Opioids Methadone Mega Thread and FAQ v 2.0

[Emme80]

@MMT~ thank you! It's certainly feels good be at the 5 mile mark. Physically, I do fell a knock here and there...it will linger for a day or two-the most I've had it linger longer was at 15mg, I leveled myself for 2weeks at that speed bump. I just keep reminding myself that it could be...helluva lot worse. Even when/if I DO face hardcore wd's when I take the jump (as some say that jumping at 0 is the same as jumping at 30) I will push through b/c I just simply can't keep doing this. If it means I'm on the floor, sick as a dog(which damn, I'm hoping not) then so be it! I won't go on with this. Can't. I'm sorry to hear that 20mg. is keeping you at a stand still. How long have you been at 20mg? Perhaps your doctor(s) can try a different plan for your situation? Have you tried different combination of antidepressants&anti anxiety? The motivation is tough...I'm trying to give myself a break- as truth be it, my body&mind is going through a major shock. I do give myself daily requirements...so as to give me chances to be active&close myself on a project or whatnot. I think that when you stare down your reduction past that 20mg, that's drawn in the sand, push through and beat the beast, don't let the beast beat you ! That alone may very well spark a change in thought as well. I'm on the sidelines, cheering you on...

 

[Emme80]

"I have never taken it for pain or for MMT, I took methadone recreationally. I never noticed any analgesia as I didn't have pain, just dependant on opioids and liked the way methadone pills made me feel. Can't help you in the analgesia department sorry"

@MMt- I recall that you just used it recreationally.
It was Sinclair1984 who's questioning going back on Methadone for pain management.

 

[Lorne???]

@Lorne-It's a fact that can't be denied-Methadone is a most incredible tool...where some patients can use it as it was designed- only if that patient is truly dedicated to making all necessary changes. As well, there are many who have addiction that comes as deep & dark as the day is long. Yes, for them, methadone is very well a life medication. I do know that my clinic was pay&you get to go through the turn style. Always armed with all various reasons why I should increase. When CLEARLY, I spoke about it, signed the paperwork, I was flagged in my file as "on taper"...had gone down from 140/150mg. to (according to them, down to 24mg.) but reality was I never took my window dose-I spit out-because I didn't want 24mg. ingested when I was truly at 14mg at that point.
What is missing from Methadone Clinics? Somebody-a second party- to help asses each "new" patient. Upon both assessments, a "plan" is devised. I DO think one should be even simply asked if they've tried other means of treatment. All facts about methadone should be transparent. If somebody is truly wanting to get on Methadone-they'll know what to say. But the young lady in the clinic, with her naive worried mother, new to any form of treatment, she was told yes - this is the way-before anything was really covered. They were already talking about prices, privileges, etc.....what about a "plan"? What about a non clinic benefitting addiction specialist assessing her as well? I just think that is just as important-in "helping" the possible patient. You will never hear me say that methadone is bad...it saves lives. It allows some to HAVE a life. To others, it can end up a bigger dependency than the one I walked in with. I think we, and all methadone clinics owe this to the patient. Some implements would nothing short of gooood.
@MMT- yea, when I've talks to other about their dose, nobody ever mentioned the metallic, thousand dissolved aspirins(not the consistency of a thousand melted aspirins..) dose like mine. Usually is lemonade like(as crzydiamond mentioned)cherry liquid, pills, etc. My clinic(or shall I say former clinic-we divorced.)did offer pills if the liquid was...causing your tummy ill-effects.

I agree! Methadone can make a relatively minor addiction much worse. The real problem is that in states without any financial aid, if you lose your job/ otherwise lose your ability to pay, your fucked, since coming off of 100ng of methadone is much harder than coming off of a typical street habit.

As far as people getting over medicated, it sucks, and is one of my biggest pet peeves. But in the end, you have to weigh that against the patient who legitimately needs 120mg.

It's all about progress, NOT perfection(on both sides of the aisle) and in the end, taking a realistic approach. I still don't think anyone needs fucking hundreds of mg though, that is when you should have to break your tolerance down a bit, since opioid tolerance drops incredibly fast during withdrawal.

 

[lolwhatzdrugs]

"I have never taken it for pain or for MMT, I took methadone recreationally. I never noticed any analgesia as I didn't have pain, just dependant on opioids and liked the way methadone pills made me feel. Can't help you in the analgesia department sorry"

@MMt- I recall that you just used it recreationally.
It was Sinclair1984 who's questioning going back on Methadone for pain management.

