"Coming off Methadone......"

[toolong30]

Hi your story reminds me of myself except the part of coming off...you should be so extremely proud of yourself for coming as far as u have...I wish u all the luck in the world...just by reading what u wrote, I feel a little closer to actually taking that step...I am 30 and have been on 120 mg for about 3 years now...before that a loonnngg history of opiate abuse more than half of my life. That is why I have felt hopeless for a long time...every time I thought about even just tapering down a little, I would have an anxiety attack...anyway I just wanted to tell u that u have inspired me to realize that it really can happen....

[toolong30]

Hi I am a new member. I just registered on here today. Before I attempted any kind of treatment for this horrible disease we call 'addiction', I have been using heroin IV for more than half of my life. I have been on Methadone maintainance for approx. 3 years and before that I tried Suboxone. Before Suboxone I tried inpatient detox (5-7 days each) about 10 times. Every time I came out of detox, I felt so sick that I went right back to using, and each time my addiction got worse. I even tried 28 day rehab 3 times after a few of the 7 day detox's however only lasted a few days each time because I was too sick to function. So, what I did was start methadone. When I initially began, the clinic that I currently attend, was supposed to be a 30 day outpatient detox...well when I arrived there and gave them proof of my prior failed treatments, they assured me that a 30 day detox was not going to be sufficient for me....so I began on the 6 month outpatient detox. They started me at 30 mg and increased by 10 mg for three days...so on my 4th day I was at 60mg and still sick having to supplement with heroin. That continued until I reached 90 mg. Finally at 90mg, I was able to remain free of heroin for quite some time. Anyway I relapsed a few times, and to make a long story shorter, I ended up on maintainance at 120 mg for the past 1.5 years totally drug free (you know what I mean; other than methadone). Now for the past few months I have been thinking about detoxing off the methadone however, my life right now is very stressful, I have several issues going on at once here, and I keep changing my mind about starting to come down. I do understand that life is not going to be totally stress free, but I do believe that after these issues are resolved, maybe that would be a better time to think about detoxing. Well I thank anybody who took the time to read this, and I'm sorry for rambling on and on. It's just that everybody in my life knows my story and they all tell me to come off it ASAP. Any feedback or suggestions would be a big help. Thank you again! By the way, I was reading everybodys posts on here and I see a guy named Robert giving good advice. So Robert if you happen to come across this, I would greatly appreciate your input on my situation. Thanks to all and may God Bless.

[faithforsure]

This is my first time posting although I have been reading everyones posts for the last few days. I have been using methadone for approx. 2yrs. I started using because the Norco and Vicodin just wasnt enough, however I was not prescribed methadone. I was getting them from a friend. Unfortuantley I did not REALLY know the actual effects of this drug. I was told that it was used to help Herion addicts kick the habit, and dr's prescribe it to patients for pain control, I was told that it was a non addictive med. OH so wrong!!!! So today I am now 8 days clean!!!!!! Let me tell you these 8 days have been total HELL!! I have 3 kids a full-time job. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband that is very supportive and is helping me the best way he can. Yesterday I finally went to see my doctor. My doctor has had no knowledge of my methadone use, so I was very scared and reluctanct to dicuss this issue, but I know that I needed some help to get through this. Thankfully my doctor was very supportive and nonjudgemental, that took a huge load of my chest. My doctor put me on Xanax for anxiety, now she did inform me that Xanax can be habit forming but she assured me that she will not allow me to be on this med long enough to form a habit. She prescribed me .5mgs, at 3 times a day if needed. I have taken 2 yesterday, I finally after 7 days of no sleep, slept a full night and today I honestly feel 80% better. During these 8 days I have been using advil for aches and sleeping pills to rest at night, honestly they only helped me sleep about 1 1/2 hrs. each night. I have also been staying away from red meats and drinking lots and lots of green tea. I know that I will make it through this successfully because I was able to admit the addiction and seek help. I did feel like a junkie but everyone around me has been so supportive and caring which I know has helped me get through this hard time. To everyone going through this I know its probably going to be the hardest thing you ever going to do, but you will survive, we all will.... It does get better, believe it or not!!!

