Best way to take the edge off methadone withdrawal?

[wanttofeelnormal]

I really need your help please. My last dose was Jul 29 and was feeling somewhat better until this last Wed. I went in for a back procedure and was given Fentanyl (one dose). I now feel have a rapid heart beat throughout the day, starting to feel depressed again and just no energy. I'm taking a multivitamin, fish oil twice a day, water/Gatorade, B-complex and yogurt. Just would like to know how much longer this misery will last? I appreciate any imput.

 

[brutus]

You could. However, most people would find it desirable to take valium twice a day (as a minimum). So, while you could take it once every 24 to 36 hours, most people wouldn't opt to do so.

I think it works better when spaced out more.

I have to take Valium about 4 times a day. It works a lot better that way for anxiety in my experience.

 

[Relapse]

Thank you for all the input, guys! I've been spacing out the benzos super carefully as suggested, trying to restrict myself to no more than once every 48 hours. Also I forgot to mention I have Neurontin 800mg tablets, too. I'm thinking about taking 3 of those in a few minutes but I'm wondering, is it going to be a normal, pleasant Neurontin buzz that might make me feel a little better, or am I just going to feel groggy, shitty, and lethargic when it's combined with my 'done withdrawal? Any quick advice would be appreciated!

 

[theartofwar]

I'm 6+ weeks (could be longer, you tend to lose track of the time) into kicking methadone - I still have trouble sleeping w/out a benzo (2mg klonopin works for me - don't take em during the day anymore, no need most symptoms are gone).

How fucking long do your balls hurt for? I seriously cannot stand this shit. Some days aren't as bad but I am amazed at how long methadone symptoms can still flare up - shit's by far the worst drug I ever kicked man, never again.

 

[cosmic charlie]

When I quit methadone cold turkey I was sick for about 50 or 60 days

The first few weeks were real bad and and after awhile I felt a little better

I smoked probably and 1/8 th of pot everyday and it helped quite a bit

Once I was nice and clean I stated chipping with h again , and got hooked

 

[theartofwar]

When I quit methadone cold turkey I was sick for about 50 or 60 days

The first few weeks were real bad and and after awhile I felt a little better

I smoked probably and 1/8 th of pot everyday and it helped quite a bit

Once I was nice and clean I stated chipping with h again , and got hooked

Were the last few weeks just a few symptoms and real tired still? I just want my nut to stop hurting lol - the sleep will come in time, the rest of the symptoms seem to come and go.

 

[wanttofeelnormal]

Symptoms

the rest of the symptoms seem to come and go.

Does the length of time a person has been on methadone dictate the withdrawal length of time? I keep experiencing low bloodpressure (I think) a rapid heartbeat. My last dose was Jul 29, but last Wed had a procedure done on my back and was given a single does of Fentanyl. The last three days I felt like I was starting all over again. Not so tired today, but can't seem to get rid of the rapid heart beat. Any suggestions or thoughts?

 

[theartofwar]

Does the length of time a person has been on methadone dictate the withdrawal length of time? I keep experiencing low bloodpressure (I think) a rapid heartbeat. My last dose was Jul 29, but last Wed had a procedure done on my back and was given a single does of Fentanyl. The last three days I felt like I was starting all over again. Not so tired today, but can't seem to get rid of the rapid heart beat. Any suggestions or thoughts?

The length you were on for and the dose def impacts the duration of w/d's. I have been at my doctors 3 times since I've been off because I was on for 3 years at 220mg - I did taper down some but finally just got tired of the bullshit and went cold. It's been awhile now and I still have symptoms - you have to remember that even taking another opiate will not get rid of your methadone w/d's unless you simply take the one instead of the other DAILY. There's all sorts of info on tapering w/tramadol etc - I won't go into that. The heart beat is no joke - get yourself some clonodine .1mg and take those as needed. Make sure you are staying plenty hydrated bro. What symptoms do you notice the most now?

 

[wanttofeelnormal]

Sweaty hands/cold feet, lethargy it's as bad as yesterday. My main issue is the rapid heartbeat/slight lightheadiness. Sleeping gets slightly better week by week. I really appreciate your help!

 

[theartofwar]

Sweaty hands/cold feet, lethargy it's as bad as yesterday. My main issue is the rapid heartbeat/slight lightheadiness. Sleeping gets slightly better week by week. I really appreciate your help!

anytime man - I still get the sweats sometimes - the morning and evening is the hardest time for me - sleep is tough, I cannot wait till I sleep naturally again man. Are you staying as active as possible? I still hit the heavy bag and lift in the am - I also took a couple trips up to NH and went to a motel and hiked around for a weekend - that helped me clear my brain around week 3. I still have the lethargy too bro - everything stays sore for so long and my stomach is always up and down still. The rapid heart beat will you really want to take some clonodine for - if you had an EKG done during bad w/d's (which I did) you'll see it's no joke. Have you had bad RLS and the nuts hurting ?

