Down to 2mg a day of Methadone

[nick683]

2 years ago I started methadone to get off of vicodin. My highest dose ever was 60 mg. I made the decision to taper off over a year to get off of methadone. My counselor did not think it was a good idea and in fact was trying to push me up on my dosage. I ignored him and began tapering. Now I am at 2 mg.  I haven't had a dose in 7 days and the symptoms were minimal. However; today I feel like hell. Any recommendations? I do not want to take subaxone.  I want to be free from this once and for all.

[HappyDays2Come]

Great job! You're doing fantastic! Keep pushing through and taking it one day at a time. You've made the best decision of your life and I promise that it will be so worth it in no time. Keep posting and letting us know how you're doing and feeling!

[VICourageous]

I agree my room looks like a heath food store full of all kinds of natural vit/min. Magnz is a life saver and it is one that help with detox and helps to build the Brain back along with potassium and passion flower etc. You just have to do your homework and see what vit/min does the best. I get a real good vit/min in a liquid form that is plant based. The protein powder and electrolyte powders are great along with the C..There is tons that will help. I get my Amino Acids all compounded in one..They are A-V..Then I have my separate ones for different reasons..I also like Iron. I believe that exercise and TIME is the biggest success..Great Job!! I am proud of you..
Bless

[gnarly_1]

Hi your best bet is to keep going with the withdrawal it can take a wile to hit methadone has a long 1/2 life as well as it getting into your fatty tissues so withdrawal can take a few days  one of the big things that can last is the energy crash you cant get off the couch as it seams but force the exorsize it will help also start feeding your brain the amino acids it will help I recamend whey protein shakes you can get a 2lb can at walmart for 15 bucks it has thje amino acids in it time will help it does get better as things go on it can take a wile my dose was 150 for 6 1/2 yr and it took me around 90 days to get rid of the energy crach and the lack of sleep keep posting for support there are a lot of us that have gotten off this c rap good luck........Gnarly........

[nick683]

Thanks! I feel pretty great today actually. I was surprised that it made me feel so bad as well considering how low of a dose I was on. I am still tiring pretty easily but that might be because I am not sleeping as well as I was. Though the Valerian Root I am taking helps immensely. I haven't had a dose now in 9 days. I of course am achy but I will always be achy considering half of my body is metal lol.

[itfjosh]

I was at 140mg a day at my highest point.  I thought I'd be on it forever....2years later I had slow tapered down to 5mg a day.  I stayed there for a long time scared to death to pull the plug.  I did it.and it.was the best.decision I've ever made.  Fight through it and get on the other side.  I'm surprised you feel this bad so many days later.  You're close I know it.

[nick683]

I ended up getting Potassium, L-Tyrosine, B6, Aleve and Valerian Root. Sounds like a lot of things, but I felt much better yesterday and last night I actually slept. The potassium helps with cramps, the L-tyrosine helps with dopamine levels, B6 just to help in absorbtion, Aleve for aches and Valerian Root to help me sleep. I was in an accident a few years ago and the doctors started me out on morphine, then oxy, then vicodin. By the time it was all said and done, I was still in pain and addicted to pills. I had had enough. I switched doctors and was referred to a local methadone clinic. If I had known then what I know now, I would have suffered through the withdrawals from the pills and skipped methadone altogether. I fully believe the clinics are in it to keep you on it as long as possible and do so by telling you to raise your doses. When you ask how to get off of the methadone, all they say is you aren't ready yet. Well I was ready a long time ago and took it upon myself to taper off. Today starts the 2nd week for me being off of it. Hopefully, I start to feel better soon. I just keep reminding myself that if I cave and go get a dose, I will just have to suffer through this withdrawal all over again. I'm determined to get through this and be done with it. Withdrawal doesn't last forever.

[nick683]

I ended up getting Potassium, L-Tyrosine, B6, Aleve and Valerian Root. Sounds like a lot of things, but I felt much better yesterday and last night I actually slept. The potassium helps with cramps, the L-tyrosine helps with dopamine levels, B6 just to help in absorbtion, Aleve for aches and Valerian Root to help me sleep. I was in an accident a few years ago and the doctors started me out on morphine, then oxy, then vicodin. By the time it was all said and done, I was still in pain and addicted to pills. I had had enough. I switched doctors and was referred to a local methadone clinic. If I had known then what I know now, I would have suffered through the withdrawals from the pills and skipped methadone altogether. I fully believe the clinics are in it to keep you on it as long as possible and do so by telling you to raise your doses. When you ask how to get off of the methadone, all they say is you aren't ready yet. Well I was ready a long time ago and took it upon myself to taper off. Today starts the 2nd week for me being off of it. Hopefully, I start to feel better soon. I just keep reminding myself that if I cave and go get a dose, I will just have to suffer through this withdrawal all over again. I'm determined to get through this and be done with it. Withdrawal doesn't last forever.

[DaleGirl]

Gnarly gave me great lifechanging advice, I to am tapering off the dreaded methadone. The advice was to start taking a 3-in-1 vitamin called magnesium-zinc-calcium, taking 4 pills 3x a day. I also take a chewable vitamin [body absorbs it better], I drink Powerades for electrolytes 3x a day. I walk everyday. I also got back in the church and attend a weekly support group and bi-weekly counsoling session [ talking helps}. THis site has been of much support. We can do this hang in there. OTC meds like aleve and advil help too. Lots of fluids. I am with you your not alone. Best of luck.

[VICourageous]

OH Boy..I hate to say this but I have experienced w/ds from other opiates like Vicodin..It seemed to have let go quicker and the stages of detox are not as long as Methadone..YOU did do a taper and that is good. DO NOT GO TO ANOTHER DRUG PLEASE.. This just prolongs you to become clean.
I was on the Dones for over 12years which I was taking the other opiates before I went up the latter on my own..NOT to get off the other drugs but I got it prescribed for pain and then I liked it and got out of control..I was also snorting it with illegal adderral to make it like a crank buzz..Used a Benzo at night to come down..The reason why I am sharing this to you is to show you it can be done..I got down to 30mgs and jumped from a 3 meds when I was 56years old..You can do it anytime..Do not go up just go down and be done. We can give you some tips on things that will help you in the detox. The detox part is easy (its hard) but it is the after care that takes a lot of WORK & SUPPORT! You might experience some high anxiety and yes you will sweat everywhere and go P alot..The poisons are trying to come out..You might drop to a low or no motivation. This is normal..Sleep is all screwed up and this will take time to balance back. All these meds and many more do a lot to the Brain. Many Neurotransmitter get hit in different areas as each drug goes to a certain places. The dopamine is why we become addicted as well..You need to drink Lot & Lots of water, protein, and electrolyte drinks or get the powder.Make sure you get a really good natural vit/min..The more it is plant based the better..Magnz & Potassium is a real good one to help. Get some Epsom salt to draw out the poisons (magnz in it) Takes baths and go lay under a Heating Blanket when you ache., Try to get some kind of exercise in so you can get those Transmitter going. There is so much more to take as far as what will help with sleep and what will help get you going..Keep in touch and we will walk with you at any time..I usually do not say this on here but feel free to PM me if you need some help.
Bless & Be patient this all Takes TIME!!!
vickie