will it ever get any better after methadone

[sofie364]

hi i have been off methadone for 98 days now, and i still feel like im stuck in a black hole i have no energy, motivation, im depressed and have anxiety. so what i want to know is, are there any one on this forum who has came off of methadone and can honestly say that they feel fine and their life is back to normal again, because im beginning to think i should of just stayed on it at least i had a better quality of life when i was on it. i just dont feel like me any more its as though my personality has been taken away and now i just feel empty x
sofie

[sofie364]

thanks everyone for your comments it helps alot

@gnarly..... thanks your comments are always helpful and i am considering starting up antidepressents my doctor prescribed me them but i didnt take them as i didnt want to rely on medication daily again

@prospero73.... i was on a methadone maintainence programme for 6 years and tapered down to 4 mg then did cold turkey, the clinic that i got my methadone from discharged me after 2 weeks clean so i have not been to any NA meetings or had any support, i talk to someone about my anxiety but that is only over the phone


i will never go back to methadone i just have these thoughts now and again that my quality of life was much better when i was on it,  i really have no reason to be depressed i have a good life, beautifull son, good friends and family, so i hate that i feel like this, but hopefully it will get better
thanxs
sofie x

[refusingbondage]

Depression will definitely come after any long detox.  Especially with long term maintenance drugs like methadone or suboxone.  I experienced something very similar after coming off suboxone.  Around the two to three month mark, when I was finally beginning to feel better physically, depression really set it.  Ive never had depression before in my life and it was terrible. BUT I am here to say to you that YES it does get better. I felt so down and so low and so depressed.. it was a very alien feeling for me.  But I toughed it out and then one day - it was gone.  Just like that. One thing that helped me TREMENDOUSLY was exercise. Serious, hard, kick your a-s-s exercise.  I would push myself beyond the limit.  I didnt believe it at first, but it was one of the only things that could make me feel better.  If I had the money I would open a rehab center and make exercise a mandatory part of detox. It is such a good thing.  Stay strong.  Good luck and God bless.

[Prospero73]

As others have said, you may have an underlying depression that was masked by the methadone.

You don't say how you managed to stay off it for 98 days.  Did you do a taper or CT?  Before that, were you using it recreationally or on a maintenance program?  I earnestly hope you don't decide to go back on it, having gone as far as you have.  If you do, please be aware that your loss of tolerance will put you in serious danger of an overdose.  I have known two people to whom this happened recently, and neither of them survived.  It can happen very quickly, before you or anyone else can get help.

[Calamity2]

Oh Yeah!  Congrats on the 98 days!!!   It will get better.  You just got your 90 day tolken. Dont get in a big hurry.  I assume it took longer than 98 days to get totally addicted. Well it takes time.  If you dont use.   It will get better.  

[gnarly_1]

HI Sofie.....man how I feel your pain...methadone is a real monster to kick...it is unlike other narcotics where you start to feel better in 30 to 60 days....methadone takes a good 90 days just to start to feel better....at lest thats how it was for me..but the 90 day or there abouts was the turning point for me....just hang in there a little longer im sure you will start to notice improvements soon...if you think back to your first 2 weeks then at 30 days then at 60 days you will notice some improvements although they may seam small....mine did
but I go to a substance abuse conslor once a week and he always assures me I am making progress...he also understands the methadone monster and just what it takes to break free of it...I just want to encourage you to hang in there ...it does get better with time ...know 2 people have the same withdrawal so hard defined lines as far as time goes are impossible to give ..ive got 176 days clean now and life is so much better
now then wile on methadone each month that passes by brings more energy less anxiety and an over all sense of well being ...there is light at the end of the tunnel
you just dont know how long the tunnel is...but I can assure you ,your close with 98 days clean you will be seeing a break thew ...it might not be a bad idea to look into an antidepressant...now in my case ive been on them for the last 7 yrs but had to go off during my detox and the following 90 days because of complications with my bipolar disorder but when the depression dident go away my phyc dr thought enough time had passed that the methadone was no longer the problem and it was probably the bipolar acting up again so she put me back on them...I now feel pritty stable not on a high or down in a low im level it may be what you need to put you over the edge so to speak so you might want to look into it....also I take the supplements listed in the health pages....its important to feed the brain what it needs to make it health again the vitamins and amino acids are important ...I also drink whey protein shakes you can get them at walmart for 13 bucks and there full of amino acids...I dont think it is a one thing cure all when it comes to methadone ...I think its a combo of different thing that brings you out of the tunnel ....aftercare vitamins,aminos exesorsize all help in your recovery...just know that all the effort is worth it and when you get to where im at..and you will get there.. it is so so worth it when it is all said and done good luck and God bless....Gnarly        

[vicki595]

Hi~  You may be clinically depressed.  I'd get to a doctor for a check up.You may need anti depressants.  Are you attending any recovery meetings? Like NA?
There are members here who have been on and off methadone. I'm sure they'll post~
Good luck~
Vicki

[Libbyty]

Get OFF the Methadone and Look into Suboxone; I'm taking it and it's a miracle drug!!!!!!!!!!!!