If you’re reading this, odds are you’ve already made a decision to come off of Methadone.

Having kicked 15 years of MMT...@250mg per day, 6 years ago, I would like to share my experience and some tips…that worked for me.

The process is difficult. It takes endurance. It takes work. It takes committment. It takes willingness. And that being said, once you've made that decision and follow through on it, I can tell you that what lies on the other side...being clean & sobriety...is well worthwhile any fight you might undergo.

Each individual will experience the following to varying degrees dependent upon your time on MMT, dosage, age, other pre-existing physical and emotional issues. Not everyone will experience each of these side effects. The WD symptoms & PAWS are a waiting game and you have to play it out to end.

[u]<center>THEY ARE HOWEVER, A NORMAL PART OF THE PROCESS…JUST NOT PLEASANT.</center></u>

[u]WITHDRAWAL & POST ACUTE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS</u>
Anxiety
Increase in blood pressure
Feeling that you're jumping out of your skin
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Sweating
Goosebumps
Leg & back/shoulder pain
Sleep deprivation
Dehyrdration
Depression
Lethargy
Rapid-fire sneezing
Runny eyes/nose
Unrelenting coughing

[u]
NON-ADDICTING COMFORT MEDICATIONS</u>
Clonodine: BP med (you'll need an RX). It both lowers your heightened BP as well as lowering anxiety. VERY effective
Antihistamine: For sneezing/runny nose/runny eyes
Kaoptectate: For diarrhea
Quinine: for leg spasms
Advil/Motrin for same & back aches
Valerinan Root/Melatonin: for sleep

[u]
HELPFUL HINTS</u>
Drink LOTS of water and/or Gatorade to replace lost electrolytes
Eat bananas to replace potassium...helps with muscle spasms
Eat small amounts frequently (non spicey)
Stay AWAY from caffine (including sodas with caffeine)
Take LOTS of hot showers/baths...until you're like a prune. It's emotionally soothing and helps with spasms in back/legs
Heating pad on lower back & on calves can help

The sleep deprivation is probably the longest lasting effects of Methadone WD. It's frustrating, it's anxiety producing and depressing...but you won't die from it.

Exercise...lightly in the beginning. You can start by walking. Build up your endorphin/serotonin levels. This will greatly aid with sleep, depression and energy.

Keep your goals VERY small to start. Just getting up and showering may tax your energy level. Make sure to eat and drink water.

And most importantly, remember THIS TOO SHALL PASS. DON'T QUIT BEFORE THE MIRACLE! G-D'S SPEED IN YOUR JOURNEY.


Arlene F.
Exodus from MMT; 12/25/02

Arlene,

Excellent post. Would you be willing to copy it and add it to the Faq's section under Detox Remedies?

Best,

Lisa

Thanks, sweetie. I just did. Love, Ar[:X][:X]

Arlene F.
EXODUS FROM MMT
NOW HAPPY, JOYOUS & FREE

Great excellent information for me i am making a note now.I do physical labor at work now so that will help me i see. Thanks so much I just learned again.

And for the deprssion part i will use the gratitude attitude i think that will help too.

I used this link, (before I found all of you wonderul souls here) for some help, information, and, this reading served as a "pep talk" for me of sorts. I found the information at this link, very valuable, and I think that other's researching their options will as well. Here it is, http://www.dpeg.org/treatment/methadone_withdrawal.htm
Sincerely, Jeff V.

How Can we keep this thread up here so all new people can see it? I think its great info.

Dear Arlene-Thank you so much for your constant encouragemet and reassurance. I live in terror of when the withdrawal will get worse, sheer terror--it wakes me up at night, sweating and in a panic. My blood level has dropped my then and I am usually in a lot of pain, etc. But I just jump on the computer and all the helpful things that you and others write, just calms me down, reassures me, and gets me motivated again, thinking I CAN do this.

Thank you so so much. Love, Dee

PS-How is your back doing? (while you are thinking about the welfare of others, you are amazing)

Dee

Did thry delete my post? Shmae on them if so?

Dee dear ~

I'm very glad you found this info helpful.

I understand and relate to sheer terror and panic. The terror of the unknown; physical and emotional.

What I found is that [u]anticipating </u> the worst...[u]created </u> terror & panic...and then back again. That too can become a vicious cycle...just like opioid use.

It's going to be okay, babe....just hang on. I know it sounds exceedingly simplistic...and I don't mean that way. Trust me, I understand. But also trust me when I say that THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Love, Ar


PS: My back is a literal pain in the ***. I walk around holding my right buttocks all day. That gets me some laughs from a few men. But oh well...it's my ***, so I guess I'm entitled to hold onto it. Thank you for caring. Love again, Ar




Arlene F.
EXODUS FROM MMT
Now Happy, Joyous & Free
"If I am not for myself, WHO will be? If I am only for myself, WHAT I am? And if not now, WHEN?"

What post are you referring to Larry? On this thread?


Arlene F.
EXODUS FROM MMT
Now Happy, Joyous & Free
"If I am not for myself, WHO will be? If I am only for myself, WHAT I am? And if not now, WHEN?"

Dear Arlene,

Thank you so much for your support. My father calls it "fortune-telling" and calls me on it all the time. (he has a list of 8 or 10 bad behaviors he cut out from a self-help book and taped on his desk).

I am so glad you are managing a sense of humor despite the back problems. Your description made me howl. You sounded like my mom-she had the same sense of humor.

Love, Dee

PS--What the heck does Larry mean by shmae? Is that Yiddish?

Dee

Noooo....I think he just mistyped "shame".

I think you mean [u]The Shema</u>.

The Shema is the central prayer in Judaism. Shema Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad. Translated it means, [u]Listen</u>, Israel, G-d is our Lord, G-d is One.


Arlene F.
EXODUS FROM MMT
Now Happy, Joyous & Free
"If I am not for myself, WHO will be? If I am only for myself, WHAT I am? And if not now, WHEN?"

Arlene:
I had written a post of what I am finding to work and had searched through my MEMBER Page as I thought it was one of my most recent post .It was to my experience as to what has worked, but It could be in another thread also.

I have been busy with personal matters so It might be another place I posted.

No big deal.Yes,I did mean shame and they!

Regards!

It takes a lot of heated debate...or direct insults...for a post to be deleted.

Am sure you'll find it...somewhere. I have often gone to look for one of my own posts and couldn't find it. I just chalk it up to a senior moment![] Ar



Arlene F.
EXODUS FROM MMT
Now Happy, Joyous & Free
"If I am not for myself, WHO will be? If I am only for myself, WHAT I am? And if not now, WHEN?"