[GaryT1956]

Hi I am a new member. I just registered on here today. Before I attempted any kind of treatment for this horrible disease we call 'addiction', I have been using heroin IV for more than half of my life. I have been on Methadone maintainance for approx. 3 years and before that I tried Suboxone. Before Suboxone I tried inpatient detox (5-7 days each) about 10 times. Every time I came out of detox, I felt so sick that I went right back to using, and each time my addiction got worse. I even tried 28 day rehab 3 times after a few of the 7 day detox's however only lasted a few days each time because I was too sick to function. So, what I did was start methadone. When I initially began, the clinic that I currently attend, was supposed to be a 30 day outpatient detox...well when I arrived there and gave them proof of my prior failed treatments, they assured me that a 30 day detox was not going to be sufficient for me....so I began on the 6 month outpatient detox. They started me at 30 mg and increased by 10 mg for three days...so on my 4th day I was at 60mg and still sick having to supplement with heroin. That continued until I reached 90 mg. Finally at 90mg, I was able to remain free of heroin for quite some time. Anyway I relapsed a few times, and to make a long story shorter, I ended up on maintainance at 120 mg for the past 1.5 years totally drug free (you know what I mean; other than methadone). Now for the past few months I have been thinking about detoxing off the methadone however, my life right now is very stressful, I have several issues going on at once here, and I keep changing my mind about starting to come down. I do understand that life is not going to be totally stress free, but I do believe that after these issues are resolved, maybe that would be a better time to think about detoxing. Well I thank anybody who took the time to read this, and I'm sorry for rambling on and on. It's just that everybody in my life knows my story and they all tell me to come off it ASAP. Any feedback or suggestions would be a big help. Thank you again! By the way, I was reading everybodys posts on here and I see a guy named Robert giving good advice. So Robert if you happen to come across this, I would greatly appreciate your input on my situation. Thanks to all and may God Bless.

Couple things come to mind. First off your story is NOT unique. I have seen individuals addicted from the 60's and 70's and on Methadone for YEARS come off this. Second your stress point in an important issue. Go SLOW.. You can start you journey back Why NOT? Your not going to notice a difference in 120 or 60 if you take your time and do it correctly. The important issue is not to rush it. Set small goals that work toward your ultimate goal, then achieve them. Its gonna take time. A good 18mths MINIMUM. You can't drop more than 5mgs every couple weeks. Then each time you drop 10mgs you need to give it a couple too a few weeks before attacking another 5-10mgs.

My point is this.........Though you are stressed in life this year, next year may not be the same. IF you are stessed then.. stop coming down and stay where your at. But start aligning yourself with a realistic situation of Detoxe. Going in-patient Detoxe isn't going to work till your down to 20-30mgs. Then its gonna be hard if you talking 4-6 week detoxe.

If you slowly work yourself down to 60-50mgs. Now your is the arena where you can stop, or continue and complete. At 50mgs your still realisticly talking 6mths to FEEL NOTHING and completely Detoxe.

To stay straight, you odds are the BEST if you can walk away from the Detoxe with a minimal amount of sickness. In order to do this you have to move towards the goal of ZERO Methadone VERY SLOWLY.

Look I'll talk to you about this any time you want. You can get out of that self made prison cell. Its not gonna be easy, but it doesn't have to be physically uncomfortable either. Its going to take TIME and rational thinking.

And of course the KEY factor in all of this is relapse. Look everyone relapse's again its not uncommon, its expected. Whats important is realizing where your at, stopping the detoxe, and getting help. If its going up Ten mgs at this point so-be it. Whats the big deal? We as addicts MAKE this into something much larger than it has to be. Yes its a Time consuming adventure, but thats all it is. Its NOT impossible, many, many many others have done this. And YOU CAN DO IT!

Concieve it in your mind, Believe it in your Heart............And you CAN achieve it.

