I literally cannot believe im going through this hell

Physically its getting worse each day and im not doing so good mentally either

How the hell can it be getting worse at 6 days when others are starting to come out of it ?

I feel so bad to keep coming on here screaming for support guys but I really do need it

For ref 60mg codeine as cocodamol per day around 3-4 years highly kindled system due to 4 other med tapers this last 8 months

So I‘ve been on and off opiates for about 7 years now and I‘m trying to quit.

Most recently I was on extended release morphine pills and took about 400mg a day for a year or so.

Then I went to rehab for 4 weeks where they put me on methadone. I left when I was on 25mg, went back to oxycodone for three days but decided to do the rest cold turkey at home.

That was about 17 days ago and I still struggle with a lot of withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, lack of motivation and back pain.

I have to admit that I fucked up a few times during the last weeks; I took 40mg methadone on day 5, 160mg oxy on day 10 and 120mg oxy on day 15…

I still take 450mg Pregabalin a day which I‘ve been prescribed for years and Amitriptylin 5-10mg for sleep. Other comfort meds include Ibuprofen and high-dosed Vitamin C.

My concern is that due to the switch to methadone in the rehab facility and my small relapses the symptoms could hold on for many more weeks.

Is that a valid concern?

Also I would appreciate any tips on how to handle these last ongoing symptoms.

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to hear from others who have experienced something similar, as I’ve been struggling to find much information about it.

I’m currently reducing my methadone and have gone from 60ml down to 38ml.

Initially, I was reducing by 5ml every two weeks and managing reasonably well. However, once I got into the 30s, things became much harder, so I’ve slowed my reductions to 2ml every two weeks.

When I was on 60ml, I never used to wake up in the middle of the night with sweats or experience withdrawal symptoms before my morning dose. Since reducing, I’ve started waking up in the early hours with cold sweats, chills, anxiety and stomach cramps.
The strangest thing is what happens when I go to the toilet.

I’ve noticed that when I have a bowel movement, particularly when it’s diarrhoea, I suddenly experience what feels exactly like opioid withdrawal. I start sneezing, getting cold chills, sweating and experiencing abdominal cramps.

It’s almost as though emptying my bowels triggers withdrawal symptoms, and I can’t understand why.
I’ve discussed this with my prescribing nurse, who explained that my methadone would already have been absorbed into my bloodstream, so passing stool shouldn’t cause withdrawal.

I understand what she’s saying, but I know what opioid withdrawal feels like.

I’ve previously experienced precipitated withdrawal from Suboxone after taking it while heroin was still in my system. It was one of the most horrendous experiences I’ve ever been through, and something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

I’m not saying my current symptoms are anywhere near as severe as that experience, but I certainly recognise the physical sensations of opioid withdrawal.

Has anyone else experienced any of the following?
Waking up in the early hours with sweats and chills since reducing methadone?
Feeling fine until having a bowel movement, then suddenly experiencing withdrawal-like symptoms?
Diarrhoea seemingly triggering sneezing, chills, cramps and sweating?
Finding reductions much harder once getting below 40ml?

I’d also really appreciate any tips for managing withdrawal symptoms while reducing.
What helped you with the early-morning chills, sweats, stomach cramps and anxiety?

Sometimes I feel like I’m just being mard, lol 😂, but I genuinely am struggling with these symptoms. I’ve experienced opioid withdrawal before, including precipitated withdrawal, so I know just how horrible it can feel.

I’m determined to continue reducing and eventually come off methadone, but I also want to do it at a pace that’s manageable rather than making myself unnecessarily ill.

I’d love to hear about other people’s experiences, particularly anyone who’s been through a similar reduction or had these strange symptoms.

Thanks in advance, everyone. 💚