Physical Addiction to Methadone

[MissAnthrope]

How long does it take to become physically addicted to methadone?
While I'm certain this varies from person to person, and that dosage would likely be a factor, but I'm wondering what the general time frame would be.  
For instance, if a dosage 20 mgs. per day is being taken, approximately how long would it take for physical addiction to occur?  

[MissAnthrope]

Thanks for your concern & info...
Do you happen to know if the Nuva Ring contains estrogen?  If so, that'd be why my doc has NOT recommended it for me.  I'm a heavy smoker in my late 30s which makes estrogen very dangerous: stroke, blood clots, heart attack, etc. (smoking's bad enough on its own!!), so I've not been able to use any of the estrogen-based treatments for endo.  
I've had surgery & as much endometrial tissue as possible was removed.  It didn't help, that was a couple years ago.  
The next step the docs want me to consider is removal of my ovaries, or a complete hysterectomy & I'm just not ready for that yet!  For me, the pain is only VERY BAD during my period, so I don't want to do anything that "drastic" right now!


To awakan:

Yes, I am aware that methadone is a very nasty drug, but thought that taking it only occasionally (3 or 4 days per month) wouldn't cause any problems.  

I may not take it at all next month... but if I do... if the pain is as bad as it normally is... I will ONLY take it for 3 or 4 days AT MOST (20 mgs. per day, my "usual") -- NOT 6 days in a row -- seems I crossed over the "Safe Line" there!  
(I began feeling sick once I stopped... after taking 20 mgs/day for 6 days straight.)  

[awakan]

Miss Anthrope you are not the first person that I have ever heard say they have headaches body aches from methadone nausea. It is some very toxic stuff some folks love it but it has caused me more problems than it has helped not to mention it is hell to get off of...a-wakan

[MissAnthrope]

Not long... a few months, but I'm not taking it regularly/daily.  
I take it during my period because I have endometreosis which causes excruciating pain.  No other pain meds (including large amounts of oxycodone, up 80 mgs. per dose) have done much to relieve the pain.  
Anyway, this month I took methadone throughout the week of my period & felt really lousy (headaches, nausea, pain all over, etc.) once I stopped, so was concerned I may have started to become physically addicted.  I didn't think it could happen that quickly!  

I've experienced withdrawal syndromes with other drugs (benzos: Klonopin & Xanax) prescribed for my panic attacks, so I know how miserable physical withdrawal can be.  Been on Xanax for about 15 YEARS now because I'm SO terrified of the withdrawal.      

[FLaddict]

Yeah it can happen that fast.. methodone is a very strong long acting pain med.. Please be very careful taking a med like that..Stay at low doses and take it sparingly.. every other day if you can that week of "the month"
I know how you feel with the endo.. ,my roommate has it and has severe pain on occasion from it.She has found that using the Nuva Ring without taking it out the fourth week and just replacing it with a new one therefore skipping her period for 2 months then having one the 3rd month has helped her some.. She ends up only having the severe pain every 3 months instead of every month.. Has helped alot.

[MissAnthrope]

Thanks for your reply.
Wow... physical addiction begins MUCH quicker than I'd thought!!  

To "construction":
If you were asking where I am, I live in Massachusetts (lucky me).  

[FLaddict]

How long have you been taking methodone??  What did you start taking the med for??

[construction]

where are u

[Oneofus]

Three of four days.