dopetalk

Core Topics => Opiates & Opioids => Drugs => Methadone and Buprenorphine Maintenance => Topic started by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on August 28, 2015, 02:58:19 AM

Title: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on August 28, 2015, 02:58:19 AM
You can read some of my posts in the scene threads and some in the seed threads.

Basically I've reached the end of use,I'm a chronic pain patient and I'm in severe pain daily.

I was poisoned by a drug called reglan in 2012 taking this med for gastroparesis

It basically damaged my CNS, leaving me with intractable central pain of the nervous system

I've used heroin, every single pharmaceutical opiate or opiod, and I mean every single one from fent to tramadol. Not one available in USA I have not used extensively.

I've used bth and Ecp too, Drugs I've done them all IV.

I used to be a nurse and had access to many many drugs and also I was in a liberal pain clinic in FL, before the pain epidemic caused the shit to hit the fan.

Well after ruining my life and then regaining it, I'm on the way to recovery

I've got a long way to go and a lot of hard work to follow... But I will get there!

This will be my log of the daily experience


Today I inducted on MMT, 40mg at 830am

I'm going to post everyday here so people can hopefully watch a success story

I'm not a fool and I know I will have troubles but I'm holding out on the notion that with all of you support and my ability to be honest here

I will make this work. It will be a daily log and a daily experience

Today I've felt good, the methadone helps tremendously with my pain and it will eventually help craving too. 
I'm going to work the system to my advantage to be a good husband and a proper member of society


Take care and I hope to inspire anyone else to see the benefits of MMT.

Please take the time to read the scene threads and the seed threads to get a better idea of ME: who I am.
I'll post more later.. Back to work!

OOAO
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Z on August 28, 2015, 03:11:08 AM
Congrats man.  I hope it goes well for you. 

I usually tell people that methadone is what you make it.  The only thing determining the success or failure is you.  Work hard at it.  Set rules for yourself and follow them from day one. 

Methadone gives you a helping hand, and makes it easier, but you still have to put in the work and time to get clean.  There is no avoiding it really.

That said, good luck man.  Get out there and kick some butt.  You can do this man, and we are right here beside you.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Opus on August 28, 2015, 03:47:14 AM
After 3 years at the klinik I'm at now (maybe a year or so fucking around with "detoxes" and then finally getting on MMT for the last 2yrs; and this being my 3rd experience with MD kliniks since the very early 90s), I've started to drop. I want back on suboxone (and then probably OFF, but first things first), I'm beyond over this routine, even tho my klinik is pretty rad as far as MD kliniks go, which is a huge reason why I'm still going there. Anyway:

I HIGHLY recommend that you think very carefully about raises. I'm realizing that I've been over-medicated for a long time, and they (the kliniks) will generally give people raises quite freely without much inquiry, but I think it's important to remember: what goes up, must come down; and with MD, coming down can SUCK and it can take quite awhile. It's kind of a drag to make a solid decision that you want to make some serious life changes, but to then face the fact that it could take many months and a ton of discomfort to taper off even a "moderate" dose of MD.

This stuff is no joke and it's not oxy, it's really powerful shit and it may take you awhile to fully realize just how your body will react to it - like much longer to have these realizations than it does to develop a full-blown jones to the shit (about 45 days IME).

It's really easy to take raises in stride and chase a nod on this shit. My advice is to be really honest with yourself about just how much you NEED, and to try and keep your dose as low as possible. It may seem like a gift from your savior at this point, but 5 years from now & long after the novelty has worn off, it might not seem like such a blessing.

FWIW, this last stint I did on MD probably saved me from some *really* bad physical problems, but it's also been causing some bad physical problems. The latter problems aren't permanent and since I've started dropping, they're seemingly getting better; unlike the former probably were, but this shit is truly no joke. I sincerely advise anyone getting on this stuff to listen to the heads who have been on it awhile, and to take this drug really fucking seriously. It's not dope, not even close..
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: nick on August 28, 2015, 04:20:21 AM
"Opus" is totally right. MMT is not to be underestimated,BUT after reading some of your posts I believe it's a viable option for you.

In terms of dosage,it's best to pay no attention to the numbers,go up till you find a dose that you're comfortable on,BUT don't look for a high that isn't there.

Much luck with it. 
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Lolleedee on August 28, 2015, 08:52:00 AM
Goof luck with MMT.  It has changed my life only for the better.  I definitely agree with Opus and Nick...don't chase the glow!!!!  It doesn't last but a few days and will leave you with nothing but a bigger tolerance!

That said, I don't necessarily agree with keeping doses low.  I understand that what goes up must come down but the reality I have come to realize is that most (though of course not all) who end up on methadone wind up staying on it long term.  I think if you are going to benefit from being on MMT then you need to be on a high enough dose to stop all withdrawal and squelch the cravings.  If your dose isn't high enough to accomplish this, then why bother.  If you are going to do it then you should be high enough to be comfortable (notice I said comfortable...not high!  big difference here!)

