[shiva666]

i need some help. Here's my situation; I have been on Methadone for a year. I was taking 70mg most of the year. and started dropping 5mg every 2 weeks a few months back. I am now at 45mg, so far so good. I am to be admitted to an inpatient medical (non-opioid) detox at the hospital in 2 weeks time, when I will finally reach 30mg.
I tried to be admitted at 70mg, but was told that they could only admit me at 30mg, and that detoxing directly from 70mg was much too high.

I'm a member of NA. I realized that I could not get clean alone. Finding the rooms of NA has saved my life. I know that methadone is intended to be a long term treatment, you must be thinking that I'm rushing into things, I should just stay on for a few more years, but I've always regretted making the choice to start methadone. I sit in NA meetings and I feel that I cannot honestly recover when I'm still using an extremely addictive drug, on a daily basis. My dependance on methadone, is not only physical but mental as well. I want to recover spiritually, and I'm finding that while trying to recover while still on methadone, I am not feeling a connection to anything!
I don't like how I physically feel. Sweating like a pig, is not ladylike I must add. I eat way way too much sweets! I am always tired, I have no energy,my best friend is my pillow, I also want my brain to be free of chemicals, and to honestly feel my emotions. I have so much love and support to stay clean and serene, I am anxious to start my new life

So here I am 2 weeks away from being admitted into the hospital to detox for 14 days, and then I directly enter a 30 day inpatient treatment center. Therefore, I can be sick, I won't have to worry about responsibilities, or my job for a month and a half. This time is all reserved for me, to take care of myself once and for all and to finally get to know who I really am!!

One minute, I am so anxious and actually excited and then part of me is terrified, remembering how withdrawl feels! the RLS, wanting to chop my legs off, the black outs, where I would wake up strapped to a hospital bed, Looking at my friends bruises on her arms after I bit her as she was trying to control me! The chills, the sweats... I have detoxed many times of of Heroin, Dilaudid, Oxy's ect... many a time in my 16 year opiate journey, but I have only heard horror stories of Methadone withdrawl, how difficult it is because it does take so long due to it's half life. Does hell await me???. Will I make it? will I give up and say, ok ok give me back the methadone...or will I have the perseverance and strength to tough it out . Will I see the light at the end of the tunnel and hang on??

I would like to know how bad is it, has anyone ever Jumped off of methadone at around 30mg or so??, with help of the usual benzo, chlonadine, muscle relaxants and sleeping pills of course. what should I expect.
I know alot of you may say, What's the rush, slow down, taper till the end, take your time... or switch to Subs!! I honestly want off methadone ASAP. I want freedom. I am just trying to prepare myself for what's ahead. words of wisdom, some encouragement ?? or maybe just a warning or a reality check??

[babygirl81]

Hello there!! I too detoxed from methadone and I have to tell you that I went through pure withdrawls for about 3 weeks or so, then I had PAWS for about 2 months or so. It was not pretty but I also got screwed over and they dropped me 1mg a day, which hit me really hard. I and many others are very proud of you for taking this stand and going for it, good for you You will feel ill for a while but it will pass. What you have reserved for you to detox is very appropriate for methadone detox. Seems like you have everything in order. I wish you the best of luck

[newyorkgal]

The first thing in your favor in a BIG way is the fact that you've only been on methadone for one year and mostly been on a lowish dose. Methadone is often a drug people are on for a very long time and of course, the longer on, the harder to get off. If I understand you correctly, they will bring you down to 0 during your 14 day detox and then you have the 30 day inpatient stay to deal with being on 0? Or are you saying they will bring you down from 45 to 30 at the first detox and then send you to the 30 day program where you'll be opiate free. Big difference. First case scenario is very doable for you. Having 30 days to start of heal after being tapererd to 0 is a great luxury. You know it won't be a picnic and as long as you're prepared to deal with some pain, you can do it. If you are going in at 45 and being brought down to 30 then transferred (jumping at 30) it a whole other ballgame. You need to taper from 30 mgs. meth or you will go through hellacious w/.d. Another alternative, before I would jump off methadone at 30 mgs., I would certainly consider a short subutex taper. You could do that in a couple of months and withdrawing would be relatively painless.

