Methadone withdrawal (low dose 3-mgs)

[Jbeaux]

Hello! i've been on methadone for 12 years .On tues.feb,17, 2003 i took my last 3mg dose(liquid).prior to that date i have been having trouble sleeping for about two weeks. i have been reducing my dose over the last 16 months from 80 mgs daily.I am not afraid of the withdrawl but do not truly know what to except.the program i was on was about keeping people addicted not helping you get mentally or physically well.i.e(money).Can
anyone give me some additional information. Thanks alot.

[Benz Doctor]

Hi Sandus,
What mg. dose where you at when you went cold turkey from the Methadone? Did you try and taper some?
Thanks, BD

[Sandus]

Hey there all. I am a current chronic pain sufferer and have taken just about every pain killer made, with the exception of I believe it's called oxymorphone(it's a supository so nuf said there). I have never taken street drugs or even alcohol. I started my downward spiral about 6 years ago when I was diagnosed with a chronic pain syndrome affecting my joints. I started the usual percs(5mg) taking 1-2 every 4 hours. This of course lasted a very short time and was moved up to oxycontin. Began those at the 20mg twice a day. Changed jobs and insurance didn't pay much for them so doctor said methadone would be a cheap replacement that would work as well. I moved up to taking 30 10mg meths a day and was working in a dangerous car plant. They didn't even phase me in my everyday life. Then the bomb hit me. Moved out of town and went to a doctor in phone book. He told me the dose I was at was insane and there was no way he could even treat me unless I changed things. I told him to get me off them and it took forever. I would recommend that anyone thinking of going to methadone for a pain management program be very careful. The wd off it was worse than what I am going through now. I'm currently wd'ing from 240/day of OC, 80mg/day of liquid oxycodone, and taking 1mg at night xanax to help sleep, which with wd, doesn't help a bit at that dose. I feel like **** now but nothing like the wd from the methadone. Maybe it was just the dose I was at but the wd was 10 fold what I'm going through now. good luck and stay in touch.
-Sandus-

[sharonver]

It sounds to me like maybe you came down too fast.  I only did 1 millagram at a time every other week!! You could shave your tablets and taper slower that way. Although it is easier to do with the liquid form.  As far as how long it will take, it is different for everyone.  Though I can't imagine that it would take you too too long because you were not on the med for that long.  I was on for more than 15 years. That will make a difference. good luck.

Sharon

[Philip1815]

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[jcs333]

I started taking methadone last August to come off of Heroin.  I only got up to 75mg but I started getting my meds from a private doctor rather than the clinic.  He gives me pills instead of liquid. I started taking myself down 10mg evry two weeks and I stopped at 15mg, because anything after that just helped me when I woke up, but progressively got worse during the day.  So I have been on 15 mg of Methadone for the past 3 months and I just quit taking it 4 days ago.  The worst has passed, but I still cannot really go anywhere because of lack of energy and I still get the sweats and chills.  My back still aches along with my legs.  How long will this last?  Should I get back on 15mg and then get the liquid and come down slower? I hate feeling this way and I want to feel better. I have got to get out. I cannot stand having no energy and being stuck in the house.  So would the other option that I mentioned be better than what I am doing now?  How long will this last?  Please someone help?  THANKS!!!!

[sharonver]

WOW Kevin-that's quite a story!!  I have been on Meth for 15 years and I am hoping that my choice to come down so slow is going be be my salvation.  I am not doing too bad right now but of course I am very worried about when I get to nothing!! One thing that may be in my corner is that I was never on more than 65 millagrams.  Half of the time I was on 65mg.and then went down and the other half I was on 30mg.  After a few years of 30mg. then I started the tapering to get where I am now- 4 mg.
3 mg. next week. I have heard from some people that it is when you get to zero mg. that the full withdrawals set in!!  If I have any problems with it I have decided to get through that period with a month or so of buphenorphine.  That will help I have heard.  Good luck with your book Kevin.

Sharon