Also, I am also a cpp...I have had a failed spinal fusion and I also have RA.  The methadone has helped with my cravings and opioid abuse, but it does NOT help the pain.  When I have very bad flares, I still need opioids and I still have to do other pain interventions( otc painkillers, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, massage, ice etc).  Methadone used for pain has to be taken every 4-6 hours.  The once a day dosing is not going to address all of your pain isues...though you might notice pain reduction for a few hours after you dose.

Good luck with your treatment.  It has been a lifesaver for me.  This is my second time around onMMT.  I have been on it this time for almost three years.  I know Opus has had a lot of side effects but I have been lucky and haven't had any. I hope you find the peace and stability that I have found.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Chip on August 28, 2015, 09:29:54 AM
chasing a glow is BAD ! it's fucked me up more times than i can remember.

just find the right dose and if you have too many side effects, taper down a little bit at a time - say 10% and you shouldn't feel too much discomfort.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on August 28, 2015, 10:42:33 AM
Goof luck with MMT.  It has changed my life only for the better.  I definitely agree with Opus and Nick...don't chase the glow!!!!  It doesn't last but a few days and will leave you with nothing but a bigger tolerance!

That said, I don't necessarily agree with keeping doses low.  I understand that what goes up must come down but the reality I have come to realize is that most (though of course not all) who end up on methadone wind up staying on it long term.  I think if you are going to benefit from being on MMT then you need to be on a high enough dose to stop all withdrawal and squelch the cravings.  If your dose isn't high enough to accomplish this, then why bother.  If you are going to do it then you should be high enough to be comfortable (notice I said comfortable...not high!  big difference here!)

Also, I am also a cpp...I have had a failed spinal fusion and I also have RA.  The methadone has helped with my cravings and opioid abuse, but it does NOT help the pain.  When I have very bad flares, I still need opioids and I still have to do other pain interventions( otc painkillers, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, massage, ice etc).  Methadone used for pain has to be taken every 4-6 hours.  The once a day dosing is not going to address all of your pain isues...though you might notice pain reduction for a few hours after you dose.

Good luck with your treatment.  It has been a lifesaver for me.  This is my second time around onMMT.  I have been on it this time for almost three years.  I know Opus has had a lot of side effects but I have been lucky and haven't had any. I hope you find the peace and stability that I have found.


The pain killing effects lasted 10-11hours for me today and the reduction in pain for my entire work day allowed me to come home and handle the residual pain levels afterwards with a much better better mental ability

It's been a good day thus far I'm looking to continue the dose at 40mg

I REALLY appreciate all the replies and all the support!


Thanks again

OOAO
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: nick on August 28, 2015, 11:34:48 AM
Good stuff and when you get take homes you'll have the freedom to dose for pain as opposed to the once daily for addiction.

After saying that,if you're doing well and stable,no need to mess with that,but it will be an option.

MMT's what people make it.     
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Lolleedee on August 28, 2015, 02:19:06 PM
Great to hear you had a successful first day!  Wishing continued success and sending good vibes your way! ;)
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Chip on August 28, 2015, 02:31:18 PM
... and for the next couple of days, your dose will accumulate so expect to feel better.

after that, it's about stability ... so give your dose a chance before you think that an increase is required.

it takes a week for you to adjust to a downward dose - she's a slippery thing, Methadone is.

... and it's hard to be patient but if you are, you will ultimately feel "normal".

Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on August 30, 2015, 04:25:42 AM
I messed up and missed the dosing window for my Saturday and my Sunday take home

Long story short the website and phone system says they are open until 10am on Saturday
I showed up at 9:15 to be told they only dose patients until 9am

I was fairly upset but rules are rules so it's my fault not knowing the rightful times; it's my issue

So I mixed up 1.75 lbs of seed tea and drank 75% of the tea myself; wifey had the other 25%

And tbh I'm high on morphine; I'm surprised but the new UK origin SN Brand seeds are quite potent!

I'm returning immediately to the clinic on Monday AM; for my scheduled 40mg dose, which I like this far and seems to hold pain at bay for about 10hours and the rest of the day seems to help to some degree, it definitely has helped my craving for pain medicine or H, and it seems to be a good option if I can make the most of it.

It's so new that I'm still in the "discovery" phase of this; so I'm not jumping to conclusions that this will help out

I'm looking for a long term solution to needing massive amounts of opiates and this seems to be the option that is most reliable for now.

Keep my job and stability is the key to that so I'm having "high" hopes. ;)

OOAO
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Griffin on August 31, 2015, 12:57:49 PM
Good luck with it all and like Z said it is what you make it and if you are determined to stay clean than you can do it. It won't be easy but I haven't used in almost 2 years sense starting methadone. I hope your story is one of great success and that you don't have any major side effects from it. Please keep us updated on how everything goes for you. I would personally like to know what your clinic is like and what state it is in. I like to hear clinic stories and I feel very lucky that I found a clinic whose staff is very nice and understanding. They are also very helpful but still have to go by all the regulations which there are a ton of. So if you have any extra time please inform us about your thoughts on your clinic. What rules they have in place, how take-outs are earned and the time it takes to get them, if your allowed to use weed or benzos and just what you thought it would be like compared to what it is really like. I also like hearing about the people there and how you like it or don't like it overall.



