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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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
Posted by maddawgz on November 23, 2005, at 2:37:52
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Declan on November 22, 2005, at 4:08:53
Hi Declan yes tru mostly lasts me to about 6am id say 7am..1 or 2hrs b4 dosing so i havnt made a huge issue of it.perhaps i should but ya know the saying when u go up u gotta come down? .r md
Posted by maddawgz on November 23, 2005, at 2:39:38
In reply to Re: Methadone » maddawgz, posted by Declan on November 23, 2005, at 0:57:30
Wow that's not alot of mmt?? But yes i notice 1mg even?? Do u drink ontop? how many benzo's?? are u in the us of A?? or australia?? I know yours in tablet form do u cut theM/
Posted by Declan on November 23, 2005, at 12:32:43
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 23, 2005, at 2:39:38
No MD, I live in Northern NSW (and you live in SA don't you?). The way it is with me is that every week I go to the pharmacy and am given 1.25mg in liquid dose and 7.5mg in a bottle take away to last me a week, and I take maybe half of that. It's not much, is it?
Declan
Posted by maddawgz on November 24, 2005, at 0:02:59
In reply to Re: Methadone » maddawgz, posted by Declan on November 23, 2005, at 12:32:43
ok kewl declan are u on it for pain or drug maintanace? not not alot of a dose? mind u 15mg aint much either?? but enough to effect me without it..hope ur doing well Nsw blue mountains would be nice SA is a hole lol
Posted by Festus on November 25, 2005, at 23:50:06
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 24, 2005, at 0:02:59
Howdy Boyz,
Man,I been missing out on our ongoing Methadone talk,it's really giving me insight.MD and Declan:both of Ya'll are talkin bout this "1 or 2mg can effect you" and I been goin down from 120mg (12-10mg generic tabs) by 10mg at a time!I'm slowin down,though,since I read your post,Declan,I will tell you that I'm now at 40mg(going to 35mg starting Monday),daily.Did'nt you say to start goin down by 2.5mg a week when I got to 20-30mg?MD,I take it for Pain Mgmnt.,so it's always in tablet form.It's a very potent pain reliever,much stronger than people realize,especially when considering what Declan spoke of.With a half-life of a day-and-a-half,it can build to dangerous blood levels if Doc's mess up on the prescribing directions.Many doctors in the U.S. won't prescribe methadone because of all these variables.
My main drag is the side-effects of the long-term medication regimen I take.After 20 years of different Opiates,the past 3 years,100 or so mg of Methadone,60-80mg Amphetamine,and some Prozac and Xanax,ALL taken each and every day,I am zapped.I feel like a slave to the "Mood of the Meds", or something like that.How long have people stayed on a regimen similar to mine,before "Burning out" or becoming a Zombie? Anyone had similar events they can think of?Does everybody feel like a Zombie from decades of Opiate and/or Stimulant use?Festus
Posted by maddawgz on November 25, 2005, at 23:55:44
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Festus on November 25, 2005, at 23:50:06
hi Festus yes i do feel that way slave ? some form of meds?? I've been on last 20yrs and mmt side effects basically sux? but i still go everyweek and get it..one day im gonna be of it i know that? but I't such chit to come off i keep avoiding tapering? damn opiods?? Declan i thought liquid was only for Drug maintanance if hes putting 7.5 in one bottle and ur dividing it it wont be accurate they put water in there 2...lost me there R MD
Posted by Declan on November 26, 2005, at 12:52:52
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 25, 2005, at 23:55:44
Hi All
The 7.5mg thing works like this. Now listen up.
I'm on 1.25mg/d. One day a week I go to the pharmacy and take a 1.25mg dose which is one quarter of a millilitre of the 5mg/ml solution. Then they give me 6 takeaways, but because it's a pain to measure out and because I take less anyway the whole 7.5mg (6x1.25=7.5) is put in one bottle. The easiest way to divide the liquid inside, all 1.25ml of it, is to fill the bottle with water (about 25 or 30ml) and then take a little of that solution for the next 6 days. That way I can take a litle less most days.
So now I take maybe 0.5mg/d. I need to get that lower as I'm planning to go away.
