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Day 21!
It's day 21 off methadone!! 3 whole weeks and I'm starting to live my life without even thinking about it. I'm trying to keep updating on occasion b/c I know I read these posts obsessively when I was in acute w/d and hopefully my experience can help somebody else hold on that much longer.
The gains from day 7 (when I started to think I was not going to die) and day 14 (when I started to think things were going to be normal one day) are amazing. Day by day I don't feel a whole lot of improvement, but when I think in terms of weeks it's striking how different things are. Immodium AD, Gatorade, and greenery were my savings graces during this process. (caution, though - the greenery just made the anxiety worse for about a week and a half. It was the right kind & I'm used to it, but my body reacted very differently when in acute w/d. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack and jump off a bridge when I indulged on day 3 or 4. It's helping now, though, with sleep and appetite and mood.)
I have 3 lingering symptoms - stomach issues, sleep issues, and boredom - in that order of severity. Still having stomach cramps; food is better but not appetizing. I have to force myself to eat, but I always feel better after I do. I'm sleeping from about 9P to 3A every night, then lucky to get back to sleep for maybe another hour before I wake up. The nightmares have calmed down. I feel like if it was possible I could sleep for a week, I'm so tired. But this is way better than twitching and no sleep, so yeah. And I have no interest in most things - work is still a drag but getting more doable every day.
If you're going through it, I feel for you....I have never felt so awful, ever. And I'm not 100% yet. But day 21 is a LOT better. Hang in there!!!
The gains from day 7 (when I started to think I was not going to die) and day 14 (when I started to think things were going to be normal one day) are amazing. Day by day I don't feel a whole lot of improvement, but when I think in terms of weeks it's striking how different things are. Immodium AD, Gatorade, and greenery were my savings graces during this process. (caution, though - the greenery just made the anxiety worse for about a week and a half. It was the right kind & I'm used to it, but my body reacted very differently when in acute w/d. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack and jump off a bridge when I indulged on day 3 or 4. It's helping now, though, with sleep and appetite and mood.)
I have 3 lingering symptoms - stomach issues, sleep issues, and boredom - in that order of severity. Still having stomach cramps; food is better but not appetizing. I have to force myself to eat, but I always feel better after I do. I'm sleeping from about 9P to 3A every night, then lucky to get back to sleep for maybe another hour before I wake up. The nightmares have calmed down. I feel like if it was possible I could sleep for a week, I'm so tired. But this is way better than twitching and no sleep, so yeah. And I have no interest in most things - work is still a drag but getting more doable every day.
If you're going through it, I feel for you....I have never felt so awful, ever. And I'm not 100% yet. But day 21 is a LOT better. Hang in there!!!
Hey bucksfan,
I just wanted to say that as much as I hated Suboxone for myself and the withdrawals and the hell I went through, I am still a believer in Suboxone and Methadone. I personally believe that these drugs were initially designed and great for the addict that wishes to get out of a harmful lifestyle. Which most addicts are in a harmful lifestyle, but some are in a more harmful lifestyle... at the risk of HIV, Hepatitis, living on the streets, risk of rape and murder, overdose, death, etc. Don't get me wrong, all addicts or simply those that are dependent are at risk for any of these... I hope you can understand what I'm saying.
For example, a heroin addict living on the streets and put on methadone can have a chance at a normal & healthy life again. So for many, trading one set of WD's for a potential tougher one will be the last thing on their minds.
And, I'm not trying to be condescending to your statement at all, just giving you some insight on how I look at it.
I just wanted to say that as much as I hated Suboxone for myself and the withdrawals and the hell I went through, I am still a believer in Suboxone and Methadone. I personally believe that these drugs were initially designed and great for the addict that wishes to get out of a harmful lifestyle. Which most addicts are in a harmful lifestyle, but some are in a more harmful lifestyle... at the risk of HIV, Hepatitis, living on the streets, risk of rape and murder, overdose, death, etc. Don't get me wrong, all addicts or simply those that are dependent are at risk for any of these... I hope you can understand what I'm saying.
For example, a heroin addict living on the streets and put on methadone can have a chance at a normal & healthy life again. So for many, trading one set of WD's for a potential tougher one will be the last thing on their minds.
And, I'm not trying to be condescending to your statement at all, just giving you some insight on how I look at it.