 

[wanttofeelnormal]

Before last week I was walking the dog everyday and started to exercise. The procedure has made me feel pretty crappy. I've not had RLS or problem, I didn't even equate the sharp pain in my left nut to this. It was there for about a week and gone now. The doctor that helped my with the detox gave me gababetin for the nerves and Baclofen for the muscles. I'll call the Dr per your suggestion regarding the rapid heartbeat, thanks!

 

[theartofwar]

Before last week I was walking the dog everyday and started to exercise. The procedure has made me feel pretty crappy. I've not had RLS or problem, I didn't even equate the sharp pain in my left nut to this. It was there for about a week and gone now. The doctor that helped my with the detox gave me gababetin for the nerves and Baclofen for the muscles. I'll call the Dr per your suggestion regarding the rapid heartbeat, thanks!

That's weird dude - I honestly was like "are my nuts going lance armstrong on me" it's just the left nut for me aswell - it kinda spooked me bro. I went through every symptom you can imagine - had the RLS for a week solid - it was AWFUL. I've never taken gabatetin or Baclofen - so I have no idea what that would do for your symptoms. I can tell you right now - made the mistakes of soma's made it worse for me.

 

[wanttofeelnormal]

Spooked is right, I had the very same thought. The Dr explained it to me like this: Gababetin is used during the initial week/month depending on the patient and it really helps to calm the hyper excited nerves since the opiates are being displaced. He said the Baclofen is a really potent muscle relaxer and some literature has indicated that it reduces cravings. The only thing I'm on now is Wellbutrin and Seroquel for sleep as needed.

 

[theartofwar]

Spooked is right, I had the very same thought. The Dr explained it to me like this: Gababetin is used during the initial week/month depending on the patient and it really helps to call all of the hyper excited nerves since the opiates are being displaced. He said the Baclofen is a really potent muscle relaxer and some literature has indicated that it reduces cravings. The only thing I'm on now is Wellbutrin and Seroquel for sleep as needed.

Interesting - I used to be forced to take depakote/lithium/serequel now I despise all three and having been on 800mg of serequel for years I doubt it would've done much good for my sleep lol. I'm going to guess you avoided the RLS due to the Gababetin - glad you did bro, wouldn't wish that shit on anyone, it can really make you lose your marbles real fast.

 

[wanttofeelnormal]

Thanks for bouncing your help off of me, I'm calling my Dr tomorrow. Be well my friend and it does get better, at least so I'm told!

Here's a thought that I get close chested, maybe it'll help some: If you live in the past, you get what the past gives you.

 

[theartofwar]

anytime bro - I'm more than open to talking methadone withdrawals - it changed my life, I never thought I would make it honestly - like I said I'm 6+ weeks out and I still am not back to normal. I just compare it to say weeks 2-3 when it just got worse and worse daily. Now it might be slow - but it is getting better - and the symptoms while they nag are nothing compared to what they were. I'm a fighter man, I look at this and tell myself when this over nothing will be near as hard as the training during the hard days. It keeps me going.

 

[muse87]

I've heard from many people that methadone has been the worst w/d ever, especially when they quit cold turkey. My suggestion is do a medically safe w/d if at all possible. Go down like 5mgs a week or less depending on what your dose is. Stabilize when you feel you've plateaued, hold off for a bit then go down after another week. I can't suggest using the benzos but I've definitely suggested getting some OTC nausea medicine and Tylenol. Enrolling in NA or something similar would also be a really big help for most people. Good luck.

 

[cire113]

this thread makes me respect methadone greatly

 

[theartofwar]

this thread makes me respect methadone greatly

I want to fucking kill methadone lol.

 

[carol8784]

I'm on 120mg Methadone a day as part of my pain management. They don't work too well unless I take all twelve at once but I've also went three or four days without taking any without noticing anything other than increased sweating. How long does it take before people are in full blown withdrawls?

I've been through alcohol withdrawals too many times to count. the last time was about ten years ago and I was puking every drop of water sick for a full six days but yet I had to keep trying to keep water down!!! What a shitty thing that was.

I've read that alcohol withdrawal is worse than just about any other cold turkey withdrawal. Is Methadone one of the just abouts?

Good luck to you OP!

Yes, Methadone is just as worse, with methadone, you get the cold sweats and diarrhea, you vomit... it's just not a great feeling. And especially there is no sleeping.....