Tapering off methadone, need advice!

[jsciela1985]

I just joined this forum but I've been reading a lot of the entries posted on here for months and I really want to thank everyone on here for their posts as they have helped me tremendously. I'm finally starting my taper again and any advice is much appreciated, unfortunately I don't know a lot of people who have successfully tapered off methadone. My concern is of course the withdrawl symptoms tht can happen while tapering. I've been on methadone for two years now. I got up to 95mg, stayed there for a little more than a year then tapered down to 75mg at 2mg a week. I did not feel any withdrawal going down the 2 mg but stopped taper because I moved and had to go to different clinic. I guess what I'm asking is what medications can I take while I'm tapering off the methadone that will decrease the withdrawl symptoms? My most painful symptom from opiate withdrawl is restless leg syndrome . I want to know what meds will ease the RLS and other withdrawl symptoms that will probably occur. I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone that knows or has gone through tapering. Thank u all so much!

[EvolverU]

G'morning, Welcome & Thanks for reaching out! Congrats on your decision to taper. You're in the right place. We have quite a few folks here who have successfully tapered off M'done. As you know with this drug, slow & easy wins the race! It needs time to leach out of your tissues where it stores.

I was on my last clinic for 20 yrs & tapered from 140 mgs to 28 mgs (when I made the jump.) over a period of 1.5 yrs.  I didn't feel any RLS or other true w/d symptoms. I had them split my dose (half in the morning -- half at night) which might have helped as I'm a rapid metabolizer for opiates. I should have tapered further but I really wanted off & got impatient. (smile.) Personally, I feel that people are far too concerned about symptoms while they're tapering. The actual w/d's don't really kick in until you get pretty low. I think that half of what people are experiencing above 30 or 40 mgs is actually fear-based/mental. M'done is a POWERFUL steady state drug with a long half-life & 40 mgs is considered a 'blocking' dose. Therefore, I think it would be best not to stress about the actual taper. Two mgs. a week is a nice slow taper. If you do start to feel uncomfortable then just stick on that dose until you adjust.

When/if you do start 'getting' down there & experiencing symptoms you might want to ask a sympathetic Dr. for Neurontin for the RLS (it also helps some w/ sleep.) & Clonidine (Blood Pressure Med)which  is also commonly used in opiate detox & helps with anxiety & hot & cold sweats. If you type 'Thomas Recipe' into the search box you'll find a wealth of useful tips to aid in your kick.

So, what's your actual current dose? How are you doing on it? I just want to encourage you on your taper & to let you know that you're NOT alone & that's ABSOLUTELY doable if you want it badly enough. Planning ahead, a good attitude & determination are the keys to a successful detox. For many yrs I never thought it was possible because everyone I knew was on the clinic or using & no one ever came off unless they were forced off. MH was a real revelation for me. I found it incredibly inspiring & comforting to know that it had been done & that there were people here who would support & guide me. I don't think I could have made it without them. So, please, let us know what you think & how your taper progresses. We're here & we're pulling for you, my friend!

[ncgirl01]

Congratulations on the "want" to be off methadone and it can be done. The scariest part for most people is the finish line. I've come off of methadone 5 different times and 2 of those times were a straight taper. The first time I was young 21 (48 now) and I went inpatient for 30 days. I had only been on the meth. for 6 months. I suffered pretty badly the 1st 3 days...after that I was fine. I did not go back to meth. until I was 28 and remained til I  was 31 and forced off because of an incarceration that lasted 6 mo. I was given a 5 day detox and the next month was a nightmare. The 3rd and 4th taper were unsuccessful but by the fifth I had learned a few things and I did a self designed taper and got off for good. It took 10 months to get off the meth. where I switched to suboxone and then tapered from suboxone to tramadol and then off completely. i also used other meds during this time like neurontin, celexa, occasionally klonopin, and trazadone. I had to be so careful and determined. When the rls kicked in I would use 50mgs of the tramadol. I had someone monitoring me all the time and plenty of support. I used exercise, good nutrition, therapy, and meditation. I have not found the need to return to methadone for about 10 yrs now. You can do it you have to find waht is right for you.

[ROSYouralright]

I don't know alot about the mdone but alot of people here do and they will be along with some advice and encouragement for you! The RLS kicked my behind as well. I used HYLANDS, my heating pad, lots of hot showers and melatonin to aide with sleep! You CAN do this and I'm glad to see you posting! People will be around shortly that know what they are talking about!! HANG IN THERE!

[2010dlk]

Good morning.  I also just started posting again after also reading all the posts, these people are great and so caring, great support for me as well. I have been tapering off methadone and I did a very very slow taper, at times I thought it was going to take forever, but I sit here now at 4mg a day after tapering down from 110mgs.  This took me over a year, but I have been doing pretty well actually.  In the beginning I really did not experience any discomfort, but as I got lower at times I would feel some withdrawal.  So I would just hold there until I was comfortable again to drop, but really it was not bad for me.  I never went back up once I tapered down.  For me in the past a huge withdrawal downfall would also be the rls in the legs. OMG very very bad and I am also very worried about that happening.  I tried an over the counter medication (rylands I think was the name),but it did nothing for me. I am extremely motivated to stop taking methadone, when I think back how much money I have spent at the clinic it makes me ill.  I went to the clinic for a little over 5 years.  It is my time to be clean and I pray and pray that it won't be to bad when I completely stop.  Right now at 4mgs. I have to decide whether to keep taking it or just jump off.  Big decision for me.  I just wanted to let you know my story.  Tapering off methadone can be done and I have been encouraged by many posts here, pouring out our soles, being able to be completely honest with these guys.  I hope some others will respond to your posts that has knowledge for you.  You CAN do it you must put your all into this..