Opioids Need help on my methadone taper. Any support is greatly appreciated

[BlazedUp]

I was originally prescribed a low dose of 30mg per day of methadone for pain management and stayed at that dose for about 2 years. The taper down to 10mg was rather painless, I reduced 5mg per week with no problem. After hitting 10mg things got much harder, especially the mornings when I wake up in total agony. I'm currently at about 6mg(3mg, 2 times a day), going down 1mg per week and having a pretty rough time, it's not super bad withdrawals, but it definitely is a long, drawn out, draining process. I'm also starting to get very depressed, anxious and I'm constantly very very tired no matter how much I sleep. Some times I cheat and take an extra 3-4mg before bed to avoid those bad mornings. How much will this effect my taper? I'm not trying to make this longer than it already is. It's really amazing how such low doses can have such a big effect on your body

Also, I hear some people get PAWS after the initial withdrawal. I know everyones body is different, but do you think I will get PAWS? Is it the dose of methadone, or the amount of time spent on methadone that plays a bigger part in PAWS?

Since I get 10mg pills, how do you think I should cut my pills to get exact mg's when I hit lower doses? I've been using a scale so far, knowing that my pill weighs .25g I can calculate the mg's. It can't register any lower than 3mg though.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. (sorry for any spelling mistakes, my brain is really jumbled)

I hope this hasn't been covered. I searched, but couldn't find exact answers.

 

[poppyplanet]

Only time. Your taper sounds reasonable. Just like with any other substance, try to taper down to the lowest possible dose and stay on that until you jump off. When you jump off at that dose but still feel uncomfortable, just add a little at a time. Also, try to acquire some benzos, as they will help tremendously. If that would be a problem, go to your doctor or local ER and get some clonodine. Clonodine helped me out alot during my methadone withdrawal period. I was coming off of 120mg and it was pure hell. The PAWS shouldn't effect you too much, although everyone is different. First, just try to get threw the physical part, which is strenuous enough. But like I said earlier, time is the ultimate dictator in helping this pass. Good luck.

 

[xburtonchic]

Try clonodine. If nothing else, it will knock you out so you sleep through most of it. That's what it did for me, at least.

Also, take St. John's Wort and 5-HTP to battle PAWS and the other mental symptoms. That stuff helps a ridiculous amount, for real. And if you're like me, and not already an individual who is depressed, it will just level out your mood completely during w/d's, and will boost your mood so you're like the happiest person ever when you're NOT in w/d's haha. I love that stuff. It's like constant euphoria.

Oh, and maybe see if your doc will prescribe you some sort of benzo? Just make sure you only take it when the anxiety gets too unbearable to handle... I hear benzo w.d's are as much of a bitch as opiates, if not worse!

 

[suessmayr]

I would be pissed off if I were you at your prescriber for putting you on such a bitch opiate to get off. In the case of methadone, it is both the drug itself (which has an extremely long half life) and the amount of time for which you've been taking it, which contribute to the difficult withdrawal. The two aspects combine to make things problematic.

Although you probably will get some PAWS (in the form of general despondency, slight anxiety, some insomnia and perhaps some restlessness) it is in my opinion crucial that you are not on on methadone because of, say, heroin addiction, but are on it instead for your pain. Addicts tend to have much more single-minded concerns with these things and are constantly focused on how they are feeling. They have become used to always taking pills to make themselves feel better. It generates a sort of constant weakness and loss of autonomy (I'm not hating on addicts; I'm one myself). So I think you may be a bit stronger and more independent of the addict-mentality.

If you keep taking extra doses at night you are, in my opinion, lengthening the process, and your body is used to not 6mg, but to 9mg or 10mg. You might consider, as someone else said, trying to get some benzos (valium/xanax/normison) or alternatively getting your doctor to switch you from methadone to something simpler to get off like codeine or tramadol.

One thing you have on your side is the relatively small size of your dose.

S

 

[morphonorconic]

That last stretch is inevitably going to be the most difficult. Maybe drop it to 3mg for a period of time then jump off. It will suck for a while, no doubt, but if you drag it out one milligram at a time all the way down, you'll spend weeks feeling awful anyway, then most likely feel just as bad when you stop as you would if you stopped today. I don't know how much discomfort would potentially be alleviated from tapering down to 3mg or 1mg and stopping, as opposed to ceasing use at your current daily dose of 6mg.

I'm sure some will disagree. But the sooner you stop taking the methadone, the sooner you start to feel better. Good luck to you, hope you git-R-done.

