need to withdrawl(withdrawal) from methodone

I've been looking at this forum forum for a long time.  Joined today.  Trying to kick methadone addiction I've had a prescriptionfor a couple years for arthritis.  Doc asked if Norco worked I said "It's not great have been on it 10 years but it'll do.   He siad " Well in that case why don't you try methadone?" I said " isn't that the drug used to get off heroin'? hmm.. (hesitation on my part)" I don't know if I should'.( That inner voice of reason shouted!) But I like this doctor he know best.   6 - 10mg per day.  I asked to take one of those away last year .  5- 10mg per day prescribed.   BUT..I take a few more.. almost run out every month. He also gives me 150 Norco per month.  I doubt most doctors would do that.    Last month Doc said "can't see you anymore"  Not taking cash only patients here's your last methadone prescription and a list of other doctors in the area.   Panic..... Panic... Cash only because my husband was let go of his job 1 1/2 years ago after 24 years.  We have no insurance he knew that! Thats why I'm a cash patient!!! Unemployment does not come with medical and dental insurance dear doc. No capital D for you!! You don't know what I said after that. Been calling pain mgmt. docs for days, off of the 3 page list he gave me. 7 of these doctors do not take cash patients. Others have said send us your medical record and the doctor will look over it and decide if he wants to take you as a patient. Left a message for 3 docs. its after 5 on a friday.  No return calls yet. Start on the list again Monday.  Pills run out Thursday.   Would love to do cold turkey, I won't have the support and patience here I thimk I'll need. This is the start of changes to come. .

[geminigirl1963]

I'm sorry you're in such a predicament.  Unfortunately, since you're so short on time before you run out of meds, you're really in a bind.  With the amount of time you've been on the methadone, as well as the dose you're taking, along with the hydrocodone (norco), you DON'T want to go cold turkey and be thrown into withdrawals.

My big question is, did you just now start calling these other doctors to see if any would be able to take you?  I'm really concerned if you did - the chances of you being able to get into a new pain doctor in the next 4-5 days is probably virtually nil, even if they don't require a copy of your records from your current doc.

You may want to also post this question under the Addiction Forum here on medhelp - I'm not judging you or anything like that - simply saying that, even if we take our meds completely as prescribed, our bodies do become dependent on them and if they are stopped, the withdrawal symptoms are exactly the same as if we had been abusing the meds.  The people on that forum may have more information and advice as to how to handle the withdrawal symptoms, what to expect, how long it may last, etc.

Meanwhile, definitely do keep plugging away at that list the doctor gave you - and maybe even call the local hospital to see if they have a physician referral line where you may be able to get the names and numbers of some other doctors in your area.  If you don't hear back from any of the places you've called, call them again, and again and again until you're able to actually speak to someone who can give you some answers.  Be honest with them and tell them that since you've been on these meds for a couple of years, that you're seriously concerned about withdrawal from being without them wihtout being able to wean down off of them.  They also may be able to give you some general advice on things you can do to help reduce or alleviate the w/d symptoms.  Obviously, they won't be able to give you DIRECT information or medications, but they may be able to give you some broad range help.

Best of luck.