Too fast off Methadone?

[Allysyn19]

Hi there.  I have been on methadone for over 2 years.  My max dose was 20 mg cause i am very intolerant of it for some reason (sleeeeeepy sleepy sleepy).  Over the past year or so, I have decreased down to 10 mg slowly.  The last few months, I have weened down to 5, then 2-3 for a couple of weeks, then 1-2 for maybe two weeks.  Since my dose was so low, I test negative for methadone and metabolites at the clinic, which means no more take home for me...  I have a little left over (don't ask)

Is this drop too sudden?  I have supplemented the symptoms with Klonopin (sp?) and a lortab when it gets really bad.  I started out okay, but after a couple of days I took 1 mg of methadone.  I haven't taken any more since then, which was about 3 days ago.  I am down to 1/2 a Klonopin a day and 3 lortabs a day or so.  Should I be sticking to the 1 mg methadone, or use the lortabs?  How quick of a taper should I go for if its lortabs?  3 a day to 2 a day to 1, etc?

I have a really demanding job as a web administrator for midsized company.  we are about to launch a new website, so I am constantly working overtime and need to stay on my toes. We just had a ton layoffs (the company is very strick and all about money) and I REALLY can't afford to be one of them.  How long do you have to be off of methadone to get on suboxone?  

I'm so glad I found this place!  I'm scared #*@!% -less!

:D

[gnarly_1]

HI I also wanted to add that this is 1/3 physical and 2/3 mental so be ready to fight on both fronts...its the mental part that brings most people down so go into this with a positive attitude...dont let fear into the equation  it is always worst in our minds then it actually is this is truly a battle one or lost in ones own mind just remember when its done and over with you wont be chained to the liquid handcuffs any more....good luck and God bless.....Gnarly  

[lmccoy]

Good morning, I don't post often because I seem to have had a less common experience with the methadone, but I tapered from  about 80mg to 0 in around 4 months. It was an unpleasant feeling, but I had such problems when I was on the oxy at very high doses that I was thrilled not to have drug cravings and was just happy enough to accept the withdrawl symptoms I did have. I jumped from 7.5mg to 0 and for me, with cronic pain issues it was to much and after 3 days I went back on at 2,5mg. two times a day. I'm just now starting to see if I can ease off without triggering intolerable pain issues. You will have to stop and now is as good of a time as any. Try just focusing on what an enormous great freeing thing you are doing and see if the excitment can carry you through the snezzing, runny nose, disrupted sleep stuff. It should'nt be that bad. Keep your eye on the future, your almost there!

[pillfree21]

I had serious pressure from the job as well, but had to go to my supervisor and just tell them I had some serious issues with family and got some time, may not be an option for you, but your life is at stake.

I would definitely nix the suboxone idea, I went as far as making a drs appt for it, but after 2-3 days of jumping, I knew that I could ride out the storm....not to mention subs are even harder to get off long term, from what i read and hear.

I did a fairly rapid detox from 20mg to 0mg in about 3 weeks, so I am not a model example, but I did take Lortabs every 3 days or so when things got really bad during that period, but when I jumped from 5mg, I cut that off and just have been paying the piper.

Everyone has their own path, but what I realized the most is that it required me to believe that I could do something which I was very fearful and did not want to face, but these are times in my life where I have grown the most.  As much as it will hurt, it must be done, and you can do it.  I wish you the best with your recovery.

[gnarly_1]

HI and welcome to the forum....well as far as methadone tapers go you did it right and now its time to jump ship....you need to quit taking the lortabs they will just postpone the withdrawals not elemanate them...you have kept your dose low but you have been on it a wile so your withdrawals are kinda up in the air.....I jumped at 1ml and it was no worst then the feeling I got tapering below 5ml....the big thing when you stop for most is the energy crash....I dont know anyone that has gotten around this part of the withdrawal and I have helped quite a few do this....most people can work but if you have a chance to get some time off do so...you can work threw the post withdrawals but the first 2 weeks is going to be ruff...methadone takes a wile to get well from the first 30 days are the hardest you start to get back to normal around 90 days into it at least thats how it was for me and most of who I have helped....try not to get discouraged you do get better it just takes time this is hard to do but it is very doable with the right attitude and some perseverance keep posting for support we all want to see you succeed good luck and God bless......Gnarly  

[jewlz2626]

Lol, no prob! Although your kinda scaring me! ;) If its that bad for you & youve been tapering slow for that long, and its still super painful, then Im beginning to think im in for a he!!ish ride!! Ive been rejuvinating my body with supplement in those pages I referred you to, since my body has been lacking them for so long...so im hoping that helps once I do jump! My goal is to taper to crumbs! lol ( I'm on the pill form) But this is what this place is for! Its super support with NO judging involved! So keep in touch & let us know of your progress!! You can get over this crap!

[Allysyn19]

Thanks, hun.  You are my rock right now! lol

[Allysyn19]

You are so right.  The last thing I want is to be addicted to lortabs again.  I really just want off - of everything!  My plan is to stop the lortabs this weekend so that i can go through the worst of it when I don't have to go to work (hopefully).  I've been really grouchy and fighting with people for no reason, and i dont want to do it at work.  My company has zero tolerance for anything and everything.  if you **** off the wrong people, you're out of there, even if there is not a good reason.  But, I do think this is worth the risk.  If I can't have a bad day and keep my job, it obviously is not worth it.

It sounds like you are doing so well.  I am exited for both of us!  It will be nice to not have to get up an extra 2 hours early once a week to make it to a clinic!  

[jewlz2626]

OH, and while your waiting to hear from someone more experienced, go to the top righ of this page, click on Health Pages, and read up on the Amino Acid Protocol, and The Thomas Recipe! They help out with what your body in needing during wd's!

[jewlz2626]

Girl you are down to almost nothing! I dont suggest suboxone, thats only trading one addiction for another. There are more people that know more about subs that me, they will be here shortly. I do know that I am doing it very slow to make it as bearable as possible to jump off of it all together. Taking lortabs are only prolonging the process. You are getting your body used to those, and its going to be withdrawals all over again. I dont know what to say about the job interfering with you being able to go thru w/d's, but it is something that you CAN do, especiallly achieveing such a low methadone dose!! Keep ya head up!! This is a great site for help, and your freedom is SO worth it!! Jewlz