Methadone Withdrawal Day 7. How much longer will this physical withdrawal last?

[kurtisdopesick]

Okay so i took my last dose of 7mg seven days ago, I tapered down very slowly from 90 Mg for 2 years. it is driving me insane now knowing when i am going to start feeling physically better. Being tired, and emotional is just fine with me, when am I going to hit that stage?

Thank you for your Help, this is truly been a horrible week. : /

[kme17]

I have heard methsdone is way worse then oxy or vikes. Stay positive!

[kurtisdopesick]

Maybe one day this will help other people.

My testimonial. 6 years of methadone. Cold turkey at 7mg

Day 1 Tuesday. Dumped dose down the toilet, this was very difficult, but i was ready. Mostly just felt anxious, still hungry, worried about coming days.

Day 2 Wednesday. woke up with nervous stomach, but i did every day on methadone anyway. Started to get little tremors, muscle spasms, irritable, and lonely. Things smell strange, kinda sweaty not bad, slept for 6 hours, tossed and turned a little bit.

Day 3 Thursday. Woke up to oh my god, everything was really bright and felt dizzy, started to notice my skin burning, feeling flushed. Heart rate increased to 98 BPM. Started taking all of the different over the counter supplements amino acids like SAM-E, B vitamins, etc. Started smoking a lot more cigarettes, little things take the edge off for 5 to 20 minutes like smoking and showers. This day was about a 7/10 misery

Day 4 Friday Same as day 3, try to keep your mind occupied, funny movies help, you just want the time to pass and that helps. I went outside walked down to the river. only made it 100 feet had to turn around. peeing a lot. and drinking lots of water

Day 5 Saturday Worst than last two days, felt like crawling out of my skin, feels kind of like your losing your mind. BUT your not. Heart rate still high, and this makes skin burn and tingle. feel like acid is bubbling up my esophagus.

Day 6 Sunday Today was good except for freaky stomach cramps. felt bad but am having weird laughing fits, night time *****. taking benadryl and melatonin 10 minutes before i shower then lay in bed, puts me to sleep for at least 4 hours, then i wake up spin around and around.

Day 7 TODAY fell asleep at 11:30 last night. had strange hand tingling burning sensation last night. Have no energy but thats to be expected. been walking around the block in my PJs, must look strange but, hey i'm suffering. stomach hurts, keep getting Gastrointestinal cramps. but i do not think i should take immodium, probably best to let it all get out. times going by very slowly and i Do Not Feel Good. But HEY maybe tomorrow.


IF SOMEONE has gone through this before, when did their heart rate begin to slow. its driving me nuts i feel like i am on speed or something.

though undismay'd: long is the way
And hard, that out of Hell leads up to Light

[Jenr32star]

How did the following days go for you.  I know it's an old post but I'm in day 6 and feel pretty ****** and I tapers all the way down to 1mg.

[fent_ct_or_die]

Fentanyl and Methadone have almost the exact same withdrawal except Fent kicks in almost immediatly.. then a long long process... im day 11 off 75mcg of fent. every 48.. heart rate STAYS above 100 up to 160 from doing the kick kick flip flops all over... bp will be high too. im not sure just how long EXACTLY cause everybody is different but ur close man... hang in there... bad anxiety sticks around like a crackhead needin his rock... long road bro. you just have to say f**k it! i know that is hard to do... trust me!! its hard to sit there with all this stuff going on with us that is so frustrating but im coming to terms with it myself... but ive read 21-35 days of physical withdrawal... getting better over the last week or so of it i guess.

[atthebeach]

congrats on flushing the methadone. you did a nice, slow, long taper that is important. tapering under 5mgs usually just prolongs it. so stopping at 7mg is ok.  keep moving forward. you are doing awesome. yes methadone withdrawal  takes longer. the acute physical symptoms can hang on for a few weeks. keep the faith. take the immodium it helps. eat bananas,toast, applesauce,rice.these foods are binding. it will come out despite the immodium. keep taking those walks, pj's allowed. exercise will help you heal. the increase heart rate is also common for a few weeks. is your blood pressure and heart rate usually ok? is so, dont worry it will adjust in time from the detox.  you can try calming teas,sleepy time. also valerian root helps. one day at a time. you will continue to heal,emotionally
physically,mentally and spiritually.
sending encouragement and support,
debbie

[gnarly_1]

