What do I have to look forward to during detox?

[Heather8448]

I have detoxed off oxy before and was fine after 7 8 days. I stupidly got on methadone and have gone from clinic to a dr setting. recently the DEA in FL has shut alot of the dr's down and made it to where we cant get our methadone. I have been out for 8 days but had a few left over i was only taking 30mg-40mg a day for a 3years before that 80mg for 2 years a day. for the past 7 days I am down to 5mg and out as of today. I went to a primary insurance dr they said they cant help me. I was wondering since I have been ONLY taking 5-10mg a day for 7 days how bad the withdrawals will be, also how long they may last I am a girl I have been on it for 5 plus years and I am over weight of that matters 209lbs which is the smallest I have been since middle school, I have dropped 9lbs in 7 days.

[K4nomore]

You don't REALLY feel the uncomfortable, weakness, diarrhea, shakiness, legs shaking until about the 10th day without. It's anxiety that you feel in the beginning. Methadone stays in your system long time.Thank God I had some Xanax, but I still had those symptoms. every day got a smiggen better.  but, honesty, if we are true to ourselves, I would (almost) do anything to get rid of this feeling.  Please don't get on Methadone if you're just addicted to pain killers in general. Methadone was supposed to be for heroin, needle junkies.  If you thought you were addicted on pain killers, you'll find out that those are nothing compared with Methadone. I've been fighting addiction for 30+ years.  I'm a regular person, raised in a half-way decent home, always worked for large companies, and was able to hide it.  Good Luck Heather. Ask God to help you, ask Him to take over.

[EvolverU]

Hi Heather & Welcome..Congratulations on your Methadone taper.

I'm sorry to hear that you've been having difficulty with M prescribers in your area. The fact is that with a Methadone taper -- slow & easy wins the race. (It took me a year & half to taper from 140 mgs. to 28 mgs. when I jumped & went to a Vicodin to Sub detox..I had 20 yrs. in on my last clinic.)

It would be good if you could describe your symptoms..what you're currently experiencing. That way we could get a better read on your situation. The weight loss sounds very familiar. (My metabolism revved up as well!) Methadone affects the thyroid. Usually, it slows it down. Occasionally, it speeds it up (I've only seen a few cases of the latter -- much more of the former.,) So, when you come off it speeds up.

I just want you to know that you've got age on your side right now. I recently turned 48 and started using late in my 17th year. So, I'm here to testify that with each year that slides by & with each habit you notch on your belt, it becomes harder & harder for your brain/behavior to adapt & heal. You also miss more and more of your life because we're not truly 'present' on opiates -- we don't really feel things properly or deal with life on life's terms. After a fair amt. of time off of M. the reality of this will kick in. So, what I'm getting at here, is NOW is the time to stop.

What did strike me, here, is that you seem to be doing this because you can't access your DOC. Unfortunately, this is not a particularly strong motivation to get clean. What I'd like to ask you, my friend, is how you truly feel about it? Are you prepared to do absolutely everything required to get & (most importantly) to remain clean?

You've come to the right place. Methadone can be rough but people here have done it (me included,) This site is an AMAZING recovery tool if you use it. Please, let us know a little bit about your current symptoms & your feelings re: getting clean. I thank you for reaching out & hope you continue to post. You CAN do this. We're here & we're pulling for you!

[VICourageous]

Hi. I ditto what EvolverU said and would ask the same questions. I have detoxed from the other opiates as well. The Methadone was a whole other animal. I was on this for about 12 years. Was at a very high dose and finally years & years later got my self down to 30mg. I finally had to jump the boat with the dones and 2 other meds. I could not taper at all. Since you are down to 5 mg it should not be as intense.If you want to be clean you will need to just except the detox stages as they come. It takes awhile for the Body & Brain to Balance back do to the removal of these Substances.Try to keep Hydrating the Body. Replenishing Vit/Min and Electrolyte Deficiencies is a must. We do have a lot of others on here that have detox from this med as well. So just keep checking your post and I sure do Pray you get off this Med for Good!!!

