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Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

This community is a place to share information and support with others who are trying to stop using drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other addictive substances. Discuss with others, the symptoms of addiction, addiction recovery, ways to quit like tapering and cold turkey, and withdrawal symptoms. If you are interested in general "chat", please visit our Addiction Social Community.
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MedHelp Member's Question

how to stop

by shubunkin, May 22, 2003 12:00AM
Tags: Addiction
I have been taking Xanax for a year now. 1mg daily. Also Paxil 20mg.But I have cut the Paxil down to every other day for about 2 months now because I simply could not afford it every month. What could I switch to taper off the Xanax that would be easier than the Xanax itself? I get withdrawels even at the low dose. Also is there anything that I could take that is cheaper than the Paxil? Thankyou Danielle
Member Comments (50)

by theGolden1, May 23, 2003 12:00AM
To: Forum MD re: Ultram
I have a question about stopping ultram. I am actually taking the generic (tramadol). I have been using it for 2 years and have tapered down to one dose every morning. I take 2 1/2 pills amounting to 125mil. I have vicodin or valium, zanax and even phenobarbitol available to use for a detox. The thing is I need to be able to function in about 5 days and from what I hear, it takes 2 weeks to feel decent. I'm afraid to even start this unless I can succeed. Can I just change to vicodin and not feel any reaction? I am not afraid of withdrawal from vicodin ... but tramadol is new territory. I am not a youngster, so I don't want to go into shock ... I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks, Goldie

by Forum-M.D.-rcb, May 23, 2003 12:00AM
Dear Golden1:



It would be very unwise to begin any detoxification until after the important meeting because responses vary with each individual. I have not had extensive personal experience with Tramadol but it does not take a genius to recognize that it is the equivalent of an opiate agonist with variations because of the scores of variants of the opiate receptors. It is hitting the same complex with variations and it is unpredictable how you woukld react. I would not substitute another opiate but rather to unload over a significant period of time- weeks- and allow the body to adjust.N OXXaionL SOAW OD  reN

by Forum-M.D.-rcb, May 23, 2003 12:00AM
DEAR GOLDIE1:



I AM RESPONDING TO YOU IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IT WOULD BE UNFORTUNATE FOR YOU TO BEGIN ANY DETOXIFICATION UNTIL AFTER THE IMPORTANT MEETING, BECAUSE YOU ARE ON A SIGNIFICANT DOSE AND IT IS TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE WHAT KIND OF WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMATOLOGY YOU WOULD SUFFER. THIS IS PARTICULARLY SO WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OLDER.



I HAVE NOT HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE, HAVE HAD SOME, BUT ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A GENIUS TO RECOGNIZE THAT TRAMADOL IS THE EQUIVALENT OF AN OPIATE AGONIST WITH VARIATIONS ON ITS SPECTRUM OF ACTIONS BECAUSE THERE ARE A BROAD COMPLEX OF OPIATE RECEPTORS  GOING BY GREEK NAMES  WITH DIFFERENCES IN THE SENSITIVITY OF VARIOUS RECPTORS TO A DRUG. THERE ARE SUFFICIENT COMMONALITIES THAT ANY AND ALL OF THE SYMPTOMATOLOGY OF WITHDRAWAL FROM AN OPIATE CAN OCCUR.  



I WOULD DETOXIFY OVER A PERIOD OF MANY WEEKS AND OCCASIONALLY  USE AN ANTI-ANXIETY PILL FOR A FEW DAYS IF MATTERS BECOME INTOLERABLE. ALL OF THESE COMMENTS ARE ASSUMING YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IMPOSSIBLE PAIN PROBLEM AND THE TOLERABILITY WILL DEPEND TO A GREAT EXTENT ON HOW DETERMINED YOU ARE TO BO FREE AND YOUR BIOLOGICAL MAKEUP RESPECTING PAIN OR ANXIETY THRESHOLD.