Griffin
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on September 02, 2015, 07:45:29 AM
Started again on methadone 40mg Monday, second dose today was also 40mg

It seems to help with my anxiety and my nerve pain better then oxy or dilaudid has before.

My clinic is fairly chill they follow the rules but it's also a nice place that seems to treat us (users) with respect
They have not seemed rude to anyone or me directly at all so far and also have no pushed for me to go up in dose

They do charge you even if you miss dose, so I lost the two days worth of funds I'd paid for my week oh well my fault for missing the dose

Also they know I'm really a pain patient and seem to want to control my pain more then "treat addiction"
As the doctor speaks to me about "getting pain under control"

They also wanted to drug test me Monday but I had just gone to the bathroom so they simply said "tomorrow then" and then never said anything about it today so that was cool, how relaxed they are about it, I'm clean though so I guess it doesn't matter, first time in ten years that I'd piss clean from everything even pot
I also told them I have benzo scripts but I wouldn't fill them even before I got on methadone
Call me crazy but the 2mg clonazepam makes my panic disorder worse then anything
It used to work but years later it does more harm then good
So my four refills have sat unused since February of this year

Use to be id fill them and eat them all in a week, guess I'm truly over that part of my life
I just don't have any interest

The other nice thing is that the office is a really quite nice place with coffee a nice waiting room that allows you to dose in a private room within 10mins of arrival or less

I also called the day before I inducted and had no waiting period at all, I've heard some clinics takes months to become a patient at, that blows my mind how that would help anyone if you had to wait months!

It seems to be working so far, I get a bit tired at night but it could also be the full work weeks, walking the dog and taking care of my house so I'd rather feel slight fatigue then be in pain

I used to wake up every morning wishing to die feeling so much nervous pain that my hands felt like they were crushed and my legs would rls so bad id void like three times each morning , as well as gastroparesis pain

Now I wake up a little groggy but still very low pain scale
Id say it used to be a 7-8-9 every Am
Now it's 2-3-4

I also sleep soundly and it's strange as I've read the analgesic effect should only last 8-12 hours max but for me it's lastly all day

I guess the activation of the NMDA receptors is helping my nervous system calm down which may just allow my body to handle the residual pain levels after the methadones pain killing effect has worn off, after I get weekly take homes I'm going to split my dose half morning half evening and see if that is even better.

So far it's been working well
Still a lot of ways to go and I'm hoping this turns out to be a God send
I think I caught myself early enough that I may have a chance to repair my life and make a good living
A few more months of pain management and I'd lost this job either being high or being in withdrawal so now this seems to be a good thing for me

I'll keep this log going and I'd like other to share their experience as well, this can be the "my clinic today" log for D&U

OOAO
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Riddick on September 02, 2015, 07:59:45 AM
I like the idea of you keeping a log. Other people can look at it for reference, and if you do well, draw inspiration from it.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Chip on September 02, 2015, 02:18:41 PM
i remember that when i started to use Methadone and noticed how well it worked to promote sleep.

it only works now with raised doses and at high doses, it can keep me awake like Heroin did.

best if you stay stable and adjust to the dose.

at some point in my life it became my DOC, which was a bad idea.

it works best as a therapy.

Duh !
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on September 08, 2015, 08:58:36 PM
So I've been maintaining for about two weeks at 40mg
It seems to keep my pain at bay and helps with my emotional stability

I'd assume it's the low dose but I haven't had any side effects as of now

One thing I notice is at the clinic the other members seem ashamed to be here
They all look at the floor and don't want to admit why they are here, Everyone knows though because we are all here for the same reasons, maybe it because I show up in a dress shirt and tie everyday but they seem to get nervous when I'm here, I'm a open nice guy so they will learn I'm not judging anyone, I've been in street clothes homeless so I'm sure I've been worse then most here, it's just an example of how far you can come

I don't plan on coming off the methadone until I can get an intracathral pain pump which will be a while so I'm trying to keep my dose low

I definitely wake up in less pain and it helps my mood too, so far it's been good... If your not in control and shooting opiates I'd recommend this treatment I've suboxone but sun has its benefits too so either is better then losing you life down the drain , and that happens to everyone who uses so it's just a matter of time and it's better to catch yourself before you fall to far down the rabbit hole.

Hope everyone is doing okay today, certainly don't be sick that is the worst for your life, imo anyways

OOAO
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Diacetylmorphinefiend on September 09, 2015, 12:37:27 AM
Glad it's going well for you! 40mg is a really low dose as far as maintenance goes. That dose shouldn't block other opiates either in the case you needed more pain relief in an emergency.

