ready to detox

I have been on prescribed Methadone ( 40 mgs daily ) for 3.5 years. for extreme neuralgic pain from diabetes. My "trusted" family doc sent me a letter a couple weeks ago saying that he will no longer provide health care to me since I am a long term narcotics patient and he no longer wants to prescribe narcotics. He told me in private it is because the DEA is coming down on all docs who are not "pain med docs". He knows that in my small town there are no other docs who will prescribe methadone I would have to travel 60 miles and pay a BUNCH of money go to a pain clinic out of town...so I have no choice but to quit even though my (ex) doc says I need the methadone for life. I have acquired 58 8mg suboxone tabs and so  I have no choice but to detox I am scared to death at times to the point of ending it...should I try the suboxone? any suggestions? Anyone else whose docs ar being threatened by the DEA? Or is that just an excuse my dr is using?

[tellit2her]

Hi there, I know what you are going through as the same thing had happened to me and I just went to a methadone clinic and started dosing there, and so far things have worked out very well. I seem to be functioning a lot better now that it is monitored. If all else fails, try to check out a clinic. God bless and good luck, mike in nc

[paintedangel]

We have one methadone clinic here (just opened last monthe) they tell me I do not qualify for their services...I have to be addicted to something other than Methadone (heroin,oxys etc) so maybe I should go but some illegal drugs so I qualify? i ACTUALLY KNOW SOMEONE WHO DID JUST THAT!...CRAZY!  A true catch 22 situation. Makes no sense. They say that since my dr says I need the methaDONE THAT THEY WON'T DEAL WITH ME...sheeeeesh!

[LeaAnn807]

You are in a really tough spot!  Methadone is hard to quit cold turkey.  How much of it do you have left?  (besides the suboxone)  I think that you should consult a doc about the suboxone.  I don't know if anyone here can tell you how to take it after methadone.  Sub can be just as tough to quit.  Is there any way you could get your doc to wean you off the methadone?  Or go to the pain clinic long enough to get weaned off?  I know you need something for pain, but I don't know how to tell you to go about it!

Do you feel that you are truly addicted or dependent?  That will make a big difference in how you go about this in my opinion!

[paintedangel]

After nearly 4 years of taking 40 mgs a day ( methadon) there is no way I could NOT be addicted.My scrip was stolen last year and I had to do without for 10 days and the withdrawals were TERRIBLE!! I ended up in the emergency room on day 10. With my other severe medical issues I have been told that cold turkey withdrawals could be fatal. No my dr will not give me anymore methadone for ANY reason...he made it clear that he is NOT my dr any longer period (after being my family dr for many years) so no help from him period...there are NO other docs here in this town who will even consider prescribing methadone believe me we have talked to every one.ANd no pain clinic.....Thanx for the reply tho!

[hellc@mst]

Hi there. I think what was meant regarding the addicted vesus dependant comment was, are you an addict who constantly obsesses about methadone, runs out of your script early all the time, double doses looking for the high OR are you dependant taking you prescribed dose every day then never giving it another thought until your next dose.

There is no question that you have developed a physical dependance to the methadone after 4 years. If you are dependant rather than an addict you should have an easier phsycological ride; ie fewer if any cravings, you wouldn t have a network of other addicts,dealers calling round trying to tempt you, no need for a comprehensive aftercare program, no need to deal with feelings of guilt and shame etc... But if you are an addict prepare yourself for the longhaul.

The suboxone could be useful if you wanted to slowly detox. You have more than enough pills. If you were going to use them in the interim to hold you until you find a new doctor i would think that you had maybe 3-4 weeks worth.

Good luck. Regards Jeremy.

[paintedangel]

Thanks for replying Jeremy...I may have been confused as to th diff between "dependant" and Addicted" I do sometimes obsess about how many pills I have left...in the past I have taken more than prescribed and then had to make up for that by taking less for a few days, but have not done that for a long time.I never took the drug looking for any sort of high...just relief from severe pain...and methadone works well...at 40 mgs a day  am free enough from pain that I can function well...without the drug I can barely stand for my feet to touch the floor (severe diabetic neuropathy/neuragia) I can no longer pursue my profession and do not qualify for any aid....with no insurance I am pretty well screwed! Now with my dr abandoning me I have no choice but to quit....I want to be very clear...I NEED the methadone, not because I am addicted, but because of my med condition and have been told I should be on the meds for life ( which by all accounts should not be too long...yes its that bad...no exaggeration) So I am in a really bad place.I only hope the few subs I have will help with the withdrawals for now...I have 4 days of methadone left and I am terrified.

[paintedangel]

As I said I have 58 subs 8mgs...will this keep the withdrawals away? and how many should I take at first? I know I have to wait until I am in wd to start....

[kittycat1433]

Did you get the sub from your doc?if so thenwhy would you not take them i get them for a hydo addiction and they work great NOwithdrawl,i haveheard if you stop taing the sub then it could be real bad withdrawl (withdrawal) from those so heck i don't know sub is VERYexp we pay almost dr and script for onemo750 i didn't know methodone clinics are hard to find jst get in your phone bk and get to calling if you know you aren't going to be able to do it on your own there is alot of diffrent kinds of help .wish you luck. remember to pray ,pray and more pray he will help more than anyone at this point!