 

[morphonorconic]

That last stretch is inevitably going to be the most difficult. Maybe drop it to 3mg for a period of time then jump off. It will suck for a while, no doubt, but if you drag it out one milligram at a time all the way down, you'll spend weeks feeling awful anyway, then most likely feel just as bad when you stop as you would if you stopped today. I don't know how much discomfort would potentially be alleviated from tapering down to 3mg or 1mg and stopping, as opposed to ceasing use at your current daily dose of 6mg.

I'm sure some will disagree. But the sooner you stop taking the methadone, the sooner you start to feel better. Also, Benzos can help tremendously as others have suggested, perhaps clonidine too if you have access to it. Try to eat right also; healthy meals/fruits/vegtables/juices and such. And exercise is the key. It's the last thing on earth you'll want to do, but you'll feel so much better when you make yourself do it.

Good luck to you, hope you git-R-done.

 

[BlazedUp]

First off, I just wanted to tell everyone how much I genuinely appreciate the advice and support. For some reason I thought I would be rejected/ignored for a topic asked so many times (I guess this is part of the mental aspects of the withdrawal).

Anyways, luckily I have a large supply of benzos and lyrica. I take 600mg of lyrica a day and no more than 1mg of xanax a day, I am very strict not to go over that set amount. I have to interact with people on a daily basis and without the xanax I simply cannot think and act professionally with all the anxiety. I'm going to pick up some 5htp and st. johns wort tomorrow. I will have to ask my doctor (who yes, I must add, I am very very pissed at. I have no idea why he would pick the most physically addictive opiate/opioid) for some clonodine. I know people say that it helps, but what symptoms does it actually help with? Or does it just knock you out?

There was once a time where I was an opiate and benzo fiend, but my mindset has changed drastically and all I want is to be have energy and motivation again so I can finish out the last 2 years of college. I haven't taken opiates to get high in 3 years and benzos in a year so I don't think I have that addict mentality anymore, although i'm not going to test it.

I guess I do have it kind of easy, I exercise regularly, eat healthy, started out on a low dose, now am on an even lower dose, have accesses to the right medications, and most importantly have the right mindset The depression and anxiety is really getting to me, I just need to remember that it will pass soon enough. Still not sure if I should jump now or taper off a little more, i'll have to think about it, tough decision.

I was feeling really unsure about everything until I read your responses, now I am confident I can get through these hard times. The people that responded are truly a big part of the reason I did not give up and go back to 10mg today, I guess I just needed a little support and reassurance.

I know this was a long response, but I have one more question. Did those that successfully get off methadone notice they got their old energy and motivation back?

Thanks once again!

 

[deroxor]

Did those that successfully get off methadone notice they got their old energy and motivation back?

Thanks once again!

Yes, but depending on how long usualy varries from person to person. I was on 60 MLs for 6 months and it took about 2 full weeks to get my strength and fatigue back to normal.

Relapsed and was on the Juice again for 2 months, but it only took 1 week for my WD and Strength/fatigue to come back.

But the depression can follow you for months, and thats a real motivation killer

 

[BlazedUp]

Yes, but depending on how long usualy varries from person to person. I was on 60 MLs for 6 months and it took about 2 full weeks to get my strength and fatigue back to normal.

Relapsed and was on the Juice again for 2 months, but it only took 1 week for my WD and Strength/fatigue to come back.

But the depression can follow you for months, and thats a real motivation killer

If i'm correct, 5ml=10mg, so you were on 120mg? I'm not really familiar with the liquid. Just trying to get perspective because that's 4x my original dose, it's amazing you got off that much. I hope it won't be near as bad as months of depression for me, i'm hoping my body is different.

 

[Richie Rich]

Hi there I to was put on methadone for chronic daily headaches bout 2 yrs ago ,my pain specialist who is an idiot truly told me that because of the long half life wud be a better alternative to morphine and oxy also because methadone does not cause rebound headaches . I was on methadone for around 1 yr but pain management was becoming an issue again so I was told to slowly taper off the methadone. I was on 80mg per day slowly tapered to 30 mg at which stage I was told that it was not uncommon to be able to just stop the 30mg dose. Well that's what I did do just stopped ,that was the start of what I cud only describe as the worst five weeks of my life bad move I cud not stand to be in my own skin no sleep beside myself crawling to my gp for sum type of help anything at all ,this is three days in.he gave me benzos clonadine and morphine injections for the pain .6 days in put in hospital for two days for pain management I cud hardly walk major withdraws and so much pain vomiting every tym I Tryed to eat ..discharged from hospital back home where I stayed in bed for the next week and a half .so many tyms I just wanted to start taking methadone to stop the withdraws my Dr even Tryed to start a dose of 10mg but 3 weeks in I was not goin back ,slowly I did start to come rite but without the benzos and morphine which I still take I don't no if I wud have got off it at all .1 thing to remember drs sometimes do more harm than Gud its not ur fault be strong it isn't easy but u will get there Gud luck I hope this helps a little

