help with methadone withdrawal

I had a serious back injury and was on a LOT of pain killers for a couple of years.  240 mg a day of Oxycontin.  3- 80 mg tabs a day.  I also had 10 mg tablets of Loratab for breakthrough pain.  I was going to a pain clinic.  I got a divorce and lost my insurance.  My wife worked for the government, and the branch she worked for didn't have a cobra option for the insurance.  And because of the preexisting condition I couldn't get more insurance.  I tried to pay for my treatment out of pocket....but after a few months I couldn't afford it.  So, I ended up going to a methadone clinic, so I could still get a pain killer, to help me.  I am on 55 mg a day of methadone.  I was very afraid about doing this, but I didn't have a lot of choices.  I kept the dosage as low as I could to take care of the pain.  It really didn't do as well as the other pain killers, but I could at least walk.  Even though I am in pain most of the time.  The methadone had other effects of me.  I am sleeping 12-14 hours a day. And can't seem to get enough sleep.  I think that may be depression...but I don't know.  

My problem is that I wish I could get off the methadone.  Since I feel like I am imprisoned by the clinic.  It costs me over 350 per month for my dose.  That is alright, but I have to go every 3 days to get it.  I had to go everyday for a long time.  And only now am I able to go every 3 days.  I have been doing this for 18 months now.  They make me take a urine test once a month. And I have never had a dirty urine.  Since I dont drink or do any other drugs.

How can I get off of this??  I am afraid of the withdrawal...and the pain that I might be in.  Is it better to get back on a more short acting pain killer before detoxing?  So the detox wont last as long?  I would like some input from anyone that can help.

Thanks,  Atlantajon

[Holliee]

Hello I a m also on methadone and basically the same reason that you are. I was in a accident and ended up have back surgery and helped some first yr but after that pain was back worse than before. Doc had me on oxy's also and I ended up bad on them. Tried suboxone but that didnt work no help with the pain for me also made me very nervous and couldnt sleep. That is how I ended up on methadone at 95mg been there 2 yrs and I now have 2 weeks worth of take homes all urine tested once month... How come u there that long and still have to go 3 days week that must be hard on you.. I would suggest a slow taper there is a few on here that just got down with methadone taper slowly and have had a huge success. If you would like to no more message... also Garnly just got off done, he is a great help...