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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Elm on July 3, 2003, at 1:59:38
I have been on Methadon for some time now'and I would like to know what is the best way to come off it? and is it as hard to give up as I have been told. Please if there is anyone who can help me I would love to here from ya.
thanks and all the
Best
Posted by Caleb462 on July 3, 2003, at 2:13:55
In reply to Methadone, posted by Elm on July 3, 2003, at 1:59:38
> I have been on Methadon for some time now'and I would like to know what is the best way to come off it? and is it as hard to give up as I have been told. Please if there is anyone who can help me I would love to here from ya.
> thanks and all the
> BestYou'd probably be better off asking this question in a drug addiction group. I don't believe many people here have experience with methadone.
I've heard from a number of ex-heroin addicts that meth withdrawl is much, much, worse than heroin withdrawl - due to the fact that it lasts a lot longer. The key is probably tapering slowly.
There's no rush, you know? Just take it slow, very slow if need be - so that it is as comfortable as possible.I'm no expert though... search around for some herioin/opiate addiction online support groups and things of that nature, and you may get some better answers.
By the way, have you considered switching to buprenorphine?
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 3, 2003, at 17:43:25
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Caleb462 on July 3, 2003, at 2:13:55
It is very difficult to get off methadone but not impossible.Going on to buprenorphine may help-it is in any case much safer.The death rate from methadadone is quite high-taking a few pints of beer on top of your normal dose of methadone may cause respiratory depression and death.I often mention fish oil on this board and had one case where a patient managed to get off methadone using fish oil.See www.omega3.20megsfree.com
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 3, 2003, at 19:38:30
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 3, 2003, at 17:43:25
Here are a few links about buprenorphine and alpha-2-adrenoceptor agonists (like clonidine). For more quality information, you may want to search PubMed using a search string like "methadone withdrawal" or methadone AND withdrawal. I think that a combination of an alpha-2 agonist with buprenorphine might be an interesting strategy; you might discuss that with your doctor. I have known people that had some luck with alpha-2 agonists; they seem to help with the sympathetic rebound (increase in norepinephrine neuron activity) associated with withdrawal.
Buprenorphine: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12831383&dopt=Abstracthttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8201637&dopt=Abstract
Alpha-2 agonists:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12804419&dopt=AbstractShawn
Posted by jay beck on July 4, 2003, at 16:11:21
In reply to Methadone, posted by Elm on July 3, 2003, at 1:59:38
i quit using heroin when i was in in-patiant rehab, its very hard to quit using opiates the reason i didnt get on methadone treatment was because its harder to quit using then smack and i figured if i quit smack without methadone then so be it. to quit you first have to be VERY serious about staying off whatever your on, and i mean very serious. half of the battle is in your mind. if its not enough you can always check into in-pateint like i did. the second thing you must do is treat all of the underling disorders (deppresion, anxety...) so your urges to use are decresed. you have to mentally prepare yourself for the horrors of opiate withdrawl (it is one of the worst thing you can experiance). just tell yourself you can beat the fiend. good luck
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