Methadone withdrawal

[mpvt]

Hi Shiva666:

You have not made the iggest mistake of your life. You are a chronic opiate addict and you are ready for ORT (Opiate Replacement Therapy). Methadone is an exellent drug for chronic addict like ourselves. Were you see the problems with methadone is when people are put on it that have no right being on it. This isn't the patients fault as all they are trying to do is get help.

Anyway, a 15 year addict with multiple relapse's is a perfect canadate for methadone mateniance Therapy. I was addictively addicted for 23 years and 7 years ago I got on methadone. I'm 5''10'' small boned and weigh 175lbs. Which is perfect weight for my stats. When you get stable on methadone it is important that you get or stay active. A lot of people get caught sitting around and eating sweets. That's why you see overweight methadone patients. Methadone stimulates the reward centre in your brain so you need to stay away from sweets as much as possible otherwise you will pig out on this stuff and gain weight.
So, eat as balanced a diet as you can and stay as active as you can and I garuntee you won't get fat.

Methadone also lets your brain revert back to it's natural state after time so it's important to stay on it. Using methadone to detox is really a good idea. It works best when used long term for heavy addicts.

If you really don't want to stay on methadone (3 weeks is not nearly enough time to stabilize) then ask your doctor about suboxone (buprenorphene). Good luck and give the methadone time to work. You should be on it for a couple years minimum to allow you to get your life in order and again to let your brain and body heal.....Dave

[Robert_325]

I agree with Dave. I seldom recommend methadone simply because of the nature of the drug. NO WAY it's for short term use like the three weeks you mentioned. It's not even for three month use. Methadone is a medication that should be used when other methods have been exhausted in my opinion. But for the right person methadone is a great medication. Whether you take methadone, suboxone, or xyz medication there are always going to be some potential side effects be it good or bad. But if we do things right, we seldom experience the negative effects of most medications.

Don't be in such a rush to judgement on the methadone. It's your decision and you can certainly quit taking it if that is what you choose. But it helps lots of people. It saved Dave and he isn't the only one. Lots of people bad mouth methadone, the same with suboxone and it saves people too. Find out all the details first and then make an educated decision rather than an emotional one. And get your information from those who have the correct answers. God bless.

[jj14377]

I will admit that when I discovered the syringes in his pillowcase I was a mental case and I felt as though I needed to be medicated myself to cope. I can tell you that as an affected family member my sleepless nights are too countless to mention, the pain and agony I feel daily is immeasurable. We may not feel the leg cramps and have convulsions, but our pain and sense of loss and hopelessness is truly as great.... I have learned to be a better support system, but plan to be there through the long haul to ensure to bring my son back to LIFE. I have cried and read for so many countless hours that my eyes have been nearly swollen shut at times. Family members of the afflicted suffer right along with the addicted, ever step of the way. G is still my baby and will be until the day I die, I will fight with every bit of fight I have in me to keep him alive. I fully plan to see the day when he is clean and able to live a pain-free normal life.,,,, I feel it necessary to express to each and everyone of you that your lives are valuable and your fight is worth every pain you will have to battle. As a mother of an addict I can tell you the pain of loosing G would be far greater than the pain of his struggles now. I truly believe that God has given each of you the strength you need to succeed....!

Painful Reality, I really loved your post about you and yoru son's struggles. I just joined this forum and was cruising it when I happened upon what you wrote, and it struck a chord in my heart.

I am a recovering opiate addict and alcoholic. I was addicted to heroin for about 4 years, and then I was in a methadone maintenance program for about another 4 years.

I had been taking 90 mg of methadone everyday for years when I was put in jail for a probation violation. The English language is utterly insufficient for me to explain the absolute horror of those days of my life.

Anyway, your post reduced me to tears. I could feel the depth of your pain as I read the words that so obviously came from the deepest recesses of your heart. This hurts me because I put my own mother through so much, and you remind me of her. My mother has always loved me as deeply as you obviously love your son, and I am excruciatingly aware of the fact that I broke her heart every single day for years.

