Tramadol addiction

[Godschild11]

Tears......As I  searched for tramadol addiction was my 1st attemp at admitting I have a problem, I cry just hearing it. I'm only 25yrs old. About 2yrs ago I was diagnosed with a permanent back condition. I was told to take 2 50mgs 4x's a day, but some how 8 pills turned to 16. The pills were a lifesaver at first until one night I hung out and clubbed with my friends and left my meds bk home overnight. And the WD kicked in immediately! I thought I was having a heart attack! I googled my symptoms and I found this site. That was 6months ago I'm just now getting the courage to use it. So my question, I'm a full-time worker and a single parent of a curious,hyper/talkative 6yo.how can I kick this? I know it wnt be easy but I cnt bear telling anyone, I'm sure they will only judge me so Plz help..someone..these pills took over my life(tears)

[toloveandbeloved2]

I hope you are doing well.  For me the most inexcusable part of it all is the fact that most physicians deny that this drug is a problem!  And I'm sure most of us would agree that to address it with your doc is fruitless.  They neither believe the patient nor do they care as long as Big Pharm and Big Ins cut them the check.  Been there, worked in that environment for too long.  Pharmacy and Physician Office = Legalized Drug Pusher.  The really sad thing is this.....you get this monster of a drug innocently after a surgery or for chronic pain and you are told that it is non-addicting and non-narcotic...SAFE!  Never mind that the patient is never told that it also contains an anti-depressant....then, after even a short use you stop taking it and WHAM!  You feel as if you are losing your mind and have the flu!  Then you try to explain it to the prescribing doc and you are told it's not the Tramadol.......My suggestion:  Every doc that prescribes this under the assumption that it is non addictive, should be required to use it for 1 month straight then stop...CT.  This should also apply to the Pharmaceutical Execs who are killing people for profit.  Sorry folks...just a little peeved that this is still being pawned off as safe...it's anything but safe.  If we use this to feed our addictions, then shame on us, we know better.  BUT, I'm talking about the lie that it is non-addictive.  What happens to the addict that has been clean for years??  Gets in an accident, and is given this "wonder drug" for pain....and is told have at it, it's safe??  We are living in a day when people are so self absorbed that the dollar is their goal no matter who they injure in the process.  I am praying for the day that Big Pharma is taken down and exposed for the evil it is.   Just my rant about it all.....
Exercise, sunlight, good fresh food and lots of water.  Vitamins and supplements too....And think on things that are good and positive.  

[ImDONENoMore]

OMG juliana you couldn't have said it any better.  Tram is the DEVIL and until they take it off the market - there will continue to be victims of this horrible and evil drug.

[toloveandbeloved2]

Hi Everyone...I'm new here after reading for a few weeks.  Here's my story, I hope someone can benefit from it.  I was first given Tram in 2003 for pain from Scoliosis.  I also was told it was "non-narcotic/non-addictive".  They also conveniently leave out the anti-depression component.  I only used it sporadically then, but was always drawn back to it since it does kick the pain very well and seemed to be a longer lasting pain relief for me.  Fast forward to 2006 when I ended up on it for about a year at the small 1-2 50mg per day dose.  When I tapered off then finally stepped off completely I was shocked at the lethargy and total inability to function.  However, at the time I stopped taking them, I also started using Aloe Vera capsules for constipation and I thought the severe withdrawals were from the Aloe!!  Fast forward again to today....I stayed off of Tram for about a year, then in 2007 went back on them full force upping the dose to 6 50 mg a day, which is relatively small in comparison, but I am hypersensitive to meds so it may as well have been 20 for me. I have severe Scoliosis, severe Degenerative disc disease and in July of 2010 was diagnosed with a large anular tear in my L-5 disc along with spinal cysts.  While on Tram I stopped all exercise (which is a dirty trick of this evil drug) and just let my spine diseases take over.  In the past year the tear in my disc has not healed, but I realized that taking a drug for the rest of my life is NOT AN OPTION!  I am so tired of feeling like I'm foggy, and not "real'.  This drug does a horrible number on the CNS and mental function.  I began looking for tapers and found this forum.  Thank God for it!!  Today is my 4th day Tram free after about a 3 week taper.  The worst part for me is the awful depression!!  When I am medication free, my mental state is smooth and clear.  This stuff is evil and produces all kinds of evil in our minds.  How can these drug companies get away with poisoning people like this???  And I never even got to the maximum dose that my doctor originally prescribed, which was up to 8 a day!  I know that things will get better...our bodies have the amazing ability to recover with time, exercise and rest.  I will never again discount the benefit and necessity of exercise!  I have been walking every morning for about 30 minutes.  Pretty slow but I still am babying a torn disc but am going to a new pain management dr this week to discuss an epidural injection and let him know that I will remain drug free other than Tylenol and vitamins, even if it means being in pain.  The physical pain I have is a welcome thing compared to the destruction of Tramadol and it's withdrawal.
Anyway, just wanted to share yet another story of the Lie that is Tramadol and pray that someone does something to get this stuff off the market!!!  
Any attorneys or physicians out there?  Why not break this thing wide open? You have the means and resources much closer to you than the rest of us:-)  ~julianna~

[ImDONENoMore]

Yes you're right - this place is amazing for support.  I feel the same way!!

