start tapering in 2 days and depressed

[spackle]

I start tapering off methadone in two days and am scared and excited at the same time. Excited because I am taking control of my life again and scared because of all the horror stories I have heard. I also feel like I am about to breakup with a longtime girlfriend. Methadone has always been there for me for the last six years come rain or shine. I always knew that at 2pm I would take my dose and be feeling fine for the rest of the day. I dont know what I am going to do without it? Before methadone I was a pothead but quit because of pain issues. When I think about it I have been high one way or another every day since I was 15 years old. I dont drink and the thought of going through the rest of my life never getting high again really depresses me. Does this sound crazy or is this the typical mind of an addict? Sorry to ramble but I had to vent.

[worried878]

I think no matter what drug we taper or quit...the thought of never being able to use them freely again is very ....un-nerving....looking for the word...i went thru this for a while myself with the hydros...like why did i have to go off and screw myself...held a small pity party...it pased...good luck and keep posting

[grace10]

Hey good for you, I finished with chopping my 5mg's in half at 3mg two weeks  ago and it hasn't been to terrible, just at night mainly. I have taken a few lortab to aid.  I went down 5mgs by week. And read that diet stuff in the the health forum, I wish I'd seen that before I started tapering, seems like that would help alot.  I feel like **** but I think it's because I'm so unhealty after all this, and that's when I want to call for more(but I'm not). I'm not having to function much though.

[lucyred68]

I sure did.  just take a slow taper, hun.  with methadone, for a taper to work, you need to go down by 2 mgs at a time.  otherwise, you really feel it.  at a slow taper, it's not too bad.  unfortunately, i went down too fast, (5 mgs every 4 days) and almost lost my mind.  if i had known then what i do now, i would have taken it more slowly, and been able to function.  i started with a 10 mg drop, then 5 at a time every 4 days.  no wise, although some reccomend cpld turkey.  i wouldn't reccomend that without medical care, as it could be dangerous.  it's really worth it to get off, though.  been clean for 10 1,2 months now, and so much happier and more contented.  i enjoy time with my family, and actually have emotions again.  so worth it for me.  i'll be praying for you, hun.

Lucy

[spackle]

50mg a day. I tried an experiment about a year ago and dropped 5mgs in two weeks and the first symptom I had was one of wanting to jump out of my skin. Almost like I drank a bucket of coffee. Did you feel anything like that?

[catmagnet]

I'm tapering off vicodin not methadone, should have said that in the first place sorry. I'm not playing with a full deck, ya know...

[Penelope14]

Whats your dose? I was excited to when I first started my taper, it,s good to be optimistic, as it will be very benificial to your mind & body. Dont allow all the horror stories you hear make you feel fear, as once you just dive in & get off of methadone, its all just a matter of time, it,s really not that bad, it,s not like Im bouncing off the walls & vomiting, the symtoms are more high anxiety & depression, and you may not have the same experience as I have, or others? So be ready, have your home life as stable as you can & a system of support, aftercare is very important as well. Good Luck!!! Penelope

[catmagnet]

Very typical, don't worry you're not alone. I'm tapering,still,after over a month. It seems like the hurdles get higher the more you get jolted into reality. I wouldn't worry about a competition to see who can get clean first, just do the best that you can. I know I'm doing the best I can, no one but me knows how I really feel inside. And I am proud of the progress that I have made. I'm a lot better off than I was a month ago, and as long as I keep moving forward, it's all good. Maybe some wouldn't agree with me, I hope I don't make anyone mad, but I don't think I'm as strong-willed as some people. I just work with what I have to work with.