[Heather8448]

Honestly my life is at a fork in the road getting out of a 10 year relationship where he had me arrested charges dropped he relaped on crack 90 days ago. I had my house shot up and my life is spiraling out of sontrol so in 9 days I have decided to move, he got arrested, I found a home, and now I cant find my meds after 8 days tapering off and running out I realized I wanted to see life clear since the past 10 years are a blur and I dont want to live my life that way. my primary can not perscribe suboxin and I cant get any till wed thurs. That will be 6 7 days clean if I can suffer that far why get on something else? So far i cant sleep at night and I am not hungry. I am exahusted and yawning and a little sore. I was given ultram, naproxen and zoloft which seem 2 help but I cant sleep. Some people including the local clinic state this along with the diahrreah to come will last days the severe part. But then I read months...I am scared of the unknown.... I have survived a ot in my life and with my parents and God watching over me I know I can do this. I just wanted to get advice and see other peoples experiences.

[Heather8448]

My hear is also beaing faster than normal

[Heather8448]

heart^^ sorry

[digger1976]

Hi Heather, yes don't swap for anything else now, I swapped from "H" to Methadone and then to Subs it just one evil or the other and you've already done so well it would all be a waste if you swap. I can't tell you what its like to come of Meth, but coming of subs is a long battle to, if your coping now I would just see it through, sleep will come in time, if you fight the sleep it make's it worse. Take hot baths, listen to music, watch movies, try to exercise as that will help a lot and try to eat even if you don't feel like it as that will really help build your strength up for whats ahead of you. Soft fruits are always a good place to start and drink LOADS of water. You will start to feel better as the days pass I promise, I was truly harting during my first week and a half but it passes, I'm on day 21/22 I think as I stopped counting, lol. I fel great now, just a little restless and slight sweating is all.

Please don't give up the fight, you've been through a whole lot so you've obviously got spirit my friend. Keep up the good fight and you'll meet a better version of yourself shortly and the days pass quicker as each days passes.

Keep it up...D

[waterLilly7]

Hey Friend,
Bes tthing you can do is get off now, before your life is totally ruined. you can get your life back, you can!
Please don't take the ultram, it's just as bad.

Drink Ensure when you can't eat, I was drinking it in place of every meal for a while, and hunker down with some tv that makes you comfortable, for me I=t was chick plicks and house reruns. take care of yourself. Let us know what is going on. You can do it!
hugs,
Lily

[Heather8448]

I know everyone is different but in your opinion what day should i start seeing the diahrreah and vomiting? How long does the worst of it last? My fear is Monday and Tuesday i work 12 hours thats day 5 and 6...I am hoping by then I will come off the hump and be getting betterish. My friend told me when he detoxed and felt his worse he took a quarter of a methadone and that eased it off then he skipped the next 2 days the day after that a quarter later my fear is it will pro long the withdrawal, he stated it eased it. I have several ruptured discs and arthritis in my foot and neck, so the pain with out the ultram is unbearable, not 2 mention I have 2 move my 3 bed house in 2 days damn near by myself!!!

[Heather8448]

I will however try and take less ultram seeing now that it CAN be addictive even though my dr said it wasnt

[waterLilly7]

Hey Friend,
the pain you have from the arthritis and back is nothing like the pain you will be suffering your whole life from the addiction and/or dependence to these strong horrible drugs.
There are other ways to deal with the pain.
As far as the Ultram, its not that it CAN be addictive, it IS addictive.
You want this to be the LAST WD you will ever suffer, right?

Seek out alternative pain meds, please, take my advise, years later you will wish  you did.
hugs,
Lily

[Heather8448]

What do you suggest I take that would help the pain? Is it a good idea to take imodium if needed when it gets bad? I wonder why the withdrawals are worse with this then they were w oxy's?

[kyle505]

Five years is a long time to use. And even though you've been forced to cut back, you've still been using. The physical detox won't be fun, but after reading your post, I think that the mental part of withdrawal will be what you find most difficult. And I'm sorry if I missed this, but are you stopping because you can't get anything, or because you want to get healthy. And what does your weight have to do with this?
After years of using a few (maybe more) of my brain cells are fried...I just am not getting the point of your post. We can help if you are ready to get clean. If you don't have a plan in place you will relapse.
K

[waterLilly7]

Hey Friend,
For pain you need to see a doctor for non narcotic pain options. I also recommend a book called "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. John Sarno. It is not just for back pain, and it helped me and now I am pain free.

