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what to do?

I have been on methadone for 5 years. It all started with migraine's that I've had since I was a teenager but when I was in my early twenties the doc started giving me vicodin. I had just had my first child and couldn't deal with the migraine's so I was happy to have something to help. I took the vicodin for a few years and then it stopped helping but I was addicted and it took more and more. I went to my family doc that had bty been my doc since 16 and he prescribed me methadone. At first it was great no withdraw from the vicodin and it seemed ti help the migraines better. Well he kept giving it to me and then I got pregnant but I heard and was told by a couple of doctors that it was dangerous to withdraw from methadone when you were pregnant and as much as I didn't want to harm my baby I didn't want to lose her either. I already had 3 boys and she was finally my little princess. Believe me I carry a lot of guilt about taking it while pregnant but I only took 20mg a day. My doctor since I was 16 was prescribing it for me and he and my ob were keeping a close eye on me and the baby. About 5 months into the pregnancy my doc got sick and just like that he was dying with cancer. The docs that took over his practice refused to give me the methadone so I went to a clinic. My babygirl was born and she was great only had to stay in the hospital for 3 days and that's only because I has a c-section. She's 3 now and a wonderful gift but I still feel guilty everytime I look at her. A little after she was born I found a doc that would prescribe me the methadone so no more clinic. Fastforward to now................He's decided that he wants to go back to his true roots (internal medicine) and not prescribe methadone anymore. He has several patients that were on methadone and now we are all out in the cold. I really want off this drug I'm tired of the hold it's had on me but with everything I read about the withdraw I'm terrified. If it were just me I maybe could do it but I have 4 kids and a job and I'm the only one to take care of them. My job has no idea I take this so I can't go to them and tell them why I may need time off and who knows how long. I thought about soboxin but it's expensive and I have no insurance. There is a local clinic but it's $14.00 a day and transportation is a problem. I don't know what to do!!!!!!!!! I can't lay in the bed for 1 day muchless countless days to get better I have to take care of my kids they are 11 and younger. I can't believe this doctor who was supposed to care about me would do this. He could have at least tapered me off.  I'm open for any and all suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to read this
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Avatar universal
The thought of withdrawals terrify me, too, which is one of the reasons I'm tapering.  I think your best bet would be to really do your research and listen to the people who've been down the path of methadone withdrawal.  My doctors suggested several times to go the methadone route and I said no, and now I am very thankful for that.  I had a couple of times I wound up in serious withdrawal (like 3 days with no meds.)  First time, I didn't know it; thought I was just really sick.  I let myself run out of meds and then the mail was late.

It's hard with kids.  My kids are older and it's still hard.  I think making meals ahead is a great idea.  It's probably a good idea in general :)  When I finally stop my taper, I'm going to make sure everything is clean, laundry is caught up (hah!), and meals are pre-made.  I think it's easier to feel sick when things are clean and done.  A mess makes everyone feel worse.

I'm in a bad financial situation for several reasons (being out of work for 4 years with surgeries, no child support regularly, poor financial planning.)  But the truth is, we can all repair finances eventually and we can't always get our health and mental/emotional health back.  That's way more important for you and your kids.

Good luck with whatever you decide.  And on your job decision!
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Avatar universal
thank you so much for your answers! Honestly I'n not as scared as I was. I finally got someone to call me bacl from the doctor's office today and they said the doc wanted to give me thw withdraw meds (clonodine, vistoral, and phenagan i probably spelled all wrong) from reading I see that they do help but my problem is my job. Although I did tell them from the start I was on methadone I'm not sure they'll let me have the time off. Yesterday I got a really good job offer from my old job that I really want but they did not know I was on methadone. Even though I take it or started taking it for migraine's people just tend to look at you funny when you mention this drug. I'm going to talk to the manager tomorrow about the new job and I don't know how long I can put off starting it without losing the opportunity. Then I think about losing two weeks of work and being a family that lives from paycheck to paycheck this scares me. We are already behind on bills. So I guess what I'm asking is would it be possible to take the withdraw meds and work? my current job is at a 24 hour residential facility that caters to young children with behavorial problems. the job i would be going to would be a assistant deli manager at a grocery store. This morning when i woke up I was sure there was no way I could do this but now I feel like i really want to. over the past couple of years i have no desire to do anything. i only leave the house to work and if i could be better and get my life back i think its worth it. its been a long time since i've known who the real me is. my original plan was soboxin but that's exchanging one habit for another from what i hear. wow can you tell i'm confused. thank you again for your answers i will keep you posted.
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Avatar universal
I'm so sorry to hear of your worries and troubles. I don't know how much help I can be, I can't decide for you on what steps to take. I can however relate. Today marks 14 days of c/t (cold turkey) detox from methadone. I did it alone, without help and while raising 2 children. The only other difference in our stories is that I work from home. It does take 2 full weeks to feel human again. I had zero sleep last night and I'm anxious so even at 14 days I have moments like day 5. You will need 2 business weeks off from work, unless you sit at a desk and then I think you could return by day 10 of your detox but definitely not sooner than that. You won't be capable of decent sleep till about then, and by decent I mean 2 hours.