[cheekysod]

wow pal you are certainly on the right track regarding staying on methadone for a long time, i did it also, and all those things you mention, the sweating, the laziness, couch, pillow, sweets, weight gain. i can relate. and we are not clean on that, its more addicting than anything else in my opinion. long term use in the end robs you of something thats for sure.
i worry for you jumping off at 30mg, thats a high jump my friend, i guess (well i hope) the treatment centre is going to know what they are doing.
so you get there, on 30 and thats it. last dose.?

because i jumped off at a silly amount a few years ago, i did manage to struggle through with codeine to take the edge off, but nothing else only over the counter meds. it took quite a few weeks to get any energy, and i certainly didnt sleep, but i did get through it so good luck to you.

i think it took nearly 5 days for the really bad stuff to start, in fact i thought i was over the worst around day 3 and turned down subs, and more meth from a doctor, i thought i was through the worst. oh no, around day 5 the party reallly gets going. its pretty tough, but you wont die. it was at least 4 weeks of tough, to be honest. slowly slowly feeling a bit better each day.

i have taken the way of subs, this time around to get off, ( i got back into it in the end that time), and have found it a lot easier to count off than the methadone. you have done really well to get to 30, are you sure you dont want to do a sub taper, they are incident free i can promise you that.
i had a habit of around 100mg, and changed to sub a bit higher than 30mg, but i blundered through, with precipitated withdrawls, and stuck it out to stabilize on 14mg. that was in september, and now im on 1mg. so its possible pal,
i know you said you didnt want to go that way.
anyway, all the best for you, keep in touch on here, theres loads of decent people doing exactly the same as you, and good you already connect with NA. you already have a few things in place to help you.
all the best
cheeky

[shiva666]

wow, thanks for the speedy reply! NYgal, to answer your question, I have tapered from 70 to 45 so far, feeling no difference dropping 5mg every 2 weeks. I still have to drop another 15mg in the next 2 weeks. On Dec 1st I'm going into the hospital, for I will be at the recommended 30mg to be able to be admitted. And yes, I'm making the plunge, I'm jumping off at 30mg. I am fully aware that this detox is no picnic, pain pills and heroin detoxs sucked, but by day 5, i was almost good to go, but Methadone I know is different. Like you said Cheeky, the party gets goin' at day 5. I know I can take the easier road, and do the Subs for a few months to tapper down, but I AM SO DONE WITH THIS ********! I want off now! I don't want to drag this out. I know it's going to hurt...alot, but I won't die. I know that our brains make things alot worse, If I set myself up for complete misery, by anticipating it, or stay confident, positive and strong and push through it, knowing that the end is will come.

Am I making a huge mistake??

So ya, the plan is to jump off at 30mg at a medical Detox in the hospital and then on day 14 be transfered to a 30 day inpatient program.

Like I said, I have detoxed many times before, I always knew what to expect, but kicking juice is unknow to me.


Like I said, I go from being all pumped one minute, to being a scared little girl!

I know that going through this is a huge test of courage and faith. In your opinion Cheekysod, do you truly think I'm making a mistake?

NYgal, would you think that if I switched to Subs on day 1 of Detox, I could taper down to 1mg in 2 WEEKS, and then like you said have my 30 days to regain my strength and mental state?? what do others think??

I really am so greatful for your help and advice. The Fellowship is very small where I live, there is only one guy who detoxed off of Methadone, and he did the Rapid Detox He felt like hell for a long time afterwards. He's encouraging me to keep on with my plan and to not drag it out any more.
I'm glad I found this forum, because now I can get advice from other who have been through it themselves, and that to me is extremely comforting.

