I am new here....Getting off Methadone...question

[RebeccaJeanine71]

Hi, I've already dropped my Norco's cold turkey, almost three days ago.  I took myself down from 30 mls. of Methadone a day to 15 (in one day), went through withdrawals after a few days, felt better off n' on (had RLS, Nausea, couldn't eat hardly at all, headache, chills, hot flashes, etc.).  I was able to walk 2 miles or more a day after maybe the first day of withdrawals..maybe second...I was better in a few days.  Now I'm down to 7 mls. a day of Methadone... started feeling the withdrawals again...same amount.  What I'm wondering is this.. I hear it takes 3 days for the Methadone to either start leaving or leaving your system.  After the withdrawals start on the third day of going cold turkey (after lowest dose), Will the withdrawals get worse as time goes by (like the fourth and fifth day lessen up or get worse?).  I need to know should I admit myself in a hospital or just wing it out like this??  I can't imagine it getting worse to be honest :(... i'm scared!!!!!

[weaver71]

I had a similar experience as Annie, day 6 or 7 was the peak of it. It takes 5 days for your last dose to be out of your system, then your natural brain chemistry has to heal. I too was impatient and didn't taper. It will be a rough ride, but if you are healthy otherwise, it won't kill you. Try not to keep moving and drink lots of water. If you haven't, get some protein drink. Ensure, Spiru-tein, Muscle Milk, are easy to find and have the amino acids your brain needs to heal. Cal/Mag/Zinc 400% of RDA twice a day will help with RLS and cramping. I don't think you need to go to a hospital. Hang in there, it will get better. I used street methadone for a long time, so I'm glad to see people get out before they get to real high doses. Keep us posted on how you feel and we will try to help you get through this. Just remember that the pain you feel is your body healing. You can do it.

[EvolverU]

Hey there, Rebecca, Good morning (guess who?)

I really don't like giving specific numbers but in the case of M'done & b/c I know your history, I'd tell you that it will peak @ around 5 or 6 days (the worst of the acutes -- @ least that's the way it worked for me.) You might have them with less severity/sooner as you've tapered far more intelligently than I did. [inpatient Annie jumped @ 28 mgs..] You won't need to admit yourself to a hospital to do this. Are you talking about an actual detox? Hang in there, you've been doing so well, my friend.

[ROSYouralright]

I don't have the answers but want to encourage you to hang in there. Someone who knows something about this will be along soon. I see that this is an older post and I'm sorry I missed it. Congrats to you on stopping. Hang in there. Don't give up ❕❗