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withdrawal from Methadone
I'm new to this online thing. I've read up on lots of other stories but everything is so different it's confusing and I need help )-: almost 2 years ago started taking pain pills (vicodin, percocets, oxy's) on and off here or there. Mainly because I was a new business owner and was stressed and anxiety went nuts so these was taking that away. Then about 6 months a friend introduced me to methadone. I was hooked asap. So now and then turned into everyday! So for last 6 months I've taken 25-30 milligrams a day. I just realized it's controlling my life and ruining my family as I kept it a secret. I came clean with my husband and he has been an amazing support. He has me on a vitamin regimen and gatorade and vitamin water. Today I'm 7 days clean. I haven't experience diarrhea or vommiting. But cold chills, sweats, large pupils, major insomnia and major anxiety I have been enduring. I went to hospital on 5th day as I was starting to feel suicidal and anxiety was too much. They gave me valium to take off the edge which has helped. My only symptoms I'm experiencing is anxiety and the chills which is driving me insane. I'm very proud that I've made it 7 days on my own as I thought it would be impossible and have an amazing support system. But even so there's things they can't answer. I want my energetic happy self back (-: so I guess what I want to know is how much longer is this insomnia and anxiety stuff (withdrawal) gonna last based off of time period and dose? Any answer are greatly needed and appreciated!!!! Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I am so glad that you quit opiates, and so lucky to have such supportive husband. It is a true blessing. However you job of quitting is difficult nonetheless.
See if your doctor can write you a prescription for some Requip for restlessness, Neurontin for anxiety and malaise, some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose, for sleep and Klonopin which will be helpful for sleeplessness and anxiety. It will make your withdrawals easier. Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself. It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for your receptors to downregulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves your chances of staying clean for good by cutting down your physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue.
Good luck to you and my best wishes.
See if your doctor can write you a prescription for some Requip for restlessness, Neurontin for anxiety and malaise, some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose, for sleep and Klonopin which will be helpful for sleeplessness and anxiety. It will make your withdrawals easier. Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself. It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for your receptors to downregulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves your chances of staying clean for good by cutting down your physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue.
Good luck to you and my best wishes.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I will give you the same advice I give our patients after MDS treatment: Multivitamin with a strong mineral component is absolutely necessary. Vitamins and minerals are cofactors/coenzymes for repair, healing, and normal function of the body.
Vitamin C – 2000 to 3000 mg per day in divided doses is also beneficial to your general health.
Fish oils, primrose oil or flaxseed oil are necessary for repair and for proper function of cellular membranes and have anti-inflammatory properties. These need to be a of mix omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 oils—4000 to 6000 mg per day in split doses. They can be purchased as liquids and mixed with your smoothies.
Rebuilding neurotransmitter production and function: S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine— (SAM-e) SAM-e is a necessary cofactor in the production of most neurotransmitters—serotonin, dopamine, adrenalin, and noradrenalin. It is especially important for you at this particular time and should be taken at a dose of 500 mg to 800mg twice per day.
Do not bother to take GABA as a supplement, it is naturally produced in the brain and when in the blood stream, the molecule is too large to cross the blood brain barrier.
Adrenal Support: research shows that there is a profound negative effect by opiates on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This is why those who withdraw from opiates have protracted fatigue and problems with anxiety, libido and insomnia. Natural supplements for adrenal support are found under names such as Adrenal Plus, or Adrenplus. The starting dose is around 1000 mg per day in split doses.
Liver Detox: Milk Thistle with alpha-Lipoic Acid is one combination that we recommend for liver repair and detoxification - 1200 to 1500 mg of milk thistle and 400 mg of Lipoic acid per day in split doses.
L-Glutathione has been found to help in liver detoxification, especially from Tylenol containing opiates. Taking at least 500 mg to 2000 mg per day in split doses has been recommended, however it is unlikely absorbed orally and unless you can find it in a nebulized form or are willing to get an IM shot twice a day, it is not worth the money.
For Restful Nights: Valerian Root 450 mg is an herbal supplement that reduces anxiety and helps you sleep.
Melatonin is a hormone released from the pineal gland in brain at night time that regulates circadian rhythm and helps us fall asleep. It is essential for those coming off opioid and as little as 3 mg has been found to be effective. However, research on healthy volunteers using up to 100 mg of melatonin in a single dose showed little side effects. Melatonin is also known as a very strong antioxidant with 1000 times the potency of Vitamin E. Take only at night when you would be going to bed at the regular time.
It is vital to have a good sleep hygiene routine: allow yourself to wind down at a regular (very important!) time each night; relax and watch no TV for at least an hour before going to bed; take a warm shower, have a hot cup of chamomile tea; the room should be dark, so that the melatonin hormone is released in a natural way. Good night…
Vitamin C – 2000 to 3000 mg per day in divided doses is also beneficial to your general health.
Fish oils, primrose oil or flaxseed oil are necessary for repair and for proper function of cellular membranes and have anti-inflammatory properties. These need to be a of mix omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 oils—4000 to 6000 mg per day in split doses. They can be purchased as liquids and mixed with your smoothies.
