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Relatively painless methadone detox (so far)
Hi all -
Posted a while back about my fast methadone taper....not posting a taper plan, but almost 2 monrhs ago I was using 40-50mg every day. I'm now at 0 - free, free, free!!
I have gone off cold turkey after a rapid taper twice before, and in both cases it was absolutely awful. No sleep, shivering on the couch, couldn't eat, all of it.
It's been 3 days since my last 1mg, and I'm feeling the w/d, but I can function. I'm ok. In my two previous experiences, Day 3 marked the peak of w/d.
It's not for everyone, but I've been using powdered kratom morning and night to help. I plan to slowly taper from the kratom (an herb that mimics a very weak opiate) over the next month. I've skipped entire days of kratom and have been fine. Others who have detoxed from both have advised me that any kratom w/ds will pale in comparison to methadone.
I can only speak for my own experience, but this has been....okay.
Posted a while back about my fast methadone taper....not posting a taper plan, but almost 2 monrhs ago I was using 40-50mg every day. I'm now at 0 - free, free, free!!
I have gone off cold turkey after a rapid taper twice before, and in both cases it was absolutely awful. No sleep, shivering on the couch, couldn't eat, all of it.
It's been 3 days since my last 1mg, and I'm feeling the w/d, but I can function. I'm ok. In my two previous experiences, Day 3 marked the peak of w/d.
It's not for everyone, but I've been using powdered kratom morning and night to help. I plan to slowly taper from the kratom (an herb that mimics a very weak opiate) over the next month. I've skipped entire days of kratom and have been fine. Others who have detoxed from both have advised me that any kratom w/ds will pale in comparison to methadone.
I can only speak for my own experience, but this has been....okay.
Honestly, I was okay to work. I work in an office, but in a very mentally demanding job - the worst part for me was the "fog" for about a week.
What made it infinitely better was moving around a little - so working as a bartender might actually be to your advantage. The more I tried to work some exercise into my routine, the better. I'm about 3-1/2 weeks out now, and I'm starting to really feel energized again. The 5-hour energy shots helped (B vitamin shots, basically; the generics are just as good), caffeine helped, drinking lots of water helped. But I never hit that wall (as I certainly did in past attempts) where I could barely move, I was so fatigued. Don't get me wrong, I was ready for bed at about 6:00PM every night (which of course with kids and a life is not possible), but I just sort of let go. Watched movies, relaxed when I could, didn't get all panicky about not being able to work/clean the house/whatever. Just took advantage of the energy I had when I had it, and relaxed when I could. If I really felt crappy, I'd take more kratom for the day, and that helped. NUTRITION too - not my strong suit, generally - but good, homecooked food made all the difference. I slept okay (been sleeping 8 hours a night for a while now); it helped to really exhaust myself, even just cleaning up the house, before I went to bed. I still wake up at the crack of dawn, but that's okay. I enjoy the quiet time before anyone else gets up.
Find little things that give you joy. On the days you don't want to cook, try a new restaurant. If you're sitting at home on the couch cursing your symptoms, go to the park. Go grocery shopping and buy nourishing food. Go to the beach. For me, one of the worst things about the process was the time distortion. If I sat home and dwelled on every little thing my body was doing, hours would seem like days. If I got out of there, even if it was the last thing I wanted to do, things were better and time passed quickly. At this point, I'm no longer wishing away the hours, so it does pass.
The worst week was when I dropped from 5 mg to 2.5 on Monday, then to 1.25 on Thursday. I don't know why....the following week, dropping to 0 on Monday, I was okay. I kept waiting for the bad stuff to hit me, and I felt it a little, but I was okay.
Now, things are getting gradually better in 3-4 day increments. For the first 10 days or so, after about day 3, I noticed gradual improvements every day. Now, I'm feeling about 95% normal, and my lingering symptoms are starting to drop off one by one, every few days. My legs ached - not that horrible bone ache of real withdrawal, by any means, but enough that it was irritating - until about Saturday of this week (about 3 weeks out). That's finally gone.
Down to a couple grams of kratom here and there, sometimes skipping a day, just when I want to have a little more energy and well-being. But I don't get any kind of buzz, just sort of a pick-me-up when I want it. I was afraid coming off the kratom might get bad too, but it's been fine.
