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New here: 3rd Day off Methadone

scarolina1886

Greenlighter
Joined
Apr 28, 2015
Messages
5
Hi all,
Im new here so I'm not sure where this post should go.I apoligize if it's in the wrong location and if so please let me know where it belongs and I will gladley repost it. But for now I figured new introductions wouldbe a good place to start. I've been going to a Methadone program for a little over 2 years now with a few very short breaks with one unsucessful detox (started back to opiote painkillers the first day I quit MMT, and then reenrolled into the Suboxone program only to quit before my move to a new state) We moved to another city and I enrolled into there MMT program. Due to financial reasons ( Icant find work in my new city, and my hubby is the only one working) I was forced to detox. It's not just the financial reasons, I dont want to be dependant on this medication for 10+years...I hate having to plan everything around when I need tobe at the clinic. Anywho... I did a farly rapid detox... too rapid to be honest, but financial reasons were why. I detoxed 3mg a DAY, yes I went down 3 mg every single day from 80mg to none. I felt fine through all this process until i hit 9mg, and then I started to get mild w/d symptoms, now that Im on my 3rd day with no Methadone my withdrawls are hitting hard. No No restless leg sydrome this time thank god, but I've got the fever/chills/runs/body feels like Ive ran a Marathon and if I even get up from a laying down position I have to sit there for a few minutes to catch my breathe before I can even get up. It's a pretty classic textbook withdrawl. I keep trying to "trick" my brain, telling myself no,no its not withdrawls... its just your not feeling well. Brain dosent get the message. Just a few minutes ago I found my Clonadine from my last detox( thank god it made the move with us to our new state) It's a few months expired, but whatever. I'm a small person. 5'2, 95lbs with an alreadly low blood pressure,( normal bpfor me is 100/60, however since I'm in w/d now it may be higher)and last time the Clonidine did nothing for my withdrawl symptoms...I was scared to take a whole pill last time, fearing my BP would dip so low I'de pass out,but I did take a whole one this time so we will see if it helps. I kep telling myself it wont last forever,but god, I feel so bad. I hear peoplesay they feel terrible for months and months and months, and that scares the life out of me. I cant hurt that long, I do not have strong will power( probally why I started using in the first place) I'm hoping since this time I've only been in there MMT program for about 6 months, it will be easier on me. All ym dealers are8 hours away, and part of me is thankful for that, and the other part of me wants to get it my car and drive back to my homestate... :( Well everyone that's my story. I'm going to keep trying to push though this misery. If anyone has any advice Ide love to hear it.
 
Hey SC-

Nice to meet you. I am new here myself.

Sorry to hear you're so uncomfortable right now. I would DEFINITELY recommend Imodium for the runs... Imodium is actually *technically* an opiate! It (supposedly? some argue that it can/does) does not cross the blood-brain barrier, so it is not centrally active, therefore it's not seen as something addictive (although you will find many testimonies to the contrary, so be cautious).

Some people report that high enough doses of Imodium take away MANY withdrawal symptoms, not just diarrhea. I have used it with moderate to high levels of success myself. However, this was before I read up on people reportedly dying from tremendous doses of the stuff. If I remember right, it does something to calcium channels in the body which can be problematic at INCREDIBLY high doses. A google search will tell you more about that.

So, I would recommend it, but do your research if you plan to take massive doses of the stuff. I was fine taking it, but just because I was does not mean you will be. I took approximately 6-10mg at a time, several times a day. I believe that people who had health issues took far larger doses than that. Remember, since it is technically an opiate, you will have some level of cross-tolerance. The typical recommended dose for relieving diarrhea is 1-2 pills @ 2mg each, so 2-4mg.

I used a generic brand and was pleased with it.

Are you in the United States?

Has the Clonidine helped you at all? I haven't ever tried that myself, but have read many reports of people who swear by it. You said last time it did you no good. I wonder if that was a dosing issue, or if you had very high expectations and so it didn't seel too helpful? I have zero knowledge about dosing on that stuff for withdrawals, so I'm afraid I will be of no help to you there.

But yeah...Imodium has earned the nickname "Poor Man's Methodone" for a reason!

If you smoke weed, you might try using that to relieve some symptoms.
For me it's mostly a distraction. I can't say it is enormously helpful for relieving withdrawal symptoms for me, but a friend of mine swears it is enormously helpful for them in withdrawal. Weed isn't usually too difficult to find, even in a new area. But of course, BE CAREFUL, for so many reasons.

Some people have also taken Benadryl (diphenhydramine formulations - not formulations with other active ingredients in addition) to help with the runny nose/sneezing symptoms, as well as to help them sleep. It didn't ever really help me get more than an hour or so of sleep during withdrawals personally. Some people say it makes restless legs worse, too, though, so keep that in mind.

