Side Effects While On Very Low Dose Methadone?

[CHEF]

Decided today to get on a very low dose of methadone when I get back to Tampa. The oxy rollercoaster ends now. I'm very worried about the side effects. I'm not worried about the addiction, I know it's a bitch to get off of but I'm most likely a lifer or at least a decader.

I know a couple of you are on low dose methadone, your experiences with side effect pls? When I say low dose I mean 10-20mg.

weight gain? - just lost a lot of weight would suck to gain it back.
sweating?- Tampa enough said
Lack of energy? - Job, need to be awake

thnx- Gut full of lope chef

[Chip]

perhaps a little constipation but that's about it.

you should be fine as long as long as you keep it low.

[nick]

Don't have a preconceived idea of dosage-take what ever you need to make it work,but don't look for a high that isn't there.

[CHEF]

ok, thnx

[Lolleedee]

Don't have a preconceived idea of dosage-take what ever you need to make it work,but don't look for a high that isn't there.

Listen to the very wise, Nick!!!  Don't chase the glow but do take enough to stop ALL withdrawal symptoms for 24 hours AND make sure you take enough to help stop cravings.

I know lots of people stay low, but if you are too low and then are struggling, then what is the point of maintenance.  The goal should be comfort.

And, don't chase the glow...none will exisist after a few days no matter how high you go...it is not like other opiates when it comes to euphoria.  Good luck!  It was the best decision I ever made! 

As far as weight gain, I wrote about this another thread.  I find that most people who gain on methadone do so because they begin to eat compulsively to fill the void left when the drugs are gone.  Food keeps your hands, mind and mouth busy.  If you are concious about eating a healthy diet you will be fine.  I gained 40 lbs.(I have lost all of it!) my first year, but I found myself eating all the time...in the car, in front of the tv, etc.  When I finally realized that food became my new drug, I made a point to watch my food intake and the weight fell off....other than the temporary weight I gained, I haven't had any major side effects.  I was sweating a ton in the beginnin, but after the first year it disappeared!

[kat1lifeleft]

For me low dose methadone is perfect. I basically don't have negative side effects. The only slight negative would be when switching from iv roxi, I do sweat more for a couple of days but it's only noticeable if I'm outside in the heat. If I stay in the a/c it's fine. The best thing that happens is that my sex drive returns and I can actually orgasm. Hallelujah. Anyway, best of luck to you! Kat

[CHEF]

I'm not chasing a glow so no worries there. I've been doing opies on and off for 16yrs, fuck been that long? I feel like I've come to the point where I need something on my receptors or I feel just not right. 10-20mg methadone would just be some thing to keep my receptors full and hopefully some pain control as well.

I've been on lope for a couple of days and it's not been fun but it's better than sober. I had to quit weed due to pm drug tests. When I only got tested once a year around the same time I could smoke. Without the weed being sober is almost not an option. I have a b-day coming up and I'm going to try to just be on methadone for my 37yr at life. NA meetings here I come.

I feel these last couple of days, writing about my life have let me come to this conclusion, before this site all my thoughts were sort of jumbled. Being able to read my thoughts have helped. +100 for this site... Gone Till November
                                 - Oat Meal in Da Mouth Chef
                               

[Z]

Under 30 seems to have minimal side effects for me.  Under 80 was sort of the next level.  I'm on 130 split though because I need to be right now.  The side effects are easy to deal with for the most part with diet, exercise, and stool softeners.

I used to take 10mg a day when I was doing dope.  Helped to even out the ups and downs.

[CHEF]

Under 30 seems to have minimal side effects for me.  Under 80 was sort of the next level.  I'm on 130 split though because I need to be right now.  The side effects are easy to deal with for the most part with diet, exercise, and stool softeners.

I used to take 10mg a day when I was doing dope.  Helped to even out the ups and downs.

Thanx for the response z, just read it. This info is exactly why I ask. I'm actually pretty excited about getting off oxy and onto low dose methadone. No more dope sick and the price is right. Have yourself an applaud.

