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Methadone detox
Hello all. I'm new here, and I'd like to share my story here, and I appreciate any input or advice.
It all started after a surgery in 1999. Painkillers like lorcet and percs were precribed for post-op pain. Had complications and required painkillers for an extended period of time...3 months. Guess what? I became addicted to the Lorcet. Later found out I had degenerative disc disease. Began seeing a doc who freely wrote me Lorcet scripts. Doc finally cut me off, but that didn't stop the addiction. I just bought them on the street. When that became too expensive, I discovered the wonder drug methadone. Wow, I thought, this stuff is great. One dose per day, it's cheap, cool. How stupid I was. Eventually I was taking 20-30 mg of methadone per day for about 4-5 years. (I know it doesn't sound like a lot to some, but I couldn't go without it without having severe withdrawals.)
I was buying the methadone off the street, too. Never saw a dr. for a script, nor went to a clinic. But I had ready access to it. Plenty of "friends" willing to sell. A few months ago in my state, doctors stopped prescribing the 40 mg wafers, and replaced the wafer scripts with the 10 mg pills, just giving the patients 4 pills for each wafer they had been getting. After several "pain clinic" and doctor busts, and the reduction in dosing by the friends' docs, I saw the writing on the wall. I felt like this would be a good time to start a taper program. I've been wanting to get off methadone, and this seemed like a good time to do it.
I had plenty stockpiled, so I had to control myself. I had the support of my husband, too. The beginning, I made sure I took no more than 20 mg the first week. Not too bad, as the extra 10 mg I sometimes took was just for an extra "buzz". Second week, I cut back my dose to 15 mg. Granted, it's easier to measure amounts with the smaller pills. Stayed on 15 mg for about two or three weeks. Tolerable, I felt pretty rough the first 3 days, but I hung in there. Next step, tapering down to 10 mg. This one seemed to be the most difficult period. I felt like **** for the first several days, but didn't cave in, even with a bottle of pills sitting in my bedroom. I stayed at 10mg for 3-4 weeks. Next taper was to 7.5 mg. Yes, even tiny amounts made a difference for me, at least. Stayed on 7.5 for about 3 weeks, too. Then the step down to 5 mg. This one lasted about 2-3 weeks, perhaps a month. Can't really remember. When I felt comfortable, I decided to cut down even more. It's really difficult to measure doses less than 5 mg, but I cut back to 2-3 mg per day and stayed at that point for about 2 or 3 weeks.
Finally, I thought I was getting somewhere. Friday, June 27, I took my last dose of about 2 mg. I happened to have access to a few Lorcets to take the edge off in the last 6 days. I've been taking 10-20 mg of hydro per day, in 5 mg doses. Some days I only need to take two doses of 5 mg hydro to feel "normal". I plan on tapering down on the hydrocodone now, as I realize I'm right back to square one, if I keep taking the hydro.
It's day 6 with no 'done, and I feel pretty good. I guess the worst suffering was the first three days after any reduction in dosing. After the first 3 days, I didn't seem to notice the reduction and stuck with it. The only side effects I've had in the last few days was some mild diarrhea, fatigue, and a bit of disorientation. Overall I feel OK.
I'm trying to get out and exercise as often as I can. I've been gardening, walking, drinking lots of fluids. I had quite a few sleepless nights, and some nights where I got only a couple hours of sleep, but that seems to be over. An occasional valium helped with the sleep issues.
My friends are shocked that I've been able to do this without the help of a doctor. I spoke to one of those "friends" on Tuesday, July 1, telling him I'd been methadone free since Friday. His comment: "Well that's fine if ya wanna go without it." I strongly did. Tired of being a slave to a drug I really didn't need in the first place. I know it benefits many people who couldn't otherwise function. I was just a bit surprised to receive the response I did from someone I consider a friend.
I just wanted to share my story. I'm also wondering if I can expect any further withdrawal symptoms this far out in my detox of methadone. I'm thinking since I did a very long taper program, I've pretty much got it whipped after nearly a week without. Any comments or advice are extremely welcome.
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Can someone please tell me how long I can expect the sweats and chills to last? Still having drenching sweats at times, followed by a cold chill. I'm kinda worried now after reading some other posts by folks who are in day 10 of detox and are *still* really sick. Maybe I don't have this thing whipped after all. Not feeling nearly as good as I did earlier, took 5 mg hydrocodone which seems to have worn off. Took a B-12 shot, too. I'm really jittery and my lower back hurts (duh). Wondering if I should dip into the old stash and chip off another 2 mg of 'done or just take some more Lorcet or just suffer.
