If I have started on methadone in June at 30 mg /day and am now up to 110mg/day... what taper would be best? I was thinking of doing a 3-5 mg per day taper which would take about 2mos. I have been on methadone since this past JUNE, 2009... (about 8 mos.).
Thanks for your help-
I have to lose weight... I am starting to get high blood pressure, and other significant issues from weight gain on Methadone. My whole life (prior to drugs only for the last 2 yrs. I have been 110 lbs... never changed. UNTIL methadone.. I am 5 feet tall and petite. I am now 160 lbs. I am HUGE.. and cannot breathe, cannot move right, my B/P is high.. my physican is worried about me and now I have to get off asap. The methadone Dr. wants to taper me at 2 mg per week!!! NO WAY, that is a year or more.. I have NO TIME. I don't want to go thru withdrawl and found some folks who have gone thru that taper I suggested and are fine. Some were not. What do you consider a fast and safe taper for me?
Thanks again for your advice. I know its not in stone.. so please, just an opinion would be great so I can make a better decision.
Thanks for your help-
I have to lose weight... I am starting to get high blood pressure, and other significant issues from weight gain on Methadone. My whole life (prior to drugs only for the last 2 yrs. I have been 110 lbs... never changed. UNTIL methadone.. I am 5 feet tall and petite. I am now 160 lbs. I am HUGE.. and cannot breathe, cannot move right, my B/P is high.. my physican is worried about me and now I have to get off asap. The methadone Dr. wants to taper me at 2 mg per week!!! NO WAY, that is a year or more.. I have NO TIME. I don't want to go thru withdrawl and found some folks who have gone thru that taper I suggested and are fine. Some were not. What do you consider a fast and safe taper for me?
Thanks again for your advice. I know its not in stone.. so please, just an opinion would be great so I can make a better decision.
Trissy, you've actually answered your own questions. It's not written in stone and everyone is VERY different, but 3-5 mg/day is waaay, waaay too fast. You are going to be sick in no time. You simply can't go that fast and expect to be ok. Now 2mg per week is much more realistic. I realize that's going to take a long time but-- you have to consider what you are doing and how important it really is. If you are not successful, what happens? You either go back to using or you UP your dosage. You say you have no time, but you had better find the time, because believe me Trissy, it will find you.
ARE YOU STILL ON METHADONE?? I READ YOUR PROBLEM ON STEADY HEALTH..LET ME KNOW
On a hot day that you drink lots of water and sweat a lot, will you lose your dosage of methadone to the point of withdrawal?