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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 48. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maddawgz on November 4, 2005, at 18:53:08
Hi everyone im on methadone and lately i feel like its not working low dose, I keep having though'ts like the pharm isnt putting the right dose in? Nuts i guess!! I'm using benzo's too unlike me to do that? Ive recently been under alot of stress though!! And wonder if depression is kicking in..as i cry alot.But theyre also symptoms of withdrawal as for 11yrs I've been t hrough rough patches and never been like this and when i do get like this its during withdrawal.Surely the pharm couldn't reduce me without me knowing..I was on 2mg less but last week went up 2mg again so its been 5days why arnt i feeling normal and stablised??? Why do i feel the urge to use and feel choao's inside?? Helppppppppppp plzzzzzzzzz
If its depression im scard..I Also have panic disorder agoraphobia too have done for like 10yrs or so!! Im so lost lately and scared like i cant go on anymore?... everything is an effort and im irritable once again classic signs of withdrawal thanks MD
Posted by maddawgz on November 4, 2005, at 19:13:01
In reply to Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 4, 2005, at 18:53:08
oh i wanted to say i have ptsd..and b4 the mmt like 10yrs ago i was prone to suicide although i have the throught's now i dont carry them through like i did.Just so you know my background, Maybe im Bipolar god know's!! As for how i got on the mmt it wasnt through herion but mainly self medicating, Atm i am scared im falling into an old pattern why cant i get the help i need to stop the panic/dep/gad/ptsd/pbd
Posted by SLS on November 4, 2005, at 21:33:05
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 4, 2005, at 19:13:01
Are you taking any medications besides methadone?
It sounds like Effexor might be appropriate in your case. If there is any bipolarity involved, I would consider Trileptal as well.
- Scott
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> oh i wanted to say i have ptsd..and b4 the mmt like 10yrs ago i was prone to suicide although i have the throught's now i dont carry them through like i did.Just so you know my background, Maybe im Bipolar god know's!! As for how i got on the mmt it wasnt through herion but mainly self medicating, Atm i am scared im falling into an old pattern why cant i get the help i need to stop the panic/dep/gad/ptsd/pbd
Posted by Declan on November 4, 2005, at 22:31:16
In reply to Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 4, 2005, at 18:53:08
This is entirely normal.
I dunno what your resting (for want of a better word) dose of methadone is.
But the lower you get (especially below 15mg/d) the longer it takes to bounce back.
Declan
Posted by Declan on November 4, 2005, at 22:35:44
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Declan on November 4, 2005, at 22:31:16
I meant these feelings and reactions are entirely normal in methadone tapering
Posted by Declan on November 4, 2005, at 22:38:33
In reply to Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 4, 2005, at 18:53:08
Excuse me again. It's normal to think the pharmacy is cheating you.
Posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 18:10:25
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Declan on November 4, 2005, at 22:31:16
hi all thanks for your words of wisdom!! I'ts normal to feel the pharm is cheating you I've heard this from other ppl 2 gees paranoia but when u start feeling like me well damn!!! Ok a little run down i had family here from o/seas and for 3 weeks i was constantly stressed..during that time i was on 15mg but stupid me reduced to 1mg for one week couldnt handle it so went back 1mg up so im now 5days again on my normal dose but i still feel some tooth pain, and to be honest depression too!! Now im not sure if its backlash from family issues for 3weeks and im crashing or for the bette r word or coming down from all the stress as i used some benzos in that time when theywhere here and also drank a few times? only twice I wouldnt think that would be enough to make me feel how i do now? as well its been 6days sine they went home/ overseas!! B4 they came i was ok but i do suffer anyhow from Panic/ Anxiety! but I've never felt this kinda desperate lerthargy before?I dont have any withdrawal symptoms though like watery eyes or cramps so strange??? I have a history b4 the methadone of suicide benzo use alchol etc etc but id day for 10yrs I've been ok on mmt well havnt suicded anyhow dunno bout ok? Just think my emotions have been at bay more!!..The way im feeling lately leads me to 3 things? My dose isnt right yet? i need an increase? and or i need a shrink!! I feel desperate and scared like this, Like im slipping into a hole I rarel go out the house anymore for last 4months. On and off housebound great huh specially for one being on a methadone program cant afford to be housebound,I have someone whom takes me for my dose as i cant drive now? too scared after accident!!3months ago,
I just want to feel how i did 3months ago stable? um and okaish!! sorry for the ramble SLS its funny u mention bipolar? never been diagnosed but hymmmm makes me wonder? Not a big fan of SSRI meds zoloft made me flip out!!! So med phobic there too at bit,Thanks for the replies Kind regards MD
Posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 18:11:19
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 18:10:25
oh am i on other meds yes 2mg valium only 2mg!!!!
Posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 18:21:00
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 18:10:25
Isnt Bipolar when u shop like crazy i cant even get into the shops lol
Posted by Declan on November 5, 2005, at 20:33:55
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 18:10:25
So you've been on methadone for 10 years or so. You take 15mg/d but reduced to 14mg/d when family was staying.
You know how methadone tolerance feels total. Meaning that any effect felt is precisely the same as any withdrawal effect. So a tiny difference in doseage feels significant. And this might relate to the fact that it's so hard to give up.
Reducing the dose below 15mg/d is a profoundly upsetting experience especially for emotional stability. Would you believe it, I have taken 3 years to go from 1.25mg/d to 0.5mg/d? A slow taper is important, but you may/should be able to do it faster than that if you want.
As for an increase or not.....on methadone you always feel like an increase, don't you think? Except for the low grade depression it brings.
After 30 years I kinda lost interest/enthusiasm for the effect of it, yet find it hard to feel happy and healthy enough to stop completely.
Declan
Posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 21:49:33
In reply to Re: Methadone » maddawgz, posted by Declan on November 5, 2005, at 20:33:55
hi declan you have been on it 30yrs wow!!! you know the post you wrote i can relate to 100%, you hit the nail on the head re emotional? and also being happy enough, and finding the enthusiam to stop it the effects u do loose interest yes but when u try to reduce it throws me into a tail spin like never before wierd makes me normal yet reduce me 1mg and im crazed!!! so your on 1.25mg wow that would be hardly nothing in your cup? so when do u think ur going to stop that 1mg? what was your highest? as for the increase yes I could always feel that too go up and up and up?... Are you a member of any other boards R MD
Posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 21:50:57
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 21:49:33
Btw where do u live im in Australia with 5 take homes per week.so what causes that low grade depression? do u think its the mmt?
Posted by Declan on November 6, 2005, at 3:04:12
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 5, 2005, at 21:49:33
Hi there
Do you live in Australia? I live near Bangalow, northern NSW.
I haven't been on methadone 30 years, but I have taken some form of opiate most days for 30 years. I understand methadone maintenance from experience. Often the opiate dose has been quite low.
The highest methadone dose I've heard of (with one exception) is 240mg/d, which must be hell. On psychobabble one bloke said he was taking 3.6g/d, but I have my doubts about that. My highest dose of methadone was when I needed 60mg/d to (just) stabilise my habit, when I stopped using the heroin I was using as well. The doses just ratchet up.
So if you come from Australia it is 5mg/ml syrup, which is nothing in the cup, but I am lucky now with 6 takeaways a week, so that 7.5mg is in a bottle, I add water and have a little each day. I only take half or so of the 1.25mg dose.
The low grade depression thing is universal, probably linked to methadone toxicity IMO.
No, I'm not a member of any other boards, except for the Life Extension Foundation and it's pretty quiet.
