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Posted: June 14, 2014, 12:53 AM
You can and I did nearly die from abrupt methadone (or other opioid/narco in quantity) cessation.
Following treatment, I learned that a past death in the family was due to abrupt methadone withdrawal, a situation nearly identical to mine but never revealed. I lost six months of my life to methadone. I was "forced" into taking it as a med break from other prescription pain meds. I have little to no memory of the entire time I was on methadone, and those close to me were reporting bizarre behavior. The folks who came into my home while I was in treatment were utterly shocked by the living conditions - it took two weeks before I could safely return. My entire life fell apart in irreparable ways. I took 60 - 180 mgs/day for a period of six months (as well as frequently overdosing due to mental incapacitation), quitting cold in April 2011 and entering treatment three days following cessation. Based on my methadone dose and prior script pain med dosages, the doctors were stunned I hadn't experienced some kind of major repercussion that could have proved fatal. It was later determined that there had been seizure activity and that I probably suffered one or more strokes of ? severity. As I said, the treatment docs were stunned and beyond concerned with my abrupt cessation. Believe it or not, I was the one that stopped the meds. I'll never be clear on the specifics, but apparently some deep self preservation part of me kicked in. When I called my primary care physician - who had put me on the methadone - as to what to do and how to stop, the response I received was: "We don't know." It was four long, painful, tortured, DANGEROUS days until coordination with a recovery specialist took place and I entered inpatient treatment. (Each experience is unique, but for me, I was able to "detox" in a week and have remained off all opiates, narcos and benzos. I remain on 3 mg/day of suboxone in hopes it will provide some measure of pain relief. I feel very fortunate that I have never missed the meds and never felt a need or desire to have them back. I will say that I never enjoyed the "euphoric" effect of these meds, and after the first few doses, didn't experience any euphoric or other mentally satisfying effect. Also in my favor ? perhaps is that I carry the "anti-addict" genes, meaning a genetic resistance to becoming physically dependent or addicted. In fact, when it was realized that I was not chemically dependent and did not experience noticeable or measurable withdrawal after four years of significant prescription pain med use, I was placed in a study regarding same. It should be stated that by the time my doctor forced the methadone on me, 7 years after beginning the meds and three years after joining the study, I was extremely chemically dependent on a number of meds.) I say I lost six months, but really I haven't ever been the same since. I can't focus, memory's shot, health is poor, crazy sleep problems, blurry vision and as yet undiagnosed neuro issue, muscle weakness, numb spots, all kinds of nasty reminders. My take away from all this would be to recommend professional treatment or at least oversight if at all possible when stopping methadone use. Remember that even if you don't have a doctor or can't locate or get into a treatment center, you can always go to an emergency room or urgent care center. They can and will provide short term treatment and ensure your safety until you can enter a treatment program or are well enough to be safely discharged. You do NOT need medical/health insurance to receive care/treatment. (You WILL, of course, likely be billed for these services, however there are many programs that can relieve financial burden. At the very worst, you'll survive to file bankruptcy.) | ||
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Posted: June 25, 2014, 11:24 PM
Hi there,
I have been going to the Methadone clinic for 3 years asked my councillor to transfer me to a clinic in Minot, ND she told me she did I drove 718 miles. for my husband work she called me Mon mornin after I took my last dose and said welI've made a mistake. There on no clinics ND. I was on 190 Mls, there was absolutely nothing I could do but kick 190 MLS of methadone and no doctor would even see me out here cause I was on methadone its been 2 1/2 weeks I feel horrible ay I had no sleep the last 3 days and I am usually work2 job, clean house I mean anytime anything I would always be up.early and jump right out of bed I can II can't seem to shake the feeling of absolutely exhausted thing any help, I can't get any doctors to help me with any scripts for the anxiety I feel or withdrawal from it, so any advise I would love. | ||
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Posted: June 25, 2014, 11:34 PM
I can also say the hospital here told me because I was on methadone they couldn't even help me in my deepest darkest moments of withdrawal, not 1 medication would they give me by the way I am doing this alone all day 15 miles from a town in a camper trailer my husband is gone 14 to 18 hrs working.
