Quitting Tramadol (Support Group) 2

[PanSinoeis]

Just starting a new Thread.  This is continued from Thread "Quitting Tramadol (Support Group)".

Hi All!

[youngcalimom]

Hi everyone. I am a 20 year old mother of a 2 year old son. I was first faced with tramadol when I was almost 16 years old. I had suffered a late miscaridge and my mother gave me a tramadol to ease the pain. My mother has also been addicted to the nasty drug for almost 6 years now. Basically after she gave me just one thats all I needed to be hooked. I dropped out of HS at 17, and was working fulltime taking tramadol to keep me as perky and energized as possible. I would take the drug whenever I could get my hands on it which was quite often. My mom spent thousands buying hundreds off pills online from India since its over the counter there. It was always easily accessible for me. Once I found out I was pregnant the second time I was clean off of everything. Had a easy smooth pregnancy. A couple of months after my son was born I find a bottle of tramadol at my mothers house and itb was a demon took over me! I hadnt touched the drug in well over a year but once I saw that bottle and read the name of the prescription it was literally seconds before I put one to my lips. My mom contributed alot over the next few months as well as me buying street pills such as vicodin or norcos to help keep the withdrawal away. Finally one day my fiance saw how bad my use had got and flushed well over 40 100mg pills. I was at my lowest and he had no idea how hard it was to get off this drug. I suffered for many many sleepless nights. Even after the physical dependance was gone I still suffered severe depression and anxiety. I hated myself. I felt like such a failure that i could be so depressed from all this. After a few months I slowly but surely got back into a better rhythm but it wasnt long before I was faced with the drug again. Of coarse at my mothers house. And like that I was on it again everyday. I had seen doctors many times before that for migraines and the tramadol really helped. I told myself this time I wasnt abusing the drug I was treating my blinding headaches. Although treatment surely turned to abuse sure enough. I always seem to find myself buying them recreationally just to avoid withdrawl...not even to feel good at this point. Long story short my prescription ran out and I am DONE with this ********! I've let my addiction hold me back a long time and I am ready to face the world. I am so young!
If anyone has any advice on the mental treatment of tramadol dependancy? Sharing my story has already made me feel soo much better!!

[dwaino]

Hi everyone I too have fell victim to tramadol addiction...was taking 10 a day for the longest time but slowly over the last year have got down to 3 just can't seem to get any lower I want off this crap !! There I feel better lol thanks !!

[littlebit667]

ykitty, this is a very old thread.  The person you are talking to may not even be here on this site anymore.  See the post just before yours and follow the instructions to start a new thread to get help/support.

[ykitty]

Hi i was searching for long time and i found your story.A fter that i think i know what my problem.I am sufering from bad back pain and over 2 years i tried all the piils norco vicoden  delouded, till one of the doctor prescribde me tramadol a am taking it forover year and all what you said its so true after i read your messege i think i wont o shoot myself.i am taking alot of pills and i am think its very bad .my day start with pills because after night time i am filling so bad my back and hands hurt so much . after i am taking tramadol i am laying down till the pills start works and then i can do some stuff at home i feel its horoble.Idont know how to stop it i still have pain bud  tramadol is wors than other pills.and i have to be 24 hours awake i am really busy i have 2 babies at home and cooking cleaning feedind the kids i dont know how to stop it.I were so happy when the doc gave me tramadol he said its not a narcotic but after taking it i realized that it even worst i dont feel the pain its dull after taking pills but how long i can take it before i will end on without kidneys shout i dont know what to do because doctors can give you tramadol but they not willing to give you vicoden or norco that helps me .SORRY ITS A LONG STORY BUT YOU R THE ONLY PERSON THAT PROBABLY UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM THROUGH

[littlebit667]

Hon, this is a very old thread!  Go up to the top of the page and click on the ask a question orange button.  Copy and paste your post to start a  new thread that will be seen as new and you will get support!  I don't want you to be missed.

[dpm5210]

Hi Everyone - I am new to the group.  I have been sober for 24 years then had shoulder pain then surgery and got Tramadol after vics for a couple days - thought being nonnarcotic would be good.  

First time I was on for a month or so then off, no problem.  Had more shoulder problems and this time I was on them for 3-4 months
Coming off was really bad.  And I did not take more than 1 at a time and 3-4 a day.  I have had anxiety problems before so thought that is what it was.  Got some anti-anxiety and that helped me stay off.  

Had some more joint problems - more Tramadol and now I am taking more - 5-6 a day.  I have no pain left so I have to get off these and I am a bit scared to go cold turkey even if it has only been maybe 2 months.

My son was on these - we were in China for business, I saw him have a grandmal (sp) seizure - scared the **** out of me, thought he was dying.  I think he is off now (think) but I still got back on them - how stupid is that?  And being clean and sober for 24 years and active in AA.

So do I want to come off slow because I like to take them or because I fear the withdrawal?  Trying to be honest with myself - thinking it is because I like them.  Any comments?

