So I have a question that seems to be quite the topic in this Room..

[Awsome_Sauce]

I just started a Methadone program about 5 days ago and I am on a very low dose, but I have already gained like 5 pounds, but the kicker is, is that I have also been on Lithium for mood disorders, and I hear that's a drug that will make you gain the mist weight out of the two...So I am going to drop the Lithium obviously because of the two Methadone is the one I need the most, because I don't feel like being deathly ill at the moment..Any thoughts?

[Danny111]

I have to echo what gnarly said above.  I watched an employee come off of methadone after a few years on it and it was very very difficult.  

[gnarly_1]

Hi   im also a X/ methadonian....my advise...stay at a low dose and get off it as fast as possible  this drug seaps into your bones and fatty tishues  and the withdrawal is horable and last a long time  we have a member txcowballs that just did a quick taper  he is fighting it but he is way better off then if he was on it for years  you may want to message him.....................................Gnarly..............................

[meegWpaw]

I was on lithium for roughly ten years.  When I got clean I decided to go off of it ... probably not the best time to do so lol.  Imo the Lithium never really made me gain any significant amounts of weight.  I had other issues with it, like it flattened my moods out, etc.  It took me a long time to get off of it.  I think it did help me at first, but after a few years I'm not sure it was as effective.  :)

[EvolverU]

Hi There & Welcome :)


When you say a low dose -- what are we talking here? (ex-methadoner asking). A lot of people find that when they switch from an opiate like, say -- hydros or heroin to M'done that their metabolisms slow down. However, 5 days would not be enough to show that sort of weight gain. Unless of course, (& I don't mean to be indelicate, here!) you're experiencing constipation issues.

How long have you been on the Lithium? If you've been diagnosed as bipolar, I'd consider it pretty important to stay on that regimen (though I don't have experience with that drug & I understand from friends that it can be difficult). It's possible that what you're experiencing is a combo of the two drugs. Before you discontinue either, could you talk to either of your prescribing doctors? (I'm assuming from the way you explained it that they might be two different caregivers).

Do you think that you could answer the questions above, give us a little bit more of your history & what your plans are? That way you might get more focused advice.

Thanks! We're here & we're pulling for you :)