But I made it through the other side of the tunnel after close to 10 years of addiction/alcoholism. I believe in my heart that your son can make it because he and I were both blessed with the invaluable gift of mothers who will move mountains for us.

I really would like to get in touch with you and see how you and your son are doing. I have no doubt that I can offer you helpful tips and information--your son's experiences and addictions sound much like mine. Or rather, his experiences sound much like mine did when I was 20 years old!


"Painful Reality," I cannot express how much I want to hear from you. Please contact me. I looked at your profile, but I noticed you hadn't logged in since Nov. 2008--and that was the only time you logged in. I cannot find a way to email you. I'm just hoping you are monitoring these posts and that you will get in touch with me.

I pray that you and your son are doing well.

[spikehudson]

my name is karen and ive never done anything like this im 43 on drugs -all of them since 11 i started meth maint 12-8-04, i quit cold turkey 3 days ago after going from 120 mg a day to 55, i have benedryl at home and about 50 klonopin. is it possible for me to do this cold turkey? the klonopin is just so i can get some sleep i have 3 kids. i really need help. the meth clinc didnt want me to go down from 120 and said id be on it for life, i was blacking out whole days and hate the methadose i was on, someone with words of wisdome please reply

karen please do not give up, look at the site that cantstandit went to about nutrition, i have been using that for about 2 months and I can tell you it works. To buy all the vitamins and amino acids cost around 100 dollars here in arizona. It worked for me and other people at the clinic that i went to, our clinic also tries to keep everyone on methadone for life, it takes about 3 weeks to get total relief, but I definetly felt better the first week I took the amount that Dr. arenson said to take, he is an ex user and was addicted to methadone and other drugs for 18 years and knows what he is talking about, if you have to go back to the clinic keep going down while taking the health products. I also talked with a dr at novus that also use only nutrition to get people off methadone, it works really it does, just to quit you can do it.
keep it up
rich

[cloudancer]

[QUOTE=Mel4help;111855]

Originally posted by mpvt

I would try and get on suboxone (suboxone.com).It will take care of the withdrawls and cravings then you wean down from the suboxone with little or no trouble.What your experieneing is PAWS post acute withdrawl syndrome and this can last for months or longer that's why I suggest the suboxone(buprenorphene).I garuntee you will feel alot better doing it this way.Methadone is a very powerful drug as you've found out and it has a long half life which is one of the reasons you need to get on the suboxone.Let me know how you make out and good luck......Dave
Dave- I wanted to thank you for replying. I've been in my own private hell for so long that to find people out there who understand is a start.I haven't stopped again cause I know what lies ahead. Did it for 5 days. I fight depression and anxiety and also have ADHD as does my son who is bipolar. I am in an ugly custody battle in which my drug-dealing ex's mother just turned on me and switched to his corner. He manipulates and brainwashes them and tells everyone I am a crackhead. If they only knew the truth, they'd know that if it were meth, the battle would be hopeful. I am scared and It's the hardest thing I have ever come up against. My kids need me to do this so I can help them and their emotional issues. Very few people know. My psych. dumped me cause I missed a few appts. as a result of oversleeping from the methadone. He wasn't aware of my methadone use. I've never taken it legally but was on Oxy and Hydros before that. Will a doctor prescribe SUBOXONE or something like it to me if I got hooked on it from a friend's prescr. and will he grill me for info??? Up until 2 yrs ago, I'd never done pills before. Leave it to me to find the hardest one to overcome. Just my Luck. Any advice or moral support would be greatly appreciated. I've only recently seen the change it has brought over me and could use any support available on here. Thanks Dave= I feel a little hope for the 1st time in a long time. Mel

I know of no Doctor who will "grill you". A Doctor's 1st priorty is their patient's well being. Suboxtone is not a controlled substance, so any Doctor that has been certfied to prescribe SUBOXONE will write for it. However SUBOXONE is expensive. as if that mattered....

