Discussions that mention methadone

Hi, I am seeking help to perform detox from Methadone right now. My dosage is 18mg per day now, having tapered down from 180mg 2 years ago. I am now reducing at 2mg per month which I feel is too slow, and want to get rid of it all urgently. I feel ready to undergo `cold turkey` now it is down to 18mg. I am medically trained Male Nurse but seek knowledge from those who understand at first hand the detox details. All help and advice is appreciated. Thanks. Calle.

Hi Calle

Welcome.

I have been on a taper from oxycodone since early October, 2006. I have gone from 9-11 tabs a day to just under 3/4 of a tab a day. Nearing the finish line.

I so understand your feeling of anxiety and urgency to finish and get it over with. I felt that when I got down to 2 or so pills a day. I pondered it and finally decided to stick with my original plan and do a slow taper. I am happy with my decision. With a taper, your body and brain heal as you go along. I have gotten stronger and better as I progress in the taper.

My understanding about Methadone, although I have no personal experience with it, is that it is harder to come off than other opiates. My first step down was big and I went into full withdrawal. Horrid, just horrid. I finally stabilized after a few weeks, but when I tell you it was bad, I mean it it so strongly.

You have done a wonderful job coming down by taper. Such a long way to have come! I guess I would ask you to sit down and ponder what the race is about now? I know we all want to be free of dependence and addiction. However, it seems to me that you are planning such a big step down (I assume 18 mg is still a sunstantial dose), that you are going to suffer a pretty cold turkey withdrawal.

As the lower our doses go, the higher the percentage of the actual drop. Personally, I think if you have put this much time into tapering, and you have progressed steadily, you should stay that course.

Do you feel better than when you first started the taper? Is there a special reason why you want to jump right now?

People certainly do jump at different points, some go totally cold turkey. It has to be a personal decision for each of us. Just would suggest you put a lot of thought into it first. A Veteran poster here, Phil, has always advised that once you lower a dose, never go back up. That has helped me tremendously in strictly keeping to my taper. I don't lower a dose until I feel confident I can handle the decrease. After the first big step down, I decreased by 1 tab at a time. Then it came to a point where I decreased by 1/2 a tab at a time. Then by a 1/4 tab. Now I am at 1/8 tab cuts. I kinda have to scrap up the crumbs sometimes. But that is okay because I am making steady progress.

This is my story. Yours certainly does not have to be the same. I think it would be good to read some threads on this site and get a really good feel for the whole process. Then you can make your most considered, thoughtful decision.

best wishes
reach

Hey there. My sister works as a nurse in a methadone clinic. I will ask her about this when I talk to her some time today. Are you going through a methadone clinic also? Hold tight.

Ok, Talked to my sister. She is the head nurse at a methadone clinic here in Columbus, so I think I have some good info for you. She strongly encourages not to go the c/t route. She mentioned candidates who are under 30mg are good candidates for suboxone/subutex. That may be an option for you. I also told her about your taper. She said it might be a good idea to even switch down to 1mg per month. Of course, this is all on you. I’m just passing on the info and hope you are successful.

[QUOTE=buckeyetim;2776467]Ok, Talked to my sister. She is the head nurse at a methadone clinic here in Columbus, so I think I have some good info for you. She strongly encourages not to go the c/t route. She mentioned candidates who are under 30mg are good candidates for suboxone/subutex. That may be an option for you. I also told her about your taper. She said it might be a good idea to even switch down to 1mg per month. Of course, this is all on you. I’m just passing on the info and hope you are successful.


Hi Buckeyetim, I really do appreciate your comments also those of your sister who is `in the business` of detoxing others. I am heartened by your thoughts for me, also those of your sister. Will keep you posted of events.
Thanks very much. Calle.

[QUOTE=reachout;2776353]Hi Calle

Welcome.

I have been on a taper from oxycodone since early October, 2006. I have gone from 9-11 tabs a day to just under 3/4 of a tab a day. Nearing the finish line.

I so understand your feeling of anxiety and urgency to finish and get it over with. I felt that when I got down to 2 or so pills a day. I pondered it and finally decided to stick with my original plan and do a slow taper. I am happy with my decision. With a taper, your body and brain heal as you go along. I have gotten stronger and better as I progress in the taper.

My understanding about Methadone, although I have no personal experience with it, is that it is harder to come off than other opiates. My first step down was big and I went into full withdrawal. Horrid, just horrid. I finally stabilized after a few weeks, but when I tell you it was bad, I mean it it so strongly.

You have done a wonderful job coming down by taper. Such a long way to have come! I guess I would ask you to sit down and ponder what the race is about now? I know we all want to be free of dependence and addiction. However, it seems to me that you are planning such a big step down (I assume 18 mg is still a sunstantial dose), that you are going to suffer a pretty cold turkey withdrawal.

As the lower our doses go, the higher the percentage of the actual drop. Personally, I think if you have put this much time into tapering, and you have progressed steadily, you should stay that course.

Do you feel better than when you first started the taper? Is there a special reason why you want to jump right now?

People certainly do jump at different points, some go totally cold turkey. It has to be a personal decision for each of us. Just would suggest you put a lot of thought into it first. A Veteran poster here, Phil, has always advised that once you lower a dose, never go back up. That has helped me tremendously in strictly keeping to my taper. I don't lower a dose until I feel confident I can handle the decrease. After the first big step down, I decreased by 1 tab at a time. Then it came to a point where I decreased by 1/2 a tab at a time. Then by a 1/4 tab. Now I am at 1/8 tab cuts. I kinda have to scrap up the crumbs sometimes. But that is okay because I am making steady progress.

This is my story. Yours certainly does not have to be the same. I think it would be good to read some threads on this site and get a really good feel for the whole process. Then you can make your most considered, thoughtful decision.

best wishes
reach
Hi Reachout, Thanks for your info and help. It does appear that my reply to you did not get printed, so here I try again.
I accept your comments and support but as you say `it is my decision`, so I have today decided.........I will go ahead with detox within my family group who are all standing by willing me to get shot of "M" for good. I have my parents and my two younger brothers standing by me day and night so my hopes are high. Wish me luck and I will let you know the results and details.
May I wish you all the success in the world with your endeavours.
BCNU. Calle.

Hi Reachout, I am reporting on the 14th day of getting shot of Methadone.
The headaches and sweating have ended, the urge to find more "M" has ceased completely, my stomach aches are lessening likewise the shakes and tremors gone. The major problem is lack of sleep since for the first 10 days I slept very little about 28 hours total but the last two nights I have slept 5 hours then 7 hours respectively, I also snooze in the daytime. My Father is my guide 24/7 and he is very pleased with the progress.
We together anticipate a further 2 weeks before saying "all is done".
I feel fine over the last two days,. eating well, I know that my Detox is on the way to completion. I claim the large dosage of Vitamins I prescribed for myself over the past 9 months has helped ease this detox.
Good news so far........Yippee.
Hows it go with your situation ? I trust your are on track and winning, so here is my wish for you to complete successfully very soon.
I also wish all fellow sufferers the best of strength and good luck.
BCNU
Calle.