tapering

[Teri9498]

  I was wondering how any of u that have tapered your pills finally make the final jump?  I've been tapering methadone since Sept. from 80-90mg now to 2.5mg.  I'm so scared of how i'm going to feel when I stop completely!  I feel pretty terrible now, so I can only imagine!  It's not that I want to keep taking them at all, I want off these so BAD!  I just want some advice on how u made that final jump.  Thanks! :)

[IwillDoThis]

sounds like you are ready to jump my friend, we'll all be here!

[Teri9498]

  I've been on the 2.5 for 4 days today, and before that I was taking 4mg a day.  Just trying to taper myself at home.

[snakejones]

Quick question: how long have you been on the 2.5 dose? And what was the level before you jumped to 2.5?

[atthebeach]

Teri. Tapering below 5mgs of methadone is really pointless. Your withdrawal symptoms will be just like they are now. You are just prolonging the withdrawal. I think you should just jump now. You have done so well.
Don't let fear keep you chained to the bottle. At this point it is only psycholigical. You got this.
Keep the faith.
Hugs.hope and prayer
Debbie

[lulu747]

Teri,

It's time to jump.  We will catch you...Don't let the fear keep you stuck.  Deep breaths girl.  You can do this!

Big hugs,
Lu

[IwillDoThis]

Hey there - I tapered down hydros from 4 pills a day down to 1 and then I jumped off.  Yes withdrawing is awful, it stinks but you cannot let the fear keep you from doing it - ya just gotta jump.  

I planned to taper down and I didn't really plan a jump day, it just kinda happened.  I got mad that these pills had a hold on me and I just did it - I hunkered down and that is how I found this forum, looking for ways to soothe my withdrawals.  Just look at it as probably the worst flu of your life and something you have to get thorugh.  The worst lasts only 3 days and then you start to feel a little better.

In hindsight the detox would be the easy part, learning to live without pills is the key - replacing unhealthy habits and behaviors with healthy behaviors - this has been the struggle for me.

You've gotten yourself down to a manageable dose, I don't know specifically about your drug but I know with hydros I was already in withdrawals on such a low dose so I wouldn't put off jumping too long - I'm here to tell you it is worth every ounce of work you'll put in.

Great job on tapering down, keep your momentum going!  You are worth it and you CAN do it!