Methadone detox

[Khryhsxta]

Hi there. I'm in my fifth(?) week of methadone detox. I've been on methadone for almost 14 years. My dose was 55mg a day, took me almost 3 years to taper off at 2mg a month. I guess my question is regarding the after math. What can I expect going forward?  Does the brain chemistry reset after all these years? I think my biggest complaint is an energy crash in the early evening and some depression. Although the symptoms are getting better I'd just like to hear from someone who has gone though it.  

[gnarly_1]

Hi  well first off congrats on getting off the ""liquid handcuffs'' as you can see this is no ez thing to do  I have said this a lot but you just got to be ok without being ok for a will   it is not so much the intecty of the withdrawal but how long it lasts.. try whey protien shakes for the energy crash  you can get a 2lb can for16 bucks at walmart try to exersize as much as you can  I know this sounds impossible right now but even a short walk will help my wife got me walking every day other then that I like you spent a lot of time on couch resting from what was the worst detox of my life   as you can see this drug is very cyclic and will keep coming at you for me it was around 90 days clean that things started to turn around just know it is possible I came off 150mg over 7yr on it... it all come in baby steps keep posting for support my God be with you.......Gnarly

[Jennapee]

Hey Ya'll! I don't know that I will be welcomed to this community since from what I have read so far, you all have actually kicked Methadone to the curb and are discussing the after effects where as I have yet to take that plunge though I think about it CONSTANTLY!! I am under the treatment of a Pain Doctor and can take up to 100mg, and I did for the first three years but like you all I have come to realize that this drug has really taken complete control of my life. I know this. My whole life literally revolves around this medication and it makes me sick to my stomach.Though I have reduced my dose to no more than 60mg/day, I have not told my Doctor for fear of him reducing the quanity of my Rx (Just in case I need more than 60mg/day)***That's what the addict part of my brain is screaming! I guess Im just looking for people that know what Im dealing with and can offer a similar experience or just tell me what finally made you just do it!!Any comments or stories are welcomed and greatly appreciated!!:0)

[weaver71]

That's good you used the counseling resources at the clinic. You may be okay without anymore counseling, but I the transition off methadone to sanity is pretty wild. I finally got into therapy. I'm not a big NA goer either, CBT is what works best for me, especially group discussions. Anyway, you are doing awesome at 5 weeks. Keep us posted. Oh, don't push yourself too much on the expertise for now, just enough to pick the heart rate up is enough. I jogged a mike at a month and it took a couple hours to recover from about 8 minutes of jogging. Slow and steady wins the race.

[Khryhsxta]

Thank you for the commet. I feel much better knowing I'm not alone in how im feeling. I'm taking vitamins and do get some moderate excersie. The furry kids must be walked every morning. I was working out a lot more, but since I've been off methadone the energy crash has gotten me out of that habit which really *****. The discription you used as going in "waves" is right on. Some days I feel great and have plenty of energy, other days I can barely get off the couch. I too am beginning to realize how much methadone suppressed my true personality. I can feel glimpses of my old self coming through everyday and it feels really good.  As for aftercare, I have my hobbies and the counseling I've recieved over the past 14 years to help me cope.  And these forums.  NA was never a comfortable place for me. Anyway, thanks again for the comment, it really helped.

[weaver71]

Methadone is often about a 3-4 weeks physical symptoms, then at 90 days the energy crash turns a corner. Getting plenty of amino acids or lean protein, cal/mag/zinc, and a good healthy diet helps. Exercise is also very helpful. Everyone is different, but many describe methadone detox as going in waves, me included. I would feel like I was getting better and it would hit me again. It never gets as bad physically as theta first month, but it takes some time with methadone. It's worth it though. It's amazing to me now how much methadone changed everything about me. Congrats on your progress. Ask anything, we will try to help. Are you in any after are for the mental detox? Church, therapy, NA?

[motye51]

I was told that methadone w/d and suboxone w/d are very similar. It took me 3-4 weeks for physical part. The mental reset, YES, will happen, but it does take time. You will get glimpses of normal for now, but over the next few months it will come back. I would say around 5/6 months the mental part was better. But that was with some pretty serious aftercare! U can get physical "brain" relief by doing aftercare! I promise!

[jifmoc]

Hi, I just want to tell you to hold tight. Some methadone experts will be checking in, just may have to wait.

I do know that methadone, as compared to hydrocodone, takes much longer to recover from.

Keep checking back:)