Getting Off Of Methadone (Page 9) (Top voted first)

There are two of us males, early thirties. One of us underwent major back surgery three years ago and has been addicted to pain medication for a total of five years. I have been addicted for about three years just from simply being his main caretaker and dipping into the cookie jar a few to many times like an idiot. We went back to our general doctor (same guy) and explained that we are both full fledged addicts. We told him we have been obtaining Methadone off the street as is seems to be the only thing that works. He asked us what we where getting off the street and we told him Methadone. His response was, "Well that's the smartest thing you have done so far, because of its extremely long effect on the body". We told him we need his help, that we just have no money left and our livers are just a mess and we can't move on with life. He decided to put us both on 100 mgs of Methadone to keep us comfortable until he could make some contacts with the proper addiction specialists that he new. We went for an appointment to his office once every week. We made various contact to different areas, inpatient/outpatient programs, who would not even touch us because we were at too high of a dosage of Methadone. They told us they only work with Suboxone which means we would need to be down to around 20 mgs of Methadone to make the transition to Suboxone. What a nightmare. The doctor also did not have any luck with programs because they where either the scum of the earth clinics, not to mention everyone's famous new drug Suboxone that could be treated in the privacy of a doctors office. About 3 months ago our doctor fell, he herniated a disc or something, all of a sudden was going to be out of the office indefinitely! He never referred us over to another doctor or anything. He just simply CUT US OFF the most potent and dangerous drug out there. Now we are back a square one and no one will touch us because our dosage is too high and there really is nothing they could do. If we could just get us a general doctor to write for pain to get us down to 45 - 50mg, then all these options could open up. A detox would be my first choice, but there is no way in hell we can both come off 100 mgs of Methadone that fast. Anyone know a general doctor in the state of MA that can write for Methadone for pain. That would just help us greatly, but I'm starting to think that there is no hope for us, but I know I cant think like that. Desperate in MA here.

REPLY

REPORT

I feel for you but these drs are in it for the all mighty dollar! I can top that, ive been on Methadone for 38 years without missing a dose. There are days when i wish i could get off methadone. The positive thing is ive been employed at the same place for the last 18 years. Methadone has kept me out of the legal system. Most of my friend's and little brother either overdosed or died from drugs or alcohol. So i thought the best thing for me is to stay on methadone. But i know if you miss 1 or 2 payments you can kiss your dose goodbye. Im on monthly's so that helps not having to put up with the bs at the clinic. Sometimes i pray i die before I have to withdrawal off methadone. I feel like ive been on it way too long to stop now and with that im out'a here!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm 63 and ive been on Methadone since 1980 without missing a dose,so i know what you're going through. The thought of getting off methadone after being on it so long scares the s*** out of me. Because back in the late 70s i was on it for a year. When i jumped off methadone the withdrawals lasted a month. I wasn't the same a year or later and i started taking dilaudid and other opiates. So in 1980 i found myself back on methadone and ive been on it ever since. Methadone The Breakfast Of Champions!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Ok. So you are both addicted to opiates and have been for a long time. What your doctor did is illegal. A regular PCP can't by law give methadone to an addict in any circumstances, so consider yourselves lucky that he was willing to lose everything to keep you both well. I am not judgemental but I am finding a hard time feeling any empathy for you and here is the reason why. Pat yourselves on the back for not abusing dope. That was me telling you that you are no better than me. See I am a junkie but so are you. Wake up, grow up and get a clue. You have two choices keep doing what your doing and lose everything you have including friends family houses cars and maybe go to jail or stop acting like a spoiled child and go to a methadone clinic. Your not too good but thinking you are better makes you worse. There are all types of people at these "scum of the earth clinics". People from those who are homeless up to millionaires. There are doctors lawyers housewives business owners and even very famous people. Your post insults all addicts who have our lives back because of the clinics you think your too good for.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm really happy to read that although it was hell for you to come off, you continued not knowing you would feel great!. I admire your courage. Enjoy your drug free life, your free

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Wow, what a great journey you have been on!
Pema Chodrin has written some great books to help when times seem impossible. One of her books is titled: "When Things Fall Apart."
I hope you are well, happy, healthy and content in your new life still!

Love & Happiness,
Vanessa

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Currently im on 50mg of methadone. I have 2 weeks to get to 30mg and gwt a letter stating im on 30mg. My doctor will not decrese due to positive tox. Any advice?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

What state are you in honey? I am in kentucky. There are several local facilities here and in Ohio that will help.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Suboxone actually has naltrexone not narcan. Narcan brings you back from an overdose unaltered supposedly stops cravings and WILL cause "precipitated withdrawal" if you use. Kind of like anabuse did with alcohol back in the day. Subutex is the strips and doesn't have the naltrex in it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

What is rapid detox?!
I'm in a methadone clinic I've worked myself diwn to 55 mg my dr got upset wen he saw I was tryn detox myself out an ordered a fast detox 5 mg away daily but I refused to sign the paper this morn and it stopped them fr doing it I go for an appeal Monday before they'll do so I want out really but now I'm scared of the withdrawl that fast so I'm hopen they'll agree let me stay at 55 mg cus I'm haven so many complications to the methadone fr day one an my bp is better on the 55 I dint wanna go up either as they wish

