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Problems With Tramadol
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!!
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!!
So what ever happened with your tramadol addiction? I myself take 9 50mg pills, 3 times a day. I've had 7 grand mal seizures. I didn't know anyone who was taking as many, until I read your story. Now I don't feel alone. I'm gonna try to taper down but, like you, ive tried it so many times and always the amount goes back up. Ugh.
I think I dodged a bullet when the side effects of Tramadol weren't something I could tolerate. I wasn't on it long enough to see if it was effective for my pain at the time either. I recently inquired about Nycunta but decided to stay where I am at the moment as I'm having okay relief. I am trying to avoid being on a long-acting med again. It means having to deal with more pain than if I was on one, but for now, I'm okay with that.
I responded to Gore because I feel so bad he/she felt I was being sarcastic when I pointed out this was an old post. I've often posted on an older post accidently and am glad when it's pointed out. And while I think reading older posts can be helpful in a lot of ways, I think people need to be aware of it because so many things can change with medications, procedures, etc.
I have no idea what happened that I couldn't log in to my old account. I tried everything but nothing worked. And MedHelp couldn't help me either so I had to create the new profile.
I responded to Gore because I feel so bad he/she felt I was being sarcastic when I pointed out this was an old post. I've often posted on an older post accidently and am glad when it's pointed out. And while I think reading older posts can be helpful in a lot of ways, I think people need to be aware of it because so many things can change with medications, procedures, etc.
I have no idea what happened that I couldn't log in to my old account. I tried everything but nothing worked. And MedHelp couldn't help me either so I had to create the new profile.
Hi All:
Mellie!!! That is the new you! :)
I was on tramadol for 4 years at the maximum pharmaceutical dose of 400 mg per day. The tramadol I was prescribed did not contain tylenol (i.e., acetaminophen or paracetamol). If it dose contain tylenol, I believe it is called tramacet or ultracet. I was also told (just like Mary) that it was nonaddicting and was a great medication for pain.
It stopped working completely a year before I switched 1/2 of my daily tramadol dose to vicodin. I had horrible withdrawals even with the addition of vicodin. My doctor gave me ativan to help with the withdrawals. It took about 3 months for the withdrawals to completely go away.
Earlier this year in March I got completely off the tramadol and the vicodin as that vicodin wasn't doing much for my pain anymore and I was taking the tramadol just to prevent withdrawal (that is how much I didn't want to face the tramadol withdrawal). But, during my normal Sunday chores, I added further injury my low back and the pain increased in intensity. In March, I switched off both the Tramadol and Vicodin to Percocet which wasn't helping much by itself with the pain. In April, I was put on Morphine ER with Percocet for breakthrough pain. AMAZINGLY, I experienced ZERO tramadol withdrawal. So it appears that if you replace it with something much more powerful, the withdrawals will be lessoned or not occur at all.
There is still a lot of debate going on with Tramadol related to its addictive properties and whether or not it is an opioid or narcotic medicine. I wholeheartedly believe Tramadol is a opioid with weak affinity to the opioid receptors and is addictive.
There is a new drug out there called Nycunta (or Tapentadol) and it is commonly referred to as Tramadol's big brother. It has the same dual action of binding to opioid receptors and increasing serotonin in the brain, but it is much more stronger. Nycunta is a schedule II drug, which requires a new written prescription every month and it cannot have refills. The scheduling is probably because so many have had problems getting off the Tramadol either or both due to addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms, that doctors told patients were nonexistent.
To Gore: I don't think Tramadol rots your insides and tears up your instestines. Too much tylenol can damage your liver though. That is definitely true. It just may feel like your insides are rotting because of how harsh the withdrawal is. Regardless, the healthcare community needs to come clean about Tramadol and tell patients the truth.
femmy
Mellie!!! That is the new you! :)
I was on tramadol for 4 years at the maximum pharmaceutical dose of 400 mg per day. The tramadol I was prescribed did not contain tylenol (i.e., acetaminophen or paracetamol). If it dose contain tylenol, I believe it is called tramacet or ultracet. I was also told (just like Mary) that it was nonaddicting and was a great medication for pain.
