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Methadone withdrawal (low dose 3-mgs)

Hello! i've been on methadone for 12 years .On tues.feb,17, 2003 i took my last 3mg dose(liquid).prior to that date i have been having trouble sleeping for about two weeks. i have been reducing my dose over the last 16 months from 80 mgs daily.I am not afraid of the withdrawl but do not truly know what to except.the program i was on was about keeping people addicted not helping you get mentally or physically well.i.e(money).Can
anyone give me some additional information. Thanks alot.
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Avatar universal
Please how long will it take I was on from 1993 to Jan 26th 2017. It effected me different when i got on being highly sensitive It make me hyper and i did not know i was a HS then. I told doctor i could not sleep but they kept raising my dose. All the way to 120 Mg. But through the years i managed to get down to 40Mg and was on that for years when i started to go down on my dose.

I think this might go beyond methadone cause I feel a bad pressure in my lower abdomen. Like a burning sensation. And blood also.
Hey you went through detox of methadone 12 years you were on so I been detoxing since Jan 26th 2017 and I was on for codeine addiction in 1993. I went to the hospital in feb 2018 and all doctors refuse to help me with anything. Here it is Feb 2018 and I'm still sick.

I should have never listened to my foster sister she told me i needed to get on it. It would have ben easier to kick the codeine. I'm Highly sensitive person and sickness and pain we feel more intensely. Diarrhea with blood in my stool. I lost 60% of weight and going down heel fast. At first it was only 3 times a week. But now seems to be getting worse.

For 4 weeks sick in November 2017, really unusual. So please tell me how long it took you? I tried getting back on methadone(30Mg) for one day and was still sick later that night in February 2017 I was so sick i could not go back the next day. I have not gone back to hospital how can anyone go when they have to be next to restroom. I tried giving up on eating altogether but for some reason I still got sick.

