Antidepressants While Tapering off Methadone-Good Idea?

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

Hi Everyone hope your Monday is not so bad?? SO as my title of this Post says its all.....I am tapering off Methadone and wanted feedback IF I should begin a mild type of antidepressant??? IF yes, Whats is the best one to take?
I have taken them all in the past from Prozac to Paxil but that was 12 to 13 years ago and allot has happened in THOSE years with my latest being my addiction to pills to NOW tapering OFF Methadone??

Any advice from anyone that has had success with them while they detoxed off either  Opiates/ Methadone.... Do you feel that the antidepressant helped and give you a positive outcome???

I have a doctors Appointment  soon and would like to discuss it with her and have a little extra knowledge for  my alternatives?

Kim

[bmdad]

I don't have much knowledge or advice on antidepressants but wanted to check and see how you're doing. I do know that there are quite a few that are prescribed antidepressants while tapering or going through withdrawals. As long as they aren't any side effects between the methadone and antidepressant I don't see it hurting at all to try.

I'm sure someone with some knowledge on the matter will be along shortly.

I hope you have a wonderful week Kim!

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

Thanks Brian I appreciate your concern...and so far I still feel ok..(KNOCK ON WOOD) for tapering like I did? I can say for a fact that when I did this back in November Im positive I jumped too quick I felt so good at the 25mg I figured what the H3LL, 7 days of being on 25mg's  feeling GREAT I'm just gonnna Keep going and taper down  to the 20mg---WRONG!!!!
Now that I gave the 25mg plenty of time to adjust I strongly believe FOR ME it has made a HUGE DIFFERENCE...
I have read allot about the depression people are just slammed with either during the taper of when they reach the FINISH LINE...so I'm just reaching out trying to get as much info as I can..again I know each person detox's differently and handles it differently....
I am already a very ACTIVE person-- always on the move--- so I am just trying to prepare myself .....getting each persons perspective on what they did or DIDN'T do....

Again thanks for your concern...Means SOO MUCH!!
have a great day...
Kim

[ready2bfree49]

I am also detoxing off of methadone....I am on wellbutrin ( antidepressant) and buspar ( non-narcotic anxiety med.) I am scared to death so I'm trying to prepare....I was on 90 mgs a day on 40mgs a day now.....but, due to lay-off am getting ready to be kicked out of clinic I am in....I can not afford 100.00 a week. starting next wed. they are going to take me down 10 mgs a day till 0 .

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

oh my gosh i am so sorry ....that is scary!! I can't imagine What your feeling?? Even from What Gnarly_1 has told me about tapering down like that is not a good Idea ...............but what do you do when you're layed off?? Cant you apply in your state for social security benefits??
God I am sorry....please RELY on Gnarly_1 for help...prayer and so much encouragment...he has been my savior thru this detox / taper.....PLEASE at least think about it....he is so knowledgable on Methadone....
I will keep you in my prayers and just HANG IN THERE,

God Bless you
Kim

[justsaynotodrugs]

        If you are not depressed I would not take them these group of drugs are some what habit forming.  My wife takes them and if she misses one or 2 she has bad feelings. So if you are not so depressed I would not take them. Addicts have a built in disposition that we want to feel good all the time but that just aint the way it works so keep up the good fight and stay clean.

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

thanks for the reply,......The reason for my inquiring about beginning them/discusing it with my doctor is so I am and have all the information i can gather...In the EVENT  that I "may" experience depression once I stop methadone
That has come from many  of the recovering addicts that used methadone for treatment to get off there addiction to pain meds they informed me of what THEY went thru & that they were so depressed along with other symptoms....
I am relying on my yoga, walking 5 miles 3 x's a week along with Biking as much as posible.
Also, from ALL the reading I have been doing while  going thru this "next chapter in my life" as I like to call it .....I have found that Some people are deficient in serotonin and hence a supplement, such as 5 HTP inncreases levels & may be helpful to them for depression or other conditions. Other people may have depression, "anxiety-( which I was diagnosed with 11 years ago), and other symptoms that may appear to be due to serotonin deficiency....
does drug abuse/addiction  CAUSE Serotonin levels to decrease?? that is still debatable in many case studies Ive read.....
All I know is when I tried and FAILED many times miserably tryinn it  "Cold Turkey", by the way, my longest EVER was 18 days in May of 2010, and by my 12th day I was so lethargic, i cried all the time, anxiety was off the chain, my heart rate was very rapid.... I felt WORSE than ever....therefore I caved in and went back to my doctor for my refill of Roxys.....then my dealer....then cycle STARTED all over again but that time, I noticed I was using 3 X's the amount before the C/T ...??
but since Ive been in treatment on methadone Ive not ONCE had a moment where I wanted to use, I've been So happy, as I was told by my husband of 17  years, together a total of 22 that:  "This is the women NOW, that  I fell inlove with 22 years ago the day we met"? my son even noticed I'm smiling and happy.....

