How long do methadone withdrawal symptoms last?

jaimee · Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

consider your husband lucky,for being able to sleep. I have been on methadone for a year. Just got tappered down on this 28 day detox they do. they said I would feel mild withdrawl,but it would be tolerable."yeah right!my ass. I have not been able to sleep in a week not even for 10 min. its making me crazy. I look worse now then I did on drugs.I got on methadone to help my pill problem. that was the worse mistake I ever made. I have done detox programs before like,dr.hayes program and Mercy medical inpatient for 3 days. non of this made it any better,thats why I got on methadone. I did not want to stay on it forever like most of the other people that went to the same program as I.Some of them have been on it for 10 yrs and will never get off. When I went through withdrawl from pills, it was no where nere as bad as withdrawing from this methadone.Just make sure you are there for your husband, and make sure you dont let him out of your sight.It is just so easy to make all this pain go away buy just poppin something in your mouth then you think you feel all better.like I said though be thankful that he is able to keep his eyes closed even for 10 min. 'cause I sure cant. wish him the best it is not easy but he can get through it. I just hope I can.'cause im not handling this very well at all.I was told the worst would be over in about 3 -7 days,bull crap.the worst is yet to come,then you have to deal with night dreams about your old habbits which make you wake up every morning craving and non stop thinking about your old habits.HES gonna have anxiety so bad its gonna be so hard to brain wash himself into thinking he dont need it any more. If he cant get through it, and you think hes gonna have a relapse, try looking into this stuff called medetox, hope thats how you spell it. I would do this myself but I have absolutly not 1 dollar to my name. the program I was on was $90 a week. which took my savings, and i let one of my friends take my job becouse they wouldnt let me take off more than a day,and I new this withdrawel would take more than that.Im only 24 yrs old I had every thing going for me and i screwed it all up for a buzz and temp releif from stress and deppresion and pain in my legs and feet from standing on a concrete floor 14 hrs a day 6 days a week. Dont let him end up like me. do what you can please

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[quote="l8trnitz"]I was in a pain management program for nearly eight years before I left the medical provider. Because of the half life of the medication and the length of usage, I also suffered the same misery many methadone patients suffer with withdrawals. vomiting, shakes,convulsions, cold sweats as well as the loose bowells and pain from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. In the third week of this earth based purgatory, I sought out a pain clinic to seek out a possible solution to my hellish condition. After all of the agony that I had invested in a cold turkey withdrawal I wasn't about to loose that investment of pain that I had deposited in the Bank of methadone withdrawl. The doctor completely evaluated my specific physical anomoly, a deformed ankle and lower left leg caused by a commuted compound fracture of the tibia and fibula, later followed by necrosis of the outer third of the calf musscle. As I participated in compettive sports over the years such as simi pro baseball, skiing, and speed skating I developed a severe case of osteo arthritis. This caused intense pain at many times daily. That is how my introduction to methadone began. That was the first and most serious error in my judgment.
As I said in the beggining, Iwent through hell for about three and a half weeks until the Doctor at the pain management center I sough out prescribed the Chlonodine Patch. Still unable to sleep she prescribed a new sleeping aide called Lunesta. My episodes of hard withdrawls began to subside to a tollerable level within twenty four hours. The time it took for the trans-dermal patch to become fully active. My last methadone was on August 29,2006. Sooooo-that means it's been thirty eight days without methadone. The vomiting now gone I can begin to build up my body with good nutrition, some exercise-when tolerated.Though I still have bouts of weakness, it doesn't compare to the violent systemic reaction from the first three weeks of withdrawal. Additionally, and most important is the support of my family.I build confidence daily feeding off the support of my family. Also, I sought out the power of an outside source-God as I percieve Him- to empower me to continue on to the road to get my life back. Don't be mis-informed-IT'S DIFFICULT-GET MEDICAL HELP.WITH IT, WITHDRAWALS ARE TOLLERABLE. DON'T LET YOUR INVESTMENT OF AGONY GO FOR NAUGHT! HANG IN THERE-IT WONT LAST FOREVER-SEE A PAIN DOCTOR FOR NON OPIATE MEDS THAT WILL HELP. I have been through the valley of the shadoW of methadone and without a doubt I can ASSURE you there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. I CAN WITHOUT A DOUBT,ASSURE YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE THAT,YOU, HE, OR SHE CAN DO IT! DIG IN YOUR HEELS AND GO FOR IT. Good Luck[/quote]

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HI

, My name is Carmilla methadone withdrawal really to me last the rest of your life. I've been going through it for about 5yrs. now. I believe it is the worst thing I 've been through in my life. The best information I can offer is keep with it know matter what. Recently I went trough treatments for HepC as soon as the pain started I started using again. I think it was the biggest mistake of my life. The first time I stopped using methadone I still thought about it all the time because I never felt like the old me. "I guess I used the treatment as away to use again." I never slept right, my eating habits were really bad because I never had an appite. Will power is what it takes. I believe you need a great support system. Not to mention I know it hard to do but also find a great doctor that's going to understand you as an individual. Each person has there own symptoms. I hope some of this info. helps you and I f you find out any help info. could you pass it along.

Sincerly,
Carmilla

HyperSync · Newbie Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

No one seems to be talking about the positive things. I've been on Methadone for almost 3 years, I was at 150 mg. As of Jan 9th I dropped 20% till it was gone. Now, I’ve tried this a year ago and failed. Went through 3 weeks and 2 days of hell. This time I tried a very different approach.

