Tapering off ultram

I need help/advice.  I have been adicted to ultram for about 7 months, and am commited to getting off. I have been seeing a doctor, and she told me to taper off, but didnt really tell me specifics.  How slow should i take it?  and are the withdrawl (withdrawal) symptoms still really horrible after tapering off?

[FLaddict]

You were close I am going to bed right now...

XOXO

[road2recovery]

hi, i am tapering from hydro's right now..Fladdict probably went to bed, but she will post and help you..She has me on a taper..so hopefully she can help you
good luck
R2R

[FLaddict]

IF you taper properly.. which is slow and steady.. there should be mild symptoms at the end.. start by writing down how often you take your pills.. Take them at regular entervals.. like every 4 hours or every 6 hours.. whatever that is for you.. Start by spreading your doses out by 30min longer each day.. every day just a little longer.. This way your body slowly adjust to the lower doses which is the point of tapering.. By adjusting there is not as much of a shock to the system at the end..by doing it this way.. after a few day you eliminate a dose.. and the another one.. until your doses are so close together you are only take one pill..

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.. Welcome to the site..

[enufizenuf]

I just read FLaddict's response, too, and that is great advice with the dosing times! That is what I am also doing...trying to push off taking my dose later and later each day. Good luck and the best to you all! Lisa

[enufizenuf]

Hi there! I am tapering off of a 15 - 20 per day of ultram off and on for 10 years but the worst has been the past 5 years. I went from 15 to 9 this past 9 days and figured I will taper off by 50 mgs every 5 days. I have done cold turkey before and had horrible withdrawels so that is why I am tapering. So far so good. I am taking vitamins, B vitamins, milk thistle, and drinking lots of water! Just taper 50 - 100 mgs every 5 - 7 days and you shouldn't run into prolems. How many are you taking now? I know I am still feeling tired but I drink green tea for it. It beats going cold turkey. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing and please get off of them...don't be like me and taking ten years to stop this little pill from controlling your life! Take care of yourself! God bless! Lisa

[desertgirl]

just read your post, i am taking 2 ultams every 4 hours, right now if i try to take it any further i get really bad, so what all of you are saying is that the first week take normal doses, then the second week strecth them every 1/2 every week?

[TimH2]

Welcome to the forum and you will have much support here. I know that ultram is very hard to kick.
I wish you the very best.

Tim

[enufizenuf]

Hi there! Sorry, I just read your post. If you are taking 2 every four hours, I would take two in the morning and then four hours later take just one and then four hours later take 2. What I try to do is taper my morning dose (I used to take 5 of the 50 mgs in the morning and now take only 3) and then I take 3 for my afternoon dose and then three around 7pm so I don't wake up feeling horrible before my first dose. Get your body used to tapering off 50 mgs before you taper off another 50mgs. It takes my body about 4 - 5 days to get used to the lower dosage even though it is just one pill. But, it has worked and I don't have as many w/d as I would if I did it any faster. But, you may have to go through some discomfort when you taper for the first few days but push yourself to hold out until the next dose. My schedule is this: 12pm - 3 pills, 5pm 3 pill and 8 pm 3 pills. This is much better than the 20 pills I was doing a few weeks ago! I am going to go down to 8 pills Monday by having this schedule: 12pm - 2 pills, 5 pm 3 pills and 8 pm 3 pills. So do you see how I am doing it? I am not taking it off my evening dose right now because if I do, I will wake up feeling sick so I take off a pill from my morning dose or afternoon. Try to taper, though, and really push yourself to wait to take your doses even though you feel a bit ill. Believe me, tapering off ultram is much better on the body then if you were to go cold turkey. Drink some ice cold green tea or mix it in your favorite flavor if you need energy. I try to do that between doses when I am starting to feel sick or I just take a nap. Also, if you take aleve with your tramadol dose, it helps. I do that, too, since I need a pain reliever because of my neck, I just am tired of being addicted to it that is why I am trying to get off of it. I want my kids to know me as I really am and not on any drugs. Good luck and I will be thinking of you! Keep us posted! Lisa