Tramadol withdrawal explained

[Rebecca_]

Hello, I was wondering if someone could give me a straight breakdown of tramadol withdrawal.  I want to get some basic information that is relevant to most everyone and not specific to a personal situation.  I have been a vicodin addict for many years on and off and have now been taking tramadol 400mg daily for about 4 months with an occasional bought of a week or so of 50-80 mgs of vicodin daily.  I would like to know how bad withdrawal will be at this level when compared to withdrawal coming off of 200-300 mg of vicodin which I have done in the past.  I have also withdrawn from Cymbalta which was hell and lasted for over 30 days.  When I started the tramadol I thought I had found an alternative to the vicodin (it didn't get me high just relieved pain) and I had no clue about the problems associated with it.  Needless to say I was shocked to read all I have.  

I have been suffering from nausea and headaches recently and want off the tramadol.  I appreciate your input in advance including specific physical problems you have had such as vomiting, etc.  I realize there are a lot of posts on this topic however most of the information is mixed in somewhere between long posts and personal stories and I'm hoping to get the facts straight. Thanks in advance.  

[12Stepper]

Please go to this link on this website. There is a whole support group for getting off tramadol with lots of help available. http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/111239

[worried878]

what dr rxs them for u?  i would let him know what is going on as u need to cut off ur suplly or u will be tempted to go back...vicoden can be safely stopped ct for most...trams is sposed to be tapered due to seizures..can u pm avisg...she can help u more  keep posting  

[Rebecca_]

How long will the taper have to last?  Tapering off vicodins is relatively short.  I only have a few 50mg pills left and am nervous.  I can't believe that I had no clue that tramadol was addictive and I can't believe how bad it sounds like the withdrawal is gong to be.....anyone have a plan for me that worked for them?  I hate to suffer coming off meds that I took because my doctor gave them to me and said I would be fine.  In the past I withdrew from vicodin which was 100% my own fault - this is seriously upsetting and also depressing to think that maybe my good mood the past few months was due to the tramadol  :(

[worried878]

there r some who have gone thru this type of wd..i hve not..i do know u cant ct from trams and u need to taper off..my friend is addicted to them as well..started them to replace hydro..easier to get from drs it seems..anyway she runs out every month and takes 300 mgs at a time when she has em....she gets rls, depression (being the worst wd symptom she says) anxiety...no runs she says like hydro....tram is narctic like/but affects the same receptors that narcs do...it also has an antidepressive quality as well...she always ends up going ct cos she runs out,,,tapering would help and be much safer