Tramadol withdrawals!

sorry, i feel like my mind if going crazy --that's probably why i'm not making any sense.
i have been taking tramadol 300 mg per day for 4 years straight. Sometimes i took less and sometimes i took more. It was causing problems in my family due to the mood swings i had everyday. I tried many times to slowly taper and would just end up going back up even higher at times. My withdrawals were so bad (major anxiety,depression/moos swings/cold sweats/blurry vision ect..). Well, enough was enough. I went to see my doctor and told him my situation and told me to take suboxone. I hadn't read up on it just what was on the sub website. He told me to stop taking the tram's and go to sub for awhile and then he would slowly taper my sub. But, reading this forum got me scared,and read up more on it,abd am really scared to take it regularly. The last time on took tramadol's was thurday morning at 10:30am b4 my doc visit. He told me to take the sub the next morning(frid. morn) So I took it at 7:30am (having really bad withdrawals) and felt no more withdrawals just super drwsy (like if i was drunk or something). I slep all day and had a headache. So sat. morning I didn't take anything at all. I was ok prob because of the sub life. Sunday came and felt very little anxiety and drowzyness. And, now today Monday, i got hit with MAJOR fatigue!! I fely like it was hard just to move one leg in front of the other. I took some vitamins (oneaday with caffine) and drank coffee. Later during the day i also took Mortin Migraine (which had caffine too) but did nothing for me but give me anxiety. I was desperate!! I felt really depressed and that's when i wrote the message earlier! I took sub about 2 hours ago (2mg) and now feel alot better (still fatigue though,but not as bad as earlier). SSoo, i havn't taken tramadol since Thursday mornig last week.. and sub on friday 1 time (16mg, i didnt know it was strong till some1 on this board told me) and then sub again today (2mg)...... I pray that tmr i won't feel as tierd as today. That was I won't take suboxone tmr. I don't want to. I just can't deal with these symtoms (symptoms). and then on top of that. My poor kids need me (and hubby).. thankyou for helping me- I just wish someone could just tell me "on this such and such date, you will feel normal and have normal energy" so that way I have something to look forward to. I guess i'm asking for a miracal.

[dbgc]

hi, i also was on ultram for four years taking 300 mg a day also sometimes more.then i hurt my finger and lost the tip of it and started taking oxys on top of my ultram.just to let you know i quit cold turkey off of both and if you want to know the time frame to getting better my first two weeks were horrible.the first two to three days my body ached everywhere. had to take 8 baths on day twop to help with the muscle pain. the third day i was sore but it wasnt nearly as bad.then comes the lack of energy for awhile,your body and legs feel like they are 500 pounds.in two weeks i got maybe 7 hrs of sleep and had restless leg syndrome everynight.i also worked full time doing vinyl fencing all by myself but was still able to function but little energy.the third week is when i started to feel alot better not so depressed and was sleeping a whole lot better well at least 4 to 5 hrs on and off through the night.my hope is that you just quit cold turkey and stay off the sub it is bad news.you just have to be strong and tell yourself you can do it. life does get better off the tramadol.so to ley you know if you quit now give it your third week and you well feel alot better, not so moody and depressed.just know the first two days you are off of anything will be the worst my third day was alot better as far as the body aches.ultram i think is worse to come off of than alot of other opiates. god be with you and just get on your knees and pray alot for support.i know you can do this.dont let me scare you with what i said i just wanted to give you a time frame seeing we both had the same addiction.I guess its the sleep that is the worst,i was fine during the day but as soon as i tried to sleep thats when the rls and hard times kicked in.im telling you the third week is when you start to pull through.good luck.

[sherri90025]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm new to the site and have had a heckuva time w/quiting Tramadol. Been on it for almost 12 years now, I think. I was given it back when it first came out as Ultram and I was told that it was not habit forming. I never would have taken it otherwise. I have managed to cut down from 400 mg/day to 200 mg/day. Even getting down that far was torture. I desperately want to get off it completely. I don't have the time to go through withdrawals for that long, as I am self-employed and I live paycheck to paycheck. (Don't get paid for sick days or vacation or anything.) :-(

I appreciate hearing your story, even though it's scary, I want to be prepared for what is ahead for me. I WILL get off this stuff some day. I know I can do it. Just have to pick the right time to try. I do have alot of pain from osteoarthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids, but I'd still rather try to get by on Aleve and/or Tylenol than keep on being addicted to this stuff. I feel so deceived for being told it wasn't habit-forming. It's not fair the drug companies can get away with lying like they do just so they can profit from our misery and suffering. Thanks again! :)

[PanSinoeis]

Wow, you are doing real good.  Keep it up!  I was taking 800mg a day.  I am at 350 per day now.  I really could not go Cold Turkey.  Too many years of abuse on high doses.  But you should keep going.  Just quit all of it,  It seems within your grasp to do that.  Just bite the bullet, and you will be glad you did.

