Please Help Me With Methadone Questions & Withdrawl

I have been on methadone for 9 months... I was up to 80 mg but have managed to get down to 20 mg over the past 5 months or so. I am wanting to get off it all together but I am so scared because I don't want to feel miserable from the wd. Since I have been on it less than a year, will the wd still be horrible? Should I go from the methadone to suboxone to make it any easier or just keep going down on the methadone? How long will the wd's last once I am off everything? I go to the clinic so I am not doing it on my own, it is medically supervised. Can anyone PLEASE help me with some good advice??

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Hello, Staycee! How are you doing?

Methadone is actually well known for causing severe withdrawals and cravings, that's why most people treated with it end up on a lifetime maintenance dose of it and never truly become drug free.

Suboxone might be an option, it has worked well for some people, so they could get off of Methadone and eventually become completely drug free.

What are they advising you at the clinic?

The FDA classifies this medication as narcotic opiates, so they carry the risk of being habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, constipation and dry mouth.

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Hi! thank you for your reply. I am very familiar with the side effects of Methadone as far as constipation, etc. I am interested in knowing the best way to come off of 20 mg of Methadone. I am seeing my doctor on Thursday to discuss it but wanted to know if anyone else has had this experience and what to expect. Should I keep lowering the methadone until I am finally off? Should I wait 3 days and then start Suboxone? How bad will my wd's be considering I am on 20mg and have been on Methadone for less than 1 year (10 months to be exact). Of course I am looking for the easiest way to get off it. PLEASE HELP

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You are between a rock and a hard place dear. Just bein truthful, ok? It's fantastic you want to get off of methadone. Get a dr to help first of all. This is scary, for real medical stuff and a good dr can get you on SUBUTEX first. But you will have to go into withdrawal 1st. Methadone is notorious for being the hardest one to come off of, but know this: Suboxone is a very powerful drug as well. It is extremely hard to come of too. I promise.

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Hi Niele,
Thank you for the reply even though it was not exactly what I wanted to hear...lol. I have been on suboxone in the past...on and off for about two years. When I kicked that, the withdrawl was pretty miserable. I met with the doctor today who brought me down 2 mg so now I am at 18mg. Every week, I have the option of staying at that amount or dropping it 1, 2 or 3 mg. I have been an addict for about 10 years but this was my first time I had ever used Methadone. Do you know how the withdraw will be from now until I get off of it? When I went down gradually om 85 to 20mgs I didn't feel bad at all. Just tired. I'm wondering what it will be like going down from 18mg??

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Methadone is pretty much the only opiate I have no personal experience with. I watched a neighbor struggle with it constantly & while reading everything I could about Suboxone withdrawal, read a lot about methadone. I've heard it said that you can only die coming off of alcohol or benzos, you just wish you would. And that is pretty much the attitude of ERs & inpatient facilities. That's why it's important to get yourself a TRAINED PROFESSIONAL with a PRESCRIPTION PAD on your team. Because you can have a stroke or a heart attack. PROBABLY NOT, but you can. Asking for advice here is a great idea & that's my great idea for you, sweetheart. And, I do not trust the "medical community!" I've got 4 imaginary legal suits going on at any given time! But I'm sure as hell not getting one started against me! Lol. And if you decide to go with the lesser evil, I'll be glad to share every miserable moment of my withdrawal from that. I've learned quite a bit from those who went before me & I think the least I could do is refer you to these "gurus" as well. There are lots of threads on this forum from the methadone-experienced. A lot of my questions were answered via old threads....

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I was on methadone a few times and the best to successfully get off it without the awful withdrawal is to go down slow. I know it's awful when u just want to b done with the crap but when i hit 20 i went down anywhere from 2-4 mgs a week and that was fine for me so good luck with whatever u choose.

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Hi Tara! Thank you so much for your response....it is good to hear that you got off by lowering the doseage little by little because that is what I have decided to do as well. I know getting of any opiate is horrible but I think this way will be the best for me as far as getting off Methadone. Also Tara, if you don't mind sharing, how were your cravings after you stopped Methadone? I haven't thought of or been near any pills or H for almost a year. I just feel like I have been so far removed from it that it should not be an issue. Is this true or false?