HI .....normally the acute stage last from 7 to 10 days but we have had members go 2 weeks for me it was about 10 days then the energy crash and no sleep no for some its ez then others it took a good 90 days to start to feel like myself again the post withdrawal to me was harder then the withdrawal itself  .....Aththe beach gave you some good advise you may want to add whey protein shakes to the mix you can get it at walmart for 15 bucks for a 2lb can its loaded with amino acids extra vitamins and raw protein all of witch the brain needs to heal ......just know everyday your not on it your healing even if you dont feel it right away hang in there keep posting for support good luck and God bless.....Gnarly

[kurtisdopesick]

Wanted to say thank you for the help and support : ) Its day 8 now wooohoo! Feels like the waves of bad WD are still coming in waves but maybe the waves are more infrequent? It is hard to tell. Heart rate still crazy, I have always had a little higher heart rate than normal but not this high of a rate. Afraid it may be bad for my heart? Anyway I am still trucking along. Going to try and get over to Wal Mart : )

Thanks again,

Will post any updates.

[kurtisdopesick]

Day 10

okay so yesterday (day 9) was more of the tremors and stomach aches.

Actually feel better today, like my guardian Angels above have said, at this point i just feel very tired, and anxious. I think day 10 is the magical day when most of the physical stuff goes away. SO STAY STRONG if I can do this you can : )

[lynnalb15]

Oh my gosh I read this and it made me sick to my stomach. I am do a seed to quit. I am on 15mg a day have been basically for 7 month off and on but mostly back to back days. I want out so bad but the sickness is scaring me to death. I'm literally in tears right now. I don't want to live like this anymore. I could puke I'm so upset right now. How did you finally decide to just stop!?

[kurtisdopesick]

Its okay to be scared, that is why it took me so long to do it, just the fear of being sick.

But as you probably know even while your on the stuff you still feel sick almost every day or every other day.

I got sick of feeling sick while i was on methadone, and if your taking it on and off you must be dealing with the withdrawal all the time.

You should make a plan your gonna need at least 10 days where you can just sit. Its hard but, possible. I think the thing is that its better just to go through 5 to 7 days of feeling real bad then feeling like you are going crazy for the next 5 years on that garbage.

When your in the real scary part, just watch a funny movie, and when it gets really bad physically take a shower or a hot bath, it's hard to get up and do it but it makes you feel better. And remember that it comes in waves, so its not going to be hell every minute during that week.

I'm going to keep checking this so I will be here for you. It will get better : )

Promise : )

[RocketMike]

I too am trying to kick methadone.  I took it as prescription for maybe 7 years in pain management.  I felt fine while on 90mg per day.  When I lost my coverage I found it difficult to get the methadone.  Many doctors would not prescribe it.  I had been told to cut down gradual but not in what encrements.  I dropped 30 mg day with almost no side effect.  After a few weeks I dropped another 30 mg day again with no serious side effects.  After a few weeks more I cut 15 mg, or half of each 10 mg tablet, with about 2 weeks of mild withdrawal. The i decided to stop completely.  Big mistake.  I ended up having to go to the emergency room after 2 weeks, and was told I needed to go back on or I would have to be hospitalized.  I went back up to 30mg day, and withdrawal stopped in a few days.  I still wanted off, so after a couple of months, I cut back down to 15 mg per day (3x5mgs).  Again, mild withdrawal for 2 weeks.  after a couple of months I started cuttin the 5mg half tablets in halve with pill cutter, probably 2+mlg with waste from cutting.  Again, mild withdrawal for a couple of weeks, no big deal.  Then I tried to quit again, and after 3 weeks, back to the emergency room, and back up to 5mg, 3 times a day.  Still wanted to stop, so went through the routine again of going down to 2+mg, 3 times a day.  Then decided to cut the pills again, with waste probably a little over 1 mg 3 times a day.  You needed a magnifying glass just to see the little things.  again, mild withdrawal for maybe 3 weeks.  Waited 2 months, and then quit.  The first 3 days were fine and then hell.  Same symptoms as you for maybe 2 weeks then better.  I'm now at almost 4 weeks clean, but still have recurring withdrawal symptoms, fatigue, irritability, headaches, but worst of all neuropathy in my feet.  Almost constant burning/freezing/tingling sensations only on the bottom of my feet.  Feels a bit like I've got socks on all the time as surface is kind of numb feeling.  It's constant through the day, but much worse at night when it will wake me up about 4 in the morning feeling like my feet are on fire.  I've found that if I wear heavy socks to bed that it helps marginally.  I soak them in cool water and it helps but comes back right away.  I use aspocreme on them and it helps a little.  The socks work better.  After reading some of the posts, I'm afraid I may have many more weeks of this.  When I started on Methadone, I remember asking the doctor how hard it would be to quit.  He said no problem, you just taper down over a few weeks and then stop.  Obviously he had neveer taken Methadone.  

