• Select Your Topic Then Scroll Down
    Alcohol Bupe Benzos
    Cocaine Heroin Opioids
    RCs Stimulants Misc
    Harm Reduction All Topics Gabapentinoids
    Tired of your habit? Struggling to cope?
    Want to regain control or get sober?
    Visit our Recovery Support Forums

Opioids 17 Days free of Methadone (How long to feel normal?)

Yeah i completely hear you about people being huge babies. I'm a pretty tough guy, but even on day.. what is it now, 47? I still wake up 7am sharp, insane cold chills, diahrrea, anxiety, a heart that just POUNDS all day long, fatigue, stomache aches, annoying constant sweats, even sneezing, etc.

But, i will say that i can feel life finally coming back to me. Today was 50 degrees here in Minnesota, which is BEAUTIFUL. I felt great outside, but as soon as i get home, i feel like shit again. Ugh.

Weed still is the only thing allowing me to keep it together for the most part. I would be seriously miserable from the cold chills, anxiety, diahrea, etc without it. I can't wait to wake up, feel noticeably well, smoke, and then come down from that high, noticing after an hour, 2, 3, 4, 5+ i still haven't gotten symptoms. Then i'll know i'm there. AHHHH! I CANT WAIT.
 
That's crazy that you're still having acute symptoms after so long....It will be completely over soon..and you'll feel ten times better than you did before you got on opiates!
 
Yes from my experience I can say most of the time I was tapering I never even noticed the dosage drops.

And even the two points I mentioned (20 mg and 4 mg) that I did feel some discomfort it wasn't bad. Nowhere near what you're describing you feel even now. It was just a little anxiety, that jumpy inside feeling and trouble sleeping.

Even that cold turkey withdrawal I did locked up I was back to normal after a month. The cold chills, fatigue, restless legs, etc was bad for like the first 2.5 weeks n slowly improved. After 30-32 days I was pretty normal except for the sneezing fits. The fatigue was the worst part of methadone withdrawal to me

Heroin withdrawal was extremely intense but comparatively short; methadone withdrawal was moderate symptom-wise but so much more drawn out. I had the chills/sweats/fatigue/RLS. But not much GI issues--some diarrhea but nowhere near cold turkey H wd. I think I only threw up one time on methadone wd. But I couldn't sleep more than 15 min at a time from day 3-day 8.... And I was on a liquid diet for the first 10 days.

It's funny how much it varies person to person
 
Last edited:
^^ That's crazy. I was in great physical shape before i quit too.. I don't get it.. Yours seems half as long as mine. Wish there was more research into methadone withdrawals, or atleast a study done. Tried to find one but couldn't.
 
^^ wtf lol, i swear i spent a good 30-60 mins one time trying to find a study done on the length of withdrawawls.


re-checking in progress
 
It will get better EatClen. I am starting to feel normal even though I chipped with heroin. I do not recommend what I did but this is the farthest I have made it in the detox. I always kicked benzos and methadone at the same time so my withdrawal length was longer but I have not taken methadone or benzos in about 70 days.

I am dealing with minor cravings for dope but I would have had these cravings whether I chipped or not. I did one bag a day for the first 15 days and then I chipped after that.

I also smoked pot in between my chipping and during withdrawal to pass time and to help with appetite. It definitely helped in the beginning but I felt like it hindered my recovery after the acute symptoms passed. It exacerbated my anxiety and it certainly made me more lethargic and cloudy headed. I just felt like a dysfunctional mess and that was very hard to deal with when I started trying to get back to living. I had to cut the pot out. I will smoke every now and then but I try to make this a rare treat.

We can do this. It will pass. I have tried to kick methadone and Xanax hundreds of times and I feel a million times better without them. I was so depressed and I was always running out of both because I went to a private doc. It was much cheaper than the clinic but I had to control my meds and I would always gobble them up like the addict I am.

When I went to the clinic I was on 180mg and I would buy extra take homes off of friends several times a week. I have taken over 600mgs of methadone at once. It killed the dones effectiveness and I was just burnt after nine years of playing the methadone game. The last 12 years of my life have been hell. I have been snorting, injecting and chasing opiates for 15yrs. I am just done. I don't care what it takes. It will be infinitely better than my previous life. Sorry for the rambling mess. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.
 
Wow, somnilicious, thankyou for posting man.

Did you not suffer withdrawals from the dope itself, after 15 straight days of using ? and how are you feeling these days, still suffering acute withdrawals or just paws ?
 
This was one of the worst symptoms because EVERY time i would fall asleep or take a nap, i would be awokened 1-30 minutes later with my heart pounding, body temp fucked, stomache probs, and HAVE to get out of bed and smoke a bowl to calm down. It's like everytime i tried to fall asleep the withdrawals would amp up, even though i would get so tired that i would HAVE to lay down, knowing that it would happen when i wake up.