If you need info on where I ordered from, etc, message me and I'll give you the details - very reliable vendor.
What made it infinitely better was moving around a little - so working as a bartender might actually be to your advantage. The more I tried to work some exercise into my routine, the better. I'm about 3-1/2 weeks out now, and I'm starting to really feel energized again. The 5-hour energy shots helped (B vitamin shots, basically; the generics are just as good), caffeine helped, drinking lots of water helped. But I never hit that wall (as I certainly did in past attempts) where I could barely move, I was so fatigued. Don't get me wrong, I was ready for bed at about 6:00PM every night (which of course with kids and a life is not possible), but I just sort of let go. Watched movies, relaxed when I could, didn't get all panicky about not being able to work/clean the house/whatever. Just took advantage of the energy I had when I had it, and relaxed when I could. If I really felt crappy, I'd take more kratom for the day, and that helped. NUTRITION too - not my strong suit, generally - but good, homecooked food made all the difference. I slept okay (been sleeping 8 hours a night for a while now); it helped to really exhaust myself, even just cleaning up the house, before I went to bed. I still wake up at the crack of dawn, but that's okay. I enjoy the quiet time before anyone else gets up.
Find little things that give you joy. On the days you don't want to cook, try a new restaurant. If you're sitting at home on the couch cursing your symptoms, go to the park. Go grocery shopping and buy nourishing food. Go to the beach. For me, one of the worst things about the process was the time distortion. If I sat home and dwelled on every little thing my body was doing, hours would seem like days. If I got out of there, even if it was the last thing I wanted to do, things were better and time passed quickly. At this point, I'm no longer wishing away the hours, so it does pass.
The worst week was when I dropped from 5 mg to 2.5 on Monday, then to 1.25 on Thursday. I don't know why....the following week, dropping to 0 on Monday, I was okay. I kept waiting for the bad stuff to hit me, and I felt it a little, but I was okay.
Now, things are getting gradually better in 3-4 day increments. For the first 10 days or so, after about day 3, I noticed gradual improvements every day. Now, I'm feeling about 95% normal, and my lingering symptoms are starting to drop off one by one, every few days. My legs ached - not that horrible bone ache of real withdrawal, by any means, but enough that it was irritating - until about Saturday of this week (about 3 weeks out). That's finally gone.
Down to a couple grams of kratom here and there, sometimes skipping a day, just when I want to have a little more energy and well-being. But I don't get any kind of buzz, just sort of a pick-me-up when I want it. I was afraid coming off the kratom might get bad too, but it's been fine.
If you need info on where I ordered from, etc, message me and I'll give you the details - very reliable vendor.
Ok so I posted a comment an hour ago and don't c it now...so I'm sure it will show up soon and I will have posted thisa same thing twice....so bare w me....
Awesome awesome awesome!!! I'm so so happy for u and hope to be where u r in a few months...so assuming I go the same route as u ( dropping down below 2mg and using kratom...how long do u think I will need after my last dose of Done? I work as a bartender, so its an all day/night on my feet interactive job and have found it impossible to work for a week or so after switching to subs from Done 4 years ago. When I switched before I was on and off Done..I hadn't gone to a clinic but got done off the street along w oxy or whatever I could get my hands on as far as opioids. So I wasn't hooked on Done like now having been on it every day for 4 years. I just need to feel "ok" enough to work. Any advice?
Awesome awesome awesome!!! I'm so so happy for u and hope to be where u r in a few months...so assuming I go the same route as u ( dropping down below 2mg and using kratom...how long do u think I will need after my last dose of Done? I work as a bartender, so its an all day/night on my feet interactive job and have found it impossible to work for a week or so after switching to subs from Done 4 years ago. When I switched before I was on and off Done..I hadn't gone to a clinic but got done off the street along w oxy or whatever I could get my hands on as far as opioids. So I wasn't hooked on Done like now having been on it every day for 4 years. I just need to feel "ok" enough to work. Any advice?
Just an update - 3 weeks tomorrow.
Doing FINE. Happy, free, social, active, sleeping....FINE. I'd recommend the taper/kratom method any day.
