How do i just stop with horrible withdrawls

[elyon26]

I have been on and off pain medications for about 3 years on. Taking Tramadol every day and hydrocodone as needed. I have had many surgeries and have chronic illness. I have never abused the drugs i always take them the way prescribed but I just want off of them. They are ruining my life and I want off of them. I have two kids to take care of and i am afraid i wont be able to take care of them if i stop cold turkey. Any advice???

[digger1976]

Congrats on your 9 days, you're doing amazing! Well done on getting to those meetings, you're right being around people who get it and you helps so much. Remember nothing good in life comes without a fight, so keep your guard up and don't back down, you got this my friend, well done, ;)

[clean_in_ks]

You're making good progress!  9 DAYS of freedom!!  After 4 yrs of using, you're doing amazingly well.  Sleep is a precious commodity and you are already blessed to be getting some.

You're already doing a lot of things to help pass thru the creepy crawlies...the only thing I can thing of to add is a heating pad, warm towels out of the dryer...an electric blanket....ace bandages or elastic leg wraps if it just your legs....it will get better.  Good to hear you stomach is better now....all thing will continue to heal as long as you don't put any opiates in your body.....remember, it's not EASY....but it sure is POSSIBLE~

[elyon26]

On day 9 now. Doing okay. The creepy crawlies are the worst. But the stomach stuff is over thank goodness. Went to another meeting yesterday and it was really nice. I like being around people who know what I am going through. :)

[rush2112]

way to go on the day 7…here's to seven more and seven more after that…it will get easier with time, i promise…cliches are in existence for a reason…time heals all wounds…

keep on trucking

[clean_in_ks]

MAJOR congrats on 7 days!!  You sound like you are really devoted to a life of recovery.....you're doing lots of good things to help yourself thru this time.....and getting some aftercare started and sleeping already are both HUGE KUDOS for you!!!  LOL

The saying you quoted above reminded me of a quote I wrote down while watching the movie Soul Surfer.  I watched it in the early days of my recovery...and it seemed no matter what kind of movie I watched...I could pull a "recovery message" out of it...LOL  It was really great to do that.
Anyway....the quote in the movie I wrote down is similar to the one you shared...."I don't need "easy"......I just need "possible".

Keep on keepin on....you're doing great~

[elyon26]

So today is day 7 and although the stomach symtoms and axiety is so much better I am truly amazed. Right now my back is screaming at me pretty bad. I took some tylenol and Aleve and have heat on it right now. I have been taking a hot bath in the evening as I have said with Epsom salt and it is really helping me relax and sleep. I have slept pretty well the last two nights. On Monday night I actually slept from 11:30-8:15 which was amazing!!! Last night I slept from 10:45 till 7:45 and only woke up a few times for a few short minutes. :) So although my back pain is pretty intense I am doing pretty well. Also I went to a meeting yesterday. Was nice to talk with other people who are also going through the same thing. And we talked alot about living in the now and only thinking about today. It is what it is. :)


A saying I read this week "I didnt say it was going to be easy, but I will be worth it"

[elyon26]

Yes I went from taking 12-14 a day to like 5 a day for 4 days then 2 a day for 2 days then off completely so pretty much from 12-14 to nothing in a week. And now I have had nothing since last Wednesday around 7pm :)

[Pat1956100]

Hey, don't think it's too much info, I've spilled my guts on this forum. I have said more on here then I have anywhere.

I am happy to hear that you and your hubby are going to try again.  I'm sure it will take time and your head will get clearer every day.

Keep posting for support.

[elyon26]

Hey so I thought I would write to you personally. Yes, I am still living with my parents right now. Thankfully, because the withdrawal symptoms come and go so its nice to have my mom step in when I need her to. Me and my husband are currently separated for some issues but hoping to be back living together soon. I refuse to call it quits at this point. He has some issues to work out by himself and of course so do I. Then we need to also work on our issues together. Sorry probably more info than you wanted but well............

[rush2112]

I think some of the pain we experience is a result of lack of sleep…i know that was a biggie for me…sleep will come with time and so will a better body…
did you cold turkey tramadol?  that is pretty serious from what i know, you are lucky to be so far along…keep on moving forward, i bet sleep starts to come i little more at a time every night…good luck

[katmandu516]

Hi there! Tramadol was my doc also. It's not an easy w/d, but you are doing it!!  Good for you!! Keep going.....YOU CAN DO THIS!!! I did.

[VICourageous]

The body aches will chill out soon..My Dr called it Somatic Syndrome which means the Brain is healing and it will send singles to the Body..I am telling you he was so right..I have almost 17 months in and it did take time..You are doing all the right things..Try adding some Electrolyte powder to your water..You must drink to keep flushing poisons out..I wish you the best.
Bless

[Pat1956100]

Congrats on Day 5.  That is awesome.
Yes, make sure you push the fluids in.  You really need them now.  Try some Gatorade.  I am drinking some now.
5 hours sleep is great at this point.

