I've been all over this board and others. I'm intelligent. Well, people have been asking if Ultram (Tramadol) helps to minimize opiate withdrawl symptoms. I have that question to ask, but unfortunately, the answers I've read don't satisfy my question entirely.
I'll start out with my problem. I've been taking about 10 Norco/day (10mg Hydro/325 Acetaminophen) for about 6 months. And, this isn't my first bout...I had quit for about 6 months and then went through some very difficult/traumatizing experience with a loved one. I started taking one again at night to PUT me to sleep. Anyway, that one a night turned into one in the morning then one at night...You guys all know the drill. Well, again, I was afraid to stop in fear of how I'd feel physically.
So, my dilemma now is...
I ran out of Norco...Which is a good thing...Kind of...
Well, I can't afford to just quit cold turkey, and I didn't have enough pills to taper. So, I had a couple old 80mg oxy's. Today, I'll have taken about 40mg oxy...And remember, I came for about 100-120mg hydro/day.
Well, I was using the oxy to help taper and "hold me over" until my next prescription refill.
And, I am writing here because I know you all know about the mental tug of war games that you and your mind play with eachother. I've AGAIN decided I'M DONE!
About 10 months ago I tapered VERY successfully. And, that is the plan again.
-BUT-
I only have about a 10mg sliver of oxy left to help.
-ANOTHER BUT-
I do have some old 100mg Ultram extended release tablets. I have to wait until Friday for the next prescription of Norco to help me taper.
All I really wanna do is go until I feel awful and then take something to help me "make it"...
I hope this is making sense. LOL!
Anyway, I know that 100mg of Ultram is a lot. I used to have 27.5mg Ultracet. 2 of those and I was out of it. But, this is time release.
NOW TO THE REAL QUESTION.
My hope would be to take 1 Ultram tomorrow and maybe 1 Friday.
Is this just prolonging my withdrawl or is it treating/hiding the symptoms.
My common sense and logic tells me that it's delaying the inevitable.
But, from what I've read here and other places, it would and could, if used properly, treat the withdrawl symptoms.
(I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 20 ULTRAM...SO I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT BECOMING ADDICTED TO THEM. PLUS I HATED THE WAY THEY MADE ME FEEL! ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO THE NORCO)
For example...
If I'm taking 100mg hydro/day, could I completely stop those...Throw 'em away...And take a Ultram when the withdrawls hit. And, then, after about 5 or 6 days, stop the Ultram?
At that point, will the physical withdrawls be less than when I started 5 or 6 days prior?
I guess, more simply, can I have taken 40mg oxy (about 4 10mg chips - 1 10mg chip every 4 or 5 hours), and then take a 100mg Ultram about 10-12 hours after my last "oxy chip"?
At that point, I'm sure I'll have a hot flash or two and feel a little flustered. Can that Ultram eliminate the onsetting WDs?
Ha!
Is it safe to mix those medications even if taken about 12 hours apart?
Honestly, I'm really fearing the Ultram. Like I said earlier, I had taken it in the past, and it made me feel sick to my stomach. But, I'm really also fearing the WDs until I get my last prescription to begin the taper.
I CANNOT afford to skip work! That is where all this stems from. And, I understand what lies ahead of me in the near future during and after the taper. What was difficult tapering last time was the unknown. I didn't know how I'd react at certain times to certain things. Well, now I know. And, I'm soooooo looking forward to stopping this again.
But, if you can't tell by reading this, I'm scared. And, what's scaring me most is my first obstacle...HOW TO MAKE IT UNTIL FRIDAY. Once I get that prescription, I'll feel much more comfortable...AND MOTIVATED!
Because, I feel things slipping again! And, 10 months ago, when I first quit, I got A LOT of things back on track. Well, I'm still on that track but I'm sliding off! And, I and everyone around me can't afford that again!
I will beat this!
I just need help! But who doesn't, right?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and attempting to understand what I'm saying/asking...The vision of my question is crystal clear in my head, but I fear it's a little blurry coming through my fingers...Haha!
Please ask me questions in return. And, if you can offer any sound advice, bring it on!
;-)