so do I have or have I had bouts of depression in my past? YES...even as a young 19 year old I remember going thru...SOMETHING, just had no idea WHAT...back then in 1986  I was told by a doctor "your crying, the feelings of being just sad all the time, not feeling as though you are worthy of being alive are just typical signs that it's  "HORMONAL"...... well I said lets get the blood work performed and find out?? When it came in it  was fine....so he just said "its all in your head" to go see a Shrink......$75.00 dollars please.......next.....
anyhow my original point is I'm not looking to feel good all the time...i just want to explore my options....as I am predesposed Genetically to SEVERE depression from my mom, aunts, Brother, Dad its a family affair....just dandy Huh???
And I will continue to work out, EAT very healthy, drink my water which I love anyway....and keep my mind focused and think of other things.....But I will still keep my options open.
read Read READ everything I get my hands on about addictions, how it effects our brain  by using, even OUR eating habits contribute to SO MUCH OF the serotonin levels......

Again thanks for the reply and I will press on to FIGHT each day to stay clean...not just for me for my SON & husband whom I adore and love with all i am!!!

:-))
Kim

[ricart70]

ONce you get off of the opiates it is just going to take some time to get your brain producing the feel good chemicals again.How much time?  not sure.Will you feel like you felt on methadone when this is over? probably not.But you will get better with time.It took me way more than 18 days and I knew it would.I think knowing helped.I also have depression and take ad meds although I have quit taking them because they just aren't providing enough for the trouble.Not worth it to me any longer.ad meds will not compare to the feeling of being high and they tend to blunt the emotions.That is a good thing when going through trauma.I really don't know what I am trying to say here or if I am trying to say anything only letting you know what my experiences are/were.  

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

Thanks Ricart...And as far as Not knowing what your trying to say just letting me know your experiences is EXACTLY what I'M looking for....FEEDBACK on each persons own Experience....if in fact they even needed them...
i just remember the ME BEFORE the PILLS...God I was always looking for fun or hanging with people that made me laugh and I have ALWAYS been known for being the person with "The Smile on her face" always a ready to help out in any way I could or make you laugh....I've always been the jokester, prankster just anything for a laugh....

But that all disappeared when i began using......even though I smiled i was dying on the inside...AND KNOW ONE KNEW????


So Yes your post helped me ....just seeing that you wonderful people reply back with advice or personal experiences makes me feel so much better helps me to take my mind off "THIS LIFE" for just a moment......so thank you
Kim :-)))

[vicki595]

Kim- There's no question that our brain chemicals get very messed up with opiates!  Once off of them, sometimes (and quite often) we need to "jump start" the production of all those chemicals. It may be neccessary even before you're completely off the Methadone. No one knows. You'll have to see how you feel and I commend you for thinking about this now and getting your bases covered!

The SSRI's have proven to be very safe and productive even while on opiates.  And I do know that many folks have had to begin AD's in spite of their best intentions so talk with the doctor about this and make a plan for yourself.  You're doing great!

[ricart70]

Ads are not like a drug in the way that you would crave them .LOL  I was just thinking I was never lying in bed at the end of the day and thought"oh no I forgot to take my oxy today"  "oh well I will just take it tomorrow"  
I will never get up from a comfortable  almost asleep state to take my ad med.   Anyway they won't hurt to get on one to help in the beginning but opiate abuse completely nullified any benefit my ad gave me.That's just me though.   It did not start working again until I had 25 or so days clean.
It did seem to help meget out of bed more readily in the morning

[Bkitty]

My experience was this,,,I was started on AD's early into my withdrawal because for me depression was the reason I was self medicating. For me it has helped tremendously,,my brain and the chemicals needed a "kick start" so to speak. I dont think I could have made it this far without starting them. I do know that my doctor told me that with AD's is all about trial and error and finding the right combo that works for you. I am on a mood stabilizer (lamictal), a aytipical antipsychotic (another mood stabilizer) seroquel that helps with sleep and cymbalta which is an SNRI. I was on SSRI's (prozac and celexa) for years but it did nothing for me. I will be weaned from these when I get closer to 6months sobriety. It help me so much. I feel great for the most part. It took a while for the levels to build up in my system before I started getting the full effect. Hugs~Bkitty

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

Thanks for the reply and mostly for noticing  what I am trying to do and that is-- "Cover my bases"...& your letting me know with your words   "you're doing great"! You have no idea how much I appreciate that.....???? If you don't well NOW ya do :-))

THIS Is why I am more and more determined EACH DAY that passes with all of YOU on my side showing such support!! Man what a great feeling....

