weaning off of methadone

I have been reading this forum for answers and kind of feel stupid for asking for help when everyone else seems to have worse probems.  

Here is my issue:  About 7 years ago I was having horrible back pains and severe lower stomach pains.  i went to the hospital and found out that I had scoliosis and some kidney stones.  They prescribed vicodin for the pain.  I was taking about 4 750's a day.  Then I found out that I was pregnant about a week later.  No doctor would take the stones out and they were too big to pass (a centimeter and a half each).   And the back pain was extremely painful.  So the doctor still said that it was safe to take vicodin for the pain in my pregnancy.  I took half of what was prescribed because I was worried about the baby.  Everything went fine until I had my son.  I have never felt so much pain in my life and I have had 3 children.  They did surgery to get the stones out, but I was still prescribed vicodin for my back pain....I was up to taking 7 to 10 vicodin a day and was a mess.  I tried to quit over and over again with no luck!  I went to a different doctor because I was worried about my liver  and hated being so dependant on those damn pills.  she put me on methadone.  i am only taking 30 mgs a day, but I would really love to not have to take anything.  I need to know how this is going to work.  How sick will I get seeing that I am only on 30 mgs a day?  do I cut it in half?  I can actually go a day without taking anything and be okay.  But If it is over 24 to 30 hours, I get sick.  I am terrified to not take anything anymore. I think my mental addiction will be the worse part of it and it scares me to death.  Has any one been on a low dose like me and quit??  

I would really appreciate any help.  Thanks.

peanut7979

ps
has any one gained weight on methadone?? j/w

[Wolfmedicine]

Hey Peanut,

You can go a day without because of the long half life of MD.  24-36 hrs. is when it actually is getting out of your body, thus wd's.  Cutting 30 in half is a BAD idea.  You will get sick.  30 mg. is not a high dose but it's nothing to sneeze at either.  Pain and wd is all relevent.....MD is a gift that keeps giving also.  Unlike many opiates/opioids that take a few days to maybe a week to begin feeling better once you quit, MD can take weeks.  

How long have you been taking the 30mg?  That would make a big difference in your level of wd.  You are under a Doctors care.  My suggestion is that you discuss the fact that you want off of the MD and follow a rampdown schedule that they prescribe.  Keep us posted.  Good luck.

[gnarly_1]

HI We have had members ween themselves off 30mg b/4 if you do it slowly the withdrawals are manageable...I have helped a lot of people off methadone if you would like some help I can assist you and give you the support you will need its nothing you do overnight it takes a wile are you on liquid or do you take 3 10mg pills ?? ether way I got a cgood taper plan off a neo/natal nurse that brings babys off heroin methadone oxy ext if its safe enough for a baby it safe enough for us....I used it to ween off 150mg of the stuff took 8 1/2 mo if you want it I can send it to you threw the messenger we no longer post them in the forum keep posting for support in a couple of months we can have you off this stuff good luck and God bless.....Gnarly