Finally...detoxed from Methadone

[NotDarkYet]

Morning.  I finally after 7 years on Methadone, have detoxed.  I never had been on too high of a dose, I started a slow detox from 35 mgs., the detox was 6 months.  I'm feeling alright, somewhat- but the symptoms are there, the not sleeping is the hard part along with the leg-cramping and the usual bag of unpleasantries. Can anyone give me any time- frames as to how long this will last?  Hopefully not for months on end! I have a feeling I went about this the right way, rapid detox seems like your just setting yourself up for a nasty fall.  I got on methadone when I was 19 yrs. old, I'm 26 and just want to reclaim my life back, go to NA- stay sober!  This is actually my third time trying to kick methadone, the other two times I failed miserably.  I don't want to end up back 'chasing a bag' or limping back to the methadone clinic.  I have severed all ties to previous friends that were users, I do the 20 second rule, and stay busy!!!  My main questions is: how long should I expect these withdrawls to last?  Did I go about my detox slow enough so that most of the drug is out of my system?  For being on this for such a long time, I'm still kind of naive to the generalisation of methadone, always in the past have heard 2 or 3 sides to every story!  Any input would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!!!

[Cruelworld94]

Id like to know if its better to just quit when you are at 15mg of Methadone a day...I was at 20, went down to 15 for the past week, cramping and diarrhea *****.  Wouldnt it just be easier to just quit and get it over with all at once? Have been taking for about 5 mo. Before that it was Percocets 5mg 2x a day for about a year for pain. I want this to end, tired of these pills owning me.  

[Goldoman]

Hey guys what's up, my name Carlos. I got o line and searched the methadone detox and luckily saw your post. I've been detoxing methadone for about 18 months and I just went down from 7 to 4mg this week about three days ago, and tried kicking it yesterday. I went all day feeling ok, but at night time I started feeling like crap, I had a burning sensation in my stomach, I was very gasie. I felt like I can deal with that so o went along with it, but when the time came to go to sleep my legs started cramping like hell and the leg pain wouldn't let me sleep, so I just ended up taking my dose, and decided that I'm going to wait a few weeks and go down to 2 mg and take it from there. Any advice? Please

[hungry2]

Thanks Gnarly.  And congratulations on 2 years!!  I read your post before reading your reply to my question & I have to say it's great how much good first hand experience you help so many people thru.  A true gift.  I think the irresponsible clinic my man goes to (and pays 500 a month to) is crazy cruel to give no support to people trying to get off this stuff. Conflict of interest ya think???  My man does not go to meetings or consult with his med. Dr... But the nutritional packs I got him from dr Dave seem to be key to his healing.  I am convinced that the brain chemistry imbalance is essential to work on.  My own personal experience with gabba & vitamin b has proven to work so well in helping with depression that I take no other med  we are hopeful that my husband will get as much from the nutritional path.  Anyway I just wanted to say thank you as you've given me hope for a better quality of life for this great guy I love.  Today better...4 th day from the Friday step-downs.

[gnarly_1]

HI welcome to the forum and yes a cronic ain suffer can break free from this stuff I was on it for 6 1/2 yrs for cronic pain all the way to 150mg it took 8 1/2 mo to tapper down but I did it and tomorrow is my 2yr anniversary its taken a lot its not ez and the recovery is long mabe 90 days or so but today I live with less pain then wile on it motrin takes care of most of my pain I choose to live with a little......better then living in a fog and missing out of life sex and emotions if you guys need help im kinda the go to guy for methadone I can help you write back if you have queations or want help good luck and God bless,,,....Gnarly

[tristalynn22]

you did it cold turkey....thats amazing! how...i can;t!!!!!!!!!!!

[hungry2]

Not sure appropriate to post here, but have watching the agony of my husband of 21 years trying to get off the methadone he's been using for about 2 years now.  Was up to 125 mg & decided he wanted to be free of it.  The constant fear of withdrawing/difficulty of going on vacation/unexpected trips are inpossible/etc etc.  It's a slow process, but 13 months since started weaning I believe he's down to like 42, but the third and fourth day after a step down are obviously agony.  He is SO negative, unhappy, can't eat (sweets only & milk), smoking so much.  I hate living this way, our 3 kids have no idea what's wrong with him, just that every few days he's an animal crouching in the dark bedroom.  I wish to support him, I know he's getting closer all the time, but I've sacraficed so much of my own life & my girls for SO long (10 years chronic pain/addiction of my husband) but I want him to find his peace.  Just want to know...can a person with chronic pain (back surgery, circulation problems in legs) ever truly be free from this stuff?