Would tapering off subs be possible to do in 2 weeks? as opposed to a few months, so I can stick to my plan and make things a bit easier, but doesn't the switch to Subs alone take a week or so?? then dropping to nothing would still take a while, What if I could still continue the Sub taper while 'm in the 30 day treatment center, How would I feel on Day 30?? will I be well enough to go to work??

argh!! this is all so confusing

[shiva666]

one last thing, why is it that all i want to eat is sweets and more sweets, I always ate alot of sweets on Heroin, but man, this is ridiculous! what makes us crave sugar? I'm going to make myself a diabetic! and I'll have to pull out needles to shoot insulin for the rest of my life. Once clean, will my sugar obsession go away?

[newyorkgal]

Its funny that you mention diabetes and sweets. I WAS on heroin at one point. I WAS on methadone at one point. and I AM diabetic and I do inject insulin every day LOL. Not really funny but true. Have no idea WHY we crave sweets though.
I know you're determined and it can be done and it won't kill you and I have faith in you but I truly don't recommend jumping off methadone at 30 mgs. Its just too high a dose. I would surely want to taper down more than that. Or start sub at a low dose no higher than 4 mg. when you enter detox (better than 0 mg. methadone) and you could taper down to 1 within the 14 day time period that you're at the detox then have the 30 days to heal. If you are truly that determined and know what you're in for jumping at 30 mgs., I wish you all the best of luck in the world.

[cheekysod]

hey shiva, all i can tell you is my experiences, and i did not like for one bit detoxing off methadone, but i had got myself in a situation where i moved to another country, so there was no turning back.
in a way it forced me just to get through it, and i did stay off opiates for about 4 years at that stage. but i thought i could get away with "just one", and you know the story after that.
if it was me, i would be tryin what nyg is saying, and the week of changeover, you could stop your 30mg, and go around 3 days, then switch to a very low dose, and it could be possible.
but in saying that, jumping off at 30mg, at least you are in the hospital. but really the first few days you will be just waiting. maybe you should stop 3 days before you go to the hospital, so you arrive really rattling, and ready and right into it. no mucking around.
its really hard to give someone sound advice, but i can answer any questions you do have. is it possible to come down lower than 30 in the time you have left. anything to make it easier in the longrun, that you can do now to help will be a massive benefit later. sounds complicated my words, but im trying to say the lower you are at when you jump obviously the better.
good luck shiva, keep reading round here.
theres an old thread "intelmetals own thread" he tapered off 360mg of meth, then changed to subs and counted off in 75 days.
anything is possible pal
you have everything to gain and i wish you all the strength you are going to need.
keep posting,
cheeky

[shiva666]

i've been sitting here reading everyone's threads, for hours and hours now. I'm so glad I found you guys. I'm really eager to speak with Robert, from what I'm reading, he seems like a genuine caring person who has helped many people with Sub tapering. I'm not 100% set on jumping off at 30mg of methadone, I'm just a 100% sure that I want to be drug FREE at the end of my month and a half lock up. How I get there, I don't care...I just want it as painless as possible. One other thing. Suboxone is very new in Canada, Not many Dr's are licensed to prescribe it yet, but seeing that this hospital has had a detox program for over 20 yrs, They must be keeping up with the times.
I remember, 15yrs ago. I was on a 45 day methadone taper program there. They dropped you 1mg a day, for 45 days and sent you on your way. I lasted 5 days, I wasn't sick and tired of being sick and tired yet. So seeing that there might be a chance that they may start me on Suboxone in there. I want to know everything I need to know about it first, so those stupid doctors don't screw me up even more, from what I'm reading Doctors don't really know much about the drug! they just seem to want to start you at a high dose, for a long time. If I do a fast taper with sub. I will unfortunately have to take it as prescribed. I also won't be able to check in on this message board, so I won't be able to be properly coached with my taper. This makes me nervous.
still, I don't know what i want. Maybe I'll stick to my initial plan.
so confused

[cheekysod]

most doctors prescribe way too much suboxone, they have no idea how little people actually need to stabilize.
i guess they do like methadone, give you plenty so you shut up and dont use. but all i can tell you shiva is that subs are a lot lot easier to count off than methadone.
as i have said (i think) i have counted off 14 to 1mg, over 3 months.
and i have had no issues at all, mainly fear, its mostly in my head and i worry, but then after i drop i wondered why i worried so much.
its a lot clearer kind of drug, not so sedating as meth thats for sure.
you have a bit of time up your sleeve to do your research, keep on here, you will learn heaps.
catch ya
cheeky

