When do methadone withdrawals become the most painful?

[JaySin89]

I have been on methadone for about four years now and was at an 85mg dose for about two years then I took my dose to 65mg and stayed on that for the remainder before my detox. I detoxed at a rate of 5mg every other week and then once I hit 5mgs I stayed on that dose for three weeks. I took my last dose Saturday at 4:30am and it is about 1:30pm on Monday (57 hours in if I'm correct). I had once before tried to detox going down 10mg every week until I was at zero and I remember being absolutely miserable and in horrible pain around this time. This time around I feel bad and have all the classic symptoms but they all seem to be not as extremely unbearable as the previous attempt. Are things going to get progressively worse for me or am I at a peak of discomfort that will probably last at this level close to a month?

[JaySin89]

Thanks for all the responses! This will be my 7th day come 4:30am and I'm doing alright. It definitely ***** but it's bearable. So far I think the 4th day was the worst for me. I get about three hours of sleep a night and I'm a single father so I have to be up and ready to take care of my daughter which is tough but worth it. For some reason I start to feel better towards the evening and night then by the morning I feel pretty awful again. What makes me feel better in the morning is smoking two cigarettes and then drinking two red bulls and listening to really loud music. The music helps a ton. Also, I have been smoking a little bit of pot before bed (which despite all of the heroin and other much worse stuff I used previously, I've never actually liked much until now.) It's not a cure all but it does help me relax (after my daughter is asleep of course.) For all the awful withdrawal I'm going through I hold no animosity towards the clinic. That place definitely helped me get on the right track and without it I don't think I would've stopped using. I do wish they would let people know more about the statistics of people successfully coming off of it without relapsing, and explain to new patients that it's withdrawals (at least in my opinion) are much worse than H wds. The only thing I've taken to ease withdrawal is the pot. I figured I would want to go through all the pain so I never forget just how awful this gets in case I'm ever positioned to relapse. Once again, thanks for the replies!  

[Ldytaz]

Congrats on taking your life back. Sounds like u did a good taper. I jumped at 5mgs 20 days ago and I'm just starting to feel better.. If u can call it better. I still have stomach issues and just weak.. Hang in there.. We r here for u...

[weaver71]

Day 7 was the worst of it, that feeling lasted another 2 weeks. At 30 days it was bearable, then it seemed to get better with each month. It went in waves, I'd feel better and then worse again. Keep moving and eat good, rest, even if you can't sleep. It's not a very long time in comparison to the life ahead of us. You tapered down, that reduces the symptoms, but I am not convinced it actually makes it take less time to detox. Hang tough and keep us posted. You will be amazed at how much better life is off methadone.

[VICourageous]

I Ditto the above!!
I too came off of the Dones, plus 2 other meds. So I am going to just say it can be different for all of us.(Time wise) Some bounce back quicker then others. Just keep your self hydrated as mentioned and also try to re-direct your self. Take each stage as they come and soon you will balance back. Time & Patience.
Keep taking your Vit/Min because we have to replenish back what we have lost during our med days.
One Step at a Time.
Bless

[atthebeach]

You did an awesome job of tapering down. Slow and steady. Because of methadones Half life the withdrawals can start anyway from 3 days to a week.
Since your dose wasnt that high and you tapered slow and steady Your symptoms probably won't be so severe.
Methadone detox is longer because of the half life.
don't fear the withdrawal. Stay positive. Treat the symptoms.
Go to the bottom of the page under health pages there is alot of great
Info there.
Check the amino acid protocol and that's recipe.
More around as much as possible.
Congrats on taking back your life.
Did you get any counseling or attend support groups while on methadone?
Keep on keepin on.

[gnarly_1]

Hi and welcome to the forum...wel it sounds like you been down this road b/4 the symptoms will very from detox to detox  im suprised you say it is less most of the time it gets worst each time you go thrw it just take it one day at a time sleep will come back  it that dam ''energy crash'' that makes methadone such a mo/fo to kick try and stay hydrated gator/aid is good force the fluids imodium for the bathroom problems and whey protein shakes for all the symptoms keep posting for support we all want to see you make it......Gnarly.............

[Dane74]

great job on tapering down and taking the plunge!  Try, I know its so hard, but try to not get ahead of yourself, just take each day, hour, minute as it comes. Good luck to you  

[kleighn]

I'm at 55 days of jumping cold turkey off of 110mgs. And I'm just now starting to feel like myself. I remember between days 6 and 9 I felt like I was literally dying and after about 2 1/2 3 weeks symptoms started to subside.. it takes time and at times it can be very discouraging. I felt like I didn't know who I was anymore and my personality is finally shining back through. All in all it is a painful ride but keep hydrated, get out as much as possible, read, write, whatever your hobbies are will come to great use now. And if it's nice out wherever you are, sunshine helps a TON. Take care and keep posting for support !!