Methadone withdrawal- mental and physical problems

[Daniel]

Hi lauralove.

That's tough, not having anyone to talk to. It makes more difference than you could possibly imagine having someone to support you through this.

You should be OK going down reasonably quickly until you hit around 30mg. People differ widely once this "milestone" is reached.

I'm coming down myself at the moment. My pharmacist is reducing by 0.1ml a week, and I'm now on 0.4ml (not long to go!). I have the restless leg thing (which I wouldn't mind so much if I could just sleep through it), mild stomach cramps, low energy and emotional instability (I've learned to avoid supermarkets that play all those schmaltzy songs all the time. I'd find myself crying over my trolley to songs I'd never have been caught dead listening to normally).

That said, the above is bearable. Annoying and uncomfortable, yes, but bearable. I'm still working full time, and haven't had to take any time off at all. The trick is to go slow. If you're afraid of the pain (and who isn't?), it's the only way to come off.

I should add that this is my second time coming off. The first time I did the same thing - went really slowly. I was amazed at how painless it all was (relative to what I'd been expecting, that is). But it took me a year to come down from 35mg to a point where I was brave enough to jump (0.2ml).

You CAN do this, just don't let yourself be hurried and with determination you'll make it.

[Daniel]

lauralove, just an addition to the last post.

You HAVE to find someone you can talk to about this. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of withdrawal is depression. For some people it can be really bad, and it can last way beyond the physical symptoms.

As you probably know, Methadone is meant to give addicts a semblance of normal life. It's an illusion of normality. It's still sitting there on your opiate receptors artificially controlling the way you react to emotional stimuli. You have to learn that stuff all over again and, depending on how long you've been on it, that can take many months.

Without someone to help you through it, you greatly increase your chance of not making it. I'm not saying it can't be done. It'll just make it that much harder.

Anyway, I really do wish you success in your endeavours.

[sara]

I'm at 5m right now. i didnt even think about how much i've been crying to songs lately. that must have something to do with my sappy feelings too.....

[Ms Marlie]

HI over a month here and still not natural sleep. detoxed in a hospital with suboxone big deal i say. I'm sitting at home a month and a weeek and no sleep except for what ambien gives me. so basically don't detox off of 60 mgs of methadone foks its a bitch...love you all anyway

[Ms Marlie]

Hi again more info for you. I used the suboxone at first but did not have a good reaction to it. So after the initial 3 doses i didnn't have any more. Oh boy!

[Daniel]

I started having a serious lack of sleep problem a couple of weeks ago (about when I hit 0.7ml [3.5mg]). It was the restless leg thing that prevented me sleeping (when it's really bad, my arms join in too).

My pharmacist suggested Magnesium tablets for the spasms (he initially suggested sleeping pills, but I don't want to go there), and I started taking Valerian pills (the extra super duper high dosage variety). I'm amazed, but it actually worked. I'm sleeping OK. I'm down to 0.3ml [1.5mg] tomorrow, so we'll see if that holds. Will let you know.

sara: I cried at a Celine Dion song the other day! How embarrassing was that? The annoying thing is that it's not only sad songs that make me cry. Really happy ones do too.

[Ms Marlie]

Daniel, i hear you both on the crying at songs either for joy or whatever. I will use some valerian coz i have the same restless arms and legs, i can't stay still, always wandering around exhausted mind u lol. i can only keep a good attitude if possible so that i can stave off depression. Its been like this since October 18th and still no natural sleep. I also heard melatonin was good for sleep. I need to stop the ambien but it is the only thing that allows me to sleep but now i will have to get OFF those next i'm sure! With complete sleep deprivation I would probably pass oout. Gotta go cry to a Journey sound.........bless u all

[Daniel]

Ms Marlie, what made you decide to come off Methadone at 60mg? Did you have a choice? You have my heartfelt sympathy. You're way braver than I could ever be.

I hope the valerian helps, but I'm using it (in conjunction with the magnesium tablets) to stem mild withdrawal symptoms. It doesn't give me my energy back, but it allows me to sleep a good seven hours straight.

Sounds to me as if you're in pretty severe discomfort, but if you're into the second month, you're definitely over the worst of it.

Good luck, and lots of encouragement to you.

[Ms Marlie]

Daniel thanks and I hope the worst is behind me. i have a psych. that wants to put me on different things so i will sleep already tried lithium NOT. I just got so sick of my life and the dr. at the clinic was not supportive of my going down it was too slow. Anyway, I found a hospital and shrink that said they could use suboxone and i had a terrible reaction to it. so, long story short i am off of everything finally and just have these fake ambien. they used to give me a couple of hours but less and less! thanks so much for your encouragement, i really needed it ! Keep on keeping on lol Marlie

[Ms Marlie]

Hi Ya, just took a cat nap with an ambien but even that was great for me. I don't know what i will do when its time to get off the ambien but that is a small fish to fry so to speak lol. I hope you are doing well. Got some magnesium but couldnt find valerium. Oh well, have some melatonin i can try. Take care and i hope all is well in the world for just a few seconds if nothing else... Hugs out

[Rita]

Sara, Honey,
It's Rita, and I am so sorry. I have been so busy lately it's unbelievable!! But I have thought about you, and wondered how you were doing. I never did get an email from you, did I?
See, you know I have been busy when I have to ask someone if they wrote or not. I know a Sara wrote me, but I don't think that one was you.
I am always here if you need someone...and that also goes for Ms Marlie also. If you would like a friend to listen, I am here. Although I am a substance abuse counselor, I can also be a friend. I have big shoulders and I will listen to all you need to say.
Much Love to both,
Rita

[Ms Marlie]

HI all, I have to give up this site coz I am too high anxiety and i take all your problems inside. Thanks for reading my sorta journal but I have to think happy thoughts now. Good luck to you in your journeys. Big time love OUT

[Daniel]

Hi Ms Marlie, I have a couple of ex-addict friends, and their psychs put them on lithium too.

