taper vs. jumping off

[BanMethadone]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this community, but I wanted to know any thoughts or experiences on taper of 1mg a week from methadone (currently at 10) vs. just jumping off and getting it behind me.

Thank you

[BanMethadone]

Sweetness, I am happy to hear you did it successfully. God 6 weeks is a fast taper! I don't want to draw this out anymore than I have to. I suppose you are right in that I am the one doing it, so I will most likely know when it's time to cut it loose. It's so hard seeing barely anything in that cup, and feeling like you could just do it bc you're feeling like hell and loosing sleep anyway.

I do know that as crappy as it is, I could be way worse off. I just need to push on and consider it paying the time now for my freedom later.

I have tried CT a couple of times, and I know that's not something I could do AND go to school. It's something you have to really set aside time to suffer through at least for a while. Also, it was so traumatic and I'm a coward bc I don't ever want turn up the dial that intensely again.

May I ask, with the slow taper, how was it when you finally stopped? Please share with me any of your experience if you have time?

ty sweetness

[Sweetness91]

I did a successful taper off an 8 yr methadone habit and didn't jump until I got to 1.25 mgs. I was prescribed the 10 mg tablets and would cut them into 8 pcs. I started a quick taper at 40mgs and tapered off in 6 weeks. I couldn't do a months long taper. Once I got below 5 mgs I could still tell that the low doses were affecting me, and helping with pain. So I'm glad I went down as far as I did. But then again, everyone is different. You can always try jumping at 5 and if it isn't doable, taper down further. Really, at the end of the day, you're the one who has to do it, and only you know how you feel.  I wish you the best of luck. You seem to be doing great so far, so I'm sure you'll succeed no matter where you decided to jump off at. Good luck!!

[BanMethadone]

Thank you Gnarly:

I have heard people say that 10mg is not that strong, BUT when I recollect my first time taking 10mg, it knocked me on my butt! Therefore, I do agree that methadone is incredibly strong.

I will tuff it out. It's just so close, yet so far. I want it to all come to an end really bad so I can stop feeding that crap hole my money, and I can begin my new life without methadone.

Thank you for the advice on vitamins. I have some and I take calcium, magnesium, and also potassium bc I heard that helps with RLS. I take 1-2k mg of omega red krill oil every day, and take protein every other day when I do legs at the gym.

I know myself, and mentally every week when I go down, I try to look at it as one step closer, but i have a day of the blues after, then nights of 2-3 hours of sleep until I finally seem to adjust by Friday then time to go down again. If I workout too hard, I usually pay for it in terms of RLS and idk if that's bc I metabolize what I have in me much faster, but it happens. Working out pays off in a sense of well being, but if I go too long and hard, I pay in terms of burning up my methadone and sweating it out. I feel like ive been dealing with incremental w/d for son long, but after 14 years, what's 5 more weeks?

Everyone on here inspires me and it makes me even more eager to be finished.

I can't wait to get the adrenal support in the main bc I have read that opiate addiction affects the way our adrenal glands function and these glands secrete hormones and are a part of our endorine system which affects sleep and stress.

anyway ty ty

[BanMethadone]

Thanks you two :) I really appreciate you all taking the time to answer me. I know I am new here, but you guys have been really great and so welcoming. I have been so torn, but I guess I will know when that time comes, what is right. It's very tempting, and I already feel so bad, but I know it can be a lot more intense and at least now I am still in the game in as far as mothering and exams. It's so nice not to have to wonder all of these things to myself. I would tell my counselor but her answer is always "stay, stay, stay... you should stay!" ugh

[digger1976]

Hi, I know we've already talked but we haven't really discussed your question, I never like to tell people to jump, unless its necessary, especially when things are hanging in the balance with exams and the like. In my opinion I would hang on and not lower any more until your exams are over then get it done. You know you will be feeling rough for a few weeks so why chance it and run the risk of ruining your future career. I would personally rather be standing receiving my rewards for the 6 years of hard work you've put in, feeling and looking rough, than to be going through exams feeling rough, at least with option 1 you'd have something to show for it. I'm not saying you'd fail if you jump, but like I said before its a lot to risk ya know. Just my opinion is all. If you do decide to jump, I will be one of the first to congratulate you and will help in any way I can to get you through it. Wishing you well as always, talk soon, ;)

[Frankenkristin]

Well be here, cheering you on!!!

[BanMethadone]

Ok, after reading these comments, I think I will jump off at five. I have experienced plenty of withdrawal anyway, and it all feels like crap. Why prolong it ya know. I just want to be finished and get on with my life.

ty ty ty XD!!!

[atthebeach]

Tapering below 5 mgs of methadone is pointless. There is no difference jumping at 5 or 1. You wil experience same w/d, detox. Get it done,
So the healing begins.

[Summer899]

Tapering didn't work for me. It just extended my abuse on opiates.
But I have read somewhere,  some doctors advise "heavy" dosers to go for tapering as jumping off can be too overwhelming for your body system.
Whatever your decision, we're all here. You are not alone.  :)

[BanMethadone]

ty ty... I have spring break coming up soon, and I will be at 7mg. I am sick of taking my withdrawal over a long period of time. I did kind of liken it to getting a tattoo, where the needle is lifted every so often.

I just want to be done with it so bad. I will have a week off. I do have two huge exams coming up that following Monday, so I must study during that time too.

Still thinking about it all and wanting to make an informed decision. This is my next to last semester at school, and my money has run out for financial aid. If I fail these classes, I will not be able to walk for my commencement in December. I have been working on this four year degree for 6 years lol. I had a few bad semesters where all I wanted to do was use extra methadone and play mmorpg games (which btw, I think it's bs that they advertise for crap like that on here), and it wasn't until 3 years ago that I began getting dead serious about doing right.

Ty Kleigh and so glad to see you out and on the other side. Each day will get better and you're doing great.

[kleighn]

But hey either way tou decide it will suck, we got your back

[kleighn]

You already know my opinion, do the jump off. Tapering will elongate the wd symptoms even though they're already extreme.