Please Help Me With Methadone Questions & Withdrawl (Top voted first)

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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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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I know that there are a lot of horrible stories about methadone withdrawal, but please remember the people who breezed through it, weren't motivated by anger to post. And on the flip side, there are a lot of identical stories from complete strangers....
I say err on the side of caution. The ONLY hero is the one who sees this journey out.
I also believe that we need to remember these chemicals are "bound to our opiate receptors." That is the part of our brain responsible for natural opiates, for DOPAMINES, for just enjoying life. I want mine back!
I honestly & truly hope every single one of you gets clean & celebrates the rest of your life.
(and do I just mildy think that's some crappy rheoric!? Well, of course, I'm (back, Staycee) in some new PAWS phase. For some reason these websites seem to attract haters. There's one on another thread that keeps going off on me. I quit reading it's post finally

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The best move to get off would be to lower your dose very slowly. Don't rush. Maybe 5 mg a week, it will take time, but you did not get addicted overnight, so you need to give yourself time and love. When you get down to 10, go down by three for three weeks. Once off, allow yourself to feel the withdrawal and as soon as it starts, get some suboxen from a good Doc. Take what he says to take. Most likely a high dose at first and plan on a month long taper from suboxen. If you stay on it more than a month it will be just as hard as methadone to get off. Then load up on these amino acids. Phenylaninealine-2000 mg-DLPA....GABA 3000 mg. Tyrosine and Lysine 1000 mg and melatonin for sleep/ The DLPA works very well in high does for tapering. I have ised it with many herion addicts over the years and was one myself, so I know my friend. Finally, get a lot of love from all.Peace, Scott G.

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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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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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I was on methadone for a year to the day It Wasnt easy convincing my health care professionals to reduce my does from 80-0 by 10ML every 8 days until I got down to 50ml/day @ that point my decrease went down to 5ml/day. Here's the HARD PART Get the pharmacy to continue giving you TANG JUICE even after hitting 0ml for a week. So you'll have to set all that up and do your best to forget where you are exactly with your current Methadone dose. I didnt even notice until day 8 clean when my Phar. was like how much longer did you want to continue attending for Tang. So happy However its in your head I was fine for the week without Methadone The walk home was fine but as soon as it hit me that I was not on methadone is when for no logical reason I started to experience withdrawal symptoms; from there All I needed to do was sleep After that everything was normal. Hope this helps I hate seeing glorified DR ug dealers force patients into believing they'll have to be slaves for the rest of their lives What I explained above wasn't easy to get done Every medical professional told me NO; it won't work. I had to literally threaten to go to collage of phys&surgeon and/or HEALTH CANADA before theyd help me and not there financial self. Be well Peace be with you MsG; the kind Thats not bad for you Lol

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Don't be so hard on yourself. Use that energy in another way, a more positive way. Know that yes, it will be a challenge, but if you are committed and have loving friends and family by you, it will be done. No need to be fearful of Suboxone, it is a great substance when used the right way, which is to taper off of the Methadone or pain meds. At this point your brain Chen n endorphins sites pathways are trained to have opiates. We use nutrients in high doses like dlpa-phenylanineanine-3000mg, it will hit the Mu receptor site and assist as taper goes lower. Move slowly, no rush. You do not want to feel like your dropping down to fast cause it just will trigger the site to crave more. Suboxone coats these sites and it is long acting, but you will not feel the opiates highs. Learning to live without that is work, but the brain knows what to do if feeding it the right way. Add omega 3s and Gaba-3000mg as you get low. Ck out this site where lots of info on Nutrient therapy for addiction exists" The alliance for addiction solutions. Lots of addiction providers on it and I got my training there. You are not a bad person, due to this, you are just a feeling person who had pain n trusted the medical model. Not your fault. Stop blaming you and put the energy to change and shift. Stay tall, stay strong and stay in love no matter what. peace. Scott G.

