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Day 3 off of Tramadol and it's very hard
Hi all. I'm on day 3 coming off of a 250/300 mg a day Tramadol habit. It was originally prescribed for my constant lower back pain but I wound up loving the calming effect it had on my anxiety. I read that it is a Seratonin inhibiter as well as a pain blocker so it makes sense I felt happier and calmer on them. The problem is I started resenting having to use pills to make me happy- I hated that I was dependent on them.
And man am I ever dependent on them. I feel awful and it's all I can do to not call my doctor to beg for another prescription. I'm exhausted but can't sleep, I feel jittery and when my eyes move in my head I hear a zapping sort of noise. I know it's going to take some time but I truly feel worthless right now.
And man am I ever dependent on them. I feel awful and it's all I can do to not call my doctor to beg for another prescription. I'm exhausted but can't sleep, I feel jittery and when my eyes move in my head I hear a zapping sort of noise. I know it's going to take some time but I truly feel worthless right now.
Lu, I just re-read your post and I cannot thank you enough for your kind, thoughtful response with so much advice. I'm having the hardest time getting through the mental detox of the Tramadol. I miss the calm feeling it gave me. But I'm done with pills- done with the anxiety I would get when my pills got low every month- through with the insane combing the car when I spilled my bottle. Insanity. I do want to find my true self. I just feel like it's going to take forever.
Lu, thank you so much for your reply and the advice. I'm heading out the door now but I'll reply longer when I can get the chance.
hi Sheelie-
I am curious as to why you don't want to share what is happening with you to your family? It certainly won't make them love you any less. Being an addict is nothing to be ashamed of. And you know what? It's really, really hard not to become addicted to these pharmaceutical drugs. Especially when we are in pain, or suffering from anxiety and or depression. I know that for me, my family was key in both my getting and staying clean. I was scared to tell them that I had a problem, sure. But I knew that if I didn't, it would be too easy to go back. And I knew I needed help. Telling them, and continuing to seek help in aftercare was the best decision I've ever made. You know, I've been a member on this site for 3 years, and never have I heard someone regret telling their secret and asking for help.
Sometimes our families don't react the way that we want them to, but they do come around once they see how we are working to better ourselves and get well.
Tramadol is notorious for it's addictive properties. And up until very recently doctors prescribed it as a non-addictive pain med. It only became a classified narcotic in August of this year. Since then this board has been flooded with posters looking for help in coming clean and staying clean. You are in good company here.
The hardest part of the Tramadol detox is the rebound depression because it IS an antidepressant. It will take awhile for your brain to heal, and to begin producing seratonin again. For many of it's users, it was masking a chemical depression, and they have sought out other options for managing such as cognitive behavioural therapy, addictions counseling, group work such as NA/AA, SMART recovery, Celebrate recovery (to name a few) Some find they DO need an antidepressant. I would advise you to wait at least one month before making decisions about other meds. You need to give yourself time to heal.
In the meantime. Drink plenty of fluids. I found that warm teas like peppermint and chamomile were easier on my tummy than cold ones in the early days. Also, hot baths with Epsom salts are THE BEST. I lived in the bathtub for 5 days. It helps with the aches and pains, as well as calming the anxiety. Put some lavender oil in the bath and light some candles, play soft music...It really helps.
Distract yourself with your fave TV shows and movies.
Eat small amounts of food whenever you can.
Immodium for the diarrhea.
Bananas for the RLS.
THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOUR BRAIN AND BODY REPAIR-
Calcium/zinc/magnesium
Vitamin C ascorbate with L-lysine
Omega 3 Fish oil
Vitamin B6/B12 (for the B12 injections are best)
Vitamin D
For sleep and anxiety-
Melatonin.
Valerian Root (if not on any AD meds)
Tryptophan-
I discovered tryptophan about 6 months ago in prescribed doses it is a natural seratonin booster and mood stabilizer that helps to increase the length and quality of your sleep. I was able to stop taking the pharma sleeping pills I'd been on for nearly 2 decades for insomnia.
Also-
Exercise. No better way to boost the natural endorphins than exercise. You won't feel like it, but force yourself to do as much activity as you can. You will feel better faster and will rest easier at night.