And PRAY, Never underestimate the power or Prayer. Peace/Gary

[GaryT1956]

thanks for the comments im holding in there so far and trying to stay strong. a friend of mine also did this cold turkey after reaching 5 and stayin there for a minute and when it got real bad would take only a mg or so just to ease up on it worked ok for her. also i have heard that taking benzos help with the withdrawls and make them much more manageable.. i am pretty stubborn and am ready to be done. so i thought i was doing ok but feeling pretty ********py i have had benzos called in for me and am curious if anyone has tried that. id like to do it without taking anymore methadone im sure everyone would! only if it were that easy huh?!lol anyway again thank you im looking forward to more suggestions and REALLY appreciate your advice alot

They'll help you sleep if you walk away from a low dose of 8mgs or so. other than that they arn't a lot of help. And they put you back on the Merry Go Round. Not the place you want to be. You think Meth is hard to Detoxe? Wait till you lick those Benzo's. They will kill you.


You have to come down SLOW and consistant on Methodone, Thats the bottom line. Theres a lot of Smart thinking on this thread. Print it out an read it constantly. You have to drop 5-10mgs at a time. The first drop is 5 then the next week the other 5. Then you stay there for a couple weeks or till your ready for the next 5-10 drop. When you get down to 20mgs. Now you have muliple choices. You can continue to 0 by dropping 2-1/2 mgs at a clip from this point. From 10-mgs you go down 1-mg at a clip. You do it this way, you won't be sick at all. Not ONE DAY. You can walk away from 10-20 to a in-patient detoxe. Your going to be sick sure as the Suns gonna rise. You can use Subonex. You can use Benzo's? Personally I think its a bad idea. But they will help around 10mgs. Best bet IMO here is to finsih the detoxe on the methodone. I know nobody wants to here this. But IMHO its the smartest route to staying clean.

I have seen addicts Cold Turkey large doses of Methodone. Its been done and could be done. But...............You will be sick and when that stops your sleep pattern will disrupted for months. I've seen guys come off 80-120 dose's on a Cold Turkey. You will go into halicinations at this dose. This here isn't something you want to play with. 50 would be very hard to walk away from. 20-10 would be the MAX I would try to do this with. Those I have seen Cold Turkey were also locked-up. Thats why they were going Cold-Turkey. But this isn't the way to do anything on the street, its not rational. Come down slow all the way to one-mg. Thats the way to go, you'll feel like you've accomplished something...because you have! You won't be sick and will feel perfectly "normal" whatever that may be to you. And you will be on the right track with your addictive personality/ Simple as that.

[GaryT1956]

Another thing, and this is just a guess, of course, but I've really never heard of it taking 4 to 5 days to reach the stage of withdrawal you need to be in. I had been on methadone as I said, over 30 years, never missing a day, on 25 mgs. the last few years. I took my final dose Friday 9 a.m., felt fine all day saturday, no w/d, felt fine half of sunday, started to feel bad sunday evening and woke up 3 a.m. monday a.m. feeling like death warmed over. I had my appt. monday 9 a.m. and was at the right spot on the COWS and got inducted in within 20 mins I was perfectly fine, not high, not sick, just great. I would say i was ready at about the 62-64 hour mark..... Don't pre worry about how long it takes. It will take however long it takes but from my experience, 72 hours is the magic number.

After your last dose, the Methodone will remain "holding on" from 48-72hrs. This isn't uncommon. I would suspect a fair share was also you and your fears. Just like individual with a Phobia [Darkness] though there may very well be nothing wrong. They are terrified, and this is VERY real to them? So give your mind 50% of the sickness. But don't stay sick take 2mgs for a day of two and try it again. Its gonna stop. BTW you serve as an inspiration to others walking the same path. The knowledge you carry.....you need to continue to give to others. As you see just from this thread, there just are not enough out here that understand the dynamics od Meth. detoxe and are willing to give back to help others.