The hardest thing with all of this (withdrawal) is that there are *so* many different stories - success and failure - that making a choice of which method is right for you (especially when the vast majority of people are afraid, and rightly so!) is like buying a lottery ticket, or playing Russian roulette.

If you've made it this far without sleep, you are one strong person.

Valerian is a natural relaxant. It doesn't actually put me to sleep, but if I can get to sleep (with the help of the magnesium which seems to soften the restless leg thing) it helps me to stay asleep. So there's still the ordeal of lying there wide awake for an hour or two before my body finally says enough.

Anyway, it's worth a try if you can get a hold of some. It's non-prescription, so you should be able to buy it over the counter anywhere.

You have my support and admiration. Let me know how you go.

[Rita]

Hi there,
Daniel, don't forget that the best thing to take while withdrawing is Clonidine. It helps with your RLS as well as some of the other symptoms.
Ask your doctor. They will usually prescribe it for those who are withdrawing.
Much Love,
Rozi

[Daniel]

Thanks Rita.

I've had Clonidine when detoxing from heroin about ten years ago (in fact that was the only thing the clinic I detoxed in gave me), but neither my doctor, nor pharmacist, has suggested it for this. Perhaps it's not dispensed outside of clinics here (or they don't think I'm suffering enough).

I'm actually doing OK at the moment. 0.3ml this week and, other than mild RLS and slightly depressed energy levels (I still go for my 5km walks each day), I feel fine. The RLS is better this week than it was last, for some reason.

I'm down to 0.2ml next week, 0.1 for two weeks after that, then off I go.

I'll definitely talk to my doctor regarding Clonodine when I see her next week.

Thanks again.

[what]

Where is my post?

[Sam]

Been on Oxycodone for 5 months now for pain associated with Lymes disease prescribed by my family Doctor. Finally I decided to go to a pain center ( well known and very good supposedly)and the Doc there gave me a steroid shot in my back, gave a script for Methadone 10mg 2x a day. I took it for 7 days and AROUND THE 5TH DAY I started having extreme dizziness, chest pains and palpitations,stomach pains, Tiredness (like falling a sleep sitting up and I never do that),nausea, and anxiety. He told told me to keep taking the Oxy(5/325) with the Meth ( different times of the day of course). I called the pain doctor and told him about the side effects and that I wanted to stop talking it all together. He wanted me to try to stay on it and in fact increase the dose. I said "no way" and he finally said ok, stop taking it. He said, " we will see you at our next appointment and discuss other options.

My questions : Will I have any withdrawals from stopping the Methadone after only 7 days ? I didn't think so, but I wanted to ask . Is there anything else I can do to get off the Oxy when the Pain from the Lymes is more manageable. I see the doc on Dec. 18th again and wanted to get others opinions.

[sara]

Sam wrote:

Been on Oxycodone for 5 months now for pain associated with Lymes disease prescribed by my family Doctor. Finally I decided to go to a pain center ( well known and very good supposedly)and the Doc there gave me a steroid shot in my back, gave a script for Methadone 10mg 2x a day. I took it for 7 days and AROUND THE 5TH DAY I started having extreme dizziness, chest pains and palpitations,stomach pains, Tiredness (like falling a sleep sitting up and I never do that),nausea, and anxiety. He told told me to keep taking the Oxy(5/325) with the Meth ( different times of the day of course). I called the pain doctor and told him about the side effects and that I wanted to stop talking it all together. He wanted me to try to stay on it and in fact increase the dose. I said "no way" and he finally said ok, stop taking it. He said, " we will see you at our next appointment and discuss other options.
My questions : Will I have any withdrawals from stopping the Methadone after only 7 days ? I didn't think so, but I wanted to ask . Is there anything else I can do to get off the Oxy when the Pain from the Lymes is more manageable. I see the doc on Dec. 18th again and wanted to get others opinions.

After only 10 days you shouldn't experience much withdrawal effects. i experienced the same scare when i started and called a "hotline" and they said typically it takes a body 21 days for addiction to start. if you really did put it down. THEN STICK TO IT!!!!!! this drug is way more addictive than your oxy's. be careful. do research;moreover, check your resources, and don't be your own doctor. if you have access to a M.D., preferably an Internal Medicine doctor one that knows your history and goals, use him/her. be careful of trying to be your own doc. i've done that in the past and it led me to the place i am now. i'm too embarrassed to tell me M.D. what i've done to myself. it's always a good idea to double-check any meds you're on, but if you're trying to detox-----get some professional help.

[sara]

p.s. Sam, do you not need the Oxy's anymore? are you out of pain? if you're getting better than just step down and wean. If you/re "nodding off" than that ( to me) seems like a dangerous dose. I'm glad you told your doctor of the side effects. i'm interested to know what happens. if you can stay away from methadone do so.(if you're true time with it is as you say, then stop!!!! your doc shouldn't have told you to wait 'till you adjust. very good on your part for saying "no")

[maria]

my daughter is detoxing from methadone and is really dope sick she has a appointment tuesday for a soboxin dr?
is there anything she can take to help her?