Methadone Maintenance

[KStarr22]

Ive been searching over and over for tips on detoxing from methadone. I have been in mmtp for almost 2 years now. I was on a fixed dose of 70mgs for a while and then found out I was pregnant. Further into your pregnancies you need to increase your dose cuz you get less and less due to the baby. Well i went up to 115 and wanted to detox asap! I managed to come straight down to 56 mgs 2mgs a day. Now the trouble begins. My husband is in Iraq soon to be home in 6 wks or so. I would like to be off the ball and chain (methadone) for good by the time he comes home. Its expensive and ties you down, You cant travel and have to dedicate 3/4 of  your time and planning to the program. Well anyhow, im still coming down 2 mgs daily stopping periodically so my body can catch up. Im looking for advice on getting through this a little easier. I have no experience with maintenance and the Dr.s are quick to tell you that you cant be successfull in doing it! Please someone help me! Im all alone with a 5 month old baby and need advice!

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Decent clinics will also "blind dose" you so that you dont even know what your dose is....this will help taper and also eliminate some anxiety associated with the dose being lowered.....

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Methadone is not an easy animal to get away from. Standard thoughts say to reduce dose by 10%-15% per week or ten days.....give your body time to catch up, as you say. I cold turkeyed a larger dose than you are on ....but I couldnt have cared for an infant when doing it.  This 10% number is very important as you get to lower doses.......even 2mg is 20% of a 10mg dose......dont get caught in that trap. And it just plain takes time sometimes. You arent going to be a winner unless you are successful......Physical exercise will help...there are people on this forum that can help you...check out the posts by baron munchausen and mtgoat911 - - they both have good advice. When you get to the end of taper - drop to as low as a 1/4mg and then dose that 1/4mg everyother day and then every third day at the end of therapy.....keep posting here - you will get support and answers...........