Methadone Taper

My husband and I were addicted to opiates for several years. We started on Methadone maintenance about a year ago and it has worked wonderfully. We are now ready to move on with our lives. We knew from the beginning that we were not going to be on Methadone for the rest of our lives. We are ready for traveling, babies, and life without methadone. My husband turned down an awesome job out of state to taper down correctly instead of quitting cold turkey, as the state the job was in had no methadone clinics. We both spoke to our counselors to discuss tapering off methadone. My counselor was very supportive, but, my husbands counselor is horrible and said that "he needs to come to the realization that some people stay on methadone for the rest of their lives". My husband explained t...

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I was taking 69 mg methadone every morning at the clinic I've been going down 2 mg a week I'm at 8mg now till Friday am I gonna get sick or do OK with no withdrawls ## Hello, Jaymee! How are you? Methadone is notorious for causing bad withdrawals, even at very low doses, which is why many people treated with it end up on a lifetime maintenance dose of it and never truly become drug free. I can't say that you're going to have problems, but there is a definite chance that you still might. The FDA classifies this medication as a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation. Are they stopping you at the 8mg dose?

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On 60mg. of methadone. Want to due a taper of 5mg. per day til at 30mg. Stop for two days, Then start Suboxone 8mg per day for two weeks then discontinue. Does this sound doable? ## Hello, Jencruise1! How are you? That could be too rapid of a taper for the Methadone, according to the FDA, it is highly addictive and tends to cause severe cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, waiting 2 days to take the Suboxone could be too long or too short of a time period to start it. You need to be in full withdrawal, which for some people could be 12 hours, or it may take several days. Taking it too soon could cause you to go into precipitated withdrawals, which can be very dangerous and, if you go into severe withdrawals sooner, there'd be no point in waiting longer to take it. 2 weeks...

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Have been on methadone for 15yrs down to 40mg a day live in huntsville,AL area can't find a dr mine left I suffer with chronic pain from different health problems would like to come on off of it but very scared I just need to know how to taper on off as easy as possible I also have and rarely ever take opana,klonopin,neurotin will these help? And does anyone know of dr in this area who treat chronic pain.

my doctor told me today that he cant taper me off methadone because its against the law??wtf huh!! ## Are you seeing a general practitioner? If so, the real issue is that he can't continue to prescribe it, or handle tapering or anything for a chronic pain patient that requires ongoing treatment. Under the new laws, if you require long-term pain management, you will have to switch to a pain management specialist. A general practitioner can only prescribe such medications for a short period of time, such as right after someone has had surgery, or been in an accident. Learn more Methadone details here. Is it the only medication you're on?

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I've been going to the hell clinic (methadone) for a lil over 5 yrs. I had 6 take homes for most of that time. I told them i wanted to go down 2 mgs a day. They said i wanted to go down too fast & I'd be "unstable" so they took away ALL my take homes. I told them to start taking me down 5 a day then instead of 2 mgs. I only have 2 more days to go. I don't want to start old pill habits, but will taking Lortabs or small amounts of Morphine help with the withdrawals? I'm taking xanax (prescribed) & lots of vitamins & vit c. & of course Immodium. Just wanna know if taking small amounts of lortab &/or Morphine will help a lil with the withdrawals off Methadone? I've came down A LOT in the past cpl wks. Any advice is very appreciated. Thx! ## He...

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I am trying to help my father find a doctor in northern Kentucky, zip code 41016. He has been on methadone for twelve years for drug addiction. He is now trying to get off of the methadone because he can no longer afford the clinic he was going to. He is trying to find a doctor to help him get off methadone. Please, any help in any direction would be greatly appreciated. ## Hello, Lindsay! How are you? I'm sorry, but if he's been taking it for addiction treatment, or maintenance, then a clinic is his only option. Private doctors are not allowed to prescribe it for that, even if he's just wanting to taper off. I'm sorry, I wish I had better news for you, but I don't. This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, ...