[Robert_325]

[QUOTE=cloudancer;256178]

I know of no Doctor who will "grill you". A Doctor's 1st priorty is their patient's well being. Suboxtone is not a controlled substance, so any Doctor that has been certfied to prescribe SUBOXONE will write for it. However SUBOXONE is expensive. as if that mattered....

Not saying a dr will "grill" you but suboxone most DEFINITELY IS a controlled substance.

[KickingIt!]

I was hoping for some help here. About 10 years I started with Vics like everyone from my doctor. Through the years my condition had worsened. I was eventually taking 80mg Oxy 3x daily with 15mg prn. Up until summer of 2009 this was my daily dose. Then I just couldn't stand it anymore and went Cold Turkey following the Thomas Recipe. It was hell on earth!!!!!! You name it' IT HAPPENED. About a week into it a friend introduced me to Methadone. At first I thought it was the best thing in the world. I would get 220mg (Liquid) and it would last 3-4 days. After about a week of taking it I was able to think again and function like a normal person. So lets skip forward to right now. As with the Oxy's I got sick and tired of taking the Methadone. Never mind the price. This was the only time in my life I took a drug that wasn't prescribed to me. Today is Saturday 4/10/10 I stopped Taking the Methadone on Monday morning 4/5/2010 at 8:00 a.m. In my mind I was setting myself up for INSTANT FAILURE. I had 30 Valium and some Ensure drinks to get me trough. For all the HORROR stories I have heard about Methadone withdrawal this has been nothing more then a little anxiety and lack of sleep. I have NO want for it and the cravings are little to none. They cravings only come when I focus on its been 5 days and I'm uncomfortable and I want that to go away.

So here's my question: Is it possible that I might be one of the lucky ones that Methadone withdrawal is just not bad and what's going on with me is the way it will be? Or in 3 days from now am I'm going to revert back to the type of withdrawal I went through getting off the Oxy's?

Everyday I'm waiting for this wave of sickness to overtake me but nothing like that has happened. I have done more during my 1,2,3,4 and 5th day of withdrawals then I did when I was taking it.

Any advice would be great. Could I be over the hump and just have to deal with some discomfort or am I'm going to get slammed.

Thank you in advance for any help

[newyorkgal]

Kicking, methadone is one of the most hellacious drugs to withdraw from. Having said that, I have to add that everyone is different. Methadone has a half life of about 36 hours so at day 5 you should be into it. I have heard of people who withdrew from methadone and sub with very little trouble. Others find it nearly impossible. Just thank your higher power that you might be one of the lucky ones who get through it fairly easily.

[KickingIt!]

Here I am 8:00p.m. Day 6 into NO Methadone and out of the blue the cravings have hit me like a Mac Truck. All I can think of is where to get something to take away these urges. I even called a friend who I know has 10/325 Norcos but I got scared and didn't ask for any. The first 5 days have seem to be a breeze, but right now I'm ready to rummage through every draw in my house and car just to find something to stop it. If your there just tell me NO and tomorrow will better.... I could use it

[newyorkgal]

Just look at it this way. If you take the pills, you are back to square one. You will have to do it again and it might be worse. Cravings are enevitable. Ways to beat them might be to join a group such as NA/AA. Keeping busy is key. You were lucky this time with minimal withdrawal symptoms. You might not be so lucky next time. Why create a next time? This will pass.

[doc.rose]

I agree whole heartedly with NewYorkGal. You are doing well, don't take a chance. Get to a meeting, find a sponsor. That way you have someone to call when you are having cravings. You have some so far, don't go back!! Fight for your recovery.

[KickingIt!]

