I am ready to get off methadone after seven years on the program. I would like to decrease 1 mg. per week, but my counselor tells me this is too quick - that I should go down 5 mg / month instead. Is there anyone out there who has detox at 1 mg. a week and, if so, was it a comforable detox?
I was on methadone for 9 years...I tried tapering three times....the best I experienced was going down every two weeks at 1mg. It was still uncomfortable after every jump...especially when you get to the small numbers but it was doable...1mg every week your going to feel alot...perhaps not at first...but in the long run...no matter what though or how you taper your going to wd eventually...depends upon the individual as to how bad...obviously not as bad as jumping or dope detoxing...but the kick effects lasts longer...usually 4 weeks or longer to get everything feeling like your ok again...and still some stuff will linger longer....I agree with your doc...1mg a week is too fast...take it slow...let your body adjust after each drop and you'll have a better chance...took me 2-3 days after each drop to stabilize again...a good taper takes months and up to a year even...so don't rush yourself if you don't have to...good luck..
con
con
Thank you for your input. I have seen your posts before. I cannot believe that 1 mg per week is too much, but I am going to take your advise and slow down. 5 mg. a months v. 1 mg. a week? that means in 4 weeks I go down 5 mg., but with the 1 mg. a week decrease I only go down 4 mg. a month, so I am confused. I am already experiencing body aches. I was at 145, weened down to 45 and stayed there for a long time. Recently I dropped 5 mg. and then the next week I dropped another 1 mg. I was also recently diagnosed with central sleep apnea and I hear that methadone makes apnea worse. Any thoughts out there? I need support!!!!
True...i found methadone contributes to sleep apena...and nightmares if your stuck with PTSD too...that was a b****...but it's better now that I've been off a bit...5 mgs a month all at the same time wouldn't be something I would want to do...I felt every fcking drop at 1 mg per two weeks...but everyone is different. ..it's not fun no matter how you slice it...i sometimes stayed at a drop for awhile until I felt I wanted to continue. ..take your time and you won't feel the drops as bad...some docs like to get you off quick..and sometimes that works better for some...and sometimes not..depends on the person...it's your call on how you want to do your taper...I recommend slow and steady...with pauses in between if you need it...no hurry if you don't need too...your bodies metabolism and chemical make up needs time to adjust after each drop...and your head needs time to prepare for the dealing with the behaviors again..and possibly the cravings...methadone doesn't fix you...your still going to be a junkie when you come off...so...prepare if you can...head game can be tough...go slow if you can and are willing to put in the time to do it right..you'll suffer less and you'll be better prepared to stay clean afterwards...
I've noticed that some docs have no clue how even 1 mg can be rough...they seem to think it's too low to effect us...they're so so wrong...don't let him talk you into believing he knows what your body feels...only you know best what will be comfortable. ..stop if you need to...continue when your ready...this is your ride..not his
I've noticed that some docs have no clue how even 1 mg can be rough...they seem to think it's too low to effect us...they're so so wrong...don't let him talk you into believing he knows what your body feels...only you know best what will be comfortable. ..stop if you need to...continue when your ready...this is your ride..not his
Thanks Con. I appreciate your taking time out to advise me. I have been so up and down with my moods, it's incredible. Within 10 minutes I can feel happy and positive and then down and hopeless, then up, then down. It's so hard to deal with these mood swings. I have been on the bi-pap for two weeks now and I am still falling asleep during the day at work. I am at a temporary position, which ends in a couple of days. I cannot deal with this falling asleep. I am wondering if there is anyone who is suffering from sleep apnea out there - how long did it take before you felt fully rested. I have had this for at least a year, so I imagine it will take some time to adjust, but I was hoping for quicker results. How long did it take you to get back to "normal," as far as not wanting to sleep during the day? Please let me know. Thanks for any and all input...
Hi Lori
Ya..the mood swings and the crazy are hard...but you should level out soon. ..that stuff lasted about a month...sleep?....it's been 5 months and its still up and down...sometimes I get a good one and others up at 3....sleepy by 2 in the afternoon...throat raw....still hurt at times..joints...and sometimes stomach issues....it's maddening....I've heard 6 months to a year before we feel "normal". It's a long ride...hard to hang in there sometimes...keep as busy as you can...excersize helps...help your body get tired...like a little kid...and try not to dwell...It's a b**** for sure...some swear by vitamins...whatever you can help yourself with...but I think time is what will do it...