See Kyle's post,

hugs,
Lily

[Heather8448]

I am quiting for both reasons. Mostly because I want to I have a perscription for oxy compound that i refuse to fill and I have 7 methadone I refuse to take! Today i slept 7 hours which is better than normal but I woke up 2 dry heaves its only been 72 hours. They say it gets worse b4 it bets better than the only fear I have is having to work mon and tues. i dont know how that will pan out!!! My skin is "crawling" but no sweats as of yet and I am nauseated. I want this so bad but the fear of the unknown scares me!! My weight was given I guess because I was told it stays in ur system depending on weight I honestly have never been here and didnt realize the support i would get. I just wasnt thinking i guess! i have 2 move my WHOLE home w 1 friend this weekend then work for 2 days then i am off for 3 every day a new symptom arises it scares me.

[atthebeach]

you are doing great. make sure you stay hydrated.
for the creepy crawlys, rls  take hot baths with Epsom salts, hylands restful leg supplements, eat bananas. walking also helps.
eat light foods toast, chicken broth, yogurt, crackers.
high blood pressure is very common with opiate withdrawal, be careful with that. maybe your primary care doctor can prescribe you some clonidine it helps with the high bp and the withdrawal symptoms.
how are you feeling now?
keep the faith.....
don't anticipate just take it as it comes and treat the symptoms.
don't let fear in.

[Heather8448]

Today is 4 days. yawning and crawling dry heaves seems to be the routine. having to move my WHOLE 3 bed house virtually BY MY SELF has caused a distraction. I cant sleep more than an hour at a time tho, but its so hard 2 get up. I know i have SOOO much to do but getting moving is so hard. thanks for all the support

[selfinduced]

Just popped in to give you some support and encouragement . Day 4 is great! I can well imagine moving an entire house during this time has got to be a challenge to say the least, but your right. Before you know it you'll be on day 9 and have a brand new place to start living your new clean life. Keep up the good work. Day 5 will have you feeling much better.

[Heather8448]

u say day 5 so does my friend... others say day 10 is the worse thats what confuses me...yhanks 4 the support

[selfinduced]

At day 5 you will realize, "Oh my GOD I am doing this and at day 9 was when I started feeling like physically I was going to be alright. Keep pushing thru the mental and surrender to the physical. Just a few more days till you will really feel the euphoria of NOT being on pills. Your doing GREAT!

[Heather8448]

So were you sick on day 9 are you talking about mental euphoria and u were physically ill I know i need to stop worrying about how I will feel and how much worse it may or may not get. but I am curious. I have no mental cravings at this point everything is physical. When did the dry heaves stop for u?

[selfinduced]

One day 9 I got this euphoric feeling of energy and being balanced out. I guess they call it a pink cloud. Physically I felt my symptoms going away one by one with each day after that. The sneezing stopped, the yawning stopped, my throat opened up some. Yes, I too had the dry heaves too from a constant headaches, but a neurologist friend told me that vomiting helped release seratonin which is why many feel better after throwing up when they have a migraine. I just drank lost of fluid and told myself it was part of the process. Are you drinking alot of water (especially with alittle orange juice mixed in)? The mental is what you really have to watch out for arounf the 2 week mark. You feel so much relief that your head starts telling you....one wont hurt. I promise you this will happen so be prepared with a support system whether it is your family, this site, church, counseling etc. Just take it day by day. This is an exciting time for you. Your taking your life back and living again.

[Heather8448]

Sadly I have not been able to hold down water I try! I have been able to hold down carrot/fruit juice a little and some diet soda but water for some reason comes right back up. For you which day was the worse?

[atthebeach]

hun methadone detox lasts longer than other opiates. it does stay in your system much longer because of the long half life.
please make sure you take sips of liquid every ten minutes or so. dehydration contributes to many of the withdrawal symptoms. try to stay away from the soda. try Gatorade, the fruit juices are good.
eat some saltines.
keep moving forward. remember don't anticipate.
keep the faith......
you are doing great.