Thanks Gary

[GaryT1956]

Hi I am a new member. I just registered on here today. Before I attempted any kind of treatment for this horrible disease we call 'addiction', I have been using heroin IV for more than half of my life. I have been on Methadone maintainance for approx. 3 years and before that I tried Suboxone. Before Suboxone I tried inpatient detox (5-7 days each) about 10 times. Every time I came out of detox, I felt so sick that I went right back to using, and each time my addiction got worse. I even tried 28 day rehab 3 times after a few of the 7 day detox's however only lasted a few days each time because I was too sick to function. So, what I did was start methadone. When I initially began, the clinic that I currently attend, was supposed to be a 30 day outpatient detox...well when I arrived there and gave them proof of my prior failed treatments, they assured me that a 30 day detox was not going to be sufficient for me....so I began on the 6 month outpatient detox. They started me at 30 mg and increased by 10 mg for three days...so on my 4th day I was at 60mg and still sick having to supplement with heroin. That continued until I reached 90 mg. Finally at 90mg, I was able to remain free of heroin for quite some time. Anyway I relapsed a few times, and to make a long story shorter, I ended up on maintainance at 120 mg for the past 1.5 years totally drug free (you know what I mean; other than methadone). Now for the past few months I have been thinking about detoxing off the methadone however, my life right now is very stressful, I have several issues going on at once here, and I keep changing my mind about starting to come down. I do understand that life is not going to be totally stress free, but I do believe that after these issues are resolved, maybe that would be a better time to think about detoxing. Well I thank anybody who took the time to read this, and I'm sorry for rambling on and on. It's just that everybody in my life knows my story and they all tell me to come off it ASAP. Any feedback or suggestions would be a big help. Thank you again! By the way, I was reading everybodys posts on here and I see a guy named Robert giving good advice. So Robert if you happen to come across this, I would greatly appreciate your input on my situation. Thanks to all and may God Bless.

I keep reading this and thinking...How common this is with many Heroin Addicts. Baby Steps is what you want to take. But you want to keep on going continuously in the right direction. Read the previous posts about detoxe I typed in and follow that. While others may be able to rush this and drop faster. Your gonna have to really take Baby Steps. Trick is not to let a relapse ruin you detoxe. Because I could also tell you this. Say you give up a dirty urine or two? The clinic your on will stop you from dropping and very possibly raise your dose. Don't let this happen. Rightfully so you will stop you own detoxe like this. Trick is to slow the Detoxe down as SOON AS YOUR THINKING ABOUT GETTING HIGH! Her's my E-Mail contact me if you have question garytaylor19566@aol.com I traveled that road many years ago and work in this field now. I did it, many others have did it, and you can do it.

[GaryT1956]

My boyfriend was addicted to Oxy for about 6 months before detoxing and completing a 1-month in-treatment rehab program. He relapsed and started using Oxy again a couple months later. He used for about a month, then started going to a methadone clinic to replace his habit. He has been going there for about a month and a half and I believe is on 55 mg or so.

My concern is that he is not dealing with his addiction. He is simply replacing one drug with another. He says he is using methadone b/c it's all he can do right now to put his life together. He is amazing at practicing avoidance, and I think that is what methadone is helping him do.

I am trying to convince him to begin tapering off methadone in a couple months after he finds a job and feels more confident. I know and he knows it would be very gradual. He says he will try, but I highly doubt he means it. He says he'll get off when he's ready to not want to do drugs anymore. But if he never does anything more than go to the methadone clinic, how will he ever be ready? He says rehab didn't work for him and narcotics anonymous is not for him either. How will he ever NOT want drugs?

He says the people at the methadone clinic said being on methadone for a year is the best idea. Has anyone heard of that? I think it's BS and they just want his money.

I am desperate for him to be clean. I miss him so much. He thinks he is totally normal on methadone and I disagree. He lost his job b/c he slept late one day. He sleeps all day and can't sleep at night. He is always sweating. He seems to have muscle spasms, too. He has thrown up b/c of the methadone. Who knows what other side effects he feels that he hides from me.

I know he must come to a conclusion on his own, but he is killing me and his family in the process. I'm terrified.

Can I do anything to help? Can people offer him any advice on how to get off methadone or their experiences with it? I think the longer he is on it, the worse off he is.