[weaver71]

I had all the symptoms you describe. My feet felt like I had walked barefoot over gravel for a month. They hurt so bad, I would wake up. It started feeling better at about 35 days and was gone by 60 days. The sweat and lack of focus seem to hang on too. I am close to 70 days and my focus is getting better and my energy is still getting a little better each day. 90 days seems to be common for methadone detox. You are well on your way. You are going to start feeling better soon. After 30 days, it seems as if I get concistantly better. My motivation and energy are the things that I'm still waiting on. Good luck and congrats on your clean time. You are amazingly determined to have gone through so many efforts. You are obviously a strong person.

[Kassyc]

Day ten for me, after 4yrs on the program. 130mls was my highest dose. My last dose was 18 mls. Still feel like **** but, but doing a lot better. What surprised me was my baby was born while I was on the program and had no withdrawal, but I'm not so lucky. I haven't had more than a few hours of sleep at night since I quit. Definitely wish I didn't have to be "mom" while I'm going through this! Detoxing from heroin is 100 times worse, but doesnt last as long. The most important thing is to make sure your life is stable! That way you dont relapse when your getting off the program, and start all over again.

[gnarly_1]

Hi .....I cam off methadone several yrs ago......nothing  I would want to do again im happy for you and your baby now try to make some you time and get to an N/A meeting...........Gnarly

[Bill2013]

Day 6 for me! I'm not sureI would have taken one of these things if I knew then what I know now.... I have been on some kind of pain meds for the last 10 yrs from a MC accident, got my last surgery in 07, still screwed and the Doc suggested methadone> I have to admit it was the best pain med I had been on, builds up for long term, no peaks and valleys, I thought it was the answer to my dreams. Since it worked so well I was able to do things I never dreamed I would be able to do again, including getting back into some semblance of decent shape, and started doing the long taper. I got down to ten mg and quit. Wow! Wish I would have read these forums before I did! I haven't slept more that a couple of hrs per night for the last 4 days, that burning sensation is the worst, especially when combined with Restless leg syndrome. I wonder how long you can go like that? I seem to be getting used to no sleep, It's a whole lot better than trying to sleep, that's a little more than frustrating.... I don't crave the damn things, thats a relief. I keep asking myself if it was worth it, when this is over I may have a life again so maybe? Guess the next few weeks will tell. Good luck to all!    
Bill

[getmeoff4929]

I've only been on Methadone for 38 days.  Wanted to do a 28 day detox but the doc at the clinic said I needed another 21 days to come off.  I was only on 30mg to start with. I always leave some behind in the cup.  It knocked me down to 25 mgs.  When I insisted I wanted to come off, he changed me to come down 5 mgs every 5 days.  I am now at 10 mgs (still leaving some behind) I have hot flashes and some days I get tired but other than that, I've been fine.  My question is, when I get down to 5mgs and then stop will I be suffering like everyone seems to be on here?? I've only been on this stuff for 38days.  Please advise.  Thank you!! GetMeOff.

[Ms_im_doin_it]

Just wanted to share abit with you as I was exactly where you are heading 3 days ago....I too left the clinic @ 10mg...I had been there for 10 yrs never above 75. I detoxed there going everyday for 7 days dropped from 50 to 10 in 7days...I know how you feel...its really something you cant put into words but I found a med called clonodine...it will slow your bp and hrate...alot...it drains me and the FLAT miserable feeling of no energy was driving me crazy so at day 9 I stopped taking the clonidine NON addictive by the way...and today is day 14...I feel alot better...no energy long...about 20 min of functioning then I have to lay down....Ive started to take care of myself though when I feel like it...like I used to...even did my nails about 3am....bad news is I havent slept beyond 1~2 hours all together at night! But, we will feel normal again...no dope just living life like all those we envied who I'd always think "How do they do it so naturally?" Jealous of the drive and happiness I'd see and want it for me! Well, we will have it and other will look at us as inspiration! Hang in there...your DOING IT!