I swear , yeah , I HATED going to bed too. It seems once you are up and the blood is flowing you are ok. But once you go to sleep the worst hits when you wake up. This held true for me even when I started feeling better--in the evening I'd feel basically normal. But every day upon waking up the wd hit. Less n less as time went on, but believe me I know where you are coming from on this!!

Although, for me, I always felt the worst wd upon waking up. Like when I had an h habit if I didn't have a wake up I wouldn't want to fall asleep cause I knew I would feel 10x worse when I woke up. Even on MMT, I would have to get up in the morning and move around and get the blood flowing to feel normal--I ALWaYs woke up in slight wd. Even if I took a nap halfway through the day. I always associated sleeping/waking up with feeling yucky. I don't know why--maybe one of the scientifically minded BLers can explain...maybe it has to do with the physiology of sleeping.

Not sure. But oh I do understand the feeling

And again--keep it up! I may not know you, but I'm proud of you n what you r doing!!
 
I swear , yeah , I HATED going to bed too. It seems once you are up and the blood is flowing you are ok. But once you go to sleep the worst hits when you wake up. This held true for me even when I started feeling better--in the evening I'd feel basically normal. But every day upon waking up the wd hit. Less n less as time went on, but believe me I know where you are coming from on this!!

Although, for me, I always felt the worst wd upon waking up. Like when I had an h habit if I didn't have a wake up I wouldn't want to fall asleep cause I knew I would feel 10x worse when I woke up. Even on MMT, I would have to get up in the morning and move around and get the blood flowing to feel normal--I ALWaYs woke up in slight wd. Even if I took a nap halfway through the day. I always associated sleeping/waking up with feeling yucky. I don't know why--maybe one of the scientifically minded BLers can explain...maybe it has to do with the physiology of sleeping.

Not sure. But oh I do understand the feeling

And again--keep it up! I may not know you, but I'm proud of you n what you r doing!!

Man, glad i know it gets better atleast. When i was on MMT i NEVER had probs though, at 30mg it held me from withdrawaling, but allowed me to use on top of it. Never woke up in withdrawals or nothing. I would go to bed between 12-2am (no joke...) and wake up at 445am for work (construction) M-F and it honestly never really bothered me, other than the paranoia that i would be late due to all the lame people who show up there right when doors open, with no jobs, causing me to be late on occassion (HUGE no-no at my job. EVEN a couple minutes...) and if i didn't stop methadone it was only a matter of time before being fired. My biggest drive for stopping methadone was so i can get that extra sleep, and not have to worry about driving to a clinic every morning.

Lmfao... one morning i woke up and smoked a bowl, then drove 20 minutes to the clinic. I Checked in, was told i needed to meet with my counselor before being dosed (fucking bullshit when you HAVE to be to work (it's random)) then waited about 20 mins before my counselor came and got me. I STRESSED to her that i needed to dose and go or i'll lose my job, but the bitch is stupid as fuck and slow, and drabbled on about literally nothing. My blood was pumping but i kept my cool mostly, then rushed out the clinic and headed to work, still ending up 3 minutes late. Boss gave me a couple words for it.

Around an hour later i noticed my energy was draining rapidly and i didn't feel as chipper as usual. Work was dull, i was fatigued abnormally, and felt sluggish. Probably 10-30 minutes later i realized my mistake. I was so testosterone fueled that my focus narrowed to getting to work, completely fucking forgetting to dose!

My work ability was drastically reduced.. So much so that when filling wheel-barrows with cement for the first time (odd job at this site), fucking tipped them over THREE times while wheeling them to another location. Embarassing to say the least, and my boss wasn't happy..


Thankyou for the support, i hope i feel better soon.
 
^^

Here's one I liked. It's about the symptoms, length of time, and severity of withdrawal, from 10 day and 21 day methadone detoxes.

This study also has some stuff on withdrawal length.

Like I said, basically every topic you can think of in regards to methadone has been studied extensively. If I spent real time searching around, I could find a bunch more and some really good ones, because I've read some over the years that were great.
 
^^ awesome thanks


Man... today i've been having some pretty godamn bad pain. My lower back hurts like hell from sitting around with bad posture for the past 48 days, and on the right side, it travels all the way down my leg and calf, and can feel it constantly. ALso w/d symptoms seem to be somewhat bothersome today. This isn't supposed to be so miserable. Ugh.

A shot sounds great, but i know it would probably give me even worse withdrawals afterwards, along with delayed recovery
 
Last edited:
I am still suffering some minor symptoms. Whether its PAWS or acute withdrawal I don't know? I don't really feel the need to classify it. I have some minor RLS, insomnia, anxiety, lethargy, restlessness, feeling unsure of myself and weak.

Yeah...... I had withdrawal after the dope but it was very minor because I was buying crappy dope on purpose and only doing one bag a day. The way I did it actually really helped me make it over the methadone hump. I kinda tapered myself because I kept running out of my medication and then a friend would throw me 10mg a day. Then he would run out and I would go a couple of days before he would get more and give me another 10mg. At this point I kept myself well for Christmas and New years but then I decided enough was enough and took the plunge.