Thanks again for your reply vicki!!!
God Bless

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

Thanks for sharing what you've experienced with AD...And yes I do know its trial and error to find the RIGHT ONE that works for you.
I have heard so many GOOD and positive things about Cymbalta....and that is RARE....
So I will discuss it with my doctor ...see what she thinks...I know when I needed to see the doctor during the holidays my REGULAR MD/Family doc was on vacation so  while she was out her so-called partner in the practice was SO RUDE, So ...how do I say this?? ummm .....she spoke in this voice like a robot...does that make since??
I mean she acted like I was BOTHERING her for even being there???
Any how I had the documentation I printed off the PC about how they have discovered in recent studies that Cymbalta is a VERY good medication to relieve pain of  Osteoarthritis..SHE WOULD EVEN READ IT...and all she  said was .....NO NO NO...Cymbalta is for depression only... Even with this Documentation I have which YOU won't even look at i printed RIGHT OFF Cymbalta's WEB SITE???
I SWEAR  she just acted like "IM THE DOCTOR and I will tell YOU WHAT You CAN BE prescribed"???
So I Will NEVER allow them to set my appointment up with her EVER...

i will just discuss it with my doctor......
Thanks again for the info I DO APPRECIATE all  of the feed back ./....

Kim,

[ImDONENoMore]

No Kim YOU were right.  Cymbalta has been prescribed for the pain associated with arthritis for years now.  This Dr. is wrong and don't waste another bit of your time with her.  Not ONE more second.

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

Oh you can be assured I plan on talking to MY Doctor about HER leaving this doctor to CARE for patients while she was away...
What makes that whole appointment even worse....I wasn't told I would be seeing her partner Until I was already there??
so I figured,..... Well I'm here... just see "this" doctor...and who knows...maybe she will offer me HER perspective on certain medications....
So I plan on letting my doctor know how I felt while I was there, How I recieved NOTHING absolutley NOTHING outta the appt for my $30.00 co-pay....
But instead I was brushed off like I didn't know what I was talking about...I tried telling her how I read everything to keep myself informed.....When I TRIED to tell her I have someone I know personally who began taking it 4 years ago for Fibromyalgia  she cut me off and continued to stick with her word---NO, I do believe that is TRUE....>???????????????

GOD DOCTORS **** ME OFF!!!!

thanks for the reply ..
Kim

[ricart70]

It may take somewhat of a god complex to become a doc in the first place.I know that the one thing that really p.o.s most of them is the phrase"I have been reading up on (insert med or health issue here) and I was wondering" .  I have had that same experience with my doc.Thats one reason I quit my ad med because I no longer respect him after the admonishment I received from him last visit.I don't even want to return.

[ImDONENoMore]

Actually I think that's how you can tell the difference between a good Dr. and a bad one.  Those who are willing to LISTEN and not brush you off are the keepers.  I mean how else are they going to learn what's going on with their patients unless they LISTEN right?  So like anything else,  you have your good and your bad.  So as long as you can tell the difference between the two, you'll be okay.  Hang in there Kim.  :)

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

hey there...Just had to SHARE GREAT news.....

Yesterday I spoke with the methadone clinics HEAD nurse....and GUESS what??? my Counselor has been giving me the WRONG taper methods...WHAT A SHOCKER, Right??

It appears I CAN taper down by 1mgs, 2mg's, 3mg's--etc;.....I was told back in November when I tried to taper the first time that they (clinic) only ALLOW YOU to  taper down in mg's of 5's...when I emailed that to  Gnarly he was Shocked.,...
THAT is why I had such fear from my first taper In November which  was unsuccesful ...which caused me to wait this out 2 months....
But NOW knowing they allow patients to "customize  at their pace and their taper mg's"!! WoW what a blessing to hear to know to sleep with a peace of mind finally.....

