Hello Mace21,
Hope you come back and let us know how it is going?
I too was on the Methadone for over 12 yrs and the short acting ones before this. Came clean in 2012. All these opiates change our Brain Chemistry which highly affects our body and the Nervous System. We also have Receptors in our Stomach, as we do in our brain and all over, so this is why one can get plugged up, as these receptors will get blocked, plugged or full, call it what you want. This is why we have to drink plenty of fluids with some fiber and eat tons of fiber foods.
I agree with the above about doing a slow Methadone taper, becasue if you go on the Subutex, you still will have to taper and feel a w/d from that one too.
I do have a ASAM National Practice Guideline Book for use of Medications in treatment of Addiction involving Opioid use and it does say that on the Short acting opiates you can go on the Subs after 12 to 18 hours but on the Methadone you must wait at least 24 to 48 hours before you can take a Sub..BUT I would Highly Recommend you just do a Methadone taper and a slow one at that.
It will take some time after you are off of these meds to Balance your system back, but you will and you will feel much better and keep your weight at bay. I wish you the best! Let us know what going on.
Bless
Vickie
Hello and welcome congrats on starting your taper.
I agree with soulscapex. You might as well just continue
Your taper with the methadone. How long have you been on methadone?
It is possible to reduce more than 1mg when you start. 5mgs. Week is very doable it is once you get to 30mgs that the taper needs to be slowed down to 1 to 2mgs a week. Many here have done it. You are at 70mgs which isn't that high of a dosage that is good.
Are you attending any counseling and/or substance abuse support meetings?
Please start to exercise, healthy eating, drink lots of water.
There is freedom from the chains and bondage of addiction.
Sending encouragement, support and prayers,
Keep the faith.
Debbie
There is no way around getting sick, at some point you will have to deal with the wds, unless you plan on staying on it for life. Around my area no sub doctor will take you , until your in full blown wds, from the methadone , i have read some places will take you once your down to 30 mgs, but methadone half life is long and its still in your system days after your last dose. In my opinion there is no way to avoid getting sick, everyone gets sick when coming off of it. Same thing with subs. Its really not as bad as some say ,I suggest just getting off of the M, i recently did it and believe me life is better, i started getting into lifting i hit the gym 5 days a week, the amount of energy you have once your free from it is amazing. Its not the methadone making you gain weight, its the sugar cravings, if your eating healthy there is no way for your body to gain weight. I also gained weight but it was from the lifestyle , which the drug made me lazy and a blob. Best wishes on finding your path from this disease.