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Posts: 1059
Joined: August 29, 2011
Posted: June 26, 2014, 6:52 PM
Jackie,
That doesn't seem right. If you had gone to an emergency room they should of helped you. I am so sorry you are having to go thru this. It seems as though you are past the worst part of it if its been 2 weeks or more. . Do what you can to treat yourself symptomatically, Tylenol for aches and pains. Baths for the restlessness and make sure to stay hydrated and eat, etc. even if you don't feel like it or want to. I have not been through what you have but I know people who have and they say while it really sucks for a while, it does get better with time. That is a BIG jump off that you did but if you are still hanging, you should do OK. Being where you are living might be a blessing in disguise because, I am assuming, you are not where drugs are readily available which you may have been pushed to use to help not feel what you are going through. They tell me not sleeping well lasts for the longest time and the lack of energy. Those too will disappear in time. Are there any towns nearby that have a clinic? Most small towns don't have clinics, just bigger ones. I am sorry you didn't check that out for yourself before you made the move and it was really irresponsible of your counselor to do what she did as well. Since you have come this far just take it one step at a time, try and keep yourself busy, if you can do a little work then do it, if not, do the best you can. Make sure ,like I said before, stay hydrated, eat, and each day will get better. Use Amodium (sp?) if you have loose stools, hence the need to stay hydrated and hang in there. Hopefully some other people from this board will come and add their experiences and suggestions for you. You CAN DO THIS, even though I know this wasn't what you wanted, but until you can figure out something else this is what you have. keep the faith and hang tough. If you didn't read the post right above yours from Dingo. You can go to an emergency room. I would call your clinic, if you left on OK terms and ask them about what help emerg rooms can provide. granny This post has been edited by Granny2 3 on June 26, 2014, 6:57 PM -------------------- I NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH LOVE MY HEART COULD HOLD UNTIL SOMEONE CALLED ME GRANDMA. STOP AND LISTEN TO THE BIRDS SINGING IN THE TREES. WHEN THE BIRDS ARE SINGING EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS OK.[FONT=Courier][FONT=Arial] | ||
Posts: 1059
Joined: August 11, 2012
Posted: June 27, 2014, 8:50 AM
Hey there! Man oh man i feel your pain. What a trooper, i probably would have moved back. Over 100 ml to just stop taking it sounds rough! But hey you seem to be through the worst of it if you gone past 2 weeks. It slowly gets better everyday now. Here is where is be all be mental. your brain needs more time to heal. I do know that clinics will NOT transfer you. Even when i was with the same doctor, and same clinic i had to do the intake all over again every time i transfored. And one time i was told i had to wait 2 weeks to even get in. Then i went to the er, but i was given a script for like 20 pills to get me through those 2 weeks. Not sure why the er didn't help you. I have heard only certin doctors can prescibe them idk? Anyway hang in there, it will get better. I will bump a thread called PAWS for you over in the pain pills board it's a good read. It might explain what your going through. Every person is different so this will take time. Try to do as much as you can during the day so you can sleep better at night. It can be done! Good luck.
That thread is called Your Brain on Opiates This post has been edited by girltoday on June 27, 2014, 8:53 AM | ||
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Posted: July 1, 2014, 10:07 AM
how long does methadone stay in your system if you only take it a couple of times?
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Posts: 1059
Joined: August 29, 2011
Posted: July 1, 2014, 7:37 PM
Nicole,
methadone is usually taken once daily and lasts from 24-48 hours depending on the ml amount and the person. -------------------- I NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH LOVE MY HEART COULD HOLD UNTIL SOMEONE CALLED ME GRANDMA. STOP AND LISTEN TO THE BIRDS SINGING IN THE TREES. WHEN THE BIRDS ARE SINGING EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS OK.[FONT=Courier][FONT=Arial] | ||
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Posted: July 13, 2014, 2:50 PM
hello everyone just want to give a little input here. methadone is by no means impossible to get off of i was on 70 mg a day and went down 3 mg every 2 weeks u will not feel wonderful the first 4 or 5 days but then each day gets better then one day u wake upand u have your soul back. this bs ive heard about people still in withdrawel a month later is not true unless its in their heads. my boss dont beleive in missing work for any reason so i just worked through it, also i stopped when i got to 7 mgs also benzos help a lot hang in there dont beleive the hoor sories and remember wean down slowly u will no longer be a slave to this drug and u will no longer be a zombie god bless to all
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Posted: July 16, 2014, 4:56 PM