Most important is be easy and gentle with yourself. A positive outlook makes all the difference in the world. It does take time and patience to heal but the end result is so worth it. You get YOURSELF back. Your true and authentic self. And that is the best gift you could ever ask for.
Hang in there and keep posting....
Lu
I am curious as to why you don't want to share what is happening with you to your family? It certainly won't make them love you any less. Being an addict is nothing to be ashamed of. And you know what? It's really, really hard not to become addicted to these pharmaceutical drugs. Especially when we are in pain, or suffering from anxiety and or depression. I know that for me, my family was key in both my getting and staying clean. I was scared to tell them that I had a problem, sure. But I knew that if I didn't, it would be too easy to go back. And I knew I needed help. Telling them, and continuing to seek help in aftercare was the best decision I've ever made. You know, I've been a member on this site for 3 years, and never have I heard someone regret telling their secret and asking for help.
Sometimes our families don't react the way that we want them to, but they do come around once they see how we are working to better ourselves and get well.
Tramadol is notorious for it's addictive properties. And up until very recently doctors prescribed it as a non-addictive pain med. It only became a classified narcotic in August of this year. Since then this board has been flooded with posters looking for help in coming clean and staying clean. You are in good company here.
The hardest part of the Tramadol detox is the rebound depression because it IS an antidepressant. It will take awhile for your brain to heal, and to begin producing seratonin again. For many of it's users, it was masking a chemical depression, and they have sought out other options for managing such as cognitive behavioural therapy, addictions counseling, group work such as NA/AA, SMART recovery, Celebrate recovery (to name a few) Some find they DO need an antidepressant. I would advise you to wait at least one month before making decisions about other meds. You need to give yourself time to heal.
In the meantime. Drink plenty of fluids. I found that warm teas like peppermint and chamomile were easier on my tummy than cold ones in the early days. Also, hot baths with Epsom salts are THE BEST. I lived in the bathtub for 5 days. It helps with the aches and pains, as well as calming the anxiety. Put some lavender oil in the bath and light some candles, play soft music...It really helps.
Distract yourself with your fave TV shows and movies.
Eat small amounts of food whenever you can.
Immodium for the diarrhea.
Bananas for the RLS.
THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOUR BRAIN AND BODY REPAIR-
Calcium/zinc/magnesium
Vitamin C ascorbate with L-lysine
Omega 3 Fish oil
Vitamin B6/B12 (for the B12 injections are best)
Vitamin D
For sleep and anxiety-
Melatonin.
Valerian Root (if not on any AD meds)
Tryptophan-
I discovered tryptophan about 6 months ago in prescribed doses it is a natural seratonin booster and mood stabilizer that helps to increase the length and quality of your sleep. I was able to stop taking the pharma sleeping pills I'd been on for nearly 2 decades for insomnia.
Also-
Exercise. No better way to boost the natural endorphins than exercise. You won't feel like it, but force yourself to do as much activity as you can. You will feel better faster and will rest easier at night.
Most important is be easy and gentle with yourself. A positive outlook makes all the difference in the world. It does take time and patience to heal but the end result is so worth it. You get YOURSELF back. Your true and authentic self. And that is the best gift you could ever ask for.
Hang in there and keep posting....
Lu
Day 5 today and the diarrhea and the hot flushing has started. Not fun. My kid asked me what was wrong because he said " You look like a zombie mom. "
Nice. Ugh. I feel awful.
Nice. Ugh. I feel awful.
I remember when I came of my antidepressant years ago I started having those insane "zaps" in my head. Almost felt like I was getting shocked. It was insane but it did go away completely away fairly quickly, within 1-2 weeks. I am currently coming off methadone so I know how horrible those wd's are. Hang in there.
Thank you so much. What ***** even worse is that no one in my family knows I'm an addict. I've kept this secret for almost 3 years.
I really appreciate you taking time to post encouragement. It means so much that I can vent here.
I really appreciate you taking time to post encouragement. It means so much that I can vent here.
Hang in there! Your right in the thick of it at day 3. Tramadol can be a nasty withdrawal because of the antidepressant effect it has. Just keep pushing through it and before you know it, it will be behind you. Congrats on deciding to quit. Keep posting to let us know how you are.
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