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Help Me With Tramadol Withdrawal?

[45 yr old suburban Caucasian female. Dx'd eight years ago with ankylosing spondylitis (severe back pain) and Rx'd Indocin and Tramadol. Felt fine on Indocin alone, no side effects to this day...but took Tramadol for a headache seven years ago and got the Rx and have been on it ever since.]

Hi. Last week I started my tapering off of Tramadol. I was taking 200mg/day for the past seven years. I stopped taking one full 50mg pill every late afternoon about six days ago, so I'm now just doing two pills in the a.m. and only one pill around 4pm.

The only problems I have had so far were some mild occasional brain jolts, and for the first two days I woke up at 5 a.m. jonesing (sweating, hot/cold, insomnia, jolts), so I'd stop the wd by taking my usual daily morning dose (the two pills) at 5 a.m., rather than 8 or 9, then go back to bed. I'd get up around 8 or 9 a.m., and then take my one pill by 4 p.m., as scheduled. Only a few brain jolts during the day.

So, in a nutshell, down from four 50mg pills per day to 3 pills per day...over a period of six days.

As of today I am feeling okay. I don't know when to start taking away one of the morning pills. I don't know if I'll cut it in half, or just remove the full pill from the pill schedule. Haven't decided yet. No ideas on when to even do that. I'm just so happy to be doing so well (better than expected) on only taking the three pills, down from the four!

I've quit cold turkey in the past and it was terrible. I felt so sh*tty that I couldn't last a week, just said, "screw it" and started up on the four pills per day all over again.

On a few other occasions I tapered down to one pill a day by cutting slivers of my pills off little by little and cutting away more every three or four days. I thought taking away tiny bits would ease me off, but then by the time I got down to one pill I freaked out and just started taking all of it again.

I'm now in the throes of perimenopause. I am having migraines for the first time in my life and I just want to get off these pills!

So, anyway, I appreciate that this support is here and I am ready to hear anything from anybody willing to put in their two cents here. I just need to talk about it and stay on track. Thanks.
57 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hi there,

I am new to this whole thing. I have taken Tram for about 7 years since a major motorcycle accident. I am now to the point that we are discussing having a family so decided to get off all meds. Wow, what a shock!
I still work full time so I am trying to ween myself off from 8/day.
First day I took my doses of 2 down to 1 pill. Man, soooo tired! and cold and sweaty. Bleck!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've done the same thing myself, had some good days I was proud of, then stuffed a handful in even when I was not feeling bad.  It's so disturbing.
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Avatar universal
I've been addicted to trams since 2011.  it seems like the only thing for me to do now is stop.  i've tried stopping some 10000000 times, but now i've been diagnosed bipolar- and i'm told that tramadol will affect me very bdly on lithium, with the possibility of serotonin toxicity.  i cut down to five per day, from about 17.  it feels like i'll get 3 or 4 days under by belt, right when i'm about to be ok- then bam- i take a handful.  i don't even need them, i order them online.  i'm thinking of calling my local congressman about this mail order thing.  but....i need to be responsible for me.  i have to stop, and i'm just writing to say thanks for all the stories above.
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Avatar universal
hi
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Avatar universal
Broken hearted I am so sorry to hear about your situation, you can do this and be strong and present for your daughter. You are giving here the best gift in the world with your sobriety!!!  Please continue to post for support, you are not alone. You could start a new post if you like since this is getting so long

Lalabet I don't have any experience with tramadol but if you post a new thread I am sure others on the forum can help you. Welcome and please continue posting:)
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Avatar universal
hi iv been taking tramadol for about 5 months and didn't realize that it came with withdraw symptoms untll I stoped c/t and then realized later why I felt so sick and went back on them
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Avatar universal
Been off line, didnt have the use of my computer. Im on my 3 a day till tomorrow. Then it is down to 2 a day. Not doing too bad so far.  Still have a lot of depression, but i think it has to do with my situation with my husband.  He is still here but not really(if you know what i mean) Still sleeps here but gone otherwise.  He has to deal with his demons in his own way.  I cant understand why he wont talk to me. Im still so lost and probably not doing my daughter any good. Im trying to get thru one day at a time.  Its hard but im surviving.
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Avatar universal
Thanks! I'm doing better every day.

So my sister called from Texas last night and mentioned that she just got a brand new Rx....a wonder drug that is helping her. Tramadol. She told me how happy her Dr. was to prescribe it, specifically because it is non-addictive!

You can just imagine how that conversation went.

Hopefully she takes my advice to throw it out.
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4149717 tn?1389503561
congrats on I guess its 9 days clean now?? Thats awesome!! Thats huge when coming off trams. You are definitely past the worst of it. Great job doll! Keep up the good work :)
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Avatar universal
Hey to both of you. Haven't been on-line... Jeffii, wow! SO happy for you. Hang in there! WOW!

