Weaning off of Methadone

  This post is for my girlfriend; although she does not know I am doing this, I care a lot about her and wish to help her out in this time of need.  She was perscribed oxycodone for her back pain and became addicted over time.  She was tried to hide her addition from me and tried to quit pills cold turkey, but the withdrawl (withdrawal) effects were to powerful for her so she went a methadone clinic.
  At first, it seemed that Methadone was perfect for her; it helped her out for her back pain and helped her out with her headaches caused by a sinus infection (which she's had for a long time).  After countless amounts of adverse symptoms, we both starting having second thoughts.  
  One day, after being 5 mins late for dispersal at the clinic, she was denied her dose for the day, so we both decided for her to start getting off of methadone. She is currently at 120mg a day and we feel that she can easily get down to 20 - 30mg a day, after reading most of the articles and forums, but what we are worried about is once she goes below the 20 - 30mg a day, how she will react to the withdrawl (withdrawal) symptoms?  We know that the methadone is masking her back and head pains and we are worried how strong will they come back once she gets below 20 - 30mg a day?
  Also, she does not have medical insurance, so we are worried that if we need any medical treatment we won't be able to afford it.  Does anyone have any help or advise?  

[Dpilot]

If she can taper to that amount then she can taper lower untill she is off the methadone untill she is completely clean, on the other hand if she has genuine pain then there is no reason she should have to go through life with that pain. The thing to watch for is weather or not her pain is real or the addicted brain telling her that it is still painful. The addicted brain WILL try to play tricks. Good luck and keep coming back here. We all are here for you and to support you and her. Maybe you can get her to join the forum herself. It really works better for those of us who are addicted to speak for ourselves, and to speak to others like ourselves who know what we have been, and are going through.

[cheree25]

Hi just respoding to your question about weaning off methadone. I can only tell you how it was for me and I that I am so happy to be off methadone. Horrible withdrawls especially at the end. However I was taking more that a 120 mg. The clinic increased my dose a little more and I went to a clinic to get off norco's had taken oxy's in the beginning then went to norco's. When I could not resupply the drug I pannicked and went to a clinic. If I knew what methadone would have been like when withdrawing(w/d are longer acting then other opiate withdrawls) I would have not even started at the clinic. I actual went into rehab to be withdrawn off the drug in 45 days at a high dose . At the end I have the worse w/d's and they continued for 3 weeks after the last dose. I went back to treatment because I did not want to ever take methadone again and wanted to live a life free of opiates. Although it was tough being withdrawn from the drug and this is only my experience I am so happy I am not a slave to the clinic anymore!!! I wish I never went there. However it is a good transition from oxy's to methadone and I would definetley encourage you to continue the taper and hang in there through the tough part. I am not a doctor, just have had a horrible experience with methadone and I know bupinorphine is an alternative you can ask about ? I hope this helped at all and you should be proud of her for the progress.

[Bsims]

Here is a quote from Dr. David Arneson's online article, found at this website: http://www.dpeg.org/treatment/methadone_withdrawal.htm;

"Furthermore, long term opiate use eventually create[s] what is termed the opiate pain syndrome

[beachtowel]

Insurance is always a problem but Addicts find ways to see Doctors> Somehow she needs to scrap enough money up to see a doctor who treats addicts. They can perscribe subutox or suboxone which are very effective for withdrawl (withdrawal) symtoms (symptoms).
Methodone is a very good way to get off drugs but the addict will start to use Methodone as a replacement and then things go to hell.
I agree with a reply to your post pain is pain. But in an addict the brain can fool the body. You can be pain free physically but mentally fooled. The pain can feel real as long as your on meds. Addiction is cruel, it changes your life like you can't believe. Some are lucky and fight through it without much collateral damage some not so lucky and leave many victims in their wake.

good luck

[looking up]

I have been on methadone for 6 yrs.  I was taking about 30-40 mg. a day and after about 4 yrs. I decided to  get off this stuff.  Well, I tapered down to 10-15mg. every other day but I WANT TO GET OFF, please help.  I am afraid of getting withdrawals.  If I continue to taper off will I eventually get off of this stuff.  Please help.  I really want to get rid of my crutch!!!!  With much gratitude.      Chicken

[maggiebliss]

Hi! I am on 200 miligrams of methadone and I was told by my counselor that going down 10 miligrams a week would be ideal until I get to about 150, then go down aloswer...is 10 miligrams too much to start? even though I am on a high dose. Has anyone else been on a high dose like me and weened off at 10 miligrams to start? please give me advice