Support needed

[Readyforfreedom12]

Today is technically my first day without the tramadol. I decided to just flush the rest and I told my doctor I wouldn't need any more. It feels like I'm on the mend from my surgery. I'm looking for some support. I was prescribed up to 6 a day and never took more than prescribed but I at least feel physically addicted. I do not feel like I have to have them to live but I am feeling miserable and my behavior has changed since I started taking them. I just want to nip this in the bud before it gets out of control. My husband is a doctor and he knows and is very supportive. Thank you.

S.

[Readyforfreedom12]

I guess my point is I don't want to add any medications as of now. I do not know anything about chlonidine. I am scared to start taking a bunch of medication whether it be addicting or not. I'm trying to do this without medication at all. Hope that helps.

[NeverAgain127]

Hi honey:  You're right on track and doing great.

I'm a little confused.  You told your husband (a doctor) that you didn't want any clonidine, but you are going to take the Valium?   Clonidine is not addicting, and will help you with your nerves (it has a sedating affect.)  It is mostly prescribed for blood pressure.     Valium is a very addicting drug; you watn to be really careful with any benzo's.  Just my 2 cents, but I'd take the clonidine at bedtime to help with sleep if it were me (have you husband check your BP first to make sure it is safe.)

Keep going; you're on your way!!!

[Krissy_123]

How are you feeling today love? Have you tried the Epsom salt baths and did you get your walk lastnight? I couldn't sleep more than an hour or two for quite awhile. What I did through my detox is pay 8$ and got Netflix. Then I downloaded the whole series of the walking dead and as soon as I put the kids to bed I put it on to watch. Is was so much better than lying in bed kicking my legs and tossing and turning. I read ALOT,but when I first quit my pills I couldn't concentrate enough to focus on the words in my book. So I loved the netflix. Just an idea if you're having trouble sleeping. I today gets a bit better for you!! xox krissy

[Readyforfreedom12]

Goblin! Thank you kindly! I'm only on day 2 and have no expectations on when to really start feeling better so I don't get my hopes up and then let down. I will go for a walk this evening. My doctor never told me about them being addictive when he prescribed them. What a bummer. I'm so thankful I caught this before it got out of hand. I was heading that direction! I AM HERE FOR YOU TOO!

[Readyforfreedom12]

Thank you sweetheart. My husband is a physician and asked if I would like to try chlonidine?? I said no thank you. I would rather do this drug free. It may sound crazy but I just want to do it and get it over with. I do take gabapentin and trazadone as well. The gabapentin is for sciatica and does great treating it. The trazadone is for sleeping. I flushed my tramadol because I no longer needed them. I thought I might as well just get this over with. I get little spurts of energy and it feels so good and natural but it goes away in about a minute. I am miserable with anxiety however. I feel like I can't breathe.

[Goblin666]

Hey Ready,

I'm really glad you are here and tramadol withdrawal is tough but doable. I have stopped trams about three times and find that day 3 or 4 I turned the corner. This time I am on day 7 and not looking to get on them again. It changes who I am. I feel dead inside.  Just stay positive, eat good food, and as hard as it may be... get moving... This time I have been more active and have benefited from that. Literally had to drag myself to get on a treadmill....and 20 minutes later I felt pretty good... That was day 2 or 3.  Ibe struggled with these pills for years  among other things. Again keep posting and ask for help. I'm here for you. PM me if you'd like. We can and will do this.

Best,
Goblin

[Krissy_123]

It's different with everyone hun,but I started to have a turn around about 7-10 days. But I did feel a little better everyday after 4 days. You're doing great! Do you have the hot Epsom salt baths? They help a lot. And I know you prob don't want to,but try a little walk around the block. It does help,especially with time passing and you're not watching the clock. Plus help tire you out so you can hopefully sleep. Make sure you're drinking lots of water and elctrolites. Eat little snacks through out the day if you can't stomach normal meals. Pretzels,Baggie of nuts,maybe some fruit. Bananas are good for the restless legs because they have potassium.