So I had a HUGE  chunk of anxiety lifted off my shoulders...just knowing I was mislead by a so called couselor  just makes me feel as though she just doesn't have my best interest...
This Head nurse was very upset when we walked into my counselors office and she asked for my paperwork she filled out to begin my taper over 11 days ago and said "you have her tapering every 7 days by 5mg's??? WHY??? where did you get this information"?
she showed her a form from THREE years ago when they did taper that way.....

so to end this post I AM MORE than positive I will succeed I will taper at my pace and I will accomplish this and it will be the 2nd  happiest days (1st was the Birth of my 15 year old son) Of my life!!!
so God answered my prayers and the PRAYERS of Gnarly my hero....My prayer partner....My friend and brother in Christ!!

I hope you all have a GREAT weekend as I know mine has already begun!!

God bless to all,
Kim

[all_alone1]

kim...i am soo glad to see you FINALLY got some good logical news....and can now be comfortable tapering at a pace you know you can...all i can say is YOU GOT THIS NOW....

[ricart70]

glad you can go in shorter increments.  Of course me being the forever cynic about these places   I could not help but think they made an adjustment because they would be losing you as a customer in a mere 5 weeks if they had not made that concession.Now they can have you for alot longer if it works out that way.

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

My husband said the EXACT same thing......

I am sure they know every little trick in the book just as us addicts do.....they knew dam well FAILED at my first attempt at detoxing....which kept me at the clinic even LONGER....
If I knew Back in November what my options are NOW I would be done or close to it.....
Either way I like the head nurse but she HAS to know what the H3LL is going on down there.....so I don't trust her either...for the simple fact when I began my FIRST Detox/Taper back in November she was the first one I spoke with about the difficulties of tapering down in mg's of 5....Why didn't she say  RIGHT THEN  the same words she said to me on  Wednesday:?

"Miss Kimberly we allow you to "CUSTOMIZE" your taper meaning -if you want to taper down in mg's of 2's or 3's , then you can....that is why it's called "Customized"....to fit you and your needs and how YOUR body handles each dose...and you can do it weekly by weekly what ever works for you-darlin"
so no I do not trust anyone there...it is all a mone game to them.....

OH the day when I know I NEVER EVER have to go back will be the happiest day along with BEING CLEAN OF DRUGS....

Thanks for the chimming in  and as always I love hearin from my MED HELP friends that are ROOTING FOR ME....
have a great day ...
Kim

[ricart70]

THe day you never have to go back will be a happy day for me as well.YOu have a great day too kim.I saw this thing on my yahoo page about how to make potato chips in the microwave and I am going to store and get potatoes and try it.THat will be my day lol

[ready2bfree49]

I am detoxing off of methadone after being on it for 7 yrs. most of that time I was on 90mgs a day..I am on 40 now getting ready to go to 30mgs. I have been taking wellbutrin ( antidepressant 300mgs a day) buspar ( non narcotic aniexty med) and calcium, magnesium, zinc vitamins ( people swear by these for them anyway..it has helped incrediably with withdrawls off of methadone) methadone affects your bones ALOT so it makes sense..Good luck...and I'm here if you want to talk to someone that is going through something similar to your situation :)

[WantMyLifeBack2010]

first off let me say CONGRATS on deciding to taper off ....I never surpassed 40mgs ...I began going in April of 2011 started out at 25mg by June I was at 40mg...then by the End of Sept I started tapering back down by 5's....
I am now at 20 and will soon be at 17mg...
I already take xanax 1 mg 3 X's a day but since I began the 20 mg's I have found I am taking 4  a day..
I have been on them for 11 years....NEVER EVER once did I abuse them...always took as prescribed....I am prescribed 120 a month and I always have extra left over...well I did....
I am going to discuss this with my doctor and HOPE she is understanding and not get all freaked out and start lowering my quantity???? You know how some docs can be? ya tell them the TRUTH and they slap you with either a discharge or lower your amount you get?
I'm still debating on telling her and just talk to her about the wellbutrin which I have had several people at the clinic tell me the are on that exact antidepressant and how it works while they too are tapering to be like me ...................FREE!!!
Thanks for the offer to contact you as I will ...I like to gather ALL the information I CAN while going thru this....and so far I do feel fine.....

GOOD LUCK to you and I will pray for YOUR success and for you to be free as well....
Thanks again for the advice.....taking the time to reply...YOU all mean so much TO me!!!!
Kim