LIfe after Methadone - ?

[Xsane]

This sounds like it should belong in the Pain Management Forum, but it's a little more than that.

I Started taking Pain Meds for Chronic Back Pain, and am continuing to have back pain.

Before I was taking Methadone, I was taking the typical Vicodins and Percoets - the Entire Galaxy of Benzos, but Methadone Was the Absolute Best thing that could have happened to me at the time.

I also have a Stressfull job and that creates Anxiety. Methadone Saved All that. My issue was, my Methadone abuse. I couldn't settle for the prescribed amount given - I usually took twice as much as prescribed.

Honestly, the only reason I quit using was because I couldn't control it.

Yes - IM Very happy to be Over the Methadone - But now What? Now my Back is Same as Usual and Have no idea what Im going to do for back pain? What the Hell am I going to do now.....?

[Xsane]

I was supposed to be taking 30mg but was abusing the drug. taking Atleast twice that much a day for about a year. It kept pissing my DR off, but he would continue to prescribe it due to my Description of Pain Control - as well as i mentioned to him that it helped me with anxiety.

As for your question how I came off. ??

I tried cold Turkey a couple times - Impossible. Way too miserable and edgy. I would even think suicidal for some.
I just did the Normal tapering . Go As long as possible without feelilng the need to take my next dose - - Which that is all Will Power--to not take the Entire Prescribed Limited doses at once. But I knew that If i had to go too long without taking it, the Cons outweighed the Pros.
I really enjoyed the Methadone. It did Wonders for me, I just couldnt control my intake is all. I would have eventually OD'd on it. I just know I would. So Im glad im off.

In the future , I may speak with my MD about Medical THC ? I know that sounds bad - but As I said with the Vics and Percs. As long as theres no Physical Edgyness, Im not worried about addiction. I just need something for Back Pain.

@ GNARLY - You are actually partially right. Seems like the pain I remember having months ago doesnt seem as bad now, but its definately still there, and Motrin aint gonna cut it. Theres only so much a dr is going to try for Back pain.

[gnarly_1]

HI.....my advise to you is take as small of dose as possible and get off as quickly as possible
I started at 30 mg wound up at 150ml over 6 1/2 yrs....it took me 8 1/2 mo to taper off
and to say the least it was difficult you go in and out of withdrawals thew out the taper
when you get to the lower doses is when it gets hard...the shorter the time your on it the ez it is coming off....my withdrawal was long and hard it took months to start to feel better after I quit taking it....if your on it a yr or longer I tell everyone expect about 90 days till you feel right again...I have worked with a lot of people helping them get off this is fairly typical
I wish you the best of luck coming off it stick around here when your ready theres others that have been down the road also but methadone is a ruff road good luck and God bless
Gnarly    

[gnarly_1]

hi I to was like you and put on it for pain control of my back....once I got off and got past the rebound pain in a couple of weeks my dr prescribed 800mg ibuprofine and that now works well enough to take the edge off of it ....you may find like many of or members that your in less pain without the narcotic your pain clock sorta resets itself and the brain produces
adaquit  amounts of natural pain meds on its own.....I know now im in less pain then when I was on 150 ml of methadone..............Gnarly

[Rulebrkr]

Hi X. How much methadone were you taking and for how long? I only ask bc I'm on it and ready to quit it. How did you do it????

I had been an opiate lover for years. I finally got it all under control and was in a bad accident, messed up my neck, and had pretty much an unlimited supply o opiates. Of couse I eventually started running through them in 2-3 weeks. 300 norcos and 120 percs. I'm now getting my problem under control with methadone but want to get off it. What was your experience??? Did you have WDs? Did you taper? If so, how often and how much? Did you use a short acting opiate to do so?

Sorry that doesn't answer your question. BUT-- my husband has severe degeneration in his lumbar region. He went to my PM doc and told him he didn't want shots, surgery, or opiates (damn, cuz I was looking forward to his stash at the time). Anyway, the doc prescribed him muscle relaxers and 800 mg motrin a day (something like that) and recommended he go see a MANUAL physical therapist. These folks are different that most PTs in that they are very hands on - massage, pressure points, etc - thus the term "manual.". They worked on him voraciously and then taught him stretching and other excercises. This all practically eliminated his pain. I was surprised, but he has not been the crabby a-hole he has been over the past year.

Not sure this is the answer for you but you may want to give it a shot. It can't hurt. Good lick and I'm interested in hering your response regarding your methadone experience.