Hey Festus, maybe you're on 40mg/d? When people are on higher doses and they look at someone on really low doses they think 'why don't you just stop?' (And any doctor will tell you it's psychological.) But it's a bit like people on heroin. Having just scored they know they've got to stop, so as they organize themselves a hefty shot, they say the will be giving it up. But always tomorrow. It feels so good planning to give up opiates when you're on them. Actually I dunno if that's true. The whole thing's pretty frightful. One thing I won't miss. The deadly fear of running out. And all the planning.
All the best
Declan
Posted by ed_uk on November 26, 2005, at 15:21:28
In reply to Re: Methadone » maddawgz, posted by Declan on November 23, 2005, at 0:57:30
Hi Dec
Do you have lofexidine in Australia? It can help with some of the symptoms of withdrawal.
Eddy
Posted by Declan on November 26, 2005, at 20:46:52
In reply to Re: Methadone » Declan, posted by ed_uk on November 26, 2005, at 15:21:28
What is it, Ed? What sort of drug? (Clonidine isn't a lot of use, but having said that I haven't tried it.)
Declan
Posted by Festus on November 27, 2005, at 0:03:47
In reply to Re: Methadone » ed_uk, posted by Declan on November 26, 2005, at 20:46:52
"Gooday,Mates!"
Now I see that everyone from Down Under but me!
Hey,that's OK,I ai'nt but half-Yank,anyway.Me Mutha hailed from northern Wisconsin,near Canada, Dad was born a "Southern Gentleman",but that has nuthing to do with meds and tapers and such.I still want to know what anyone can say about the way they felt after long-term Opiate/Stimulant useage (Chronic Pain and ADD).Thanks,fellas (and the Ladees,of course)!
Festus
Posted by maddawgz on November 27, 2005, at 0:16:34
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Declan on November 26, 2005, at 12:52:52
hi declen wasnt sure if was pain or addiction you go to chemist for?? Yes opiods always tommorow give it up? the planning handcuffs the lot give me the poops? do u also find it depresses you???ru taking anything else daily? MD
Posted by ed_uk on November 27, 2005, at 16:36:58
In reply to Re: Methadone » ed_uk, posted by Declan on November 26, 2005, at 20:46:52
Hi Dec
>Clonidine isn't a lot of use, but having said that I haven't tried it....
You are certainly predictable in your attitudes towards drugs Deccie!
Lofexidine is similar to clonidine but causes less side effects. I don't think you'd like it. I could be wrong though. Like clonidine, it can relieve *some* of the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, especially the more dramatic 'physical' symptoms which occur when a person abruptly withdraws form a high dose.
Eddy
Posted by Declan on November 27, 2005, at 23:57:13
In reply to Re: Methadone » Declan, posted by ed_uk on November 27, 2005, at 16:36:58
Eddy
I might, on a good day, be able to reduce my dose from 0.75mg to 0.5mg. (Encouraging hey? But then my moral fibre is weak.) Now clearly, Festus, I wouldn't be able to do that on Dexedrine. I can see that the last tenth of a milligram is going to be difficult. Festus, I'd rather be a southern gentleman 100 years ago with a nice hammock on the porch, good patent medicines and absolutely nothing to do.
Declan
Posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2005, at 16:01:16
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Declan on November 27, 2005, at 23:57:13
Dec,
Are you afraid to come off methadone completely? Do you feel like you'll be 'naked' without it?
Eddy
Posted by Declan on November 28, 2005, at 19:51:15
In reply to Re: Methadone » Declan, posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2005, at 16:01:16
No Eddy, it's not psychological. (You do feel very exposed in opiate withdrawal, everything is very intense and painful.) Except that I have been in the habit of doing so much useless stuff that takes up so much time (measuring/weighing/making sure not to forget). Half a milligram today.
Declan
Posted by maddawgz on November 30, 2005, at 0:39:03
In reply to Re: Methadone » Declan, posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2005, at 16:01:16
guess its like smoking? for me same thing?
Posted by Declan on November 30, 2005, at 13:29:12
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on November 30, 2005, at 0:39:03
It hurts. Everything hurts a bit. Lower back, knee, neck, head. Analgesia in reverse. And that's the mildest bit, before the mental stuff kicks in, but I've managed to avoid that. I'm offered 1.25mg at the chemist this morning. I had planned not to take it all. But everything hurts and I have to paint some signs, maybe it would help, maybe itbloodywellwould. I'm sure you know all about it.