[melinda7.5]

Originally Posted by shiva666

i've been sitting here reading everyone's threads, for hours and hours now. I'm so glad I found you guys. I'm really eager to speak with Robert, from what I'm reading, he seems like a genuine caring person who has helped many people with Sub tapering. I'm not 100% set on jumping off at 30mg of methadone, I'm just a 100% sure that I want to be drug FREE at the end of my month and a half lock up. How I get there, I don't care...I just want it as painless as possible. One other thing. Suboxone is very new in Canada, Not many Dr's are licensed to prescribe it yet, but seeing that this hospital has had a detox program for over 20 yrs, They must be keeping up with the times.
I remember, 15yrs ago. I was on a 45 day methadone taper program there. They dropped you 1mg a day, for 45 days and sent you on your way. I lasted 5 days, I wasn't sick and tired of being sick and tired yet. So seeing that there might be a chance that they may start me on Suboxone in there. I want to know everything I need to know about it first, so those stupid doctors don't screw me up even more, from what I'm reading Doctors don't really know much about the drug! they just seem to want to start you at a high dose, for a long time. If I do a fast taper with sub. I will unfortunately have to take it as prescribed. I also won't be able to check in on this message board, so I won't be able to be properly coached with my taper. This makes me nervous.
still, I don't know what i want. Maybe I'll stick to my initial plan.
so confused

Hi shiva
I was just reading your thread and seen what you said about Robert and I have to agree with you, he puts his heart and soul into this forum so if you need his help all you have to do is ask, he will help you anyway he can...
so what is the plan...LOL...did you find a place that can give you the subs...
I need to find out where to look in Canada I know there is a link and when Robert gets home I will ask him where it is...
keep up all the good work and will talk to you soon, Melinda

[Robert_325]

Shiva ...... for what my opinion is worth I think it's totally INSANE to jump off methadone cold at 30mg. That is a PERFECT dose however to be switching to subutex or suboxone. They are available in Canada .... I work with people in Canada all the time.

It's imperative that the induction be done properly especially switching from methadone or you'll end up in BAD precipitated w/d. You will be freaking out doing that I assure you.

Ideally you could get the subs and we could do the induction right here on the forum. I could walk you through it and I promise you that you won't have ANY problems of significance at all if you work with me and do as I ask you. And I'll have you doing the subs at the very lowest dose possible where lots of the sub drs slam a very high dose on you and then tell you that you need to be on it for at least a year and maybe forever. That is a total crock. I would have you totally clean including the subs in 6-10 weeks depending on how well you do. But if you jump off cold turkey now at 30mg off methadone you're going to be sick as hell probably for a month or longer. And that is being conservative in my estimates.

Let me know if you want my help switching to the suboxone. That is my recommendation that you make the switch, then let me taper you down. I can have you tapered off the subs much quicker and with much less physical trauma than coming off the methadone.

I've tapered people down to zero off methadone too but subs are a lot easier on you. It just makes sense to do what is most simple. I have all kinds of contacts, phone numbers, email addresses, etc for people in Canada (for obtaining subs there) if you decide to go that route.

Using subs has gotten LOTS more common in Canada over the last year. It was approved in Canada in late 2007 if my memory is correct but it took a while for the Canadian healthcare system to start including it in the program.

Let me know if I can help you. I'll walk you right through the entire process until you're 100% clean if you want my help. All I ask is that you trust me and do as I ask. It has to be all or nothing. You can't do this "halfway", it has to be a total commitment for it to work like I'm explaining. Let me know. God bless.