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Unfortunately 2 months after i got off methadone i was diagnosed with lyme disease for the second time and my dr referred me to a pain clinic, and they knew my history, and put me on opana and oxycodone which i shouldn't have left them but the pain was very bad plus the addict in me said go for it and now I've been on them a year but just recently managed to get off the opana, which was extremely hard, but i am now an addict again all because i couldn't say no to the drs when they wrote me the script. I am planning on getting completely off the opiates within a few months hopefully, but not with methadone or suboxone just by tapering if possible. But the first time i got off methadone i was a crack addict so I've never been completely clean for more than a year so i definitely wish u the best of luck but as long as u cut your ties u can b ok. I cut all but 1 my dr and now I've got back in touch with the wrong people again. But it is possible i know people that stayed clean but it's a constant battle.

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Hi Tara....I hear ya! It is constant battle. Of course you didn't tell your doctor not to write you those scripts! Who would?? I appreciate you being so honest and optimistic. I am sure you will stop when you are ready. I can't imagine the pain issue...I truly feel for people with chronic pain. It's a slippery slope. I don't know what would be worse, living with pain or living with an addiction. I don't know your situation but hopefully you are able to find a happy medium. I appreciate you cheering me on. I'm always here if you want to chat about anything. We need that support!

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I think it's smart to skip the methadone/Suboxone route! What you are taking now is not nearly as hard to come off as either one of those. I wish I knew that Suboxone is sooooo hard to detox from. I honestly wouldn't have taken it the way I did.
Also, remember being clean from drugs doesn't mean we wake up every morning, put on our trainers, drink a smoothie & head out to the gym! The same problems are there to deal with & now it's time to do it drug free. For me, that's been very hard to do. It's like turning on bright lights and seeing the house is actually very dirty (true story actually) but it's also quite "freeing." It's no longer necessary! I hope you can find non-narcotic options for your pain issues. (Funny, I'm such an addict I felt mean when I typed that!)

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Hi Niele,
Thanks for the message! As an addict, of course I always want to hear what I want to hear and not the truth/real facts!! Lol...so no, of course you were not being mean in your message....funny how our brain works!! I agree, suboxone for me was pure hell to come off of. But I also think for me, it was because the damn doctors had me on it for so long. I never took opiates/methadone for pain, thank goodness, so pain is not an issue for me. Do you mind me asking how long you have been off the methadone? Did you feel tired and depressed for a long time after you got off it? I know that when I got off Suboxone, I felt depressed, tired and had zero motivation for anything in life period. The PAWS (post acute wd symptoms, sometimes people are not familiar with the abbrev.) with Suboxone was hell. Any experience with this? Thank you!

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(Not all my msgs are approved to publish-?-in one I had told you I only had experience with Suboxone, never Methadone.) I am an alcoholic with treatment resistant depression. I had liberal psychiatrists in the hospitals (2) who advised me I had enough of a co addiction to opioids and to stand on that. Period. At the clinics, I was an opiate addict Suboxone, I thought, was a miracle drug. Alcohol was disgusting (72 days later, still is-hmmm) and I was in a great mood (not so much...) I saw clues: people selling/buying subs, the way we were treated at these clinics, looked at by the pharmacists. So I can't say I didn't know I was doing a "drug." But I wasn't feeling high! I was a whole lot less messed up than usual! I have a lot of friends in "the program." Not a single one of them would get behind me on this sub thing & admittedly it was like pulling teeth getting that script every month. After a false drug panel reading at my last place, I surrendered and began to taper (no thanks from them! I was under dosing quite a bit.)

Now, I knew nothing about Buprenorphine/Naloxone. I tapered cuz I've come off plenty in my day, BEFORE the inpatient opiate detox. You taper. It took me 3 months to take 15 8mg subs. I expected no withdrawals. No. Big. Deal. WRONG! It was/is a very big deal. Around the 3rd day, I had abdominal cramps so badly I went to the ER. Didn't occur to me it was wd. 4 days, aha! I can do physical symptoms. Don't like them, but what started going on in my head was intolerable. I had crippling, lay in the floor & just breathe anxiety attacks. Got drunk so that the hospital would admit me keep me 5 days, give me Vistaril every 6 hrs & never once mention PAWS. When I got home I started looking around on the internet & thank God, I found some other people sharing their experiences. Found some things I could do. I think my case is extreme. Several factors go into this, my age, health & lifestyle being 3 big ones. I don't want to scare anyone. There are many stories on here where people have transitioned almost seamlessly. I hope that's how it is for you! Keep us posted!

