Methadone - Withdrawal/I switched from Methadone to another med

[Guest guest]

I switched from Methadone to another med.

Speaking only from my own personal experience, Methadone was very messy for me

to get off of. I had night sweats, and nightmares, and insomnia. I was very

physically uncomfortable. But, it was not impossible. And, for sure the

doctors could have done a better job of taking me off the methadone.

In hindsight, I suppose the doctors could have warned me what I would go

through. I would have found that helpful. Because each new symptom was

frightening and since they didn't explain what was going on, it was all so

sudden and overwhelming.

I am now on Opana ER. I like the Opana ER so much more. No more side effects

or break through pain on the Opana ER. The ER, extended release, and truly

lasts the full 12 hours!

Historically, Methadone was the 1st drug the doctors 'were willing to give me'

that was able to relieve my pain, and then over time my body couldn't tolerate

the drug. After a little over 3 years the methadone was causing bloating, and

severe dry mouth, which in turn was causing severe GI issues, which was in turn

causing health issues. After all, you are what you eat.

Jade

>Mick wrote:

>I have been trying to get moved FROM methadone for the past YEAR. I am told it

is VERY DIFFICULT because of the life of methadone in our system. Do you know

HOW he switched her (instantly) and have there been any complications)?

[Guest guest]

Hi guys,

I came off methadone and it was the hardest thing I have ever done. That

was about 12 years ago when I was 25 years younger. All kidding aside, I

was much stronger than I am now.

At the time the only pain drug I was on

was methadone. I wanted to stop the meds to see if I could survive

without opiate pain relief. I was only on about 15 mg of methadone.

Anyway I was sick like a very bad flu for 6 weeks! It was truly a

horrible experience. By the end of the 6 weeks I was so skinny that none

of my clothes fit. I had lost a lot of muscle, and I had an all over

weak feeling. I was in a lot of pain and my period of not taking any

meds lasted about 2 months. I just could not live with that pain. SO I

went back on opiates. It was all very depressing.

For the first few

weeks after stopping the methadone I had arrhythmias that were very

scary and my doctor was very worried too. As soon as I described the

symptoms he ordered and immediate ECG. The arrhythmias slowly declined

and finally stopped but I would not want to experience that again.

Apparently when the doctors say that methadone is hard to get off of

they are perhaps more correct than they realize. I was told that if I

had taken a year to taper off, all of that would not have happened, but

I would not want to put that to the test.

in Alabama

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> " Apparently when the doctors say that methadone is hard to get off of

> they are perhaps more correct than they realize. I was told that if I

> had taken a year to taper off, all of that would not have happened, but

> I would not want to put that to the test. "

, I had a similar experience. After my second back surgery I decided to go

off methadone, so I called the doctor at the pain clinic and asked what I should

do, and he said " just stop taking them " . I ended up in the emergency room. And

of course, once there, I was treated like a drug addict in withdrawal. I was

taken in at 6 AM and didn't see a doctor until after 6 PM. They stuck me on a

gurney in the hall where I tossed and moaned and called for help and generally

acted like a real baby, but I simply couldn't help it. I kept asking for a shot

or something, but the nurses just said " the doctor has to see you first. We

don't know what's wrong. " Well, if they didn't know what was wrong and I was in

such obvious distress, why did it take so long to see a doctor? I asked for a

bedpan, didn't get one, soiled myself and was treated as if it was all my own

fault. Now, if you ask those who know me, they will tell you I am no chicken

about pain and sickness, but you wouldn't have known it to see me there. When I

finally did see a doctor, he spent less than five minutes with me, finally

ordered a shot, and told me to see the pain doctor for withdrawal medicine.

Instead, I went to see my family doctor and he started me on withdrawal meds,

which I took for about six months (they worked just fine).

To add insult to injury, when I got dressed to go home (in a paper hospital gown

because my clothes were soiled) someone had taken my brand new shoes and they

could never find them. Phooey.

If you are stopping narcotics or even just slowing down, PLEASE see someone you

trust to help you through! - in New Mexico

[Guest guest]

, I am sorry to hear about your experience. I worked as a mental health

therapist at a methadone clinic. i learned that methadone MUST be tritrated up

and down slowly. The does change are very slow. Sudden withdrawal is the most

severe. I was relucant to start methadone before I got on Medicare. I worried

that if my hubby lost hos insurnce coverage I would be unable to get my meds. I

happened 1 before. I suffered such pain and severe depression to the degree

that my therapist wanted to hospitalize me.

You should not feel bad about taking meds for your pain. Opiates have been used

to treat pain for centuries.

If it provides some improvement in your daily functioning that is what is

important.

Hope you are doing ok. Hugs, Tami B in Pa

wrote>

> Apparently when the doctors say that methadone is hard to get off of

> they are perhaps more correct than they realize. I was told that if I

> had taken a year to taper off, all of that would not have happened, but

> I would not want to put that to the test.

>