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So, the surgeon wants you opiate free before the surgery, before he operates. I can understand that because of issues with anesthesia & then pain relief issues after. Neither of these qualify for Suboxone, especially at your age dear. YET.
You should (I hate to say should-these are just suggestions) find a caring doctor to wean you; some clinics offer a rapid-detox (I think subutex is used), Google, Google, Google, read up on everything you can.
After you surgery, you will need pain meds again. When you, and your doctor decide, then you might be ready for a short term (not maintenance) program of of Buprenorphine/Naloxone, best wishes

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Hi Staycee,
Have you tried skipping the methadone once to see how it affects you? I'd not recommend turning to Suboxone. I do not have personal experience with it but have done a ton of research on it and Methadone. My experience is a twenty something year relationship with Morphine and LOTS of it. I've come very close to starting up with Suboxone but stopped short after reading all the negative postings of those who never would've taken it had they known how hard it is to quit. That said, I've seen accounts of people who've changed their lives for the better. Business executives, school teachers, Mother's of young children who'd been opioid addicted but life is great since they started taking the Suboxone. It sounds to me that you're wanting to get off of the monthly Dr visit and being tied to a drug. If that's what your goal is you should stay away from Suboxone. Best of luck you Staycee.

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Hang in there, I've read your posts & I am praying that you are able to get this demon behind you. I am a 55 yt old with 14 yrs of chronic pain.,numerous surgeries , yrs of depression , never any street drugs though
All of mine are from Dr still I feel they have robbed me of a Happy button. I feel like methadone stole my soul. You stay strong* You've got this!

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Hey Staycee,
Sounds like you are doing great! Keep up the good fight. Proud of ya.

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I was on 30mg from a pain clinic. My head felt so foggy and I still had the pain, so I knew my dose would be increased by the doctor since it wasn't helping me at that dose. Instead of losing more of my thinking power, I decided to go off the methadone and bear the pain. Doctors said I would have to be on it the rest of my life. I lowered the dose by 2.5mg per month. The last month I was only taking 2.5mg. I went completely off of it and it's been a few years now. I have NEVER had any withdrawal and have my brain back again. It took awhile but I think my brain cancelled out some of the pain, because it's not as bad as it used to be. Since then I have never taken any medicine for it, including Tylenol. Good luck to you and God bless you.

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Hey Staycee,
It used to make me so mad when I would read on here that people were saying "it was all in my head." Still does. Makes me mad & feel protective of you. These are powerful drugs & a disease of the mind is a very powerful thing! Very! Also...maybe...I hope, powerful enough to be our salvation?
Listen, I am very ashamed to admit, my "disease" the one that kicks my ass every effing day, that Suboxone "magically" cured, ALCOHOLISM, finally sent me to jail. Yes, a morning after, drive to the store, 1st offense DUI, without the cell phone, don't know anybody's # by heart, can't make bail, week in JAIL.
I immediately snapped out of any kind of "situation" I may have been in psychologically. I went into survival mode & I was just fine. I think that was pretty cool. No withdrawals, panic attacks, nothing.
I feel like I can't really discuss my alcoholism on here, even though it is a drug; the rules are somehow different. I think we always get grouped with AA which is always been the black & white; never grey. I AM grey.
I consider myself a drug addict. I'm still "clean" as far as a test would consider. Right now...I'm trying to decide: which do I hate worse? Suboxone or alcohol? I hate em both, why am I so crazy I can't live without? Cuz I can't. My brain will carry on until satisfied. Nonstop. It. Never. Shuts. Up.
But, Don't let ANYBODY on tell you what to do. I used to get intimidated by the " I kicked subs with Gatorade & sit-ups in 3 days!" people. I kicked subs "talking to YOU" (you sooooo helped me do that, girl, I will never forget you), reading other people's posts, Gabapentin, Linosopril, h20, h20, and exercise (hated every second, sweat is necessary, not optional)
So, yeah, I think the whole sub thing is over. I'm depressed, but it's regular & it's bad; I'm sure I need help, but it's familiar, not like PAWS. Latuda? Have you looked into that? It's for bipolar depression. I just don't know if more chemicals are the answer...why can't God make me right? I've begged & begged....
To 11 mg from 80 mg is SPECTACULAR. Don't let anybody steal your joy, however you may be capable of tremendous feats of courage. I recovered in a holding cell!

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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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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 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 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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