He tells me he is getting better, tries to convince me this is his path to sobriety. His mom and I feel in our hearts it is not.

Please, any advice for me or my boyfriend is greatly needed and would be greatly appreciated.

I read this post and have to tell you. The amount of time your boyfriends been fooling with Narcotics definatly doesn't make him a candidate for long term Meth Maint. A Meth Detoxe for 6-mths for sure. A long term Maint. no. Unfortunatly we have a serious problem in the states as we speak with prescription drugs and the high % of street Heroin. Thus a short Tolerence for addicts and not the type of recovery programs we need. Thus many more and much younger people are finding themself on Methadone Maint. I know that what he's doing may well seem like a solution today. But I'm afraid years will pass and the enrollment in a long term Meth Maint program will be finalized? Scary thought hey?
Its hard to know and decide whats right for yourself. You can make a judgement call and educated guess from the circumstance's surrounding you and in your heart, if it feels right. Then you go with it. I'm possitive this is what your up against with your boyfriend. And he very well may be right? He may be the "perfect" candidate for long term Meth Maint.
But imho I would not let a younger person in the 25yo range do this to themself without trying it straight a couple times. And my heart of heart tells me this? And thats an educated guess on my part. I have seen many walk away from this and remain drug free. But untill an individual is ready to be straight. There is NOTHING you can do. And all the talk will be in vain. Its easy to be a Monday Quarterback and say what should have would have and could have happened. But you have to face what did happen.
This is a tough, tough and terrible thing this addiction. Many don't make it.
I have seen many commited to life long treatment on Meth Maint. The later is not a BAD choice. Its a personal choice. If you can remain on the meth maint program and NOT use other drugs? I would say you have done pretty well for yourself. You ultimatly have to be the captain of your ship.
I have no-issue with a individual who has had several detoxe's under his belt. Incarcerations due to substance aduse and maybe a previous stunt in a Methadone program. This is a perfect candidate for Meth Maint. But IMO, I would give sobriety a chance. You may realize you like it. Unfortunatly you my friend are in the worst situation anyone could be in. You are NOT an addict. You are not actually family, and at some point....may have to cut your lose's and move on. Thats what I mean, by he's much to young to be dealing with this. Addiction is a ********** and he's in for the struggle of his life for his life? If need be, you win the battle through attrition. Hope this puts it in perspective for ya.

[toolong30]

Hey GARYT1956...I appreciate you responding to me..you gave me a lot of hope. I'mjust really scared because I have never been clean for this long and I would love to continue staying clean and I'm not sure if I can do that. Another thing...I've been reading people's posts on here stating they can't function because they are too tired from the methadone. I feel perfectly fine..I can actually function very well on methadone. I also only have to go once a week..I get 6 take homes per week..I pick it up on tuesday thn I have group therapy, then I have group therapy again on thursday and that is all I have to do. When I used to have to go everyday it was a hassle but now it's very convenient. I also do not like when I read.."Being on methadone is the same thing as being on heroin (or whatever they use)" it pisses me off so bad..especially when a non-addict says it..they have absolutely no idea what we have to go through..and I strongly believe being a drug addict is a terrible disease that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy...but anyway I think I will speak to the dr about starting to go down when I go on tuesday..my biggest fear is not feeling normal once I'm off it...I know that if I feel ********ty, I will definately go right back to using...and I am so done with that lifestyle...I was so disgusted with myself when I finally decided to get clean..thank you for the advice I really appreciate it...

[woodbutcher]

...without going into a rehab center.I have heard of some doing this successfully,although it took a while.I have read many times that this is THE HARDEST drug to stop.I have dealt with Chronic Pain(Lumbar area)for 16-17 years now,going from Darvocet,to Vicodin,to Oxycontin,then,Morphine,back to Oxy,to Methadone.I,ve been on 30mgX3 daily for over 2 years.I hate taking drugs every day and have often wished to quit.Has anyone had any experience with stopping Methadone by tapering or something?Jack Beanstalk

5mgs decreases at intervals that you can tolerate. maybe every 4-6 weeks drop 2/12 - 5 mgs people will suggest benzos to help with sleep but they are very addictive . i have found that a good strong medical grade cannabis works for the sleep problems quite well. also when you get down to the last 5-2 1/2 mgs start taking them every other day before quiting all together.. take your time and dont get discouraged if it does not work the first time,. stronger people have tried and failed so just keep at it. good luck peace jim

[chunky60]

I am only on 20mil right now of Methadone and I really want to get off. I have quite a few pills and think I can wiene myself off of them. With this small amount could I cut back 10% every two weeks and get off. Just need some advice. thanks.

