dOne saved me

Question

I was on hydrocodone for several years, 4 or 5 years. I used 10mg hydrocodone pills 4 to 6 times per day. There were a few weekends I even took 8! But for the previous months I was trying to taper and could get down to 3 in a day, but then back to 4 per day. Consistently took 4 per day for a few weeks but just could not quit. No way! Well then my doctor actually asked me if I'd like to try a low dose of methadone...Well at the moment I am very glad i did! I am now on the 72hr mark off the hydrocodone. And I take 1/3rd of what was prescribed to me. I was prescribed #90 of the 10mg methadone pills take 1 threee times daily. Well I take a half of one in the morning, and a half of one late in the afternoon and thats it. I have not felt good like this in a long time. I know seasoned users will tell me that I'm still in trouble...but I want to do this. I am taking 10mg of methadone per day and it does not get me high and I will never abuse it. Nor will I ever go back to using hydro. I just feel good right now and I dont want this to be taken away from me. So I probably need to immediately begin tapering off the methadone. right??

wait2long · Answer

i would try to get off it asap...methadone can do wonders, but is highly addictive and the most difficult to get off.. your on a low dose...so start now, so you dont get hooked. trust me, you dont want to be addicted to methadone at any dose hun...
i would start the taper now...even 3-5 days after your last dose, you can still feel the effects of methadone...the half life is extremely long and sticks to your receptors like superglue...

worried878 · Answer

geez...i do not want this to sound negative as i am glad u have a plan...you feel well perhaps because 10 mg of methadone is probably close in dose strength to the 4  hydros you were taking before if not more so in some ways...2 different drugs but methadone is stronger and sticks around in your body for days...not saying anything bad as i see patients everyday on methadone for pain issues...it sounds like you have a plan...just be sure you are moving forward...forward and not backward...be careful

bubbaganoosh · Answer

Im not here to judge but if you feel ok so be it. well you dont have to begin to taper of no since your on it you can do that or work on few things in your life then do it, 10mg of methadone isnt alot why did they start you on only that?.its great your feeling ok on it maybe because of its long half life,  flipside you will get less side effects on that dose i find the lower i go less side effects too, anyhow if you can limit your time on methadone i think the better some will argue that though, and say if your fine why taper at all? the choice is yours and were all different. but its good your feeling well .  :)

fishmeal · Answer

Ummm Yea... get off as soon as you can.  I've been on methadone light, (suboxone), for 2 years and am getting tired of depending on it but have a much better life than I did while doing the norcos.  You're not that "into" it so get off as soon as possible.  Yes, you will feel some discomfort but... hey it's so very worth it!

cathy5841 · Answer

if i were you i would taper off the methadone as soon as possible.  i have not ever taken it, but others here have and have bad experiences.  talk to penelope.  she is just finishing a taper off it.  good luck to you
cathy