I got through it. I didn't take anything. I sat down and talked to my wife who has been GREAT support through this. She had seen what I went through when I stopped the oxy's and she constantly, like me have been waiting for the same thing to happen. I didn't sleep last night maybe 3 hours, but that's okay. The important thing is I didn't break down and get something. This morning I have no cravings. Although it's still in the back of mind. My hands are little shaky but I can't tell if it's from the withdrawal or because I forgot my windows open and I'm freezing. The hardest part I'm dealing with is WHY?? Why didn't I get violently sick? Why didn't I have all the withdrawal effects I had gotten before. When I break down the amount of Methadone I was taking it was between 50 - 60 mg daily. The one good thing I did do during the night was I texted the person I was getting the Methadone from and said "Not meeting up with you on Sunday was the best thing I have ever done. Erase my number as I hate you for allowing me to continue". I realize it wasn't there fault, but I needed to break that tie. If I do break down and call, I won't get a response. I hope that was the right thing to do. Either way it's done. I have no regrets in doing it. So today is a solid 7 days and 3 hours since my last dose and besides the cravings last night, loose bowel, and no sleep I'm okay. I'm just thinking about others who have posted here in the past and on other sites about Methadone withdrawal and it's horrors. There's only one thing I can say is the fear of the unknown is worse then physical effects. I know you said quit dwelling on the fact that I might just be one of the lucky ones, but it's so hard to accept. It also scares me that somewhere in my mind if I relapse my mind will tell it's okay and the withdrawals aren't bad. I can't say that I will be Opiate free for the rest of my life, but I can say definitively that I will never use Methadone or Oxycontin again. I have surgery coming up next month and will try to get away with a Homeopathic pain regimen and Ibuprofen.

One last thing. Dinner last was one of the same thing things my wife has made a thousand times. When I had finished I asked her what she had done different? She looked at me like I had 3 heads. It tasted like I had never eaten it before. In a way I think I really haven't.

[KickingIt!]

I don't get it , I just don't get it? Why now again just like yesterday do these damn cravings come on like a late summer Hurricane. I feel great all day and keep busy, and even now still trying to keep busy but SLAM!!!!

I again called my friend with the Norcos 10's and almost asked for some but chickened out. 7 days and a bunch of hours later I want it like a kid grabbing a lollipop. The biggest problem I'm struggling with is my lack of the severe withdrawal symptoms. I'm not missing the oral fixation aspect of it. It's the relaxing warmth that takes the damn pain away. I'm screaming within and only I can hear it. It's deafening and defeating!!

[newyorkgal]

The cravings you're having are a part of withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your wife, go to a meeting, find a sponsor. What you did with the connection was a good thing. Cut the ties. Remember, the cravings will lessen. You are right about one thing. Fear is definitely the enemy here. Your fear was actually worse than the withdrawals. So many of us can't stop the cycle because of that fear. You did great, conquering your fear. Be proud of yourself and work through the cravings. Again, you might not be so lucky next time. Don't go for a next time....

[KickingIt!]

Not sleeping tonight again... I have taking some Calms Forte and Melatonin to help but it just seems like I'm exhausted and wide eyed at the same time. The cravings passed and still come and go but not like earlier. I talked with my wife again and she could see it earlier that I was jonesing and snapped me back to reality. I know a sponsor would help but I'm too ashamed of myself to go that step. If I feel like I'm just going to break then I know I will have too, but at this time I would really like to keep this private and use this site as my sponsor. I know it's not the same but what I do for a living is in the the public eye. I sit on our local Town Council and if this got out I would be destroyed. Go figure? The one that enforces D.A.R.E. programs and advocates for drug free environments in our schools winds up like this. There's no one above addiction it's callousness and crudeness does not discriminate. I remember a couple months ago speaking to a group of High School seniors about there upcoming graduation and what exposures they will face going forward in life. I was high the whole time. I didn't consider myself high though because I had it under control and was dosing for pain maintenance. What a hypocrite!!! It's only now when I reflect that I see what I was doing. Not that I was making outlandish decisions, but, but...... Could I of? We have roughly 60,000 year round residents and up to 150,000 in the summer. During this all I had the Gaul to propose mandatory drug testing for our police force. What's that say about my integrity, constitution, morals, values, commitment, justice, and beliefs? I want the nightmares behind me. I called a friend one of our congressmen. He has openly public drug problem and is stepping down from his seat this year. I asked him if it was worth it to come clean and tell everyone? The rest I will keep to myself. I appreciate your continued support and will keep posting in this thread. Thank you again..

