Tramadol Addiction

I have Bipolar and I'm on meds for for stability and have some very bad lows.  I have been abusing DHC (which is a much stronger drug, unscripted) with Tramadol up to 10 50mg in a day.  I was in deep with these 2 drugs, both opiates.  I would have 2/3 good (good! I really mean functional) days a week while I abused Tramadol and the other day I would take a maintenance dose to stave off the withdrawals.  Half the problem with this drug is that it includes chemicals which act on the same brain receptors as an anti-depressant.  

I started a very small dose of Paroxetine (12.5mg) a month before I'm now at 50mg or even no opiates in a day.  All I can tell you is that it is like a curtain is lifted from your mind, instead of riding the tide and carrying on in a stupor, you start to feel again, which in itself can be a little painful but do you remember how you felt when your favourite song came on when you were out or driving along, no, you probably don't, it's difficult in the grip of Tramadol addiction.  I just wanted to share this, I feel as a Bipolar person with very bad depression this may lift your hopes, finger x'ed.  This drug will ultimately make your depression much worse than it was before..

Keep yourself busy even if gardening or cleaning if you're not working, exercise helps a lot too and I dare say an anti-depressant may help too.  It is said that you shouldn't use certain SSRI's with this drug, I checked with my pharmacist and Doc, you should do the same..

signed.. 2 & a1/2 years of abuse, god knows what it's done to my body.

[waterLilly7]

thanks so much for your informative post.

hugs
Lily

[danny1367]

Just a quick update, 4 day free of opiates after tapering down, pretty much free of physical withdrawal and easier than I thought.  By tapering I managed to escape most of the cold sweats, the hot weather helps!  Expect the runs, runny nose and feeling of choking sickness around eating or drinking what you usually like, if you smoke it won't be as pleasurable for a while. Don't worry these withdrawals don't last that long.  Also expect a slight firery feeling mentally, as much as it may seem contrary to how to feel exercise really helps.  Watch positive things on TV or engage in acts you used to find enjoyable, as good as Tramadol trance may feel, normal feel a great deal better.  I appreciate I will probably chime most with those of you who have hit rock bottom with this drug, let it be a warning to those beginning and a guide to those when they are ready. Best of luck.

[danny1367]

Should check my spelling first..

Just a quick update, 4 days free of opiates after tapering down, pretty much free of the physical withdrawals and easier to quit than I thought.  By tapering I managed to escape most of the cold sweats, the hot weather helps!  Expect the runs, runny nose and feeling of choking sickness around eating or drinking what you usually like, if you smoke it won't be as pleasurable for a while. Don't worry these withdrawals don't last that long.  Also expect a slight firery feeling mentally, as much as it may seem contrary to how you feel now exercise really helps.  Watch positive things on TV or engage in acts you used to find enjoyable, as good as Tramadol trance may feel, normal feel a great deal better.  I appreciate I will probably chime most with those of you who have hit rock bottom with this drug, let it be a warning to those beginning and a guide to those, who when ready, want to stop. Best of luck.

[Cornflakegrrl61]

Wow..good on you mate!!(: I took tramadol as prescribed..50mg four times a day after a bowel surgery and after three weeks I had a seizure..I immediately stopped it and had another seizure falling a fracturing my face): not great..you're absolutely right..certain medicine such as SSRIs,promethezine,flexeril can add to the risk of seizures..btw..I do not have a seizure d/o and have had no further seizure activity..this drug seems benign but is far from it!

[danny1367]

I agree, certainly not the 'Non-addictive drug' it was marketed as.  If you go to the doctors now they make you aware it is addictive and an opiate based drug (more along the lines of methadone than than Morphine, if you drug test yourself if you've taken a reasonable amount, depending on body mass I would assume, it shows as methadone, perhaps this is why they thought it more safe than more direct opiate based products).  

As for seizures, part of Bi-Poplar treatment involves taking an anti-seizure drug, so as always you have to find the right treatment.  I can only imagine how scary that must be.

Still off it the drug and trying a day without Paroxetine, I can only say it just gets better. Cut a minute off my 2 laps round the field at the back of me, avoiding the dog turds (dirty B######s).  You have to try to get off this drug, you just spend time trying to emulate what your brain does naturally.

Example:

Watch a TV nature documentary on Tramadol - semi-interesting, not really bothered by much.

Watch a TV nature documentary on while withdrawing on getting tolerance level down again - Cruel, cruel world(  :-) ), how can this be, anxiety pains (stomach in particular), can't get interested, nothing takes my interest, the abyss of boredom.

Watch a TV nature documentary off Tramadol, having gone through withdrawals - How amazing how nature works, seems everything has it's place and function in life even at the tiniest of scales, got to see the next one on catch-up.  Feel totally inspired...

Let me just add, a sleep pill in the early days when completely off it helps as a good night's sleep, whilst your body adjusts, really helps your perspective again. (I watch a lot of TV at the moment :)

This is my experience, apart from the drug, Depakote, I have to take.  Drug free always wins, going to kick the Paroxetine as I feel it's served it purpose, think it was really helpful combating the worst part of the withdrawals for me, the depression.