Not trying to add to the problems...

...that we who are addicted to pain meds have, but after reading several posts on this forum, I though I might have something to add for those who are detoxing (whether to get off drugs or because you are out and can't get any more).

A little about me. I too am addicted to pain killers...mostly percocet and lortab. Have been for a couple of years now. Had some injuries, surgeries and began taking pain meds...legally. I've always had an addictive personality, but most of the time just smoked pot. I don't really drink, although I did for awhile. I'm a white male, 45, and a computer systems engineer. Married for 19 years w/two teenage sons.

To the point...I have found that when coming down (my monthly prescription is 90 ten mg lortabs, which I go through in 4-5 days) that a 10mg methadone a day for 1-3 days takes all of the withdrawal symptoms away. Being an addict, when I run out of my prescription, I buy more "off the streets". I have taken 200+ in a 2-week period, and not just once, sad to say.

Be careful though as they say methadone is addictive also. Since I only use it when I'm coming down, I don't have to worry about that. It just takes all of the pain away, and you actually feel pretty good. Just taking one a day, I don't get high or anything, just feel good.

Couldn't tell you how many times I've been sick as a dog when coming down...even calling "sick" in to work 2 days in a row. As y'all know...the withdrawal is some bad stuff.

A single 10 mg methadone takes it all away. It's a miracle drug when coming off....

Again, hope I'm not adding to anyone's problems, but I sure wish I had known about methadone a long time ago!

[B.I.L.Y.]

How long are you off of everything though after you stop the methadone or do you then get refills on your HC? I ask, because the Methadone may just be prolonging the WD, due to the half life. If you are clean from the Methadone and all other opioids for at least 72 hours without symptoms, I could see it being effective, but it is a very dangerous drug to use. I know because, as explained in a previous post, I had to CT Methadone and I only was on low doses in comparison to most and it was pure hell compared to any other WD, except my SSRI (which took me 8 years to stop use and I still have problems at 2.5 months CT).

It's terrific if it works for you, but I'm just curious what your pain mgt. routine consist of after you stop the Methadone? Methadone will help WD, but it has it's own nasty WD and many people that use Methadone in short duration as you stated will only prolong the opioid WD. As, most bodies it's just replacing one opioid for another and one that is much more hard on the body. I had a doctor describe it as a poison for the body, because it embeds in your entire system..organs and all!

If it works for you though that's awesome. I would just hate for someone else to think it will work the same for them and get themselves into a whole lot more pain with its use. Typically, Methadone therapy for opioid or opiate WD is carefully monitored by a medical professional and you go through a structured program to slowly taper off of the Methadone. It's used because it has less, not zero, tendency for abuse and in low doses doesn't offer opioid effects, like euphoric sensations. It does have the potential for abuse though.

[Addicted2Pain]

I only take the methadone for 1-3 days...just enough to get through the withdrawals. And I only take 1 a day, although in rare cases I have taken 2 a day (I work 2 jobs, so sometimes I need the extra one).

Typically, I don't take any more pain meds until my 30 days are up (although I have binged a few times). Taking the meth for 1-3 days is probably not enough to get me addicted or bring on withdrawals. At least, as you say, not in my case.