Tramadol/Ultram withdrawal

First of all, I've read on similar posts that there are quite a few people suffering from withdrawal from these pills and am relieved to find out that there is support out there for people going through the same things as myself.  

Now...my addiction started 3 years ago when darvocet was taken off the market, upon which my doctor switched me to tramadol.  I followed the prescribed amount at first, but obviously that quickly changed.  I was taking about 3 to 5 a day I would go without pills for a week or so and felt no symptoms.   Soon, I realized I wasn't treating the same pain anymore, but was treating depression, lack of energy, jumpy legs, irritability, and the worst for me, the "hallow" head/body nerve shocks (these make me feel like I have a temperature).  I had gotten up to 10 pills (50 mg) a day for about 8 months and would go through my prescription quickly!!  I found that I started craving these pills almost instantly after waking.  

Now, prior to all of this medication I was the type of person that didn't even like to take over-the-counter pain meds.  I got married, got pregnant, was injured before birth of my child, had a very damaging delivery, and was prescribed the darvocet.  It helped with pain, but I found that I had a bad case of depression.  I had never, and I mean NEVER experienced depression before, and I have a new understanding and sympathy for people who experience this terrible, debilitating problem!!!  When darvocet was taken off the market and tramadol was prescribed to me, I almost felt like my old self!  I wasn't totally delusional though.  I new this feeling was a chemically enhanced one.  Unfortunately, I liked it too much to share this with my doctor.  Now, I am also a college student, and found that my memory wasn't quite what it used to be.  Yes, I could contribute some of that to hormone levels after pregnancy, but enough is enough for excuses!!!!!!!

I quit taking tramadol 7 days ago.  I knew there was going to be withdrawal, depression...the whole 9 yards.  I had some left over medications to help me over the last week.  These meds were vicodin and valium.  I had 5 vicodin and still have 5 valium left.  I took 1 vicodin a day, and 1/2 to 1 valium at night.  Now, for the last few days I have not taken vicodin but have replaced it with naprosin, which am taking for any muscle pain and will hopefully treat the "hallow" nerve feeling in my head.  I didn't take valium at all last night.  Today, I started exercising, which boosts energy and decreases depression.  

Due to the determination to once and for all rid my body of this mentally, emotionally, and physically poisonous drug, I am going to "come clean" to my doctor and my husband.  I want to hold my self accountable so that I can't, first of all, damage myself, or damage my family any further than what I have.  It may seem harmless while you are on the pills, but it does more damage than you may realize!!!!  Do yourself a favor.  Share your problems with someone you love AND trust as well as your doctor.  The people you love will be your support.  Your doctor needs to know so that he doesn't ruin someone else's life by prescribing this medication to them.

Now for the question.  On older posts, I read that some people experienced withdrawals for a month or more.  Is this an exception or the norm?

Thank you for a place to post and thanks for any responses (in advance)!

[avisg]

Congrats on the clean time .!!!!!
Here is the thing with tramadol it was my drug of choice I have been clean for over 1500 days now .Its like a double whammy it works as a pain relief and and antidepressant so its like going off to drugs at once .
First off I would stop taking any other controlled substances its so easy to to transfer one addiction to other .
They main symptoms are usually gone in a little over a week.However there are some that can take longer sleeplessness body aches  emotional. I was not on any antidepressants so I used some amino acids(do not use anti depressant when if you are going to take amino acids. exercise helped ALOT .
You are doing well keep it up!!! Have you found some recovery care so you dont end up relapsing .

[stacey1979]

I took tram for about a year. decided to take myself off them but was scared since id had an addiction before to lortab. i remember taking the tram and feeling myself at first then started feeling down a lot.

well when i went to the doc to see what they thought about just stopping she said that they have an anti depressant in them. so she put me on lexapro and vistral to help with withdrawls.

but to answer your question i was good as knew in a few days from those i remember it took a little time for my head to get normal again what ever normal is.

so probably depends on the person! Congrats on the HONESTY! I didnt do that either time with my hubby and he found out the hard way! BUT IM SO HAPPY IT CAME OUT! This time im 8 days clean and cant wait til im 800 days clean!!

[avisg]

Congrats on the clean time .!!!!!
Here is the thing with tramadol it was my drug of choice I have been clean for over 1500 days now .Its like a double whammy it works as a pain relief and and antidepressant so its like going off to drugs at once .
First off I would stop taking any other controlled substances its so easy to to transfer one addiction to other .
They main symptoms are usually gone in a little over a week.However there are some that can take longer sleeplessness body aches  emotional. I was not on any antidepressants so I used some amino acids(do not use anti depressant when if you are going to take amino acids. exercise helped ALOT .
You are doing well keep it up!!! Have you found some recovery care so you dont end up relapsing .

[seeker74]

Thanks for the reply!  I'll try some amino acids, which will also benefit my body with the exercise.  Yesterday and last night were totally without vicodin and valium.  I did take noporxin in the a.m., but I slept fine.  Today I awoke feeling decent, but a little while later I had the "hallow" feeling, although mild.  I took my vitamins (muli, B-complex, fish oil, and D), and will do some research on the best source of amino acid.  I have read about Quinoi being a comlete food, meaning it has all 12 amino acids, but maybe you can recommend a source that works for you.  Thank you for your support and recommendations!!!  What do you recommend for recovery care?

[avisg]

I have heard there finding green tea helps but thats very new info . I used a magzuim.calsuim supplemt that I swear helped more then anything else.
recovery care is what ever makes you feel the most comfortable  I see a therapist. I find It works the best for me some do aa (even if there not addicted to alcohol there all drugs) .Some do na .There is another program called smart recovery more people aware of it and there are others addiction specialists .
Find what is comfortable for you ..

[elmmom4]

ok, ive been on tramadol for a year now, previously being on vicodin, and darvocet for major female pelvic pain all related to having four kids in four years.  However i notice that when i wake up in the morning and don't take a tramadol for hours, i get hot and cold flashes, feelings of aggravation and some other things... i know that my body is addicted to them.  I don't want to be on them, but i cant get off them.  I don't want to tell my husband or doctor cuz i don't want to be an "addict mother"  i need help!!  

[treedee72]

I am with you on the addiction to tramadol.  I thought it was harmless and I wasn't hurting anything by taking it.  I was up to a serious dose almost too embarrassing to say.  I am now weaning down. Have been doing this for 9 days and actually feel ok.  I went through a vicodin addiction in 2003, now I have been "taking" tramadol since then.  I made the decision to do this last Friday. Friends and family encouraged me to tell my husband about it.  So I did and he left for a few days.  I was beginning to think detoxing and being honest was a big mistake.  Well he came home and just held me and told me he would help me.  Nice happy ending???????  No way, I am still detoxing and can't sleep.  Wake up with the leg issues and sweating.  I know I am doing the right thing,  I have to believe that.  I do know that it does get better and I believe you will be able to get through this too.  I am here for you if you need anyone to talk to.

[treedee72]

It took so long for me to decde to come off of these devils. I started having seizures from taking them.  Of course these happened in front of my kids and they are now scared to leave me alone.  No one really knows why I had these seizures, but my guess is because of the large amount I was taking.  My decision to get off of these was a conscence one but when I told my husband, I rethought my decision. My husband didn't take it too well but came around a couple of days later.  My life has been on a roller coaster for the past 9 days.  I sit with a fan on me when at home and at work, and I live in Wisconsin.  This is just such a hard thing to get and not to sound so cliche, it helps to talk to someone.  I haven't talked to anyone until coming to this site.  I am here with you and it will get better.