Aa
Tramadol/ opiate recovery. Advice/ suggestions please.
I want to know all there is to know about withdrawal and recovery. I have been taking tramadol for the past 3 years and the addiction only escalated about A year and a half ago. I would take most days between 8-12 and at my worst 20 a day. I had a horrible black out and I was out of it for about an hour and a half- where I was dreaming during this period. When I came to my husband said I was doing all kinds of weird things- and all I remember is being dizzy before- and next thing I know he is asking me a whole bunch of questions and I could not answer them- I was so confused. I still to this day do not know what happened- idk if it was a seizure or what but it scared me. I have not taken 20 in a day since then but my addiction was getting so bad that I was worried it would happen again.
I am happy to say it has been a week since I have taken tramadol- but I did use suboxine to help me get off it. I had about 8mg or less to get me through 3 days. I so not know that I would have succeeded if it had not been for it. Anyway I'm on day 3 with nothing. Really at times I feel good. Others I want to cry for no reason. I get the zaps and hot flashes, restless nights, irritability, etc.
I'm doing all I can to stay busy and not focus on it, which works- until I get blindsided by depression and a total case of the f***- its. It's about 50-50, which is about right given that I am possibly bi-polar. (Was diagnosed- but it's questionable)
Ok, I need to make a point...
I am doing nothing for support.nobody knows what I am going through and I just don't even care to get anyone that I know involved. I am not attending NA or anything for a few reasons- I've always thought of that place as another way for me to make contacts, and also I'm just so anti social and horrible and those sorts of commitments. Can someone explain NA to me?
how long should I expect withdrawal?
I have a big fear of becoming an alcoholic. Although I do not drink much now, I did before I discovered pills. I have been tempted lately.
Ps. I took tramadol mostly, suboxine once or twice a month, and Vicodin/perc/any pain killers when I could find them.
Any success stories would be so helpful.
Also, sorry for the life story, I hope I wasn't all over the place
I am happy to say it has been a week since I have taken tramadol- but I did use suboxine to help me get off it. I had about 8mg or less to get me through 3 days. I so not know that I would have succeeded if it had not been for it. Anyway I'm on day 3 with nothing. Really at times I feel good. Others I want to cry for no reason. I get the zaps and hot flashes, restless nights, irritability, etc.
I'm doing all I can to stay busy and not focus on it, which works- until I get blindsided by depression and a total case of the f***- its. It's about 50-50, which is about right given that I am possibly bi-polar. (Was diagnosed- but it's questionable)
Ok, I need to make a point...
I am doing nothing for support.nobody knows what I am going through and I just don't even care to get anyone that I know involved. I am not attending NA or anything for a few reasons- I've always thought of that place as another way for me to make contacts, and also I'm just so anti social and horrible and those sorts of commitments. Can someone explain NA to me?
how long should I expect withdrawal?
I have a big fear of becoming an alcoholic. Although I do not drink much now, I did before I discovered pills. I have been tempted lately.
Ps. I took tramadol mostly, suboxine once or twice a month, and Vicodin/perc/any pain killers when I could find them.
Any success stories would be so helpful.
Also, sorry for the life story, I hope I wasn't all over the place
The dream thing for me had pretty much always been an issue. When I was taking the pills it was not as often; rather if I took them too late at night it would keep me up with sleep paralysis and horrific nightmares that made me not want to sleep other nights. Now it's just disturbing dreams- most I don't remember by the time I get up but I'm an emotional wreck because of them. I do take melotonin but not every night- I keep forgetting. I think I have a lot of unresolved conflicts in my life and in my past. I appreciate your suggestion on therapy but last time I tried it they ruined it for me. There has got to be something better out there.
As far as the alcohol I got sloberknockered last week and it was worth every gut wrenching, soul sucking, intistine twisting, goddess huggin, migraine havin, insomnia enduring moment it gave me.
Ok I suck let me have it
As far as the alcohol I got sloberknockered last week and it was worth every gut wrenching, soul sucking, intistine twisting, goddess huggin, migraine havin, insomnia enduring moment it gave me.
Ok I suck let me have it
Hi - it's great to hear that you are doing this!!! Congratulations - you wont regret it. As far as the dreams - are you taking any kind of sleep med or supplement? Melatonin for example; SO many people benefit from this and are able to sleep well on it with no side affects at all. But this did cause me to have really vivid dreams; not good ones. I have found that magnesium and potassium (I always eat a banana before bed!), and sometimes the "sleepytime" teas help. I think it is a good idea, in fact a necessary one really, to get some kind of support - meetings, therapy; some kind of aftercare to help you with the emotional part of withdrawal and recovery and to help get the tools you need to say clean. Especially with the tramadol and it's anti-depressant w/drawal issues, the emotional support is crucial. Sounds like you are doing real well - and those lingering physical symptoms WILL fade away. I hope that you have thought about the drinking issue and have decided not to go there. I would hate to see you work so hard to get free of the pills and then trade one addiction for another. You are young and have so much potential - like you said; go back to school and pursue your dreams - you CAN do it! Keep up the great work and keep posting here for support :))
I do not know what happened but I posted a response ( a long one) and it never actually posted. I think I was logged out or something- anyway, here's what's been going on with me:
I just want to say thanks for the support from you all. I'm feeling really good about myself finally, and the symptoms are getting better every day. I'm finally sleeping, however my dreams are driving me crazy! I forgot that I used to dream so much, now my lucid dreams are back. Some are ok but I keep having bad memories through them. Idk, maybe it's time to finally face some demons!