by terter, May 23, 2003 12:00AM
To: Golden 1/lolli
I took Ultram/Tramadol for more then a year, I was taking about 15 a day, I would tapper through to the 5 days then after your important thing then stop. My w/d from Tramadol the first time wasn't pleasant. It was presented as a non narcotic so when my tolerance kicked in I would take more until I would take 3 at a time and my energy kicked in I was up to 5 at a time, My doc put me on a tapper of one less every other day but if I would do it again I would go slower. If you replace it with vicoden you will not go through w/d until you stop all, you get a better feeling with vicoden and may start a new addiction to that which is what I did. When I went off Ultram my doc told me he has seen Psychosis in patients on Ultram, That scared the **** out of me. You will need more time then 5 days but the worse will be over then then the struggle of staying off, I had surgerys after the ultram so I started my vicoprohen addiction which was my choice of drug but would pretty much take any Opiate I could get my hands on. I have been through several w/d from both on my own and it's not easy, You can't in my opinion detox with vicodin because it's stronger then the Ultram, you are on little Tramadol now so keep up with the small amount then after your 5 days go a little lower. Good luck Goldie stay here through the process and well/I'll talk you through it, I'm going through day 12 of w/d except for a couple norco for extreme pain yesterday but I feel better today so no more unless my pain gets to the extreme I have my friend give me as little as possible for pain only/Lolli - I told my husband also and he said he knew too!! I haven't told him everything that I have done b/c I am to ashamed but he is being very supportive, My w/d haven't been as bad this time b/c I tappered with Darvocete for a couple of weeks, I have low energy and the blahs which compared to past w/d isn't a lot and was lucky to have my husband take care of the house during the worst, I can't go back because I would let my family down again. Golden 1 - Please be careful w/tramadol and get some info about tappering. You guys can e-mail me anytime - ***@**** - but please continue to look through this forum believe me it helps  -- TER

by terter, May 23, 2003 12:00AM
To: Golden1
FYI- I am not a youngster I am a 41 year old Female- My personal opinion This **** ages you, I had a professional photo taken of myself before this ordeal, I used to get attention -the whistles, the can I have your # ect... Even high school kids would hit on me, but after a few years of Opiates and I'm sure the years catch up to you as well, I see pictures of myself and can't believe the differance it looks like I've aged 15 years in 5 I have to admit that didn't even stop me useing, What did was the lieing and being imbaressed at the pharmacy when they tell me it's to early to pick up my script, We all know the drill on that.  TER

by theGolden1, May 23, 2003 12:00AM
To: ForumMD
I am determined to be free ... but it is starting to seem like an impossible goal. My pain threshold is not very good because I have Fibromyalgia. The Fibro has improved over the last 2 years and I have tapered down from a much larger dose. I have a little grandaughter that is 2 years old and I need energy to deal with her as well as my partime job doing real estate. So far I am hearing that tramadol withdrawal is unpredictable. I should use valium or zanax very sparingly for the mental symptoms and an opiate for the unbearable pain (when it happens) ... and take my time about all this .... and of coarse, make sure I don't become dependent on anything else .... thank you. I wish we had some actual clinical reports on tramadol withdrawal ... but I do appreciate your advice .... Goldie

by theGolden1, May 23, 2003 12:00AM
To: Terter
Thank you so much .... there is no painless way out and it's not fair! I was told ultram was NOT addictive. Anyway ... what's the use of crying over spilled milk .. (I can't believe I said that)

The whole thing is getting so played out ... I just want to live my life and not worry about all this. If vicodin is stronger, I can break it in half and use it sparingly for excruciating pain. It should be good for 4 days .... thanks again, Goldie

by suzieneedshelp, May 23, 2003 12:00AM
To: Goldie
I miss you and love ya!

Suzie

by theGolden1, May 24, 2003 12:00AM
To: Suzie
Thank God! Where are you? Are you on ezeeboard? Please come to amberhunters board. It rocks. What is your email?

by AmberHunter, May 24, 2003 12:00AM
email amber hunter at ***@**** if you are interested in joining in with a bunch of us in a very simple, uncomplicated, no waiting in line, kind of way~

by gracie97, May 25, 2003 12:00AM
To: Everyone/Peazy/NO Lady/Mystere/Lostsoul
Yesterday I was cleaning, seriously into detail, (first time in a while) and guess what I found? A large WHITE tablet. First thing I did was flip it over to see if it said M363(the big score) or M358, as soon as I saw M363, I started to shake, I slowly walked into the other room and screamed what I had...He talked me into giving it to him, took almost 95 seconds, as I was had seconds thoughts about given it up, BUT I did and we flushed it together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Guys, I am so mad at myself for even THINKING about taking that pill, I guess honestly, not really mad but scared. What if I find one again and there is no one here to give it to?



Hope every body is doing great. I think I really should be grateful today, I have made it through the toughesat part-flushing ONE Lortab 10 is PROOF isn't it?????



(I am free-+28 days!!!!!!!!!!!!)



