Tramadol Addiction

[Peace3]

My doctor 2 years ago switched me from Vicodon to Tramodal to avoid any possible addictions.  I have tried numeous times to stop taking or tappering off the medication but the withdrawals are unbearable.  Physcial withdrawals are really bad but the mentally I am in hell.  I am taking 150mg 3 times a day.   Going through a divorce, lossing my house and my bussiness is failing.  Taking the medication supresses the feelings associated with these situations but on the flip side numbs me on my drive, ambition and other emotions.  The medication has control over my life completely.   With dealing with these issues at this time and coming off the medication I am definately suicidal and that scares the hell out of me.  My doctor say Tramadol has not addiction affects and my pharmacist say there might be just a little withdrawals.  

[mk1964]

I don't get some of the doctors. It sounds like some of you'all ran into the same thing with Tramadol vs. Vicodin. My doctore told me over and over it would be no problem to get off Tramadol because it was non-narcotic and offered it in place of Vicodin. I took it but the side effects were immediate and I went off within a few days and back on Vicodin(Issues there though). Point is, are they reading the same medical journals other docs are?

[suzipen]

My heart goes out to anyone dealing with the big T drug.
Its hard to even spell it anymore coz it makes me soooooo sick.
Just stick around here, read A LOT of journals...........it will get better.
Big hug, suzipen

[avisg]

tramadol is very addicting there alot of us that learned that the hard way and the WD for me was much worse then hydros .

[Dezdon]

Man you have alot on your plate. You need to take each issue one at a time and break them down. Other then that, it would be too overwelming for anybody!

[f1swede]

My story on Tramadol is very simular. Had a bad accident with ATV. After going to my regular doctor being then on Vicodin 5/500 and ran out and felt weird for 2 days. My wife said you are probably addicted to it (stop taking it). So the doctor put me on Tramadol and i stayed on that for 8months. It did not work as well as the Vicodin so he upped the dose. This is back when i could not even spell to painmeds. Of course ran out of Tramadol. It started just like the flu and progressively got worse until i had to go back to the doctor. He was not in and the doctor i talked to said (you probably got the flu,If not better in few days come back). Finally met with my doctor that prescibed the Tramadol and he ran every test he could think of. Hepatitus C, HIV,Thyroid and all kinds other tests. Of course he could not find anything wrong with anything from the test. So here i'm going thru cold turkey whitdrawl whitout knowing it. Could not sleep,stay warm,to warm,anxiety and unbelievable depression. After 3 weeks like this my doctor referd me to internal med. Doc. and she figured it out in about 5min. I was out from work for 5 weeks and no help from any of the Doc's. I was put on AD meds after that since i still have problem with my back (compression fracture) i'm still on painmeds. but never again Tramadol. Hydrocodone and MS Contin i have easily whitdrawn from compared with Tramadol. Sorry for the long post. Tramadol is a very BAD drug to be on.Thanks,F1swede

[princess2000]

I am so thankful I read all the posts about tramadol, as my doctor gave me a script for back pain.  She told me it was not in the narcotics class and is not addictive!!  I decided not to take it and flushed it.  I have been dealing with my pain through a chiropractor and just Ibprofen, when needed,  The chiropractor has helped me very very much!  If I had not read about the horrible things about that drug, I would have taken it, and been going through the hell everyone is talking about!  Thank you everyone for posting about it and letting everyone know it is very addictive and horrible!!!!  Good luck to you and it will get better if you listen to the ones dealing with that evil drug TRAMADOL!!!!!

[shaffekl]

You guys should look into EmilysPost, Day 47, Tramadol Detox.  There are allot of good people with good advise about tram withdrawal.  

[PromisedLand]

I too am having a heck of a timea coming off of tramadol...I take 3 2x/day and I'm having a heck of a time with that.  maybe I'm taking them to cover the pain of the loss of my son, but I know I have to quit...it is harder than quitting vicodins, in my opinion.


Jim

[Mercedes175]

P.S.I didnt want to minimize your life issues, just know they are life issues that you will survive.   I would highly recommend meetings to support you through everything.  Google intergroup meetings in your area (another name for AA or NA meetings).  They are a great support for coming off drugs/alchohol and moreover handling life..  We learn to handle life on life's terms through the help of God.   We can't escape negative things happening to us but you can get through it.  Meetings totally changed my life for the good - stopped drinking and have a great life.  Although I too struggle with Trams (now)...I know the withdrawals are just an effect that comes with taking them and now I need to get off.  My doctor fell for that bull too...it will not harm you, no withdrawals.  I was embarrassed initially to go back to him thinking it was just me.  I know better now to make sure he sees the truth.  If they ignore their patients, we are better advocates to our health then they are.  They need to look at their  patients and stop denying they don't know what they are talking about.  

[Mercedes175]

Your a living example to your doctor and pharmacist. I would go back to them and tell them what you told us.  Are you lieing?  Why would you?  I am not going through any life changes..my life (thank God is great).  However I feel the pain of coming off trams every morning when I am at my longest away from my last dose..usually about 12hrs...I feel awful.  I have not lasted till afternoon before I take another 2 just to function.  It is absolutel bull that you have no withdrawals. You are living proof.  Ask you doctor or pharmacist what they base their statements on?  If they are worth their md license all you have to do is google the drug and you will see it is just "unknown" as to the degree it effects someone  and that there is dispute to the degree it effects you as a narcotic.  so you go to the people that have taken it. we can't all be quacks.

It is a horrible, horrible drug..and I have been told worse than coming off from meth or benzos.  So tell your doctor what you are experiencing.  Let them know.  As far as your life crises I would not tell them that as they may take that as your problem..the physical and mental are awful...they need to stop speaking with their heads in their *****.

[ukfool]

hi
i am going through the same withdrawels at this moment in time!
yes the hardest thing about it is the extreme emotion you feel! from the time i wake up the the time i sleep you feel like nothing is worth living for.
the best thing to do is take an antidressent to get you over the withdrawels!
it is much easier that way. i have literally started fluoxetine today to help as i too am at the end of the line to the point i dont want to go to work! or even wake up!
the fluoxetine with replace the ssri's that your body is used to getting from the tramadol.
in time your body will build its self back up!
im am giving you the advice i have also recieve myself from this site!
i have even posted on my own thread asking if its ok to take the fluoxetine even though ive been told already!
i feel for you as im going through the exact same thing as you are right now!
be strong and dont give in! it will get better. just remember the person you was before these terrible tramadol came along!

[esteeruth]

I am brand new to the site but I wanted to express my sympathy to you. Dealing with all those changes at once, not just one at a time,must be overwhelming.
It is a good thing that you posted to share what you feel.
Have you talked with your doctor about your suicidal thoughts?
esteeruth