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

What's the best way to come off methadone? I've been going to this clinic for about 7 months and been up to 110mg of methadone but ended up going down and stabilizing at 80mg. I'm tired of being tied down to something, and spending every cent I make on meds to feel normal. I just want to wake up and feel fine without dosing or anything. So the doctor at my clinic says going down 10mg a week is as fast as he will let me go. My concern is, am I still going to withdrawal if I'm going down this way? Or would it be best to switch to subs? I tried that before and the clinic said wait 24hrs to switch and it put me in the worst withdrawal ever and i had to go back to methadone to get out of hell. Bad advice from this supposed to be doctor huh.. Anyways I've been clean this whole 7 months and have no desire to relapse. I work, and I'm about to go back to school, so any input on the best way to go about getting off would be great! I'm down to 70mg of methadone now and every Tuesday I go down 10 more. It takes about 1 day for my body to adjust to lowering and I feel fine again. Thanks everyone in advance!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hey I'm confused !! I'm finally down to 45 mg this morn dr jus gonna taje me down to 30 mg will I still go threw bad withdrawls Comn off 30 mg cold turkey ?! Cus I will not go the sub route an it cause me withdrawl worse

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

People think they just go down and finally get off drugs and you will be fine. No you have to go to counseling and other group events, and you may have to go for the rest of your life. So look at the big picture. It's great that you want to stop but you just don't stop after you're off of drugs. Good luck to everyone.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I took methadone for only a week or less and was given the 20 mg liquid form. I stopped going because I was given 25mg and was feeling sick and throwing up. I felt more sick than better. I was given methadone to help with pain. Am I supposed to feel sick still knowing I was only taking it for a week or less? And can I take thermaful pm while getting off methadone? I haven't taken methadone in 3 days.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Your less then honest your friend was on a maintenance dose but he let you have enough to addict you?? Then a Doctor evaluated the both of you and figured he would put you on a dose so high 100 ml (as you called high ) ,as no Doctor or Clinic would take you on !!! Please!!. my self I am on 250 ml and when i first got on MM before your Daddy was even born , in NYC Beth ISRAEL hospital 1968 !!!! AND BEEN ON EVER SENSE !

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Trissy (# 178)

Go down 3mg a week and you should be good. Only thing that may bother you would be severe tiredness, weakness and maybe a little leg cramping. But it wouldn't be anything compared to bad withdrawl atleast from experience . A lot of it is mental when you go down. Try to stay busy even when you feel exhausted. Somedays just sleep if you feel your body needs it. Think happy things, be proud of yourself for doing it! Good luck!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Ive been on methodone for 15 years.im in California. Here if u r low income and on poverty heath insurance you should get it for free. In CA its called Medi-Cal. Maybe you have similar there in your state? I pay 185.00$ a month.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am currently looking to wean off of methadone. I have done fairly well by myself just slowly lowering my dose. Can anyone give me some advice?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My husband was in a car accident a week ago. He had only few beers and smoked a little pot- but it was not totally-that. He had fallen asleep at the wheel and he was going fast on a back country road. He is now at Maine Med with a diagnosi of a shattered pelvis, brocken hips, back, punctured liver...he is a miracle. But recently certain people fessed up to me they he have been on delodin and methodone. This was a shock to me as my husban only smoked pot and recently started drinking a lot more then he use wich was casuing our rocky marriage as I hae two beautiufl little ones. Now, putting the peices together, and I need your help to finish.The week before and of the accident he had not slept AT ALL he told me one night he was going to jump out of his skin-he told me he just had major insomnia. But now that I think back, he had insomnia, he was skinny, not eating, he was drinking beer in the morning...and are these signs of withdrawal? He was given a bottle of methodone and some dilodin a month or so before the accident and this all could have let up to the crah. Can some one tell me how easy it is to get hooked on methadone? What are withdrawals like? I need to know- I almost lost my husband and if what peple are telling me is true I feel betrayed-i need to know so i can protect myself and my children. We now have no car, no money and no daddy becasu he is in the ICU. What realy bothers me is that I trusted him, he said he would never touch stuff that is addicting...any info you can help me I would appreciate. I am willing to give him one more chane once he is better...but after all this no more if he chooses to go back

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Also, they will bring u down to a comfortable dose, and yes u will prob have to go every morning until u pass all your urines. And then u start getting take homes. Either i would say u havent been on done long enough, kick it, but u guys have pain.... And some docs wont help ppl in pain. And clinics all u have buddy....

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I just like to know where this person that posted about Rapid detox for $11,000 could tell where it was, the name and how bad or good detoxing was,etc.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm on 35mg of methadone at a clinic, I was on 175mg and got down to 10mg and it was terrible!! I went very slow, bu...

5 REPLIES

I've been on the methadone program for abit longer then a yr and I want to get off now, I can say for sure that I...

6 REPLIES

I'm taking 180mg of methadone & 0.25 of alprazolam 3times a day I stopped alprazolam with a great deal of discom...

2 REPLIES

i was geting methadone 10 mg at a clenic then got medacare couldnt go back to clenic now no doctor will give it to me al...

3 REPLIES

Needing a dependable faster easier way to get my methadone and soma prescribed. Any helpful ideas welcomed ## Good luck ...

2 REPLIES

Methadone...if you please She'll sneak up on you, Like a thief in the night. She'll smother you, drown you Til y...

6 REPLIES

need a doctor who prescribes methadone and takes medicaid on the west side of columbus. its for my daughter and her boyf...

1 REPLY

i took 1- 5mg methadone for 3 days can you be addicted, i am afraid to take anymore because someone told me i can get ad...

4 REPLIES

I'M GOING ON METHADONE NEXT WEEK. HOW SOON CAN I START THE METHADONE AFTER MY LAST SUBOXONE? ## I am currently suppo...

14 REPLIES

My wife has been on Methadone for 5 yrs for pain. We live in south Louisiana but her pain management doctor is in south ...

8 REPLIES