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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 have no experience with methadone, but I want to congratulate you on how far you have come!!!! You have done an amazing job tapering, and that in itself takes alot of discipline. I want to also thank you for sharing your story. It gives those of us who still need help courage to do this!!! Thanks and keep it up.
I did not detox from methadone...hydros...but i have read alot and people like penelope and skippysizemore would post each day during their journey...it was informative and helped many who need the help...seemd like within a month the tbales would turn and people seem to feel better....with hydro it is more like a week due to the half life but the mental aspect lingers for months...the deprssion, anxiety and fatigue...the fatigue is what was hardest for me as i am active....just want to lend my support and i had never realized what abattle getting clean is....i just thought u had physical wds and u were good as new...WRONG!...had i known i wonder if i would have made different choices? hindsight is 20/20 they say....best of luck and keep posting..this forum is great and is centered more on getting clean i think than the forum u mentioned...there is alot of support here....
COMMUNITY LEADER
I just want to welcome you to this forum. There is tons of support here so stick around and keep posting. Enjoy your 4th. sara
I DID detox from methadone many times. It sounds like you did a good job of tapering but the hydro could be problamatic but I understand. Sometimes some people take small doses of weaker narcotic like davon after meth and tranfer and stronger habit, meth for a weaker habit, darvon but I don't know about hydro. An occasional valium could be helpfull but don't know exactly what you mean about smoking aj. but I think I do. I won't comment on this now. The "we speak methadone" is for lifer methadonians mostly on clinics. They are very intolerent of anyone who doen't think methadone is a miracle drug and a life saver. I don't think drugs save a drug addicts life and are only tools.
wow..you have done an amazing job!! I hope this will inspire someone else here..I too detoxed off methadone but went cold turkey off 65 mg..so I really am not sure about a taper..but,,I would say that you definately son't have it licked just yet..Methadone has done alot of damage..It is a horrid wicked drug..I put some methadone info in my journal..It explains what methadone does to your system and what you can do to build yourself back up..the sweats should be gone in a couple weeks..again Congratualtions!!..I always love to hear that someone is off methadone..please feel free to pm me..
I agree with Lisa,you did a great job tapering on your own.I went cold turkey off of 25 mgs and it took me about 6 weeks.I wouldn't think that you are out of the woods yet though and please be careful about taking the other opiates.It sounds like the other opiates are masking some of the w/ds from the methodone and when you run out of them you might hit a real rough patch and you need to be mentally prepared for that.I know how hard it is to deal with the w/ds and still have to take care of kids.I have 2 granddaughters' that I'm raising [2 and 4] and just making mac and cheese for lunch made me feel like I had run a marathon.I want to congratulate you on your willpower and your success thus far.I'm so happy to hear that you are methodone free.Oh and in your original post you said something about still having a little stash of the methodone,get rid of that garbage,you don't need it anymore.Have a ceremonial flush and jump up and down as it's twirling around in that toilet and yell at the top of your lungs 'I'M FREE ,I DID IT'.Welcome to the forum and keep posting.Peace.
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