Cold Turkey Methadone withdrawals

[DocBecky]

Are there any CURRENT ongoing groups for those who are either now coming off methadone or have recently come off of methadone?  I see several groups that are older (2008-2013), but can find nothing current.  Help.  I'm doing it cold turkey because that's what my PM doc decided was best for me.  HE says it will be done after 2 weeks and I'm at the end of that 2 weeks but the pain and night sweats as well as lack of appetite and lack of sleep are only getting worse rather than easing off.

THANKS!!!

[gnarly_1]

Hey Doc  well the diladid will help a lot just stick with it methadone takes a wile to seep out of the fatty tishues as well as the bones  just hang in there with time you will start to feel better keep us posted.....................................Gnarly.................................

[Slava75]

It will take a long time. More than a month. I did it 3 times. The best way is to taper off slowly. If you are on Methadone program ask them to lower your dose. If you take pills then water titration will help. You will need sleep aid. Going through the same thing myself right now. Never quit cold turkey.

[DocBecky]

Thank you one and all!  Yes, I've been off the computer for a while, and it was due to seizures which I'm assuming were simply connected with the withdrawals.  But I think I'm climbing out of the pits of hell and back toward whatever my new normal will become.  The strange thing so far is that other than some major confusion and my lack of ability to even do any Christmas shopping this year.  I feel miserable for that.  Lucky for me my children are grown, and understanding of the situation, (they got cash) and the grandchildren are way too young to realize I'm too late with gifts. Well one is 6, the Granddaughter who lives near me, but she's at her "dad's" right now and her gifts will be here before she gets back.

Again...thank you all for your support, at least now I feel like I'm going to survive this insanity.

[hannahsmama13721]

What was ur daily dose and how long have u been dosing? I was on 70 mg at my highest level and it took me nearly a year to taper off. Sober for 2 yrs now. But u haven't dosed for 2 weeks now so keep up the good work. If ur withdrawals get worse talk to ur Dr. I ended up getting seizures from withdrawals...

[Lilly1955]

I quit methadone. Sept 2 this year and then OxyContin and Valium on the 26 th. by 3 months I could feel that the methadone withdrawal eased. The valium is another story, very prolonged. It will get better. Careful not to trade one addiction for another.

[gnarly_1]

Hi  well ct is a really ruff way to detox off this stuff with that said it may seam like it is getting worst but I feel it is because of the lack of sleep that amplifies how rotten you feel the first 2 weeks are the hardest the phyical part will start to be over but the mental part will still be  in full swing  the hardest part for me was the energy crash and the no sleep at all just know in time you will heal it comes in baby steps  methadone is very cyclic so just when you think it is over it comes back with a vengeance  it soaks into you fatty tissues as well as you bones and slowly comes out as for the recovery time there are several factors the first one being how long you where on it?? your age?? and at what dose?? for me it took a good 90 days to feel right try not to get discouraged you do make progress  just not as fast as you like as addicts we want it and we want it now  this is a race won by the tortus not the hare keep posting for support we all want to see you make it  when it is tuff Pray please post the questions I ask I will be able to help you more if you like massage me.......................Gnarly

[Merri123]

Yes seizures tighten your muscles so bad that it leaves you in pain. Takes awhile to loosen back up. My husband had a seizure last month and his shoulder popped out then back in while it was happening. It tore a couple muscles and a tendon. He has to do physical therspy right now.

So yes I totally understand. You will just need to give your body time to adjust to the Dilaudid now. It is less than what you were taking with methadone. Once your body settles down, you should be able to take take the Dilaudid as needed or not as much.

[DocBecky]

Thank you all who have commented.  First, I'm not here as an abuser but as a user of honest pain management medication.  I have several medical issues with pain which are all impacted by the fact that I also have Epilepsy with Grand Mal seizures. The seizures are mostly controlled but not totally so that when I have one the pain from Fibro, arthritis, MS, etc., are all out of control for extended periods.  If you've ever seen someone in seizure you'll understand.  I will never be off pain meds totally, in fact this doc wants to put in a pain pump which I'm against...another discussion entirely.

[Krissy_123]

Because your pm doc put you on dilaudid I'm not sure if that's considered cold turkey? Dilaudid is a very addictive opioid as well. You should talk to him ASAP and tell him you're taking more than prescribed before it causes you issues. Maybe you need something else?

[VICourageous]

Hi.
I c/t off Methadone with 2 other drugs, back in 2012 at the age 56. I was on it for around 12 yrs.
The thing about what you are doing is that the other drug is going to give you enough time for the methadone to leave the body. Each drug has its own w/ds. SO you will be at the point where you will have to come off the other drug with its own problems. However, since you are using one drug to get off another I would make sure you can do a nice and easy taper off the last drug. You will have to have someone hand them out to you since you are already taking to much. Make sure right now that you drink TONS of water and buy or eat anything that is a antioxidant, which means they will help pull the toxins out. Baths with Epson salt will help to as the magnesium in the salt is very good too, plus it pulls toxins out. Meanwhile make sure you try to build up a healthy immune system so you can handle a w/d better. If you do a nice and easy taper it should not be so long and so intense. The BIG thing is the Mental. Just make sure you get your self some aftercare. People who you can share this with. Support is the number one key in staying clean..I wish you all the best.
Bless

[Merri123]

Honestly since you switched to Dilaudid you are just substituting one for another.

First though, 60 mg is high. He should've tspered you down by 1/2 or more before switching you.  I know Dilaudid is strong but I'm not sure if stronger than method one you were taking.

Also why were/are you taking something?  Do you want to quit all together?  There are many here thst have 100% detoxed from methadone and other pills. It is hard but definitely can be done. Methadones 1/2 life is longer so wd lasts longer. You are going to have to ride it out.

Look up the Thomas Recioe and start taking the vitamins listed. Zinc/calcium/magnesium helps a lot. Epson salt hot baths when it hurts. Get up and move. Go for walks. Keep yourself busy.

[DocBecky]

Maybe I should better explain what I'm going through.  I was on 60 mg of methadone/day.  And on December 7th I took my last dose.  No reduction, just 60 mg on Sunday and on Monday I took Oxycodone...which we found I'm allergic to!  So now I'm on the Dilaudid, 4 mg every 4 hrs.  And hearing that people are feeling withdrawal symptoms months after a last dose of methadone scares the crap out of me as I'm 63 and was on it for more than 15 yrs.

[DocBecky]

I was switched to 4 mg of dilaudid every 4 hours.  But I don't think the Pain Management (PM) doc thought I would need it every 4 hours around the clock.     But, I'm either not sleeping or being awakened every 3-4 hours by the pain when I do sleep so basically I take it every 4 hours.  They will probably raise heck with me when they do my pill count on the 29th!  I'll be watching this group/list whatever you call it so I'm here for support and help if you need it...day 12 is now nearly over.

[FleeNT]

Hey girl I'm going thru the same thing but I've been going through a clinic for 7years now detoxing bad withdrawal did ur doc give u anything to help I'm on 130 mg though I'm not sure how much worse this is going to get but when I look it up I see months I'm def scared

[skrilli]

Oops, my phone doesn't like to work on this site.

[skrilli]

Sorry to h3ah3a