So far I have not attended any meetings, but I have been trying to take care of my body and exercise( no routine- just doing yard work, cleaning, etc) and taking vitamins. I am starting to see the importance of Getting some support, because I am starting to feel alone in this.
I am not discouraged however bad I feel or whatever withdrawal symptom still lingers... It only makes me want to fight harder!!! I hope you all are feeling the same way.
My next steps are to start getting a little more social since I feel like I don't have anything to hide anymore, being the best mother I can be, and going back to college to finish what I started. I have to take it a day at a time for now, but I'm getting there.
I just want to say thanks for the support from you all. I'm feeling really good about myself finally, and the symptoms are getting better every day. I'm finally sleeping, however my dreams are driving me crazy! I forgot that I used to dream so much, now my lucid dreams are back. Some are ok but I keep having bad memories through them. Idk, maybe it's time to finally face some demons!
So far I have not attended any meetings, but I have been trying to take care of my body and exercise( no routine- just doing yard work, cleaning, etc) and taking vitamins. I am starting to see the importance of Getting some support, because I am starting to feel alone in this.
I am not discouraged however bad I feel or whatever withdrawal symptom still lingers... It only makes me want to fight harder!!! I hope you all are feeling the same way.
My next steps are to start getting a little more social since I feel like I don't have anything to hide anymore, being the best mother I can be, and going back to college to finish what I started. I have to take it a day at a time for now, but I'm getting there.
Hello and welcome
You got a lot of great advice above.
I don't really have much to add
Please take to heart what Vixkie said about the drinkig.
She knows what she is talking about
As for AA/NA. I have some friends that attend and I have went to a few with them to she what all they did.
Everyone there was great it seemed there was a lot of support there.
I also know a few people who don't like it but they go to a counselor or addiction specialist.
I'm here for support I am on and off all the time
Your doing a great job!!!!!
Peace
Lesa
You got a lot of great advice above.
I don't really have much to add
Please take to heart what Vixkie said about the drinkig.
She knows what she is talking about
As for AA/NA. I have some friends that attend and I have went to a few with them to she what all they did.
Everyone there was great it seemed there was a lot of support there.
I also know a few people who don't like it but they go to a counselor or addiction specialist.
I'm here for support I am on and off all the time
Your doing a great job!!!!!
Peace
Lesa
I never liked Trams. They were my back up drug to keep my out of withdraw until I could get more opiates, but I had to take ALOT of them to do that. Then when I ran out of those, I always felt worse than if I hadn't taken them. I don't have anything else much to offer on Trams and definitely agree with what Vickie and Vic have to say. I just wanted to throw some support your way too. You are doing fantastic!
Hello and welcome! Congrats on getting off the Tramadol! And you are lucky to have done it now, while you are so young. I started on Tramadol about 15 years ago for back pain. I took it as prescribed at first, but my tolerance grew really fast and I became dependent on in; needing more and more for it to work. I have had back problems for years; have had multiple procedures, injections, physical therapy sessions, and ultimately cervical spinal fusion last summer. By that time I was taking so many opiates; the Tramadol itself had long ago stopped being enough to actually prevent any pain, it was just a "given" in my daily life. Honestly, Motrin worked the best but I was taking WAY too much of that as well (and had to stop it before and after surgery). I believe that because I took the tram for so long that my tolerance for ANY opiate got SO high that nothing really worked anymore. I was on a fentanyl patch + a dilaudid PCA (& the tram I snuck in w/me) in the hospital and still felt EVERY single movement in my neck for days after the surgery. It truly was a living Hell.
I did have seizures from overdoses of Tramadol several years ago. Even then, my addict brain just figured out ways to manipulate my dosages in order to prevent them. The situation you described when you blacked out sounds exactly like a seizure to me. I will never forget that strange feeling of waking up on my floor at home, surrounded by EMT's asking me questions I couldn't answer - LIKE WHAT DAY IT WAS!!!! All while my (then 12 yr. & 15 yr. olds watched in horror). The scariest thing about that is the fact that just 10 minutes before I was in the car driving them home from school . . . no need to elaborate on that further :(( But even after that I STILL took the trams.
And what I have described above is only a tiny excerpt of the long story of how this med went from "Mommy's Little Helper" to the devil pill that almost took my life several times. PLEASE don't let this happen to you. Getting off them is the best thing you have ever done. The withdrawal is tough, but you are doing it! The anti-depressant effect of this med is probably what's causing your emotional distress. It does get better with each day, week, etc. that goes by. I have been taking 5HTP (started at 300mg per day, now down to 100mg); and it has helped. Exercise helps a lot too - hard to get going but once you do and you get a routine going (try to do a little bit every day - even if its just a short walk). You asked about magnesium , , , I take this in an extra supplement (suggested by my doctor); 1000mg at night. This helps with sleep AND the restless thing a lot. Try Vitamin Water - the Revive formula has potassium + b's, c & electrolytes - a lifesaver for me for the first few weeks after I quit. I still drink it at least once a day.
