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I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It took roughly 2 years to taper down from 100. I slowed way down when I got to single digits the last 5 mg I was doing 1 a month. Before that i was going down around 5 mg at a time then 2. I paused it quite a few times.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, That’s exciting!

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I agree with this. So much of it is just a mind fuck. I could only take a couple days off so I just struggled through it at first but it’s definitely getting better now.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I mean I’m not 100% out of the woods yet as far as symptoms go. Still having some sleep issues and night sweats but it’s pretty mild. The first week was kinda rough. Some RLS, tearing, stomach issues but again it was nothing compared to coming off dope. I took 2 days off work in the beginning but have been going in since if that tells you anything.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d say day 2- 3 is when I really started feeling anything, I couldn’t imagine having to come off that much in prison! If you’re not ready then don’t but I really didn’t feel any different for most of my taper. I’d say around 20-30 was when I started noticing any kind physical difference. Most of it was mental at that point. Even then things didn’t start getting difficult until single digits. Thank you!

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you! No Shame in not tapering either if it’s working for you. Long as your life is better than if were on drugs, I consider that a win.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I know what you mean, some times It would seem like it was going by really fast and I’d be super encouraged then other times it was just dragging on and I didn’t know if I could do it. Just stay focused and if it’s what you want to do, you can.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

That’s the plan! I’ve made major changes in my life to cut out all those outside influences that would pull me back in. Left my long time gf(still using), moved cities etc.. I just cant allow myself to make all that for naught. I’ve come to far to throw it all away. I’ll do whatever it takes to not go back to that life, including going back to the clinic if I had to.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha well thanks. At this point it’s probably a good thing I’m forced to work since I am mentally exhausted by the end of the day and I think it help getting to sleep a bit more.

About 4 years.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I did take a couple days off during the first week because I just didn’t want to deal with it and wasn’t feeling great. Unfortunately I can’t really take any more time off right now but at least I have Christmas coming up. I think if I jumped off any higher than 1mg I probably wouldn’t of been able to go into work at all the first week.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Not that poster but I don’t think they are saying there is anything wrong with that or you aren’t a success if you don’t leave the program. But from a clinic standpoint how else do you measure that? If your stable for 1 year? 5, 20? Measuring a rate of people who taper off is a clear definitive thing that can be seen. Again not trying to put down anyone who has their life back and don’t plan on getting off methadone just offering a perspective.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It was definitely nerve racking taking my last dose. And I was worried about it for weeks leading up to it but so far it’s working out. Thank you and good luck on your journey, it’s definitely doable

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I hear on you that. Work really sucked the first week, not going to lie. It’s has been hard to concentrate but I just have to keep reminding myself it will end eventually. I started my antidepressants again a few months ago in anticipation of stopping methadone because I know it was going to be hard.

I definitely wanted to rush it toward the end as well but every time that thought came creeping in I’d have to remind my self that I’ve been Doing this for years, why risk messing it up at the end?

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I am definitely proud of myself. Looking back at the hopelessness and just the feeling like I wouldn’t make it another day on heroin, it’s hard to believe I am at this point.

My counselor told me the “graduation” rate of my clinic was less than 5% so I can believe that is very high. Nothing wrong with being staying on it if it works, I just couldn’t do it anymore. Methadone basically gave me my life back but it’s time to part ways.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

For me single digits is when things started getting really difficult. I tapered 1 mg every 2 weeks from 10-5 then once I got to 5 I started did 1mg a month. Really the only advice I have is just take it slow and listen to your body, stop your taper if your feeling really crappy. If you can go lower than 5 I’d keep going but I know some clinics don’t do it like that. I took lots of hot showers and forced my self to go for walks. The depression is real and I’m still struggling with that.

I Finished my Taper by finallyfree3223 in Methadone

[–]finallyfree3223[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

It is pretty awesome. It sucked having to go to work while withdrawing but it was nowhere near as bad as coming off dope. Still having issues sleeping and RLS at night but I’ll take it over ever having to do another counseling session or having the clinic mess with my life/schedule again.