[chunky60]

I am on Methadone for a major back surgery for pain. I started out on about 50mil and have been cutting back a little bit for a couple of years but I really want to get off all together even though I have not had one major pain relaspe. I just dont like anything controling my life. Anyway im down to 20mil a day and started cutting 5mil more yesterday. Just want some imput thanks.....chunky

[Robert_325]

I am on Methadone for a major back surgery for pain. I started out on about 50mil and have been cutting back a little bit for a couple of years but I really want to get off all together even though I have not had one major pain relaspe. I just dont like anything controling my life. Anyway im down to 20mil a day and started cutting 5mil more yesterday. Just want some imput thanks.....chunky

chunky ....... You're doing just fine like you're going but when you get down to the lower doses it starts getting tougher. You're at a perfect dose of methadone to make a switch over to subutex. I could taper you down so much faster and it would be much easier on your body. If you're interested let me know. Here is a link in the meantime that explains how I suggest using subs. It's really a piece of cake when you do it the right way. And it's really perfect for finishing off a methadone taper. God bless.

http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-...apy-50887.html

[Anonymous]

i know this thread is mostly about methadone, and i don't want to discourage all you fine people from tapering off as best as you can on the methadone.
for me, i was able to get right down, then due to circumstances beyond my control i cold turkeyed. i got through it but then went back to using again a couple of years later.
back on methadone. lots of it.
i just wanted to say since i got on subs in september, i have so far tapered down to 1mg, from 14mg, and i have had very few symptoms at all.
so anyone on methadone needing some hope, i would strongly advise to switch to suboxone if you are able.
it really is far superior to methadone, in the way we are able to count off with far less hassles.
i wish you all the best, i know what its like being in that prison of methadone, i am not clean yet, but i am the closest to being clean for a long time, and this time i feel it in my bones im going to get it right.

good luck to all
cheeky

[bongeri]

...without going into a rehab center.I have heard of some doing this successfully,although it took a while.I have read many times that this is THE HARDEST drug to stop.I have dealt with Chronic Pain(Lumbar area)for 16-17 years now,going from Darvocet,to Vicodin,to Oxycontin,then,Morphine,back to Oxy,to Methadone.I,ve been on 30mgX3 daily for over 2 years.I hate taking drugs every day and have often wished to quit.Has anyone had any experience with stopping Methadone by tapering or something?Jack Beanstalk

YES....I'm trying to now. I've been on 20 mgs x 4 daily with oxy and it has been 2 months of stepping down to 10 per day to nothing and then I ended up in the hospital with colitis. Maybe I did it too fast because I couldn't eat or drink anything for a week, became dehydrated and caused damage to my colon. I'm 3 days home now and still really weak and not eating much at all. GET A DOCTOR TO HELP!!!

[Mrjustintate]

My dad died of H at 9. And stupid me wanted to find out at 20 why he loved dope more than me, so a few years into addiction I took methadone. I thank God for it, that day if it didn't work I honest to God was going to hang myself. luckilly it helped, have been drug and alcohol free for overm2 years on it. I am in great shape 6'3 250 athletic..... I am a Phi Theta kappa Honor Student about to transfer to a major University to get a degree to work in addiction. I was at 99 mf at my highest, and now I am at 69. I was prescribed .25 mg Xanax due to anxiety.... I swear to God it helps me come down so much. But I refuse to take more than the minimum, just want to keep my straight a's while detoxing. I NEED A FRIEND with Advice!! I am poor but willing to pay for advice!!! Please you are not just helping me, but my family and all those people I am going to help. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE someone who has knowledge of this email me. I won't waste your time, and can prove All that I say.

