Methadone advice

[jenwop7573]

Hello....I'm not sure what to do...Have been on methadone for about two months now. I'm starting to "nod off" a lot. It comes on suddenly too and very frustrating. I will be fine and then "BAM!" I can't keep my eyes open! Does this mean my dose is too high? A week ago I went up to 80 mg. I'm thinking about going back down to 75. Also I'm getting nausea and headaches and sometimes just a very weird feeling. Anyone else have this? The methadone has seemed to be really helping me and for a while I was really feeling great but I think maybe it's just too high of a dose. Like right now I can barely keep my eyes open and kinda afraid to go to sleep as you hear so many horror stories :-( If anyone sees this tonight would you please advise? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[PotatoMan]

Homeless ------> BDD

 

[jenwop7573]

Homeless ------> BDD

I'm sorry...what does that mean? BDD?

 

[jenwop7573]

This is not a fake thread...I really do want some advice about this...just didn't know where to post my thread.

 

[Johndoedoe.junk]

I'm sorry...what does that mean? BDD?

BDD is Basic Drug Discussion, where you thread was moved. I have no experience with methadone so I can't comment on your situation with any degree of expertise but try to be patient and someone who can help you will probably chime in. Until then I don't think reducing your dose by 5mg could hurt. Give it a try and see if it helps.

 

[jenwop7573]

Thanks for your reply...I guess I'm a newbie here and just don't know how some things work lol.

 

[Dr. Phil]

Please let your doctor know. With methadone you should not feel sedated and not feel withdrawal, but you should be feeling just normal.

 

[szuko000]

As others said you shouldnt feel anything on methadone. I would lower the dose until you feel normal. Depending on how long you were using "normal" is probably extreme boredom. I never realized how occupying drugs like dope and crack were until i stopped doing them and suddenly my day lost all, all of it structure. Even when i wasnt using and my g/f was we would spend a large part of the day getting her dope or something. But my point is you should have a strong desire to occupy your time on methadone and nodding out or feeling drugged up will not allow you to improve that aspect and thus you will not move forward in treatment. Getting the correct dose is essential and i would get that figured out ASAP, even a difference of 5mg can change things.

 

[stlouisgirl]

Can a moderator HELP me get this to a place where I can get some advice??

I am detoxing off 300mg/day methadone since january of this year-8 months of my own personal horror show. I am now down 4mg/day and am STUCK because I am experiencing a symptom I have never had and that is AKATHISIA. I have been on 4 mg for several weeks now--MUCH longer than I was stuck on any other dosage. Peculiarly, I am experiencing NO other wd symptom's at this point except this akathisia.

Here is the strange thing: I have been split dosing since 10 mg and so now of course split dose 2 mg twelve hours apart. At first the akathisia would come on hard about the 10th hour, I would endure it until for 2 hours and would dose. Initially it would go away for another 10 hours, but NOW, what makes NO sense, is that the akathisia is coming on quicker and quicker after I dose. I now can only go a couple of hours without it returning. WHAT is going on?

Could this be some permanent brain damage sequelae from 12 years on 300mg/day? Will it go away at some point?? I am doing this on my own and need advice. This is unendurable.

Could I end up with this PERMANENTLY? ANY help/ideas or if this happened to you would be soo much appreciated.

 

[stlouisgirl]

Hello....I'm not sure what to do...Have been on methadone for about two months now. I'm starting to "nod off" a lot. It comes on suddenly too and very frustrating. I will be fine and then "BAM!" I can't keep my eyes open! Does this mean my dose is too high? A week ago I went up to 80 mg. I'm thinking about going back down to 75. Also I'm getting nausea and headaches and sometimes just a very weird feeling. Anyone else have this? The methadone has seemed to be really helping me and for a while I was really feeling great but I think maybe it's just too high of a dose. Like right now I can barely keep my eyes open and kinda afraid to go to sleep as you hear so many horror stories :-( If anyone sees this tonight would you please advise? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I think I can answer your question. YES you are on too high of a dosage. THe EXACT same symptoms happened to me--where I had been fine initally, I suddenly began having HORRIBLE headaches and intense nausea. Do NOT be fooled that you were "ok" on a dosage for a while and then start having these symptoms. A dosage that might have been okay for a while can turn intoxicating because methadone can build up in the body. People dont make the connection because it could take up to a week after raising your dose for these to start coming on. Methadone is VERY lipophilic which means it begins to saturate the tissues & builds up greatly in your tissues the longer you are on it.

I began falling asleep in public (mortifying), at stop signs, when trying to read....Again and again I would fall asleep trying to read the same paragraph. I would start again and this time be determined to get thru the paragraph only to fall asleep again...

In closing, I urge urge you to use the lowest dosage of methadone that controls your cravings and for the SHORTEST amount of time. THEN start the work of improving your life.

 

[Raki]

And I would advise her to remain on methadone if it offers her normalcy and helps her refrain from usung illicit opiates/opioids. Methadone has saved countless lives and is nothing to be feared or shunned.

As for sedation, that can happen on 10mgs. For all medical concerns speak to your health care provider. If your dosage is interfering with your life you shod make your concerns known to your provider, the only person who can ever give you real answers on this issue.