Brokenhearted, You can do this. Sounds to me like you are on the right track, and you are staying busy. When I went through a rough patch with my ex husband ( yes, we divorced) I was torn apart and cried and cried. But I have been with my husband (new one!) for almost thirteen years now. I've never looked back. So what I'll say to you is that I know the fear so well...and I have lived the sadness....the pain..and the boredom. But just like Jeffii says..."this too shall pass". And it does. And the only way to get beyond this point in your life is to get THROUGH it. Yup, you must experience each excruciating moment of it.

But we will be your cheerleaders. You aren't alone. You're going to be okay. I know how badly it ***** and I am sorry!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Last week was hell, but I lived to tell. Eight days clean!
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Avatar universal
Just checking in. 38hrs since my last dose. Feeling CRAPPY but I'm taking it hour by hour and day by day. THIS TO WILL PASS....
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Avatar universal
So I take it today is day 6 for you? That  is totally awesome.  Your doing such a great job and still inspire others.  Im so happy for your accomplishment.  And your getting sleep!  I dont do well without any sleep. So when that day of no pills comes along Im praying I can do something about it. Hope your doing well this weekend.  Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy your family.
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Avatar universal
Jeffii,

Thanks for your support.  Im trying very hard to take one day at a time. I hope you are doing well and wish you the very best on your road to recovery. Hang in there, as i have heard it will all get better. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Avatar universal
Hi brokenhearted,
I'm sorry to hear your having a bad day. But better days will come for us just keep taking one day at a time. Just wanted to show some support and wish you Happy Holidays...
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Avatar universal
Hey MamaSueBee,
Its me, im back.  Haven't been on in a couple of days. I've been busy after work with my daughter that by the time i get home im bushed and too tired to do anything. Went to a mens basketball game with my daughter last nite and by the time we got home all i said was goodnite. Today was a horrible day for me. The only thing i could think about was my relationship with my husband.  I keep torturing and beating myself up about it. The people at work dont know how what im going thru except that my marriage is on the rocks.  Im so teary and depressed that sometimes i wonder about myself. Tomorrow i take one pill away and will be at 4 aday. So far it hasen't been too bad. Im so trying to take one day at a time and live for today. I dont feel very confidant right now and feel very alone.  Pls give me some feed back i need something positive to read.....
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Avatar universal
I'm glad to hear your doing so well. Keep up the GOOD work...
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Avatar universal
Jeffii, so good to hear back from you. Hang in there. You CAN do it. We are rooting for you.You have made such a wonderful choice for yourself. When you want to crawl out of your skin, when you become exhausted....irritable....remember the freedom on the other side, so don't give up. We will be here.
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Avatar universal
I slept last night with no sleep aids. Got a solid 7 hours. Today I woke up feeling more normal than ever. I few mild brain zaps after breakfast. No biggie. Taking a warm bath helps. Companionship helps. But also, I make myself sleep by ordering my body to go to sleep. I think the many years of controlled dosing did a number on me, but something tells me I 'd be worse off if I had been taking many more pills per day, so my heart goes our to those who still suffer. I still don't know what the future holds for me sleepwise, but I'm getting by. What I DO know is that I'm never going back to tramadol.
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Avatar universal
I don't post much because I'm still using so I don't know how much help I would be to someone. When I get some time (under my belt) I hope to be as much help to someone in need as all of you have been to me. I'm lucky to have found you guys...
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Avatar universal
Yes Mamasue I'm still here, getting by one day at a time...  Saturday will be my first day without any pills. I have taper down to 1/2 a pill a day so I hope it will be a little better than going ct. I have a 4 day weekend for the holidays so its now or never...  Wish me luck.
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4149717 tn?1389503561
Thats great! How are you feeling overall?? I see that you slept a little more last night? Hang on tight to those nights! lol Sleep is something that I still have issues with!

4 days is fantastic, keep up the good work!! :)
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Avatar universal
Jeffi, are you still out there? How are you doing and where are you in your process?
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Avatar universal
Just re-reading your original advice. I'm on my fourth day clean! Re-reading keeps me on track with what to expect. Anyway, thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
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Avatar universal
How are you doing today? Today is my fourth day being clean from tramadol, and I can't say it was a walk in the park to get to this point, but I cannot imaging NOT doing this. Last night I finally slept more than three hours in a row. Each night gets easier. I cannot describe the freedom I feel today, and I really wish I'd had the strength to do this long ago. SO...I hope you are hanging in there and any one of us is here if you need an ear. The help I got here last week carried me through and I successfully made it to today. You can, too.
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