Rebuilding neurotransmitter production and function: S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine— (SAM-e) SAM-e is a necessary cofactor in the production of most neurotransmitters—serotonin, dopamine, adrenalin, and noradrenalin. It is especially important for you at this particular time and should be taken at a dose of 500 mg to 800mg twice per day.
Do not bother to take GABA as a supplement, it is naturally produced in the brain and when in the blood stream, the molecule is too large to cross the blood brain barrier.
Adrenal Support: research shows that there is a profound negative effect by opiates on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This is why those who withdraw from opiates have protracted fatigue and problems with anxiety, libido and insomnia. Natural supplements for adrenal support are found under names such as Adrenal Plus, or Adrenplus. The starting dose is around 1000 mg per day in split doses.
Liver Detox: Milk Thistle with alpha-Lipoic Acid is one combination that we recommend for liver repair and detoxification - 1200 to 1500 mg of milk thistle and 400 mg of Lipoic acid per day in split doses.
L-Glutathione has been found to help in liver detoxification, especially from Tylenol containing opiates. Taking at least 500 mg to 2000 mg per day in split doses has been recommended, however it is unlikely absorbed orally and unless you can find it in a nebulized form or are willing to get an IM shot twice a day, it is not worth the money.
For Restful Nights: Valerian Root 450 mg is an herbal supplement that reduces anxiety and helps you sleep.
Melatonin is a hormone released from the pineal gland in brain at night time that regulates circadian rhythm and helps us fall asleep. It is essential for those coming off opioid and as little as 3 mg has been found to be effective. However, research on healthy volunteers using up to 100 mg of melatonin in a single dose showed little side effects. Melatonin is also known as a very strong antioxidant with 1000 times the potency of Vitamin E. Take only at night when you would be going to bed at the regular time.
It is vital to have a good sleep hygiene routine: allow yourself to wind down at a regular (very important!) time each night; relax and watch no TV for at least an hour before going to bed; take a warm shower, have a hot cup of chamomile tea; the room should be dark, so that the melatonin hormone is released in a natural way. Good night…
As I've stated I've recently withdrawn myself from methadone at home. I don't have the finances or insurance to do it any other way. Everyone's feed back has been good insight. But I have a few questions and can't seem to find answers to them anywhere. Today is day 14 clean. I can say I'm feeling much better. Slight headache and freezing. I went to GNC and explained my situation. I'm already on multiple vitamin and potassium. He suggested I do a 14 day cleanse, so I am. What's suggestions on that?? Will that help get my body back regulated?? I just cannot stand this cold feeling all the time. I assumed by now this would be over based on my length of use and dose )-: I'm not giving up no way!! Just discouraged!!! Help please?? )-:
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Please get your thyroid checked. Sometimes it gets out of wack when you take methadone. Just a precaution.
Dr. Julia
Dr. Julia
Thank u for ur feedback as well (-: today is day 13 clean cold turkey!!! Last 3 days have been great really opposed to day 5 when I felt like death!!! I honestly believe all the prayers and support has made all the difference. I'm thankful I didn't have all the symptoms I was told I may get. And have slept all night long the last 4 nights!! Anxiety is slightly there but not too much. My only issue is its been 70 out and i cant get warm I'm always freezing and it's driving me insane!!! Is there any suggestions or otc meds that may help with that? Thank u!!!
Good luck with your recovery. .. methadone can be one of the most difficult withdrawals, mainly due to the point that it is a substitute for heroin. . It is an amazing drug when it is used properly but the downside is that while it substitutes the feeling from opiates, when the time comes to come off methadone you then are dealing with learning to cope without the help of methadone. .. I am a recovering addict myself and know only too well how hard it is to come off methadone. . But you have only been using methadone for 6 months so with the right support you will get back to your old self in no time. .. it may take a few weeks or even a few months but the insomnia and agitation will pass and you can move on with your life. .. anyway keep up the good work and take care. ...
Thank you for the feed back. Today is day 8 clean (-: I'm feeling pretty good today. Been taking tons of vitamins and all kinds of healthy stuff the entire time to help with my immune system and lack of apetite. All i am truly psychically experiencing is chills and anxiety occasionally as opposed to non stop 4 days ago. Last night I was able to sleep 9 hours I tried melatonin and it worked. I feel good today got dressed moved around did hair and makeup which is a first. I know each day will be different. But seems it's been getting better each day (-: I just hate being cold all the time any suggestions for that?? I don't have a doctor or insurance so any scripts are hard for me unless I got to ER. Thanks for ur input (-:
Thank you for the feed back. Today is day 8 clean (-: I'm feeling pretty good today. Been taking tons of vitamins and all kinds of healthy stuff the entire time to help with my immune system and lack of apetite. All i am truly psychically experiencing is chills and anxiety occasionally as opposed to non stop 4 days ago. Last night I was able to sleep 9 hours I tried melatonin and it worked. I feel good today got dressed moved around did hair and makeup which is a first. I know each day will be different. But seems it's been getting better each day (-: I just hate being cold all the time any suggestions for that?? I don't have a doctor or insurance so any scripts are hard for me unless I got to ER. Thanks for ur input (-:
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