Pleasr I dont want to be my Dad, 6 feet under due to OD.

be the person who helped me so I too can pay it forward, my god I am begging you!!!!!

[Kay99]

Hi all, I have been on methadone for 10 yrs prescribed by a pain clinic dr. I have started coming off of it and have gotten down to 15 mg a.m/10mg p.m so my question is this how do I keep tapering it down so I won't have withdrawals ?

[Robert_325]

Hi all, I have been on methadone for 10 yrs prescribed by a pain clinic dr. I have started coming off of it and have gotten down to 15 mg a.m/10mg p.m so my question is this how do I keep tapering it down so I won't have withdrawals ?

If I understand correctly you're dosing twice a day, once at 15mg in the morning and 10mg at night. I would make a switch to suboxone as it's an easier taper. I can induct you myself right here on this thread of the forum. Been doing it for years. Here is a link to the process I used on myself and have used here successfully for years. I have ten years clean after using 35 years so I know what you're going through. Let me know if you want my help. I just ask that you do as I ask so I am able to be successful helping you get clean. It would take us about two months to be totally off the subs too. Pay very close attention to the INDUCTION section of the link that follows. God bless.

http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-...apy-50887.html

[mikechris]

Hi Guys I am so glad there is a forum like this to go to. My doctor started me on 40mg of methadone in early December,it was suppose to help relieve my sciatic pain and of course wean me off the opiates. The first month it helped with about 70% of the pain and the transition from the hydrocodone to the methadone was'nt too bad even though I would nod off on the toilet and standing up in the kitchen holding my coffee! the hot liquid hiting my foot woke me up..lol Anyway aftetr my first month I knew I was going to want to get off this drug as soon as I can and I have weaned down 10mg about every 3 weeks, I am now at 20mg taking 10mg every 12 hours. I plan to drop to 10mg in about 2 weeks thyen down to 5 mgs for 2 weeks and then STOP. I hope it goes well,I believe the fact that I have'nt been on it forever is going to really help..what do you think? thanks guys!!!!

[FarEast]

I been on 30ng for pain management from damaged nerve & serious neuralgia . When in the states I took narco 3X day but in Thailand all that is allowed is methadone . Helps with pain but a nasty drug for anyone who enjoys active life and wants to work . I cut from 30 to 15 two days ago and feel sick with debilitating pain from where nerve damage was and the first tapering drop . I was tricked into benzo use by a Dr 15 years ago and had to get off those 10 years ago and benzo withdrawals almost killed me but made it .

This is why I make first cut big ( hope not too much ) then plan to drop another 5 every week . Am I being unrealistic ? Just so tired of living in chains ?? If I was in US I would have stayed on hydro but here only methadone legal and I keep legal as its privilege to be here where medical care is affordable for my neuralgia .

What I am saying is maybe being here with only this nassssssssty drug is going to get me off all opioids drugs . On low dose of Ritilan for add and will cut this out also . The hydro was great for pain control but guess its not something one should take forever . So now I face this hell but have strong will . I am 20 years sober and now hoping all can be out of system . When I got sober I took nothing till I got hurt but hydro and kept dosage same but felt like ( what a shame I must take anything but after injury things change ) Now with only the choice of methadone and being on it I see its bad drug . Sorry to ramble but my head pounding from injury and cut 2 days ago and hope I can live with pain .
The Buddha said pain may be necessary but suffering optional with training so now I study podcast from Phuket Mind center to learn how to drive mind with some new tools so I am no longer driven by a runaway mind .

If anyone out there can tell me what I am up against I would appreciate it as I am alone far from my home in US that was sold in Asia ... Gulp ... Thanks in advance for this great resource . Benzo.org saved my life 10+ years ago and I hope here is same group help . If anyone thinks about even small dose of benzo to get over Meth WD think again as benzodiazepines are poison from Hell's Kitchen and change brain for long time possibly forever .. This taper is bringing all back