[Sam2]

Last Thurs., I visited my doc at the pain management clinic. He had nothing left to offer. I suffer from severe daily migraines and am on two oral narcotics four times a day and 8 rescue injections a month. (I know narcotics are not looked upon favorably as headache remedies, but we tried everything else first).

I decided to try and wean myself off methadone. We are dropping ten miligrams every two weeks. I've been on them for over 12 years, and realize it will take a long time.

Has anyone here gotten themselves off of methadone, prescribed? If so, how long did it take and what were the side effects? I tried it in hospital cold turkey years ago and that was hell.

There is always a chance the migraines will keep me from getting off the drug, but I hate the side effects. Lethargy, memory loss, rebound headaches etc.

Thanks,
sam2

[Travelinglady]

Hey, Sam2. I've never on Methadone, and no one else is saying either. How did it go? Are you okay?

[beeutterfly]

My best friend has many, many health issues which I won't get into. I wanted to say though that she took methadone for neuropathy but has discontinued it since. That was no picnic for her. She had mad withdrawals I hope you're doing well & the d/c wasn't too painful.

[shinty]

I was on three 10mg. methadone tablets three times daily (90 mgs. a day), with 8mg. dilaudid, six times daily (48 mgs. daily) for breakthrough pain. I'm currently NOT on any narcotics at all. They simply just stopped working, so I got myself off of them. I just weaned myself. When I got down to just one 10mg. methadone tablet per day, I cut it in half and took 5 mgs. daily for a week. I then cut that in half, so I was on 2.5 mgs. daily for a week. Then I just stopped altogether. I was a little uncomfortable, and went on suboxone for a week. It helped a lot. I stopped that after a week with no side effects worth mentioning. It can be done. Wanting to really do it is key to success, IMHO.