[shiva666]

Hi Robert,

Thanks you so much for your offer to guide me through this. If I had a choice, I would absolutely have no issues in following your instructions until the very end. I can see that you have saved many people from alot of needless suffering. As I mentioned in one of my last posts, I am going into Detox on Dec 1st for 2 weeks and then directly transfered to a inpatient treatment center for 30 days. I know that choosing to jump off juice at 30mg is insane, I do want to make this as easy as possible, but I unfortunately, have no choice in being able to switch any of these dates or plans. So,whatever way I decide to become drug free, ie; be it jumping off at 30mg, or switching to a sub taper, I must do this in the allowed time frame. This plan has been arranged for a while now. I have changed my mind and played with the dates too many times. Alot of people are bending backwards for me. I consider it an extreme privilege to be able to take this much time "off" from life, to have the luxury of a medically supervised hospital detox, as well as a 30 day inpatient treatment center at NO COST TO ME!. These 2 places, St-Luc's Hospital and Fosters Pavillion are the only 2 government run programs, that are financially covered by our health care system, here in Montreal. I have been on a waiting list for a long time and will never get this chance again. The Detox program at St-Lucs Hospital is one of the places who does offer Suboxone as one of their treatment options, which I am almost sure will be suggested to me as well.

It's not that I'm difficult or stubborn, it's just that I must and want to be free of all substances on my release a month and a half later.Whatever way I choose to proceed, their can only be one outcome, to be Drug free upon release. These are the conditions I have made with my family, my doctors and counselors, my sponsor, my employers and most importantly, myself.

I do trust your judgment! I do believe that you are very knowledgeable, experienced and successful with suboxone tapering. I can see that your motivation comes from genuine love and care for people with the desire to be free and not that of money and greed like most Doctors.
If I had the choice I would follow your advice from beginning to end, but as I explained I have no choice and cannot change my plans. Like I said, though I will most likely be offered a few options, the only 2 plausible in my case would be:
1- jump off at 30 mg of Meth. with the help of Benzo's, Chlonidine, muscle relaxants and sleeping pills.
2- Switching to Suboxone from 30mg of Meth. and doing a fast taper down to 0mg withing 14 days( obviously, they will allow me to stay longer, if I am still to sick to leave)

Chances are if I switch to Suboxone, I will have to do it their way. I was lucky enough to find online, a PDF form describing St-Luc's hospital Suboxone induction. I would quote from it, but it's in french but it basically says;
. not to exceed 8mg on day 1
. doses are augmented by 2 to 4mg every 2 to 4hrs, up to a maximum of
8 to 16mg depending on symptoms or consumption history

I also read that in Canada, they do not prescribe Subutex, unless a patient is pregnant, for Naltrexone can have bad effects on the unborn child. If I am extremely informed ahead of time, I would be able to monitor the dosages they give me, and refuse to take a dose if I feel it's too much or too soon. The patient allways has a choice to refuse medication. So like I said, If you could explain to me exactly how I should proceed for my situation, I could do it myself. Unfortunatly I will have no access to the internet while I am there. So I will be on my own to make these decissions. I really want to make the best choice possible, I do not want to go through any needless suffering!!!!!!! I'm so worried that my decisions will be influenced greatly on how I will be feeling at the time. You know what I mean? I'll do anything to make the pain stop. I just don't want to make a decision I will regret afterwards, Like giving up and telling them to put me back on methadone maintenance, and would have already put so much effort already by having decreased 40mg within the past 4 months! I'll need to have some sort of Mantra or prayer, I could repeat over and over to recieve strength and guidance.

Anne

[cheekysod]

hi anne. you are in a difficult situation.
well as a fellow user of methadone, and having jumped off, i do not recommend it. even tho i survived it, it was not pretty.
i was in a similar situation because i was through a clinic, and they dont give you the options of changing plans dates etc, i understand where you are coming from. i actually took the subs too early, because of this rigid kind of program, and ended up with precipitated withdrawls, so make sure if you are going to do subs, you get it right. then its a breeze.
if a very short course of subs is your only other option except jumping ct, i would go that way if you can, it will give you some kind of bumper against the cold turkey, then after the two weeks, even tho thats a big hurry, its better than ct.
then you have 30 days clean, in the right type of environment, and i really hope you can do it pal. i wish you all the best.
yes you are on the perfect dose to change over, make sure if you do, you go to 26 on the cows chart, basically you need your receptors just about empty, so at least 2 better 3 days off the methadone. its not really a time thing, its how sick you are, you need to be in proper withdrawl first, then you would get away with the minimum of sub to minimize your withdrawl all the way down to zero.
i wouldnt want to be in your shoes right now, but i will be here and answer any questions and support you right up until you go in.
good luck girl
cheeky