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I must say that I did first visit the "We Speak Methadone" forums. I posted my story there, got one response in support, then got a slap on the wrist by the moderator for using the word "methadone monster". After reading a few other posts here, I agree, that site apparently is mostly for people who want to stay on methadone permanently. I read some of those comparisons to insulin, too, and was quite shocked. I was also quite shocked at the cold shoulder I got over on that forum. I'm registered under the same user ID there if anyone wants to see the "outpouring of nothing" that came from the users over there. Just looking for a little support and guidance, and maybe I shouldn't take it personally, but it felt like a slap in the face.
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My last dose was Friday, June 27, took about 2.5 mg. I'm using lorcet still to keep the lower back pain, fatigue, minor disorientation, shortness of breath, etc. at bay. Anyone got any advice as to what I can expect in the next week or two? I thought after a week, I'd be free from WD, but so far I've had to use a crutch, the hydros. I feel pretty good in the early mornings, but by about 10 am, I feel as if I can't take another step without taking 5mg of hydro. Taking occasional valium and smoking a j at night to help with sleep. ANY advice or input is welcome.
It all started after a surgery in 1999. Painkillers like lorcet and percs were precribed for post-op pain. Had complications and required painkillers for an extended period of time...3 months. Guess what? I became addicted to the Lorcet. Later found out I had degenerative disc disease. Began seeing a doc who freely wrote me Lorcet scripts. Doc finally cut me off, but that didn't stop the addiction. I just bought them on the street. When that became too expensive, I discovered the wonder drug methadone. Wow, I thought, this stuff is great. One dose per day, it's cheap, cool. How stupid I was. Eventually I was taking 20-30 mg of methadone per day for about 4-5 years. (I know it doesn't sound like a lot to some, but I couldn't go without it without having severe withdrawals.)
I was buying the methadone off the street, too. Never saw a dr. for a script, nor went to a clinic. But I had ready access to it. Plenty of "friends" willing to sell. A few months ago in my state, doctors stopped prescribing the 40 mg wafers, and replaced the wafer scripts with the 10 mg pills, just giving the patients 4 pills for each wafer they had been getting. After several "pain clinic" and doctor busts, and the reduction in dosing by the friends' docs, I saw the writing on the wall. I felt like this would be a good time to start a taper program. I've been wanting to get off methadone, and this seemed like a good time to do it.
I had plenty stockpiled, so I had to control myself. I had the support of my husband, too. The beginning, I made sure I took no more than 20 mg the first week. Not too bad, as the extra 10 mg I sometimes took was just for an extra "buzz". Second week, I cut back my dose to 15 mg. Granted, it's easier to measure amounts with the smaller pills. Stayed on 15 mg for about two or three weeks. Tolerable, I felt pretty rough the first 3 days, but I hung in there. Next step, tapering down to 10 mg. This one seemed to be the most difficult period. I felt like **** for the first several days, but didn't cave in, even with a bottle of pills sitting in my bedroom. I stayed at 10mg for 3-4 weeks. Next taper was to 7.5 mg. Yes, even tiny amounts made a difference for me, at least. Stayed on 7.5 for about 3 weeks, too. Then the step down to 5 mg. This one lasted about 2-3 weeks, perhaps a month. Can't really remember. When I felt comfortable, I decided to cut down even more. It's really difficult to measure doses less than 5 mg, but I cut back to 2-3 mg per day and stayed at that point for about 2 or 3 weeks.
Finally, I thought I was getting somewhere. Friday, June 27, I took my last dose of about 2 mg. I happened to have access to a few Lorcets to take the edge off in the last 6 days. I've been taking 10-20 mg of hydro per day, in 5 mg doses. Some days I only need to take two doses of 5 mg hydro to feel "normal". I plan on tapering down on the hydrocodone now, as I realize I'm right back to square one, if I keep taking the hydro.
It's day 6 with no 'done, and I feel pretty good. I guess the worst suffering was the first three days after any reduction in dosing. After the first 3 days, I didn't seem to notice the reduction and stuck with it. The only side effects I've had in the last few days was some mild diarrhea, fatigue, and a bit of disorientation. Overall I feel OK.
I'm trying to get out and exercise as often as I can. I've been gardening, walking, drinking lots of fluids. I had quite a few sleepless nights, and some nights where I got only a couple hours of sleep, but that seems to be over. An occasional valium helped with the sleep issues.