God it sounds like Methadone WD's and the mental games are horrific compared to Lortab or Percs. Why would a clinic prescribe them to get you off opiates? I never understood that, its seemed like it would be trading one set of WD's for a potential tougher one. Congrats on the clean time, you are an inspiration and I am not to far behind. My WD's were only bad until day 3 but I have been battling the daily mental ups n downs each day since.
Congratulations on 3 weeks...that is a true accomplishment. I could not help but smile and laugh a little at your description of your symptoms because you described them to a 'tee" for me. I am on Day 42(?) from methadone and it was by far the most harrowing experience of my life, but an incredible eye-opener and long term lesson.
It is still a grind, but you were dead on when you said that you can not see the progress each day, but when you look back over time, it is amazing what we have been able to come through. I have nothing but complete respect for anyone that went through this walk through hell....now, we must learn to enjoy heaven on earth!
It is still a grind, but you were dead on when you said that you can not see the progress each day, but when you look back over time, it is amazing what we have been able to come through. I have nothing but complete respect for anyone that went through this walk through hell....now, we must learn to enjoy heaven on earth!
Hi gettingbetter88,
I got off Suboxone 5 years ago and your kick sounds very similar to mine. Especially your comment about the 7th day and finally feeling like you weren't going to die! I remember the afternoon of day 6 for me so vividly! I was standing in the hallway of the mental hospital and all of a sudden I felt like all the poison was finally gone. It was just instant for me. It was quite weird!
You have done a wonderful thing here and congrats on 21 days! It was about day 30 when I finally got a night's sleep. But, I think after you go through the severe pain of that kind of withdrawal (at least for me), I was just so happy to NOT feel like I was going to die that it kept me going! I remember scratching my dry legs from the hot showers and hard water (itching) at the hospital until they bled and the pain from that was non-existent because of the withdrawal pain.
You will feel better soon and so will the stomach! I didn't so much have cramps unless they were accompanied by the runs! I had them well past 2 weeks. I thought I was going to s**t myself to death... in fact I probably prayed for it at one point!
Hang in there and be so very proud of yourself!
I got off Suboxone 5 years ago and your kick sounds very similar to mine. Especially your comment about the 7th day and finally feeling like you weren't going to die! I remember the afternoon of day 6 for me so vividly! I was standing in the hallway of the mental hospital and all of a sudden I felt like all the poison was finally gone. It was just instant for me. It was quite weird!
You have done a wonderful thing here and congrats on 21 days! It was about day 30 when I finally got a night's sleep. But, I think after you go through the severe pain of that kind of withdrawal (at least for me), I was just so happy to NOT feel like I was going to die that it kept me going! I remember scratching my dry legs from the hot showers and hard water (itching) at the hospital until they bled and the pain from that was non-existent because of the withdrawal pain.
You will feel better soon and so will the stomach! I didn't so much have cramps unless they were accompanied by the runs! I had them well past 2 weeks. I thought I was going to s**t myself to death... in fact I probably prayed for it at one point!
Hang in there and be so very proud of yourself!
Rob,
Oh my goodness. I am so sorry. This is so so sad. You must be beyond heartbroken. Please accept my deepest apology and know that I am very sorry. ~Lindsay
Oh my goodness. I am so sorry. This is so so sad. You must be beyond heartbroken. Please accept my deepest apology and know that I am very sorry. ~Lindsay
My son got a hold of this s----- and died in his sleep is is nothing to play with . do not abuse it it will keep you from awaking up. RIP my son LUCAS
Thanks gettingbetter. You sharing your progression is really great and very helpful. Like you said, there are other people who need to hear this. Keep being awesome!
HANG IN THERE!!!! I've always thought of myself as a decently strong person, but methadone withdrawal kicked my ***. Day 4, you're in the worst of it. If you relapse now you'll just prolong it. If you made it to Day 4, you've got this. I thought it was never going to get better - the mindtweak from it was the worst, thought I was losing it. Was literally in the fetal position shivering on the couch. But it does get better, And 21 days doesn't seem so long, in hindsight. Today I worked hard, celebrated my anniversary with a steak dinner, and am not freaking out about how little sleep I'll get later. It gets better, I promise.
Thank you. I'm only on day 4. I am not feeling so good.....but thank you for that.
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