[cyrilrichard]

HI,
I have been on Tramadol for 5 years. I had severe pain before I got a hip operation and kept on tramadol after it. I tried to quit a few times and the pain came back and I started up again. Three days ago I decided to quit for good. I was getting bloated, could not loose weight. I was getting depressed, anxiety, tired etc. I kept working out and excercising. No results on the weight loss. This time I started getting severe pain in my hip, drop leg, tingling in the leg. I have been hobbling around. Yesterday, the second day was so severe, I thought I would start again but did not. I went and worked out today, the third day for 3 hours. I stretched and did cardio. It really helped. I have been taking multiple hot tubs to get the hip pain to subside. I am starting to feel better. I have been eating fruit all day and drinking a lot of fluids. My muscles tightened up and they are finally loosening. Last night I had crazy dreams, felt like I was coming out of my skin. I have had shortness of breath, all kinds of stuff going on, but I am hanging in there. I have been iceing my hip then taking hot tubs and so on. C

[SmartYetStupid]

Honey - I feel your pain.  When becoming addicted drugs, regardless of what they are, a lot of the symptoms are the same - anxiety, depression, constant crying, aches, pains, you name it.

I'm going through the same with my withdrawals from oxycodone. It's pure HELL!  

I'm having great luck with vitamin B-12 (or B-13 as I mistakenly posted in another thread!) I get a boost of energy that last about 3-4 hours.  I would suggest you take that.

Best of lucky, sweetheart. We're all in this together.  Together we can beat this devil that has taken over our lives.  

[14all]

You have to be careful with the cessation of Tramadol - I was on 200mg / day for 18 months. moved to Australia and the warm sunshine helped my pain tremendously. I stopped altogether, which was difficult, but silly me thought it was ok to stop. I Developed anxiety and was prescribed Prozac. Had panic attacks also. I realise now that this may have been my own daft fault due to the sudden stopping of meds. I did not consult with my Doctor before emigrating, so he was not in a position to advise me of the potential consequences !. Its got something to do with the re-uptake of Serotonin in the brain.
Beware of the withdrawals - talk to your Doctor !!!.

[loislol]

I feel the only way to get off tramadol is to stop taking it and cold turkey and remember that you will get through it.  What no one tells you is that taking tramadol for pain can actually increase your pain as the body begins to crave the drug, after a period of time.  Once your body begins to crave the drug the symptoms are being full of pain!  However you as the patient think it is your diagnosis which is giving you the pain.  Hence the vicious circle begins.  In my opinion this drug should be banned.
Before stopping you should tell your GP what you intend to do and where possible steer clear of taking anything else which is addictive to releive the withdrawals.  Once stopping you can expect to feel depression, anxiety, intense muscle pain and stiffness all over your body, feeling intensly hot then freezing, dripping with cold sweat, headaches, sickness vomiting and the trots and difficulty sleeping to say the least.  But in my experience after four days things begin to improve and you begin to take ownership of your mind and body again.  To help with the withdrawals drink grapefruit juice as this helps to get toxins out of the body, vitamin and mineral supplements or a vitamin tonic, an antehistamine (drowsy) taken at night will also keep your sinuses clear, drink plenty of fluids and have warm baths and eat healthy. Ibuprofen also help with the muscle aches and fever and remember throughout IT WILL END.  Dont become a slave to the drug.

[lynnjohnson]

I have been taking tramadol for 8 years .  I started when it was not addictive.  Yea right  I guess that is neither here or there.  The reality of it is I am here now and in bad shape.   I made my decision yesterday.  I was done I am tired of the cycle.  500mg 2 times a day for 6 years.   I have read everything about the withdrawl (withdrawal) from this demon.  However i also figured out that the demon isnt the same for everyone.  I am now on 24 hours with no tramadol.  I have no idea if this is good or just the start of the torture. i have read so much but it isnt sinking in. Could someone anyone give me  something to go on.  I just dont know whats going to happen and I am scared.  I know i should have tappered but i want it out now.  How long will this last?   When will it be completely be out  of my system.   I know I have rambled but just to think someone took the time to read it makes me think someone is there for me...  Thank you for the opportunity to vent.  God blesss and please!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep me in your prayers.

[LeaAnn807]

Hi!  It will take you about a week to feel better.  It would have been better to taper, but there are some things you can do and buy to help.  

Cal/Mag supplement
Advil
Heating pad
Epsom salts for bath
Hylands Restful Legs or Leg Cramps
Imodium (immodium)
Nyquil (one dose at night without decongestant)

You can get all of it at Wal Mart or Walgreens I think.  I have been clean from tramadol since March, and I feel great most of the time!

