Aa
Getting off Tramadol
I have been taking 4 50mg tabs of tramadol a day for a year for a back injury. I did not abuse this drug. I never seemed to develop tolerance either although my doctor warned me I would. He also told me I would become physically dependent on them. I asked how bad the withdrawal would be and he said "Go to the ER bad."
When he phoned in my last prescription it was cut in half. Instead of 120 a month, it was 60 a month. I guess he thinks it's time for me to taper off?
Is this going to be bad? I have noticed on the days I forget to take one, I do get some withdrawal symptoms. That's one. This will be cutting two a day. I'm really afraid because I have to go to work.
Please don't tell me to go see him or call him to discuss this because he's always right and I'm wrong.
When he phoned in my last prescription it was cut in half. Instead of 120 a month, it was 60 a month. I guess he thinks it's time for me to taper off?
Is this going to be bad? I have noticed on the days I forget to take one, I do get some withdrawal symptoms. That's one. This will be cutting two a day. I'm really afraid because I have to go to work.
Please don't tell me to go see him or call him to discuss this because he's always right and I'm wrong.
I, too was a tramadol addict. I abused the medication, sometimes taking as many as 18 50mg pills a day. And tramadol has an antidepressant component that is only a few atoms different from the marketed antidepressant effexor (according to someone on the tramadol/ultram list).
A long taper plan would be best. I was able to cut my intake in half without a big hit of w/ds but I was taking a lot. My father was taking two a day for several years and wanted to quit but couldn't because he "couldn't sleep." He's addicted and has to take one at night or he has the creepy crawlies, etc. At almost 78, that is fine with me.
Tramadol w/d is much like regular opiates, maybe in some ways the depression part is worse. Effexor must be tapered, so it makes sense to taper Tramadol. I would seek a MD who is helpful and available and interested. One thing...tramadol w/d WILL NOT KILL YOU. It *****, but if you stop C/T you should be functional within 5 days. Everyone is different so that is just a guess. I am not a professional. I swore I would never touch another tramapuke and I never have. I'm in trouble with hydrocodone this time but not as afraid. Once you get off you may need to seek aftercare (NA) or some support since there is a lot of mental pull with tramadol. I'm praying for you. Randy in the southeast here...
A long taper plan would be best. I was able to cut my intake in half without a big hit of w/ds but I was taking a lot. My father was taking two a day for several years and wanted to quit but couldn't because he "couldn't sleep." He's addicted and has to take one at night or he has the creepy crawlies, etc. At almost 78, that is fine with me.
Tramadol w/d is much like regular opiates, maybe in some ways the depression part is worse. Effexor must be tapered, so it makes sense to taper Tramadol. I would seek a MD who is helpful and available and interested. One thing...tramadol w/d WILL NOT KILL YOU. It *****, but if you stop C/T you should be functional within 5 days. Everyone is different so that is just a guess. I am not a professional. I swore I would never touch another tramapuke and I never have. I'm in trouble with hydrocodone this time but not as afraid. Once you get off you may need to seek aftercare (NA) or some support since there is a lot of mental pull with tramadol. I'm praying for you. Randy in the southeast here...
hello. i was tapering off of Effexor years ago. it was horrible. the doc also gave me xanax to take for 5 days after quitting the effexor cold turkey. worked like a charm. i think there is something there as far as the seretonin syndrome is concerned for tramadol. it is similar to anti depressants. but they are just as reluctant to prescribe xanax and the like as they are pain meds these days. benzos were never my cup of tea. did nothing for me but stop my panic attacks when i needed it.
