fighting for freedom

How long do the restless legs and imsomnia continue during the tramadol withdrawal?  I have been taking 4-8 50 mg tramadol for the past two years (more recently 8 of them) and quit last Friday.  I wasn't intending to stop taking them but I got a prescription for Vicodin and thought I would just take those and not the Tramadol.

By Sunday I was having the chills/sweats thing going on and feeling really depressed.  I thought it was hormonal.  Anyway I googled "tramadol, depression, crying, sweats" and was amazed to find a string of posts declaring Tramadol the enemy.  When it was originally prescribed to me for neck pain from an old injury, my doc said that it was non-narcotic.  She also knew that I was 11 years sober from alcohol so obviously I have a very addictive personality.

I was shocked to learn how addicted one can become from these, according to MD's, non-narcotics. I also had no idea that Tramadol was an anti-depressant also.  

I spent Monday crying almost all day long, as well as having twitches and severe hot/cold feelings and nausea.  I went to see a doctor -- a different doctor than the one who originally prescribed these horrible pills.  He confirmed that all I was experiencing was definitely withdrawal from the Tramadol.  

Now, even though I stopped the tramadol on Friday, I started Vicodin and took 4 pills for the next 5 days (ending last vicodin on Monday noon).  Monday night I slept 6 hours, Tuesday -- 2 hours, Wednesday -- 4 hours and well see it is Thursday night at 3:16 and I am STILL awake.  I have restless legs every night for about 5 hours and then even after they subside I am wide awake.  I've tried Melatonin, Valerian, Trazedone (that I have taken 25 mg occasionally for a sleep aid for 10 years and it has always worked marvelously).

I have ended up taking 1/2 a tramadol on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights when I was at wits end to be able to sleep and then tonight at 2 p.m. I took 1/3 tablet.

Your thoughts and tips please???????

[evildone]

Reastless legs will fade after a week. I took xanex to help sleep. I'm on day 17 and feel great.   Insomnia well I still battle that but I sleep and get at least 6 to 7 hours a night. I'm used to 10  lol. Good luck and ur doing great. I c|t off 65mg methadont. So I'm here for ya. I've been through it all. Hit me up if u need info or help. Much love