[stormiwthr]

Not sleeping tonight again... I have taking some Calms Forte and Melatonin to help but it just seems like I'm exhausted and wide eyed at the same time. The cravings passed and still come and go but not like earlier. I talked with my wife again and she could see it earlier that I was jonesing and snapped me back to reality.

It seems like you need some additional help and I know how frustrating it can be to post on the forums and have to wait days for a response!! If you'd like to chat, please feel free to send me an email and we can chat on skype, through email, or MSN messenger of something....I would do my best to help you out!

Take care,
Deidre

stormiwthr@gmail.com

[KickingIt!]

Feeling GREAT This morning!!! No shaking a little tired. Just got through doing a morning interview on the local radio. I thought I wouldn't be able to get my thoughts out of my head from not sleeping to well, but some how somewhere they came out. I listened to the interview on the way home and didn't feel foolish or ashamed of what we talked about. 8 days out and looking good. I think my biggest fear has come to fruition and that was the unknown. I've had dark clouds looming over my head and could see the storm front but it never rained. I know today will be a better day, because I'm here. No cravings so far, which I'm thanking anything I can for. Storm thank you for your support. I will try yo post as the day goes...

[newyorkgal]

Kicking, you are really doing phenomenally well. When you have a d isease, as addiction is, there is nothing to be ashamed of. It hits all people, regardless of race, sex, creed or social standing. Alot of people use this forum as their sponsor but I would say a personal one is always better. Anyway, it seems like you have this under control, for now. Always be wary and alert. Watch out for triggers. Congratulations on your success so far. It will only get better.

[KickingIt!]

Thanks Newyork. I decided to take the rest of the day off today. I'm just exhausted. NO CRAVINGS TODAY . Just lethargic and apathetic. I tried to take a nap before I have to go to a meeting tonight but no go. Right now my biggest problem is sleep and a little shaky. As I type I can feel my hands trembling. There is a positive to all this and that is I know, Right Now, At This Moment I AM SOBER!! I have not been able to say that for years. 8 Days out and bunch more hours. My fears have greatly decreased in waiting for the inevitable onslaught of withdrawals. I treasure everything that you and others have said to me and honor with all my heart.

Another note: I do agree with you that getting a real life sponsor would help immensely. For now my keeping the thoughts of what you and others have said created an image of my sponsor that I would want to guide me. Sometimes your imagination can create what you need and not be let down by the reality of it. I hope that makes sense. For the last year and change I have popped on and off this site and then it was like a light went on. That's when I decided to post. Even the anonymity of the internet could not bring me to the realization that I needed to talk and let it out. That's the guilt I have felt for a long time. I do not regret what I've done, I can only learn and go forward.

Thank you again and I'll be back later..

[KickingIt!]

So I just got home a little while ago from our budgetary meeting. Did you ever notice that the same exact resident every week gets up and says the same exact thing about a Stop on a back road to nowhere and wants a Red Light that would cost roughly $25,000. There has been no accidents or issues in 10 years. Anyway sorry about that. That is wrong of me to even say.

NO CRAVINGS TODAY!!! I noticed that I'm a little more temper mental then normal and little things like the gentleman that complains every week got to me. I'm just exhausted.. . . . . .

I have not taken any Valium since the first two days, but tonight I'm going to. I need sleep. Still feeling weak and the RSD (Reflex sympathetic dystrophy) is kicking in hard. That's the cause of all this mess.

Goodnight all..

[KickingIt!]