I know this is an older post, but if anyone can read this there is something called Sertitonin Syndrome that occurs when taking painmeds, any meds involving the central nervous system, over the counter cold and other meds, and otc herbals. I was on Tramadol for about a month and a half to 2 months after back surgery. I didn't over use, and was in fact weaning off of them, because I never like taking that kind of medication. I started getting flu like symptoms, alot of anxiety, raised BP, mood changes, fever one minute with alot of sweating - then get so cold I couldn't warm up. My surgeon's assistant told me it was probably just the flu and to wean off the stuff. Thing is I was only taking it at night, and when I did, I would be a mess by morning. The anxiety got so bad to a point I thought I was going crazy. I called my regular doc, because at that point I already miissed a few days of work, and needed a note. I explained what was going on, and he looked and me and said lets try something. It sounds like Seritonin Syndrome. He told me to completely stop the Tramadol, and gave me a low dose of Xanax to counter act the seritonin built up in my system. It worked great! And the thing is, the area where I had the surgery stopped hurting. Another symptom of it is rigid muscles and twitching, so when I took the pill thinking I was having back pain, it was really making it worse instead of better. Hope this information helps others who may be going through the same.
I wish I could offer some insight to you on this - as I may have told you, I quit the tramadol cold turkey. And yes, it was AWFUL.
I suppose the only thing you can do is ask to speak to your Dr. directly and tell them what you're experiencing. The only thing I can offer is that I think no matter HOW you do it, it's going to hurt for a while. I don't think there's any way around that (sorry :( - so keep going, and definitely speak to the doc. At the very least, you'll feel in control of the situation and that should help somewhat. Good luck to you! I'll be rooting for you no matter how you quit!! :)
I suppose the only thing you can do is ask to speak to your Dr. directly and tell them what you're experiencing. The only thing I can offer is that I think no matter HOW you do it, it's going to hurt for a while. I don't think there's any way around that (sorry :( - so keep going, and definitely speak to the doc. At the very least, you'll feel in control of the situation and that should help somewhat. Good luck to you! I'll be rooting for you no matter how you quit!! :)
Am I crazy?
I got my refill which allowed me to continue my slow taper. And I have to now call every two weeks for more. Had the NP written 4 a day instead of 2 a day on her prescription, I would not have to. The pharmacist told me this.
Anyway, when I cut to 3 1/2 it was like nothing. When I cut to 3 a day, I felt it. I was taking my first dose at 9:30. I had confided in a co worker what I was doing and one day around 11, she asked if I had taken my pill.
When I told her yes, she said I looked like hell when I came in but now I looked more like my chipper self. This is not in my head.
Anyway, I had to stay at 3 longer than expected. I time my cuts for the weekend so I can have three days to adjust before working.
But here is the thing. Almost everyone I've talked to except my doctor seems to think the withdrawal is not that bad. And that tramadol can be tapered fairly quickly without any ill effects.
These are people in the health field who have dealt with tramadol withdrawal. Is my brain weird or something because I really, really felt it when I cut to 3.
And do the cuts get easier or harder?
I got my refill which allowed me to continue my slow taper. And I have to now call every two weeks for more. Had the NP written 4 a day instead of 2 a day on her prescription, I would not have to. The pharmacist told me this.
Anyway, when I cut to 3 1/2 it was like nothing. When I cut to 3 a day, I felt it. I was taking my first dose at 9:30. I had confided in a co worker what I was doing and one day around 11, she asked if I had taken my pill.
When I told her yes, she said I looked like hell when I came in but now I looked more like my chipper self. This is not in my head.
Anyway, I had to stay at 3 longer than expected. I time my cuts for the weekend so I can have three days to adjust before working.
But here is the thing. Almost everyone I've talked to except my doctor seems to think the withdrawal is not that bad. And that tramadol can be tapered fairly quickly without any ill effects.
These are people in the health field who have dealt with tramadol withdrawal. Is my brain weird or something because I really, really felt it when I cut to 3.
And do the cuts get easier or harder?
Latest update. I finally got an OK from the doctor to get 60 more pills. However, and this is a big however, I have to wait until I'm down to a couple days left and that should be two weeks. Keep in mind I was doing a slow taper and started out with 60 and cut to 3 1/2 and now 3 and I had enough for 2 a day. In two weeks, I can get a refill so I don't know what that accomplishes. The doctor also told me via the nurse to continue to taper.