You SHOULD be proud!!!!

[elyon26]

So I am on Day 5 now, this is the longest I have gone with out any Tramadol or pain meds (besides like Tylenol and stuff) in 4 years!!!! Although it ***** I am really proud of myself. The worst symptom I have having today and yesterday is my whole body just hurts. Kinda like when you have the flu and your body just hurts all over. Having a hard time making myself drink fluids but I am really trying because I am sure that not being hydrated isnt helping. I didnt get a lot of sleep but I did sleep 5 hours straight which is more than I have since last week. The Epsom salt + baking soda bath is really helping with the creepy crawly feeling.

[Pat1956100]

Are you still at your parents?
It's awesome when you can get some support.
You should be on Day 5 now and the worst of the withdrawals should be over.  That lack of energy really s ucks so hopefully your parents are helping with the kids.
Keep posting for support.

[elyon26]

So it is the morning of day 4, and I am surviving so far. I had a total melt down on Friday when my daughter went to school and I was alone in the house and felt like I wanted to die. But I got through it, Luckily I have a great doctor is has even given me his house and cell number if I need him. I also have a great family support and I am staying with my parents right now. The tizanidine has helped take the edge off of the stomach cramping. And the suraquil has help me sleep some. Thursday I didn't sleep much but didn't have the Restlessness that I have had from not having medicine. Then Friday was a night mere, I had it so bad I wanted to pull out my hair. It finally passed after about 1 am and I slept about an hour at a time but at least the restlessness got better. Then last night I took a super hot bath with Epsom salt in it and it did really help, I didn't have restlessness much at all. Feeling a little better today (day 4) I finally ate some yogurt. (Only had like 6 crackers the last 3 days) I am going to try and go outside and walk a little bit. I will keep you posted daily if I can. Taking each victory as I make it. :)  

[Lainemoss]

I was a tram user as well. Never prescribed. Took around 15 per day. I'm 13 days clean now! I have witgdrawn from hydro before and I can tell you, I would take that any day over tram withdrawal. I'm not trying to scare you, but I want to be honest with you. It is not fun. No withdrawal is, but tram withdrawals are especially hard for me. I have no symptoms except for the RLS and not sleeping at this point. The RLS is the worst symptom for me, the most irritating. I physically dread that feeling every night. I feel like it will never go away and I will never sleep again. Here is what I do to try and head it off. It is working so far. Take a magnesium supplement in the morning along with potassium and calcium. I am unable to take calcium as I have high calcium levels naturally. Then at night after dinner take another. Then before bed take a really hot Epsom salt bath, extra salt. Soak at least 20 min. It should help. I will follow your progress and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. I know this is a trying time and you will need support. This community of people is great for that. Good luck!

[Sonrissa]

Hi elyon, and welcome back. I'm so glad you decided to be honest and reach out for help. So, does this doctor know how many per day, and for how long you were taking the Trams? I am a bit surprised that he advised you to go cold turkey because of the seizure risk. I think if it were me, I would go back to him and specifically ask about the seizure risk. In the meantime, make sure you stay very well hydrated. Take Immodium for any bathroom issues. Check out the Thomas Recipe, the link is at the bottom of the page, for some additional information. Also, take Epsom Salt baths which will help with achey muscles, and RLS. Take care, and please keep posting and let us know how you are doing!

[elyon26]

So I lied before I have taken more than doc gave me. I was getting them offline as well. Up to like 600-700mg a day. I knew I needed off of them but after talking with my doc he refused to give me any for a tappering off of them. So I reached out to a local clinic that helps people off of drugs. Although they said i wasnt a typical addict because I only really use Trams. they said they would help. The doc there thought the cold turkey would be the fastest way to get off of them. He gave me meds to help with the withdrawls like Vistiral (which gave me the creepy crawlings even worse) something for the stomach cramping and Suraquil (spelling) to help me sleep. Today is my first day with nothing and I already feel horrible. I did tapper off some the last two weeks. Any advice to get through this horrible WD how long will the bad WD  last. I have two kids to care for and get to and from school etc. Any advice would be great

[kyle505]

I agree with Rosy...IF you've never abused the meds, then the very first step is to talk with your doc, especially about the Trams. Cold turkey is probably not a good idea, so your doctor can set up a taper program, if that's even a option.
We are here for support, but we can't give medical advice, and it sounds like that is exactly what you need right now.
K

[ROSYouralright]

Have you considered talking to your doctor about a tapering schedule?