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Methadone: Finally, it's "Game Over!"
Hi folks. I haven't been on this forum for quite a while. For those who don't know or don't remember, I was on a long term methadone detox of my own planning.
Well, after about three years, I can now finally say the following;
It has been one week since I've had any methadone in my system.
In fact, I'm not taking anything at the moment. Be it clonidine, benzo's, sleeping aids... even aspirin.
And I feel totally fine.
Well... as totally fine as a Savas ever gets. ;->
So for those who wondered how it would go, it seems that the deductions I made based on extrapolation from medical information and the steps I took as a result were VERY successful.
I'll point out that I did this entirely without any pharmaceutical aids, be it vitamin, mineral, or prescription. I merely cut dose at appropriate moments and ate a reasonably healthy diet, while avoiding putting anything in my system I felt could have a noticeable impact.
That might not work for everyone, mind you. But imagine how easy it could be if you DO use those aids that are discussed here, since I did it without them.
Please note I'm not saying it was a cakewalk. But I never had a moment during this where I suffered any serious physical symptoms. The worst I suffered (and other people as a result of it - unfortunately) was the occasional stress related...I'll call it irritability to be diplomatic.
But Savases are known to be high strung and occasionally unreasonable (according to others...like Mrs_Savas...who I DON"T agree with on this issue;-) ), so it might have been unrelated to the detox.
If you have any questions about "The Savas Method of Methadone/ Opiate Detox", feel free to ask or PM me.
yours Truly;
Savas
Small Animals CL/ Cat Co-CL
Well, after about three years, I can now finally say the following;
It has been one week since I've had any methadone in my system.
In fact, I'm not taking anything at the moment. Be it clonidine, benzo's, sleeping aids... even aspirin.
And I feel totally fine.
Well... as totally fine as a Savas ever gets. ;->
So for those who wondered how it would go, it seems that the deductions I made based on extrapolation from medical information and the steps I took as a result were VERY successful.
I'll point out that I did this entirely without any pharmaceutical aids, be it vitamin, mineral, or prescription. I merely cut dose at appropriate moments and ate a reasonably healthy diet, while avoiding putting anything in my system I felt could have a noticeable impact.
That might not work for everyone, mind you. But imagine how easy it could be if you DO use those aids that are discussed here, since I did it without them.
Please note I'm not saying it was a cakewalk. But I never had a moment during this where I suffered any serious physical symptoms. The worst I suffered (and other people as a result of it - unfortunately) was the occasional stress related...I'll call it irritability to be diplomatic.
But Savases are known to be high strung and occasionally unreasonable (according to others...like Mrs_Savas...who I DON"T agree with on this issue;-) ), so it might have been unrelated to the detox.
If you have any questions about "The Savas Method of Methadone/ Opiate Detox", feel free to ask or PM me.
yours Truly;
Savas
Small Animals CL/ Cat Co-CL
Hi Savas---My Old and Dear Friend......
I get on here so very rarely and that is my fault. Tonight I was sitting here playing solitare on the computer and I came in for a brief moment. There are no coincidences. Here you are and I am so happy for you and so very proud! You go buddy!
Take care of yourself man!!!!!!!!!!
Big hugs....Bonnie
I get on here so very rarely and that is my fault. Tonight I was sitting here playing solitare on the computer and I came in for a brief moment. There are no coincidences. Here you are and I am so happy for you and so very proud! You go buddy!
Take care of yourself man!!!!!!!!!!
Big hugs....Bonnie
Thanks again, all.
It's still a little unreal; the idea I don't have to deal with it anymore. But... it is very satisfying to be done with. For once, i seem to be at a loss for words in expressing just how satisfying it is. :->
It's still a little unreal; the idea I don't have to deal with it anymore. But... it is very satisfying to be done with. For once, i seem to be at a loss for words in expressing just how satisfying it is. :->
-- Incredibly great work to everyone that gets clean!! I applaud you Savas - wonderful !!
please keep this thread going, you are now one week off methadone, i am curious to see what happens at week 3, thats typically when the acute wd's start, but i would like to know if you experience this, since you went down so slow.....congradulations...xo
BIG congrats, Savas! I am SO happy for you! That's WONDERFUL news!
Hugs,
Ghilly and the Kittehs
Hugs,
Ghilly and the Kittehs
Congrats! it sounds like it took a while , but you're recovery is going good and smooth.
you have given your body the time to keep up with the changes of coming off and you are going to be fine. i commend the ones that endure the cold turkey route, but it is so shocking to the body and brain that i believe the recovery takes much longer and maybe even more damaging to the brain.
i also tappered down slowly on my own at a comfortable pace. i did not experience any depression or do i struggle with cravings at all. adding more scripts only makes the problem worse. everyone has to teach their bodies to do all of everything on it's own again.
as far as the job thing and all, it is rough for everyone now. but at least we are not addicts- right? and then the possibilities are unlimited!!!!
you have given your body the time to keep up with the changes of coming off and you are going to be fine. i commend the ones that endure the cold turkey route, but it is so shocking to the body and brain that i believe the recovery takes much longer and maybe even more damaging to the brain.
i also tappered down slowly on my own at a comfortable pace. i did not experience any depression or do i struggle with cravings at all. adding more scripts only makes the problem worse. everyone has to teach their bodies to do all of everything on it's own again.
as far as the job thing and all, it is rough for everyone now. but at least we are not addicts- right? and then the possibilities are unlimited!!!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
You have to take care of you and your family Savas as these times will get tougher for us all.