I figure I'm calling way before I'm down to a couple days because it took a week to get through to the doctor the last time.
I also talked to the pharmacist who seemed to think that the doctor didn't understand how to call in more pills. He said it was common for doctors to do this the wrong way. The doctor has to change my dose from twice a day to four times a day for it to go through. He assured me that if I let him know when the prescription was being sent, he would call the doctor and straighten it out.
Am I supposed to subscribe to the DEA newsletter or something? How does any average person know all these rules? This all started because a NP can only prescribe 60 which I didn't know.
I just hope the pharmacist has better luck than me getting through. And I am tapering way faster than I wanted to but so far am functional. Barely.
I figure I'm calling way before I'm down to a couple days because it took a week to get through to the doctor the last time.
I also talked to the pharmacist who seemed to think that the doctor didn't understand how to call in more pills. He said it was common for doctors to do this the wrong way. The doctor has to change my dose from twice a day to four times a day for it to go through. He assured me that if I let him know when the prescription was being sent, he would call the doctor and straighten it out.
Am I supposed to subscribe to the DEA newsletter or something? How does any average person know all these rules? This all started because a NP can only prescribe 60 which I didn't know.
I just hope the pharmacist has better luck than me getting through. And I am tapering way faster than I wanted to but so far am functional. Barely.
Ok, I got nowhere asking to see a doctor. I was told the doctors call patients if they need to talk to them. My doctor did call me before so I asked that he call me. He didn't.
I was reading a post on here from someone whose doctor dropped them for trying to get off and maybe that is what I'm dealing with. So my new plan is to say I have no idea why I ever wanted to stop this medication and can my doctor please get me my old script back.
Then I will just taper off myself and let them think I'm just a nice compliant patient.
He kept saying he didn't understand why I wanted to off my meds. So I think that must be what is going on.
In the meantime, I'm running out fast while no doctor will see me or even talk to me.
I was reading a post on here from someone whose doctor dropped them for trying to get off and maybe that is what I'm dealing with. So my new plan is to say I have no idea why I ever wanted to stop this medication and can my doctor please get me my old script back.
Then I will just taper off myself and let them think I'm just a nice compliant patient.
He kept saying he didn't understand why I wanted to off my meds. So I think that must be what is going on.
In the meantime, I'm running out fast while no doctor will see me or even talk to me.
Yep, it's hell on earth! No doubt about it. The thing is, if you taper it will certainly drag it out longer, but it's probably less painful other than it takes so long! (some say it's also safer) I had to get it done! There are meds they can give you to help the WDs so that you can function. Maybe that would be a better route for you? Maybe run that by the doctor? Let me be clear though.....there is NO drug on the planet that will take all the tramadol WDs away. Unlike regular opiate WD, where suboxone or methadone will stop them, tram WD is a whole different deal. You have to suffer through some of it in order to get off of them! It's not good news, but it can be done! : )
I actually did talk to the doctor by phone. He returned my call. He couldn't even understand why I had stopped the tramadol and since I was also sick at the time, I was running my symptoms by him and he would tell me if they were withdrawal or illness. All were withdrawal.
He didn't know about the cut in the prescription to 60 a month. He said talk to his nurse if I needed more during the taper. I did that. She sounded completely clueless but said she would ask him.
In the meantime, I have a fever again. I didn't ask if that was illness or withdrawal because it had gone away. Now it's back.
I'm just losing my mind. I've missed so much work. I am trying to call now and I am going to demand to see a doctor. Not a PA. Not a NP. It's not that I don't think they're competent but apparently they're limited as to what they can do. They are still calling in cholesterol prescriptions to my pharmacy and that is the least of my worries right now. I'm hardly eating anything and I'm not starting new medications until I find out what is going on.
As for seeing my PCP, I got an appointment in June. That was the earliest I could get.