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Hi Niele, I did not see the msg. about never being on Methadone but now I understand your story. This is the first forum I have ever been on, I thought I would give it a try. So on top of everything, I suffer from major depression. There was a term you used...I can't think of what it was but some type of depression that you go through as well. After I got off the sub. just like you, the paws for me was unbearable. Everyday, I would ask myself if I was going to feel this way for the rest of my life. And after several months I went back to using. Do you mind emailing me ? I am interested in what you are doing to deal with your depression. I am on several medications. I think I have been on every one out there. I have dealt with the depression long before the opiate addiction. Sometimes I think the opiates zapped any last bit of serotonin I may have had. I isolate way too much, no zest for life, etc. If you don't mind discussing, I will give you my email. Just let me know if you are okay with that. Thanks again!

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Sure, I would be glad to email you. I think what you were referring to is what psychiatrists call "treatment resistant depression."
Let me tell you this: next month, I will be 51(no husband or kids-never stopped to do all that). Then let me say this: I can tell you A LOT about what doesn't work. I came on here looking for answers myself. I had just spent 5 days at an inpatient facility where no one would quite look me in the eye. PAWS never came up-it was just me, being crazy!
I was looking for SCIENCE online & there isn't any about subs! Which was lucky for me kinda, cuz I heard what real people had to say instead.
You probably know more about getting off subs than I do! I'm still in the planning stages of "what now." I'm not really feelin it too much with medical personnel and surely you know who that leaves (AA/NA)...I go waaay back with them & they are the ones still there. I have a hard time with their philosophies & black and white thinking. But, none of them have their ass quite in a sling like I do right now either!
So, short story long, I'll email you a list of what not to do! Sure!

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Stacy please listen you are doing great actually I detox people you were on the exact right path. please do not start suboxone. suboxone is a very misunderstood drug you have to understand people read a little on the Internet they hear a little from a buddy and that but he heard from a buddy none of them have done 14 years of studies like I have series injuries after each surgery have the dogs have series injuries after each surgery have detoxed the correct way from what doctors have taught me and my studies. now what I'm about to tell you many people on this forum may disagree but if they study deep enough and not listen to the Internet or their buddies they will find this information very helpful. suboxone is designed I say designed not what it's used for. it is designed for the 10 percent of people are mentally addicted to opiates the other 90 percent just complete carefor the 10 percent of people are mentally addicted to opiates the other 90 percent just complete fear of detoxing and the months of feeling after detoxing the reason why suboxin use the reason why suboxin use it has drugs in it one is opiates the second is a drug called naloxen.it is a drug that takes away the cravings for the 10% of the mentally addicted patient then naloxen. slowly attaches itself to your opiate receptors and in time it blocks them for the reason even though naloxen. keeps the cravings away any addict can have a weak moment or and when your opiate receptors are blocked you cannot feel high. but no fear it is not torture because you are not craving it. you may have had a weak moment possibly due to maybe a death in the family or something tragic that passes then you will be ok. suboxin is handed out way too freely. it is a 9 month program if it is done correctly. actually methadone from a doctor's standpoint if it is a good doctor that wants to invest his time and does not have fear that you are going to abused methadone it will prescribe it with specific instructions to detox you off of opiates even very high doses of opiates. if you went from 80 milligram down to 20 you are almost there don't be afraid now and surely don't change your regiment keep goingI'm not sure but you were probably taking 20 milligram twice a day you can drop 10 milligram twice a day immediately you will not get sick promise now at 10 milligrams twice a day you have to take it slow and cautious you want to continue weaning off slowly slowly! let your body settle at 10 milligrams twice a day for 7 days then go 14 days at 5 milligrams. twice A day. then take 5 milligrams once a dayin the morning. For 7 days. Then break aight illin the morning. For 7 days. Then break a pill to 2.5mg take once a day every other day for 14 days.immediately you need to get on a antidepressant antidepressants are multi use drugs you need to take it because it helps with anxiety it works on the same nerve pathways as Xanax it's just not instant like.xanax an antidepressant after it's ok in you for a few weeks it would help a lot with that idea xanax an antidepressant after it's ok in you for a few weeks it would help a lot with anxiety there is a good chance. you will feel anxiety coming off any opiate during the detox process or possibly months after. whatever you do do not take Valium I repeat do not take Valium that is a deadly mixture it can cause you to stop breathing.

