Help with Tramadol Withdrawal

[spiral_out]

I have been taking Tramadol for 18 months 50mg @ 10 - 30 per day, i tried to come off them a couple of weeks ago, i did not taper off just came straight off them. I started taking them again yesterday 7th Nov, because i could not stand the really bad headaches and awful sleep disturbance.

I would like to know if anyone has any ideas on tapering off, and what vitamins, supplement's, diet etc, to help kick this medication.

I need to get off them soon as possible.....been having some vile suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and panic attacks, also can't stand how tired i feel all the time.

[avisg]

The best way is one pill every 5 to 7 days 5 days works when you are up high but a you move down you might have to wait 7 days between drops. stay away from certain supplements 5 hpt ,l tyrosine, sam E until you are almost off the tramadol .tram works as a anti depressant and the supplements I just listed do as well so it can be dangerous to mix.

[Beargizmo]

I take a MUCH smaller dosage and am following avisg's plan and doing fine...


what I don't understand is because there is no "high" associated with tramadol that I've noticed, why do we keep taking them?


Jim

[Rocky125]

I have been taking tramadol for at least 18 months daily.  Up to 30 a day of 50mg.  I have been taking it for arthritis, which I have had since I was 36.....one knee replacement.  I too was told that it was not a narcotic, and why it's not, I will never know.  I  am certainly hooked, and have been without for 2 days, and I'm gong nuts!  This is so hard, because of the aches and pains........along with the horrible chills and sweats that I can't seem to get rid of.  I hope I can make it, but I have my doubts at this point.  The last time I actually had any sleep, was three nights ago.
Man, if I can make this, I certainly hope I NEVER FORGET THIS PAIN!   I have had the flu, and believe me, it wasn't this bad!
Any advise would be helpful.

[Dupa]

well guess im in everyones boat however i dont see any suggestions... I have been warned not to just quit because it could be fatal.  Im prone to seizures, and am worried. Right now its weird because im withdrawling but im still on the meds???!!! I also have intense pain and know in the near future I will be put back on it... Neverending cycle

[Rocky125]

well, it's been almost two weeks, and I can't believe I've made it.  I would have thought I would be right back on those pills by now.  But, I'VE MADE IT!  The withdrawals have been horrible, and they still are to a certain degree.  The worst part for me, was not sleeping.....maybe 10 hours in 2 weeks.  Just sitting up all night, because your body cannot relax at all.
Nobody ever told me that tramadol had any kind if anti depressant in it.  My doctor never said that at all....very shocked to hear that.
Like the poster said above, why do we like it, when there is no high associated with it like other opiates.  I will say that I have lost about 30 lbs. taking this drug, and have no idea why.  Does anyone else??  

[emergee]

did you go off cold turkey?  or did you taper?

[Rocky125]

Just to let everyone know, I did take it for arthritis pain ... given to me by my doctor.  He told me that I could take it forever without any problems.  That sounded great to me at the time which was around 18 months ago.  I must say that I kept uping the dosage myself, which was a big mistake.  
Finally, I started having withdrawals when I didn't have it to take, so I went off cold turkey just about 2 weeks ago.  The first 2 days were unbearable, and a friend gave me 5 loratabs to take.  Those pills did NOTHING to ease that pain, and I found that extremely scary.  I know that I did not do the right thing by going off cold turkey, because it's such a shock to your body and dangerous.  I would not recommend it to anyone.
I still do not feel "normal" for myself......still have aches and pains in my limbs, and sleep is still not that accessible to me.  But, I'm happy and I'm actually feeling things that I haven't in soooo long.  Strange but true.
I would never do this again.

[emergee]

thank you rocky for your posts.  it gave me some fresh courage.  i am so afraid of the restless legs.  they were unendurable to me.  i am on my second day ,  going into third night.  first night i slept some with clonapin to help.  maybe 4 hours.  then last night whammed with restless legs which is an understatement.  it's really restless body.   my whole body was moving around and i had taken the clonapin so i was really tired and wanting sleep.  does it get worse after the second day?  it was worse than the first day for sure and i was pretty confidant i was going to said through.   what do you do all night long while you writhe around?  so i did a bad thing, i took a vicodin and i did sleep.  but i cannot do that again.   i will be addicted to vic.   that's my doc anyway.  i hate this tram.  i can't imagine wanting to take it again.
if anyone is out there detoxing.  try exercise.  i know it seems gross and impossible but i jogged for 5 minutes then walked 15 and i actually felt good for about an hour.   the big problem for me is what do you do all day?  i mean i can do nothing but detox.  today i read all the posts.  what will i do tomorrow?  hots bath are good.  the good feeling lasts about 15 minutes afterwards.   but hey,  that's time passed.  i don't really have anyone to call and talk to about this.  i am on my own.  

[worried878]

exercise helped me tremendously...never even had the restless leg thing..there is an article in my journal from a study done in my hospital about restless legs and what helps..facts were that people who exercised regualarly were not as prone to it as sedentary folks