 

[BlazedUp]

Hi there I to was put on methadone for chronic daily headaches bout 2 yrs ago ,my pain specialist who is an idiot truly told me that because of the long half life wud be a better alternative to morphine and oxy also because methadone does not cause rebound headaches . I was on methadone for around 1 yr but pain management was becoming an issue again so I was told to slowly taper off the methadone. I was on 80mg per day slowly tapered to 30 mg at which stage I was told that it was not uncommon to be able to just stop the 30mg dose. Well that's what I did do just stopped ,that was the start of what I cud only describe as the worst five weeks of my life bad move I cud not stand to be in my own skin no sleep beside myself crawling to my gp for sum type of help anything at all ,this is three days in.he gave me benzos clonadine and morphine injections for the pain .6 days in put in hospital for two days for pain management I cud hardly walk major withdraws and so much pain vomiting every tym I Tryed to eat ..discharged from hospital back home where I stayed in bed for the next week and a half .so many tyms I just wanted to start taking methadone to stop the withdraws my Dr even Tryed to start a dose of 10mg but 3 weeks in I was not goin back ,slowly I did start to come rite but without the benzos and morphine which I still take I don't no if I wud have got off it at all .1 thing to remember drs sometimes do more harm than Gud its not ur fault be strong it isn't easy but u will get there Gud luck I hope this helps a little

I got told the same exact thing, "methadone has a longer haf life, therefor it is a much more stable drug, you should have no problem getting off the dose you're at" so I agree with you completely the doctors can do more harm than good. They need to get educated on things like this, what kind of doctor would tell you it's ok to stop cold turkey at 30mg? Plain ignorance IMO. Amazing stuff that you did that cold turkey. Thanks for sharing your story, I needed some storys with happy endings, gives me motivation to push through this depression i'm getting. I'm almost there!

 

[suessmayr]

To the OP - I am so glad that you see that will power is the most important thing in these matters. I'm 5 days clean from buprenorphine (I was on methadone before that) and I feel like shit but it's what I want to do - for the first time in years - so I'm just trying to be strong.

I also have a very very small supply of valium - it's so small because I was addicted to it previously - and it helps so much. I would say it has about halved the pain I'm in. As much as it helps physically I think the best thing it (and benzos generally) do is temporarily eliminate anxiety. I take it when I get into bed and it gets rid of the discomfort, cold and pain and allows me to stop thinking bad thoughts for long enough to sleep.

Good luck

S

 

[BlazedUp]

To the OP - I am so glad that you see that will power is the most important thing in these matters. I'm 5 days clean from buprenorphine (I was on methadone before that) and I feel like shit but it's what I want to do - for the first time in years - so I'm just trying to be strong.

I also have a very very small supply of valium - it's so small because I was addicted to it previously - and it helps so much. I would say it has about halved the pain I'm in. As much as it helps physically I think the best thing it (and benzos generally) do is temporarily eliminate anxiety. I take it when I get into bed and it gets rid of the discomfort, cold and pain and allows me to stop thinking bad thoughts for long enough to sleep.

Good luck

S

Congratulations on being clean, keep up the good work! I'm sure you're working hard. We'll both keep our willpower strong, we have to. We're also kind of in the same boat with the whole benzo thing, we both need to be careful because of past addictions. I never recalled benzo withdrawals nowhere near this hard, although I was at a much higher dose, I guess everyones body is different. Thanks for the support buddy, kind words help me keep going.

 

[xburtonchic]

First off, I just wanted to tell everyone how much I genuinely appreciate the advice and support. For some reason I thought I would be rejected/ignored for a topic asked so many times (I guess this is part of the mental aspects of the withdrawal).

