quitting oxycodone cold turket vs. taking tramadol

[mikennui]

I am about to go cold turkey on a oxycodone/vicodin dosing of ~150-160mg/day for 6 mo. (before that it was 100-120 mg of vicodin for 1yr and irregular usage for several years prior to that) I have no way to taper and have used Suboxone before as well, with varying success (i.e. obviously it hasn't worked as a final solution for quitting). I do have a script for 50mg Tramadol and my question is this, "Should I risk using the Tramadol so that I may continue to have a "normal" life during w/d's? There's the fear of a new addiction and I've read about a dangerous side effect of the lowering ones' seizure threshold with Tramadol, with seizures more likely when suffering from opiate withdrawal?" I have never had a seizure or overdosed for that matter and read that Tramadol can be effective for opiate w/d's. Very nervous but also excited to not take opiates. I do suffer from lower back pain from arthritis which can be horrible on its own!!!

[mikennui]

thanks, guys. i do not know what to do thou i appreciate everyones' comments. i am hours away from w/d's and have not filled the tramadol script. i have to work this week but may also get the "flu". i really do not want to replace one addiction with another. this being said i am still very nervous about the w/d's which make me want to jump out of my skin and the pain/discomfort in my bones/joints....ohhhh man, i am not sure i can do this c/t, guess i will find out tonight/ tomorrow..thanks for the support! keep ya updated. much luck/luv to all battling their own addictions

[road2recovery]

I know exactly what you mean. For me, I have 4 kids, and I had to make a plan, and time to quit..What i did was, Did all bills, all laundry, cooked meals, and did a hugh grocery shop...Then no one would know i was about to catch the flu.
If someone can stop without a plan then great...But i would think most, with jobs, kids, need some kind of plan...just my opinon.
r2r

[Kevin_Bacon]

Well, if you have to work or be "normal" until you get a few days to flush 'em, has anyone had any success going this route?

I'm not talking about putting off the inevitable for as long as you can, but sometimes you have to "find an opening" for cold turkey -- been there, and I know it can be nasty ...

Anybody?

[road2recovery]

I agree with wanttobeclean, c/t, is the way to go....The trams will prolong it, or you will get addicted to those...I know many have tried it, including myself, and it just prolonged the w/d's....You can do this, and we are here to help you....

[wanttobeclean]

Cold turkey is my suggestion.  Just get it over with.  The health pages offer lots of suggestions which helped me tremendously. Especially the immodium, hot baths and exercise.  

Good luck!

[mikennui]

whatsa "turket"..whoops