Tapering the kratom with no issues whatsoever. Almost done with that too.
I have not had ANY side effects from the kratom. None, none, none. It amazes me that this method is not more studied/well known.
I feel free.
Doing FINE. Happy, free, social, active, sleeping....FINE. I'd recommend the taper/kratom method any day.
Tapering the kratom with no issues whatsoever. Almost done with that too.
I have not had ANY side effects from the kratom. None, none, none. It amazes me that this method is not more studied/well known.
I feel free.
Hey, saw your other post about being on 20mg methadone....just get off it, seriously. You can do this. Prepare for the symptoms - vitamins, easy-to-make & easy-to-eat food, immodium, sleep aids, etc - and taper slow. I had this whole thing in my head about the 20mg "wall" - honestly, the taper got better going from 20-0 than it was from 40 or 50mg to 20. Go slow, give yourself every second to relax that you can take. I worked through it - I wasn't always happy about it :) - but it was okay. I had the 10mg pills; dropped 2.5mg until hitting 2.5, then 1.25, then 0. Kratom helped GREATLY in this process. 2.5 weeks out and I have my life back, joy back, it's okay. Cravings here and there, but it's okay.
Believe me, I read all the horror stories and experienced that sh*t firsthand, not once but twice (I'm a slow learner, apparently). It psyched me out. My own experiences psyched me out. This time, went from 20 to 0 in a little less than a month. The last bits of the taper were actually worse than the week after dropping to 0. I kept thinking, "Is this.......it?"
I was more prepared this time, used kratom (powder, not more potent extracts), really focused on the nutrition and forgiving myself for being slooow for a little while, and it was alright. I took advantage of the bursts of energy when they came, and didn't panic when I was too exhausted to cook/clean/move. I tried to think of symptoms in a scientific/proactive way - what can I do to manage this right now - instead of dwelling on them and not dealing with them properly.
This too shall pass. It's okay now. I'm still taking a few grams of kratom a day, but tapering that too. I feel better every day.
Believe me, I read all the horror stories and experienced that sh*t firsthand, not once but twice (I'm a slow learner, apparently). It psyched me out. My own experiences psyched me out. This time, went from 20 to 0 in a little less than a month. The last bits of the taper were actually worse than the week after dropping to 0. I kept thinking, "Is this.......it?"
I was more prepared this time, used kratom (powder, not more potent extracts), really focused on the nutrition and forgiving myself for being slooow for a little while, and it was alright. I took advantage of the bursts of energy when they came, and didn't panic when I was too exhausted to cook/clean/move. I tried to think of symptoms in a scientific/proactive way - what can I do to manage this right now - instead of dwelling on them and not dealing with them properly.
This too shall pass. It's okay now. I'm still taking a few grams of kratom a day, but tapering that too. I feel better every day.
Smooches I'm really happy to hear ur doin good! I am horrified a/b getting off MDone. Like I have said in other posts I have switched to subs. Before and am considering the same thing although I know ill just get dependent on that. But I work paycheck to paycheck and can't take a whole week off work this time. Ur story makes me feel better! Good luck!
-holla
-holla
Day 17....doing great! Energy is slooowly coming back. Sleeping 8 hours, no sleep aids. I'm about 90% and doing better every day.
IM glad to seethis is working for you anytime a new drug is itroduced it can be a hit or miss
dont be suprised by the energy crach your only 13 days into it the best we have done for anybody getting well has been 60 days and she was only 22 age plays a huge factor good luck........Gnarly
dont be suprised by the energy crach your only 13 days into it the best we have done for anybody getting well has been 60 days and she was only 22 age plays a huge factor good luck........Gnarly
Just an update - everythings going great! Day....hmmmm.....13, I believe off methadone. Energy is coming back, everything is better. I'm sleeping fine.
Tapering off kratom already. No side effects that I can perceive.
Success!
Tapering off kratom already. No side effects that I can perceive.
Success!
omg i know som1 whi has had ceizures from tramadol...were all different. i also know ppl who have overdosed on heroin. that didnt stop me. im not saying its smart, its stupid to put foreign substances in your body all together. however... if we reasearch each substance theres gonna be som1 somewhere who had a bad reaction to it...lets not forget your friend may have been on some other meds. that had a reaction...or underlining conditions. we do not know. thanks for the advice..but each day is a gamble in my life right now...and i think like u said theres always gonna be some1 somewhere that had something happen.