xanax is a benzo to it's not as deadly but is still deadly do not take it I repeat do not take it!!! but if you get on the antidepressant now it will take care of the anxiety. remember you got to do that now so it has time to soak for it to work! I suggest effexor 75 milligrams twice a day for 2 weeks then 150 milligrams 4 backup75 milligrams twice a day for 2 weeks then 150 milligrams twice a day this is not only meant to calm the anxiety the doses meant to be you down a little bit to keep you calm doses meant to bee you down a little bit to keep you calm because you are going to be feeling anxious when you feel anxious you want to take a drug backup don't worry do it that way you when you feel anxious you want to take a drug backup don't worry do it the way I'm telling you and you will not feel anxious if by chance do you did keep calm it will pass in just a few minutes. but it's important that you moved up to the 150 milligrams. If you are already on a antidepressant have your doctor double the dose and you will not feel anxious. By the directions I give you your expectations should be that you will walk away without a shiver, but you got to follow the directions to the T. do not alter them no matter what anybody says. it seems if somebody has taking a pill and read on Google for 2 minutes and talk to a couple buddies they're experts the only thing they are experts at getting somebody hurt! all the way through this you should have been on a anti seizure medication it's not too late to start there is too easy ones to get a hold of one of them is depakote yes it is a multi-use drug they also use it for bipolar but it is meant for an anti-seizure medication that's what it was designed for then they figure it out it could be used for bipolar the dose on that is 500 milligrams twice a day at that dose you do not need blood work and is completely safe for anybody to take typically you would need to take blood work and run it up to the maximum for seizures but you are not a seizure patient you are simply taking it out of precaution for your safety coming off of methadone or any opiate. Another 1 days easy to get ahold of is a rotten. Another 1 days easy to get ahold of is graba pen not sure of the exact spelling I can't know everything dammit. you want to take a total of 1800 milligrams a day but be careful you cannot take that much at once you've got to slowly bring your dose up over a weeks time first day 600 milligrams for a couple days then move to 900 milligrams for a couple days similar to 1200 milligrams couple days then to 1800 milligrams that is a sufficient dose it is far from the maximum dose so don't be nervous of it. Okay this is something that will save your life if you were to relax. Okay this is something that will save your life if you were to relapse do not do not immediately return to your old does relapse do not do not immediately return to your old dose. you will overdose don't try it!I forgot to tell you the reason why I want you to double the dose of a antidepressant if you are currently on one its because you have a tolerance to it it will not be strong enough to get you through so double it after you're through this a few months later you can back your dose off slowly to the day that you were taking if you are taking any at all and if you start the effexor like I tell you are you better to be hated if you dont when you do come off it u need to wean off of it it's not going to kill you if you don't you just might be a little uncomfortable possibly a little anxiety so it's best to just wean off of it slowly ok is 5 o'clock in the morning.

