Aa
going off hydrocodone today
Today I took my last pill of hydrocodone. Bring on the withdrawal. I was on it for about a year for severe pain from hip arthritis. The pain was so bad I had cortisone injections, PLUS the hydrocodone, but I still had to take days off work because the pain was unbearable. I've had hip replacement and feel great now. Of course, I feel REALLY great while I'm taking that dern hydrocodone, which was the problem. I took it so long and so much to control that horrible pain, the next thing I knew I was addicted! **sigh** I've been trying to taper down, knowing I was seeing the last of my bottle of pills and now, here I am, facing the next few days, not knowing how bad the symptoms are going to be or how long they'll last or what to do to cope with the symptoms. Any help would be welcome!!!!!! I have Ultram for the aches and I DID have clonidine for the cravings, but they put me to sleep, so I can only take that at night. I'm out of Clonidine, but if I call my pain management specialst, he would probably renew that for me.
there is a lot of mis-information about Trams, great post above, and just be very careful as far as length of use, how much, etc. We wouldn't want to see you having to go through another h3ll with that, after the hydros. Stay strong and keep posting, it helps a lot. Have you tried Melatonin for sleep? It really helped me a TON, I can't stress that enough! :)
Listen to sara she knows of what she speaks about the ultram. Below is a posting from avisg a couple of days ago about the dangers of Ultram please read.
SOME INFO ON TRAMADOL [This user is a Community Leader for this forum]
I have seen alot of info latley on tramadol some every incorrect .So I thought I would put some infromation together so everyone will have a better understanding of it .
It is addicting
You do have ephoria
It should NOT be used by ANYONE with addiction issues.
What is the most important information I should know about tramadol?
Physical Dependence and Abuse
ULTRAM may induce psychic and physical dependence of the morphine-type (μ-opioid) (see DRUG
ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE). ULTRAM should not be used in opioid-dependent patients. ULTRAM
has been shown to reinitiate physical dependence in some patients that have been previously dependent on
other opioids. Dependence and abuse, including drug-seeking behavior and taking illicit actions to obtain
the drug, are not limited to those patients with prior history of opioid dependence
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking tramadol. You may be more likely to have a seizure while taking tramadol if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than 300 milligrams of tramadol in one day.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. A tramadol overdose can be fatal. Overdose symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include drowsiness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma. Tramadol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Tramadol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Do not crush the tramadol tablet. This medicine is for oral (by mouth) use only. Powder from a crushed tablet should not be inhaled or diluted with liquid and injected into the body. Using this medicine by inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death.
What is tramadol?
Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
Tramadol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tramadol?
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol, if you are currently intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used any of the following drugs:
alcohol;
narcotic pain medicine;
sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);
medicine for depression or anxiety;
medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or
street drugs.
Seizures have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:
a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of head injury;
a metabolic disorder; or
if you are also taking an antidepressant, muscle relaxer, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure while taking tramadol.
Before taking tramadol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a stomach disorder; or
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take tramadol.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tramadol may also cause serious or fatal side effects in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy or labor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Tramadol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 18 years of age.
Tramadol may be habit-forming. Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is not working as well in relieving your pain. Do not change your dose without talking to your doctor. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Store tramadol at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Tramadol is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription
Seizure Risk
Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol within the recommended dosage range. Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:
•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
Administration of tramadol may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking:
•MAO inhibitors (see also WARNINGS - Use with MAO Inhibitors),
•Neuroleptics, or
•Other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold.
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections). In tramadol overdose, naloxone administration may increase the risk of seizure.
Suicide Risk
•Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
•Prescribe ULTRAM ER with caution for patients taking tranquilizers or antidepressant drugs and patients who use alcohol in excess.
•Tell your patients not to exceed the recommended dose and to limit their intake of alcohol.
Serotonin Syndrome Risk
The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with use of tramadol products, including ULTRAM ER, particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs and triptans, with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAOIs) and with drugs which impair metabolism of tramadol (CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors). This may occur within the recommended dose.
SOME INFO ON TRAMADOL [This user is a Community Leader for this forum]
I have seen alot of info latley on tramadol some every incorrect .So I thought I would put some infromation together so everyone will have a better understanding of it .
It is addicting
You do have ephoria
It should NOT be used by ANYONE with addiction issues.
What is the most important information I should know about tramadol?
Physical Dependence and Abuse
ULTRAM may induce psychic and physical dependence of the morphine-type (μ-opioid) (see DRUG
ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE). ULTRAM should not be used in opioid-dependent patients. ULTRAM
has been shown to reinitiate physical dependence in some patients that have been previously dependent on
other opioids. Dependence and abuse, including drug-seeking behavior and taking illicit actions to obtain
the drug, are not limited to those patients with prior history of opioid dependence
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking tramadol. You may be more likely to have a seizure while taking tramadol if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than 300 milligrams of tramadol in one day.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. A tramadol overdose can be fatal. Overdose symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include drowsiness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma. Tramadol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Tramadol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Do not crush the tramadol tablet. This medicine is for oral (by mouth) use only. Powder from a crushed tablet should not be inhaled or diluted with liquid and injected into the body. Using this medicine by inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death.
What is tramadol?
Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
Tramadol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tramadol?
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol, if you are currently intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used any of the following drugs:
alcohol;
narcotic pain medicine;
sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);
medicine for depression or anxiety;
medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or
street drugs.
Seizures have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:
a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of head injury;
a metabolic disorder; or
if you are also taking an antidepressant, muscle relaxer, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure while taking tramadol.