I take 130mg a day at my clinic. I got that high because I started chasing the buzz when I got to around 60mgs and next thing i know I'm way on up there. It's actually a good thing though because at this dose I know that it's impossible to get high on heroin so I don't waste my money. I also kind of enjoy waking up and going to the clinic as I am unemployed so it gives me a reason to get out. I also really like my counselor, he is always down to chat so I try to take advantage of what is basically free therapy.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on September 09, 2015, 04:05:34 AM
Yes forty is low
I actually don't feel any buzz or high at all, the pain relief is there and my mood is better from that alone so that is nice! But def no buzz at all from the methadone
I was actually surprised because the ten mg pills, Iv shot them (20mg) and felt a high but not the forty mg orally
Strange I'm on opiates for life so I'll either be on MMT; back at the pain clinic or on H so methadone is keeping me stable while i work this new job and show the company what I have to offer

Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Chip on September 09, 2015, 05:29:28 AM
from tomorrow, i drop to 17.5 mg.

looks so little in the bottle but it still is uncomfortable when coming from 20 mg.

I'm going to do this because the cost is prohibitive at 1/4 of my social security benefits.

yeah, my reason for doing it is to be free of the clinic, the UA's and to save money that's best spent on food, petrol and the odd crystal meth. treat.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on September 19, 2015, 03:24:16 AM
I've been dosing at 60 a day and it's working well for pain and for the addiction control

I'm getting my first take home this week, Saturday and Sunday... Next month I get one more so I'll get Friday, Saturday, Sunday

They are moving me up take home wise the absolute fastest possible

And when I go they ask if it's controlling my pain they don't treat me like an addict which is nice they actually treat me like a pain patient
And since I work and show up in a suit and tie everyday they always bump me up in line and I've never had to wait even more then  15-20 mins

It's been good so far
The place is nice and clean and they seem to respect people there

I'm on the liquid now and probably will get the tablets once I can get take homes. 
I'm also going to take the tests for the ability to get split doses so it will be even more like a pain treatment if I can take 40 in the am and 20 at night after work

So far so good
I'm pretty sure this clinic is very well ran compared to some of the horror stories I've seen and heard of
Then again the clients that give them issues seem to have issues and one like me who follow the rules and cross their T and dot the I, seem to be okay

So first take homes less then a months time, next take home is after the next clean drug test, I'm not even smoking pot so that has to help and they see I go to work every day after the dose so I'm sure they believe they are actually helping someone where some of the people still are obviously in active addicted situations still

I've been there too and I know when they hit the time to change it will happen; I also know sometimes for some people that day never Comes

I'm glad it did for me, I've not been a minute late to work and I can sit through the whole day without an issue of pain nor wanting to shoot opiates up my arm at the first bit of stress or need to escape

Good choice so far

Also not really constipated at all on methadone, only issue I've had is the inability to climax with sex and it's a problem but I'm not sure what to do about it, I'll have to figure that out I guess

Sorry for the tmi it's just how it is!
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Griffin on September 28, 2015, 12:25:07 AM
That is all great news I am glad to hear that you are stabling out and everything is going good for you! I got a few questions for you. Do you have to take any groups or counseling sessions to get your take homes? Do they only let you get the take homes if all your UAs are clean? Can you smoke weed or use MMJ? My clinic used to be like yours when I first started you got your first phase (Saturday Sunday take homes) after 30 days and you could get to 2 weeks at a time in a year. Now it takes 18 months and you can't have any missed appointments, doses, or dirty UAs during that time.

When I first started you were only required to goto a counseling session once a month if you weren't on phase one yet then after you got your first phase after 30 days you only had to do one counseling session or group once every 3 months. You also had to take a MMT orientation class to get your first phase but you only have to do that once. They don't make you take it again if you lose your phases and have to start over. They didn't make you do mandatory groups and counseling sessions until I had already gotten to the 2 weeks of take homes at a time.

I lost my phases because I got arrested for a methadone DUI and did a little over a month in jail and had to detox c/t in jail. I then restarted 4 months later, I was still getting counseling there for free with my medicaid after I got out of jail. I was only allowed to get back in within 3 weeks because they had a 6 month long waiting list because my counselor pulled some strings and the doctor made an exception for me.

Now you have to wait 90 days for your first phase, all your UAs have to be clean, no missed doses or appointments, and you have to do 4 orientation classes plus a counseling session your first month. The next 2 months you have to do 2 groups and a counseling session each month to get to phase one which is your Saturday and Sunday take homes. For the next 6 months I have to do one group and one counseling session per month until I get weeklies.

 Once your on the phase where you get weeklies or two weeks at a time you get to choose one counseling session or one group per month. It became a lot more strict right after I got to my 2 weeks at a time luckily. I think it had to do with medicaid completely covering all your methadone, counseling sessions, doc apps, and groups so now it is free with medicaid. Before they switched to all the new mandatory groups and stuff It was $60 a month if you had medicaid or Kaiser Permanente insurance which is the only 2 providers they accept.