Anne, please post, I need to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!

by mystere, May 25, 2003 12:00AM
To: Gracie/Peaz/Da Girls/Everyone
I'm sorry I haven't been posting much--I've been having a tough time with the mental aspect of everything--WOW flushing a hydro-10--You Go Girl!  I'm not sure in my present state of mind I would have had the strenght to flush it!--Thank you so much for caring--I would have never made it this far without YOU and Peaz and everyone else--Sooo today is 35 days clean and for today I'll be grateful for that--Take care and I'll be checking in again this evening--Once again you all sooooo special--Much Love Peace/Prayers Mystere/Aka N.O. Lady



Anne

by 9 years, May 25, 2003 12:00AM
I had gotton a flesh eating Bact in 1998. I have been clean and sober from 1994. I have not misused any of the drugs and most likely I have had them all. I would like to be off "ALL" drugs and just see what pain level I am at ? For the past year I have been taking Methadone. I have cut it down from 100Mg a day to 20Mg a day.Can someone help me with cuting the 20Mg a day ? Do I take 20 every other day and then to 10Mg a day and from there were do I go?



Thanks

step 6

by gracie97, May 25, 2003 12:00AM
To: Mystere/Peaz/Suzy/Amber
Your post made me "feel" why I am here. NO LADY, I care about you soooo much, a day without your posts makes me so scared, I missed you sooo much. We CAN do this, I know we can, please do not quit posting, your strength/fears support me sooo  much. Everybody knows we are days apart but I feel like we are in this together, from day one. Anne, if you need/want to talk one on one, pleeeeeaaaasssseeee, let me know, I will give you my e-mail address. GIRL-WE CAN DO THIS-I PROMISE WE CAN MAKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is tough, BUT we can. Like the train says, I think I can , I think I can.......WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!

by peaz, May 25, 2003 12:00AM
To: Gracie and Anne
You girls have the WORST behind you now KEEP GOING!!! PLEASE don't give in to the beast NOW!!!!!!!    OMG--call me collect but DON't USE!!!!!

   I had been sober a bout four months when I put my hand in my "mowing shorts" pocket, and came up w/ three hydros.....AACK!!!!   My hand went to my mouth; to the sink....to my mouth; to the sinkLOL  abuot five times before I finally decided to put 'em down the drain...JUST MY LUCK!! They fuckers (sorry) WOULDN'T FIT  so I had to run all the way (ALL THE WAY!!!!!LOL)  across the rrom to the bathroom where I FLUNG them into the toilet like the vermin they were, and flushed before I could grab 'em out.....WHEW!!  I stood there, shaking....thinking what a close call that had been.  But damn!!  that soon gave way to absolute PRIDE in my resolution and I feel ten feet tall.......A little thing, you might well say, but yet  such a HUGE gesture......!! Gracie--I am THAT proud of you now and I KNOW you can do it by yourself if it ever happens again!!!  I KNOW you will!!

    You two try and post more because you sound just a little shaky and having to report in will get you through that phase a little easier.. It makes a difference, having to 'fess up to others, because they don't "buy" the BS that we, ourselves can stomach quite readily..:-)  I love youse two---peazy

by mystere, May 26, 2003 12:00AM
To: Gracie97/Peaz/DA GIRLS//Everyone
Happy Memorial Day--Peaz--Yes I guess I am a little shakey and I think I know why--I was having some skin reactions due to the Wellbutrin sooo I just decided to quit taking them--BAD MOVE--All week I have felt lethargic and sort of "lost"--I started taking them again yesterday and I can feel that old optimism begin to return--I really didn't think it would make much difference and boy was I wrong! Gracie thank you so much for all your love and support--Have you hit the OK WHAT NOW STAGE?-Now that we don't have the physical withdrawals to worry about how do we go about picking up the pieces of our lives without those magic little pills?  Anyway just wanted to check in and let everyone know how much I appreciate all of the caring and support--36 days out of hydro-hell and I am standing stronger!

Love Y'all--Peace Prayers-Mystere/AKA N.O, Lady



Anne

by gracie97, May 26, 2003 12:00AM
To: Peaz/Mystere
Hope everyone is enjoying a great TAB FREE holiday!!!! (My second one, since Easter)



Anne, I am at that what now stage, so I try to keep BUSY, guess that is why I found the thing I did-hehhehehehehhe, quite ironic, but it is over. And today is another free day. I also listen to lots of music as I am "cleaning" or working in the yard (it is OK, the neighbors are deaf-seriously, not trying to be cruel).The songs that used to make