I'm tired. I don't believe I missed anything that would kill you lol you are in good hands just follow the directions strictly strictly I cannot emphasize that enough and you'll be just fine you will never know you come off of a drug when I help somebody off when they are finished they are in disbelief that they felt nothing but the aftercare is what you need to worry about taking medications like that natural chemicals in your body has stopped working make sure you do we do not have energy you don't want to get up another reason why I want you on an antidepressant but you got to force yourself up and go outside and walk it's not so much for the exercise is to get the chemicals started back up in your brain to take back over to bring that natural energy back another thing I suggest that helps people a lot you can get off the internet or health food store it's called green coffee bean extract is the only extract in the world that would help you replace the couples green coffee bean extract is the only extract in the world that would help you replace these chemicals and it'll give you a lot of energy and believe it or not that is one of the reasons main ones for relapse take the extract in excess when you are peeing green. that means your body is full and you are taking the right amount keep the body full of it the green is just excess coming out of the body it's not hurting you! do not walk to the point you were sore that is just another reason let's not lie excuse to reach for a pill what do walk you don't have to walk for the rest your life just for a little while do you get his chemicals go again so your mind and body feels normal again that's going to be your biggest battle but if you do just as couple simple things they think is silly you will be fine if you have a good doctor he will prescribe you ayo most extreme dose a b12 shot 1500 once a day in the morning that helps a lot with energy to the worst thing you can do and I mean the worst thing you can do is lay around get up the acfind reasons to go places with family and friends to keep your mind busy and your body moving you may think these things are silly but it means all the difference in the world as seen it too many times the ones that don't typically fail the ones that do get together and move on with your life good luck if you have any questions post it. I'll get the email. my advice to anybody that read this when it comes to any opiates don't think you were super doctor listen to your buddies given series opiates don't think you were super doctor listen to your buddies ! coming off opiates can be very deadly there is a lot of things that can go wrong yes you may have seen your friends simply get just really sick but seizures can happen cardiac arrest the list goes on you should be extremely careful of what you're doing you need a private physician walking you through it is the safest way I do directions for a specific case each and every case is different and for legal reasons she should ask a doctor even this is probably fine just worked hundreds of times I still have to say ask your doctor and I can only hope to God it's now some jacka** in her the wrong direction when she is so close good luck!

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I wanted to share this: it's like day 74 or something & I find myself with the music on, doing housework! I stopped to go to the bathroom & realized there's no buzzing in my head & I can see things more clearly. OMG! It's me! I'm back! It might not last, but it sure does feel good to know I'm still "capable" of being "normal" lol. I hope to see a lot more of this person, now I better go before I think it all up again haha.

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Hi Niele! I had replied to your message but not sure if it went through....I'm so happy that you felt good today!! What a great day!! Write me when you get a chance. Hope you have a great night too! You got this.

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Hi Niele! I sent you two messages but I don't think you got them because I included my email. It said it needed to be reviewed?? I am super happy for you that you felt good today!! I hope it continues everyday!!

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no do not change to suboxone you'll be going backwards do not be afraid of the withdrawals they are something to be afraid of but if you are withdrawing under supervision it will bring u down slowly to the point you will slide off without the least bit of withdraw. you are already getting anxious. I'm not sure if it was you or somebody else but I advise highly and to anybody I withdraw especially from methadone because it is dangerous to take a benzo with it for anxiety which you are already starting to feel and once you are off of it you will have some anxiety problems. just because that drug excuse me I picked on that drug not that drug any opiate. it is a scary thing to come off of opiates. that is what anxiety is, fear. but like I say if you're coming off with supervision of somebody very experienced withdrawing people you have no worries. I do highly advise you to get on a antidepressant preferably effexor 75 milligrams twice a day for 2 weeks then hundred 50 milligrams twice a day. that will beat you down and make you a little tired but that's the whole idea to go after the anxiety. effexor works on the same nerves pathways as xanax but is not instant like xanax. that is why you have to get in your system or just are working and had a dose of 150 milligrams twice a day will work wonders for anxiety and daddy kane trust meas xanax but is not instant like xanax that is why you have to get in your system or just are working and had a dose of 150 milligrams twice a day we'll work wonders for anxiety. just give it a little time if you do not treat the news I just give it a little time if you do not treat the anxiety it is 1 of the top reasons 4 relapse here is a lot too coming of opiates is not simply just withdrawn. I learned how to do that years ago for people citric is starting long enough to put some unboxing find people the anxiety it is 1 of the top reasons 4 relapse here is a lot too coming of opiates is not simply just withdrawn I learned how to do that years ago for people did rick is studying long enough to keep people from relapsing detoxing is simple. it is how to keep off of them. two big things which you are concerned about. one of them is how you feel after you were off. not always but likely lack of energy that causes some people to reach for opiates. they want that energy back. two things you can do to make that go away, these are not home remedies. there is one and only one made it is an extract. it is called green coffee bean extract. you can find it at health food stores or I'm sure the Internet. you take it in abundance. when your urine is green your body is full. keep taking that dose. the green p is normal.