I have come off of 140mgs cold turkey after 5 years of taking it. If I had the choice at the time, I would have been on it for the rest of my life. I went to jail for a ticket and stayed for a week. After that week, I felt worse than I ever felt in my life. I still decided I would not go back. It is now a month and a day later and I still feel like crap but I know it will only get better. To say that I could do it again would be a complete lie. I know that if I don't stay clean, I might never have the true luxuries in life. When I stopped, I didn't have any meds whatsoever. No stomach meds, no blood pressure meds, no anxiety meds nor headache medicine and as much as I felt like dying, I didn't. I was taking every type of pain pill for years and went to iraq with the army. When I stopped pain pills, I had to train daily in the summer which made me sweat it out quicker. It was a hard thing but not anywhere close to methadone. If you do come off methadone, I hear it is good to taper your dose but no matter what you do, you will have to hurt. The key is to put vitamins back in your system, eat good, exercise and find new hobbies. If you keep it in your mind that it's going to get better and put your mind on things you used to do, you might just make it. Don't think it's going to go away overnight because you will get discouraged. Methadone did save my life from the needle but I wish I had never got that far. It's by far the hardest thing I've done but the reward is well woth it. I hope my experience helps. I always thought I could never do it but here I am. Good luck
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Posted: July 27, 2014, 11:42 AM
Hi, my name is Melissa. I was reading everything on here and thought I should post as well. I'm 23 years old. I'm currently on 4 mg of methadone. Detoxing 2mg every 4 days. My highest dose was 84mg and that was over a year ago. I've been on methadone for almost. 3 years. I did everything but crystal Meth. I have a horrible history. Grew up in a horrible home. Abusive step father, a mother never there, never meeting my father until I was 18 and that was only for 5 minutes. Life has been rough for me. Even tho I'm young, I've been thru a lot. I have received so much help from my grandparents and friends.. I currently had to move back in with my mother and my older sister, who is an addict as well.. but a lot worse then me. I haven't used any drugs, other than being on methadone in over 2 years. But now that I'm detoxing.. I'm scared of how that's going to change.. with my sister using, being in a bad environment. Drugs around.. and having no other family. To "help" me I feel as if I'm stuck... my detox from methadone was easily. Until about 2 weeks ago.. now it seems the withdrawals have caught up to me along with my depression. Its hard. And at times I want to go back up.. but then I read comments like the ones from above and realize that its worth it. All good things in life don't come easy. I start college on August to become an substance abuse counselor.. I want to give back, pass along all the help I received.. Just wanted to say.. you are not alone, you are beautiful, and you are loved. Keep your head up.. like I read earlier.. you're day will come. Much love. ♥
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Posted: July 27, 2014, 12:03 PM
Yeah melissa im in same boat.... no family support and ive moved from the area i was living to get off herio i wish id just done the herion rattle than go onto meth. Ive found the best support here even though im new to site.... i hope i too can help anyone whos been through like me becoz doctors happy to prescribe but coming off..... is like given us the fook off tablet. Im determined to get off this and youtube search kent m methadone hes posted videos through his detox which may help you.
Anytime u need to chat ur welcome to drop me a line anytime day or night... even if ur feeling low get intouch. Ive been thr done it got the tshirt as they say. Take care and bestest wishes From suspect -------------------- GOD SAVE BASS GENERATOR records. | ||
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Posts: 1059
Joined: August 29, 2011
Posted: July 27, 2014, 9:29 PM
Believeinyourself and suspect,
I am glad you are both finding help on this site. Congrats to you both for how far you have come. But Please don't think of it as a failure should you decide to go back on methadone or going back up on your dose. It is better than ending up back in the addiction trap heroin can cause. Its better to make a mistake and fix it and try detoxing again later down the road than to give up to the addiction. There is no shame in relapsing. It happens to the best of us, but if you are still on your clinic talk to someone before that happens! Talk to your clinic counselors about how you are feeling. hang tough, I know you can do it! granny This post has been edited by Granny2 3 on July 27, 2014, 9:31 PM -------------------- I NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH LOVE MY HEART COULD HOLD UNTIL SOMEONE CALLED ME GRANDMA. STOP AND LISTEN TO THE BIRDS SINGING IN THE TREES. WHEN THE BIRDS ARE SINGING EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS OK.[FONT=Courier][FONT=Arial] | ||
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Posted: July 30, 2014, 8:52 AM
Third day without methadone. got some diazepam. I feel really tired and what feels like pins in needles. Sneezing fits how long does this last. Problerly best to sweat it out without over heating if course.
