I did from someone I consider a friend.
I just wanted to share my story. I'm also wondering if I can expect any further withdrawal symptoms this far out in my detox of methadone. I'm thinking since I did a very long taper program, I've pretty much got it whipped after nearly a week without. Any comments or advice are extremely welcome.
----------------------------------------
Can someone please tell me how long I can expect the sweats and chills to last? Still having drenching sweats at times, followed by a cold chill. I'm kinda worried now after reading some other posts by folks who are in day 10 of detox and are *still* really sick. Maybe I don't have this thing whipped after all. Not feeling nearly as good as I did earlier, took 5 mg hydrocodone which seems to have worn off. Took a B-12 shot, too. I'm really jittery and my lower back hurts (duh). Wondering if I should dip into the old stash and chip off another 2 mg of 'done or just take some more Lorcet or just suffer.
----------------------------------------
I must say that I did first visit the "We Speak Methadone" forums. I posted my story there, got one response in support, then got a slap on the wrist by the moderator for using the word "methadone monster". After reading a few other posts here, I agree, that site apparently is mostly for people who want to stay on methadone permanently. I read some of those comparisons to insulin, too, and was quite shocked. I was also quite shocked at the cold shoulder I got over on that forum. I'm registered under the same user ID there if anyone wants to see the "outpouring of nothing" that came from the users over there. Just looking for a little support and guidance, and maybe I shouldn't take it personally, but it felt like a slap in the face.
-------------------------------
My last dose was Friday, June 27, took about 2.5 mg. I'm using lorcet still to keep the lower back pain, fatigue, minor disorientation, shortness of breath, etc. at bay. Anyone got any advice as to what I can expect in the next week or two? I thought after a week, I'd be free from WD, but so far I've had to use a crutch, the hydros. I feel pretty good in the early mornings, but by about 10 am, I feel as if I can't take another step without taking 5mg of hydro. Taking occasional valium and smoking a j at night to help with sleep. ANY advice or input is welcome.
Related discussions
-
is methadone the answer? (14 replies):Hi Everyone, I know the consensus seems to be to avoid ...[more]
-
For anyone considering Methadone to get off pills (97 replies):When I found the unfortunate drug called methadone..i ha...[more]
-
Detoxing off Methadone (148 replies):I've been slowly tapering off of a 15 year Methadone mai...[more]
-
Finally...detoxed from Methadone (44 replies):Morning. I finally after 7 years on Methadone, have det...[more]
-
How can I withdraw from Methadone ? (60 replies):I was sniffing heroin for 7 monhts and tried for 3 month...[more]
-
Short term norco detox using methadone (17 replies):Good morning all; This is my first post although as a p...[more]
-
My doc offered me methadone (45 replies):When I told my psych about my addiction, he suggested I ...[more]
-
Quit opiates with methadone (23 replies):I spent months reading all the threads about quitting op...[more]
Post Comment
Related Communities
Recent Videos
Related Expert Forums
Recent Activity
Most Popular Trackers
RSS
Expert Activity
Community Members
Most Viewed Health Pages
Someone will get with you...please be patient... like I said...holiday and early.
Also...check out the Health Pages on the right side of the screen there is tons of info in there that can help you out!
BoboR... I just noticed your post had been sitting for a bit and I didn't want you to think it was going to be unanswered....did you find the journal on the right I told you about?
To Penelope: Thanks for your post, too. I know I shouldn't be taking the hydros either, but like I said, I have to function somewhat normally. I have two teens still living at home, and they don't have a clue that Mom is an addict. Nobody knows except my husband and 3 or 4 friends. I may be wrong, but I think I'll have an easier time tapering off the hydros than the methadone.
To sadinmichigan: I finally realized later last night after doing some reading, that I definitely DON'T have this whipped yet. It's a long process, and I've really only just begun. I definitely know that the other opiates are masking the worst W/D symptoms. However, I felt like the hydros were gonna be easier to kick than the methadone. Hopefully I'll be able to taper or jump off the hydros in a few weeks. Hopefully. Keeping fingers crossed.
Thanks again to everyone for your kind welcome and words of advice.
So far today, I've taken 5 mg hydro at 6:30 am, 5 mg again about 11 am, woke up from a nap at about 4:30, took 10 mg lorcet. If the fatigue, backaches, dizziness and slight disorientation would just go away, I think I could handle the sweats and chills and minor diarrhea. The lorcet is surely masking the other wd symptoms and I don't know what else to do to stop them. Later everyone. Thanks for letting me hang out here.
I am really not sure what taking a hydro or oxy will do as far as setback..it may prolong everything..of course those of us can rationalize that getting off of hydro or oxy..is way better or easier..I would logically say to just let it get out of your system..but I also know how very hard it is to go through meth w/d..it's a tough call..keep posting my friend..you will have tons of support...My prayers are with you...
"Now, in your case, you were using methadone as a street drug, in an addictive manner, and I'm sure that it did develop into an addiction for you, one you are glad to be free of. That is as it should be. But most folks here are taking methadone as prescribed, to treat addiction and/or pain, and in many cases it is making a very positive difference in their lives."
In an addictive manner. LMAO. Yep. Apparently some of those folks think that because they're taking methadone "as prescribed", they're not addicted. THEY'RE on MMT, they're not addicted. lol. I do realize that methadone has helped some people who do need it, but I feel that way too many people just think they need it. I'm sure having to get up before the crack of dawn to stand in a clinic line is making a huge positive impact on someone's life. wow
One more thing I just thought about: the mod at NAMA stated, "But most folks here are taking methadone as prescribed..." That made me stop and think. I know 5 or 6 people who are on methadone. Perhaps 1 or 2 of those people truly need it. And every single one of them that I know *sells* part of their prescription every month to people like me. Maybe I'm just living in a depressed area where people need cash, but I've got a feeling that it's not just my area. The one friend who takes it that I know truly needs it, sells just enough of her medication to pay for her monthly doctor visit and pharmacy bill. And believe it or not, she's the only one of those "friends" who supports my decision to get off methadone.
You will be free of this drug..I have 2 yrs comming up in Aug..the "sickness" was worth it..