How to get off Methadone:(

[OverIt77]

I have been on this horrible drug for 15 years. The Dr. that started me on it said it was the best med to take for long term chronic pain. Basically then I was like whatever the doc knows best. Then after I moved I realized how hard it is to find a doc to prescribe. I did find one but have done a lot of research on it and I really want off the crap. I tried to get off on my own and just felt like I was physically unable to move then as days went by I started to mentally lose it. I have 2 kids and cannot just lay in bed for weeks sick. As a matter of fact my husband just got locked up for a year and he was on same dose which is 50 mg a day. I really feel for him...
On top of being in the crazy place he is suffering physically and mentally. I fear he is going to lose it. I see the life being sucked out of him every time I visit. I know when he gets out if I am still a slave to this junk he will go right back on it. So I basically have 10 months to get off it and would like to know the best way with the least suffering. I have used prayer but I am still struggling. Any tips???? Greatly appreciated.

 

[chemctrl]

methadone is hell to kick..my only recommendation is to switch to a shorter acting opioid first and then taper off of that.

 

[Mafioso]

Yeah like chemctrl mentioned, methadone has a long half life meaning it slowly leaves the body and can take a while to get through the WDs. I'm not completely familiar with methadone WDs, but based off their half life it seems like the WDs will come on slowly and last for a while. Something with a shorter half life will probably have stronger initial WDs but won't last as long.

Either way you will be pretty out of it. Taking care of yourself will probably be difficult not to mention caring for your kids. It sounds like a tough situation. It might be better to switch to an opiate with a shorter half life and do a long taper to minimize the WDs. Taper down so when you are ready to fully quit you are stepping off a very low daily dose- maybe 10-20mg of hydrocodone. You will still experience WDs, but hopefully they will be more manageable. Also a lot of people recommend taking benzos on a VERY short term basis, like a few days maybe a week, to help with some of the WD symptoms like insomnia and extreme anxiety.

Be sure to stay hydrated as well.

 

[Sarah99]

Hi! All so I am searching for any support, I started methadone liquid form almost 8 years ago.... I took as high as 55 miligrams but only briefly.. got stable at 42 then reduced to 38... was there for about 4 years... everyday.
Now I am ready .. I am turning 40 I January ... I have given pills my 20's, I gave methadone my 30's, I am giving my 40's to my kids... I am determined ... Almost 6 months ago I started the journey of tapering. Now as 0f yesterday decrease of 2 puts me at 6... I feel awful! I am anxious, sweaty, and my bathroom time is a horrible exsperience lol anyone here who has a single word of encouragment? I sure could use it!! I have only been picking up a week at a time because of the taper... so no matter what I have to deal till Friday lol but anyway I refuse to go back up!
I am ready... and I know no matter how long the wait... I have to pay my piper lol anyone else here done anything similar? As me?
Thanks!!
Sarah

 

[cj]

A long slow taper is the best way. Dropping 5mg every two weeks is a pretty good rate.

 

[thedawn]

ouch, OP, tough situation. Methadone w/d's are unfortunately opiates worst revenge.
I know the situation with having kids and withdrawing at the same time, I only have one, but man...
A lot of good advice on this thread. A long, slow taper is probably the best way at this point, that or get on subs.
Suboxone w/d's suck too but are manageable compared to methadone.

Just wanted to stop by and say that this is definitely doable, just in very small increments.
Stay strong, we're many on here who know opiate withdrawal and there's good support.

 

[cj]

Be careful switching to subs from methadone. It's very very tricky

 

[HJ420]

Smoke some weed and eat some healthy food. Take long hot showers. It will feel nice. It helps to heal your body

 

[Ds]

I put myself in the hospital when i came off the methadone, was one of the best decisions i made up to that point in my life. Yeah it sucked, wasn't so bad because the hospital treated me like a human and helped me with the wds by using phenobarb among other detox meds.
Just hated when I left the hospital because i moved into a halfway house infested with heroin so i shortly relapsed.:/

Medical detox, forsure. Plus they will provide you with resources on what to do afterwords.

 

[CfZrx]

I have been on this horrible drug for 15 years. The Dr. that started me on it said it was the best med to take for long term chronic pain. Basically then I was like whatever the doc knows best. Then after I moved I realized how hard it is to find a doc to prescribe. I did find one but have done a lot of research on it and I really want off the crap. I tried to get off on my own and just felt like I was physically unable to move then as days went by I started to mentally lose it. I have 2 kids and cannot just lay in bed for weeks sick. As a matter of fact my husband just got locked up for a year and he was on same dose which is 50 mg a day. I really feel for him...
On top of being in the crazy place he is suffering physically and mentally. I fear he is going to lose it. I see the life being sucked out of him every time I visit. I know when he gets out if I am still a slave to this junk he will go right back on it. So I basically have 10 months to get off it and would like to know the best way with the least suffering. I have used prayer but I am still struggling. Any tips???? Greatly appreciated.

Yes, I am on day 2, and the most helpful thing is kratom, cold water, hot baths, zero activity. weed helps sleep probably. Oh and low dose seroquel at bedtime would probably be nice for extending your sleep

methadone is hell to kick..my only recommendation is to switch to a shorter acting opioid first and then taper off of that.

Yup

Be sure to stay hydrated as well.

Good reminder

Hi! All so I am searching for any support, I started methadone liquid form almost 8 years ago.... I took as high as 55 miligrams but only briefly.. got stable at 42 then reduced to 38... was there for about 4 years... everyday.
Now I am ready .. I am turning 40 I January ... I have given pills my 20's, I gave methadone my 30's, I am giving my 40's to my kids... I am determined ... Almost 6 months ago I started the journey of tapering. Now as 0f yesterday decrease of 2 puts me at 6... I feel awful! I am anxious, sweaty, and my bathroom time is a horrible exsperience lol anyone here who has a single word of encouragment? I sure could use it!! I have only been picking up a week at a time because of the taper... so no matter what I have to deal till Friday lol but anyway I refuse to go back up!
I am ready... and I know no matter how long the wait... I have to pay my piper lol anyone else here done anything similar? As me?
Thanks!!
Sarah

As stated I'm on day 2 but will refill tomorrow. If I had to go all the way through WD I would def get benzos, which IME make opiate WD almost easy.