[Readyforfreedom12]

Yes. My doctor prescribed them. I will just take one at night tomorrow and tonight then stop. I am feeling lousy!! My body aches but I'm keeping a positive mind. I should be over the worst in a week??

[Krissy_123]

Did the doctor prescribe them for you? You are correct,you want to be very careful with these. If you're going to take them I'd suggest just a small amount at bedtime to help you sleep for a day or two. Or if from doctor,then as prescribed. But I wouldn't take longer than a few days. You're brain will quickly latch on to the other pill. That's what happens when we take substances for a long time. How are you feeling other than the anxiety?

[Readyforfreedom12]

Hi all,

I'm having a rough day with anxiety. I have a bunch of Valium but have never taken them. I understand they can be very addictive. I don't want my body  going through another withdrawl so I am hesitant to take any. But I feel miserable with anxiety. Need advice!

[NeverAgain127]

I think you'll be okay too.

I was prescribed oxycodone and took 40 mgs a day for over 8 years. I pretty much just stopped, and I"m 9 months clean.

The first 7 days were the hardest; I just felt like I had a really bad stomach flu.
After that, I returned to work, and at day 14 I felt MUCH better.

Keeping moving was the key for me.  Any kind of exercise will make a big difference.

In terms of depression, I've always had it, so it's hard to know what is coming from the withdrawals and what is just me.

I just started Prozac (again.)  I have an on/off relationship with it. It works for 6 months, then peters out so I go off it, wait another couple of months, then go back on it again.  My doc knows about this.

I agree with the others that you are very wise to nip this in the bud, and you sound like a determined, intelligent person.  You'll do this, and be just fine...

Hugs,
-Robin

[vicki595]

Hi there-

I think you'll do fine. The problems arise when taking large doses over a long period of time and that's not you at all. Also, only some people experience depression post withdrawal. There can be a low mood but it passes. Again, based on your use, I doubt this will happen with you. Don't be frightened and please keep posting. The majority of folks here are very knowledgeable and kind and you'll receive a lot of support.

How are you feeling today?

In what way did Tramadol change your behavior?

[salizander]

Doesn't seem like "certain" comments kept her from posting. If anything, she said the posts helped her.

[Tina6444]

Hi Ready:)

I was where you were ...(approx 40 days ago)? Not even sure how many days out anymore. It is a number that is gradually losing it's significance with me.

At this point in time just focus on getting through day by day, hour by hour, or in my case in past minute by minute. It is no doubt the toughest battle I have ever fought but the MOST worthwhile.

You seem quite proactive and determined so keep it that way!! And there is a big difference if you can go without them somedays as compared to where I was. I needed them EVERY day to feel normal. Therefore of course our withdrawals and experiences will be different.

Keep in mind trying to maintain a little positivity throughout this journey can really make a difference.  I don't sugarcoat things either but I feel that initially we all just need a LOT of support and positivity. Don't let posts increase your anxiety about the future because your anxiety is just going to go through the roof. Don't be terrified…get your battle gear on and fight!

Just focus on one day at a time and you will get through it!!! Posting really helped me and still does. This really is doable!! And it feels great to be free! My advice is to be done with these evil pills before this monster truly takes over your life as it did mine.
Bottom line= YOU CAN DO THIS. Go for it!!

[Krissy_123]

You'll be ok,yes detoxing is hard but you're nipping this in the bud before they became a real issue. We are all very supportive here,please don't let certain comments scare you and make you quit coming on to post. Detox Is also different for everyone,so we can't tell you how gosh awful they're going to be or not be. They are unpleasant but you can do it! I took oxycodone every day for 11 years and been off 8 months today. It's been a rough ride but oh so worth it! Keep busy,not just your body but your mind as well. Push yourself if needed. I'd also suggest staying away from anti depps until you see how your detox goes. Give it a month or more. That's just my opinion. But why get on another drug if you might not need too! Take care Hun,we are here for you!! ❤️

[Frogger76]

Good for you for realizing when to stop them, I wish I would have stopped them when I was no longer in pain, but no, I was like the energizer bunny and kept going and going,lol. You'll get through this, since you only took them as prescribed, and not for an excessive amount of time, you should feel better in a couple weeks, IMO. Maybe you could go check out a meeting or two, if need be. Whatever you decide, I wish you the very best. Hang in there!!

