Is 5mlg of methadone a lot to taper off from?

[NeedHopeLoveFaith]

New here. First post. I'm trying to get clean and have managed to get down to 5mlg of methadone a day. Can I go c/t at this point?

[NeedHopeLoveFaith]

Hi All.  Just checking back. So far, I haven't taken anything today. Looks like I'm going without today.  Feel fine. Thanks for the support!
And hello to my friend from Boston.
~L

[ariley13]

Just wanted to add my support to my fellow Bostonian! I agree with gnarly, the withdrawals shouldn't be too bad. You weren't on Methadone for very long (thank goodness, cause its a beast to kick!) and you were on a fairly low dose of Percocet before the Methadone. Just stay strong and fight, fight, fight. Be sure to stay hydrated, eat healthy with lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein. Also stay as active as you can. Force yourself to go for walks, even if you feel like you cant. It helps to speed up the healing, and it really makes you feel better. Stick close to this site and keep posting. We are here for you.

[NeedHopeLoveFaith]

Thanks again, Gnarly.  I look forward to checking back in the morning for more information and advice. Goodnight from Boston:)   ~L

[gnarly_1]

Hi well I think you should be ok ans have a mild withdrawal it is only when you stay on it for long periods that it become hard to get off of  best beet just quit methadone and ALL OTHER NARCOTICS this will be an important  part of your recovery your lucky you coughs it early if you have questions just ask.......Gnarly

[NeedHopeLoveFaith]

Hi Gnarly,
I've been trying to gather facts/experiences from different people and their situations. I've read a lot of your comments and see you have lots of knowledge. Thank you for taking a moment to help me. I was taking perc 15's, up to 2 or 4 a day(some days none) then got a hold of 4 10mlg methedone pills and stretched it 5 days so far and still have 3/4 of the last pill. I've mentioned before that I think I got myself worked up that I'm more addicted than I am. I'm ready and excited to stop all together. Is this enough information for you to give your opinion on weather or not this sounds like I'm ok to stop with few unbearable withdrawal symptoms? I can offer more info... I just don't know what's needed to base an opinion on. Thanks for any advice.

[gnarly_1]

Hi  5 is  good tapering below that is miserable pull the plug and go for it we will be here to support you..........Gnarly

[NeedHopeLoveFaith]

Thank you so much for that last post. I have friends and family that love me but I'm in this in my own. I have come here for support... you are my "cheerleaders". I'm excited to wake up tomorrow and find another day of support through this site. Thank you again and I enjoyed reading your post... long or short, every bit helps.

[jackeliz]

Don't give up!!!!  I helped my husband get off the opiates for his knee pain (well, that is why he started taking them) with Methadone use.  He took opiates in high doses for about 7 years and then we learned about the methadone clinic.  The methadone clinic did allow him to just walk away from the opiates, but then we had to focus on getting off the methadone, we were not aware at the time that quitting that would be just as difficult).  The "counselors" at his clinic were a joke!  No one cared about supporting him or working with him to be able to quit the methadone.  They wanted to keep getting their money each day!  I worked out a schedule for him and weened him down to were he was receiving a dose of 2mg/day.  He took that dose for a couple days and then stopped going.  He was good for about 2 weeks and then he started to feel the effects.  He didn't sleep due to muscle twitches and sweating for about 3 weeks and then he cracked and went back to the clinic.  About 5 months later I had convinced him to try again.  I am a RN, so I have an understanding of how the body works and I did my research on Methadone and I was confident that I had figured out where we went wrong with our first attempt.  We sat down and did the same type of weening schedule.  He was at 120 a day when we started this time.  Every Monday he would decrease his dose by 5.  We did this until he got to 20.  Then he would come down 5 every other week. For his clinic when your daily dose is 10 or below they will only let you come down 2 at a time.  When he reached 10 he would come down 2 each week.  The lowest they dispense is a dose of 2.  When he finally reached a daily dose 2, I had him continue that dose for an entire month!!  The thing about methadone is it's LONG half life.  It typically has a half-life of 36 hours (that is EXTREMELY long compared to most meds).  By coming down to the lowest possible dose and staying there for a while before stopping you are allowing the drug level (of methadone) in your body to decrease before just stopping.  I think that is what went wrong with the 1st attempt.  His dose was at 2 but his blood levels were still much, much higher that is why it took several weeks before he truly felt the withdrawal.  As the end of month neared I was fearful that he would be scared and wouldn't stop going again.  To my surprise, he stopped 3 days ahead of our planned schedule.  His last day at the clinic was 8/28/2013.  Today marks 8 months that he has been methadone free!!  We would talk every night after he stopped going and he says that the 2nd attempt was MUCH different.  He would still have some very minor muscle cramps during the day but that was it.  He was able to sleep and function with no issues.  For the first couple of months he would wake up early (6am) and  not be able to go back to sleep but that actually made it easier to sleep at night because he was tired.  I know that everyone is different and that my little plan may not work for everyone but if putting this out there helps even 1 person then it was worth it.  
There are 2 things that you MUST (no exceptions) have to quit methadone (or any other drug with chemical dependence) :
1. you MUST have the desire to quit!!  It has to be something that you personally want to do.  You cannot be doing it for someone else.
2. you MUST have support!!  Everyone needs a "cheerleader" sometimes.  You have to find someone that can listen and be there for you when it is hard.  You need someone that you trust.  You need to KNOW that they care about you...because it is not always about being nice and just saying, "you can do it."  Sometimes you will need to hear the truth, even if it ***** to hear.  Sometimes you need a reminder of why you took on this battle in the first place.  If you KNOW that your supporter cares about you, I think it is easier to listen to them with out feeling judged or put down.
Methadone clinics could be very useful in our society, but they are no good if they are not used properly.  It infuriates me and makes me sick to my stomach that the counselors (at least at our location) had no interest in helping anyone be able to come down and leave the clinic.  I know that not everyone that goes has the intention of leaving but I know A LOT of them do  and they are left to feel like they can't.  Especially if they try on their own and have to go back....now they are feeling like there is no point in trying anymore.  Well, that is CRAP!!  Anyone can do it when they have the knowledge, self-determination, and support system that is needed.  
I don't know you or your situation....but if you need a "cheerleader" or someone to listen to you...I am 100% willing!!  It doesn't matter how you "let yourself get in this mess,"  all that matters is that you want to change it and you are willing to work for it!!  You should feel PROUD that you are attempting to make that change.  It sounds like you have the determination and that is a big part.  Your kids are lucky that you are a fighter and are willing to admit there is a problem and to do something to make it better.  I know this post is long but I have a passion for this topic!  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!!  I just can't stand the thought of someone struggling with this on their own.  Good luck and stick with it!!  