I was released to go back to work and I can't stay home. I do not have a doctor's excuse.
And thank you for making me laugh this morning. The last sentence of your post cracked me up. Yeh, I'd say the two days I tried to cold turkey were not the best two days I've ever had either. I told the nurse it was like going to hell. At least I know what hell is now and I'm motivated to get to heaven. :)
Wish me luck.
He didn't know about the cut in the prescription to 60 a month. He said talk to his nurse if I needed more during the taper. I did that. She sounded completely clueless but said she would ask him.
In the meantime, I have a fever again. I didn't ask if that was illness or withdrawal because it had gone away. Now it's back.
I'm just losing my mind. I've missed so much work. I am trying to call now and I am going to demand to see a doctor. Not a PA. Not a NP. It's not that I don't think they're competent but apparently they're limited as to what they can do. They are still calling in cholesterol prescriptions to my pharmacy and that is the least of my worries right now. I'm hardly eating anything and I'm not starting new medications until I find out what is going on.
As for seeing my PCP, I got an appointment in June. That was the earliest I could get.
I was released to go back to work and I can't stay home. I do not have a doctor's excuse.
And thank you for making me laugh this morning. The last sentence of your post cracked me up. Yeh, I'd say the two days I tried to cold turkey were not the best two days I've ever had either. I told the nurse it was like going to hell. At least I know what hell is now and I'm motivated to get to heaven. :)
Wish me luck.
That's a hard question. Only you really know what you can handle. I guess you could make an appt and talk to the doc and get the script??? They probably won't let you speak to him over the phone. Doctors are not real prone to talking on the phone with patients, at least where I'm from! And you're right......it may be that the more you call, the crazier they think you are. You could taper faster. Definitely do that if he refuses to call in any more meds. The more you can taper before you stop, the easier it will be! That's about the best advice I can give. I didn't taper. I went cold turkey from about 15 pills a day. It was not the best week of my life!
Update. I cut to 3 1/2 a day. The withdrawal has been mild. Now, I feel the anxiety and have some trouble sleeping but compared to cold turkey hell, it is nothing. I went back to work today.
I realize the taper will get harder as I go along because the percentage of the total will increase. Say now I'm cutting 10%. Next cut will be 25%. This isn't accurate. I'm just throwing numbers out there.
So I called my doctor's nurse today as instructed. I realized there is no way 60 are going to last long.
She acted completely clueless. I told her the doctor said to call if I was going to run out and I was going to run out and I did not want to go back to hell. I think she is one of the ones who think the withdrawal is not that bad and I'm a drama queen judging by her reaction.
Anyway, she said she would talk to the doctor and see what he wanted to do.
I don't think anyone there talks to anyone else. They just put everything in the computerized chart and run around with their little laptops typing in new notes every time they get a chance.
And I keep getting calls from the pharmacy because they're calling prescriptions for cholesterol meds and niacin and I don't even have a niacin deficiency. At least, no told me I did.
Anyway, to cut to the chase, should I start tapering faster or something or just do it my way until I run out and go cold turkey again. I won't be able to work or function and I really hated that hell but it's looking like I won't have a choice. I can't keep calling. The more I call, the more they're going to be noting "drug seeking" behavior on my chart.
I realize the taper will get harder as I go along because the percentage of the total will increase. Say now I'm cutting 10%. Next cut will be 25%. This isn't accurate. I'm just throwing numbers out there.
So I called my doctor's nurse today as instructed. I realized there is no way 60 are going to last long.
She acted completely clueless. I told her the doctor said to call if I was going to run out and I was going to run out and I did not want to go back to hell. I think she is one of the ones who think the withdrawal is not that bad and I'm a drama queen judging by her reaction.
Anyway, she said she would talk to the doctor and see what he wanted to do.
I don't think anyone there talks to anyone else. They just put everything in the computerized chart and run around with their little laptops typing in new notes every time they get a chance.