[gnarly_1]

HI and welcome to the forum...from what it seams your in quit a jam...I detoxed off methadone over 8 1/2 mo and it was ruff I cant imagine C/T from 40mg that going to be ruff at best...you say you have some sub....did you get if from a doctor or score it from a friend?? your doctor could tell you how it should be taken...there are a few members here that know the ins and outs with sub im not one of them my experence is with methadone
I do know this at 40mg your going to have to be in withdrawals for around 72 hr b/4 you take the sub or risk going into something called persipatated withdrawals and it will make you absolutely miserable it is tuff going from methadone to sub when you on more then 20mg of methadone because of this...we have had members have this happen so please consult a doctor b/4 going on the sub it could be disastrous
once on the sub you could then taper off that and be narcotic free...I would still approach the methadone clinic..I haa a similar situation ...I had a falling out with my pain management doctor over some spinal shots ...I refused to take them so he told me if I dident he would no longer perscribe the methadone so I went to the local methadone clinic..with 10+yrs on pain pills and a yr on methadone they took me
I spent the next 5 1/2 yr with the clinic and the whole time they dosed me for back pain you just might have to jump thew some hoops to get them to go along with it
I have said this b/4 the clinics are all about the money as long as you have the cash they usually will take you...I wish I could come up with a better solution for you but you kinda in a real jam and I dont no what else to recommend WHATEVER you do dont just start taking the sub percipatated withdrawals are wost then C/T off the stuff...good luck and God bless...Gnarly      

[paintedangel]

Read my post Kitty...There is only ONE methadone clinic here and they will not take me and I HAVE called and called and called...no help available but thanks for replying
To Gnarly...yes I know about "precipitated withdrawals" I have done my homework on this, just need suooprt from people who have been there. Thanks so much for your reply!

[laurel453]

hi, paintedangel...welcome to the forum

i see you in a tough situation, so here are my 2 cents trying to help with your pain.

i've read you are suffering nerve pain from being diabetic....have you heard of TENS ? i have read some reviews that are critical of TENS as a long term help for chronic back pain ( but i can say that  my brother used them for a very painful lumbociatic he had this winter and he said they helped him a lot and swear for them whenever he has back pain since then... ) but those reviews did said That TENS were really effective with diabetic neurophaty ....

maybe you could google and learn more about them and give it a try ...as a way of controlling your pain  .. :)

[paintedangel]

Nope...did not work at all...Believe me we tried everything..started w lortabs went to dilaudid finally went to methadone and it works great! 40 mgs a day and I can function ...have never needed to up the dose.But now I will be cutoff so I have no choice but to kick and I hope subs are the right way.

[paintedangel]

By the way I have a TENS unit sitting right here in front of me...my pain is caused by diabetes eating nerves.....the TENS unit is not designed for that and it actually does harm.

[laurel453]

ok, sorry to hear the electric current didn't work for you...


anyway, wish you all the luck :)

[quitinoxys]

Welcome to the forum as far as your doc goes he sounds like quite a humanitarian NOT. There is great advice on this forum so keep reading and posting. As for as the TENS device (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator) I have used it before and it does work I pretty sure you can get one w/o a prescription at a surgical supply store.


laurel thanks for the suggestion I almost forgot I still have mine and am going to go look for it for my back pain thank you thank you thank you.

[laurel453]

hahaha..you know? i was just  going to suggest them to you just in case...And having already a jacuzzi,  now he needs the tens, just not at the same time..Lol

go for them  :)

[laurel453]

i read the opposite here http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/news/20091230/

of course, you know better what helps or not with your pain, sure .

[paintedangel]

As I said I OWN a TENS unit....My cat loves to curl up on it when its humming along but that is the only use I have for it LOL!...I even took a 3 day course in its proper use ....but NOPE! Thanks for the tip though. Thanx for all the replies you guys and girls...I really appreciate them

[falconflyer]

Like most things in life the fear of the actual event i.e the fear of a dog biting you is far worse than the actual pain of the bite!! you wont off this muck, so push for that and except nothing else.. get a small a mount of benzo's, If your on 40mls(must be stronger in U.S, as thats v.low dose in eire) but no matter the withdrawls will be the same. Plan 8wks, drop 5mls a time...you'l be sick every day after the each drop but the changes in your body recovering will be self evident each decrease.. Don't go too fast, slow and steedy is the  key. After the last 5mls you will suffer but not a even 100th of going straight cold turkey...you can do it. I did before and will/am 4days off high dose myself..Keep putting one foot in front of the other drink plenty of fluids(pain killers/non opiate based) you'll be ok, I know it... good luck x ger

[paintedangel]

I guess I am not making myself understood...I CANNOT wean myself off the methadone...I have 2 days of them left and no prospect of getting more ( read my posts) I do not WANT to quit...I NEED the meds but I have been screwed by what I thought was a trusted doctor. What are benzos? As previously stated I have acquired 58 suboxone tabs and I'm hoping they will prevent some of the withdrawals and keep me sane until I can find a doc to prescribe methadone. Yes 40 mg a day is not a huge dose but the withdrawals are the same...horriffic! Thank you for your help though...it is appreciated.