Good luck!

[lynnjohnson]

THANK YOU   i wish you knew  what just hearing a respose does for me. i feel like somebody knows the pain.   Its so wierd the only high was that i wanted to do things and i was happy doing them.  i got a burst of energy and then it was over.  the scary thing is i feel like i wont ever have motivation and the "good" feeling again.  I was addicted to demerol 8 years ago and was put on tramadol so that i would not be addicted.  It was the wonder drug it would help with my pain problems but wouldnt be addictive.  YEA   I think i feel worse stopping this than I did the demerol and I was on injectable demoral 4 times a day at home.   Why is this little pill allowed to be perscribed.  It is the devil.   My doctor told me that i shouldnt have many withdrawls.  are you kidding me.  I dont have a quack as a doc.  This doc knows my whole story and I have been so honest with her about all the other docs and all the perscriptions i got.   these docs are so mis  informed.   I am now 25 hours into this and I just wonder when the bomb is going to drop.  how does the withdrawl (withdrawal) start i feel terrible because of the anticipation of the pain.  I am sorry but right now this is my only release.  I never dreamed i could find comfort on line for this but wow it is amazing what you all do for others.  You all should feel so good for sharing  and helping others.

[lynnjohnson]

does anyone know if i take another opiate like vicodine will it subside the tramadol withdrawl (withdrawal) symptoms i know this sounds stupid but i thought if i took the vicodin the tramadol will come out of my system and then i only took 3-4 vicodin  is this stupid

[LeaAnn807]

Well, you really won't get much help from the vicodin.  Tramadol has an antidepressant-like quality which is part of the WD feeling!  You aren't stupid!  But it may not help.  I usually don't tell anyone to sub one opiate for another anyway.  It is just not a good idea.  Especially when you have been addicted in the past to that type med.

Keep posting with any questions! : )

[joshuawayneyork]

Hello all.  I have been on Tramadol for quite some time now.  I've pretty much been a lifelong drug addict, heroin being my drug of choice but almost any opiate you can be addicted to, I've been.  I have a condition with my chest that is severely painful and almost always hurts.  The last couple years though I have been taking Tramadol because I thought I would go the legit way with my pain relief instead of going to the street but let me tell you, tramadol is the worst!  Take it from someone who has experienced heroin, methadone, oxycodone, oxymorphone and any other withdrawal you could imagine. Typical opiate withdrawal lasts 3-5 days for the worst of it but due to tramadols reuptake inhibition of serotonin it acts as an anti depressant as well so when you think you've been taking a pain pill, you've also been taking an anti depressant.  I just started cold turkey today and I know exactly what I'm in for, I've done this a couple times with tramadol and I would guess about 3 weeks to a month until I feel "better".  Anyway, just thought I'd go on a rant while in the throws of withdrawal.  By the way, for me, nothing helps more than music when withdrawaling, just a thought.

[RnTgotitbad]

how can people get hooked on tramodol? were on day 25 without any opiates, my doc told me tramodaol was non narcotic and not addictive, i have some but afraid to take it after reading all these posts about tramodaol ?

[cjjg1234]

I was told by my dr that tramadol is not addictive. BIG LIE Of course he was also the idiot that messed up my tubes being tied resulting in numerous surgeries ...part of my stomach being cut out and being hooked to a wound vac for a couple of months. I have been on it for 9 months roughly 600 mg a day. I decided I do not want to take it anymore so I quit cold turkey 2 days ago. I can barely take care of my 9 month old daughter. I can not stop throwing up. I have the shaking and the not sleeping which is awful but trying to care for a baby while running to the bathroom constantly is hard.  Does anyone have any advice

[IBKleen]

Hi,

This post was started over two years ago. It is long and I am concerned that your question will get lost here. If you go to the top of this page you will see a green Post A Question button. Hit that, follow the instructions and post your question. If you need any help, give a yell.

Hope to see you out there.

[Ryan2039]

I am starting day 4 of cold turkey as I just couldnt stand not being myself anymore. It does get better. The first night of sleep was the worst. I could not lay still. It was like restlessness in my entire body. Worst uncontrollable feeling ever. I took Nightquil and day 2 and 3 were easier. I am still extremely tired and the depression and anxiety are high but I am myself again. Just know it only gets better.

[hasan76]

can i get out of tramadol in home with another drug like brufin panadol and  nero drug for my tierd can i and how much it will take so plz help me thanx

[Hollym777]

I've been taking 500 mg twice a day which I know is way to much. Tried to go without one day and had major leg pain, couldn't do it! Really want to get off of it. Any help please email me at ***@****. I'll be out of my extra soon so I know I'll have to cut back to 600 mg a day but I'd love to give it up totally!!! Worried about the effects it has on my liver and body!