To make it simple:
Days 1 & 2 = no real discomfort or symptoms for me (this is because of methadone's half life).

Days 3-6 were the worst. 3 anxiety, sleepy and scared days. I received meds during this time which helped immensely. I wasn't in pain, I was simply exhausted and nervous. I didn't take any OC (over the counter) pain relievers at this time.

Days 7- 10 were the steady climb up the wellness hill. Every other day felt amazing, then I'd get an energy crash. I did do all I could on good days, rested on bad days. My stomach issues began here as well as severe bone pain (back) at day 8&9. It was manageable with 500 mg tylenol every 4-6 hours (I mean, it went away with it.).

Days 11 - 14 All are great except I can't sleep :(

Since you do have a DR, I advise you to speak to them about going cold turkey. If you can't or won't, then go to the ER. You'll need to get set up for the entire event. Getting the following scripts will not only make this manageable but shorten the duration of bed rest.

Clonldine
This is a blood pressure medication which is taken twice a day for 7 days, then 1 time a day after. It will eliminate restless leg, heart pounding, muscle twitching and headaches.

Anti-anxiety medication
Simply put, you'll be able to possibly take naps, not lose your mind and this will aid in your recovery. Some dr's do not send patients home with things like valium, xanax or ativan. If your Dr will not give you a 2 week script then ask what you can take. Remember not to mix any OC meds with a blood pressure medication

Sleep aide
Ambien and lunesta are popular in being prescribed however having taken Ambien for 5 days, it did 0. No sleep just feeling even worse for wear. I don't advise seeking this till post 10 days.

Vitamins
Protein shakes, a prenatal once a day and eating fresh veggies and fruit will massively increase your health

Lots of showers / baths will ease in discomfort and make sure to get 500mg tylenol. You will have some bone pain at some point. Imodium is a life saver however I haven't bothered, I rather get the toxins out. I find that imodium is only needed if you must work or you are going too frequently. loose stools are "normal" for this situation but frequent ones aren't good for you.

I don't know what to recommend in order to make this easier with the kids, plus your home too. I had to hire a maid for a day (day 7) because the mess was driving me crazy. I had no sitter. If I could do one thing differently it would be the meals, laundry and other basics. I would have created meals in advanced, bagged them and froze them. You won't want to cook from day 3-10.

To prepare with the kids:
1. Tell them that you have a severe case of the flu and require help from the eldest children.

2.  Make many many meals. Brown meat so that you can make tacos (from kits)/ hamburger helper etc. Brown it and then freeze it. Doing so will allow you min. time standing and dealing with it. Make lasagna and other things. Bake cookies and cakes so they have snacks. Granted it's not GOOD food but at least they're eating. It's just a week.

3.  Do all the laundry including your linens

4.  Put near your bed: your meds, your cellphone charger, jugs of gatorade, crackers, dry cereal and bags from grocery stores (line a trash can with them) and a towel on the floor. You may not need all of this but at least it's there.

5.   pay all the bills and if you can find a sitter (teen etc) that will home set the kids, do it! I know this is going to cost a lot of money but it's greatly required.

All of the above can be done for under $200, provided you already have groceries. This does include the maid and sitter. Without insurance your meds will be between 20-80.00. Ambien is your most expensive if you do choose to get it.

I don't have insurance either and my meds were: Clondine/buspar/Ambien $80.00 : My maid was $40.00 : Laundry $20:

I do have an updated and almost daily account of my withdrawal on here. Again, I'm only at day 14 and not out of the woods as far as sleep is concerned but I have my wits and strength about me now. You can find the link by visiting my profile.

I wish you the best and Gnarly is a great source of information as well as support. Do what you CAN do and remember, it's just 2 weeks out of a life time. At some point you will have to do this. It's better to do it on your terms than someone else's.
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Avatar universal
HI....I came off methadone and will be the first to tell you its a real grind ....you have been on it a long time that goes agents you but your dose was small that works for you your bestt bet is to ether find a doctor to prescribe it to you or go back to the clinic and taper off it slowly
let your body tell you how fast to go....yuo will go in and out of withdrawals tapering off if you move slowly they can be managed this is a race one by the tortus not the hare take your time....the withdrawal is doable it no fun and last about 2 weeks you will find the post withdrawal harder to deal with the lack of sleep and energy crash is hard but again doable
I have helped a lot of people off this drug if you need help or guidance message me I will be happy to help you .....getting off methadone was on of the greatest  accomplishments of my life it ended a 16 1/2 yr addiction to pain meds today life is a beautiful place again with God and time you will heal good luck and God bless ......Gnarly
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