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Methadone taper and low blood pressure
Hey Ponco, couldn't get your message, I started you a new thread.
Ponco's blood pressure is still dropping, as he reduces his methadone dose. What bp #'s would warrant going to the ER? It's my understanding that methadone should not be used on people with bp problems. Could bp meds interact with the methadone negatively? I wonder if a second doctors opinion might be in order. 3 bp meds and methadone?
I never checked my bp, but it felt low. Exercise, like walking made me feel better. Ponco, do you get any exercise to get your heart up a little. I really liked swimming also.
Ponco's blood pressure is still dropping, as he reduces his methadone dose. What bp #'s would warrant going to the ER? It's my understanding that methadone should not be used on people with bp problems. Could bp meds interact with the methadone negatively? I wonder if a second doctors opinion might be in order. 3 bp meds and methadone?
I never checked my bp, but it felt low. Exercise, like walking made me feel better. Ponco, do you get any exercise to get your heart up a little. I really liked swimming also.
What im wondering is if i do start withdrawling at 5mgs a week decrease, do you stay at 5mgs a week? If so how long does the withdrawls last? thats were im cofused. also im really drousy i would think as your decreasing you wouldnt be so drowsy. And always cold? I cant seem to find out why? thanks ponco. please get back.
hi john,
that is good. you will be fine. that is a good decrease each week. you have plenty of time until 2nd week in april.
as weaver said please try not to predict, over think this. dont let the fear in.
have a positive attitude, keep your body supplied with a good diet, exercise, vitamins and just take it as it comes.
you will do great.
we are here for continued support and encouragement,
debbie
that is good. you will be fine. that is a good decrease each week. you have plenty of time until 2nd week in april.
as weaver said please try not to predict, over think this. dont let the fear in.
have a positive attitude, keep your body supplied with a good diet, exercise, vitamins and just take it as it comes.
you will do great.
we are here for continued support and encouragement,
debbie
Hi again this is ponco .I have to do 5mgs a week decrease ,because money is running out i got till the second week of april. hope fully i can do this without to much withdrawls? maybe you can give me some input on this. thank you. ponco
I usually would not suggest going back up, but stay where you are until comfortable, then you may need to return to a 2mg a week drop. Like atthebeach said, if you have to go faster, do it in the higher doses. As you get to a point that you feel it, slow it down. You may want to try and save some of the take home, so if you need to go two weeks before dropping, you'll have it for when you get to those lower doses. I think after 8 months, you shouldn't have to bad a time of it. If you stay on it for long enough, it takes a long, slow taper, or you go through severe withdrawal, like nothing else I've ever experienced. I think you're getting out in time. We'll all still be here, no matter what happens, we can deal with issues as they arise. Try not to predict, just be aware of how you feel and adjust as needed.
john, if you dont have much longer to stay on methadone because your $ is drying up it is best to drop in larger increments in the higher mgs. when you get lower than is when the taper needs to be slower.
from the website center for addiction and mental health.
Methadone tapering
The decision to taper off methadone is best made with the support of your doctor and counsellor, friends and family. If you’ve been on methadone for a long time, you may have stopped seeing your counsellor. Now is a good time to seek out the services of a counsellor once again. Feelings of fear and anxiety are common to clients as they get close to the end of treatment. The risk of relapse is increased. It’s important that you prepare for the challenge by setting up a safety net of support.
Learning about what to expect throughout the tapering process can also be helpful in reducing anxiety. The more you know, the less there is to be afraid of.
Methadone tapering works best when done as a slow and gradual reduction in dose, dropping 5 mg every three to 14 days. At this rate there should be very few, if any, physical symptoms during the taper.
Once the dose is lowered to around 20 mg, the tapering may be slowed down to an even more gradual reduction, to reduce or eliminate any symptoms.
Nowadays, most methadone providers will allow you to choose the rate at which your dose is reduced. This gives you more control of the process, and lets you keep withdrawal symptoms to a minimum. The entire process should be given plenty of time. Expect at least six months to a year.
Methadone tapering
The decision to taper off methadone is best made with the support of your doctor and counsellor, friends and family. If you’ve been on methadone for a long time, you may have stopped seeing your counsellor. Now is a good time to seek out the services of a counsellor once again. Feelings of fear and anxiety are common to clients as they get close to the end of treatment. The risk of relapse is increased. It’s important that you prepare for the challenge by setting up a safety net of support.
Learning about what to expect throughout the tapering process can also be helpful in reducing anxiety. The more you know, the less there is to be afraid of.
Methadone tapering works best when done as a slow and gradual reduction in dose, dropping 5 mg every three to 14 days. At this rate there should be very few, if any, physical symptoms during the taper.