And I keep getting calls from the pharmacy because they're calling prescriptions for cholesterol meds and niacin and I don't even have a niacin deficiency. At least, no told me I did.
Anyway, to cut to the chase, should I start tapering faster or something or just do it my way until I run out and go cold turkey again. I won't be able to work or function and I really hated that hell but it's looking like I won't have a choice. I can't keep calling. The more I call, the more they're going to be noting "drug seeking" behavior on my chart.
My God another horror story about this drug ! What the Hell are these doctors thinking or are they ! Every person I talk to has told me that has taken Tramadol has said it makes Vicodin withdrawals look like a walk in the park ! Just look at one of our members names .(Tramahater) When I first came to medhelp in July of 2007 I never saw any post about this so called miracle drug for opiates . Like most of you know I came so close to feeling a prescription of this drug a month ago when my doctor told me how it was a great alternative to Vicodin without the nasty side effects or euphoric high . I just happened to come across the large post we were having about this and nearly fell out of my chair ! God bless you people for saving us from more agony and for you people getting of of this crap ! We are al here to help you ! God bless.. Jimmy
I think that is a reasonable taper, but at the end of it, you still may have some crazy, possessed legs/arms!!! There are actually some supplements that help that. I didn't believe in it until I got desperate and tried!
Your taper is a good, slow one, so it will take some time, but you will suffer less I think. You can always slow it down as you go along if you see that your body and brain are not adjusting!
Your taper is a good, slow one, so it will take some time, but you will suffer less I think. You can always slow it down as you go along if you see that your body and brain are not adjusting!
He let me design my own taper. What I came up with is only week 1 so far. Cut 1/2 tab like this. 1 1/2 morning, 1 second dose, 1 third dose space evenly apart. I used to take 2 in the morning and then 2 spaced out the rest of the day.
Then maybe week 2 cut the 1/2 off the morning dose. Does that sound reasonable?
As long as my body is not possessed by demons and I can actually walk across the room without feeling like my head is a balloon, I think I'll be okay. The one strange thing is I never got anxiety and everything I read said that was one of the most debilitating symptoms. But I think I'm too sick to get anxiety so that might be coming.
Then maybe week 2 cut the 1/2 off the morning dose. Does that sound reasonable?
As long as my body is not possessed by demons and I can actually walk across the room without feeling like my head is a balloon, I think I'll be okay. The one strange thing is I never got anxiety and everything I read said that was one of the most debilitating symptoms. But I think I'm too sick to get anxiety so that might be coming.
I'm sure your Dr. knows best about what kind of taper is right for you so just follow what he says. I'm not sure you won't experience any withdrawal symptoms though but I'm sure it will be more comfortable by tapering. The only reason I quit cold turkey was because I didn't do any research beforehand and had no idea what I was in for. But I have read stories of successful tapers. Good luck to you I'll be rooting for you!! :)
ImDONENoMore, I kept insisting I wanted to cold turkey even though I was sick and the doctor said that it wasn't life threatening but just stupid to go through it that way. He said he would never just cut someone off any addictive substance. The taper he advised was a lot faster but at that point, I never wanted to go near that particular hell again. He seemed to be really puzzled as to why I even tried the cold turkey.
The answer to that was I had no idea what I was in for. I read a lot of posts here and so many other people seemed able to do it.
I was telling him symptoms I was having so he could tell me which were withdrawal and which were from the mono. All were from the withdrawal.
I don't feel I'll have a problem doing this. First of all, I never got high off this drug. I would actually forget to take it sometimes. And I came up with such a weenie taper, I don't think I'll feel much but then again, I thought cold turkey was something everyone could do and just have a little insomnia and discomfort. I would be cutting 1/2 a pill a week.
tramahater, I have some vailum I never take. I did take some the second night of the withdrawal but it did nothing except make me feel worse so no, I'm not taking anything else.