OK - this stuff is just the leaf or extract of a SouthEast Asia shrub - I ran into it for the first time during the Vietnam War Games......its not really about much - weak narcotic effect and part of the mixture that the famous monks in Thailand use for detox......BUT I know of one individual that sufferred multiple organ failure from ingesting kratom leaf that had been exposed to a high power defoilant / insecticide and then made into tea. . There is no FDA in SEA and ours doesnt regulate kratom. Should you decide to use it use only the extracts and not the leaf.And be careful and knowlegable.
Day 5.....doing okay! The mornings always suck a little until I shower and get my body moving. Planning to start tapering the kratom this weekend, no rush, just as slow and comfortable as I want.
to bbyblue - I have only used kratom teas and (for this taper) the powdered leaves in capsule form. They're easy enough to find. The extracts are more powerful and I've read a lot of info about them being far more addictive. Apparently you build a tolerance fast. For what it's worth.
I know exactly what you mean about feeling like you need "something." I'm not there right now, but that's where I was when I started messing with the pills. Right now, I can't wait for this process to be over - I tapered down to 1.25mg and even though it was quick, I was wanting to go faster and faster. I'm starting to resent the kratom - just because it's "something," you know - but one step at a time. The methadone is a B**** to get off of, you know that.....that's my focus now, but I haven't lost sight of the ultimate goal.
The whole thing about needing "something" is so common...I need to detox those thoughts from my brain. :)
to bbyblue - I have only used kratom teas and (for this taper) the powdered leaves in capsule form. They're easy enough to find. The extracts are more powerful and I've read a lot of info about them being far more addictive. Apparently you build a tolerance fast. For what it's worth.
I know exactly what you mean about feeling like you need "something." I'm not there right now, but that's where I was when I started messing with the pills. Right now, I can't wait for this process to be over - I tapered down to 1.25mg and even though it was quick, I was wanting to go faster and faster. I'm starting to resent the kratom - just because it's "something," you know - but one step at a time. The methadone is a B**** to get off of, you know that.....that's my focus now, but I haven't lost sight of the ultimate goal.
The whole thing about needing "something" is so common...I need to detox those thoughts from my brain. :)
idk what katrom is never heard of it...however today is my 2nd day off heroin and i cant see how it can be anyworse than me getting hooked on methadone, suboxone, or subutex...these damn opiates is SUCH a horriable cycle...but i personally would be so proud of myself if i was only using herbal supplements...better than the H i've been shooting. and i think im gonna google it...it dosnt matter in the end its so dufficult to be dependent on opiates i feel like im ALWAYS prob gonna need something. u know cuz i have to work 40hrs and after work im a single mother. so i cant set 2 weeks aside to fully detox right now...So, I would like to thank you for the suggestion. =)
Day 4, feelin fine. I'd recommend the taper/kratom method any day.
Compared to the last two methadone withdrawal experiences, most of which were spent shivering on the bathroom floor, this has been a piece of cake.
Planning to hold on the current dose for a few more days, then start tapering the kratom.
Compared to the last two methadone withdrawal experiences, most of which were spent shivering on the bathroom floor, this has been a piece of cake.
Planning to hold on the current dose for a few more days, then start tapering the kratom.
Just an update - it's been approx 81 hours since my last dose of 1.25mg.
The withdrawal should be peaking, or at least getting there, judging from my past 2 attempts at this.
This has been about 5% as difficult as my last two rapid taper attempts - I'm doing....okay! Aching legs, but I'm combating that with extra nutrients, and it's helping.
This has been almost enjoyable....
The withdrawal should be peaking, or at least getting there, judging from my past 2 attempts at this.
This has been about 5% as difficult as my last two rapid taper attempts - I'm doing....okay! Aching legs, but I'm combating that with extra nutrients, and it's helping.
This has been almost enjoyable....
That's cool, easy enough for anyone to google it.