Once the dose is lowered to around 20 mg, the tapering may be slowed down to an even more gradual reduction, to reduce or eliminate any symptoms.
Nowadays, most methadone providers will allow you to choose the rate at which your dose is reduced. This gives you more control of the process, and lets you keep withdrawal symptoms to a minimum. The entire process should be given plenty of time. Expect at least six months to a year.
I get take home for thurs.,sat, and sun.and if i withdrawl at 5mgs let say in a week do i go back to 2mgs a week?
Taking your b/p machine w/you to the dr Tuesday is a good idea, too.
You can compare right there what yours reads vs. theirs.
Excellent suggestion! That IS true, sometimes the home BP machines aren't always as accurate. You're so smart! :0)
. im wondering if they reduce me 5mgs a week will i withdrawal from it.
The faster you drop down, the worse the w/d symptoms will likely be, but that's impossible to predict, as everyone is different. It's really hard to avoid w/ds all together. At SOME point you will probably feel somewhat uncomfortable. You may do just fine with that drop,.
I would recommend you asking the Methadone clinic staff what is adviseable in your situation, see if they have any suggestions for you, with your predicament.
As lousy as w/ds are, there ARE ways to minimize the symptoms. I know that probably doesn't make you feel a lot better...but a lot of this is mind over matter. Most people get themselves very worked up over the idea of w/ds...and when they actually experience them, they're either pleasantly surprised and count their lucky stars, OR they psych themselves into catastrophizing the w/d symptoms.
You can compare right there what yours reads vs. theirs.
Excellent suggestion! That IS true, sometimes the home BP machines aren't always as accurate. You're so smart! :0)
. im wondering if they reduce me 5mgs a week will i withdrawal from it.
The faster you drop down, the worse the w/d symptoms will likely be, but that's impossible to predict, as everyone is different. It's really hard to avoid w/ds all together. At SOME point you will probably feel somewhat uncomfortable. You may do just fine with that drop,.
I would recommend you asking the Methadone clinic staff what is adviseable in your situation, see if they have any suggestions for you, with your predicament.
As lousy as w/ds are, there ARE ways to minimize the symptoms. I know that probably doesn't make you feel a lot better...but a lot of this is mind over matter. Most people get themselves very worked up over the idea of w/ds...and when they actually experience them, they're either pleasantly surprised and count their lucky stars, OR they psych themselves into catastrophizing the w/d symptoms.
Have you talked to your doctor about the level of withdrawal 5mg drop will cause? The times I tried to taper, I dropped about 10mg a week until I could feel it, then I would wait to feel stable. From 200 mg, I started to feel it after dropping 50mg, about 1/4 of my dose. The lower I went, the slower it needed to go. I went too fast a relapsed. I didn't find out about this sight until I was switching to subutex for 20 days. You will start to withdraw at some point, no matter how you taper. I don't think it will be to bad until you get down to about 1/2 your dose, 40mg. I really don't know when it will hit, nobody does. I found that once you accept what's coming, and surrender to the plan, the reduced anxiety of not needing to "figure it all out," made it much more tolerable. Do you take the methadone home, or go and get it on a schedule?
Im tryimg to get some one maybe to answer a question for me. maybe you would know. First i want to thank evvery one for helping me with my bloodpressure. Anyways what im trying to find out is im at 71mgs from 80mgs of methadone. every monday the clinic decreases me 2mgs . im wondering if they reduce me 5mgs a week will i withdrawal from it. because funds are running out. and i need to know if 5mgs a week is to much of a decrease. thank you please get back ASAP ponco
Taking your b/p machine w/you to the dr Tuesday is a good idea, too.
You can compare right there what yours reads vs. theirs. I found that to be a very helpful experience. The wrist type b/p machines are NOT very accurate from my experience w/them. Even my dr. agrees w/that.
Just an additional thought for ya~
You can compare right there what yours reads vs. theirs. I found that to be a very helpful experience. The wrist type b/p machines are NOT very accurate from my experience w/them. Even my dr. agrees w/that.
Just an additional thought for ya~
I had low blood pressure issues more than once during my first 90 days.
It was REALLY low for 2 weeks , like 82/58, 97/70, 74/54 even...scared me.
I called the dr. Was told drink LOTS of water because being dehydrated can CAUSE low b/p. Also, since it was hanging so low for over 2 wks, I DID go to the dr and was checked out. I was ok. Keep in mind, I had come off a HUGE daily amt of hydros and a 28 day stint of subs which I jumped off of at a very high dose, and also got off my antidepressant at the same time. A lot of things effecting my body at once!