[NeedHopeLoveFaith]

You both have no idea how much these words help. I've been reading a lot about ideas on getting back on track and what to expect...  I'm going to try my best to put up a fight over depression if that sets in. I made a fun poster/collage of hobbies, interests and any words/phrases that might help keep me motivated. I know I'm on the right path and I'm looking forward to giving advice to other people struggling with the same addiction. Thanks again for commenting.

[VICourageous]

Yep! The detox will go in a few stages, but it is over in no time, it is working on staying clean that takes the cake. It can be done!!! I was on the hydo/oxys in the 90s and went c/t and then ran back. Then I played the game to get the Methadone prescribed for pain. I got down from a high dose to 30mgs and was snorting it with illegal Adderral for the Big Buzz and took a Klons at night. I went c/t from all 3 and now I think I almost have 21 months..Ha! Kind of loose count after you have a bit of time in. Just have to have lots of Patience and give this Time for your Brain to balance back.I am no spring chic and have used this or that most of my Life. SO it did take some time for my Brain to start to balance its Chems/Transmitters back. The Energy will never be the same,(because it was synthetic energy) but it is coming around better then it has in a long time. I wish you the best and start drinking LOTS of water and take some good Vit/Min to replenish back what we have lost during our drug us.
Bless

[weaver71]

I am glad I got into 12 step meetings and made friends here before detox. You will be amazed at how many cool propel you will meet who are recovering addicts, every walk of life. Church, addiction counseling, meetings, anything that will inspire you to be the real you. We have to change everything in our life for everything in our life to change. It takes new friends, new hobbies, passions, character traits, it's hard to get rolling, but recovery has become fun for me. I blurted out that I'm a methadone addict to someone the other day, Not imbarraced at all anymore. What kind of support locally do you think would work for you?

[NeedHopeLoveFaith]

Hi and thanks for your comment.  Not sure how I let myself get in this mess but I did and now want out. Once people knew I liked the pills thete was an endless supply.  Sometimes I felt obligated to buy them. Always meant to "stock up" but gobbled them up. So for the past few weeks I just kept on getting stuff "just in case" and didn't want to feel withdrawals. Never have felt them because I always had something lined up. Haven't been high for weeks but just normal. Lowering my use down to 5 mlg of methadone a day for the past few days (and that felt like too much) and hope to go tomorrow without and see what happens. I have kids that need me so I can't just detach and clean myself up c/t...  I guess what I'm hoping is that I'm not as bad off as I've worked myself up to feel. If I've missed offering info, please ask me. This is my first time EVER asking or acknowledging that I need help. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[weaver71]

It is suggested by most to be below 10mgs. How long you took it, other drug history, age, metabolism, physical condition all play a role in how we recover, but if you are healthy otherwise, there is no reason you can't stop. Give some more info and we can give our experience to help you more.