TDS Severely bipolar w/ severe methadone withdrawals

[SoZo6]

I decided 24 days ago that I was going cold turkey off Methadone. I've been hating the clinic for years, the smell, the taste, the whole feeling of it. I'm a type 1 bipolar manic/depressive, w/ rapid cycling, & occasional audio hallucinations. Along with that, I have severe social anxiety. I take my meds religiously, but there have been more than a few times when my Seroquel seemed to make the restlessness worse. I have to take it or I'll end up hurting myself. Has anyone else had this problem? I've only slept 2 nights this whole time ?

 

[dognasher]

Hi there, I am not bipolar but I did take Seroquel at one time for insomnia, not the same, but thought I would reach out. First of all, going cold turkey off methadone is some serious shit and I really, REALLY think you should think about tapering instead, especially since you could exacerbate your existing mental health condition. Not trying to scare you, but really - you don't want to mess around with that kind of cold turkey. It makes heroin withdrawal look like a walk in the park.

Second, Seroquel is going to make the jimmy legs/RLS thing 1000 times worse when you are kicking. It's been discussed a lot on this board - I know that info is sort of useless to you and probably sucks cause I know you have to take the meds for your bipolar condition. A few things I have tried - tight knee high socks. I know that sounds silly, but it can help. Heat/Ice. And I have taken those Hylands Homeopathic Quinine tablets. Not sure if it was placebo or what but they seemed to help.

Lastly - can you talk to your psych doctor and see if he can adjust your meds while you kick the 'done? Because it's not a quick kick - methadone has a crazy long half life.

Good luck, man. Been there, done that. It gets better.