Okay, enough is enough with this no sleep thing. I took two 10mg Valium, 20 mg Melatonin, and Calms Forte. I looked up the metabolic rates in the liver first to see if one would axe out the other and they don't. They would have normally set me down for 12 hours. Here I am three hours later ready to start my day, it's almost 1:00 a.m. I know and very well aware of Benzo addiction. I have never gone through because I will not take them for more then 10 days at a time. I have stronger ones Xanax and Klonopin, but those I will not combine with the Valium due to it's long half life. The only reason I have these extra pills in my ????nal is because I also have Chronic Urticaria which I have to take Prednisone for. I have bad panic attacks and severe anxiety from taking Prednisone. This all started from the age of 17 when I had I.T.P (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) and had my Spleen removed. Yeah had the last rights read to me that day. Probably should have had some help from psychologists back then readjusting to living instead of dying. Well I can't jump in to Doc Browns DeLorean and go back in time so I have to deal with I've got to work with.

The one thing I have to say is in 5 hours it will be 9 days of ZERO opiates. With no cravings and urges at all today. Through the years of these nominal illness I've had to do alot of my own doctoring. I have given my medical history to G.P's and don't even know what I.T.P. is. I would never recommend anyone doing this, but history has taught me if I'm not aware of my own body chemistry and a doctor has to break out his PDR to reference a disease I had. I had to be proactive and delve myself in to medical books and journals to teach my doctors about it. I go for a teeth cleaning and have to antibiotics for three days before and after because I'm immune compromised from the splenectomy.

Then on top of all that I go ahead add opiate addiction to my list. What a buffoon!! I never would have thought in my life because I've studied everything that has every happened to me that this would happen. What can I say it did.

Please, I ask you don't post saying Benzo's can be 10 times harder to stop and can cause seizures due to lack of blood flow to the brain. Most of my prescriptions expire before I take them all. I knew the trap that they could put me in, but never just starting of with a small script of Vicodin. I remember saying to my doctor what are some of the ramifications of taking this? I never got the response that in time it can blow in to a full out addiction. Here I am going to symptomatically and he just kept raising my dose. By that time I couldn't tell if I was treating my pain or my addiction. It wasn't until last year when I stopped the 240mgs+ of Oxy that I realized I wasn't treating my symptoms, I was feeding a DEPENDENCY not an addiction. WOW REALITY CHECK THERE!! It wasn't a dependency it was addiction Full Blown and out of control. What's sad is even if I ran out of my 80's (always taken orally no other way) 10 - 15 days early my Doc would call in (write) an override my prior prescription to get a refill. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!! An Addicts dream.

Then Methadone popped in my life. It was originally prescribed by my Neurologist but in pill form and low dosages. After two months of taking it, it was back to the Oxy regimen. That's when I found someone to sell me there doses. I wasn't looking, trying to score anything. I was having coffee at the same shop I DID everyday. When I overhear a conversation the associates were having. She was very nice and told me about her issues and well one thing led to another. One try led to two, then once a week and twice a week I would buy 220mgs at a time. Supplemented her salary. She got a knew car. Hindsight is always 20/20 and see the error of my ways.

Well I'm going to try to sleep again. Talk to you later..... KickingIT!!! NOW

[KickingIt!]

Day 9... I slept last night finally with the help of some Valium etc... No Cravings today, just shaky. Not much to say.

[KickingIt!]

I think I'm posting now because it's become part of a routine. I went down to where I used to meet up and get the Methadone. I didn't mean to even go that way, it was like being on autopilot. The car seemed to drive itself there. When I got there this strange feeling came over me. I was alone, just myself and my thoughts. Of course for about 15 minutes my cravings went through the roof and that's when I called my friend. I said what's going on " Do you want to go to a meeting " Hes in AA. So I went. Didn't say much just Hi and small talk. There was a strange sense of rejuvenation, Alive. 10 days tomorrow. I remember when seconds where hours and minutes where days. Now I can say yes, two days from now I will..... and not have to worry about what I need to bring with me.

[KickingIt!]

Well I think just because now. 10 days out and feeling good. Did an Irish Jig this morning I was so happy. Anyway, Bye for now

[KickingIt!]

