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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Methadone
Question: l have been on methadone about 10 years or more,and l would just like to know how can l deal with this ? l have Health problems with iron deficiency blood pressure plus bowel problems , it's been 13days l have been off the methadone.my Brain is going every different direction but in a positive way.
Brief Answer:
You need to be under close medical supervision.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that, as you have been using methadone for more than 10 years, you may have been addicted for sure, and consequently stopping methadone in such a way (without any medical support or what is called “cold turkey), may expose you to the risks of methadone withdrawal syndrome.
You may experience (starting form within 30 hours to a few weeks after stopping the drug) several symptoms and signs like tiredness, excessive sweat, restlessness, anxiety, etc. Also nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea may occur, leading to the risk of serious dehydration.
These complications are more likely to happen in the first week of withdrawal.
It’s best not to go through methadone withdrawal alone. You need to discuss with your doctor to provide specific treatments to ease withdrawal symptoms.
These treatments significantly improve your odds for recovery. Special drugs like buprenorphine and clonidine may help to shorten the withdrawal process and even alleviate some of the related symptoms.
Remember that recovering addicts are more susceptible to life-threatening complications as they may start using methadone again.
That’s why; you should proceed with your methadone withdrawal being under close guidance and supervision of your doctor.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
You need to be under close medical supervision.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that, as you have been using methadone for more than 10 years, you may have been addicted for sure, and consequently stopping methadone in such a way (without any medical support or what is called “cold turkey), may expose you to the risks of methadone withdrawal syndrome.
You may experience (starting form within 30 hours to a few weeks after stopping the drug) several symptoms and signs like tiredness, excessive sweat, restlessness, anxiety, etc. Also nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea may occur, leading to the risk of serious dehydration.
These complications are more likely to happen in the first week of withdrawal.
It’s best not to go through methadone withdrawal alone. You need to discuss with your doctor to provide specific treatments to ease withdrawal symptoms.
These treatments significantly improve your odds for recovery. Special drugs like buprenorphine and clonidine may help to shorten the withdrawal process and even alleviate some of the related symptoms.
Remember that recovering addicts are more susceptible to life-threatening complications as they may start using methadone again.
That’s why; you should proceed with your methadone withdrawal being under close guidance and supervision of your doctor.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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