Please tell me how long it took you to detox off methadone? Doctors do not want to help me with it. I heard that clonpin(Highblood pressure pills) were good to detox and sleeping pills they do not want to help me. I have so much depression and anxiety not even the hospital in Feb 2017 wanted to help me I was in cause my sugar(Diabetic) was really high.
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1801781 tn?1461629469
Hon, this a very old thread.  Go up to the top and click on the orange ask a question button and copy paste your note.  You will start a new thread and get the support and info you need.
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Avatar universal
I agree, it is not the best suggestion, but some people such as I have no recourses, no job, no insurance, and I can honestly say that this is the place drugs, and bad choices have put me, I have worked, and been independant all my life , and suddenly I find myslef with no place to go that I am welcomed, I cant affrd th e clinic anymore, have no ride,and I am living in house with my name on but that I gave to ex in divorce many years ago, only because I have no where else to go, he dosent want me here, and I dont want to be here, methadone is the fing devil, I wish I had stuck with detoxing myself off of fentnyl 3 years ago, but no today i am facing detoxing with no help at all no meds no money from methadone, and i have had to miss a few days at a time due to lack of money and been in withdrawal, and I know, I think I will surely die, no one to even have sympathy or hold my hand, and we all know that this wuld be at least some help, I am almost 50, and worried that this will kill me, just pray for me and I am not religious, but at this point I need any, and everything..melanie   ***@****
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3 Comments
Dude, you won't die. It just feels like it. I feel you totally. Quit at 34mg from 15omg...2 months out now. Still headaches are pretty bad, still low to no energy. But, I was tired of that program taking my $ and ruling my life. Get clonindine to help relax you, lowers bp. Get seraquil(sp) too, if possible, helps brain with confusion, high anxiety and depression. I know its hard. I had a friend drop by some clear, just so i could move, wish i hadn't...you got this. Beat this monster.
Hi,
Please don't ever tell anyone they couldn't die from withdrawals because they could. It's not actually the withdrawals that kill you it's underlined problems you have no idea you have. Be safe. Sending you positive vibes. Please call your doctor or a pharmacist.
@Bamame, I know your post is a few months old now but I hope you might still be around. Although I am a nurse, BSN RN to be exact, I don't claim to have all the answers, however if withdrawals can kill you, why would they let you go CT in jail? The only WD I know of that CAN actually kill you is alcohol and benzo withdrawal. Otherwise, from what I know, withdrawal from opiates can make you feel as though you want to die, but won't kill you. You definitely need to keep yourself well hydrated because, obviously, dehydration can kill you.
Avatar universal
I can't tell you why he can't sleep- but I definitley can believe it.I think I'VE heard the word tweaking, or something likE that. Anyway, everytime I have gone into withdrawl from methadone, I don't sleep at all-and then when I finially end up in the emergecy room(as I said earliier-I ALWAYS DO!!)I beg them for sleep.The last time my doctor finially believed that I hadn't slept at all in five days. So they gave me a shot of valium. I lasted for an hour.(wide awake again) IT'S SO SCAREY!!My doctor is scarey-because she is in denial that this is withdrawl. I live in a small town,so doctors are not plentiful. I am 200 miles from any larg hospital.I don't know how your friend went through this in jail. It had to be hell on earth.BUT HE HAS TO SLEEP!! Or he will lose his mind.And just a small dose of valium will not do it.I
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Avatar universal
First of all, sorry to those of you to which this message is a repeat...  But anyway, hi, my name is Steve.  In addition to smoking marijuana straight for about ten or so years (including currently), a friend of mine had been on methadone for about 5 years, most recently taking 25 mg for at least 4-5 months...  He had also sporatically done heroin (the original drug that got him into this mess) throughout these 5 years...  Then, he got arrested & was forced to detox cold turkey on the floor of a jail cell for 3 days...  Once he got out, he decided he might as well "go for the gold", & just go cold turkey to quit opiates forever....  Hats off to the man, because it's now been about 50 days since he's ingested opiates.  His problem, however, is that he says he hasn't really slept in 50 days!  He says he'll close his eyes, then open them 2 hours later, but no dreaming at all for the whole 50 days!  He calls it "resting his eyelids".  Anyway, despite being in pretty good spirits, he says it's kind of driving him nuts...I fear he may lose his will because he'll decide that noone could live like that...  I'm hoping someone out there has some good advice, or can at least give him (through me)  some kind of idea on how long this will go on until some sleep-normalcy will return, at least so he can have something to look forward to!  If you know any info which might educate me on this subject/remedies/places on the internet I could look into/whatever else you think might help my friend out, I'd really appreciate it...  He's such a cool guy, & I think he's damn close to beating this "dragon", as the forum puts it...  I hope all of you can do the same one day...  I'd tell you that "you can do it" but I've only quit cigarettes, so in a way I have no business saying so...  Anyway, very very good luck, stay strong, remember Jesus's ordeal, & if you think you can help out my friend, I'd really appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Steve
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Avatar universal
Thankyou for your input. I am new to this sight-and to message boards- so bear with me. You are right about physicians not going through withdrawl,ever! That's why mine didn't recognize it at all-even after I told her, she did not believe me.(THAT'S SCAREY)I ALGREE ABOUT YOUR ADVICE ALSO. It's up to me wheather or not I want to go through this again.I always end up in the hospital, cause I dehydrate so much. And I get short of breath(almost hyperventilate).It's usually about the fourth day without sleep that I go down. And does anyone get an awful,horrible taste in their mouth?I throw up to the point of know return. I truley do suffer from pain- but I think I need a support group to help me with the pills. Any on line? Thanks again for the response.
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Avatar universal
Don't worry, unless you have underlying physical problems you will not die from withdrawal, you may feel like it, but you won't.  Especially from 30 mg. that dose is not that high.  If you were on a very high dose its possible you could go into seizures from cold turkey withdrawal. Do you take your med in pill form or liquid?  I would suggest trying to stash away a small amount of med for emergencies like that. On some days when you are not feeling too badly try taking a lesser amount and save the amount that you didn't take for those times that you run out.  Many physicians have no clue what its like to experience withdrawals, if they knew they would be much more compassionate to the patient.

