anbody have any advice for me???

[sammy77133]

hello, im a little new at this, but for around 2 yrs I was taking methadone no more then 10 mgs per day. I started weening myself down (I cut the pill into 4 small pieces) & only took a small piece a day. my last dose was 16 days ago. but to help with the run down feeling I started taking vicodin at the most 3 a day (5/500) & only for 2 weeks. my last dose of the v's was 3 days ago (only took 2) & overall I feel pretty good. just a little tired/run down, some sneezing, some yawning, & some light stomach issues here & there. I was expecting to feel the full effects by now, or has it just not hit me yet? thanks for reading this. will somebody please tell me what you think? it would mean a lot. thanks again..

[EvolverU]

Hey Sammy, Welcome and a Big Congrats on your 3 days. Way to taper! Really well-designed. Luckily you were on a low dose and made sure that you put some time between you and the Methadone. Really important - so that it can leach out of your tissues.

As OpenMind24Hours, above, mentions - the mental part is yet to come. This is the real test. How not to reach for something to chemically mediate your mood when things get uncomfortable! What are your thoughts on this?
You're doing a great job. Stick with it and use this site. It's an incredible resource. All good things to you.

[sammy77133]

thank you both for responding. I have been taking Epsom salt baths to help relax. I do have Xanax (from the dr.) & I went out & got imodium ,pepto, & gatoriad just incase. I honestly have no way of getting anymore pills from anybody, I deleted them before I was even done w/ my last dose. I have a young child who keeps me busy so that helps. right now its the morning of day 4 & I feel great (so far lol). thanks again & hope to hear from somebody soon! :)

[EvolverU]

Hey Sammy, Sounds like you're doing all the right things.
Do you take Xanax regularly or is it a detox 'comfort' med? I just wanted to give you a heads up that it's the hardest benzo to come off of. It can cause rebound anxiety, etc. I used benzos for a little over two mos. coming off of 20 years of Methadone and when I dropped them - (as I noticed tolerance building) - that's when the true sleepless hell began. So, since you've done such a great job with the taper it would truly be a shame to have to face what I did somewhere down the line! What are your thoughts on this?

[sammy77133]

I have been on Xanax for 6 yrs for anxiety/panic attack issues. i don't take more than i should of those (2 a day). i am 30 yrs old & just want to enjoy life. im so done with being on pills. at first it was just the best feeling to take a pill & feel "good" but then i was taking them to not get sick. i know that this is just the beginning & im doing what i can to help prepare myself mentally for what is to come. but i can honestly say i have no cravings for them at all. is that normal at this point?

[sammy77133]

I would also like to add that I started w/ the Xanax right after I lost my father (that brought on the panic/anxiety issues) I am prescribed 2 a day but sometimes don't even take 2. & I wanted to be rid of those also but then I lost my younger sister 3 months ago & then my mom 3 weeks ago, so that brought some added anxiety & stress. I will eventually get off of them too. but right now my main concern is staying focused on what im doing now. I am determined to be over my pill addiction once & for all. I am a strong willed person so I know that I can do this! & all of your comments really help. :)

[EvolverU]

Yeah, I didn't have cravings during the first stage (the 'acutes' -- I mean you have physical cravings, obviously..) but the devious stuff tends to come down the line in PAWS, That's when the real work begins: To live in our own skins, no matter the stressor without reaching for something. These kinds of cravings tend to come out of the clear blue and blindside us. I've really been experiencing this for the first time in just the past couple of weeks. (Got a lot of stress around me..ha!)

Anyway, it's can be quite intense and sustained but you've got to build a 'framework' around you to protect your hard-won gains. Positive steps might include: staying on the site and giving back, meetings, system of spiritual belief, Sober friends/family, journaling, staying 'witnessed' and reaching out when you're under stress and/or when you slip, healthy hobbies and passions.

[sammy77133]

what exactally is PAWS? I plan to stay on this site for as long as possible. I only have sober ppl around me, but none of them knew I was on anything. so being around them will help. I did start to make a journal on day 1. & I try my best to keep myself busy. im sure I have a long road ahead of me, & im willing to do what it takes to stay on the right path.

[EvolverU]

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome..It's what happens after you're over 'the hump' or 'acute' withdrawal. Depending on the drug, age, dosage, medical history and whether or not you've had other habits, PAWS, in the early stages usually includes: sweating, some tearing, heightened sensitivity to light & smell, heightened libido, sneezing and sleeplessness.

After these symptoms abate, PAWS is all 'mental/emotional' and that's the real trial for most people.

[sammy77133]

thank you for telling me, & thank you for replying back to me each time. I havnt had any other habits. I know that it probabally depends on the person, but about how long after do the paws kick in? today I actually felt great, I got out of the house for a little & had more strength & energy than I did. hopefully tonight is a good night. I havnt had rls yet.  & I thought that was odd. should I be expecting that to come? thanks again this really helps me..