Thanks, glad to see your still about y'all!
I spent three years on it, but honestly, I probably could have done it in a lot less time. I was being incredibly cautious because I've never actually spoken to anyone who tried doing it this way (just word of mouth). I was aware of the fact that it can take up to six months to a year for the physical changes to take place in your brain (pain receptors dying off and the like) so I tended to over estimate the time needed in between drops.
The ironic thing is I went into the clinic last week and they told me they needed to do a test because I'd tested negative for methadone in my system. At this point, I'd been taking about .25 milligrams of methadone a day for about three months (down from one half milligram for three months before that).
The only thing I can think is that the reserves that had been built up in my body had finally washed out entirely.
I went home that day, thought about it, and the next day didn't take my dose.
I felt fine when I woke up the next day after that so didn't take anything again. It's now been a week and I realized that it's long past the time i should have felt some sort of repercussions. But nada. Not a sniffle, not a cramp, not an upset stomach, no affect in my sleeping, not anything.
I always said I'd let others know how it went. I know there are very few people who have successfully come off this drug, especially without any help whatsoever.
So to those out there who want off, and they don't have access to all the nifty or not so nifty drugs that you can use... it is possible to get totally off, without suffering anything more than occassional minor symptoms while you do it. It just takes time and patience.
I'll write up a final detailed account of "the last days" to add onto the previous faq I wrote called "Methadone/opiate detox realities part 1 & 2".
Anyone who has questions knows where to find me.
I have missed you folks on the addiction forums, but sadly, I ran into a case of job discrimination due to an employer seeing my activity on this forum so I've limited myself to posting just on the non-drug related forums and kept my discussions on drug addiction to private e-mail.
The discrimination was Illegal?
Yes.
Provable? not easily. Cowardly? Perhaps. But these are hard times and I had to make the "safe, economical choice" for the sake of self and loved ones.
That's why I haven't been around. I'm taking a bit of a risk posting this message right now... but I felt it was important I let others know that this is possible to do.
I spent three years on it, but honestly, I probably could have done it in a lot less time. I was being incredibly cautious because I've never actually spoken to anyone who tried doing it this way (just word of mouth). I was aware of the fact that it can take up to six months to a year for the physical changes to take place in your brain (pain receptors dying off and the like) so I tended to over estimate the time needed in between drops.
The ironic thing is I went into the clinic last week and they told me they needed to do a test because I'd tested negative for methadone in my system. At this point, I'd been taking about .25 milligrams of methadone a day for about three months (down from one half milligram for three months before that).
The only thing I can think is that the reserves that had been built up in my body had finally washed out entirely.
I went home that day, thought about it, and the next day didn't take my dose.
I felt fine when I woke up the next day after that so didn't take anything again. It's now been a week and I realized that it's long past the time i should have felt some sort of repercussions. But nada. Not a sniffle, not a cramp, not an upset stomach, no affect in my sleeping, not anything.
I always said I'd let others know how it went. I know there are very few people who have successfully come off this drug, especially without any help whatsoever.
So to those out there who want off, and they don't have access to all the nifty or not so nifty drugs that you can use... it is possible to get totally off, without suffering anything more than occassional minor symptoms while you do it. It just takes time and patience.
I'll write up a final detailed account of "the last days" to add onto the previous faq I wrote called "Methadone/opiate detox realities part 1 & 2".
Anyone who has questions knows where to find me.
I have missed you folks on the addiction forums, but sadly, I ran into a case of job discrimination due to an employer seeing my activity on this forum so I've limited myself to posting just on the non-drug related forums and kept my discussions on drug addiction to private e-mail.
The discrimination was Illegal?
Yes.
Provable? not easily. Cowardly? Perhaps. But these are hard times and I had to make the "safe, economical choice" for the sake of self and loved ones.
That's why I haven't been around. I'm taking a bit of a risk posting this message right now... but I felt it was important I let others know that this is possible to do.
Huge congratulations are in order my friend........that took a lot of everything to get done. Do you, by any chance, have a number of days that you spent on the taper? It would be quite informative to know. But most importantly - - congrats to you!! I hope you dont abandon medhelp - you've been around here a while now ..........you have a lot of good comments for new people...... maybe some even have cats or something. You can scout out some competition. Best of luck, regardless - - - eagle - - - - and to the wife, also!
congrats on getting of the methadone. thats awesome..i am like sarah though..i didnt even know you were on it..
Just wanted to say congratulations on kicking the methadone. Keep up the positive outlook, best of luck to you.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ya know i never knew you were on Methadone Savas.......the things we learn!!!!! Glad to hear you are feeling good and congrats on 1 week of being meth free!!!! I have a feeling that Mrs_Savas can handle herself pretty good with you!!!!!! LOL sara
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