My Phase one was approved Friday so no more coming in on Saturdays for me! I get to take one less group a month for the next 3-6 months as long as I don't fuck up and miss an appointment or dose or something! I also got approved for a special takeout Wednesday to go on a hiking trip with friends. So this week I will only have to goto the clinic 4 days and hike my first fourteener with new friends. I am pretty happy about it.



Griffin
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Smacky-Doodle 2.0 on October 09, 2015, 12:30:23 AM
Just gonna echo some of the great advice you've already received.

Stay away from the increases, and keep your dose low if  you don't want to be chained to MD forever, seriously.  That can't be overstated.

Methadone can be a great big blessing if you go about it correctly.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Snoop on October 09, 2015, 01:59:35 AM
I just wanted to touch on some of the finer points made, that are Super Good tid bits of
Advice...

1) DO NOT chase down that warm fuzzy feeling of wellness and euphoria you get during your induction. This lasts two to three weeks tops.

2) Like Opus said..... This shit ain't dope... Its an end game. Or a shot at stability and recovery. I still know a lot of folks that just needlessly double/triple/quadruple dose, get nothing out of it (that I can tell) and then wanna be bailed out asking me for my stuff.

3) Respect the damn shit... Ive cold kicked the stuff twice, both forced. Its complete and utter torture/anguish, and it persists for weeks and weeks on end.

4) Remember that were addicts, and you may have a few backslides, but if you get to a dose where your staying well for 24 hours + try your best to leave dope alone. But dont beat yourself up if you do. Its just part of it.

At any rate, glad you found some peace, and that the MD is helpful with the pain.

Perhaps an indicator of just how potent this shit is...

Ya know?

Take it easy,

Sincere

-Snoop



Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: lawyerup on October 09, 2015, 02:04:24 AM
You can read some of my posts in the scene threads and some in the seed threads.

Basically I've reached the end of use,I'm a chronic pain patient and I'm in severe pain daily.

I was poisoned by a drug called reglan in 2012 taking this med for gastroparesis

It basically damaged my CNS, leaving me with intractable central pain of the nervous system

I've used heroin, every single pharmaceutical opiate or opiod, and I mean every single one from fent to tramadol. Not one available in USA I have not used extensively.

I've used bth and Ecp too, Drugs I've done them all IV.

I used to be a nurse and had access to many many drugs and also I was in a liberal pain clinic in FL, before the pain epidemic caused the shit to hit the fan.

Well after ruining my life and then regaining it, I'm on the way to recovery

I've got a long way to go and a lot of hard work to follow... But I will get there!

This will be my log of the daily experience


Today I inducted on MMT, 40mg at 830am

I'm going to post everyday here so people can hopefully watch a success story

I'm not a fool and I know I will have troubles but I'm holding out on the notion that with all of you support and my ability to be honest here

I will make this work. It will be a daily log and a daily experience

Today I've felt good, the methadone helps tremendously with my pain and it will eventually help craving too. 
I'm going to work the system to my advantage to be a good husband and a proper member of society


Take care and I hope to inspire anyone else to see the benefits of MMT.

Please take the time to read the scene threads and the seed threads to get a better idea of ME: who I am.
I'll post more later.. Back to work!

OOAO

methadone is def what u make of it. i was a severe gear head for 4 years then went through every pain med on the market for several yrs til i tried low dose methadone. ive been on 40mg for several yrs and it's by far the best for pain and for controlling crvings. i take reglan for stomach issues too but haventhad ne probs with it.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: lawyerup on October 09, 2015, 02:08:41 AM
Goof luck with MMT.  It has changed my life only for the better.  I definitely agree with Opus and Nick...don't chase the glow!!!!  It doesn't last but a few days and will leave you with nothing but a bigger tolerance!

That said, I don't necessarily agree with keeping doses low.  I understand that what goes up must come down but the reality I have come to realize is that most (though of course not all) who end up on methadone wind up staying on it long term.  I think if you are going to benefit from being on MMT then you need to be on a high enough dose to stop all withdrawal and squelch the cravings.  If your dose isn't high enough to accomplish this, then why bother.  If you are going to do it then you should be high enough to be comfortable (notice I said comfortable...not high!  big difference here!)

Also, I am also a cpp...I have had a failed spinal fusion and I also have RA.  The methadone has helped with my cravings and opioid abuse, but it does NOT help the pain.  When I have very bad flares, I still need opioids and I still have to do other pain interventions( otc painkillers, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, massage, ice etc).  Methadone used for pain has to be taken every 4-6 hours.  The once a day dosing is not going to address all of your pain isues...though you might notice pain reduction for a few hours after you dose.

Good luck with your treatment.  It has been a lifesaver for me.  This is my second time around onMMT.  I have been on it this time for almost three years.  I know Opus has had a lot of side effects but I have been lucky and haven't had any. I hope you find the peace and stability that I have found.