[EvolverU]

If you're feeling great and your sleeping, then it's pretty likely that you've entered PAWS.

[VICourageous]

Hi You got some great advise from my Buds up above..From my 12 years on a way Higher dose  on the Methadone with a benzo and 1 other med, I feel you are going to be just fine..You where on only 10mg and not for long..I jumped the boat off of 3 meds and my done was down to 30mg..I am no young chic so it did take me into many stages..I would be more worried about the benzo..Do make sure if you want off of that one you do a nice and easy slow taper..I have been in w/d before from the other opiates but the benzo I am sure is what caused alot of different issues this time..You are like a walking miracle to me because you only took 10mg  for 2 years and never got so out of control with this med..Great Job on that part and my hats off to you!! You sound very positive and got your self set up..I know you will just ride this out in no time at all..Let us know when you decide to get off the benzo..Make sure you do talk to the DR about this one too..OK
Best of luck and I am proud of you..

[VICourageous]

OH and I am so sorry about your losses around the same time..My Prayers are out there for you!!! Just stick around here for support OK..
My the Lord be with you..

[sammy77133]

**Day 5, I woke up feeling pretty good again, but its still pretty early. but I feel like its gonna be a good day.** thank you for your post! when I did cut the methadone & took the smaller pieces almost right away I felt like my body was an ice cube, that lasted for about a week, same with the light stomach issues. so that was partly why I started the vicodin thinking it would help me w/ feeling run down & get my body temp up, but really I think they just made me more tired than I was. but I honestly have to say that I am VERY surprised that I didn't get super sick by now. but with the sleeping issues I feel like the methadone made me sleep soo much longer then I ever used to (I could sleep 10 hrs if possible!) and I have always been a light sleeper, so waking up early doesnt seem to bother me. now when I wake up I feel like my head is more clear then before. and when the time is right with the Xanax I will do it w/ my dr.s help.

[sammy77133]

so im back again, well I thought today was going to be a good day cause I felt good when I woke up & through out the early afternoon. but now im so sluggish. no energy at all. but mentally I feel ok. oh well this to shall pass...just staying positive no matter what!

[SmilingBright]

You are staying so positive!!!  That will get u far!!  You have gotten a lot of great advice from my buddies above.  

Your energy will come back.  That and the anxiety was the toughest part for me. I would make myself get up and do some sort of excercise to get my endorohins pumping.   That alway made me feel better.  Like I said.  I had to make myself.  Bc not a bone in my body wanted to get up.  But afterwards I always felt so much better!!  

You are doing it!!  Keep it up.  It's kinda like a roller coaster.  Up and down.  And all around. Lol. Enjoy your ups!!!   Dig your heels deep while you are on the downward slope bc it always goes back up.   You are doing great

Chris

[sammy77133]

I have been trying to do some exercises each day, I just don't want to anything but lay down, Is that making it worse? im going to stay as positive as I can because I am determined to get past all of this. im actually excited for this all to be over & live normal again. & I do know it will take some time. also I did get a lot of great advice from everybody!! and for that I am greatful & thankful that ppl took time out to read what I put & to respond to me!

[SmilingBright]

I hear ya on wanting to just lay down. I guesse listen to what ur body tells u to.  But for me I made myself do some sort of excercise bc it usually made me feel a lot better.  I didn't want to a lot of the times.  Lol. But I promise it gets wy better.   Your natural energy will come back!!!!

[SmilingBright]

Btw I'm
So sorry of all the losses in your family    Praying for you while you go through this!!!  God will help you through this!!!!  

[sammy77133]

thank you for that. just wanted to add that I did make myself get up & do some stuff around my house & I feel better. im so glad I joined this site!! everything everyone is saying to me helps get me through!

[SmilingBright]

Yay Sammy!!!  Way to go!!!   So glad.   It always helps me to get up and do something!!  Great job!!!!!!  Keep posting for support.  U have found an amazing forum w awesome caring people!!!  

Keep it up!!!!;)

[VICourageous]

Ya!! Good Job!! I too hit a slump during my detox stage where I was so weak and could not even walk from room to room..But like I said my issue was off Three meds for many years..We just do not realize how these meds wipe out the body and brain..They also played havoc on my nervous system to bounce back..Like Smiling said up & down & all around..I do really believe you are going to bonce back quicker for sure..The exercise thing is the Key!! I hear this all the time and it is so true..Getting out of the House now is helping with the Mental part..Keep it up..You will be another success story on here..
Bless

[sammy77133]

**day 6, so far so good, its a gloomy/rainy day so im not sure how the day is going to be, but again I feel good. was yawning for a bit there after I got up but the sneezing isn't that bad today.**  anyway, im going to try to keep myself busy all day, play some games with my daughter, & do some stuff around the house. I will post back with updates from my day..

[SmilingBright]

Day 6!!!!  Yay Sammy.   Awesome plan

Trying to force myself to get a wkout in!!  Have great day