Signals = crossed. srry

 

[Emme80]

@lolwhatzdrugs- tiz all good
@Lorne-So true, it does suck that in some states there is little help for those who fall into unfortunate waters. In my state, there is a clinic that you go to if on medicaid/AHCCCS. I went to a private clinic...spent a considerable amount of money there over the years . It's far better to treat someone vs. causing more harm by sending said patient to fix themselves. Perhaps a clear, unbiased education could be implemented. I feel a good many don't quite know what they're really signing up for...I didn't have a computer , didn't do any research, went on the words of the professionals. Fortunately, there is more info. online now. Either way, people should be given the chance to be well informed before they jump on.

 

[MMT]

"I have never taken it for pain or for MMT, I took methadone recreationally. I never noticed any analgesia as I didn't have pain, just dependant on opioids and liked the way methadone pills made me feel. Can't help you in the analgesia department sorry"

@MMt- I recall that you just used it recreationally.
It was Sinclair1984 who's questioning going back on Methadone for pain management.

No,I've been on MM w/ TH's pretty much all the time I was on it. I just got to the point that I got tired of walkin on eggshells and jumping thru constantly changing hoops.That's OK and necessary for the newbies comin on but I was a straight-up poster boy for MMT and they still fucked with me. Hell,one guy pretty much stable like me,lost his TH's just because he mentioned in group that he almost got into an accident getting used to his new car.Another guy lost em for saying he had a beer at a cook-out!! It's fucked up and I saw the writing on the wall and just knew I gotta get off this shit.That's why it amazes me how lucky most of you are with your clinic policies.At my place you were wrong even when you were right.So I'm at the point where I'm totally committed to get off even if it means going back to the streets to get thru the worst part at the end or even sooner.I'm just tired of being fucked with when there's no reason to be and I'll be damned before I let these fuckers power-trip on me.

 

[bshort10]

I have been on methadone for 2.5 years and am down to 20 mgs a day. I starting detoxing myself 7 days ago and did good the first few days. Last night I took one of my take home doses, how far gave I set myself back?

 

[Emme80]

Hey bshort ! Welcome to BL.
How much did you take? Do you have any "comfort meds"? Methadone is tricky b/c the wd's don't fully start for a couple days due to it's long half life. Are you detoxing through your clinic (still with clinic?)or with your take homes ?

 

[Emme80]

MMT-curious was/us your clinic self-pay or a state run facility?

 

[bshort10]

I took very little of my medicine on Thursday 5th and today is Thursday the 12th and this morning at 5 a.m. I took a full 20 mg dose bc I wasn't able to tolerate the wds anymore. The first few days I took neurontin and it worked and mon and tues night I took one 7.5 mg lortab to allow me a bit of sleep. I have a full time job I have to return to on Monday. My clinic has left my chart open so that I can return with all my privledges(take homes). Am I best to just oh back and let them taper me to 2 or 3 mgs? Have I completely messed up by taking that dose this morning

 

[bshort10]

Self pay! I pay 84 dollars a week.

 

[Emme80]

Unfortunately, bshort, the first 3days or so aren't the worst..it takes a couple days to start really wd'ing. Methadone a much longer half life than other opiates where it sucks for a week or so& noticeable improvement thereafter. Neurotin would be good for the first couple weeks-if not longer. How bad were you feeling( symptoms) before you took the last 20mg. dose? I don't know how well you are at dealing with wd's...everybody's different. Too bad you couldn't take a week off work...as it would seem(according to timeline) you would be getting into the real wd-which is why you felt such a need to take the dose. I hate to say it, but going back to clinic might be best-continue taper( for me it would-especially if I'd to work). What are your clinics taper regulations -per week? Per month? If you have the take homes(weekly? Bi-weekly?) you can also reduce on your own...that's what I'm doing. To jump at 20 is still just rough. I know I wouldn't have been able to/didn't want to ...I wanted to get as low as possible. As for taking that dose, please-don't be too hard on yourself. Methadone is crazy .The 20mg. dose you took will be with ya for a few days...but that's a smaller issue that what you're dealing with.
Maybe others here will jump in&give you their opinion, advise. Have you looked into the loperamide thread/the "comfort meds" found here.. Valuable info.! I'm here for ya- Emme80
But personally- I'd go back to clinic&taper down down down....and the flames went higher(had to do it)
Please keep us updated..there's lots of good people here!

@MMT-huh. My clinic was self pay- cost a lot less than yours- I was always...by the book, but I know others were...by far, NOT. I watched an odd couple, obviously high as a kite- they left as I did&they hid a big ol' colt 40-40 behind her back in her wheelchair. Saw them washing pills down with the stake looking beer...that was at 6am. So, apparently,my clinic was way lenient&to could've gotten high, no repercussions! (Glad I didn't).

 

[bshort10]

I can't thank you enough for your input. I have about decided to go back to the clinic. I am able to go back with all my privledges such as take homes. You are on 5mg of methadone? When do you plan to quit taking it? I took this whole week off of work. My work week being 3 12s Monday Tuesday and Wednesday and I have done it in vain. But that's ok, I intend on beating this. I know a lot of people can't get off this medicine but I have come this far and I will not give up. What do you mean comfort meds?