The pain killing effects lasted 10-11hours for me today and the reduction in pain for my entire work day allowed me to come home and handle the residual pain levels afterwards with a much better better mental ability

It's been a good day thus far I'm looking to continue the dose at 40mg

I REALLY appreciate all the replies and all the support!


Thanks again

OOAO

i use it for pain and addiction and i only have to take it once daily. my pain starts flaring after ive been up for 3-4 hrs so thats when i take it.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Chip on November 10, 2015, 10:58:25 AM
slow tapering off ... STILL ! ... dammit !
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: sprawlnod on December 09, 2015, 12:39:38 AM

methadone is def what u make of it. i was a severe gear head for 4 years then went through every pain med on the market for several yrs til i tried low dose methadone. ive been on 40mg for several yrs and it's by far the best for pain and for controlling crvings. i take reglan for stomach issues too but haventhad ne probs with it.

It's been the same for me.  I'm a pain patient and was on every opiate they have and when I finally got to methadone, I was amazed at how well it worked for pain.  Of course, I'm taking over 100mgs, so that's part of it.

OP, if you haven't tried it yet, try split-dosing your take-homes.  I find that it holds the pain a lot better because I only get about 12 hours of pain relief out of a dose.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: A_Girl_Has_No_Name on August 26, 2016, 11:54:25 AM
Hey, I'm new here but also on MMT. It was pregnancy and the birth of my son that got me truly serious about getting clean. I was already on MMT for about a year when I got pregnant. Having a child on methadone made me feel like the biggest failure of a mother before I even had the child to hold in my arms but now that he's here, and so very very smart and normal and wonderful, I don't regret a thing. It was the right way to go and I didn't want to risk miscarriage by attempting to taper off while pregnant.

I'm still on MMT and will probably be for another year or two but FWIW, don't let anyone but yourself dictate the pace at which you decrease. You don't want to taper down only to wind up right back there three months later. It's like a revolving door at my clinic of people who leave and then come back, which is why I've just stayed. I tried suboxone, cold turkey, the anti-diarrhea stuff, etc. Nothing has been as effective at cutting my use as the MMT, although it did take some time to get to a therapeutic dose because they don't do increases fast enough.

Not sure what the counseling requirements are at your clinic but we have to do at least 3 hours each month at mine. At first, it meant nothing, but as I've gotten to build a relationship with my counselor and have gotten to know and trust my fellow patients in the groups, it's become a really important part of my recovery process and I truly look forward to those sessions each month because it's one place I know I can go and be totally honest about how I feel without being judged. It's cliché but true; most people who haven't been touched by addiction won't and can't understand what going through an opiate addiction (and subsequent withdrawal) is like. They think it's like the movies where you get 3 days of sweating and vomiting into a bucket and then all of a sudden 3 days to 1 week later, you're all better. Now, we all know that's not how it works, but try explaining that to anyone else and they'll just roll their eyes at you and tell you "it's what you get" because you "did this to yourself". The counselors at the clinic know better than that and just having that support from at least ONE person who can also offer you the resources and services you need can make all the difference between success and failure.

I still struggle with total sobriety, but starting MMT was the very best decision I've made for my future because it's been the one and only successful method of treatment that has actually substantially cut back my use and got me to make positive life changes.

But as someone above said, MMT is what you make of it. If you're just using it as a backup in case nothing else comes through that day then you'll probably never get off it. But if you work the program and go at a pace that works for you there's a very good chance that you'll reach your sobriety goals. I really wish you the best of luck and will continue to follow your progress!
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on July 12, 2017, 10:32:05 AM
Well almost two years later and I'm still on 40mg but from a pain doctor now; visit every two to three months
Life is much better, I've got the best treatment I could imagine, very expensive but worth it
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: candy on July 13, 2017, 05:38:04 PM
Glad to hear that the Methadone is working for you. I'm getting off of it. Have been going up and down on it for a few years and finally decided I am done. I have been going down from 38 mg this time, dropping 2 mg/2 weeks. Haven't experienced any w/d yet, but still have to deal with my chronic illness and problems that come with it. Might be hard to distinguish some symptoms like insomnia, since I suffer from it already.

It never helped my pain and I never got the "glow" people talked about at higher doses. I'm a strange one when it comes to drugs. Never get the same effect most do.

If you are pain free or mostly pain free and not craving opiates then you are doing good.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on February 11, 2018, 05:47:38 AM
Im 22 days completely off all methadone and xanax or any drugs, inpatient for 18days at home last few still in the end stage of acute WD
ANYONE with Q Feel free ? Was on it for almost three years with ten of other opiates prior
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: LadyKalma on February 12, 2018, 01:20:53 PM
Wow, that's a major accomplishment. What made you decide to get off methadone and everything? Did you taper? How long did it take? What was the place you went like, did they give you anything as far as meds, did they do counseling or groups or what? Sorry for all the questions, just interested in hearing more about your experience.

Plus if you're still in withdrawal you might as well distract yourself by talking more about it, right?