Day 11. Still here and shining!!!

[KickingIt!]

Not that it matters anymore..... day 12 done

[KickingIt!]

The 13the day was the worst. Today Day 14 TWO WEEKS!!! I just wish I could sleep.

[candyloo]

I have dealt with methadone withdrawal several times, attempting to quit more times than I succeeded. I do not have all the answers, but those of you needing help through this process might benefit from reading this. I am not a professional, and everyone is different, but perhaps this may help you heal through this utterly difficult process. Use it to bounce your own ideas.

When your body becomes addicted to a substance, it is as much a spiritual matter as and physical and mental one. You must address all of the aspects of yourself in a homemade healing. You will need some help from a higher power, so first off pray for yourself and figure out if this is the right time. If you have children, obtain help first through some support system. You will feel too terrible to help anyone else through this process, even if you choose to wean off the methadone. Forgive yourself for not being able to do it alone, and later on your kids will thank you.

If you choose to wean off set aside the correct doses for the days ahead. I recommend constantly pushing yourself through an extra hour upon hour where you can distract yourself away from it so you are not taking it the same time everyday but going as far as 36 hours. This is good practice for the days ahead. Dose what is appropriate for you-- every person is different. When your body starts begging for it tell it no for a little bit. One day it will not have it at all and it needs to get used to the situation.

Your body will get angry with you. It will literally throw a fit. You may vomit, sweat, twitch, be irritable, THIS IS NOT LIKE FLU. Flu is the body being attacked from outside and the body is fighting off infection. Withdrawal is the body missing something it has adapted to and adjusting back to life without it- the drug supressed everything from normal hormone functions to metabolism. You are the owner of your body, and your body does not own you. To push through this difficult process, wrap your head around the fact that you cannot do this if you are willing to give your body what it wants. It has grown accustomed to getting what it wants for too long, so this is you taking control.

remedies

If you are dope sick, I do not have to describe it. So first you will need the following:

-green tea
-downers
-substitute opiate
-ibuprophen
-vitamins
-immodium
-epsom salts
-hot pad or hot towel
-hot bath
-distractions (tv, internet, books, magazines, cell, candy)

I know this sounds totally hypocritical, but you may need a secondary opiate to step down from methadone. The best one is darvocet (similar chemical makeup to methadone), but any except tramadol will do (tramadol will give you withdrawals on top of methadone withdrawals and make it worse). ONLY TAKE ONE AT NIGHT. This is not about slipping from one addiction to another, but to be completely chemical free. You will need your sleep at night to endure the withdrawals during the day. Even if some people take nyquil, unless they have a sub opiate in their system, their body will not calm down enough to sleep. do not overuse the downer to sleep- take only one. The best one is valium, but any ativan, xanax, flexiril, nyquil, tylendol pm will do. So to recap, first seven nights take one sub opiate and one downer of sorts. Do not misuse either.

A few days into withdrawal, you may experience a full case of the willies. This is the tingling restless leg and arm syndrome pulsing through your nervous system at night. You will not be able to sleep if you just lay there and endure it. The best thing for these is 1. any kind of exercise during the day to tucker you out, and 2. Heat. Hot baths, hot pads, hot towels will change the pattens of the pulses and help subside the irritation. If you have access to lyrica, this will help with this- do not take piles of this stuff like recommended from others but smaller portions in shorter increments. neurontin will help too. But if do not have access to either of these, try hot baths with epsom salts. It will help with achy muscles, too. Not too hot, you do not want to get heatstroke. bengay may help, and vicks vaporub if you have nothing else. use it on a test area first to check out the affect.