[newyorkgal]

I agree with cheeky on just about everything she said. First of all, I would advise the 14 day sub taper way before jumping off 30 mgs. meth. Make sure you stop taking the methadone 72 hours before day 1 at the detox. If you only have 14 days, don't let them bring you up too high in dose on the sub. 16 mgs. is rarely if ever necessary. Start on as low a dose as possible so you have more days to get down to 0. Your consumption history is not huge thank goodness so you shouldnt have a problem. Some people can start sub as low as 4 mgs. You won't be feeling wonderful when you hit the 30 day facility, but where better to be than in a comfortable hospital setting, being taken care of and pampered. And, while I don't know how they do things, I'm sure there are things they will do to make you more comfortable plus you will still have your NA. After 30 days clean, you should be leaving the place feeling A-OK or close to it. Forget the jumping off at 30 mgs. please. I so understand not wanting to let people down, most of all yourself. You can do this. Good luck to you .

[shiva666]

what have i done with my life! i am so upset with how things have turned out. i'm 36 yrs old, i live with my friggin mother in a tiny appartment! what have i done.... i feel like i deserve to suffer. I am so scared. I know what's going to happen, I'm going to feel so horrible, that I'm going to ask them to put me back on methadone. and then I'll be on this garbage forever.
I might as well start using H. again and withdraw off of that!!!! honestly, it sounds like my best option at this point.

[newyorkgal]

no, shiva, its the WORST option. You have a golden opportunity, having 45 days to get clean. If you come down to 30 on the methadone, take nothing for 3 days then taper sub for 14 days and STILL have 30 days to be treated, that is the best way. I understand how you feel. Its a scary thing to face. Don't jump off at 30. I think that might be a recipe for failure. Take the sub taper and make the most of the 30 day hospitalization. You can do it and will do it well.

[cheekysod]

shiva, shiva, shiva,
stop worrying girl, you are going to be ok.
you are doing your research, and picking through the right plan for you. is there anyone you can talk to about all this, besides us guys.?
i think you should if you can.
look im only a few years older than you, we all do stuff we regret, dont make this the time to go backwards. you have plenty of time left in your life.
seriously, please see if you can even do the two week sub taper, it WILL BE BETTER THAN COLD TURKEY OFF METHADONE. TRUST ME IVE DONE BOTH WAYS.

now chill out, calm down, its going to be ok. you still have some time up your sleeve dont you. i think the best plan is what nyg just said, stop the 30mg 3 days before you go on a LOW enough dose of sub, to do a two week taper, not really the recommendation, but hell its your only option besides cold turkey and i don't think you should do that. seriously, it will be awful.

can you talk to the people at the clinic, or the centre. i so wish you knew how much easier it is to count off subs rather than methadone, and you have already counted down heaps on your own, big ups to you for that, there are plenty of people who could NEVER have managed that, so now is your time, you are ready and you ARE GOING TO DO THIS.
and with a bit of luck you will be able to get to the library or somewhere online so you can catch up.
good luck mate
cheeky

and i was on a bit more than 30 when i did the switch, and quite quickly i realized i was on way too much. someone i know who doesnt use, had a 2mg sub and got sick as, its really strong stuff, if you could stay low like 4 or 6 you would be doing yourself a massive favour. what have you got to lose ay. anyway just trying my hardest to help you with as many options as possible, i know how hopeless it feels to be stuck on methadone. i had many a breakdown thinking i would be stuck on it forever. there is a way out pal, and you are right at the doorstep.
loads of luck and love.

