Scared

Okay so my husband has been taking ultram for a long time now and the pharmacist and i figured he's taking about 8 a day, he cut down to four a day(at least he said he did) then he said he cut down to 2 a day well he has none left and he can't get any refills until the 23rd....everything I'm reading is really scaring me and i have no idea what's going to happen but I have 2 teenage daughters that really push his buttons and he doesn't want to miss work because it will cut into our finance"s right now he's alreadya moody and sensitive person that already suffers from rls....what can I do ?

[madtram]

Unfortunately, this is a very common scenario for long term ultram users.  Tolerance sets in & can lead to people ending up on dangerously high doses of 30 plus a day.  It's good that your husband hasn't got to this point but he is not managing to stick to his prescribed dose & that suggests that ultram may not be the best solution for him.

If there is no way for him to access pills for a week, he is going to be in full withdrawal, the worst of which will be reaching the end by the time his script is due.  This would seem to be a great opportunity to review whether there are better treatment options for his condition.

  If he continues with the ultram, even with the best will in the world, the experiences of many many others tells us that running out of pills between scripts will be the rule.  Unfortunately, this then tempts some to start buying on line & the problem gets much worse.

Hylands leg cramps with quinine and tonic water can work really well for RLS & the Thomas recipe remedies can ease other withdrawal symptoms.   Stock up on immodium & a good magnesium powder plus epsom salts for as many baths as he can manage.  St John's Wort or 5htp can help stabilize his mood.

It will be a tough week or two but he could finish free of this dependence to a med that will only get its hooks in deeper, the longer he stays on it.  Many of those who quit say that their pain becomes less once they are off tramadol.  The antidepressant in tramadol disagrees with some people & may be responsible for your husband's moodiness.

We can help more with specific withdrawals if you keep posting.

Best wishes.