Those two days scared me so much that I don't want to feel any kind of withdrawal. I thought getting through one night with no sleep and my body possessed and arms and legs flailing around was the worse.
I was wrong. The next day I was throwing up and every time I got up, I had this swimmy head thing that was from hell. And this feeling of being in some other world I just can't even describe. I tried watching a DVD and I couldn't even concentrate on it for five minutes. I know everyone said to distract yourself but I didn't know how if I couldn't even do that.
So now, it will take me about 8 weeks and I'll have to come up with some other solution to deal with the pain which will never go away.
Do people think this taper is too slow? I know you can't contradict a doctor but you're not. He wanted me to cut to 3 a day for five days, then 2 and so on. He said it would be uncomfortable but I'd be able to function.
When I told him how I wanted to do it, he was fine with that. He said whatever I felt like I could handle. I just really have no idea what is realistic. I'd like to do it faster but I don't want even one withdrawal symptom ever again.
The answer to that was I had no idea what I was in for. I read a lot of posts here and so many other people seemed able to do it.
I was telling him symptoms I was having so he could tell me which were withdrawal and which were from the mono. All were from the withdrawal.
I don't feel I'll have a problem doing this. First of all, I never got high off this drug. I would actually forget to take it sometimes. And I came up with such a weenie taper, I don't think I'll feel much but then again, I thought cold turkey was something everyone could do and just have a little insomnia and discomfort. I would be cutting 1/2 a pill a week.
tramahater, I have some vailum I never take. I did take some the second night of the withdrawal but it did nothing except make me feel worse so no, I'm not taking anything else.
Those two days scared me so much that I don't want to feel any kind of withdrawal. I thought getting through one night with no sleep and my body possessed and arms and legs flailing around was the worse.
I was wrong. The next day I was throwing up and every time I got up, I had this swimmy head thing that was from hell. And this feeling of being in some other world I just can't even describe. I tried watching a DVD and I couldn't even concentrate on it for five minutes. I know everyone said to distract yourself but I didn't know how if I couldn't even do that.
So now, it will take me about 8 weeks and I'll have to come up with some other solution to deal with the pain which will never go away.
Do people think this taper is too slow? I know you can't contradict a doctor but you're not. He wanted me to cut to 3 a day for five days, then 2 and so on. He said it would be uncomfortable but I'd be able to function.
When I told him how I wanted to do it, he was fine with that. He said whatever I felt like I could handle. I just really have no idea what is realistic. I'd like to do it faster but I don't want even one withdrawal symptom ever again.
I'm glad you talked to the doctor. It would be a LOT to go through all that at once. Just do as he says. Take the pills on a schedule. Don't wait until you feel horrible. The point of a taper is to keep you from suffering, so........you shouldn't!
Are you taking any other meds during the taper besides the antibiotic?
Are you taking any other meds during the taper besides the antibiotic?
It's okay, you were dealing with a lot with the infection and mono so I see why it would be too hard. Just do as the Dr. tells you - do you mean only 1/2 pill every week or each day? Either way, hang in there and if at all possible, have someone give the meds to you while you're tapering. It's way too easy to fall back into the over consumption so just keep your guard up. Good luck to you! :)
I finally got a call from the doctor who seemed to be clueless about the whole tramadol prescription thing. He told me he thought we had decided on 120 a month for the pain. He wanted to know why I stopped taking it. I told him I wanted off. He said doing it cold turkey was pretty brutal as I had discovered and he didn't understand why anyone would do that on purpose.
We finally decided on my weenie taper. 1/2 a tab a week. If I run out I can call and he will call in more. He also told me to just talk to his nurse in the future because he would get the message.
As for going CT while having mono, it wouldn't have killed me but he thought it wasn't the greatest idea in the world. He didn't think CT was ever indicated because tapering off a medication was a lot easier.
The swimmy head thing was withdrawal. He said when your body is used to a drug and you just take it away, it doesn't like it.