I'm really (seriously) not trying to be smarmy.....but I'm not understanding why I can read all these posts about people popping valium, ambien, xanax, the list goes on, for opiod withdrawals, but an herbal remedy is not okay. I'm really not trying to be smarmy. I read the rules, I understand now that I can't post the name of the vendor - but please explain the difference between,
"Can you get your hands on some xanax? Call your doc and tell him xyz. That will help"
and
"Kratom worked for me, but avoid xyz."
I'm lost.
I'm really (seriously) not trying to be smarmy.....but I'm not understanding why I can read all these posts about people popping valium, ambien, xanax, the list goes on, for opiod withdrawals, but an herbal remedy is not okay. I'm really not trying to be smarmy. I read the rules, I understand now that I can't post the name of the vendor - but please explain the difference between,
"Can you get your hands on some xanax? Call your doc and tell him xyz. That will help"
and
"Kratom worked for me, but avoid xyz."
I'm lost.
Hi everyone -
Please be very careful when taking any herbal supplement, especially kratom, which can be very addictive. MedHelp doesn't endorse any recovery plan - that's up to you and your doctors, counselors, etc. - but please be careful with kratom. As it can be dangerous for people to take, we can not allow instructions on where to get it, how to use it.
Thanks for understanding.
Emily
Please be very careful when taking any herbal supplement, especially kratom, which can be very addictive. MedHelp doesn't endorse any recovery plan - that's up to you and your doctors, counselors, etc. - but please be careful with kratom. As it can be dangerous for people to take, we can not allow instructions on where to get it, how to use it.
Thanks for understanding.
Emily
You're absolutely right....Right now I'm focusing on my physical symptoms and alleviating those, but I'm taking care of my head too.
The nice part is that my source is gone. Other than going to a clinic, which for many reasons is not an option for me, I can't get any more. I have no friends who are using, nothing.
That's been freeing in this detox - no more "If I can just make it to Thursday" crap. I just have to do it, so I'm doing it.
My first time going through w/d I was in denial about my addiction....now, I know the hole I've gotten myself into, and I know I need to fix a lot more than my physical symptoms.
The nice part is that my source is gone. Other than going to a clinic, which for many reasons is not an option for me, I can't get any more. I have no friends who are using, nothing.
That's been freeing in this detox - no more "If I can just make it to Thursday" crap. I just have to do it, so I'm doing it.
My first time going through w/d I was in denial about my addiction....now, I know the hole I've gotten myself into, and I know I need to fix a lot more than my physical symptoms.
well you sound like your doing better this detox then from your others I to shared an awful experience coming off the methadone I was sick for 3 mo after I stopped never though I was going to get better as for the Kratom be careful with it ....it has its own vises and im with ya as far as it not being as harmful as methadone but we have had members inquire about how to get off it....all I know about is its addictive and it is Extremely ez to become cross addicted wile detoxing....better of to go with some of the herbal teas to sooth rattled nerves and its time to realize your an addict and get yourself in a recovery program and off the merry go round of using/getting clean/using/ getting clean you have to see a pattern in your life thats not changing this is your 3 time coming off methadone as addict we need to go to things like N/A or A/A ....mabe a substance abuse conslor but if you dont change the very way you think and reason your going to pick it back up again...I road the train 16 1/2 yrs it wasent till I found recover that my life changed I wish you all the luck in the world with this stick around I would like to see you make it off everything living in recovery is a beautiful place ...........Gnarly
Also, for those who will flame me for suggesting another "substitute" - let's be real.
This is about harm reduction.
I've read enough posts on this forum suggesting benzo use, sleeping pills, and short-acting opiods for methadone withdrawal to know that substitution and management of symptoms is a normal response to getting rid of this beast.
Common sense and caution are key, but at the end of the day - I'd rather be a kratom addict, if that's how things turn out, than a methadone addict. If I can get through methadone w/d without losing my job or my mind, that's a victory enough for me.
This is about harm reduction.
I've read enough posts on this forum suggesting benzo use, sleeping pills, and short-acting opiods for methadone withdrawal to know that substitution and management of symptoms is a normal response to getting rid of this beast.
Common sense and caution are key, but at the end of the day - I'd rather be a kratom addict, if that's how things turn out, than a methadone addict. If I can get through methadone w/d without losing my job or my mind, that's a victory enough for me.
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