Glad you are making your life the way you want it to be.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: Badly Drawn Girl on February 12, 2018, 04:26:36 PM
Im 22 days completely off all methadone and xanax or any drugs, inpatient for 18days at home last few still in the end stage of acute WD

Damn, that's quite an accomplishment.  I hope the WD symptoms are lessening. Would be interested in hearing what made you decide to go off the 'done.  Congrats on your hard work, and hang in there!
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on February 23, 2018, 05:29:37 PM
I’ll write it up next few days longer post about this
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: bl4cklabel on March 06, 2018, 04:43:40 PM
 @OxyOpanaAlphaOmega
Hope you're still doing well!
Looking forward to hearing about your experience.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on March 22, 2018, 12:17:28 PM
So to answer some questions about the place I went to it was pretty much the best for what you could get it was holistic and medical treatment and they let people smoke and hang out whenever they wanted to,inside and outside in the “campus” think small college but all dope and etoh users.
Private therapy and groups too, ALL DAY LONG. But it was okay 12 step and also “Law of attraction” based
For me
 They did a Suboxone taper for six days and then comfort meds for however long you wanted baclofen elavil trazdone etc

Private room 24 hour nursing staff good food exercise chiropractors acupuncture pretty much anything you would ever expect in rehab including hot ass nursing staff lol

So basically I went through this because I was going to lose my health care and figured now or never

Also I wanted to know my true pain level, opiate hyperalgesia is real and now I know I have chronic pain but it’s not 24/7, it’s actually dependent upon my blood sugar levels ( type 1 diabetic)
I used to think it was all day everyday and now I know it is when my sugar is to high and sometimes when it’s not but still if you can understand I was on meds for so long I didn’t really know what felt like what

Also the “ fear” that pain doctors have recently has been renewed with potus and his war on opiates so I figured why not give it a chance
The expensive cost was also a factor, pain doctors good ones that write know their worth. Think $600 a month but who gets methadone and Xanax written three months at a time with the paper scripts to kept month by month
People who pay that is who.
Anyways I knew that would all be ending soon since I had a fall out with my business partner and was no longer working

So the rehab was great but I left day18 of the 65 day program because my insurance cancelled sooner then expected and would no longer “Authorize “ they do that every 7-10 days the place I went and they got a “no’’ so they discharged me way way early still in withdrawal
They wrote me scripts for baclofen and elavil to take with me home

So I arrive home day 19 after flying home and I’m still sick af
About 2 weeks of hot baths and baclofen NOSLEEP I caved and filled my Xanax and got some medical pot (29%indica)
This allowed me to sleep for a few nights which was a god send, I only used 1-2 mg of Xanax a day...so this was about day 35-40 off methadone and one night my blood sugar was 500 and I was in serious pain, I take my medicine (Insulin) and check my sugar regularly but while I was in withdrawal it was UNCONTROLLABLE almost like the insulin was not working, super bad “Insulin resistance”
Over a month of withdrawal had taken its toll on me.. mentally I failed myself

after a couple more nights of no sleep even with the above meds and pot, I caved again
Went to the ER, immediately I’m seen (Been to hospital like 50 times in my life) and they give me an IVPUSH of dilaudid, BAM I feel NORMAL, they also gave me insulin, zofran, fluids and potassium, what they always do.
They also wrote a small script for me because they said “They know I’ll be in pain again”
I’m well spoken and even though I’ve done a shit ton of ivshots I have no tracks and no one knows in my medical history I’m just a pain patient
So the addict sometimes over rides the logical part of myself, the next day I go into the city and cold cop a new heroin dealer by driving in the worst part of town and asking people, the second person I ask (homeless) I let him get in my car and we go cop, yes I make horrible dangerous choices...but still I’m gonna get what I want
So I get the heroin and some free meth too, do all the H and some meth IV. End up throwing away a .25 bag of crystal meth a couple days into this run because “I’d done my last shot and was gonna quit again”
I had not shot up in almost 2.5 years or so maybe 2 years I’m not sure, the entire time I was on methadone. after being on oxy and opana for pain management before the methadone, I used to shoot the IR MED but once i started methadone which was at first a clinic then from pain management (Crazy rare I know) but so anyway it didn’t stop... the next week or ten days I was shooting h in the bathroom forgetting days and lost the weight I had just gained. I also went through the script on top and all the Xanax, you know RIGHT BACK AT IT. Fml

My family was starting to clue in and I was confused about days and events like anyone who is high 24/7...so basically I told them I had relapsed on the script the ER gave me and I wanted to do methadone or Suboxone maintainance again.

Really I was so pissed off at myself that after years of not using needles except for insulin, that I had been unable to get to the point of not feeling withdrawals, I mean FUCK 35-40 days of that AND my blood sugar making my nerve pain severe... I had enough but still I should not use heroin and DEF not shoot up. I mean come the fuck on. NONE of us should use these drugs. Ever, but we do.

