Bad Reaction to Methadone?

[JayGatsby]

Hi all. I'm an Army Vet who was medically discharged after herniating several disks in my lumbar. For those who are unfamiliar with the VA health system now, it is very difficult to get opioids prescribed, so when I have a flare up I often seek opiates elsewhere, as that is the only thing that works for my pain. Usually I can get ahold of 15mg Oxycodone, but I couldn't find any on Saturday, so I grabbed what I could get: methadone 10 mg pills. I have taken a ton of opiates over the years, I was an on again off again addict for 5 years, but methadone I've only taken a couple times. I knew the risk of taking methadone, I read up on it before I took it. My initial dose on Saturday at about 12:00 PM was 10 mg. I got pretty high, so I waited about 27 hours and cut my dose to 5 mg, which also got me high. Yesterday after 24 hours I took another five and still got high. Today, again 24 hours later, I took the last 5 mg, which was probably a bit more because the pill split funny. My back is doing better, I can deal with it now, so this was my last dose. I got a lot of anxiety out of no where right after I started feeling a bit buzzed today. I was kind of nodding of and felt like I was going to fall asleep, but would jerk myself out of it. That soon passed. Then at about 9 last night the anxiety came back. I felt like I was having trouble breathing and when I tried to sleep I would jerk myself awake and have a panicky type feeling. I went for a walk, but it didn't help, it sort of made it worse. It's now 2 AM Pacific. I started itching as well, which has happened to me in the past on other opiates. I feel better after writing this, but I'm super tired, been up for 20 hours. So my question is this: could this be a bad reaction to the drug? Even though OD'ing crossed my mind, due to me having almost zero tolerance--I had taken 7.5 mg of Oxycodone every twelve hours for several days before I had to switch to the dones--Iseriously doubt that, given I waited a while between doses and even dropped the mg's I was taking. Even if it took 56 hours to half life, I imagine at the most I'd have is maybe 10 mg in my system right now? Any ideas? This is the last time I mess with this drug. Tonight was horrible. Percocet or Oxycodone don't do that to me and are safer. Also, I'm 6'1" 235lbs if that matters. Note: beginning dose for methadone is 2.5 mg to 10 mg. I saw people on here suggesting a starting dose of 20 mg, which can kill a non-tolerant user. Let me know your opinions, I will not take them as medical fact. Many thanks.

 

[AllorNothing]

I don't think you had a bad reaction. I've noticed for me too when I get methadone around day 3 all my doses seem to hit me hard. I've also had the jerking waking. The anxiety right after buzz sets in: yeah I've gotten that a couple time too, all though I thought that was just me until now lol.

Idk methadone works great for pain but it is very dirty IMO opinion. As habitual opi user (mainly Oxy and H), and one who has messed with all opiates at one point or another, I can say methadone is my least favorite.

I don't think you OD'ed IMO but only you know your body. If you don't take any more you should be fine. If you decided to try again use the same doses from start to finish. It's easier to figure how much is in your system 3 days later. I just know methadone isn't a drug that docs write a script that is "take 1-2 every 5-6 hrs as needed". For MOST people it's "take x dose once daily". This way kinda sucks cuz without a big dose off the start it may take a couple days to feel pain relief as the methadone builds in your system.

My advice: next time dose at 5 mg every 24 hrs. If after 3 days your still feeling pain up the dose to 7.5. Just please be careful this drug is so dirty. And that half-life sneaks up on people after the 2nd or 3rd day and has extremely negative effects.

Stay safe,
AoN