I was all set to keep on with the CT but when I asked him how long it would last, he said he'd have to check to be sure but he thought tramadol acute withdrawal was a week. So I caved. I couldn't imagine functioning like this for a week.
We finally decided on my weenie taper. 1/2 a tab a week. If I run out I can call and he will call in more. He also told me to just talk to his nurse in the future because he would get the message.
As for going CT while having mono, it wouldn't have killed me but he thought it wasn't the greatest idea in the world. He didn't think CT was ever indicated because tapering off a medication was a lot easier.
The swimmy head thing was withdrawal. He said when your body is used to a drug and you just take it away, it doesn't like it.
I was all set to keep on with the CT but when I asked him how long it would last, he said he'd have to check to be sure but he thought tramadol acute withdrawal was a week. So I caved. I couldn't imagine functioning like this for a week.
Well it's tough to determine the length of time you'll be feeling like this - that seems to be based on a lot of variables - amounts taken, length of time taken, our age, our bodies, etc. With me it was about 10-14 days of the physical stuff - and then the mental withdrawal began. But it does no good to focus on how long right now it will only make this harder. Try to think in terms of hours right now and eventually you'll be focusing on days. Taking on that kind of thinking can be exhausting and it doesn't help at all in my opinion.
And I'm glad to hear you won't be taking the valium anymore - it too can be a problem if taken for too long so better to just let it go now - and it will help your body to heal faster as well. Try the hot showers - I know that sounds really simplistic, but you would be surprised how these basic tactics help. And I found the epsom salts to help SO much as the salts draw out toxins in your skin and help a lot with the body aches. I'm not much of a bath person, so I'd use the salts in the shower as a "scrub" and I can not emphasize how much better it made me feel.
And I'm in total agreement with you as far as speaking to the Dr. about what's happening with you. And since he was aware of the addictive quailties of this drug, I'm sure he'll help you through this. And I believe it was tramahater who mentioned the clonidine - that might help you so talk to him about that and see what he says.
And I'm glad to hear you won't be taking the valium anymore - it too can be a problem if taken for too long so better to just let it go now - and it will help your body to heal faster as well. Try the hot showers - I know that sounds really simplistic, but you would be surprised how these basic tactics help. And I found the epsom salts to help SO much as the salts draw out toxins in your skin and help a lot with the body aches. I'm not much of a bath person, so I'd use the salts in the shower as a "scrub" and I can not emphasize how much better it made me feel.
And I'm in total agreement with you as far as speaking to the Dr. about what's happening with you. And since he was aware of the addictive quailties of this drug, I'm sure he'll help you through this. And I believe it was tramahater who mentioned the clonidine - that might help you so talk to him about that and see what he says.
Thanks for answering. I will get to the pharmacy. It's not that far. As soon as I can get away from the toilet.
I'm not taking any more valium. It did nothing to help me sleep and just gave me cotton head.
How long does this last? Is it going to get worse?
I am calling the practice this morning and demanding to speak to my doctor. He at least is aware how addictive tramadol is and even though I did not follow his taper, I know he will help me.
I'm not taking any more valium. It did nothing to help me sleep and just gave me cotton head.
How long does this last? Is it going to get worse?
I am calling the practice this morning and demanding to speak to my doctor. He at least is aware how addictive tramadol is and even though I did not follow his taper, I know he will help me.
Call the pharmacy and see if they can deliver your prescription for the antibiotics. To deal with the tramadol withdrawal alone is hard enough and I would hate to see you not treating yourself for the bacterial infection and mono during this time.
And the feelings you're having now from the tram withdrawal are normal. The worst feelings ever, yes, but normal. It's going to take a few days for the nausea to end, but it does end. What other things are you doing to help with the symptoms? I did find the showers to help a lot with my anxiety however, in the early days of withdrawal, time seems to be the only solution to feeling better.
And as far as sleep goes, just try to relax as much as you can because even if you're not sleeping your body will get some kind of rest from just laying down. Immodium will help with your stomach issues as well as the nausea. Outside of the valium are you taking anything else?
