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Hi Jane:   I'm on Methadone, and the most important thing my doctor did when I was started on it was to start on the lowest possible dose and build up very slowly so that I could be on the smallest effective amount for my condition.  Usually, methadone is a last resource drug due to the high risk for addiction and/or overdose....overdose doesn't show up right away because of the length of time the drug stays in the body and it can be several days before you know your levels are too high.  After a year and a half I am now finally up to what we feel is my optimum dose, which is a 10 mg tablet 3 times a day.  My starting dose was 2.5 mg twice a day and it wasn't increased the first time for almost 3 months.    Secondly, stopping the medication cold turkey like that can be very stressful, not to mention dangerous.  My suggestion, if it's possible, is to seek out a new doctor who isn't so aggressive with pushing the drugs and is willing to go other routes as well.  I go to a psychiatrist monthly at the insistence of my pain management doc to make sure that I'm not starting to show any signs of overdose or addiction.   Please don't let this bad experience taint your view of pain management doctors.  I have been to three and this third one is the best I've met.  They all have their own attitudes regarding chronic pain, prejudices against certain patients, and, believe it or not, there are conscientious and kind pain management docs out there.  I would start looking for one now if I were you.   I'm sorry you had such a bad first experience.  My first pain doc was arrogant and dismissed me for being in too much pain at first to make all my appointments with an hour and a half drive to get to his office.  Now I'm 30 minutes from my doc and she treats me someone with dignity and deserving of respect.   I wish you good searching.   Trisha in Missouri