Ya..the mood swings and the crazy are hard...but you should level out soon. ..that stuff lasted about a month...sleep?....it's been 5 months and its still up and down...sometimes I get a good one and others up at 3....sleepy by 2 in the afternoon...throat raw....still hurt at times..joints...and sometimes stomach issues....it's maddening....I've heard 6 months to a year before we feel "normal". It's a long ride...hard to hang in there sometimes...keep as busy as you can...excersize helps...help your body get tired...like a little kid...and try not to dwell...It's a b**** for sure...some swear by vitamins...whatever you can help yourself with...but I think time is what will do it...
Hi there
Everyones experience with methadone reduction differs ... i was taking methadone for 8 years with a max daily intake of 40ml ... however last year after a ilness i decided to quit and may this year i started reducing myself ( with no help from drug service ) .. and reduced myself 2ml every 10 days
from 20ml to 8ml was a bit rough but bearable and any stomach cramps were aleviated with buscopan(hyscoine ) .... leg cramps ( when they occured ) were sorted with tonic water ( which contains quinine )
im now on 4ml and in 9 days i go to 2ml ... as soon as i hit 4ml it was like a cloud was lifted .. emotions flooded back and im just happier overall
the problem is everyone has their own opinion on methadone reduction,however the only person you should listen to is yourself and your body ( and any key worker if you have one ) .. methadone screws your mind more than your body and if your expecting side effects from a 1ml reduction then you could get them,but if you get a great support network and have a positive mental attitude towards the reduction is shouldnt be too bad
1ml(1mg if its a 1ml to 1mg mixture ) should be fine ,allthough 2mg or even 5mg reductions would be ok with daily amounts above 150ml/mg
in summary 1ml reduction is fine ... use buscopan as these relax the stomach and gut which can be affected by methadone ..... have a glass of tonic water with your dinner and before you go to bad ( the leg cramps and jerking will disturb your sleep )
valerian is another supplement ive been looking at .. its known as the natural valium and can help with not only sleep issues but also with mental wellbeing ....
finally if your stil unsure check with your doctor,however im sure he will agree 1ml is not only the safest reduction but also the lowest any drug service/rehab would do .... obviously subutex or transfering to another opiate are other options but your only moving from one drug to another .... stick with the reduction
i wish you all the best my friend
bri
Everyones experience with methadone reduction differs ... i was taking methadone for 8 years with a max daily intake of 40ml ... however last year after a ilness i decided to quit and may this year i started reducing myself ( with no help from drug service ) .. and reduced myself 2ml every 10 days
from 20ml to 8ml was a bit rough but bearable and any stomach cramps were aleviated with buscopan(hyscoine ) .... leg cramps ( when they occured ) were sorted with tonic water ( which contains quinine )
im now on 4ml and in 9 days i go to 2ml ... as soon as i hit 4ml it was like a cloud was lifted .. emotions flooded back and im just happier overall
the problem is everyone has their own opinion on methadone reduction,however the only person you should listen to is yourself and your body ( and any key worker if you have one ) .. methadone screws your mind more than your body and if your expecting side effects from a 1ml reduction then you could get them,but if you get a great support network and have a positive mental attitude towards the reduction is shouldnt be too bad
1ml(1mg if its a 1ml to 1mg mixture ) should be fine ,allthough 2mg or even 5mg reductions would be ok with daily amounts above 150ml/mg
in summary 1ml reduction is fine ... use buscopan as these relax the stomach and gut which can be affected by methadone ..... have a glass of tonic water with your dinner and before you go to bad ( the leg cramps and jerking will disturb your sleep )
valerian is another supplement ive been looking at .. its known as the natural valium and can help with not only sleep issues but also with mental wellbeing ....
finally if your stil unsure check with your doctor,however im sure he will agree 1ml is not only the safest reduction but also the lowest any drug service/rehab would do .... obviously subutex or transfering to another opiate are other options but your only moving from one drug to another .... stick with the reduction
i wish you all the best my friend
bri