Before taking tramadol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a stomach disorder; or
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take tramadol.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tramadol may also cause serious or fatal side effects in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy or labor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Tramadol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 18 years of age.
Tramadol may be habit-forming. Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is not working as well in relieving your pain. Do not change your dose without talking to your doctor. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Store tramadol at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Tramadol is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription
Seizure Risk
Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol within the recommended dosage range. Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:
•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
Administration of tramadol may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking:
•MAO inhibitors (see also WARNINGS - Use with MAO Inhibitors),
•Neuroleptics, or
•Other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold.
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections). In tramadol overdose, naloxone administration may increase the risk of seizure.
Suicide Risk
•Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
•Prescribe ULTRAM ER with caution for patients taking tranquilizers or antidepressant drugs and patients who use alcohol in excess.
•Tell your patients not to exceed the recommended dose and to limit their intake of alcohol.
Serotonin Syndrome Risk
The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with use of tramadol products, including ULTRAM ER, particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs and triptans, with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAOIs) and with drugs which impair metabolism of tramadol (CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors). This may occur within the recommended dose.
The euphoric feelings and the feeling like you can run around and get tons of stuff ton while totally enjoying yourself are all part of the addiction. The fact is that prior to being addicted to the pills we were able to feel happy and get things done just fine. It's only after being addicted that we begin to feel that we have to have the pills in order to function smoothly. Once we're addicted anything such as work, holiday get togethers, vacations, pta meetings or whatever you can think of all seem to require some opiates.
You'll get back the feelings of being able to function without the pills once you've been off them long enough.
You'll get back the feelings of being able to function without the pills once you've been off them long enough.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ya that is very typical to feel that way when you wouldnt take the hydros. Just be very very careful with the Ultram. You dont want to go ct on that stuff either. There are risks of seizures. Just keep your doctor informed on how you are doing and feeling. sara
Thanks so much for the advice. Keep it coming. As for the ultram, I feel okay about taking this at the moment. Right now I'm only taking about 2-3 a day and I can take it every 4 hours, as prescribed, if I want. I'm under the watchful eye of my pain management specialist who's prescribed everything for me. He gave me the Ultram for the aches, Ambien to help me sleep, if I need it, and Clonidine for the cravings. He's wonderful. I was taking up to 4 Hydrocodones a day, so maybe that's not quite as many as some take. In fact, since I've been trying to taper, I was only taking 2-3 a day instead of 4 sometimes. I noticed when I took the hydrocodone I not only felt no pain, I felt almost euphoric. I had lots of energy and could flit around getting lots of things done. When I DIDN'T take it and craved it I felt run down, achy, and didn't feel like doing anything. Is this typical?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Please dont take the ultram. You will be opening up an another can of worms and it isnt a good one.....They are highly addictive and brutal to come off of. sara
This is a week today for me & my 3rd time to detox. I can say the whole backpain speal but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't take them to get high, have energy, fell happy, or even nothing at all. Regardless of how or what got you to this stage, the real thing to focus on is you're here now, and this is a different stage. This is also a literal stage,a forum where real people are here going through the same thing. And we all want the same thing. Unfortunately everyone is different even if the addiction is exactly the same.
Drinking lots of water with lots of lemon juice. When I say a lot I mean a lot. People say exercise but I personally could only exercise my mouth by complaining. I'm not going to sugar coat this, tonight & tomorrow are going to be very rough. Worst pain I've ever had, worse than anything I've ever physically felt. Opiates stick to your fatty cells so watch what you eat. Hot baths sanas sitting in the sun what ever you can do to break it up and sweat it out.
You can do this I swear! I'm like a mental case still (mental withdrawal too) my body still aches my heads pounded all day but it gets less and less. Stay on this site talk get it out of you! Listen to music but get out of your head! A lot of this is mental because we know all we have to do is pop a pill or 10.
You got onto this site for a reason, hold on to that!
Good luck tonight stay strong. & go ahead & pick out a few movies because you're probably going to be up tossing and turning sweating and freezing pins and needless restless legs.
But I promise you a few days & the withdrawals become less and less. You almost forget what it's like to be you, and when that moment of clarity arrives, you'll see,feel,know it was all worth it!
Drinking lots of water with lots of lemon juice. When I say a lot I mean a lot. People say exercise but I personally could only exercise my mouth by complaining. I'm not going to sugar coat this, tonight & tomorrow are going to be very rough. Worst pain I've ever had, worse than anything I've ever physically felt. Opiates stick to your fatty cells so watch what you eat. Hot baths sanas sitting in the sun what ever you can do to break it up and sweat it out.
You can do this I swear! I'm like a mental case still (mental withdrawal too) my body still aches my heads pounded all day but it gets less and less. Stay on this site talk get it out of you! Listen to music but get out of your head! A lot of this is mental because we know all we have to do is pop a pill or 10.
You got onto this site for a reason, hold on to that!
Good luck tonight stay strong. & go ahead & pick out a few movies because you're probably going to be up tossing and turning sweating and freezing pins and needless restless legs.
But I promise you a few days & the withdrawals become less and less. You almost forget what it's like to be you, and when that moment of clarity arrives, you'll see,feel,know it was all worth it!
hi and welcome your gonna have a rough 1st week after that it starts to get better there are plenty of things to do to help ease the withdrawals the thomas recipe has just about all you supplement wise hot baths help with cramping.after 3or 4 days you should start feeling better that seems to be the magic number for alot of people keep posting you will recieve a ton of support and advice you can do this just keep positive take care and god bless craig
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