My friends are shocked that I've been able to do this without the help of a doctor. I spoke to one of those "friends" on Tuesday, July 1, telling him I'd been methadone free since Friday. His comment: "Well that's fine if ya wanna go without it." I strongly did. Tired of being a slave to a drug I really didn't need in the first place. I know it benefits many people who couldn't otherwise function. I was just a bit surprised to receive the response I did from someone I consider a friend.
I just wanted to share my story. I'm also wondering if I can expect any further withdrawal symptoms this far out in my detox of methadone. I'm thinking since I did a very long taper program, I've pretty much got it whipped after nearly a week without. Any comments or advice are extremely welcome.
----------------------------------------
Can someone please tell me how long I can expect the sweats and chills to last? Still having drenching sweats at times, followed by a cold chill. I'm kinda worried now after reading some other posts by folks who are in day 10 of detox and are *still* really sick. Maybe I don't have this thing whipped after all. Not feeling nearly as good as I did earlier, took 5 mg hydrocodone which seems to have worn off. Took a B-12 shot, too. I'm really jittery and my lower back hurts (duh). Wondering if I should dip into the old stash and chip off another 2 mg of 'done or just take some more Lorcet or just suffer.
----------------------------------------
I must say that I did first visit the "We Speak Methadone" forums. I posted my story there, got one response in support, then got a slap on the wrist by the moderator for using the word "methadone monster". After reading a few other posts here, I agree, that site apparently is mostly for people who want to stay on methadone permanently. I read some of those comparisons to insulin, too, and was quite shocked. I was also quite shocked at the cold shoulder I got over on that forum. I'm registered under the same user ID there if anyone wants to see the "outpouring of nothing" that came from the users over there. Just looking for a little support and guidance, and maybe I shouldn't take it personally, but it felt like a slap in the face.
-------------------------------
My last dose was Friday, June 27, took about 2.5 mg. I'm using lorcet still to keep the lower back pain, fatigue, minor disorientation, shortness of breath, etc. at bay. Anyone got any advice as to what I can expect in the next week or two? I thought after a week, I'd be free from WD, but so far I've had to use a crutch, the hydros. I feel pretty good in the early mornings, but by about 10 am, I feel as if I can't take another step without taking 5mg of hydro. Taking occasional valium and smoking a j at night to help with sleep. ANY advice or input is welcome.
i read what you had to say about the magnesium and zinc and im a 35 year user the last 4 years of methadone and morphine 7 days ago i stopped and went on a 13 day suboxone detox so far its working i havent used i just need to know if the mag and zinc will mess or react wrong with the suboxone
it's gererally not a good idea to take opiates after done except for darvon which helped me with some bezo. I remember once I did some strong opiates a week after coming off done. I was so sick after that I started crying. I think it was one of the worse times I had. So you see taking opiates after done can really make things worse.
Im with Penelope14,,,my last attempt at methadone monster w/d I started taking Norco to help curb some of the pain,,, well come to find out it was prolonging my even more suffering. I know how extremely hard this is as Im on day one of w/d to switch to Sub (which is not a good choice) but I have to try every option. I wish you all the luck and keep us all posted. :)
I was one of the ones who went from vicodin to methodone and I couldn't agree with you more.I'm totally against methodone for people who are addicted to pills and that may make me unpopular,but I stand my ground on that.I have never done heroin,so I would never dare to speak on what the the w/ds from it are like as I have no personal experience.However,I have had former heroin users who also did the methodone,tell me that they would rather detox off of heroin 5 times then methodone once.Theres someone on this sight who sums it up perfectly they say"methodone,theres no future in it."Peace.
This is turning into a long thread....I have methadone horror stories also - but they arent enough different to relate....meth is a monster....lots of people go to a different narc and then detox from that....just be careful with your hydro helper - smoke old AJ (Foyt?) and continue your plan.....
I don't like to see people on vicodin go on methadone. I know that won't make me popular here but that's what most folks here are or were on it. I was on it too but before it was street dope. The difference between detoxing from vicdin and heroin is enormous. Back in the 70's and 80-'s most of the addicts that came to the methadone clinic were junkies now most are pill heads. What the difference? Junkies would do such dangerous things and crime to get their fix and were shoting up unknow amounts of dope and running the risk of jail and death every day. The thinking was that it is better harm reductuction to put these ppl on done and society would be safer. I don't think vicodin addicts run the same risks that the junkies did and shouldn't be given a much stronger drug to get hooked on (done) which they might never be able to get off
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