[newyorkgal]

shiva, I posted before cheeky and am posting again just to STRONGLY reinforce what we're both telling you. Getting back on H is a stupid move and I think you know that. That's just your anxiety and depression talking. We all live with regret, believe me. But it's time to move forward. You are actually not in a terrible position. with no need to get back on methadone maintenance. 30 mgs. meth is the recommended dosasge to make the switch to sub. You will be on that. You can go the 72 hours with nothing. Meth's long half life will mean you don't feel sick for at least 2 of those days. 14 days of sub isn't that long but look online. Recommended taper plans are all over the board, from several months to 28, 21, and even 14 days. If you start at 4 mg. (or no more than 6), which is feasable since you're on low methadone and haven't been on it that long, you'll have ample time to taper. Then you have the absolute luxury that not many of us get here in the USA of having a full month to get yourself into good shape. I am so serious Shiva. You can do this. Listen to cheeky. Listen to me. YOU CAN DO THIS.
NYG

[shiva666]

Cheeky, NYG

thank you so much. I was pretty upset yesterday morning when I wrote that, I have since talked to alot of my friends in NA who support me and as well told me to shut my brain off, and to just go into this believing in myself, if I don't, I'm just setting myself up for disaster.
I don't get my Methadone from a clinic. He's just a family doctor ( old fart). He not too with it, I pretty much had to learn about it myself, because he didn't know much about what he doing !! I have not once ever gotten a piss test. anyways. In Quebec, doctors who want to prescribe Subs, have to take an intensive class and be certified. Ny Doc told me he was currently taking the course. I have an appointment on friday with him, I will talk to him about my fears and ask him if he can prescribe me subs, ahead of time, so The hospital will have no choice but to follow his script ( in case they don't offer it to me)

I will, FOR SURE take Subs for 14 days, over going ColdT. If I can make this a little easier, then that's what I'll do. I don't want to hurt so bad that I give in and choose to go back to meth. indefinitely.!!

I'll write more azfter work, but THANK YOU so much for your help Cheeky and NYG. It's really helping me!

Anne
xo

[newyorkgal]

Yay for you, Anne.I am so very glad you got your thinking cap back on straight . Good idea about the doc. In USA doctor's take a course too. Unfortunately, doctor's are never very knowledgable when it comes to methadone OR sub. He might try to start you on a really high dose. It isn't necessasry. The lower your start, the quicker the taper, the more time you have to feel good again. I look forward to your later post.

[Robert_325]

Anne ..... you have the opportunity of a lifetime. Doing this with me isn't the only way that will work. Take advantage of this chance to change your life for the better. You can do this at no charge and turn your life around. Lots of people would cut their arm off for such a chance. If I understand this right you'll be on subs 14 days then you'll go through an intensive inpatient therapy program. That will give you time to clear your head and be in a controlled environment away from the heroin. Sounds like a great opportunity for you to me.

The most important thing is to do the INDUCTION at a low dose so you have time to accomplish something in 14 days. Most everyone I've seen can induct at 6mg or thereabouts, even a methadone or heroin addict. Stay at 6mg or what you induct at and then cut off .5mg a day. It won't be the incident free way I do this with people, but it will beat using clonidine, librium, etc like they did in the old days.

I would write out a plan but I don't know what you'll induct at. The 6mg should be close. So stay there long enough to get past the worst of your detox (up to a week) then drop a good .5mg a day. That will make it easier and I'm sure they'll give you something during the 30 day program to help you with sleep and what not. This is a great chance for you. Go in there with a positive attitude and come out a new person. God bless.

[cheekysod]

good for you anne,
that sounds like a great plan.
let us know how you get on, and i wish you all the best
from one ex methadoner to another, i really wish you all the best girl,
im so pleased you might be able to get 2 weeks of subs,
and for sure, you will need NO MORE than 6, if you do the induction right, you MAY even get away with 4 or 5. the lower the better, and don't be scared of the numbers, for sure i feel the same on 1mg as i did on 6mg.
it has a ceiling effect these subs,
good for you girl,
im proud of you and great you have some people to talk to in real life.
thats smashing mate
cheeky

[shiva666]

So here I am in detox. I was addmitted on the 24th, in which my last dose of 35mls qas the day before. The first day they cut my dose by 50%. ( 15mg) and it's now been 4 full days with nada! I feel completely fine! No subs here either! When does this all begin?? Or I just a miracle child ( ********, never felt that way when I would do H detoxs!!