[PanSinoeis]

Glad to hear everything is going alright for you.  Nice to hear from you again here.  And that's Awesome that you are still on track and clean!  Just don't let yourself relapse And stay away from Tramadol the same as you would stay away from your hydrocodone.  Hope you have not and are not going to experiment with Tramadol.  That's all.

[K Todd]

Hi there,

Just wanted to say I read your response to me, and I thank you very much for explaining the difference in a very detailed way. That really means alot to me....as well as others who may have read it...

Thanks again, and I am so happy for you and everyone here fighting to get thier God Given Right..for their FREEDOM, from their DOC !!

God Bless You all,
Love
Todd

PS:   PanS.... I will never make a comparison like that again! I know anything that is addictive, is stupid to compare to IBU...

[PanSinoeis]

Thanks for the advise, That's very strong, that you quit.  And what a Hell it must have been doing it and working at the same time.  But you are right about Tramadol.  It is nasty stuff.  I am in the process of quitting myself, and every time I hear another story like yours, it just keeps me that much more motivated.  Lets me know it can be done.  Thanks again and stay clean bro.

[dbgc]

i would just like to say that i was taking ultram for four years eveyday. I got up to about 12 to 16 a day plus last year i hurt my finger or lost the tip oif it in my trailer hitch.i then started to abuse oxycontin for six months and still took my ultram.i was so tired of taking the pills and it was ruining my life. i came to the point where i quit cold turkey it was pure hell and had all the withdrawl symtems of a opiate. i was reading online other people stories of quiting and it takes i think even longer than a regular opiate. i had three weeks of no sleep, rls, and my body felt like it was a 1000 pounds. i hope anybody who is ready to quit can do it just realize it is going to be a long process but one you can win. it is a nasty drug and i hope all of you will be able to beat this battle. the depression is the worst and the no sleep. in two in a half weeks i think i slept 8 hrs off and on. and i went to work full time everyday working 11 to 12 hrs a day putting in vinyl fence by myself i dont know how i made it. but good luck to all of you and if you have any questions just ask i hope i can help.

[PanSinoeis]

Well other than the fraud thing, everything is going alright.  I'm going to be at 9 per day starting tomorrow.  WoooHooo...9 per day!!!  I'm a week ahead of schedule.  Hope I don't have any bad withdrawals at work tomorrow, but I don't care if I do.  Never been as low as 9 a day in quite some time.  But I took 11 Fri and 10 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday.  I just threw up some of my dose on Sunday.  That's why I'm just going to drop to 9.  I figure I kinda took less than 9 today.  I took 7 and threw up 45 minutes later, then took 3 about an hour and a half after that.  So 9 should do me ok for tomorrow.  Now my mom and I take the same amount per day.  Now she is going to join me in going down from here.  But she is going to 4 per day and staying there she said.  She can't read or write so she won't be here, although I will give her good support.  I'm glad I get some support here, it helps.  Wish me luck for tomorrow!  9 per day....WooooooHoooooo!  I'm so excited.

[PanSinoeis]

I've been getting hit with fraud charges on my credit card.  What's wierd is that it was within the same week I joined this forum when the fraud charges started.  The only place someone could have got my information (credit card) would be through a pre-order form that I would be sent via E-Mail for my Tramadol refills.  I was wondering if anyone here has been hit with fraud charges on thier credit card recently other than me.  I think maybe someone spotted me here at this forum and decided to hack me somehow.  I even use PanSinoeis for my name here and my e-mail is ***@****.

[PanSinoeis]

I use to not care.  I took them every day and did not even consider quitting.  And I just enjoyed them to my liking.  If I felt like taking a couple more, I would.  Averaging 15 a day, sometimes up to 20.  But I came to the conclusion I don't want them in my system.  It's as simple as that.  I plain don't want Tramadol in me anymore.  I would quit cold turkey, but my body and all logic says that's a bad idea.  So I'm going to go down, 1 pill per week like I have been.  Get to zero, take two weeks vacation, have a bottle of Valium and Ambien ready and some Thomas Recipe items.  And go for it.  I can only hope for the best.  I know it's not going to be fun or pleasant, it's going to be hard and painful.  But I'm ready for it, and I'm not even scared anymore.  I will suck it up and keep on going.  Ryan, I noticed you said you are in the military.  I used to be in the Army.  I was at 75th Rangeer Regiment 3rd, Ranger Battalion, Ft Benning Ga for two years.  In Benning from Feb 1991 to Oct 1993.  Went to Germany Echo Company 51st Infantry, LRRP.  (1 year there) We where the only airborne unit in all of Germany, except a Special Forces unit. Finished in Bragg, 82nd Airborne.  (Left Army 1995)  I was in Desert Storm and Bosnia.  What's your MOS?  What branch did you say?  I can't remember, I'd guess Army.  What's wierd is that I know in my gut that had I not got out after my first enlistment, I would have died within my second enlistment.  So I have no regrets.  It had it's ups and downs that's for sure.