January, 14th was my last dose. Of course the first 3 days seem to be tolerable. By the 5th day I was ready to go back to the clinic. On that day I got on this website and read a lot about what and why I was going through this. I think it was a quote by "ifeelyourpain" that helped the most. Why should I waist this banked "Pain Time"

It's now day 14, I'm sleeping 8 hours a night, eating fine with just a little nausea, my feet "tickle" a little, but I feel great. Not 100% yet, But Damn Close.

Here is how I got to day 14:
1. Before I even started lowering my dose I started taking a prescription of Requip. This is for restless legs syndrome. My doctor said that it should help me sleep, so I may not need any sleeping pills.
2. Then came day 5, my legs seemed fine but the sleep switch was imposable to turn on. Called my doctor and she said to start going up on the dose of requip. I argued, but she was worried about giving an addict any sleeping pills. She told me to give it 3 days. I got Very pissed. I've been through this before and I know I'm not going to sleep. So, I had my very supportive wife buy Season 6 - 8 Of Stargate SG1. I figured if I wasn't going to sleep, I better make the best of it.
3. Three days after that, Of Course I didn’t sleep, I did get caught up on Stargate. I called my doctor again and she prescribed Lunesta... That night and ever since that night I slept like a baby. Even had some good dreams.
Some other things I have been doing that may or may not make a difference are as follows:
a. Vitamins
b. Cut way down on caffeine
c. Drinking lots of water
d. Exercise, however I did over do it a few days ago. Methadone masks the pain from ripping your muscles with exercise. Without Methadone, the day after a workout can be painful.
That's about it, I defiantly DO NOT crave Methadone, Or Pills. For 3 Years my life has been muted, and I love the fact that I've been given a second chance. Thank you for the posts from Jamie and ifeelyourpain. I guess from this point in this post I'll ramble about the good things of being free of Methadone, THAT I HAD COMPLETLY FORGOT ABOUT:

Remember Sex? Oh My God!! Methadone pushes the pause button on that.
Music, I haven’t cared to listen to music for years, it’s like a whole new thing.
The taste of food, Filet Mignon, Cheesecake, Rice Crispi’s. Sounds stupid but its true. (Yes, I feel a little nauseous after I eat but it's worth it.)
I have the advantage of living in Orlando, so I would have to include the feeling of blue skies on a bright sunny day (I sound like a girl but its true) I’ve forgotten what it was like to live...
....Not just exist

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I'm 44 year old woman who has been on Methadone for almost 8 years. It started out for pain but the clinic in CT closed down I was given heroin for help with the withdrawl. Stupid??? YES!!!!!! but nobody would help me. Then I got in to a methadone clinic and have been in one since.However, I also just moved and had to be guest dosing at the new clinic. There have been problems as far as how long I could "guest" dose. With numerous mistakes from my old clinic and new I had to go without for a week. It's hell but I can't see going back on it if I'm already a week through the withdrawl. Anyone have any suggestions or opinions? I wish you all good health Janet

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milla1182 · Newbie Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

Hello. My name is also Carmilla. I've also been dealing with herion/methadone addiction for the last 5yrs. I had HepC but cleared the
virus last yr. I was on treatment for 48 weeks and cleared the virus,but it was the hardest thing I had to do in my life besides coming off methadone.
I made it through the clinic the first time and completed with not to many problems, but then when I started treatment for the Hep I stated self medicating because I was in pain and even though I knew what it wa going to do I just want to feel better. Then it started the hole cycle all over again. I was depressed because I got the Hep after getting a tattoo. My father was really mad about the tattoo and only if I would have listened, I was depressed I was young and had to kids I felt like it eas a death sentence so I started using. I know now my screw ups know and I just human all people mess up and I intend to fix it . The best advice to that I have is never give up. Hey and you know that old saying change your people place and things . Well it worked for me just a suggestion until you feel you have the well to say no.

Sincerly,
Carmilla Hurrtman

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I WAS ON 190mg FOR 2 YEARS AND ENDED UP IN THE COUNTY JAIL. THEY DID NOT MAINTAIN METHADONE. THEY BRAUGHT ME DOWN 10mg A DAY FOR 7 DAYS THEN STRAIGHT TO "0". I CAN HONESTLY SAY I HAVE NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE. I KICKED HARD AND DIDNT SLEEP FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I MEAN MAYBE A HOUR HERE AND THERE WICH MADE DOING TIME, LIKE DOING TIME TWICE. MY BODY JUMPED FOR AT LEAST 14 DAYS. I NEVER SLEPT MORE THAN A FEW HOUR FROM EXAUSTION FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. MY SLEEP PATTERN HAS BEEN FUCKED EVER SINCE. THIS WAS THE WORST EXPIRIENCE OF MY LIFE. I SERVED MY TIME AND PICKED UP AGAIN FOR A YEAR AND THEN BACK TO METHADONE. IM STILL AT 195, AND SWEAR THAT NOTHING SHORT OF MURDER WOULD MAKE ME KICK AGAIN. METHADONE CAN SAVE PEOPLES LIVES IF APPLIED RIGHT, BUT THE MENTAL, AND PHYSICAL TORTURE OF WITHDRAWAL IS A TOTAL MIND, AND BODY f***.

How long do methadone withdrawal symptoms last?

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