Can anyone offer advise

[crobar]

After being on my methadone for 3 yrs. my doctor told me it was time to try something else as they were worried about the long lasting use the meth.  i have weened down to 5mgs. a day finnally after 2 lomg months, and finally quit taking them 6 days ago.  I have not slept for 3 nights because I have been sneezing and constant restlesness.  
How long will it take for all symptoms to go away and I can get some sleep. Not to mention that my kids are paying the larger price as I cant seem to get up to do anything with them.  

Please offer some help to me to get through this, I would like to think that my doctors are doing the right thing for me.  Is ther something that I can try to get rid of the withdrawals?  How long can this possibly last?  Please tell me that Im almost there???

[crobar]

Thanks for everything.  It helps to know that you are not the only one that has had to go thru hard time like the ones that it seems I will not escape.  I can only hope that God will be on my side as well, and help me through the tough times ahead!  Thank you and I wish you nothing but the best. God Bless

I am sure that I will have more ?'s later, THANKS

[crobar]

Thank you for your time to write back. Just knowing that there is an end is good news. I was wondering if the worst is yet to come, I am only 6 days in, or am I just about over it?
And what can I expect.

[OIFMc09]

Withdrawal from opiates, especially methadone, can last quite awhile.  Since methadone is long acting, the withdrawal is longer than shorter acting dope like oxy and norco.  If you want to stay narcotic free, take a look at the thomas recipe to alleviate your symptoms.  The sleep thing is a killer, and in my opinion it is by far the worst part of the whole withdrawal process because you start to go mad and your body begins to feel like it's falling apart after days of little to no sleep.  You can try chamomile or valerian root tea to help you sleep if you want to avoid benzo's like xanax and valium.  Good luck.  Also, immodium is good for the runs and from what I hear hylands rls is good for the leg cramps.

[gnarly_1]

HI...well its no fun detoxing off methadone...I did it 175 days ago and its a real grind in the beginning ...on the bright side your almost thew with the physical part of the withdrawal
mine lasted a solid 7 days but then started to let up...its the "mental mind screw" you go thew with methadone thats the hardest to deal with...the no energy thing where all you can do is lay around takes a couple of weeks to pass...it did for me...then its the sleep thing...your mind races when you come off methadone and when its time to go to bed it just seams you cant shut it off...a good hot bath right b/4 bed helped me with sleep...but sleep is on of the last things to return to normal when detoxing off methadone  you can try some valarian root to help with sleep its 4 bucks at walmart..I pop 6 of them a night...also theres a calcium/magnesium/zinc supplement you can get there also it cost 6 bucks but it will cut down on your withdrawals quite a bit I take 4 in the morning and 4 at dinner...that was a life saver for me...other then that try not to get discouraged its going to take a little time to get yourself back to feeling good again
try to get out for a walk even if its just around the block it helps to move around
and do the best you can to stay occupied and take your mind off how lousy you feel
just know it does get better with time...recovery is different for everyone there is no set time frame but time does heal...I found prayer to be helpful also  good luck and God bless....Gnarly