This may sound ridiculous to you and you won't want to do it because you will think it is foolish, but it is so important. simply walk, do not jog, don't run, walk and get the natural chemicals going in your brain again that opiates killed. that gives you natural energy back. only walk and not too much. you don't want to get sore and find a bulls*** reason to grab an opiate. keep taking the extract to make up for the energy. you will find it gives you plenty and eventually the walking will get the natural chemicals going again. then you will be fine and normal people that don't take these steps the antidepressant the extract and the walking are set for failure. not all but most clinics like the one you're going to will wean you down and you will not get sick, but they're not giving you the further tools that you need to feel normal. you almost think you were still detoxing because you feel like crap. you're not detoxing. your body has shut down certain chemicals to do things as follows and you will be fine. please do the three things that I told you. I gain nothing out of it to keep stressing to you over and over no matter what you think do all three. do not rush. The Last Epps coming off methadone you can drop pretty fast in the higher doses and not get sick but when you get to the end don't get overconfident and drop off. you want to wean off really slow at the end. thats for you to get sick but if you go slow and do not cheat stick to the regiment and never take a higher dose then the doses that you are coming down with you will have zero symptoms coming off. so don't worry yourself with it. methadone can be a scary drug but it also is an awesome drug for many things. typically it's great for detoxing off of normal opiates. that's why I stress on people do not move to methadone you are taking away a tool that you can use to wean yourself off of typical opiates. example: somebody that is heavy on oxycodone is 3 weeks time with methadone mainly in a few other medications you can come off symptom-free and never have a chill bump. so 2 other people reading this, I hope that you're not so anxious to pick up methadone for any reason especially thinking you know how to detox with methadone. yes methadone is great to detox under experienced supervision and is also great for treating long term extreme pain with other medications. new studies have shown 25 percent of patients that take methadone with a good heart dies that is 25 percent patient see my doctor that does not count on the deaf from illegal use. just plain simple don't mess with methadone. it has its purposes. Never take benzos with methadone; deadly combination!!!

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e xcuse me too my replies I'm using voice recognition because I talk to a lot of people fast and it is not working right sorry I see that somethingS are repeating and run together sorry

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Keep tapering down off the methadone, don't get on Suboxone. When you see your doctor ask him for Clonazapam for anxiety, trazadone for sleep, gabapentin for cold sweats and RLS and depression and aBP med like clonodine all to help ease your withdrawal symptoms and help you move on. And no, your symptoms should not be as severe as someone who has been on it for a decade or more. Good luck!!

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Yes, make the switch to subutex, rather than suboxen, even though Docs don't like to write for it?? Then add key Nutrients like DLPA, almost 3000 mg, GABA, the same amount and get clonipine to help you rest. Always be gentle with yourself, it will be a slow processe. be patients for sure.

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Susan...why do you feel like a hypocrite?? Because you are on methadone?? If it is working for you and keeping you clean from other sustances, then why the bad feelings? I never ever ever thought I would be on methadone one day, but then again, I never dreamed I would be sticking needles in my arms either. We get so down on ourselves...we all beat ourselves up so bad. Being sober for 20 years is amazing and I know you are mad at yourself for relapsing. You are not the only one. Shoot, in the past 10 years I have relapsed at least 15-20 times. Anyway, it's not like you can't do it again. You don't have to be on methadone for the rest of your life...I don't know your story or if you have chronic pain...Personally, I set goals for myself which is something I never have really done. I have been on Methadone for a year and am down to 2 mg. Soon I will be done...I know I have a lot of work to do to stay clean but I am ready and willing. Hang in there. If I can do it, Anyone can do it...

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Everyone is different and every body is different and everyone's psyche is different, My life (in a nutshell) went to rehab at age 22, stayed completely abstinent for 15 years, got a CAC, went to school, got a BA in marketing and stayed with the company that treated me for years, made good money, and relapsed 20 years ago. I am now on the methadone clinic and have been for the past 5 years. I am just treading water now. I never believed in methadone, just thought you'd end up on something else, such as coke or xanax. I feel like a hypocrite. I have many health problems. None of that helps with the feelings of hypocrisy. Any feedback would be most welcome.

