Problems With Tramadol

[Bsta1382]

I am a mid-aged male whom has been taking Tramadol Hydrochloride for about 2 years.  I began taking it to control the paid from back spasms that would occur at least once a week.  It was great, providing be the ability to forget about the pain, and be able to work/sleep/live.  As time went on, I needed to increase the dosage to manage the pain.  I then began to feel awful the day after, with little to no energy  I began taking Tramadol during those periods, to get rid of the pain of not being on pain killers (the irony of this situation does not escape me).  It has now become a mandatory daily ritual in order to even function.  

I have tried to stop cold turkey a few times, but my withdrawal symptoms (depression, vomiting, hot/cold flashes, diarrhea, etc) put me in bed for days until I give in, eventually repeating the cycle all over again.

I also have tried many times to slowly decrease the number of pills (50mg) taken and lengthening the time between dosages.  Without fail, I become seriously lethargic and depressed around the clock.  Eventually I give in, and again the cycle starts all over again.

Most embarrassing is that there is a direct relation between taking higher dosages, and my face breaking out.  In addition to the affect on my face, I am concerned about the damage I may be doing on the inside of my body, as well as the fact that it is impossible to function without taking the pills.

Can someone advise the long term affect of taking Tramadol, as well as how best minimize the withdrawal symptoms (especially the energy level) while quitting Tramadol.  I am unfortunately working overseas and getting good and confidential doctor's advise is not really possible.

Thank You!!

[ExodICE]

Hey you, I have been on Tramadol aka Ultram for 12 years, and like you every time I tried to get off it my pain became way too much before the withdrawals. I finally did some research to find the cause of my Xiphoid Process Pain Syndrome, and had the surgery to remove my Xiphoid Tip.

However, a year later I was still not able to stop Cold Turkey. I say never do that with this medication/DRUG. Yet, I have become committed and slowly weened myself down from 800mgs a day to now just 2 days completely off. I am still going through the withdrawals, it seems the chemical of this drug start to stick in the brain. I can not prove that as I live with Chronic Pain.

Yet, I have never had and drug and I have done many that took over more than a day to leave the system. I too was sleeping all the time, waking to gawd awful head pains, arm and hand pains, spine pain, muscles tightening, nerves compressing. Yet, at this point in my getting off it, all those things are mostly gone, and pains that would drive me nuts have repealed.

I was one of the first to use this product, so I have been on it since it was released by the FDA. I am not happy that it was promoted as a non-narcotic, but if that is so, it is not without complexity, the main one being after a time it begins to mimic your pain so when you try to stop to see how you pain is all symptoms skyrocket. After many attempts at stopping, I can say I am off it.

Yet from what I hear, it could still take another 2 - 3 weeks before this stuff is out of my system, and that is why I think this stuff gets into our brain tissue. I have brain atrophy with caused by chronic pain, or this long term use of Ultram/Tramadol.

[Dowsett]

I have been on tramadole but abaused it I was taking  2 200g at night and 4 50g at night never new there was a come down till yestaday I'm going cold turkey and it is he'll it is the 2nd night now still no sleep  and its 430 in morning it's my legs I can not keep them in one spot I'm up every 10 mins I feel like death when I was on them I was invinsable HOW long will this last I need help

[shinty]

This post is from 2007! See the hourglass after the date in the first post? The hourglass means it's an old post. I do the same thing once in a while, especially when I can contribute something relevant to the discussion!
                     shinty

[Seeker60]

Look up the side afects and tell the doc you are having them and you dont like how it makes you feal and to please swich you back to what you wer on.

[mtsuter]

I too have been on tramadol and lexapro for a long time almost 4 years. I have severe mood swings now and have all the same issues with restlessness at night but days that are incredible where i feel perfect fresh alive productive. I want out though. I feel like i have turned into someone else.  

[Dalina]

Quit taking ultram!!!!!!! They cause seizures! My mother has them and takes ultram! They misdiagnosed her with epilepsy and she never even had it as a child! I have been on ultrams too for about 2 years! I recently started having them! They are awful! Awful! I wake up scared, bite my tongue, I hate seizures. I have been off of ultram now for almost a month. I quit cold turkey no tapering or anything. I have not had a seizure at all (knock on wood) in 3 weeks. Ultram is sooooo bad for u I am trying to get my mother off of them. Withdraw symptoms are HELL! There is no easier way to describe it. But, I rather be going through these symptoms then have a seizure, hit my head, die, and be away from my husband and 4 small kids. Please try to get off of them! It makes life so much better! I'm praying for u!