how fast weaning off methadone?

Hi. I have been on 50mgs methadone for 7 years. My Dr. wants to wean me off at 5mgs a week to start. I think that is way to fast considering the amount of time I have been on this stuff. I think 2mgs a week is good. Any opinions? I look at it this way. If it takes a year to wean off, so what? Why not try to make it as easy as possible instead of risking a relapse?

[skoochie]

I personally think you should go slower, obviously your Dr. does not know how bad the withdrawls are and it can take up to 5 days before you feel the drop, by then you have to do another 5mg drop and then your body wont have time to adjust and you'll be in some fun withdrawals the whole time you are dropping.  I have been having pretty good results with 2.5mg every two weeks.

[BornTwoRiff]

I would go as slow as I could and let your body get use to each drop.. If you are in no hurry and been on them that long I would take my time but be consistant. I was on 100mcg/h patch and I took months to get off,, I rush the end and made it worse than it should have been. Go slow.. better that then shock your body and mind to where you are sick.. My oppion anyway,, lots here likes the c/t way as they just needed to get off drugs. I had been on the patch for 6 years so I took my time.. under doctors care. He did not want me to wean as fast as I did but I felt like I could..

[lucyred68]

2 mg's a week is even fast especially at the end.  i did 20 mg's the first week, 10 mgs tne next then 5 mg's and it was absolutely the hardest and most painful thing i have ever done.  it deffinately made me not want to ever touch the stuff again, so that could be a good side effect of going too fast, but if you have to function, do it very slowly.  i was totally out of it for a total month,

Lucy

[Penelope14]

I just spoke with my counselor & I wanted to know the absolute truth, how long will it take for these withdrawals to end, she told me that being that Im at such a low dose, 1mg, it can take anywhere from 8 to 22 days for relief, as methadone has such a long half life, & lets say you jump off at 20 mgs, then your talking even a longer time period to bounce back, so do try & get as low as you can prior to taking the plunge. Penelope

[spackle]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to push my doc for a 2.5mg a week wean. He is actually pretty cool and think will go for it even though "The Book" may say different. As we all know "the book" is not the human body and does not suffer withdrawals. My only problem may be his assistant who is a condescending b***h who rolled her eyes at me when I suggested a 2.5mg wean plan. She has his ear most times and is the reason I hate most doctors.

[kim715]

I didn't wean off I jumped off at 25mg,I was on it for a year.I never went above 35mg.  the first nine days were hell to say the least for me it was times ten the withdrawl (withdrawal) I had experienced from the vic's when I used to run low,but day 10 was WOW somuch better and today is the same. I actually feel really good today. Lots of Love.

[sadinmichigan]

given the amount of time you have been on it..5mg is way too fast..You should start with 2mg every 14 days at first and see how you feel..Good Luck  

[Penelope14]

Kim, It was not you & in which I was refering to, this is only a general overall guess, that many doctors & counselors will tell you when your tapering, I was never pointing any fingers, just a general overall guess in how methadone detox works. Im happy that you are doing so well!!  Penelope

[feohmoon]

Considering the length of time that you have been on methadone, a 2.5mg.drop per week is definately in your best interest.  
By tapering slowly, you will do this with far more ease than otherwise.  A short term methadone maintenance program is less than 2 years and you were on it 7 years...you can do this and we will all help you as much as possible.  
Something that helped my fiance and I alot is the fact that we tapered for 7 months as well as our frame of mind.  We made the decision to detox and for the first time in our life, we did not fear, dread or fight the withdrawals...we embraced them and recognized the pain and discomfort as a necessity to rid ourselves of this drug that will rob you of emotions and numb you to the world.  
The mental clarity you get within the first week off is priceless and a wonderful incentive to stay clean.
Best of luck
Peace