[Chip]

good move, CHEF.

you'll get your old life back but the regular clinic visits can sometimes get in the way so you need to plan your day better.

[candy]

Agree with everything that has been said.
You will be started at 30mg when you sign up at the clinic for MMT. They usually go up from there.
You can ask to go down, but I think they will try to talk you out of it.

I agree that you should try to find a dose you are comfortable with and stop thinking in terms of the numbers. If you find that at 50mgs you feel good and can function well, then stay at 50, but I would not go lower than 30mgs to start off on MMT

You can always start to decrease your dose when you are ready, but give it a chance.
And try and ignore a lot of the talk in the waiting room. I hear it all when I go to dose and pick up take-homes, and the misinformation is just terrible.

It was a life-saver for me and it did help me get my life back in order. If you are working, you may be able to get a few take-homes in a few months. It all depends on the clinic when they decide to give you take-homes. It can take some people months and then others only a few months if they can prove they have a job or other circumstances that require them to be at home. You would most likely need to show a few months of clean urine tests, but take-homes are a privilege and you don't want to lose them.
Don't expect them right away.

Just concentrate on this new journey and ask questions if you have them.

Good luck and update us on how it is going.

[CHEF]

Thanx for the reply Candy but it will be thru pain management so I can just take 10mg and will only have to go once a month. I've had the 10mg methadose before and know they work, just scared about weight gain to be honest. I plan to be busy so I will be laying low on here. I was real bored for a week or two so I posted a lot. I'll report back when I'm stable. Thanx once again.

[Chip]

the most efficient opiate pain killer i have had would be Oxycodone ... it beats Heroin, IME.

not to forget, Ketamine + Diazepam IV Infusion for intractable pain.

[CHEF]

the most efficient opiate pain killer i have had would be Oxycodone ... it beats Heroin, IME.

not to forget, Ketamine + Diazepam IV Infusion for intractable pain.

I agree, I get almost 2 grams a month but it's never enough. Even when taking the prescribed dose withdrawl soon enters the picture. After taking a week of 60mg a day I start to get symptoms and need to up my dose, not sure if it's the drug or my body. I've had the same script for nearly 3 years and have never made it last till next refill.

Back In the pain clinic days I would get almost 7 grams a month and guess what? I would still run short, I guess it's the nature of the beast. Hopefully with the lack of euphoria with methadone i will be able to control myself, it's really my last hope.

Eventually you have to say enough is enough, my stomach feels like I have a brick in it from almost 14 days of lope, October can't come soon enough so I can get on methadone.

[OxyOpanaAlphaOmega]

I've been doing the methadone thing for about a month now maybe a little less and it's worked really well to cover my pain and the need to have "more more more" with the opiate thing
I'm on 60mg a day and I haven't had any sort of side effects at all

I also used to have oxy for pain management and would get massive amounts and it never lasted the whole month
I couldn't stand it anymore and finally gave in a went to the clinic it's been a good choice

It's honestly a better situation then the pain doctors I've been to
You KNOW your going to get the meds
And even after years of filling my scripts each month I'd panic even if I had zero reason to panic that something would go wrong and I wouldn't get my mess that month and be in withdrawal and pain
I remember is stay up the night before in a quite panic each month just doing the what ifs, the doc died, the clinic shut down, the pharmacy isn't able to fill, etc etc

Now it's the federal government and I will get the meds everyday
It's been less then a month and I'm already getting 2take homes and I'll get another in a month.
I was surprised to get them so soon but I follow the rules so it's been okay

Lucky for me the clinic is open and nearby my place of work so I just go in and within 20mins or less I'm on the way to work

This clinic is very nice and I think most are not like this
I plan to go to a doctor to get the methadone once my insurance hits
And since I'm cash pay on at the clinic, never signed the release of info and asked for restricted release
No one except other methadone clinics can see I'm a patient
Not even the ER, it's nice and helps a lot
Hopefully it does for you too