Robert, NYG, Cheeky hope you get back soon. I'm not allowed a phone or Internet, but they thought it was my iPod!

Anne

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by shiva666

So here I am in detox. I was addmitted on the 24th, in which my last dose of 35mls qas the day before. The first day they cut my dose by 50%. ( 15mg) and it's now been 4 full days with nada! I feel completely fine! No subs here either! When does this all begin?? Or I just a miracle child ( ********, never felt that way when I would do H detoxs!!

Robert, NYG, Cheeky hope you get back soon. I'm not allowed a phone or Internet, but they thought it was my iPod!

Anne

Anne ..... I'm very happy for you that you've got some professional help in a controlled environment. Take advantage and try to get all the good out of this you can get as I'm assuming they will be working on helping with recovery concepts and things that will help insure your continued sobriety.

Methadone can take several DAYS before you ever feel the w/d symptoms badly. I have to assume that they will still hit you. You could have been at a much higher dose and the problems you felt would be much more severe. But methadone lingers for a long time and it can take several days before this hits you.

It's only been a few days. It could still be another day or two yet. I have to say that I would be very surprised if you didn't have it hit you pretty hard when the w/d symptoms do hit but you're in a place where they can help you. I am convinced that you got a really lucky break being given this opportunity.

Keep us posted as you're able. You will be in my prayers. God bless.

[shiva666]

I knew it would take a few days till the wd's started, but 4 complete days with not one sniffle . Regardless, when it does hit, I'm just so thankfull that I'm n this hospital, the care is outstanding!!! And it's always on a case to case basis. I was trying to convince myself that I was immune! Haha I won't lie, I'm terrfied. But I'm really trying to have a possitive out look.

I'll post Again. When (or if) haha it kicks in!

Thanks for your support

[cheekysod]

good luck shiva, i dont want to rain on your parade, but when i jumped off methadone and moved countries to get away, (really i did) i thought i was over the worst at day 5, but the journey was just hotting up.
im sure tho, you are in the right place, to curl up in a ball and get through it.
and they will help you out with all sorts of things to make it bearable.
im on a way different time zone matey, but i seen ya post and made sure to stop in and say hi.
you are so naughty, i pod. heh heh.
take it easy,
oh and do they have occupational therapy or something like that, when i was twice in rehab i nearly lived in the art craft building. it was great, my dad still wears the belt i made him many moons ago.
if they do, get into it, it takes your mind off all the other head stuff.
see ya and good on ya
cheeky

[shiva666]

This. Just boggles my mind! Cheecky you say you thought the worst was over at day five, but that's when things really started rolling. Well, I'm at day 5 now and I have zero wd symptoms!! Is it just going to hit me tonight or tomorrow, like a ton of bricks???? I'm so grAteful that I snuck in my iPhone so I can communicate with the outside world. We can't leave the wing, it's a locked unit, not even to get fresh air. We can't smoke either . I have a little collection of nicotine patches plastered on my body......

.....I am being given rivotril ( benzo) and clonadine( catpress)
do you think thT's been helping? I could see in working for my nerves, chills And sweats, but I kind you not I feel 100% fine!!!!!......

I guess any day now right?

[newyorkgal]

wow, shiva, great for you!! Day 5 with no w/d does seem amazing. Meth does have a long half life but every now and then people are surprising. There was a marine on here who jumped off sub, if I remember correctly (maybe I don't, memory fails me alot) but he jumped off something high dose and waiting for the crash that never really came at least not in a way he couldnt handle. Maybe its the same for you, God Willing. The meds the ygive you are certainly helping. I wish it stays this easy but at least you're in the best place for whatever comes your way. Keep posting on your "I POD" LOL.... Good going...

[shiva666]

I just really wish I knew what was going on with my body! You guess seriously scared me bad, saying that it was the worst thing I could....etc...
I just don't know what to think right now and I'm anticipating the f***** s******* to hit the fan!


Anyone else heard of a detox off meth like this!???