[Readyforfreedom12]

Wow thank you so very much CATUF. I want to be careful and stop now before it gets to the point that I feel I have to have them daily and I need them. I'm not there.....yet! But I will be soon if I don't stop now. Thank you kindly. You've been great.

[CATUF]

I'd suggest the book End Your Addiction Now, by Charles Gant. He outline a need-specific (as opposed to one-size-fits-all) amino acid and supplement program that literally jump starts the addicted brain to get the levels of critical neurotransmitter to levels the levels they need to be. It's hard to stay clean when life (after withdrawal) just seems to be a never-ending chore. We (formerly active) addicts need the same feel-good neurotransmitters as the Earth People -- probably more so.

I'd also suggest reading up on PAWS - Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome -- it usually hits the first time at about 30 days and can feel like hitting a brick wall. Time after time PAWS took me back out before i knew what it was and that it would pass in a day or three. Just Google

Don't use, no matter what. Too many times i gave in to the notion that i needed JUST ONE (or so) JUST THIS ONCE to take the edge off for just a bit - to take a short break and then I'd get on with quitting forever. The problem is that when i use i lose control. The phenomenon of craving kicks in and before i know it i'm stuck in the same old rut again - only the rut gets deeper every time i go back - thankfully, i haven't been back for 10 years 1 month and 13 days.

Sounds to me like you have a very good shot at getting it. You're ahead of the game in recognizing a problem while it's early in the game. By the time i could admit that I MIGHT be starting to develop a problem, i was already a late-stage addict and in so far over my head that i didn't have a prayer of fixing it all by myself as I wrongly concluded was my only option.

What you go through now may seem tough, but it will never be easier to stop than it is right now.  I kept returning-to-go for 3+ years and it ended up being a bigger monster than i would have thought possible.  

Pray for help in the morning.  If you don't use that day, say "thank you" when you go to bed.

CATUF
3,696

[Readyforfreedom12]

Thank you both so much. I am ready for this battle. I've never had a problem with pain medication or ever took more than what was allowed so I'm not sure if I need aftercare? I have just now decided to stop because I don't have the pain anymore. They are no longer needed for the purpose prescribed.

[refills]

Hey, just wanted to say welcome. Yeah wd's and detoxing are real tough but there is much more waiting for you. Make that plan for aftercare now. Keep your mind occupied as best as you can and your body moving. It's a beautiful thing to return to sobriety. Always keep that at the forefront of your mind and Best Wishes to you....ike

[Frogger76]

I know for me, the full onset of the physical withdrawals hit hardest around days 6-7. They were horrible, but they didn't kill me. They finally eased around the 30 day mark. Then the mental withdrawals hit, and they hit hard. Depression, anxiety, moodiness, you name it. It took a good year or so for my brain to rewire itself. That was a heck of a year to! I do agree that it probably depends on how much you were taking and the length of time you were on them as to how bad your withdrawals will be. I was on them for years, and took a very high dose daily.

You can do this. Yes it's hard, but life without these pills is so much better. I too didn't mean to sound harsh about anything. Post anytime, we are here for ya!! Good luck to you and take care...

[Readyforfreedom12]

Thank you kindly.

[salizander]

If you were on them a year, then your WDs will be difficult. But if you are determined, you can conquer this and be pill free. Just be aware of the depression, it is quite nasty. However, your doc can prescribe an antidepressant to help you. While I may seem harsh, my intentions are well-meaning. I wish you the best.

[Readyforfreedom12]

I've been on them about a year. I'm not sure if the length of time makes a difference? I am new to this