And good for you - keep going and don't FALL back - you'll get there - slow and steady right?

Nice to see you smiling (if only here then that's okay too!)  Sending you good thoughts and prayers.  :)

[Godschild11]

This may sound crazy! But freaking love u ppl! All of Your replies have helped me tremendously!!! I have tapered down to 6-8 a day from 12-16a day so although its been only a week, I feel in control! God is good!I'm feeling sweaty, restless, anxious,and irritable so I come bk here for support and your words always encourage me to stay focused. I cnt rocess in words how much I appreciate you All! ThanQ:)

[ImDONENoMore]

Hey godschild11 - and WELCOME!!

Everyone is RIGHT - you are gonig to feel so much better after you quit but it's going to take some time.

I too think it was easier to get off straight opiates - there's an anti-depressant quality to the tramadol (similar to effexor) and that's what makes the withdrawal so tricky (and difficult).  But it's TOTALLY doable and I think tapering is the way to go.  But please reconsider telling someone you trust and love about what you're going through - tapering can be pretty tough to do on your own as we can be tempted to take more than we're supposed to as we're dropping down in dosages.  I think it would be much easier to have someone help you with that process.

Connect with the Dr. and don't worry about what he said as far as thinking the tram isn't addictive - it doesn't even MATTER anymore whether he thinks the'y're addictive or not.  Just tell him you don't want to take them anymore and he'll have to guide you safely off of them.

I didn't know when I quit the trams cold-turkey that you shouldn't do it that way.  Tapering is safer and should be a bit easier for you, physically and emotionally.

And like tramahater said, there are a ton of things you can do (home remedies) to get you through those first days/weeks after you completely jump off.  And these remedies help a LOT.

I think it is WONDERFUL that you've realized so early on in life that you need to stop.  And I also believe because you're so young that your withdrawal may not be as bad as it was for some of our longer-term users and older members (like me).

So keep the faith - you CAN do this.  Just let us know what you're experiencing and we can share what we did to help you through.  And congrats for making this decision - you are going to be OKAY!  Life is a gazillion times better OFF the tram I promise you that!  :)

[cleangimnow]

I promise you that you can do it, too!

[LeaAnn807]

Hi!  I got off of them last year!  You can totally do this.  If you want to taper, you just basically reduce your dosage on a schedule until it's over.  It'll take a while, but it's worth it in the end.  Get a taper schedule from a doc or pharmacist who knows your medical history.  There are also OTC things you can buy to help out with the symptoms of WD.  The easiest way to do it and still work and care for your child is to talk to a doctor about some help and advice!  

You can do this!  Don't be afraid! : )

[cleangimnow]

I have gotten off trams before. I would taper down from your amount. The doctors are full of it. I have found it easier to stop suboxone, oxy, vics. That's just me so take it for what it's worth. The hardest part with tram is the severe depression along with the other lovely wd symptoms associated with a traditional opiate. You can do this and I promise you that things will get better.

Please just learn from this bump in the road. I'm 28 and have been on this roller coaster for at least 7 years. I have a 3 year old and wife who deserve better. Everyone here will provide you with an immense amount of help.

[changingbestfriends]

Have you heard from HarperOC lately?

[dominosarah]

We have some people who have successfully tapered off trams and they have a wealth of knowledge.  I will send them a message so hopefully they will be on in the morning.  Keep checking back.  You will get your life back and it will be better than it was before.  You dont have to be a prisoner to these pills anymore~~~sara

[Godschild11]

Thanks Debbie, I will try to speak to my doc again but for done some reason he is convinced that trams arent addictive,as if I'm the only person who has this problem..idk where to start but I can say this site was heaven sent, and all of you guys give me hope..thanks for your time :)

[atthebeach]

Hi and welcome to the forum. You have admitted that the trams have taken over your life that is the first huge and important step. We can't offer taper plans here agaiinst the forum rules. Please go to your doctor and tell him you definitely want off.cold turkey from trams can cause seizures so you have to go slow. Stick around. You can get off those devil pills many have. Ask the LORD to break the chains and bondage of addiction.pray pray keep the faith
Sending hugs and prayers
Debbie

[Godschild11]

Yes, and thanks for your reply. Being young the dr.'s are always thinking otherwise, as if I'm trying to beg for more drugs! I almost told him once but b4 I finished my sentence he doubled my pill supply and brushed me off. Sooooo, I guess u know where that convo went. But I'm very afraid, I watch t.v alot and I see alot of young women like me going thru this (lindsey lohan-(spelling) I've never been addicted to anything.when I tried going CT it was torture! I need to know whats a good taper for my situation. I want my life bk.

[Devonlee]

Tramadol is tricky....and 16 pills a day is quite a bit. I highly reccomend a taper....reducing the pills over time. You can definitly ask your dr about this. Just say you dont want to be on these meds for the rest of your life and you want help getting off. There are many people on this site who are knowledgable about this particular drug and I am sure they will post soon. Going cold turkey off of tramadol can cause a lot of issues so pls be careful. I wish you thee best of luck. You are young still so its great you want to get this addiction off your back now!