Son is detoxing from methadone

[kellyrael]

Three weeks ago my son was taken off of methadone, cold turkey.  He is still detoxing, and tonight he had symptoms of tingling followed by severe back pain that radiated down his legs.  It's severe and he was completely caught off guard by its onset.  Does anyone know if this sounds like symptoms of methadone detox?  Thanks so much for your help.

[VICourageous]

How long was he on the Methadone? How much & how long on the Benzo?? The reason why I ask is because I was doing my Methadone and I was adding Adderral to it..I did not get the Adderral prescribed for the ADHD so it got me going. I would take my Benzo at night to come down.
He is YOUNG so that is a BIG PLUS!!! I did find out until later that Methadone is not supposed to be mixed with a Benzo, but many Drs do this. Why??? I do not know..Anyway I had a long detox and I did not find out until many months later that it was mostly due to the Benzo. If he is having bad Anxiety and Sleep this is all in the process and it will take some time before it balance back to normal. Keep up the Vit/Min and some protein drinks and electrolyte drinks..This is very important even after the detox to carry on.
So if he was going to a clinic for the Methadone ( which I did not, mine was prescribed for pain), then did he have a drug addiction to something else? The reason I ask this too, is because he will have to have some Support as far as Meetings, Counseling, Therapist, Church, any Support is a Must. Going to the clinic I am sure they wanted him to do this too..Just have him give this all TIME as it does take time for the Brain Chems and such to re-adjust from the removal of these Substances.Have him keep doing what he is doing..Get some kind of exercise in too!!
I wish him the best..Recovery is a life long Journey..The work begins after the Detox to stay clean..
Bless

[kellyrael]

Thank you for your advice.  Had he not settled down after soaking in Epsom salts, we would have headed to the ER.  It was very scary, and he wanted to go too.  It seems to have totally been further detox, even though it's been a few weeks.  

[kellyrael]

Thank you so much for responding.  I obviously didn't get back to my computer Friday night...it was challenging...but after doing some research, he soaked in Epsom salts and took a multivitamin with magnesium...he at least relaxed enough to sleep.  Yesterday he was still hurting, but was much better.  Today he seems to be fine.

He was on 80 mg, going to a methadone clinic, and because he burned a UA, they released him from the clinic.  It wasn't the first he had burned and he was taking benzos as well.  He OD'd that night and was in the hospital for two days - thank you God that he is alive today.  He's 21.

[weaver71]

I came off high dose methadone fast. At 3 weeks it was the worste pain I have ever felt. My legs where kicking like a jackrabbit held by his ears and my arms coiled like giant snakes. I couldn't stop moving and moaning. Technically it had been 6 weeks off methadone and 3 weeks off Subutex, so I think it could be detox, especially if there is no history or other reason for pain. My back hurt too, but that is normal for me. Never hurts to see a doctor though.

[VICourageous]

Very Good Vicki..Hey if you see this can you please PM me..I have a question to ask you..Can not get in to some of the peoples PMs & Notes right now..Thanks

[vicki595]

Hi there- Some do experience severe back pain during detox but I don't know about after three weeks. If he considers this the worst pain he's ever had in his life then it should be evaluated by a medical professional.

[VICourageous]

Hi and Welcome...I just wanted to let you know that this could be moved to "Living with a Addict Community"..
I came off of a 12 year Methadone ride with 2 other meds that I just stopped..How many mgs was he taking and for how long..What did he get down to mg wise and how old is he..Right now what you say sounds like the Restless Leg that comes with most withdraws..(Kicking the Habit)..If you can give more info we are here and can help him get through the w/ds a bit less as intense with the things we did..Can he come on and talk with us??
Bless