I really feel your pain this morning and I'm so sorry about that - I remember those early days very well and they were the WORST I ever experienced in my life. And I am very happy to hear that you shared your feelings about the tram withdrawal with your Dr.'s office. As much as they may not seem to "get it" right now - they need to HEAR it. So at the very least, you got to tell them what's happening to you.
Hang in and keep posting - venting right now will help a LOT. And as crazy as this may sound, screaming my head off helped during this time too - it was a sort of "release" for me to get those feelings out. Course, I did that while by myself so I wouldn't freak out my husband or my dog for that matter. But it definitely helped.
And the feelings you're having now from the tram withdrawal are normal. The worst feelings ever, yes, but normal. It's going to take a few days for the nausea to end, but it does end. What other things are you doing to help with the symptoms? I did find the showers to help a lot with my anxiety however, in the early days of withdrawal, time seems to be the only solution to feeling better.
And as far as sleep goes, just try to relax as much as you can because even if you're not sleeping your body will get some kind of rest from just laying down. Immodium will help with your stomach issues as well as the nausea. Outside of the valium are you taking anything else?
I really feel your pain this morning and I'm so sorry about that - I remember those early days very well and they were the WORST I ever experienced in my life. And I am very happy to hear that you shared your feelings about the tram withdrawal with your Dr.'s office. As much as they may not seem to "get it" right now - they need to HEAR it. So at the very least, you got to tell them what's happening to you.
Hang in and keep posting - venting right now will help a LOT. And as crazy as this may sound, screaming my head off helped during this time too - it was a sort of "release" for me to get those feelings out. Course, I did that while by myself so I wouldn't freak out my husband or my dog for that matter. But it definitely helped.
This is horrible. I got maybe 3 hours sleep. My body was freaking out. Legs and arms flailing around. I resorted to taking some valium. I could have been popping gumdrops. I didn't even feel it and stopped after 20 mgs.
Then I went and laid on the couch because I wouldn't have any room to spazz out and got what little sleep I got.
Today I have diarrhea and extreme nausea like I'm about to throw up at any minute. I don't feel at all sleepy either.
I got a call from the doctor's office. I do have mono. Also a bacterial infection. I'm supposed to pick up a Z pack at the pharmacy. I don't see how I can drive and no, I don't have anyone to get it for me. The way I feel right now, it is the least of my worries and I doubt putting some super duper antibitotic in my body will help at this point.
I was so out of it when they called, I didn't even ask where the bacterial infections was supposed to be. I assume they're going by the blood tests.
I did manage a rant about tramadol though. I told them if they thought it didn't cause withdrawal they were living on another planet. I'm sure they just wrote "drug seeking behavior" on my chart.
I seriously considered the two a day route but I'm also convinced it is not going to help enough to give up what little progress I've made.
Then I went and laid on the couch because I wouldn't have any room to spazz out and got what little sleep I got.
Today I have diarrhea and extreme nausea like I'm about to throw up at any minute. I don't feel at all sleepy either.
I got a call from the doctor's office. I do have mono. Also a bacterial infection. I'm supposed to pick up a Z pack at the pharmacy. I don't see how I can drive and no, I don't have anyone to get it for me. The way I feel right now, it is the least of my worries and I doubt putting some super duper antibitotic in my body will help at this point.
I was so out of it when they called, I didn't even ask where the bacterial infections was supposed to be. I assume they're going by the blood tests.
I did manage a rant about tramadol though. I told them if they thought it didn't cause withdrawal they were living on another planet. I'm sure they just wrote "drug seeking behavior" on my chart.
I seriously considered the two a day route but I'm also convinced it is not going to help enough to give up what little progress I've made.
That's actually good to hear as far as what your Dr. told you. Makes me feel more encouraged and so hopefully they'll be less inclined to prescribe it as an alternative to other opiates. Thanks for sharing that. :)
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