Methodone

[Gracie4105]

I'm so thankful to have found this site. I've been prescribed methadone for the past 6-7yrs. When all of sudden my dr quit giving them to me for no reason other than there have been other dr's getting in trouble for lethal doses. I truly have pain and only take the mds with nothing else, not even alcohol. My problem is now I have to buy them off the streets for outragious amounts. I cannot find a dr that will write them, I was completely honest with the last dr and he still wouldn't. I'm so disgusted. I cannot go longer than 3 or 4 days without them. I have a job that work up 60 hrs a week and cannot afford the embarrassment to go to rehab. I found out this week that there is a methadone clinic opening up in my city. I hope that with their help maybe I could be tapered off of the Meds, but a friend told me you have to be in WD's of opiates before you can even be seen. I hate this I wish I had never had taken anything for pain. Does anyone have any suggestions for me, I sure would appreciate it. Thanks for listening!

[shangsailor]

I was on 80mg's x3 a day for pain,for 8 years. One day I went to walgreens to pick my oxy up, and they wanted 1,200 dollars as they said insurance will not pay for them anymore. so my pcp started me on 20 mg's methodone 4 times a day. was not enough, and I went into accute withdrawal. When I got to where I could not handle any more, I went to ER. They let me sit in a room for 3 hours suffering. my wife was with me. Finally they gave some sort of pill. what ever it was it did not work !! After 4 attemps with this pill, they started an iv, and gave morphine. at frist there was no change. after the fifth injection I started feeling wonderful. i went home, and was taking the methodone, for the last 3/4 years. I have tapered myself off from 20 4 times a day to 10 mg's once a day before bed. I want to get off of them as I am tired of living my life around the 30 day script!!.
A couple of months ago I was seeing a pain manager. He told me to I could be off the methodone in 2 weeks. I have been reading a lot of horor stories???? My PCP told me not to do it as it is dangerous. I do not know who to listen too?? Help! what am I really to expect when I stop taking this, and How long will it really take. I am almost 65 years old. Help!!!  thanks for listening!!  GOD BLESS!!  ps I QUIT DRINKING YEARS AGO!

[gnarly_1]

the day they did it to me I was duev for a refill and had aboutb 3 days worth to find another doctor it s u c ked

[littlebit667]

It is inconceivable that a doctor would prescribe a medication and then knowing you need to taper to get off..just stopped them.  I just do not understand how they can take the Hippocratic oath and still do something like that.  

[gnarly_1]

HI.....I had a similar experience with a pain management dr after seeing him for months and getting methadone from him we got into it over me having to take monthly spinal shots the mri showed it was causing scar tissue to build up and I told him no more shots......well if you dident take the whole program you got nothing ,,,,,I to tried several pain management dr and non would toch me because of the methadone so I would up at the local clinic.....I had no problems getting methadone there so I hope it works out for you I stayed on it for 6 1/2 yrs for pain control of my lower back I dont recamend that have them taaper you off if necessary go back to something else but I found my pain was a lot more manageable off the narcotics as do meny of our members if this clinic is not opening soon I agree with Jeremy go to a sub doctor I wish you all the luck in the wold with this but methadone is no way to live do your best to get off it God bless.....Gnarly    

[hellc@mst]

Yeah, dont worry, the methadone should still be detectable even when taken once or twice a week. Forum guidelines prevent us from saying when a drug is non detectable.

You shouldnt have to be in withdrawals to recieve help from a methadone clinic. Im not sure though as I have no experience with clinics in the US. That just seems abhorant to me and I cant imagine what their reasoning would be. Sure, they wont dose if you showed up off-your-trolly but thats understandable. I dont know how they would know whether or not someone was in genuine withdrawals or faking anyway.  I just wonder if your friend is confusing suboxone induction  with methadone.

I worry that sourcing drugs illigitimately exposes you to the risk of arrest. Surely....that would be far more embarrasing than detox/rehab. If, as you say, your dose varies between 30-60 mgs, you may qualify for suboxone treatment where the maximum methadone dosing threshold for a smooth (relative) transition is 30 mgs. Suboxone has far more advantages than methadone clinics which are often  punitive and demanding with regards to daily dosing, regular UA's and mandated therapy. The one problem with suboxone maybe the lack of comparable analgesia you are currently receiving from the methadone.

I guess a lot  depends on; when the methadone clinic intends to open; if you qualify and; how long you'd have to wait until your first dose.  Have you made these enquiries already? My advice would be to contact the methadone clinic ASAP and if they arent open and/or dont plan to open for several weeks, find a suboxone doctor/any doctor to help in the interim. Anything to get you away off the streets and illicit narcotics.

All the best. Kind regards. Jeremy (recovered addict)
~4 years drug and alcohol free~

[Gracie4105]

Thanks you two! I appreciate you. If I have the money usually 3 to 6 (10mg) a day. Another question I have how long does it take to test clean after not taking any? My friend also told me that when you go in a md clinic you have to have opiates in system before they will even help you?

[littlebit667]

I will message Gnarly and when he gets on he can help.  He works late night and usually checks in before work.  Hang in there.

[ricart70]

Hi Gracie,sorry noone has answered your post.There are not many people here tonight.Usually it is brimming with people.I do not know alot about methadone.I was on oxycontin.There are quite a few people on here who have detoxed and gotten free of methadone.I am sure someone will be along soon to help.How high of a dose were you on per day.