Getting off this train wreck Tramadol train once and for all.

Today is my first day I will start to cut myself down on my Tramadol to finally get off them once and for all. I have been on this crazy ride now for the past 8 years and I for one feel I need to start living and feeling once again. I'm tired of letting this consume my life and thought that I was so alone until this morning when I happened to turn on my computer and ran across this forum. I have tried so so many times taking myself off this medication and each and every single time shortly in a day lost my battle. I did manage a few weeks ago to take myself off of the Vicodin's and even though I did it slowly? I felt horrible in every sense of the word. I don't want to check myself in to a rehab as I have to many animals here at home that depend on me plus I would like to be in the comfort of my home while doing so. My new family doctor wrote me a script to take 2 extra Tramadol a day along with the normal ones I have been on which is... Take 2 pills 4 times a day while coming off the Vicodin's as he said it would be much easier on my body this way. My Tramadol's are 50 mg's. My body never fails to let me know when it's time for my next 2 pills. It's NOT the chronic back pain reminding me as much as the withdrawal reminding. My legs and arms feel like I have to CONSTANTLY shake them and kick, My head pounds with pain to the point of a migraine, my skin hurts along with ever joint in my body even many I never even knew I had not to mention I'm not able to sleep but yet I'm exhausted. It is a horrible feeling and one that always sends me back to my pill bottle after I can't take it any longer. My family doctor said I should go on to Suboxone. WHY? So I have to go through withdrawals from that to? NO THANKS!  I'm sick and tired of being a slave to this medication and have got to make today my starting point to cut back 1/4 of a pill for 1 week and continue doing the very same each week until I am down to zero. I don't feel so alone now that I have found this forum. Thanks to the many brave people here that are working very hard right now on getting off this medication and to the many that have won this battle. You have such a impact on people such as myself getting in line right now to fight our own battle and it's real comforting to know that if we can't get any down to earth answers and support from our doctors that we sure can here. Thank you for letting me ride along with you and yes I sure have buckled up for the long ride in front of me. Cath  :o)

[saddy6]

I had a few doctors give me Tramadol instead of a narcotic because they felt it was non-addictive and honestly coming off the Tram was the most awful experience of my life. It is a dangerous substance so please by all means be very careful coming off this considering you have been on it for 8 years. I would not suggest cold turkey on this drug.

[yllwjcket]

would have been easier to use the vicodin to get off the trams, but it would still take a while and that kind of temptation could hurt some peoples progress.  get tapered down, not too fast, but be strong and take it one day at a time. congrats on this decision.   now its prepare and stick to your guns.  prepare medically for the withdrawal pains, emotionally,and spiritually.  i assume you have read up on what the symptoms will be, just get down to the lowest dose possible but dont think of it as a countdown to doom, its not.  =)

[MysticalDreamcatcher]

I have been taking Tramadol for 8 years now. If I'm going through these horrible withdrawals now just a couple of days in to removing 1/4 of my 4 doses a day at 2- 50 mgs 4 times a day? Would I be better off just going cold turkey or would the symptoms be much much worse for me? If it is going to be the exact same tappering off? I minds well go compleatly without.  I'm on day two right now and I HATE how I'm feeling from head to toe. Inside and outside. I minute feels like 30 minutes to me. HELP!!!

[laurel453]

Hi, welcome here :).. I have no experience with tram but from what i have read here, you should not go ct with tramadol so keep on your taper... there is an antidepressive component ( sort of ) that make it not safe quitting it ct...the slower, the better so if you are feeling so unconfortable right now, cut down the taper .

I am sure that someone with experience with tramadol will come and help you but you could take some mineral supplements ( magnesium and potasium tablets ) to help you with the muscle cramps you are experiencing... drink tonic water ( it has quinine on it and helps with muscles ), there is also the Hylands restful legs remedy that will help too... take hot baths with epsom salts...and don't get discouraged, ok ? you will be where you want to be with time .. Good luck !

[saddy6]

I had a few doctors give me Tramadol instead of a narcotic because they felt it was non-addictive and honestly coming off the Tram was the most awful experience of my life. It is a dangerous substance so please by all means be very careful coming off this considering you have been on it for 8 years. I would not suggest cold turkey on this drug.

[MysticalDreamcatcher]

Thank you so much for your support and advice. I had such a hard hard time a few hours ago cutting back my dose to 1/4 that I could feel it building in my legs and arms and I was getting worked up inside. It's now 3:09 in the morning and here I sit. Can't sleep once again. Will I ever get control of this? I mean it's amazing how little I am missing from my dose and my body is going me such horrible symptoms. I to was told that this was non addicting. Go figure!!! After 8 years of taking this my new doctor said I'm addicted to it. DUH! 8 years guy. No doubt. (lol) Frustrated to no end. Cath

[snakejones]

Hi there--I might be in the minority at this forum, but I think in this case tapering the Ultram gradually is best, rather than c/t. Even the milder Ultram withdrawal symptoms are pretty evil. Cold turkey quit versus taper? Well, it's kinda like taking off a Band-Aid---are you the type to just rip it off or do a slow, gentle, and careful removal? Whatever your decision is, everyone is standing by to help. Hang on tight and you'll get through it.

[Time4myfamily]

I am also with u this forum is really helping me get through all of this. Knowing that there are others out there that know exactly how you feel.