Methadone Tapering Successfully

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 went to the clinic the less I wanted to be there....I might also add I only had weekly samples and pick ups with a level 6 carries. I worked my way down to 3 mg and when I was ready to drop to 2/1 I stopped the methadone. by this point I was forgetting to take it daily and would remember later in the day, sometimes not at all. I chose to make the jump with my dr. support as I was off on a 4 day weekend and felt if I was going to have any symptoms then it would be the best for me. I ended with my last does Wednesday night, and worked a 12 hour shift Thursday. Sleep evaded me the first night, but I picked up some Melatonin at my local pharmacy, along with other OTC meds for the "in case of" w/d. Pepto, Immodium, Gravol. and a sleep aid just in case. I have yet to use anything but the pepto and it seams to be working for me. My dr. gave me a script for Modanifil for the fatigue I expected to feel and it seams to help with the tiredness. So far I am on day 3 no nasty symptoms and I am doing very very well. I think that a lot of people make the jump to fast and too quick, but who am I to say anything, I live in Canada where the program is covered under govt health care and so I don't have to pay anything for the program just the meds at 6/day. I just wanted to share a positive experience and let people know that their is hope and help if done right! Good luck

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Thank you for posting this! I'm on month 3 of the methadone clinic, and know I have a long road ahead of me to work on the mental piece of my recovery, but having the physical piece taken care of is amazing. I've never felt this great and positive about my future. Feels like I'm on a pink cloud knowing I don't have to use! But I two have heard so many nightmare stories about coming off the clinic, which is what prevented me from getting on it so long ago. I am on a steady dose of 105mg, and I don't plan on starting to taper until myself and my counselor feel ready. I'm just so glad to read a success story, and know that it is possible. THANK YOU for sharing!!!

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I am tapering off methadone and am down to 30. Please help. I have gone from 70 to 40 and think I can get off in a matter of months! It's sad how doctors wont help. I live in Phoenix, AZ.

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Thank you so much for letting others know it is possible. Your message is exactly what I was looking for.
I hope yu have much time behind you now and are still doing well. Thanks !

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Thank you for sharing your positive experience, many times people only post about their bad experiences, and problems, so we don't have a chance to learn about those that have done well.

Unfortunately, Methadone is notoriously hard to taper off of, it is highly habit forming, and many people do require a lifetime maintenance dose of it, which is why there are hopes to eventually replace it with a substance like Suboxone/Subutex.

The FDA warns that these medications carry the risk of being habit forming, and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, and headache.

How are you all doing, now? How did it go?

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I was on 60mg for 2yrs IV tapered down to 1,1/2 very slowly, is it possible to just stop now? Or what should I expect? Thank you I'm 68 yrs old was originally prescribed for neck injury.

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I’m on 205 a day and I’m scared af! I’m already not at my optimum dose. I wake up sick every morning so they want me to keep going up and I refuse.

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