If I force myself to get up and move around I actually don't feel so bad but I know exactly what you mean about the mornings. I have these weird dreams that kinda build in intensity to some dramatic climax and then I wake up with a shot of raw adrenaline to the back of the head. I can feel it up and down my whole spine and shoulders. I have a full on fight or flight response that takes over the CNS and is so powerful that my body revolts against it.

My main problem at this point is the damage my addiction has done and dealing with pressing life issues. After 15yrs of use I have lost a ton of muscle and all the withdrawals have left me very thin. I have body image problems and some social anxiety. It feels as if I had this magic cloak that shielded me somewhat from reality and now it has been ripped off and now I am walking around naked.

I haven't worked in some time because of the addiction and I have a spotty job record. I got a union job in a field that I don't really have much experience in and it is an extremely dangerous and nerve racking job. It pays well but I have to go to school two times a week for four years and the material is tedious and hard to process in my state. I got a leave of absence to work on myself but at least I know it is waiting for me but lets just say I have some doubts as to whether I can do the job. I don't know if this is just the doubting addict but I am going to push myself to try anyways. I have to walk on six inch steel beams hundreds of feet in the air that wobble like guitar strings while I have 40 pounds of tools strapped around me. This is a difficult task in itself not to mention I have to process all of the material that comes with the trade.

I also have some extreme life circumstances that could involve my dad going to prison for a crime he did not commit. My mom is so ill she can barely get around without passing out. My parents just bought a $170,000 house and if he is gone I will have to take care of my mom and handle finances while trying to bring in enough money to save the house and help us survive. For someone who has floundered in extreme addiction for the last 15yrs this is daunting to say the least.

I don't have any friends who don't use and I keep myself on house arrest most of the time. I am going to start exercising to get the endorphins flowing and to get in shape for work. I am just having a hard time doing the simple things. I generally feel like an idiot. This is not the case because I made straight A's in school and managed to get a useless degree in Psychology but my mind feels so cloudy and I am very tired and unmotivated. I just can't keep up with people who's brains are functioning properly. My hands shake sometimes and it is noticeable. It is almost as if there is a disconnect between my mind and body.

Well I have to help my dad do something but I will be back and we will continue the dialogue.......
 
Last edited:
Day 48. W/d's were especially bad. Terrible Pain radiating throughout right side of body. Heart is pounding out of my chest and fluttering (EVEN STILL).

I caved everyone. I went and did a small shot of dope. I feel like the shittiest man in the world. I just couldn't take it anymore. After 48 days i needed a release. I know i wont use tomorrow or the next day, but it's still terribly depressing. Even worse, it's my girls birthday. Not sure if i should tell her today or tomorrow.

I'm so depressed. I can't believe i caved. I'll let you guys know how my body reacts to this. Fuck. I hope i didnt ruin my progress guys. Im breaking down
 
Just do not, repeat DO NOT, use back to back days. One day will not mess up your detox. It's when you use back to back (and worse--3 in a row) that the withdrawal escalates

(At least in my experience)

And being its already done, stop beating yourself up, enjoy it for what it is, and get up tomorrow with a clean slate...
 
Yeah.... Do not beat yourself up. If you start to doubt yourself and your mission. You will get overwhelmed and lose focus. Just take it for what it is a one time mistake. You will likely have stronger cravings now but it won't send you into withdrawal or set you back.

I suggest you start doing productive things. If you sit around you will notice the physical symptoms more. It is best to stay busy and try to do things you enjoy. It will start to make you feel more confident and give you a new outlook on life.

Whatever you do don't use again. You know that you don't want to go back. Don't look at your relapse as a set back. Try to see it as a learning experience. It is not so important to count the number of days you are sober. It is not like you are starting over again. This is a process. If you stay clean than you will start feeling better and enjoy life and sobriety.

Everything I am saying to you I am also telling myself. This is the advice that I have received during my many attempts to get sober. You are a lot younger than me and believe me you don't want to be my age trying to rebuild the wreckage that 15yrs of addiction will leave you with. It never gets better. It always gets worse and you don't want to see how low you can go.

Your addiction will likely start to tell you that you can use every now and then. Since you have used once this will be especially true because you likely won't experience any negative consequences from this one mistake. Don't let your addiction make you test the limits because you will start to fall fast and once you start to spiral it will be a lot more difficult to pick yourself back up. If you start to see this as a failure then you will be consumed with guilt and you will probably start to focus on all the negatives. This will give your addiction a window to start chipping away at your confidence and make you lose sight of your goal.

We can do this EClen..... I am with you and rooting for you. For me failure is not an option no matter what. I am not going to be destroyed by a chemical. I am stronger than this drug. I choose life and with heroin there is no life only death and destruction. If I fall I get back up , dust myself off and keep my eyes on the prize. Life will become a bountiful gift and you will experience happiness that you never thought was possible. Stay with me buddy. We are almost there.

Your friend and recovery partner... Somni
 
Last edited:
Top