[Ryan1979]

It took me several attempts before I got to this point, I've come off tramadol probably 10 times and didn't make it.  My mindset was killing my efforts, because I wasnt completely ready to quit.  I knew that the pills where bad and led nowhere  good, but I kept putting off quitting for good as a excuse and used the pills to elevate my mood to deal with difficult situations in my life.  After I realized that I would never truly be happy while taking the pills, and I mean "realized" because I knew this but for whatever reason didn't believe in it until that point if that makes sense.  This last time I quit has been really challenging, not the week or so of wds, but the constant depression that comes after the detox is over, but it feels like its lifting more and more everyday and i'm starting to feel like myself.

[PanSinoeis]

Today was my first day of 10 per day.  So far everything seems to be ok.  No bad feelings yet.  If I do have any mild withdrawals it will probably be within the next 24 hours.  I am a little tired, I going to sleep.  I post again later.

[PanSinoeis]

That point you are trying to make above is in my opinion the most immportant point.  That it the very hardest part, making up your mind, having a plan and staying on course with that plan.  After quitting, not being sucked right back into the whole mess again.  That is the part I have been thinking about the most.  It is going to be hard, very hard.  But I do have a plan, and I have stayed on track with that plan, thus so far.  I am now at 10 per day, which is still a lot I know, but I have not cheated once.  And I have wanted to quite a few times.  I just resist.  And I am going to continue to resist until I am at 60 days clean and free like you bro!!  WooooHoooo, I can't wait and am so stoked about the whole thing.  This time it is different.  (at least for me in my mind)  I have simply made up my mind 100%.  I can't explain how/why/when a person gets to that point, but I am there, like I have never been there before.  But I know inside I am going to make it and I will be clean and free again.  I will!  And soon.  I want to be like my mentor, Ryan1979!!! LOL.  You rock Ryan!

[Ryan1979]

Glad to hear everyone is coming doing well and sticking to there taper.
I wanted to clarify, that although I still am coming along at around 50 days and dont feel completely better, its alot better actually having feelings and not being numb to the world like when I was on tramadol.  

I think because addiction mess's with our pleasure-reward circuit of our brain it takes awhile for us to feel really happy after quitting, as even though when we have the pills in our possesion/system they take a back seat to our activities and enjoyment, you realize the first time you don't have them that finding/using has taken first priority in your life, as you cant do anything or want to without them.

Your most important ally while trying to quit any substance in my opinion, is your thought process, if you really want to quit you have to realize that you just have to get through the present, and not worry so much about the next days(s).  Quitting tramadol is about endurance, and when I thought about looking forward to at least a week of acute symptoms, especially  when time slows down, its almost too much to bear.  Take it a day at a time, and before you completely taper off/cold turkey, write down in a journal the reasons you want to quit. I wrote a note to myself before I quit, to remind me that I wasn't happy on the pills, and not to forget and relapse, and that really helped me because everytime I thought I wanted to give up and take some pills, I read that remembered that my mind was trying to trick me, and I wasn't any happier on the pills.

[joanie42]

Congrats!!! It's a long slow process but it's worth it! I can't wait for the day when I can say "this is my first day of 10". I'll be praying for you.

[PanSinoeis]

yea, that's real good, 4-5.  Hope it goes well Monday for you.  I'm not sure what to expcet, not having done 10 or less in quite a long time.  But time will tell.  

[done4good]

wtg!!!
Slowly but surely we will get there!!
I am keeping it at 5 today at max, then will go down to 4 on Monday I think.
I just wasn't really paying attention before so I feel like I need to stay at 5 or less for a bit before I concentrate on going down to 4.
d

[PanSinoeis]

Alright, I'm at 10 per day!  WoooHooo!  Well tomorrow is my first day at ten, but whatever, I'm at 10 per day now!  WoooHooo!!!  Still on track and going STRONG!  Nothing has even budged me off my course so far.  Grrrrr!!!  I just kinda wish it went faster.  But patience is a virtue, I guess.  So I'll just have to work on patience at the same time.  Thanks everyone for all the support I have got so far.  So many awesome people here and so helpful.  And thank you to those trying to group together with me and trying to go down the same road with me, those of you are very special in my heart.  I wish success to everyone.

[done4good]

I'm still here. I took 5 yesterday and am at 3 today thus far. I got some vicodin and did waaay too many for a couple days...like 10 the 2nd day. Wound up with a major Migraine type headache which I assume was related to the tylenol. Guess I won't be using that to try to get of trams again. ugh...the headache even came back today and I haven't had any since.
not sure what I was thinking. I just kept taking them hoping I wouldn't need the tram but they weren't helping.
d

[PanSinoeis]

I mean Government, I spelled it wrong.

[PanSinoeis]

IF they where in the same boat, it would be kinda Wacked, someone having to suffer no more or no less than someone taking much more.  Tramadol is so wierd, it could be that way.  I don't think it would be the same if someone was on 4 per day and quit cold turkey compared to someone taking 10 per day quitting cold turkey.  The person on 10 would without a doubt suffer more.  I wonder when/if the givernment will ever control Tramadol, like hydrocodone and others.