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My Taper story- BG: I was severely addicted to pain pills and started taking methadone in a MMT Clinic in August of 2014. Before I knew it i went all the way up to 75mg of liquid daily. I became tired of being chained to the clinic having to do U/A's and counseling weekly. No one in my life knew of my addiction to pills or that I went to MMT clinic in the first place so I had to constantly lie to everyone where I was going to get my dose daily, it became to much. Not to mention how unhealthy and sickly I had started to look. I eventually made the decision to begin to slowly taper off before I knew I was even pregnant. I wanted to give some positive reassurance for any woman trying to do a successful taper off methadone while pregnant.. I did it at 28 weeks (last dose of-1mg-) and ha...

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Okay so I have been reading all kinds of horror stories about methadone tapering, which to be honest scared the crap out of me. I was at about 85 mg of methadone a day for a nasty opiate addiction. I worked with my counselor and other out patient treatment programs to working on the underlying causes of addiction. When I felt that I was stable enough emotionally and had no more desire to IV I started to taper, VERY VERY SLOWLY!!! I went down 1 mg a week. and from everything I have read that is a very long taper and slower taper. My doctor worked with me assessing all aspects of my life, not just the physical w/d. I would stop my taper for a week or two here and there when stress entered my life, just to give me time to catch up and see what to do and not stress my body more. The more I ...

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I am currently addicted to hydromorphine an I do them IV. I been reading and searching a safe way at home to detox. I tried staying in a medical detox but failed a few times recently. I have purchased methadone pills on the street. Because I am sick and tired of always being sick, either looking for ways, and means to get my fix daily and I sat back and seriously decided enough was enough. The time an energy spent getting and doing them is ridiculous as anyone with this addiction knows. I am really just wondering if anyone personally knows how to effectively taper with the pills at home because I do not want to end up in a position where I am gonna be more sick at the end of the taper cause that will defeat my whole purpose of doing this. Any help or advice will be gladly accepted and t...

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I was on Methadone for 6 years for back surgery, switched from Vicodin, Oxycodone, Duragesic patch, Oxycontin, tried it all, it ALL sucks, I am all healed up now so time to get off the Methadone, Hardest thing I have ever done! I went from 70-100mg a day now down to 1mg and change. Everyone I heard from said to TAPER! I guess it's been 4 months now, I still have to work and function (somewhat normal) But I hit a few brick walls, like at 30, then 10, then 5, but...you can go up a tad to feel better then come back down, just keep heading DOWN and you will get through it, no one has ever died from Methadone withdraw just remember that, I have no idea whats going to happen when i jump off in another week but it wont kill me :) ## I got trying to get off mdone . I went into my doctors of...

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I have pain and addiction to opiates. After being on 90 mg of methadone for about 5 years (and suboxone before that), the doctor i was seeing left the practice for better pay. I ended up with a nurse who decided I no longer needed the methadone and she sent me to a pain clinic to be taken off if. The new doctor seems to think 10 mg a week is safe to drop me. I'm down to 25 mg and feel like hell. Everyone says he's going too fast but no one will help either take me off them safely or talk to him. I need help and mm on the edge of going pack to other means for pain meds. ## I live in Burlington and I have to drive every Tuesday to a pain clinic who refuses to treat me for my pain and addition he only wants me off the Methadone he does not care about the effects it is having on me ...

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Hi I'm Jason. I'm currently on 50ml of liquid methadone for opiate addiction. I really want to detox off this poison. I've just moved 14 miles to West London in England UK, it's a great move as I was living in a room in Tottenham North London, which was a complete and utter s***hole, excuse my French. My mental health really went out the window and I abused drugs most days and nights, as I was surrounded by it in my flat. There was even a drug dealer and everyone I knew took these drugs, it was hell. Anyway I'm now after 4 years alone again in a beautiful 1 bedroom flat that's all mine. No one knows me. I don't touch drugs but I'm still on 50 ml of methadone. So I'm asking you guys what's the least dangerous way to cut down and get off this stuff,...

