Question 1

what to do if i need help tapering off methadone!?

Accepted Answer

Depends on whether: you are in a Methadone treatment program, in which case the counselor, nurses and doctors in the program should be helping you gradually taper, or are being treated for pain, in which the prescribing pain physician should be the one assisting you in coming down off the medication. If you have been on for a long while, it takes a long while to come down- go slow. Other meds may help sometimes too.

Question 2

can long term opiate use cause digestive issues, such as ibs? i have been an opiate addict for years and am tapering off methadone, i am having issues

Accepted Answer

Opiate: Long term opiate or opioid medications can cause constipation mostly. Counter this with adequate fluid intake, good fiber intake and stool softeners but avoid laxatives. If passage of stool is difficult, insert a glycerin rectal suppository. Regular exercise, if practical,also helps. There are prescription medications if these measures aren't effective.

Question 3

i am tapering off methadone and i am having digestive problems, not constipation, but cramping, gas and diarrhea every morning. ibs.

Accepted Answer

Possibly, but: methadone withdrawal can present in this manner.Call prescribing physician.

Question 4

i am currently on methadone through an mmt clinic.  if you correctly taper down off of the methadone, how are the withdrawals?

Accepted Answer

Methadone tx. : If you want to decrease or eventually discontinue Methadone the clinic will explain their protocol and how and when med reductions occur as well as telling u about expected rxn if any. Just b prepared to go slow and and have patience. Don't do this on your own.

Question 5

what are the side effects of methadone tapering?

Accepted Answer

Opiate withdrawal: Methadone is a long acting opiate and even when tapered slowly, you can expect some discomfort .Anxiety, insomnia, low mood, feeling cold, loose stools are common.
Symptoms of withdrawal are more difficult the lower the dose, and can last weeks

Question 6

i need a stimulant to get me through work on methadone tapering, what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Don't: Don't depend on other drugs to get you through the tapering of one drug.

Question 7

i was on 120 ml methadone, i have qt syndrome, after tapering down to 30ml the levels have still not gone down, is methadone the cause then?

Accepted Answer

Long QT Syndrome : If you truly have long qt syndrome, then it's most likely due to a congenital etiology as opposed to an acquired one such as from methadone. Regardless, you should not be on methadone. At 30 ml, can continue to taper to zero (ideal), or transition to Buprenorphine which is not arrythmogenic. And most importantly, consult an electrophysiologist.

Question 8

i just got out of a six day detox from opiods, the put me on a methadone taper . i ate 5mg of methadone at 6am. can i take 2mg of suboxone now?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Why are you taking Suboxone and methadone?  They're very rarely used together.  The problem with methadone is that the bioavailability &amp; half-life of the parent drug is notoriously unpredictable.  So without knowing your complete history - the combination of the 2 opioids might precipitate respiratory depression. Good luck!

Question 9

my methadone wears off within a couple hours. within 12 hours i start feeling w/d symp. is there anything i can take? i want to taper off of the meth

Accepted Answer

Best to do this: under guidance of your physician. Sometimes one can cut the dose in half and continue to take at regular intervals until your next appointment. Please see your prescriber.

Question 10

i'm on methadone, i have prolonged qt interval, so have to come off. i've heard the tapering off is so difficult, true?

Accepted Answer

not impossible : You certainly don't want to remain on Methadone if you have prolonged qt. Risk of sudden cardiac death is real, especially at higher doses. If tapering becomes intolerable, work with an addiction specialist to help you through the process and possibly transition you to another safer agonist based replacement therapy.

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Doctor answers about:

Tapering off methadone

A member asked:

What to do if i need help tapering off methadone!?

A member asked:

Can long term opiate use cause digestive issues, such as ibs? i have been an opiate addict for years and am tapering off methadone, i am having issues

A member asked:

I am tapering off methadone and i am having digestive problems, not constipation, but cramping, gas and diarrhea every morning. ibs.

A member asked:

I am currently on methadone through an mmt clinic. if you correctly taper down off of the methadone, how are the withdrawals?

A member asked:

What are the side effects of methadone tapering?

A member asked:

I need a stimulant to get me through work on methadone tapering, what should i do?

A member asked:

I was on 120 ml methadone, i have qt syndrome, after tapering down to 30ml the levels have still not gone down, is methadone the cause then?

A member asked:

I just got out of a six day detox from opiods, the put me on a methadone taper . i ate 5mg of methadone at 6am. can i take 2mg of suboxone now?

A member asked:

My methadone wears off within a couple hours. within 12 hours i start feeling w/d symp. is there anything i can take? i want to taper off of the meth

A member asked:

I'm on methadone, i have prolonged qt interval, so have to come off. i've heard the tapering off is so difficult, true?

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