tramadol withdrawal

[Birdie23]

I am in the process of getting off of tramadol. It was prescribed for me for ocassional use for mild to moderate pain like headache, muscle soreness, etc. I used it only ocassionally for several months. About 4 months ago, I became involved in a fairly intense project and was experiencing more discomfort. Without really thinking much about it, I started using tramadol every day and then increased this to 2-3 times each day. The dosage was 100mg, so I was taking 100-300mg daily (or 2-6, 50mg pills) for 3 months. After I finished the project in mid-may, I decided that I needed to stop using a drug to get through the day, so I tried to just stop taking it. WOW! Serious withdrawal symptoms including joint and muscle pain, stomch issues, fatigue, depression and a strange hollowness in my nerves ensued. I didn't feel I could just stop functioning for a week or two or whatever it would take, so I used some hydrocodone that I had to help me get my tramadol use down to 100mg per day over the course of a week. I would just take the hydro when I started feeling really bad in the afternoon to get me through the rest of the day. Then, I decided to just quit the tramadol altogether. The withdrawal was really difficult. I was worried about getting addicted to the hydro, so I got some concentrated kratom powder and was alternating use with the hydro every day or two so that neither of them was in my system daily. This got me through week 2 which was a reduced amount of muscle pain, but more fatigue, lethargy, depression. Now I am beginning my third week. I am out of hydro and I am still experiencing some muscle and joint stuff, but the big problem is the lethargy and depression. It's just kicking my butt. The kratom is very helpful in this and lifts the dark cloud that I seem to wake up with, but I'm worried about an addition to this as well. I am now taking about 1.5-2 grams in the early afternoon to get through the rest of the day. I am not using any other drugs or substances. I have never been addicted to anything before and wasn't abusing the tramadol. It didn't make me high or anything, but it did get rid of ALL of my aches and pains and let me do everything I needed to in the day. I don't have any major pain and I know I shouldn't have been so lazy about my health. Now, I am trying to be really careful without losing myself to laying on the couch all day. My questions are: How long will the tramadol withdrawal take to be completely over? and How long can I use a small amount of Kratom on a daily basis without just creating another addiction that I have to get over? Or can I just slowly reduce the kratom to avoid the withdrawal since it is a powder and very easy to measure out? Any thoughts on this would be helpful. I am reluctant to engage my physician in this too much. he knows I am having withdrawal fromt he tramadol, but I don't want to ask for any other drugs if I don't have to. I just feel like I've done something really studpid and I want to get through it without his help, if possible. Thanks!

[johnb1976]

Laura,
My name is John and I have been taking Tramadol for about 3 years. I had back surgery about a year ago to replace a bad disc.  Prior to and after the surgery I was prescribed Percocet and Valium; I took these for about 1 month before and one month after the surgery; I had no problem stopping either one during my recovery.  My doctor informed me a few days ago that he would no longer fill my prescription, and now I feel like hell ( a sudden stopping of Tramadol).  I figure since I am not going to be give a script for it I might as well try to get off of it, and it *****!!!  I never expected to feel the way I do after only taking 2 50mg tabs a day, as you said before.  The sad thing is I feel helpless and would not wish this on anyone.  In fact I said earlier today I would rather have my back pain back then be going through this....any thoughts??  Thank you for sharing and reading.

[andy8745]

ive just started taking this drug and i feel crap shakes cant focus my job is driving for aliving and i feel crap

[melas57]

You sound like such a beautiful person. I have read a lot of these stories because I have been on tramadol for some years too. But your story really touhed my heart. I have wanted to quit for so long but just cannot make it through the burnng stinging feelings under my skin, the restless arm and leg syndrome. Feeling so tired and exhausted, unable to sleep, severe depression, stomach discomfort, loss of appitite and the works. I really feel what you feel. and like you, no one in my family knows the hell I go through. In my state I can no longer order them online and the doctors will only give 1 perscription of 60 per month. My prescription only last about 2 1/2 weeks and as soon as I get down to 8 or 10 pills, I get panicy and scared. Cant stop thinking about when I am going to run out. Like you I try to chase them down. the longest I have been able to go without them is 8 days, but unlike some of the testimonies on here, I am still suffering from all the withdrawel symptons. I read several stories where people claim to go through the worst from 3 to 5 days. Just reading a lot of these stories scares me because I am wondering why I dont feel some relief after 8 days.

[ross122]

Just came across your post while doing research on tramadol  withdrawal. I have experience with kratom and tramadol withdrawal in the past, but unfortunately I would use these two things at the same time.  I am wondering on how you are doing  with just using kratom, because to be quite honest, I havent used kratom in 5 days today and it feels worse than the tramadol withdrawal. BTW, I have not used tramadol in a few weeks and was not on a high dose (300 mg) prn, daily.  The withdrawal was there, but not like this.  Just wondering if you are still  using this god forsaken plant? and if not, how long until my body doesn't feel like this.
Thanks
Ross

[KIPPER061165]

Thank You FourJays for your kind response. May your soul be wrapped with the Love of the Divine and be filled with wonder and joy in your every endeavor.

[weakinpain551]

I am trying to get off of tramadol for the 3rd time. It was prescribed to me 5 years ago for fibromyalgia. Both my Neurologist & GP insist that withdrawel is "nothing"! I really fear that I am losing my mind!!! The pain, spasms, insomnia and the rest of the horrible side effects of withdrawel feels like death without an end!!!!