Sharon
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Avatar universal
I have been on pain killers foe at least 12 years. A rollercoaeter ,for sure. Most of my pain is fibromyalgia. But some is arthritis and nerve damage. To make a long story short-I was given METHADONE for pain about two years ago.m It works very well-BUT DON'T RUN OUT!!!I did for the first time last summer,and I thought I was going to die . I made it through that one until I could get some more. It happened again a couple months later. I ended up in the emergency room.When I told my general practicioner that I thought it was methadone withdrawl-she did'nt believe me.She treated me for gallblader and sent me home.I get my methadone from my pain specialist, by the way.
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Avatar universal
I take methadone for pain. I take 30mgs a day. I F
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Avatar universal
Does anyone die from methadone withdrawl? Does anyone get a terrible taste in their mouth?(during withdrawl) My last withdrawl was hell on earth. I ended up in the hosoital. Help!!!I take methadone for pain-but sometime run out before script is due. Can you die?
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Avatar universal
I am almost off and I was on for more than 15 years!!  It can be done, just has to be done slowly and you have to have the motivation, that is very crucial because if you are not ready mentally and emotionally it will be almost impossible to deal with the physical withdrawals. Which by the way from my experience isn't too bad if you detox (taper) very very slow. I did 1 mg. every other week after I got to 30 mg.  When your dose is higher than 30 mg. you can probably do 5 mg. Of course it depends on the person, every one handles it differently.

Sharon
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Avatar universal
Look I know this sounds crazy but can it be done.....safely?  I stoped using heroin a couple years ago and since then I've been on methadone.  I don't really know the universal mg's that the clinics start everyone out at, but I started at 30.  I progressively increased my dosage untill I felt comfortable at around 100, on occasion 110 (when I was feel'n' frisky).  I have succesfully in the two years I have been on methadone maintenance decreased my dose to 45 mg's.  How hard would it be to quit cold banana?  Well with the help of some thc, tons of vitamins, Tylenol PM's, and veggie drinks.  My fear is just staying hydrated.  I'm 26 and Methadone is no longer an option. If anyone has detoxed from methadone and wouldn't mind please, please send me an e-mail with any suggestions, I don't really check the message board that often. ***@****
Thanx I need all the help and prayers I can get!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Hey there...

Things are not too bad so far.  In 2 more days I will go to my last dose of 2 millagrams!!! I will probably stay on that for a couple of weeks and then I will be off!!!  I am going to Florida the first week of May to close up our condo for the summer so I am hoping I will be off and that I will not be feeling too badly.
At least I will have the warm sun and pool etc. to try and ease some of the discomfort.  Wish me luck...  How are things going with you?  I hope that you are doing well, remember anytime you want to talk or share ideas, I'll be there for ya...

Sharon
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Avatar universal
The main reason why someone would go to a methadone maintenance program is to get away from a dangerous street drug like HEROIN!
After all of the success of staying off of this street drug thru the MMT program why would someone want to go back to what ruined their life in the first place!!!  IMO very bad advise, I would never suggest that to anyone as an alternative.!!  Prescription pills, bup., meth, meds like that at least you know what you are putting into your body, with street heroin you never know!!!! You could be shooting or snorting arsenic etc. for all you know. There are a lot safer ways to detox.  And Maintenance has saved so many lives, some may have to stay on indefinitely for various reasons and some may be able to successfully taper (slowly) and go back to their lives.  I wish everyone success in whichever way they choose.

Sharon
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Avatar universal
Hey Guys-  Bsills was only trying to help.  I know many people who would rather kick dope than kick meth- let's face it with dope you only go through a bad couple of weeks, the meth is a bad couple of months!

I've was out there shooting whatever I could find- have the holes in my skin when someone was cutting the dope with meat tenderizer (good dope, bad sores).  But that was 12 years ago and I had no choice but to get on meth if I wanted to survive and take care of my family.