So I’ve been on long term subutex before so I know it’s like baby methadone, with horrible withdrawals that last forever...but tbh I’m a life long opiate addict (Case in point) so to me being on subs or methadone is WAY WAY healthier then shooting Tar, on top of scripts. I’ve chosen to go the sub route as I was able to be seen immediately by them, and I’m pretty sure had I gone back to my pain doctor after the extended absence and pissed fent, heroin, morphine, Xanax, pot, alcohol and meth.... well I’m sure to have had that mark on my medical record.
So I went subs route, the doctor was cash and I didn’t transfer any records or give any releases
which is how I have always done this, filled pain doctors with insurance and medical releases to my past history

Filled subs (NOT AT THE SAME TIME, IVE NEVER USED MORE THEN ONE DOCTOR AT A TIME) off record, cash and of course since it’s been time in between the medication being filled all was legal, gray but legal.

So yeah fuck I failed but it’s not like I didn’t try, I’m not exactly sure nit the night I went to the ER was between day 35-40 and the withdrawal didn’t stop, not for me. I will say the doctors at the rehab told me that because of my endocrine autoimmune disease (Diabetes with neuropathy) that I would face a longer withdrawal then most. Obviously that was true... I really think that had I not been released early from rehab it may of been different so I may after getting insurance again ( high option BCBS like before) return to rehab for the full 65 day period

Many probably ask “ why torture yourself man” well my mom says the same that I should just maintain the lowest opiate amount possible since I truly have severe chronic pain that is not going away, she doesn’t want her son to use street heroin because he has pain and development of addiction also.

BUT I’m wanting to be that guy, the one who makes it off medicine after ten years.
 the one who can control his pain with yoga, Epsom salts, acupuncture and chiropractors and pot.

I know that is a far fetched idea and I know I’m also an addict because simply put pain patients don’t go into the hood to score Heroin, get free meth and do that too just because...
I have both issues, pain and addiction
which came first I am not sure pain or addiction, it really started in ICU with a pain pump after being hospitalized from a serious medical issue called NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME from a medication reaction that almost killed me... although I was already in pain management just not “addicted” it took me Years To develop a REAL addiction

So past ten days or so not sure exactly but I’ve been taking 2mg bupe sublingual am, 1mg pm
It’s doing okay for pain but the craving is still there...in my mind I want to come off meds again so I am keeping it as low as I can.

Sorry I could not be an encouragement to others here.. but I’m not going to shoot up and the couple weeks of use in the past couple years was enough to remind me what fast acting opiates are like and how my lifestyle hits bottom rung fast. In the time I’ve been on Suboxone I’ve been able to be a normal contributor to my life and families life... I will be there for myself and for them... im writing this to make it be real...to remind myself that I have more to give and that I respect my body and mind and soul enough to stop heroin, and to not continue down the road I almost took...

Wild life it is for all of us opiate/Opioid users... I have hopes for all of us to find a better way to heal both our physical and emotional pain.

Last thing: a book called “ the secret” get it and read it.
Greatness is inside all of us!

OOAO
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: bignasty on July 28, 2018, 01:06:18 AM
what clinic starts u at 40mgs? Every clinic i've been to has a max starting dose of 30mgs
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: OxyOpanaAlphaOmega on December 14, 2018, 06:04:55 PM
Clinic in N GA, they did 30 then 10 more induction.


To catch anyone who follows this up, I’ve been one subutex 2mg for the summer but it’s not strong enough and my body hurts to often, currently have a fentanyl patch 25mcg (to low) but it’s just to try a full agonist again after a half year of buprenorphine. Pain patients rights are all but destroyed and I’m overly exhausted with how this last ten years has gone for me! Just a quick update. Still alive and kicking, professional life is progressing but health is slipping away again, still use diet and exercise and keep the dose as low As I can.
Title: Re: METHADONE THE FINAL CHAPTER OF OPIATES AND OPIOIDS
Post by: bignasty on December 21, 2018, 03:20:29 AM
HealtQwest or was it owned by somebody else? The one in the middle of the state in Macon started me out on 25mg's a day for my first 3 days 'cause 1st day was on a Friday and they wouldn't up me for Saturday or Sunday! And I was using a gram of good dope/fent IV a day at the time. I remember being happy just to get to 60mg's a day.

Are you prescribed sub or fent patches or neither? The pain from being on sub definitely made me wanna "control my use of full agonists" but I only followed my scripts of pain meds for about a month or two then I was back to buying extras off the streets. However, if you CAN control your usage and remind yourself that "it's better to be on a low dose full agonist than to be on sub and hurt all the time", you can do it and not hurt as bad and get a better quality of life.

It's all about self control and finding a doctor to at least give you enough to keep you well. I was lucky 'cause I was RX'd 'done for pain so I was never sick when I woke up or anything like that. If I was only RX'd 2 oxy's a day, I might prefer sub since I'd hate to be sick and in pain for 4-6 hrs after each time the OP wears off.
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