Expert: Crystal - 8/7/2009

Question
I HAVE BEEN ON METHADONE FOR 6 YEARS I INJURED MY BACK FELL DOWN A ELEVATOR SHAFT,WHILE WORKING IT INJURED MY BACK I HAVE TO HERENATED DISKS,I WAS SEEING A PAIN DOCTOR HE HAD ME ON 6 DIFFERENT PAIN MEDS I WAS TAKING APPROX 22 PILLS A DAY,AFTER SIX MONTHS IT WAS TO MUCH A WAS ALL SLEEPY,HE SENT ME TO A METHADONE CLINIC,THE METHADONE WORK GREAT DID NOT GET ME SLEEPY OR HIGH.BUT HAVE TO GO ONCE A WEEK AND THE COST IS 400.00 A WEEK,HEAVEN FORBID IF I HAVE TO GO OUT OF TOWN,BE ON METHADONE IS LIKE BEING IN PRISON WITHOUT BARS. IN FOUR MONTHS I DECREASED FROM 100 MG TO 50 MG OH THEY DONT TAKE MEDICAL INS. CASH ONLY.I WANT OFF AND DO IT WITHIN THE FOUR MONTHS WHAT ARE THE BEST MEDS TO ASK FOR FROM MY DOCTOR.I TRIED TO GO COLD TURKEY IT IS A NIGHTMARE I RATHER BE BE THAN DETOX COLD TURKEY,THE WITHDRAWAL LAST 6 TO 12 WEEKS CAN YOU HELP ME.AND EMAIL ME ON WHAT I SHOULD ASK MY DOCTOR FOR   THANK YOU   RICHARD ZAPPONE

Answer
You would be better off in an inpatient facility so you can be monitored by the proper medical staff because methadone and narcotics are the hardest things to come off and can be hugely dangerous. When you come off methadone it is not the same as coming off just narcotics and you run the risk of overdosing on other meds because you will be so uncomfortable and irritable.
You also run the risk of having seizures during detox if you are not properly monitored and medicated.
I hope this helps. Good luck.