Declan
Posted by maddawgz on November 6, 2005, at 23:26:59
In reply to Re: Methadone » maddawgz, posted by Declan on November 6, 2005, at 3:04:12
hi Declan so im a bit lost u havnt been on mmt for 30yrs? or u are and get takehomes? sorry yes 5ml is 1mg so im on 15mg 3ml..or 1ml =5mg? this board seems ok not to bad!!. i got to watchdog aswell, ur right about the low grade dep i think its the drug too?..potent stuff huh!! Greeat talking to ya? so what opiods ru on now?? I live in south Austrlaia
Posted by Festus on November 10, 2005, at 0:27:10
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 6, 2005, at 23:26:59
"Gooday Mate",I can relate how bad it can get.Methadone seems to have a "Love/Hate" stigma in the U.S.Many are strong advocates of this powerful Opiate,so successful for helping some of the Addicts, very potent,as a great pain reliever,but alas, there are the side-effects.After 20 years of Vicodin (Hydrocodone),Oxycontin,Morphine,I ended up on Methadone,100-120mg a day.In 2 years time,I began to see that I was losing almost all my libido,I could not sleep right,it took 10-12 hrs. for me to get 7-8 hrs. of rest,I lost all my motivation,my drive and interest in things dropped,I hardly cared if I was alive.Sure,Xanax,Prozac,Amphetamine,they all helped,but it was like I was taking meds because of meds!Since March of this year,I've tapered from 120mg to 40mg a day.I can slowly feel a little bit of "me" surfacing.I wonder how low I'll be able to get? Just like Declan told me, when you get lower,it takes longer.I think it's worth it.Good-Luck and God's Speed to you.Festus
Posted by maddawgz on November 11, 2005, at 2:35:43
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Festus on November 10, 2005, at 0:27:10
great you sound like your doing well, not sure if mmt is all cracked up as supposed to be tell ya
Posted by maddawgz on November 11, 2005, at 2:37:27
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 11, 2005, at 2:35:43
Festus i mean thanks..glad to always hear other ppl storys
Posted by maddawgz on November 12, 2005, at 23:57:07
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 11, 2005, at 2:35:43
Just another thought what's ur thoughts on how much we pay for for it??? i pay 3.oo dollars a day here or 42 a fortnight?
Posted by Festus on November 18, 2005, at 0:15:01
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 12, 2005, at 23:57:07
Hello,M-Dawg,
I ain't been here lately,just saw your last reply.I am prescribed Methadone by a Pain Management Dr.for my screwed-up lumbar.The only reason I went on it was on account of they dropped our Company Insurance,so any Meds were payed for by me.The one he did have me on was Oxycontin.It woulda cost me 1,600 American Dollars for them pills!Methadone only cost me 45 Dollars for 300 10mg pills,if you figure it up,it ain't much.Festus
Posted by maddawgz on November 18, 2005, at 22:46:20
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Festus on November 18, 2005, at 0:15:01
hi Festus where do u live?usa?..im in Australia mine is liquid form i think yours would be physeptone same as methadone tablets 10mg but yeah you can only get them for pain? as with program u need to go in drink it.hehe!! I used to buy them of a guy yr ago keep em as back up lol was nice having a bottle ..My dose is giving me the poops atm seems its not holding me strange only on 15mg though or 1 and a half of your tablets? so how much are you on in total? have u ever had the syrup? tlk soon ..R MDawgz
Posted by maddawgz on November 18, 2005, at 22:49:17
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 18, 2005, at 22:46:20
Im thinking i wonder if u ever hit a tolerance level? and u maybe need that 1 or 2mg more?? seriously thinking of it if i keep feeling this way!No point being on it huh? and feeling unstable R MD
Posted by Declan on November 21, 2005, at 17:02:56
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 18, 2005, at 22:49:17
Hi MD
That's the thing with methadone maintenance isn't it? Another 2mg will do it. Conversely taking 2mg away is not fun. I think it might relate to the stable blood levels of methadone and the almost complete tolerance that occurs. If days were 36 hours long it would make a difference, there'd actually be highs and lows and it might be more useful at a stable dose, if you timed your intake to suit.
Declan
Posted by maddawgz on November 21, 2005, at 23:24:48
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Declan on November 21, 2005, at 17:02:56
hi Declan u mean intake as in time u take it..For me it can even be 1mg that makes the world of difference do u think x tolerance can occur or even tolerance after so long they say methadone duznt work that way but i belive a tolerance can happen on all drugs? i take mine at 9am ? MD
Posted by Declan on November 22, 2005, at 4:08:53
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 21, 2005, at 23:24:48
Hi again, what I meant was if the days were 36 hours long and you were dosed with methadone once daily. then there would be a time you were affected by the drug and a period of comparable (mild) withdrawal. That period of stonedness would be useful to enable you to do whatever opiates enable you to do.
I always take methadone first thing too.
Declan
Posted by Declan on November 23, 2005, at 0:57:30
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 21, 2005, at 23:24:48
Today I might have taken 0.5mg. My eyes were watering and I felt awful, before a couple of drinks and half a Valium. So I notice reductions of 0.25mg, which will not surprise you MD having been there yourself. It's crazy eh? Any doctor will tell you it's psychological.
Declan
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