desperately need best advice on quitting tramadol

[abuseh8]

What is the best way to come off of tramadol? I've been prescribed 4/50mg pills/day for over five years now. My body and genes are ferociously addictive, but my mind is not? I am 100% physically dependant, but I don't want to and hate having to take them, but I'm reminded to every time my pain or a w/d symptom hits me. I have to take 6+/- a day and wake up early a.m.'s  from the  bad dreams, sweats(, withdrawing.) I don't know why there can't be an effective pain med that isn't addictive. It's so frustrating. I am stuck. I need it for many reasons, but don't want it and don't know how to go about quitting it without ruining my ability to be a good father and husband, part of which is done by making a living for us which would also be jeopardized. This drug is evil, and I look at it every time with disdain. The most ideal method I am hoping for is that there is something availabke to take that helps the debilitating withdrawals so I can function day to day  without telegraphing to the world what I'm going through. I don't appreciate or deserve the stigma of being an abusive addict, even though I empathise what they go thru (my mother and father two best examples). I just want to be treated , while being treated like the human being with a huge heart that I am, not some nuisance addict.  

[gbrand]

Hey my friend. I just want to say right from the start, that tramadol is one of the weakest pain relievers that are prescription necessary. Also trying to seen off of the drug you are dependent with that same drug usually doesn't work for most people. Try checking out suboxone treatment. I just used it for 4 months to ween off of heroin. I'm not sure if tramadol is even strong enough for a doctor to write you suboxone. Even 2mgs would probably end up getting you high and then dependant. I'm not sure. tramadol is very different than trying to help someone get off oxy or hydrocodone. Those two like morphine, codeine, hydromorphone, roxicodone, and heroin are all a specific type of opiate antagonist or agonist that are different from your tramadol. In fact tramadol is probably closer to DXM(dextromethorphan) which is the cough suppressant in robotussin. Its derived from opiate for only moderate pain like propoxyphine. I'm sure others will help better that I have here, but I wanted to let you know I weened off heroin onto suboxone and I'm now weening almost completely off the suboxone. hang in there NJ friend... if you want this bad enough it can and will be yours. you just have to want it and act on it as much as you think on it. good luck. stay in touch. feel free to ask me for anything at any time. -Gabriel

[Sonrissa]

Hi there! As was said prior, Tramadol needs to be tapered! There are risks with quitting cold turkey. As for tapering schedules or amounts, we are not allowed to give that kind of advice. That being said, slow and steady is the key. Are you able to discuss this with your doctor? He/she should be able to give you a taper schedule. I don't have personal experience with Tramadol, but I've read that the withdrawals can be longer and more intense than with Opiate pain meds! As far as the Thomas recipe! begin taking the vitamins and supplements that are recommended. Stay very well hydrated, and as active as possible. That will really help with any withdrawal symptoms you may have! Stick around and keep posting for support! We've been there and truly understand! I wish you the best! You can make it through this!

[abuseh8]

Thanks everyone. The feeling of finally opening up to kind support is so relieving and hard to find elsewhere.  At this point now learning the ssri factor in the drug as well, I'm in for a tough one. This explains why ZERO anti depressants worked for me, and I am now really wondering why my psych didnt factor this in at all. At any rate, this opens another can of worms. I have been diagnosed with severe depression /anxiety mostly due to ptsd (not military related), and was on a rollercoaster of trying the anti depressants for awhile before cutting them out due to severe side effects, no gains, materials read about serotonin syndrome etc. He leaves me with klonipin and ambien, which are two more drugs I'm sure my body depends on, but I don't have any troubles with at the moment. I am tetering on idea of a month lojg taper, using these other two prescriptions I have for help? After reading the Thomas recipe, I don't know when or if I can go thru something like that in 3 days, but I may. It is on the table , especially if I don't have any luck tapering down over a long period. Anyone ever do such a long gradual taper and make it out relatively 'easier'? Or, does it just drag it out longer and go through just as much of the negatives? Thank you..

[atthebeach]

Hello and welcome. Tramadol has to be tapered down. There is risk of seizures if you go cold turkey. There is also a anti depressant component in them, they are an ssri.
So they can cause brain zaps so it is important to taper slowly.
There is no magic bullet for detoxing. Dependent or addicted there are withdrawal symptoms.
Please talk with your doctor about a taper schedule.
Many times pain actually increases when on opiates. It is called hyperalgesia,
Is causes opiate induced pain. Your pain actually creates more pain receptors. When you detox all the receptors are left bare and the pain increases during detox. It will take awhile to reevaluate the pain once you stop.
A month or two.
I would definitely not recommend Kratom.
During detox, exercise and lots of protein, veggies and fruits.
You will get this through this. Take it one day at a time.

[ariley13]

Hi there and welcome! Are you getting these from a doctor or are you buying them off the street? Either way, you will want to cut your sources. Let your doctor know what is going on and they can help you through this. That will also cut out that source. Honesty and transparency are key here. I don't have any personal experience with Tramadol, but there are many people on here that do. I just wanted to offer my support and let you know that you can do this! It's rough and you really have to be willing to put in the work, but it's very doable. Stick around and keep posting. I'm sure as the morning goes on someone with more Tram experience will be along. Good luck to you. Take care of yourself and try to keep your head up.

[jethro733]

There's kind of not.  Paying the piper is never easy..  Though the 'Thomas recipe' does help alleviate the symptoms.  

I'm really sorry to hear of your situation too.  Chronic pain is a terrible thing to have to live with.  It does lessen though once you get off the painkillers, even though it feels like it won't