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Hi Niele! So happy to hear from you!! I am hanging in there...I am down to 3mg. I have NO intention of getting on Subs...I noticed that too, alot of people saying it is the way to go. But I think going down slowly on the methadone is the best way to go. I haven't had any physical wd symptoms but mentally, I have been pretty blah... I can't get motivated to do much of anything and just want to isolate most days which I know is not good but I know it goes with the territory. How are you doing / feeling?? What's been going on??

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Hey Staycee
Checkin in. You sound great! You know I just have one thing to say! Please don't do any subs. It seems like people keep recommending them-but we know the truth. I was recently surrounded by a lot of people on subs & I just made it really clear from the start how I felt about them & they kept it to themselves. Not out of respect for me of course! They were afraid I might tell them something they didn't want to hear! I'm tellin ya, I think it's becoming an "epidemic!" At my pharmacy, there's a pile of coupons for a free 1st refill....
If you must take something, you still have the other stuff, right? Well, you're almost there! Do you get PAWS like with subs? I hope not dear, I still have "spells."
Blessings, Niele

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The Post acute withdrawal will last some time, maybe two -three months, so just put yourself in a positive place and tell yourself, no pain, no gain. As a Nutrient Therapist and recovering addict who was on Methadone six years, I know a lot. Try taking high doses of some aminos like 3000mg of DLPa-Phenylalanine, it goes right to the Mu receptor site in the endorphan syst where The Meth wentrt, it will take time to rebuild the site, but take it daily or when feeling bad. Also take the same dose, 30000 mg of Gaba, Tyrosine and Lysine, use zomega 3 to rebuild your brain and don't be sfraid to use a small dose of subutex or suboxen for when things get very painful. Like 4-6 mg is fine, every two days , but not daily or your brain will just get tuned to that instead. Use it with the nutrient's as a bridge back. Be good to you, get love from family and friends and don't see yourself as a dope fiend, but as a soul just thriving to grow and be better. Much peace. Scott. G

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You know what? My bad....I apologize for telling you it's all in your head. I can't even believe I said that. No matter what the dose. your body is still filled with that methadone and of course there will be withdrawal, sometimes severe. Unless my body makes a miraculous recovery, I need to be on this s...forever. I have severe pain and that's not in my head. All other pain meds I have tried, my tolerance is too high for it to be effective. I see this as the lesser of two evils. Maybe I said that because I would love to be young again and have other options. Honey, make sure you come down slowly(a mg. a week if necessary), but I still say you need a support system because those cravings are going to come back if they haven't already. Good luck sweetie.

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I just want to thank everyone that answered my questions, shared their experiences and have supported me along the way!! When I started this feed on March 2, as we know I was concerned about coming down from 20 mg. I had heard soooo many horror stories about how sick and miserable people had felt once they started lowering their dose from 20mg. I was very scared and nervous. But I knew that I definitely wanted off this stuff! I am now down to 8 mg and have not felt sick or any type of wd symptoms. I am pleasantly surprised. I have been going down weekly. I went from 20 to 17 to 15 to 13 to 11 to 8. So basicly, I first went down 3 mg the first week and 2mg after that and since I felt fine, this past week I went down 3mg. Everyone is different. Even if you just try 1 mg a week, you are making progress. But going down slowly is the key. No need to rush. If I can do it, anyone can. May 31 will make one year since I started Methadone and I know that is nothing compared to many. But prior to this, I was a daily opiate user for 9 years, spending an upward of $350 a day at my worst point of addiction. I was on and off Suboxone for 2 years but still using in between. The withdrawl from Suboxone was by far the worst type of withdrawl physically and mentally I have ever felt. It lasted for a good 7 days physically. After that, the paws was unbearable. My mental state and depression was like nothing I had ever felt before. This was due to the fact that Suboxone is NOT TO BE USED AS A LONG TERM DRUG. But of course I was never told this by the prescribing "doctor" who just wanted to keep me on it and keep collecting that money. Anyway, I will continue to keep you posted. I am here for ANYONE that is looking for support or just needs someone to talk to.

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answer on done? now is the time to get off iy will not be easy everybody is different,i have been on for 16 years now if to do over never again go slow on detox on done if needed subs. but that is something else you would have to detox off off ?

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