Have you ever hears of the Thomas Recipe for opiate withdrawal? This is another method that many people swear by. Google it, or use the search function on Bluelight.

Someone recently reminded me about Kratom, as well. You might want to research that for withdrawal, though keep in mind it has addiction potential on its own.

I will reply further if anything else comes to mind that could be helpful.

I hope you are feeling better, and remember to be kind to yourself. Reach out here or elsewhere if your thoughts become dark, or if the symptoms become more than you feel you can bear. As a lifelong introvert, I am learning that having the support of others is a WONDERFUL thing during times of distress and despair. It's hard to sometimes, but, you are certainly not alone, and though I am new here as a member, in lurking for a long time, I can see that this is a very supportive community that is full of people who are happy to help you :)

Take care.

Peace.
 
Oh yes- I forgot to address PAWS (post acute withdrawal), as you had mentioned being concerned that you would feel terrible for months...

Do a search on Bluelight and Google, there are many supplements that help. One that comes to mind is 5-HTP, which boosts serotonin. There are many for boosting dopamine as well. However, you will want to check for interactions between supplements (just search google for "drug interaction checker"), and if you take any medications already (or vitamins/supplements), you need to check for interactions there as well. Too much serotonin, for example, can result in a potentially deadly condition.

Basics like getting good sleep (melatonin helps some people; and the short version is that the body uses serotonin to make melatonin, so there's that angle...), staying hydrated, keeping your electrolytes in good shape, getting some light to moderate exercise, eating healthy, etc, all help very much as well. Obviously lol. But, it's easy to neglect, so a reminder can't hurt :)

Good luck to you!

Peace.
 
Thanks for your reply.Yes I'm in the United States. We moved to a small coastal city. It is quite a change from the large city we moved from. If I could get past this withdrawl stages I'de love living this close to the beach, but right now the 2 blocks there may as well be 10 miles! So this is day 4. I got plenty of sleep last night, about 9 hours and only woke up a few times. It was quite a change from the night before when terrible stomach cramps had me up every half hour to hour. I did not know about the Imodium thing,I will most definatley look into that! But I do beleive the Clonidine did help me somewhat last night. My belief to why it did not help last time is I was simply not taking enough. I did take 1 pill mid-day, and one pill around 7pm... About 9pm I get up too quick and I guess my bloodpressure bottomed out on me becuase shit got spinny and black and down I go. I never completley lost conciousness, but was pretty damn close. So I'll definatley use it with more caution today. This is my 4th day into this, and I still don't have the restless leg syndrome. I'm praying it does not come.... that was the big thing that make me relapse last time. Ah I'veknown about the Benadryl for sleep. It also tends to helpme with anxiety it I take it uring the day. I've also got some Phenergen from my daughter which hlps with any nausea/anxiety. So I've got the comfort meds,It's just getting to where I feel normal again. I do think I feel just a tad, tad bit better today. Simply because after I put my two children on the bus I did not throw myself down on the couch. I did manage to clean up my kitchen a bit, only about 5 minutes but it's a start. And I'm not typing on the computer,, so hey little steps I guess. The fatigue is really the kicker... I feel like a 90 year old women with breathing problems. And also, it's just learning to live sober. You take someone like me whos been using some type of mind altering substance since the age of 16 ( so 12 years) minus 8 months with my pregnancies It's just weird.,.. I dont know. Oh and I had no idea there were supplements for boosting serotonin and dopamine... that's awesome.I may have to have my hubby go to GNC. Come to think of it, I have depression pills in my bathroom I beleive, which should hrlp with that too. Just takes longer I beleive, my depression symptoms went away when on Methadone. Guess the done was filling up those receptors. I have a 9 year old bless her heart and she is way to wise beyond her years. Shes seen Mom kick Alchohol 6 years ago, only to get on prescription pills, then Mom get on Methadone and now the struggle to get off it. The only good thing out of this is the fact she constantly tells me she will never use, because she knows the heartache behind it. Thanks for listening :)
 
It sounds like your doing pretty good, a whole lot better than I was at 4-5 days. Keep moving around even if its 5-10min every hr. I just hit my 8 week mark today and it will definitely get easier every week. So keep up the good work and let us know how you are doing with your progress.
 
I just reached day 29 of my suboxone withdrawal and this is the first day I feel good. Methadone and suboxone have such a long half life, it makes the withdrawal long and drawn out. Hang in there. Try to treat your symptoms and don't focus on how bad you feel. It will take time to feel better. Day 11 is when full withdrawal hit me with 6 years of suboxone use, but I have never been on methadone. You can do it!! Think positive, it helps a lot. You are clean, you NEVER have to go back. Tough it out once and be done forever. You will feel good again, I promise. I thought on days 21-25 that I was never gonna be right again, but I got through it and I feel amazing today. I haven't been clean for a month in 8 years and it feels great to be clean finally. I am never looking back now. I have a 2 year old daughter who is my world and I did this for her as well as for myself and my family! You CAN do it!!!!!
 