This meth detox for me is a choice- and that in itself makes the suffering bearable.  I think that as we change as human beings we learn to make different choices.  For the first time in 12 years, I chose not to go to the clinic.  It feels good (even though I feel like ****).

How's it going Sharon?
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1 Comments
I know this thread is EXTREMELY old but obviously people are still reading the comments for useful ideas. That being said, I am a nurse and a chronic pain patient tapering from Methadone. I am currently on 80mg Methadone only from 240mg methadone and 180mg roxicodone. The taper schedule I found said that once you get to 25-30mg Methadone to switch to morphine or oxycodone. I see two reasons for that. One, judging by many of the posts I have read, it seems to be the magic number where people start having difficult WD symptoms and two, it's a bit easier to get off of oxy or morphine than methadone. I may go that route myself once I get there. So, while I don't think bsills idea of Heroin was a good one, I don't think he/she was trying to create controversy and I think the IDEA was sound, the drug of choice wasn't. However, like bsills said, for some people, it's the only drug they can get their hands on. While I wouldn't condone it, I wouldn't negate anyone's method of getting clean and sober. If it works for them, so be it. I just worry that going back to Heroin wouldn't work. But then again, is going back to oxycodone going to work for me? only time will tell. I went to Methadone because oxy was a freaking circus of running out early and getting sick before my next refill every month. Methadone stopped all of that, but it comes with its own problems. Not to mention my doctor won't fill it anymore unless I start giving him 2k per year. That's a whole other story. Like another person said earlier, I started saving medication YEARS ago, so I would never be in the position of losing my doctor or being discharged and going into WDs.
Avatar universal
Obviously, every situation is different.  Some people can ONLY GET HEROIN. So, what's your solution?
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Avatar universal
You're either an idiot or you're trying to create controversy on the forum. Controversy over legitimate ideas is good, but there's nothing controversial about stupidity and malevolence.

No one would seriously suggest that people return to heroin for their own good.

Thomas
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the thought Bill- but that would just be way too far back to fall for me.  I could no easier go back to heroin than I could be 21 again!  

I decided to maintain @ 7 for 5 days and then try to drop to 5 again.  The early waking thing was really starting to get to me, to say nothing of the chills/hot flashes, achy legs and feeling I like I could jump out of my skin.

Today was the last day that I could return to my clinic and be medicated.  Today is the the third day I missed and I will be discharged (even though I only went in once a week).  It is a strange new world out here!

The depression seems to be lifting a bit- I feel somewhat empowered by finally making a choice that everyday for 12 years, I could not. I feel like this is truly an expression of who I wish to be and it seems like the right choice.  We'll see how I feel in a couple of weeks when the stash starts running dry!
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Avatar universal
One person I know got off of Methadone by returning to Heroin for several weeks, and then doing a different detox approach.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the words of encouragement Sharon.  I went back up to 7mg after the third day- somehow I have to find a way to do this a still function (kids, job, husband).  I will try to even out for a day or two and go back down.  I think what I miss most is sleeping until the alarm goes off.  This early waking thing is for the birds, although it does give me some quiet time in the morning for thinking and praying.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the meth to stabilize after a dose is adjusted?  I read one of the docs comments that said there is little physiological benifit to a dose of 5 mg of under.  My body seems to be confirming that.

Well I made my choice and will stick to it, no matter how long it takes.  

How's it going with you Sharon?  

Has anyone out there tried Valerian and/or Skullcap to help with the withdrawl symptoms?  The Tylenol PM helps me get to sleep but it would be so nice to not be up with the dawn everyday!  I remember reading there was an Asian doctor several years back doing work on a natural elixir that would help with opiate withdrawls- anyone out there familiar with that guy (I can't remember his name)?
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Avatar universal
Somebody help me,   I missed my dose today and my muscles feel like they are expanding and contracting and it hurts like hell.   I have missed a dose before with no problem, Why am I gettins sick so fast, I have chills, sweats, painful muscle spasms.  What can I do to feel better till the clinic opens at 6?
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Avatar universal
Almost There:

Your story sounds so familiar, very much like my own. But you sound like you have the motivation to see this through.  I wish and hope that all goes smoothly for you, you know as well as I do that it is a long, difficult and painful struggle, but the road to recovery is not that far away!!!  

