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Husband and Tramadol

I've been reading through this forum for the past three months and have obtained tons of information, but now would like some advice.  My husband was put on Tramadol for pain from a kidney disease almost two years ago, of course his doctor told him that they were not addictive, obviously he was wrong.  He is currently taking about 16-20 pills a day (50mg each).  We tried a tapering program in January, but once he got down to a level that his body did not like, he just started taking more again. We are now back to square one, plus he has been having severe migraines, which might or might not be related to the pills.  He wants to get off these pills and has FINALLY talked with his boss and put a couple weeks on the books for time off to try to detox.  SO, now my question is, what is the best course of action for those two weeks?  He is obviously on a pretty high dose to go cold turkey, from what I've read he could have seizures, right?  He needs to be able to function at a reasonable level to return to work, but for his health and the health of our family, he HAS to get off this poison.  PLEASE, any and all information would be greatfully appreciated at this point.  For now, looks like his time off will start on March 7th.
Thanks to everyone in advance!
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Avatar universal
Thank you MsMarie, unfortunately, the tapering program did not work... when he started to feel bad, he just borrowed money to buy more pills.  I had already taken away all his credit cards, but the generosity of others, didnt help.  For us, the only thing is to just CT and get him off this stuff.  I have him tapering down to the CT date, so he won't be on so much, but he knows it wont be easy.

Thanks so much!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Concerned Wife,

I know your exact position -- my boyfriend was on 15 pills a day too. We've been tapering for about 2 months. its not perfect but if you're husband isn't willing to be uncomfortable to kill the demon I'm worried that he'll never make it cold turkey.  DO see a doctor but make sure they have experience in painkiller addiction first, and bring them all this info on tramadol from the sites.  

My boyfriend and i have been doing a slow taper for two months and are now down to 1.5 pills a day. We've done about a half pill of lowering every 3 or so days.  Its not supereasy, but we're hoping it will save him hell later.

His doctor told him to CT tramadol and take 4 other drugs instead,
Are you keeping his pills?  I administer the pills to my boyfrienda nd i watch our bank accounts to make sure he's not getting any more.  

I spoke to a very knowledgeable pharmacist and she told me that the incidence of seizure while getting off of tramadol was very low -- but that it can be even further reduced by TAPERING!  Thats what she recommended and I think its the best option.  The more drugs that are in your husbands system the more difficult it will be for his body to get them out.  

best of luck to you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks to everyone for their advice.  Warrior3071, I've printed out the Detox schedule and have ordered Valerian, Skullcap and a multimineral from vitacost.  As much as I would prefer doing the taper method, it just is not working for my husband and he is just ready to deal with the w/d's to get his life back.  He used to be addicted to cocaine about 25 years ago and regretfully went through detox with that, he knows what it is all about and hates that he has fallen victim to another drug, but he is ready to face the hell he will be going through.  We will start a slight tapering by going with 14 for the next four days, then 13, 12, 11, until his detox time off, hopefully that will be enough.  AGAIN, thank you all so much for the support.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The best thing for him to do is ween himself off. Say he was taking 8 a day he would need to take 7 the next full week then 6 the next week and so on. I have been taking Tramadol for over 5 yrs and thats the only way to not have withdrawls. Believe me he does not want to have those because it will only make him want more pills. I will have him in my prayers
Helpful - 0
760326 tn?1234890500
I recently tapered down from 20/day to 3/day.  I STRONGLY recommend the following:

See this link for more specific information on help with detoxing off Tramadol:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Addiction/Thomas-Recipe-Re-Posted/show/16?cid=66

     *  if possible, get from his doctor :  Valium    

        But first, EDUCATE the doctor.I took comments from this support board (going
        back 5 years!) to my doctor, letting him read first hand what I and others had been
        through in trying to get off Tramadol without medicinal assistance.  

        Valium in particular helps with depression he might experience from the drastic
        Seretonin drop, the inevitable anxiety (which will lead to shakes, restless limbs,
        sweating, etc...).

If you can't get valium, try Valerian Root from GNC (General Nutrition Center) store.  
Helpful - 0
199177 tn?1490498534
YES we have had members have sezuires coming off of high amounts CTing then others havent the problems is you never know what group you will be in .If he is going to CT then I would suggest he taper down as far has possable then ct I would at least try to get him down to 8 first I have not heard of many people having problems under 10 .He can do this its going to be hard but doable.
Helpful - 0
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