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It's a breath of fresh air to read when people get off of the methadone with ease, but I do hope I get a response. I am in the same boat as everyone. I'm 36 and up until I started MMT I was genetically TINY, never weighing over 110lbs. I have gained 85 lbs. 85!!! I went from being a pretty girl to having zero self esteem. I love fashion and have always looked my best. Although my face hasn't changed (too much) I look pregnant. I'm so unhappy about it. I'm fat and just cannot stand to look at myself. I workout and limit my sugar to 13 grams per day, yet nothing helps. My life should be at it's best right now. 2 years ago while our daughter Olivia was just 6 months old, she and I lost her father to an OD. I've remained clean, am a great mother and am currently in

I take 70 mg of Methadone daily for the past week and that've been tapering down from 100 mg. i go to the clinic daily by 8 am. Today at 6pm I took 5mg of Valium. Now after reading other peoples messages I'm worried! Was this a dumb idea or what?? Ideas and opinions are wanted.... ## Hi DomDarko! I never had a problem taking methadone with a benzo. I was on 110 of methadone 4 almost 5 years, and also took Klonopin the whole time with it. I'm now on suboxone and still take the Klonopin. Sometimes, my doctor would even prescribe Valium 4 break through anxiety and panick attacks. Hope this puts your mind at ease. Just take it as prescribed. ## @DomDarko, Some people may not have any problem using the two together, but based on my research, there are minor to moderate drug inter...

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I am on 165mgs a day. I take liquid. I am being told I need to taper bc I have been going there for almost 4 years. I am terrified. Mostly bc I have been sweating and feeling like s*** AGAIN. Chills and all. I feel like I am already in withdraw. I am scared. But at the same time: I gained literally one HUNDRED pounds since being on this junk. What should I do? I am terrified but I do want my body and mind back. I started this so I would stay normal. Not to lose myself and I definitely do not feel like ME. Please HELP! Is there anything I can do to feel better? To lose weight on this stuff? Will I lose the pounds when I do taper? ## Hello, Angel! How are you? I understand your concerns, but at some point, it is normal for them to want you to taper. They generally try to get people down t...

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I am from ND and in dire need of finding a doctor who can prescribe me Methadone. I have been battling drug abuse for 10+ years and have gone through many treatment facilities. I have done my research and want to move on with my life by getting on a Methadone program. PLEASE HELP! ## The problem with Methadone is that many people never truly get drug free, even after using the treatment programs. They often end up requirng a lifetime maintenance dose of it. You may be better of with Suboxone, which is fairly new, but has helped many people taper off of and completely beat their drug addiction. It contains the opiate Buprenoprhine. You can read about it here: To see if there is a doctor in your area that provides treatment with it, you can check out the website: Suboxone.com Click Here I...

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I take 160mg if methadone I am tapering from 190mg and I feel awful by end if the day. Is there any OTC meds that can make it last longer?? I heard grapefruit juice but had no luck ## Hello, Crowe! How are you? I am sorry about the problem that you're having. Have you consulted your doctor about it? Jumping down 30mgs might just be too big of a drop for your body to handle and you may need to go a little slower. However, Methadone is notoriously hard to get off of, so it is likely that may always experience some withdrawal effects. This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation. ## Dear Crowe, I was on 110mg of methadone and decided it was time 4 me 2 taper down. ...

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I've been a H addict for a long time and switched to methadone about 6 years ago. I have tapered myself down from 100 mg to 6 mg. I know when I'm going into withdrawal, I am physically addicted not mentally, and I don't think I'm going into withdrawal from this low dose. I know the half-life of methadone is 36 hours but its about 31 hours since my last dose, waiting on purpose, and I feel fine. ## Hello, Robbin! Are you still doing well? Methadone is a funny drug, while it does cause severe addiction itself in many people that take it, there seems to be a small subset of people that just have no issues with it and can walk away quite easily. Learn more Methadone details here. You do need to be very careful, but it's possible that you may not have any problems, at all...

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I have been clean from methadone for 3 weeks now, after 10 days I started feeling a lot better. Withdrawals were not too bad, just weak and no energy. I was on them for 3 years and tapered down to 4mg before I completely quit. I feel pretty good id say. But was wondering if i were to take my norco prescription, will i get sick all over again? How long should I wait? Or if i take a methadone will i get sick? ## If you start taking Norco they will probably not make you sick until you stop taking them. Why are you taking the Norco if you are feeling pretty good. The one thing you will find is that your tolerance will increase much faster then when you were taking methadone along with the feeling that you have to have them just to get your day started. Even if you stop taking a opiate and w...

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