Anjl:

Take a long, hot & relaxing bath. (hot tub if you have one) Always helps me when I feel that way. For some reason, some days are worse than others. Many things in our bodies can trigger these symptoms, hormones,lack of sleep, vitamins, water, stress, I could go on & on... It will get better.

Sharon
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Avatar universal
I was feeling so isolated this morning and decided to try and find some advice on helping my body in reaching my ultimate goal of being Methadone free by May 13th (my 41'st) birthday.  I am glad I found this site!

Like everyone else here an opiate (herion for me) addicition led me to methadone treatment many years ago.  For the past 12 years I have been herion free.  My life as an adult is full, I am very successful in my job, my children are growing up to be well adjusted adults (despite the challenges our family faced with two addicted parents), my marraige is still intact (24 years- he has been detoxing as well and asserts he is fine)- not too many people know that I am a Methadone Maintenance patient and have been for 12 years.  

In September some law somewhere must have changed(does anyone know?), because I began hearing that Methadone clinics in my area would begin testing for pot.  Until the testing was initiated in February I was a model patient, or at least considered so.  I have used pot to relax and help me sleep, while enduring a slow detox (5mg a month, starting at 55 mg last year)- let me interject here that although I had signed a detox form in May of 2002 to have my dose reduced my clinic they had only reduced my dose 10mg over the past 12 months! (bastards really do want to keep you hooked, no doubt about it!)So I began detoxing myself (easier once dosage changed for liquid to pills).
I have been holding for the past 3 weeks at 10 mg and two days ago began taking only 5.  

I have not been discharged or kicked out of my clinic- it was amusing to find out that 90% of the long term successful clients tested positive for THC when the first set of results rolled in a month ago!  I have the option of returning to the clinic next Friday to pay my $110 and get another weeks fix, but I think that last Friday was it.  I think I am done, I am tired of being treated like a criminal (although technically my pot use qualifies me as one), I am tired of urinating in front of strangers in bottles and I am very tired to talking to counselors who have no souls!

The worst part of this detox process is that I feel as though I an unable to experience joy anymore- I noticed that feeling at 10mg and now it is even more pronounced.  The physical symptoms for me are archy legs, feeling anxious (reading everyone's posts actually made me accutely aware of my symptoms)and early waking (a Bendril before bed helps me to sleep).  They are not quite as bad as I had anticipated, but I fear the last 5 mg drop a lot.

I wonder if anyone can tell me if depression is a symptom of withdrawl or an indicator of why I began sticking needles in my arms so many years ago?

Can any of the professionals out there suggest a way of finding psychiatric support from a doctor specializing in addiction?  Over the years I have developed a deep seated mistrust for doctors of any type, as most addicts do.  After watching the doctors physically tense up, close off their minds and hearts at the moment I confide what my history really is- I have given up any hope of having a regular doc for check ups and the like.  But wonder if psychiatric treatment is something to consider.

To everyone else- especially you Sharon=- thanks so much for sharing your hopes and experiences via this forum.  It is good to know I am not the only one suffering through the withdrawl of this "miracle treatment" that I was sold so many years (and trips to the clinic).  I will continue to post as my future unfolds.  If there are any couples out there that have done this together I'd love to hear about your oddessy.

Peace to all
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Avatar universal
The wd I went through was when I was taking about 25 of the 10mg methadones a day. That was my 1st "encounter" with withdrawl and I really thought I was going to die. After that my family Dr. tapered me off at the rate of 1 pill per day less dropped every week. That worked to the point I went completly off of them. Wish I could say I was med free but as I have posted here somewhere, I am a mess again. Working on getting advise on tapering myself off OC and such. Hope this is answering what you asked. I'm probably not the best person to get advice from at this point but I will try to help however I can. Thanks,
-Sandus-
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