Congrats finallyfree my friend is on suboxone and he has been on it for a little while now he was like me and was on opiates for years and started taking subs and wants to come off he is still taking 2 8mg each day. I have a question for you did you taper off or just quit ct
 
I tapered but only to 2mg a day, which is still high according to some people. It didn't seem any different then when I moved to Michigan in 2008 and quit ct and at that time I had only been on suboxone for a couple months. This time it was 6 years and ct from 2mg. It may have lasted a few more days this time around, but not much. Your friend should lower his dose in my opinion. When I got down to 2mg a day, I felt much much much better than when on my highest dose of 8mg per day. If he can taper down lower than 2mg it's probably a bit easier, but honestly the symptoms are manageable as long as you stay positive. Thanks for your question! Nice hearing from you!
 
TruTexan,
It's so weird I come back tonight and I see your post about Kratom. I was doing reseach on it and before I saw your post. I was so lacking in energy and just blah so I went out to one of the most respectable well known head shop around ( still a big no-no according to what I'm seeing bc you dont know exactly what your getting, price is higher, ect ect), but I was at the point I dident know if I could last until it got delivered. Anyhow, it has helped me tremendously! I'm still fatigued , but I managed to change the cat litter, take out the trash, and sweep up my living room... which is more than I can say since this nightmare began. I'm hoping I can use it for a few days and hopefully some of this more unpleasant withdrawals will be behind me. And to Frank congrats for finally getting there! It's a bitch, but I'm just so done with some substance determining my every move. I'm so damn sick of scheduling my life around the substance. Anyhow, I'm about to pop some Benadryl and lay down here soon, I've slept more this last week than I feel like I have in a month. Take care everyone and I'll update tomorrow. :)
 
Thanks finallyfree I spoke to my friend last night and told him about bluelight and I found a bunch of information for him. He is going to start his taper and try to drop his dose down 2 mg every week 1 mg from each sub till he gets down to 1 mg then take a week of vacation and jump off.
 
SCarolina what type of kratom did you end up getting. There are a few different kinds that do different things. I liked the red the best. I have also tried other kinds in the past but red helped me the most.
 
Hey SC-

Glad to see you seem to be doing better!

So, you had success with kratom, yeah? I am looking into that myself for H wd.

Would you mind telling us a little more about your kratom use? What kind, amount, etc?

Thanks! Keep up the good work. You are doing great! Your daughter has a lot to be proud of :)

Peace.
 
SCarolina what type of kratom did you end up getting. There are a few different kinds that do different things. I liked the red the best. I have also tried other kinds in the past but red helped me the most.

Can I ask why you like red the best?

I have heard that red and white are sedating, green stimulating. I hear white is best for pain, but then I hear red, too.

What did you use it for? WD? Pain? Recreational?

Also, what form did you use it in? Powdered, extract, etc. I keep hearing powdered leaves and stems are best. What is your take?

Thanks!

Peace.
 
Hi Abetterway.. I personally am coming off of H And all types of different opiate use for the past 6 years. I have tried red green and white. The white that I tried must have been old or something because it didn't do much for me. But my buddy mixes the red and white together and he loves it. The green is like speed for instance I did about an oz in like 1hr and I was all jittery some people say it's like cocaine. The red and white are for pain and should hit some of the same reseptors like any h or opiate. But not as strong. Depending upon how much h you are taking on a daily basis. You might have to take up to an oz to an oz and a half a day. And the easiest way to take it is with them little bottles of Apple juice. Poor about 2 oz of Apple juice in a glass and save itthen take a tea spoon and start adadding it to the juice bottle put the cap on and shake it then drink it right after you shake it. Some will stick to the sides so that's when you use the few ounces that you put aside to put back into the bottle and shake it up to get the rest out that stuck to the sides of the bottle. Hope this helps you. .
 
And yes ground down powder is the best way to go.because if it is not to ground down it will be hard to choke it down. And to get the best results take on a empty stomach.
 
I wish u luck hun, I detoxed off of 110mg of methadone in jail and I'm not gonna lie and say it was easy, sad to say it was harder than heroin. but experiencing that type of pain kept me sober 3 years, it's something u won't forget and it's a good reminder. I know it sucks but the best part is once it's over with you won't even think it was that bad and you'll be a stronger person. good luck and stay positive
 
Hi z06-frank-

Thank you so much for your reply, I appreciate it so much. My biggest concern is getting ripped off buying kratom lol.

Would it be ok if I sent you an email? As a newbie I cannot yet PM.

I don't wanna hijack this thread :)

Thank you!

Peace.
 
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