Methodone withdrawl

[reno346]

I have a bad back, & was put on pain meds. After about 4yrs. on all pain meds, I was put on Methodone. I have been on that med for the last 4-5yrs, my highest dose being 112mg. I tapered down to 13mg. in about 7mos. I decided at that point to quit. I went to my general Dr. for assistance for withdrawl, sleep ect. & was prescribed neurotin & xanax. The neurotin has been great for the leg pain & the xanax for sleep & anxiety. However I am on 3weeks today, & have literally been sufferring for the whole time, except fo the 1st 4days, those were about the best. I will have a day where I think I am starting to come out of it, & then "BAM" I am right back to feeling like I have the flu all over again. I have  not had enough energy to even get out of my house. I am using a great protien powder  for women & flaxseed oil in a smoothie every morning, great multi-vitamins with high minerals for women, staying off fatty foods, taking hot baths everyday ect, about the only thing I am not doing, but want to is exercise. I just do not have the energy, & feel so bad, I can't get off the couch!! I feel like I am never going to be normal again, & I can't take much more of this, but I refuse to go back on methodone, or suboxine, because I am not going to go through anymore detox withdrawls again. Please tell me how much longer you think this is going to last, & is there anything better I could be doing to get better?

Thanks!

[reno346]

I FEEL YOUR PAIN, THATS HOW IT ALL GOT STARTED FOR ME, WAS MY BAD BACK ACTED UP, & BAM i WAS PRESCRIBED 8 -10MG. VICS A DAY. I STARTED TO LIKE THE NUMBING FEELING THEY GAVE ME,BUT DID TRY TO GET OFF OF THEM, & I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT PAIN & AGONY. UNFORTUNATELY I GOT SCARED & ENDED UP ON STRONGER MEDS & LAST BUT NOT LEAST I ENDED UP ON METHODONE, WHICH I JUST QUIT TAKING 3WKS AGO, & IF I COULD TRADE DRUGS TO DETOX FROM (VICODIN VS METHODONE ) I WOULD CHOOSE THE VICODIN IN A HEART BEAT. I AM NOT SAYING IT IS ANY LESS PAINFUL, IT JUST DOSEN'T TAKE NEAR AS LONG TO GET THROUGH IT. SO IF I HAVE ANY ADVISE, PLEASE DO NOT GO ON METHODONE TO GET OFF OF OPIATES. TALK TO YOUR DR. & JUST START TO LOWER YOUR DOSES, UNTIL BEARABLE.

[Coldduk]

I have been off of alcohol for 12 years but had a car accident and have been on Hydrocodone for 2 years now.  I break 10mg tabs in half so 5mg every 2 hours so I don't know if I am fooling myself by taking "half" a pill twice as often.  It does nothing anymore but keeps me from getting sick.  I am scared to death but know the program and once detoxed I can stay off of it through the program.  
  I am embarrassed to tell my Dr., who warned me, that I would get addicted because of my past.  Should I just admit that I did and get medication help or suck it up?  I have done it before for 12 hours and don't ever want to do it again.  Thank you all so much for being here/available.  I had printed out the Thomar Detox recipe, is that my best option?  I am afraid of missing work and losing my job too.

SORRY IF I AM SENDING THIS TO EVERY FORUM I JUST WANT TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE!

[ChronicPain1]

Well that's good, if you have no desire to take them then I myself wouldn't really call you an addict. Anyone who takes these meds will develop a physical dependence on them, it's just the way it goes.

If you find you no longer want them, and only used them for pain you should be alright. People need to be educated on the difference, too many call themselves addicts when they're really not, except may

[reno346]

No I have not really been craving the drugs, I have just been sufferring with the withdrawls. I have felt like I have had the worst flu for over 3 weeks now, & just when I think I may be overcoming it & feel 50% better for one day, it comes back the next day. I have no desire to take these meds again, I just want to feel good & have energy. Methodone does not give you any kind of high, it just keeps you from withdrawling from the opiates. However come to find out, methodone is the hardest med to get out of your system. After  sufferring this long, I can't even imagine going through this again!!

[ChronicPain1]

It depends reno, do you crave the drugs mentally?

There's a vast difference between dependence and addiction. Dependence will arise in anyone taking opiates, but those users are using them for the pain and don't crave or desire them if the pain leaves. An addict needs the drug, and will generally do anything to get it, lie, cheat, steal, etc.

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

You took powerful opiates for over 8 years, and have been off for a few weeks.  I'll make a few points.  First, the classic medication for opiate withdrawal is clonidine.  There is a clonidine patch called 'catapres'.  You would probably feel better taking that.

Your long history of opiate use makes it very likely that you will eventually be back on pain pills;   I hope it doesn't happen, but if it does, consider going on Suboxone, as it does help with opiate