So you are deep into withdrawal and you need to get through the day. pound down the green tea. First, it has these amazing properties to heal this mess. two, it has caffeine. This is good when you cannot remember your own phone number.:] Only take this for the first week like this, cut down on the second week. Again, this is not about passing from one addiction to another, but to step down and maintain while doing so. Smokers do not change your smoking habits until a later date unless you want to end up in jail.:]

Your body has lost a lot of nutrition and it is going to need material to rebuild itself. Pick out your favorite vitamins (even chewables):], Your body may crave the weirdest things-- eat whatever you are craving unless its not food- call the doctor if that truck tire looks yummy. Everything from your brain to your teeth have lost what they needed so be forgiving with the diet for the first few weeks. I had this thing for smoked fish with lemons.

Body aches and pain may be very intense during acute withdrawal. Your body is not used to feeling pain. Taking a couple advil or ibuprophen during this time will make it easier to move around in spite of the deeper tissue aches. If it is really bad, wait a couple hours and take a tylenol. Once your brain can tolerate daily living without methadone, this stuff will be easier to manage. By the way, your body may have been lazy for too long so going for a walk once a day will put you in better spirits and stregthen your core so there are not so many aches and pains.

A few days after acute withdrawal sets in, so will the poops. Immodium will conquer this effectively. Step down on the doses after they are not needed. Some people opt to go through this process naturally, some do not. Do what is best for you. By the way, watch your diet. This is not the best time to be drinking prune juice.

If you cannot handle life, do not be afraid to call someone. Some people can do this at home, but some need extra help. It makes you strong when you reach out. I am still learning this. There are meetings everywhere and probably one near you. There are people in churches and in community agencies willing to listen. Don't go back to old friends. Now is the time to meet new ones.

This stuff is called the chemical handcuffs for a reason. If you relapse, pray (I dont like saying pray because I talk to God like a grandfather). He will not be angry with you, and will open opportunities later to conquer this. I kept repeating in my head "I can't do this" the first umpteen times I gave it up. When I stopped telling myself that, I licked it clean. This is not about mind over matter. This is about being prepared to take a big step in life. Good luck, I wish you all the best.

[JRizza1]

I am currently on my 23rd day of kicking methadone. I did it by first trying to ween myself off and then eventually ran out and went cold turkey. The first week was the insane sickness, cold/sweats, RLS, fever, diareha, no sleep, no appetite no energy just terrible. The second week was crazy insane sucidal thoughts, severe depression and anxiety and still no sleep and zero energy to do anything at all.... I started picking fights with my ultra supportive Husband and crying all the time... now in the third week I could never imagine going back to it. I have gone through PURE HELL and NEVER want to go through it again. I still can't sleep very much, feel restless and bored 24-7 yet dont have enough energy to get up and go to the bathroom but I'm sticking with it. I dont want to take anything else to help get me through so I can just hope and pray that my natural energy will eventually come back.... I strongly urge people to look into every possible treatment before starting Methadone... I wasn't taking that much at all and these have been the worst 3 weeks of my entire life hands down. I guess it does get better with time but right now its hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel... I just know that I wont relapse ONLY becuz I know I cannot physically or mentally ever go through this again....

[humjez]

I have been reading the posts on this site all morning trying to find some help for the discomfort that i am going through. I dont need to go through my whole drug history but i have been taking pills since i was 16 and i am now 25 and trying to get off of methadone. My biggest problem is that my mother was giving me the pills so i had an endless supply, and I have been taking them for about two years. methadone was not the only pills i was taking i was crushing kadian, oxy, and benzos. I get a legitimate prescription for the adivan and that seems to be the only thing that helps with the anxiety. I have had similar withdrawl symptoms as everyone else on this forum. I guess i just need help to not mess up and use again, I already did mess up and took a 30 MG morphine to help with a dibilitating headache. I have two kids that i love more than life it self and i know that i was not doing right by them to be using everyday. I need help and motivation just to know that i may become normal again one day and these damn symptoms will subside, so many peole are talking about suboxone but i know i will have to face my issues one day and this is the day. The panic attacks are pretty much the worst now... oh yeah and the depression. Anxiety and depression mixed with two kids is a combination for diaster. I f anyone is still watching this forum i sure could use some help! thank you