I was dizzy upon arising for a LONG time. It was part of MY healing process. I have never been on b/p meds as you are, but subutex/suboxone w/drawals can be a little similar to our bodies as methadone especially if you are at a high dose when you jump off. I just had to level out. It's impossible to exericise when you have low b/p and are dizzy....so I just increased my water, was safe by having my dr check me out and then that gag word....TIME...took care of it. You are doin good Ponco.....hang in there.
It was REALLY low for 2 weeks , like 82/58, 97/70, 74/54 even...scared me.
I called the dr. Was told drink LOTS of water because being dehydrated can CAUSE low b/p. Also, since it was hanging so low for over 2 wks, I DID go to the dr and was checked out. I was ok. Keep in mind, I had come off a HUGE daily amt of hydros and a 28 day stint of subs which I jumped off of at a very high dose, and also got off my antidepressant at the same time. A lot of things effecting my body at once!
I was dizzy upon arising for a LONG time. It was part of MY healing process. I have never been on b/p meds as you are, but subutex/suboxone w/drawals can be a little similar to our bodies as methadone especially if you are at a high dose when you jump off. I just had to level out. It's impossible to exericise when you have low b/p and are dizzy....so I just increased my water, was safe by having my dr check me out and then that gag word....TIME...took care of it. You are doin good Ponco.....hang in there.
Those numbers aren't that bad at all. If you normally run higher, then it's definitely something to speak with your doctor about. With the meds you're on, you might require a dosage adjustment. Textbook BP is 120/80. There are obviously going to be a lot of variants in that number, per person, per situation, etc. A normal systolic (top number) range is between 90 and 120, and a normal diastolic range (bottom number) is 60-80, so you're still good.
Also, don't get too crazy checking your BP 20 times a day. A few times a day is plenty. Your doctor will tell you how often he wants you to check it. The problem with checking it so often, is it will just fuel your anxiety. It's apparent you're already anxious about it (understandably), but as an anxiety "lifer", let me assure you that overchecking something you're worrying a lot about only fuels the anxiety.
So, when you have your appt on Tuesday, show your doc the readings you have, and ask for guidance on how often he wants you checking it, okay? I think you'll be okay.
If you've been especially sick with the w/d and not able to eat or drink as well as normal, that could affect your BP, with the meds you take. That's why there may need to be some adjustments.
Good luck, keep us updated!
Also, don't get too crazy checking your BP 20 times a day. A few times a day is plenty. Your doctor will tell you how often he wants you to check it. The problem with checking it so often, is it will just fuel your anxiety. It's apparent you're already anxious about it (understandably), but as an anxiety "lifer", let me assure you that overchecking something you're worrying a lot about only fuels the anxiety.
So, when you have your appt on Tuesday, show your doc the readings you have, and ask for guidance on how often he wants you checking it, okay? I think you'll be okay.
If you've been especially sick with the w/d and not able to eat or drink as well as normal, that could affect your BP, with the meds you take. That's why there may need to be some adjustments.
Good luck, keep us updated!
127/63 is perfectly fine! If you're concerned about how the methadone is affecting you, i would call your Dr but as far as the BP you have listed, i wouldn't worry :)
If i call the pharmacy they say its good blood pressure. it seems to good for my age? i usally i run a little high like 140/ 83 but not as low as 117/60 but doctor claims that norm. I dont know if methadone withdrawls lower your bp. I know it raises it. does anyone know if i decrease my methadone 5mgs a week if im gonna withdrawl. im at 2mgs a week now. and i need to go 5mgs a week because wont be able to pay for it much longer.
The only ones im takeing right now is metoprolol 12.5 mgs 2 times a day. And nifediac cc 1 tab daily. o the metoprolol tart. i forgot the tart. I stop takeing 2 of them the doctor knows. nifediac cc is 30mgs sorry. thanks .heres some of my readings from to day 123/63, 137/66 127/66 129/64 I guess the bottem nums a little low or im just freaking? thanks
He's going to his dr on Tues. I think he's okay, but I know how the methadone effects thinking and decisions oh so well. Thanks Teresa.
hey ponco, what bp meds at what dose are you taking. I'm starting to wonder if there's some connection, as higher bp is more the norm.
hey ponco, what bp meds at what dose are you taking. I'm starting to wonder if there's some connection, as higher bp is more the norm.
101/58 I wouldnt worry about, but if its concerning to him then he should see a Dr about it for sure! :)
He said 101/59, which is low for him, hopefully he'll show up soon and put his info on one thread. I've picked up his info through others' threads.
For Low BP is the systolic is under 100 and THIS is abnormal for him, I would suggest at least a DR appt! If his Systolic drops below 90 then I woul dhave him to to the ER right away
I do not know about the other things, regarding Methadone and affecting Bp meds but Maybe others will chime in.
What is his Bp??
I do not know about the other things, regarding Methadone and affecting Bp meds but Maybe others will chime in.
What is his Bp??
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