Anyways, luckily I have a large supply of benzos and lyrica. I take 600mg of lyrica a day and no more than 1mg of xanax a day, I am very strict not to go over that set amount. I have to interact with people on a daily basis and without the xanax I simply cannot think and act professionally with all the anxiety. I'm going to pick up some 5htp and st. johns wort tomorrow. I will have to ask my doctor (who yes, I must add, I am very very pissed at. I have no idea why he would pick the most physically addictive opiate/opioid) for some clonodine. I know people say that it helps, but what symptoms does it actually help with? Or does it just knock you out?

There was once a time where I was an opiate and benzo fiend, but my mindset has changed drastically and all I want is to be have energy and motivation again so I can finish out the last 2 years of college. I haven't taken opiates to get high in 3 years and benzos in a year so I don't think I have that addict mentality anymore, although i'm not going to test it.

I guess I do have it kind of easy, I exercise regularly, eat healthy, started out on a low dose, now am on an even lower dose, have accesses to the right medications, and most importantly have the right mindset The depression and anxiety is really getting to me, I just need to remember that it will pass soon enough. Still not sure if I should jump now or taper off a little more, i'll have to think about it, tough decision.

I was feeling really unsure about everything until I read your responses, now I am confident I can get through these hard times. The people that responded are truly a big part of the reason I did not give up and go back to 10mg today, I guess I just needed a little support and reassurance.

I know this was a long response, but I have one more question. Did those that successfully get off methadone notice they got their old energy and motivation back?

Thanks once again!

Well clonodine is a medication for high blood pressure, so it's supposed to just take away the chills, hot flashes, RLS, and some of the anxiety. I never heard about it knocking anyone out, so I was surprised that it made me fall asleep that way. I have low blood pressure as it is... my doctor was very apprehensive about prescribing it to me in fact for that reason... so that MIGHT have something to do with my reaction to it. I'm not sure though. It might or it might not knock you out. But if it doesn't, it will at least help out with the other things I named above.

As far as the methadone, I'm not sure. My thing was bupe... never taken methadone so I don't know much about it... but the strength and half lives are about the same as far as I know. And if that's the case, then yes! Your energy does come back after a while.

EDIT: Forgot to add, another thing that will help immensely with your energy level is the St John's Wort and 5-HTP. They both take a while to start working... around a week or two... but when they kick in, you'll know! Your mood and your current frame of mind really do have a lot to do with how much energy and motivation you have, so a lift in mood will certainly equate to a lift in energy. Even if it's just a small lift. But after not having ANY energy or motivation for so long, even a small mood and energy lift practically makes you feel like taking the world on! lol

 

[suessmayr]

You need to be careful with St. John's Wort and 5-HTP as they interact with psychiatric meds. They're essentially weak SSRI's and are serotonergic so if you're taking any anti-deps or other stuff you should clear it with your doctor.

I also found in the case of benzos that it was much easier than getting off opiates. I can only recall one day that was unbearably bad. And I was on extremely high doses - even when I was admitted the hospital was giving me, initially, 20 x 5mg valiums daily! I reduced from there.

Good luck.

S

 

[BlazedUp]

You need to be careful with St. John's Wort and 5-HTP as they interact with psychiatric meds. They're essentially weak SSRI's and are serotonergic so if you're taking any anti-deps or other stuff you should clear it with your doctor.

I also found in the case of benzos that it was much easier than getting off opiates. I can only recall one day that was unbearably bad. And I was on extremely high doses - even when I was admitted the hospital was giving me, initially, 20 x 5mg valiums daily! I reduced from there.

Good luck.

S

I'm not on any SSRI's, I really appreciate the concern though! The only thing i'm worried about is the sun sensitivity from St. Johns Wort, anyone have problems with that? I'm just taking the 5-HTP for now, I hope it kicks in soon because tomorrow I drop to 5mg Some say they have PAWS for years after benzo withdrawal and that they are absolutely the hardest thing to get off of, maybe i'm lucky with the GABA drugs. I was on a fast taper from benzos to be safe, but there were minimal symptoms, some anxiety. I was on 3600mg of gabapentin (neurontin) which is the max dosage and just stopped one day, actually felt better the next day, I had no withdrawals at all. Some people complain of harsh withdrawals to that too. Since Lyrica works on GABA receptors, as well as benzos, could this possibly mean I won't have trouble getting off Lyrica? I'll give an update on how I do on 5mg!

 

[onlytheblue]

Methadone is a horrible drug...I was on 130mg...took me awhile to get over all the wd....it stays in your fat cells for 2 weeks so even after youre off the crap still in your system

 

[onlytheblue]

Good luck tho...all the reply on here will help