has anyone actually met a doctor willing and capable of successfully detoxifying them from methadone?

[cellie]

I took a chance today and went to see a doctor that was listed on the federal SAMSHA web site as a doctor certified to prescribe buprenorphine.(sp?)   After a hundred dollars was tossed down the drain I met with this person who basically ran a 2008 version of a medicaid mill.   I remember back in the 80's iin NYC seeing lines of addicts waiting outside of these store front offices where they would come out carrying everything imaginable, and all of them were stoned when they arrived.    This doctor didnt want to hear about ny history he immediately determined that he could give me oxycotin and that would take the place of methadone and i wouldnt have any withdrawal problems.  the catch was that i would have to see him every three days and pay 90 dollars each time.   It was such a sleezy place and left me feeling pretty disappointed and more convinced then ever that there is nothing that can battle this methadone.    I still cant believe that this medication is so powerful that there is nothing that can match it so the patient can get off of it.    Well i am back to my original plan.  I will begin the self imposed detox at home and get too ill I will have an ambulance come and will go to an emergency room and maybe at that point there will be something the medical profession in the ER can do to avoid a stroke or something worse.   im sorry if i sound so negative, but i cant believe that a doctor certified to treat drug dependence would be just out to make a buck.  He didnt care what happened to me or my medical condition.  He surely didnt care about helping me.   Im done, sorry for the long message and for whining on your shoulders.  I dont know where to go from here now.  or what to do.  all i can think of is despair.   anybody,please help me

[Toomanyadvil]

I wonder why he wanted you to come every three days? H emust be a DR who specializes in Chronic Pain and addiction? And wants to keep a really close eye on someone. Maybe three days is until he feels comfortable with you.
But if the place is sleezy and you have a bad feeling defenitly stay away like you've decided.
I'm confused as to why no one will help you get off of the medication if your medical records state that a DR put you on it for pain? Do you have your records?
If you dont get a copy. Dr's need to see it before they will help you.

Dont do this alone. Your going to get very, very ill. Most likely doing it without Medical help will lead right back to taking the methadone because you feel too awful not to take another to stop the withdrawls.

If there really is no one. Check yourself into a Detox. If you go to the ER, there going ti put you in one anyway. They wont let you leave the hospital going through these withdrawls and it's better to just check yourself in so they can monitor you from the start.

I hope you decide to go if you cant find anyone. You deserve to be as comfortable as possible during the withdrawls. It's not as if you were taking it to get high. You were put on it for pain.

TMA

[sandee1818]

It really is sad and so unprofessional the way you were treated but please don't give up. Not all Dr's will just take your money but will help, I disagree with taking the Oxycontin to get off of methadone. Your trading one drug for another and not accomplishing much in doing that.
I would strongly suggest you do not try and do this by yourself. You really need some help with this and I hope you will not give up. Call around and talk to the nurses they will tell you what the Dr's methods are so you can choose a more appropriate Dr this time to help.
I don't know much about methadone only it is really hard to get off of as it stores itself in bone marrow it takes a really long time for you to get it out of your system. We do have an addiction forum here and they may have better answers for you.
I wish you well and hope you do get the help your seeking.
Good Luck

[Dee52]

I can't believe a doctor would treat a patient like this doctor has treated you.  I have been in Chronic Pain for most of my life.  My doctors have been so carefull not to put me on strong medicine until 3 years ago.  I have been on Methadone for three years.  I suppose I trust doctors too much because I didn't do any research on the Methadone I take 10 mg three tablets three times a day.  I haven't thought of getting off because it does help and my pain doctor said this was the safest pill I could take with the amount of pain I am in. I will talk with him about this after reading so many post with people getting off the mentadone.
I talk with another person who was quitting the methadone I see her name on this forum so I hope she reads your post because I think she can help you.
Whatever you do find you a doctor who will listen to you.  Don't go to someplace that looks sleezy because that sounds like trouble.  Do you have a good family doctor who can get you on the right path.  I am truly sorry for what you are going through...just be wise and don't go off it without someone else helping you.  My prayers will be with you.
Dee

[babydm29]

I feel your pain. Im not trying to get myself off of the methadone though. I had a urine drug test for Methadone come up NEGATIVE so now my pain management dr says that im not taking it and refuses to give it to me. I have been on Methadone for over 3 years now and I know that im going to go threw some sever withdrawl. I was on 20 millagrams 3 times a day up until yestureday when the dr just STOPPED it just like that. I cant understand how the drug test would come out negative when I take the pills everyday when im told to. UNLESS I HAVE TO DRIVE. then I cant take them cause im too high to even think stright. My dr called me a LYER and to NEVER come back into his office again. i have no where else to go he is the only pain management dr in my area. all the other ones are too far to drive to. My PCP told me that he might have to put me in DETOX cause he isent allowed to give me the meds and he knows that I do take them. I really dont suggest that you do it on your own. I dont know how long you have gone without it before but I know I have only been off of it 23 hours and im ready to pull my hair out... The PAIN is intense and the mood swings are really starting to get to everyone here..
I wish you luck though. But I wouldnt do it on your own.
Donna
Ps. Does anyone know what could have caused the FALSE/ NEGATIVE urine drug test that my OLD pain management dr did??? :((

[missa74]

My recomondation for anyone taking methadone and is just cut off cold is to seek out you local methadone clinic. they usually have one that is a private facillity and another group that is county or city affiliated.  I suggest contacting them immediatly. Although sometimes it can be tricky  to get treatment, some places require you to say that you are an addict/junky in order to get dosed while their are others who treat people with chronic pain you just have to feel them out before you give out any personal info. I unfortuatly had to go the junky rout do to the fact that in my city/state they are really jerks when it comes to pain management. also they do a great job when detox time comes. When your ready to get off of the methadone they take you down very slowly but painless. You go down in small increments that you experience no withdrawl symptoms. The doc watches over you closely so you don't have any adverse reactions. So make sure you keep all appointments and do all bloodwork that's needed,It's for your safty.                                  Methadone Experienced

[ftblmom]

If you are not in chronic pain and there is no reason to take dones then you can wean yourself off easy..  Out of all the meds I have been on and tryed the Methadone has been the BEST pain reliver I have ever taken and the one with the mildest withdrawls, as you are weanning off and have a wd take only  a half of a pill to stop the running leg, sweaty part then go a day or 2 and do it again but only take half  or less each time.  If you are not ment to be on it then you will be able to come off easy.  There are some of us that Methadone has changed our lives.  Like I am just about Pain free with my dose.  And Yea there are people who say taking a pill everyday is not worth their pain, well they just have not gone through the pain others have, And my last point not all but alto of people  will complain about taking pain meds every day to control the pain, but what is Motrin, Tylenol, Naproxen,  That is OTC meds for Mild pain Not Severe chronic pain.  I Hope You find what will help you if you are a sever chronic pain Patient,...... I just know that w\ds from Oxycontin are so much worse then Methadone....Good Luck