trying to get off methadone

does anyone have any suggestions on how to get off methadone without feeling like your going to die?

[allaboutmary]

Feohmoon is tapering off methadone and might be able to help you.  Also Wait2long knows alot about it.  Hang on someone should help you soon.

[allaboutmary]

bumping post up

[allaboutmary]

I have sent them both personal messages.  Please don't give up on this site.  It really will help you so much.  Everyone is probably eating dinner and will be on later.   Hugs   Mary

[allaboutmary]

You still there ?   How much are you taking and for how long ?   This will help them when they come on.  

[mommy52713]

im taking anywhere between 30-40 miligrams a day not a whole lot but enough to get sick.

[mommy52713]

im taking anywhere between 30-40 miligrams a day not a whole lot but enough to get sick.

[neworleansJ29]

How u doing there? I am currently on "The Beast" as well and know exactly what your going through both physically and emotionaly. I kicked this **** back in 2001 and stayed clean for 4 years. But like the stupid addict that I am, unfortunatly got back on. All I can say is that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it's a much better life off this stuff. How long have u been on methadone?

[usarmymedic1]

I tappered off of methadone from30mg in 8 days but I was but on it just for the tapper I was on hydro's and I did not have that bad of the W/D from it all. longterm us should be tappered by how you feel don't get into a tapper that is to fast if you have w/d symptoms froam a lower dose stay at that dose until your body adjusts to it the down maybe at 5mg incruments or smaller at a time. that is what I would say but others might say differant so hang in there and keep posting people will answer you

have a good night and stay strong stay army strong
chris

[mr.lucky66]

Are you taking the "done " from the street? I only say this because you say the amount varies and you could be taking it from a pain Rx. I have lived on methadone for many years and kicked it many times in many ways. Don't let it intimidate you! "Methadone, there's no future in it". all the best

[wait2long]

hello, and welcome!!
first off how long have you been taking 30-40 mgs daily? and has that always been your dose?
there are a few ways you can try to get off methadone...you can do a slow taper, and when i say a slow taper i mean very slow, like 2 mgs per month, the only problems i hear is that even when you get down to that 2 mgs and it is time to jump off completely, the WD's are still pretty bad, i have also heard people say that a taper plan was nothing to them but a long drawn out withdrawal process.others say differently, depending on how long you have been taking 30-40 mgs a day, really does impact how you will feel coming off from it, unfortunately.
others have gone cold turkey, but i just cant even imagine that, even at your moderate dose, it would be extremely hard on you. but it is an option. the main problem with methadone is that the withdrawal process is so long, up to 6 weeks, depending on dose and length of time on it, so that can vary. to hard to predict the outcome other than it being hard and quite uncomfortable.
another option is to transition from methadone to a shorter acting opiod, like percocets or vicodens for at least a month, then get off those, which would be 10 times easier to do, but most doctors wont go for that, but worth asking your doctor about, you never know...
another option is to transition from methadone to suboxone or subutex, (which is what i did) sub is used quite often now to get people off drugs, you can tailor it to your own needs, short term detox or long term maintenance (i am on long term)...if you want short term detox switching from methadone, you really should be on it for around 4-6 weeks to make sure you have bypassed the worst of the methadone WD's.
if your thinking long term then that time frame has to be discussed with your doctor.
in order to even start suboxone treatment you have to be down to 20-30 mgs of methadone per day for at least 2 weeks, but i would say closer to a month based on my experience. once your dose is down, you have to be in withdrawals from the methadone BEFORE you can take your first dose of sub, and that time can vary, it took me almost 5 full days to even start WD's, i took my first dose of sub too early (for me) and was put into immediate precipitated WD's...which was awful!  but this doesnt happen in all cases....
but for me, if not for the suboxone, i would still be taking methadone, i simply wasnt strong enough to last the possibly 6 weeks of WD's, so i chose the long term maintenance with suboxone.
and it is working, but this does require some work still, but thats something we can talk about if you decide to go this route...its up to you, but as of now these are the only options available...
methadone is the worst drug to try to kick, you have a battle in front of you with this one, but it can be done, people do succeed with the options above.
good luck, and if you have any questions, i MAY be able to answer them for you...

[toxictome]

I don't have any experience w/meth...but i just wanted to say welcome!!! You have found a great site...soo many people offering help and support. You can do this and we'll be here to get you thru it.Keep posting w/ any questions or comments...it really helps so you don't feel so alone.

We are all  in some stage of this journey.....together we can!!

Glad you're here!!!

[feohmoon]

Welcome to the forum.  Hopefully you wil find the support and compassion here that you need in this journey.  
My fiance and I were on 110mg.nethadone in Aug.'07, tomorrow is our last day at the clinic, we will dose @7mg, then go ct from there.  We have given a lot of thought to the proper time frame, we have been awaiting March 6 for some time now.  We are well aware the worst lies ahead but so does the best!
There are many remedies that can alleviate alot of the pain and discomfort, both mental and physical, of withdrawal.  Being well educated on what you will go through will help.  There is no need to fight the withfrawals, just embrace them and know that each day is a day closer to your ultimate goal.  Please check out my journals for information to make the transition easier on you.  
As to which route you elect to take....tapering seems to pruduce more success stories.  Positive thinking and a good frame of mind are essential.  This forum is pricesless.
Best of luck, please let us know what you decide.  This can be done....many have done it.
Continue to post as we are awaiting to hear from you.
Peace