 

[bshort10]

My clinic has been great. I already had a detox planned before trying this on my own. I will go down 2 mgs every other Monday for 4 weeks and then a mg every two weeks from there. How do you feel on 5 mgs? What dose were you originally on? I am just so tired of having to take something daily to survive and function, I wish I could go back to my "kid" days when I was being young and stupid and I would have never gotten myself in this boat. Hind sight is 20/20 they say.

 

[Emme80]

Really GREAT job bshort ! I think that's smart. Methadone is called liquid handcuffs for a reason. I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS! I think one of the biggest factors in being successful is pure stubbornness, will, determination, and unwavering focus. When I left my clinic, I'd already been reducing on my own. (Take Homes). According to them, I was at 24mg., when in all actuality, I was at 14mg. I WAS pushing through and reducing 2mg. Every 7-10 days. After 10, I tried 2mg., it did become a harder hit. It has seemed to be a pattern of IF my body reacts more to a reduction, I keep with it as it's all been manageable thus far. Some reductions, it was fine. I'm guessing last 5 will bare most possibility of having more aches, chills, etc. but this is it for me...I'm going towards 0 and can close thus chapter&open another.
By comfort meds. , there's are lists on here(methadone wd mega thread) that has lists of meds that can take the edge off the wd's. Some are rx'd meds. Like Clonidine, Ambien, nausea(promethazine...zofran for me), bentyl, benzos do help.. it's important to take these cautiously meaning limitedly-(don't want to trade an addiction), etc. the Clonidine is quote helpful for the chills&anxiety. Your body gets stressed out, blood pressure raises...all of which causes anxiety. There is also VITAMINS...I started on the vitamins awhile ago. As with most who are on methadone , our bodies are deficient in Vitamins...plus, you want your body to be as strong as possible.
If I were not such a Luddite, I'd be better at copying the links here for ya...something I should figure out I reckon!
Yea, LOTS of info.! Oh, and loperamide! I realized it in fact does help! There's a whole thread devoted to loperamide (Immodium).
If you just need to vent or if I can guide you to one who may know a better answer, whatever it may be, I'm here for ya, cheering on the sidelines..actually, I'm in the marathon too! Eyes on the prize all the way! please keep posting,update! It's helpful for you (has been for me ) on this tough, stoney path called Methadone! There a lot of people here that are SO supportive(shout out to Trainspotter!)
But, btw-fair warning, I'm not known, anywhere in my life, for "summing it up....I'm a page writer...I may be short , but my thoughts&posts are not!!!!
I'll SE how good I am with copying those links...this could go wonky...

 

[Emme80]

Oh, sorry, bshort, I didn't answer your question of when I decide to quit / jump off the methadone. Well, it's a little tricky-as I have surgery in less than 2weeks. So, I'm dropping as much as I can before then. Playing it by ear... If I can get low enough, switching to a short acting painkiller may be possible...or I'll just wait until I'm past the 1st 2-3weeks-when I can walk/be mobile and I'll go from there. I did, with rare foresight-rather than hindsight, I started saving up the mg's that I wasn't taking from my take homes. It's good, as I saved a little over 500mgs. So, no matter what-sooner than later/having to wait a couple weeks, I can do so. I will not jet myself become complacent&let time pass without constantly facing&moving forward. So yea, that's my unfortunate hiccup towards the end of this road.

 

[Numb19]

I always wondered what would happen with someone who had a very high opiate/oid tolerance but then they got badly injured or required surgery.

 

[Emme80]

I always wondered what would happen with someone who had a very high opiate/oid tolerance but then they got badly injured or required surgery.

Yep...I'm that person. Last year, I had.... (Counting incisions....) 4 surgeries. I tend to forget which ones, what year, etc. 2 of which were emergency. It happens.

 

[Emme80]

Howz it go in' there bshort?

 

[Welderman]

Your posts are awesome.

I agree with everything, though I have only taken methadone pills recreationally, never a clinic.


MMT is for hard time junkies that just can't stop shooting opioids. A methadone clinic without a taper schedule is a cash cow and should be illegal. No one should be on 100 mg of methadone for two years. You could fucking taper at like .2 mg a day or something and eventually not realize you're taking 4mg a day after two

24 mg of methadone ain't too much. Have you considered following it with a semi-rapid loperamide taper?

If you have never been on Mmt how can you say people shouldn't be on 100mg after 2 years. Everyone metabalizes it differently. I used to think the same thing untill I became a Mmt patient again. The bottom like is people have to take responsibility for thier dose but there will always be the ones who chase it as high as they can.