Declan
Posted by Festus on December 2, 2005, at 23:14:14
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Declan on November 30, 2005, at 13:29:12
AAYYEE Ya Blokes,Now Ya got me head spinnin,what's this about 2.5mg decreases?Not in tapering Methadone,I hope!
Seriously,Fellas,I went from 120mg to my current 40mg a day,so I thought it was 35mg next,right Dec?I don't know how to tell if 5mg is OK or too much?I've felt slight WD's,here-and-there,since starting the taper,but as the dose gets on down there,things sort of "get different",but how to tell?(BTW,ED,I take 20mg Prozac,1.5 mg Xanax,60-90mg Dexedrine,40mg Methadone,each day)Thanks for the replies,Mates! Festus
Posted by Festus on December 4, 2005, at 23:54:33
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Festus on December 2, 2005, at 23:14:14
Howdy thar,Fellers (this is how we say "hello" to our N.C. Mates),I noticed that the original thread that I got in on and met you 2,MD and Dec,oh,and ed from U.K.,had some good info from replies I had not seen before.I found them on the previous page,where MadDawg originated it.I saw the words describing Methadone useage,burn-out,to tapering,on to the emotional taxation and youthful feelings of passion,libido alive,strength and stamina,drive and ambition,all these things...slowly,but surely being sucked out of your very being,until you don't recognize the "Old You",so to speak.You fail to see it ,for the first few years(I am speaking of the beginnings of Opiate Dependence),the suptle way that meds of these types can become enjoyable to some,needed as a constant pain-relief method by others,but for whatever reason,the drugs Dr.'s typically use,in common prescriptions for pain meds,will make most folks get the "desired effect"that their particular need must include.Too bad how after 10,20,30,or more,years of use,you usually end up on Methadone,one of the hardest drugs to stop,has some of the crappiest side-effects,and literally saps all your strength and willpower.I think that I,m going through the same kind of deal as you,Declan,and a lot like your's,MD.After what you wrote,dec,about it taking 2 years to go down in the dosage you said,GEEEEEZZ!!!I feel like I ain't never gonna get my "DRIVE"back.It don't help taking Amphetamines for ADD and Methadone lethargy,neither.I'm sorry to whine so much,boys,so I'm gonna go now,see Ya'll later. Festus
Posted by maddawgz on December 5, 2005, at 18:14:31
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by Festus on December 4, 2005, at 23:54:33
hi Festus ya know i was reading something last night about a woman who had a liscence anyhow she showed the police officer and it has expiried so she was digging around for more ID! the officer said thats not you mam' she said it is he said the good news is you look better the bad news is you need a new liscence she has water retention on methadone and was bloated! she said it made her soul feel dead! I look at my old photos and think geez im double my weight and i aged too, but its hard to say as well 12yrs can age u anyhow!! Then i was reading another guys post that said about some ppl on methadone and benzo's i though was harsh but hymm!!!!!!!!!!!!QOATE ! These folks were special an NOTHING can be learned IN GENERAL about anything based on their stories, except that people like this, exist. I wonder if they would still be alive if they had not buried their pain, at one time or another with these medications. could say the same about alchol and everything else too!! I mean there is worst things the methadone too!! But hey If people sleep eat right? excercise u dont gotta b old and fat right???? I still rather be of it but!!! Bye for now festus
Posted by Festus on December 8, 2005, at 0:51:36
In reply to Re: Methadone, posted by maddawgz on December 5, 2005, at 18:14:31
I do want to say that to ALL Methadone folks,I am simply speaking of MY feelings and experiences,not for the masses.Methadone is a Life-Saver to a great many Humans,for several reasons.In my case,the effects have not been as "user-friendly",in my case.My Pain Doc told me that the dose I was on (120mg a day)for 2 years,is what nearly killed my Testosterone production.It was near critical level when I had it first checked.Hormone Therapy fixed that.It just gets old feeling "Hollow-Headed and Empty Hearted".This is common for those that use it for Pain Control.Heck,it gets old,just gettin old! See Ya'll, Festus
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