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Posted: July 30, 2014, 9:46 AM
yes you can get off methadone... i was in a fatal car crash and was crushed waist down long story short from the injury's i sustained was give roxys for 4 years started to abuse them almost lost everthing i ever had or loved.. went to mmt had to do something other then what i was doing took 3 years i'm drug free and i have learned that i can have a decent life i still hurt but i don't need opiates.
hope you can find the strength it was the hardest thing i have ever done. | ||
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Posts: 1059
Joined: August 29, 2011
Posted: July 30, 2014, 4:47 PM
James,
Wow, sorry for what you have gone through, but it is SO NICE to hear someone say that methadone helped them and that with the right frame of mind and a plan you were able to get off it and have an opiate free life. I wish more people would see and understand what you did and use the program the way it was intended. Bless you and thank you. granny -------------------- I NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH LOVE MY HEART COULD HOLD UNTIL SOMEONE CALLED ME GRANDMA. STOP AND LISTEN TO THE BIRDS SINGING IN THE TREES. WHEN THE BIRDS ARE SINGING EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS OK.[FONT=Courier][FONT=Arial] | ||
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Posted: July 31, 2014, 8:07 AM
Hey I was taking massive amounts of methadone 300mgs a day for about 5 years I did relapse several times its worse than heroin withdrawal sux man can be done tho been off the s*** for 6 yrs now good luck man I know what its like for real .
Brad P.s I have a great job and place now. Just a dream not that long ago you really can do it | ||
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Posted: July 31, 2014, 3:51 PM
I have been a heroin addict for about 9 years off and on. This last time my habit got so bad that I found myself sleeping in a car and begging for change.
I managed to get into a methadone program, I went for 9 months but missed a lot of days and continued to drop dirty for heroin. I while back I had to sign something saying I wouldn't miss any more days or drop dirty or i'd get discharged. I managed to get clean shortly after with the help of Narcotics Anonymous. I started to get a little recovery in me and lost the cravings for heroin. About 3 weeks clean from heroin I woke up too late on a Saturday and missed my dose of methadone for Saturday and Sunday. If not for what I had learned and my change of mind I probably would of used that as an excuse to use, even though I didn't get too sick that weekend I almost expected to. Well for missing I got administratively detoxed from 110mg, they lowered it 4mg a day. I quit going after my 10mg dose because I felt to go any longer would just delay the inevitable. Today is Day 5 without methadone and it has been pretty crappy. I wouldn't say the withdrawal is worse then Opiates but it definitely lasts longer. I can't recommend anyone just quitting cold turkey from methadone without having your dose lowered for as long as you can. This can be dangerous, they say you cannot die from the withdrawals but I believe people with certain health conditions probably could, they won't ever kick out a pregnant woman on methadone because it's dangerous for the baby. I'd say I am an advocate of Methadone to those who want to truly quit using but if you can and are able I'd recommend going cold turkey or go to a short length detox center. At the very least see a doctor and get Clonadine and whatever they can give you because sleep is almost impossible when I'm withdrawing, which is the worst part. Most importantly is to learn about recovery after you do get clean, to prevent a relapse. | ||
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Joined: July 27, 2014
Posted: August 1, 2014, 9:59 AM
Its been a few days.. I went back up to 12mg.. my detox has been paused, and I'm feeling better. Its rough. Like everything else in life. I talked to my counselor and with myself starring college in 24 days she wants to switch to subotext on Monday, the only day I go to the clinic. I'm eiffy about it. She says it will b a lot easier with school and work.. and I want to get back into my own place so I figured it could help.. I ended up taking a Valium on Monday, my stress level was at an all time high.. I actually got high off of it and then felt horrible for it.. my tolerance used to be so high, not any more. Would any one like to share some pros and cons with me about stating on methadonead getting off of it and then getting on subotext and detoxing from that.. I would appreciate it. Methadone has done so Much for. me.. and I have accomplished so much iin tye last three years but i think it has served its purpose. compl
-------------------- You will not change, what you really willing to tolerate. ♥ You are not alone and you are loved. ♥[COLOR=gray][FONT=Optima] | ||
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Posts: 1059
Joined: August 29, 2011
Posted: August 1, 2014, 7:12 PM
believeinyourself,
You sound similar to another poster...( If you are the other poster, WBequette, I am glad your detox was stopped so you can figure out what you want to do.) I too am an advocate for methadone and I wish there were more of us here on this site. Have a plan and when and if you are ready follow your plan. good luck. granny -------------------- I NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH LOVE MY HEART COULD HOLD UNTIL SOMEONE CALLED ME GRANDMA. STOP AND LISTEN TO THE BIRDS SINGING IN THE TREES. WHEN THE BIRDS ARE SINGING EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS OK.[FONT=Courier][FONT=Arial] | ||
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Posts: 3
Joined: July 27, 2014
Posted: August 2, 2014, 1:19 PM
No, this is my only account, Granny2 3
-------------------- You will not change, what you really willing to tolerate. ♥ You are not alone and you are loved. ♥[COLOR=gray][FONT=Optima] | ||
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