[RaineyII]

Every day the withdrawals come up with new and improved symptoms, to over come. I have been doing the detox alone. I've never had my skin feel like a sunburn without actually being burned by the suns rays. I don't sleep,& the restless legs are horrible. I was on methadone for 8 yrs for chronic pain, it was a miracle drug that actually worked- I'd been on oxycontin and lortab for years, and the pain was always in the back of my mind, but I was high. That's what I liked about the methadone there wasn't that high feeling, and for the first time in years I didn't just think about the pain. I had no intention of going off the methadone, but I moved to a state called Texas, and these Drs, are brutal, they want u to go to a pain specialist, that you can't get into... I work in the medical field, and I am appalled at the treatment from these MD's pushing me out the door without even caring what trauma they are forcing you into. I had 9 pills left when I realized my worst nightmare was going to come true. So instead of taking 3 pills a day I knocked it down to 1 a day..by day 9 of the drastic reduction I was totally suffering. It's been almost 7 days since I had methadone, but one of the ER doc had prescribed lortab 5 I didn't fill it until day 2 off all methadone, because I knew it would do nothing for me...but I was pretty desperate and got 10 of those worthless pills, that didn't help. Today is the first day I am even perspiring from the burning skin....I'm easily down 10 lbs. I look like hell, but I guess since I feel like he'll I am going to look the part. Sleeping has been a serious problem, I don't feel to charged up about being off the methadone...it's hard to recover alone. I hate platitudes! I'm tired of feeling lousy, and I know I will not feel better tomorrow, now I have to endure all the pain again, and go thru withdrawals at the same time. It's weird 1 day I didn't have the restless legs, but that prob resurfaced again. After all the trauma my body has been through for 17 days, I'd sure hate to have done this for nothing. I just dont know how I will manage the pain. The methadone kept me working, I don't know where all this p is coming from, but I look at liquids, and I am in the bathroom. I didn't realize methadone had made some changes in my body, but now my body is looking better, but damn, the aches and pains are traumatic. I honestly can't imagine going through the severe achy flu like symptoms for weeks or months- as some people have documented. I feel like I'm losing the battle. 1 day I cried all day, and my emotions are all over. I didn't like being out of control the first few days, I can see how easily violence could occur during that time- I'm not a violent person, but all my thought were violent, so if I had the propensity to be violent I'm sure someone could have gotten hurt, even myself being hurt. I ate real food complex carbs today, and my gut isn't happy, it has been rebelling for 14 hrs.
Signed,
It sux to be me!  

[Sodamnsick]

I'm on day 7 clean from methadone. It's KILLING me. I have a 3 year old and NO strength. When will I feel better!?!?

[coldturkey716]

i've been off 100mg couple times a week. had to go cold turkey because i lost my job. the bad feelings come and go. slept 5 hours in past 8 days. the not sleeping is the worst. i gotta get clean. metal is the devil. i wish i came off 7mg. try coming off a large dose on day 4 i was crying and praying for death. especially after reading about someone on similar dose having  withdrawal symptoms 43 days later. i'm in hell but i have to get through it

[melin0402]

I was on methadone - 100 mg. - for 7 years.  I came off of it cold turkey in 2005.  It was absolute HELL.  I thought I was going to die.  I am amazed that I didn't.  I did have some lorazapam (that helped!)  But, I don't think I slept more than 15 minutes at a time for at least a month.  I had to crawl to the bathroom on day 3.  I remember that like it was yesterday.  when I did sleep, I would wake up soaked in sweat (even though I was only out for 15 minutes).  I looked like death.  I felt like death.  Somehow, I got through it.  I remember, after about 6 months, I finally slept for 4 hours straight.  It was amazing!!!   I finally started gaining weight, and had an appetite, after about 6 months, also.

It took about 2 years to finally sleep through the night, and feel 'normal'.  I wouldn't wish this on anyone.  

Today, I am sober!  God helped me get through that time in my life.  

[BulletTreatment357]

In on day 5 and my legs hurt so bad how can I help the restless legs any ideas ???

[beatbutnotbroken]

Wow listening to all that are withdrawing and hearing the anxity and the fear makes me wanna cry....I am 21 days clean from a 8 year ride with opiates and last 5years on methadone. 105 tapered to 45 mg and jumped. (Best jump I ever made)  day 21 with the advise of these amazing pple here who have gone thru what you we are going thru have saved my life. As far as my symptons are the heart pounding, energy crash but is getting better one day im fine the next ugh again. But I pop my head phones in and I push thru it I go for jog as far as I can go just dont over due it. Methadone is a battle won day by day you cant be impatient with it, but know with a strong will you will heal and you will be free from the chainsof addiction. I broke my  chains off 21days ago and today as hard as the guilt and shame I have caused my eyes are seeing what truehappiness can be.

[beatbutnotbroken]

Omg if no one has mentioned this...clonadine a heart pressure med that is amazing to help get u thru the hard days usally days 3 to 10. It helped me tremendously

[LadySailor86]

Hey y'all just from experience with the wD, I found Benadryl made
My legs and the rest of me MORE jumpy and restless. I took lots of immodium and my tummy felt lots better. That weird taste and smell goes away after about two weeks I think.