Finally, I think you got some really great advice from Vickie about the alcohol and aftercare issues. You have worked hard to get to where you are now. Please consider her suggestions and get yourself to a meeting or into some kind of therapy situation. Don't lose any more of your precious days to pills or alcohol. Keep us updated and keep posting here for support ok? Good luck to you :))
Julie
I did have seizures from overdoses of Tramadol several years ago. Even then, my addict brain just figured out ways to manipulate my dosages in order to prevent them. The situation you described when you blacked out sounds exactly like a seizure to me. I will never forget that strange feeling of waking up on my floor at home, surrounded by EMT's asking me questions I couldn't answer - LIKE WHAT DAY IT WAS!!!! All while my (then 12 yr. & 15 yr. olds watched in horror). The scariest thing about that is the fact that just 10 minutes before I was in the car driving them home from school . . . no need to elaborate on that further :(( But even after that I STILL took the trams.
And what I have described above is only a tiny excerpt of the long story of how this med went from "Mommy's Little Helper" to the devil pill that almost took my life several times. PLEASE don't let this happen to you. Getting off them is the best thing you have ever done. The withdrawal is tough, but you are doing it! The anti-depressant effect of this med is probably what's causing your emotional distress. It does get better with each day, week, etc. that goes by. I have been taking 5HTP (started at 300mg per day, now down to 100mg); and it has helped. Exercise helps a lot too - hard to get going but once you do and you get a routine going (try to do a little bit every day - even if its just a short walk). You asked about magnesium , , , I take this in an extra supplement (suggested by my doctor); 1000mg at night. This helps with sleep AND the restless thing a lot. Try Vitamin Water - the Revive formula has potassium + b's, c & electrolytes - a lifesaver for me for the first few weeks after I quit. I still drink it at least once a day.
Finally, I think you got some really great advice from Vickie about the alcohol and aftercare issues. You have worked hard to get to where you are now. Please consider her suggestions and get yourself to a meeting or into some kind of therapy situation. Don't lose any more of your precious days to pills or alcohol. Keep us updated and keep posting here for support ok? Good luck to you :))
Julie
Thank you. Your comment helped me already. I had to choke back tears, which the past few days it has been easy for me to cry- but having some encouraging words means so much to me right now.
The addict in me still wants to justify drinking, I am only 27 and it is legal. On the other hand, I can never do anything in moderation- and I have seen this legal substance get so many of my loved ones. I can not say that I won't, but I will take your advice and try to avoid it. Maybe if NA and AA is what you say it is, I should look into it.
Also, I have only been taking a multi-vitamin, melatonin at night, and I am also on a mood stabilizer. Other than that- coffee is helping me through this. Anyway, is there enough magnesium in a multi-vitamin to help with detox?
I'm all for the all naturals so if you have suggestions please share ;),
Thanks again. I do not mean to be so long winded, I have been struggling with the racing thoughts- idk if that is a symptom or if its just that time for me.
The addict in me still wants to justify drinking, I am only 27 and it is legal. On the other hand, I can never do anything in moderation- and I have seen this legal substance get so many of my loved ones. I can not say that I won't, but I will take your advice and try to avoid it. Maybe if NA and AA is what you say it is, I should look into it.
Also, I have only been taking a multi-vitamin, melatonin at night, and I am also on a mood stabilizer. Other than that- coffee is helping me through this. Anyway, is there enough magnesium in a multi-vitamin to help with detox?
I'm all for the all naturals so if you have suggestions please share ;),
Thanks again. I do not mean to be so long winded, I have been struggling with the racing thoughts- idk if that is a symptom or if its just that time for me.
Hi and Welcome..You have done a great Job so far..All that you explained above is part of the healing process..This here will pass..I have learned alot from the trams people on here that the trams are very addicting and Have a Anti-Depressant in them..As far as the drinking, when we have addictive behavior, we have to stay away from all substances..It affects all parts of the brain..It is a brain disease..We have a Pleasure part (survival) that is taken over,,If you use anything the tape plays the I feel good tape over & over. Just one more and I can get this or that done..AA/NA is very spiritual and up lifting..It gives us the tools to stay strong for what life might bring us..You do not have to talk..You will want to in time because that is just what happens. I was on the other opiates before I went up the latter to the methadone and added 2 other meds to it..So there fore the disease can get so out of control..I am in my 7m and do nothing but all natural things..I can say that a DR here thinks all addicts have bi-polar..But I did not even believe him at all..For me I just do all the vit/min that help balance out the brain.. So be that said..You are doing great..Get some magnz it is a great detoxer..We have alot of other things we used during and after too keep us going..Just keep checking your post for help OK..
God Bless...
God Bless...
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