It stopped working completely a year before I switched 1/2 of my daily tramadol dose to vicodin. I had horrible withdrawals even with the addition of vicodin. My doctor gave me ativan to help with the withdrawals. It took about 3 months for the withdrawals to completely go away.
Earlier this year in March I got completely off the tramadol and the vicodin as that vicodin wasn't doing much for my pain anymore and I was taking the tramadol just to prevent withdrawal (that is how much I didn't want to face the tramadol withdrawal). But, during my normal Sunday chores, I added further injury my low back and the pain increased in intensity. In March, I switched off both the Tramadol and Vicodin to Percocet which wasn't helping much by itself with the pain. In April, I was put on Morphine ER with Percocet for breakthrough pain. AMAZINGLY, I experienced ZERO tramadol withdrawal. So it appears that if you replace it with something much more powerful, the withdrawals will be lessoned or not occur at all.
There is still a lot of debate going on with Tramadol related to its addictive properties and whether or not it is an opioid or narcotic medicine. I wholeheartedly believe Tramadol is a opioid with weak affinity to the opioid receptors and is addictive.
There is a new drug out there called Nycunta (or Tapentadol) and it is commonly referred to as Tramadol's big brother. It has the same dual action of binding to opioid receptors and increasing serotonin in the brain, but it is much more stronger. Nycunta is a schedule II drug, which requires a new written prescription every month and it cannot have refills. The scheduling is probably because so many have had problems getting off the Tramadol either or both due to addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms, that doctors told patients were nonexistent.
To Gore: I don't think Tramadol rots your insides and tears up your instestines. Too much tylenol can damage your liver though. That is definitely true. It just may feel like your insides are rotting because of how harsh the withdrawal is. Regardless, the healthcare community needs to come clean about Tramadol and tell patients the truth.
femmy
I truly apologize if you felt I was being sarcastic about your comment on this post. (I had to change my screen name due to computer problems and not being able to log into MedHelp.) I only pointed out that this was an old post and that you would get more responses to your questions if you posted a new question.
What I meant about it being easy was that sometimes an older post pops up and it's very easy to not see the date. I've done it often myself. When looking at older posts, sometimes the information may be outdated. It could be that there are new medications or procedures now.
I don't always see every post here. If I had seen Ssloan or someone else post on an old thread, I would have pointed it out, but I didn't see it. I've had people point out to me that I was posting on an older thread and I was thankful for it.
Again, I am genuinely sorry if you felt my response was sarcastic. It wasn't written that way. Sometimes things come across differently in a typed response than it would have come across if the conversation was in person.
I am sorry about your disability. I am totally disabled myself and I understand all of the issues that surround chronic pain and disability.
You're very right in that reading older posts can often be helpful but it's also important to have current information. For example, over the years, there have been a lot of discussions about many drugs, including Tramadol, that have changed. I hope that anyone looking for information about any medications or procedures have up-to-date information.
The Pain Management Forum is a great resource for so many people with chronic pain and disabilities, including myself. I hope you will be an active member here as I'm sure you can bring help to other members here, as well as finding support and information for yourself.
To Darrellslady28, again, if you post a new question, you may get more responses to your question. Tramadol, I believe, should not be stopped cold turkey as there can be a risk of seizures. It should be tapered off. I was on Tramadol many years ago for a short period of time but couldn't tolerate the side effects. I wasn't on it long enough to have to deal with withdrawal.
At the time I was on it, I remember the prescribing doctor told me what a wonderful medication it was. They believed it was a very effective pain medication and there was no worry of dependence/addiction. Now it seems that many people have had trouble with Tramadol. They have found it does cause dependence and/or addiction and also that the withdrawals can be very difficult.
I hope you have been able to find effective ways to handle your pain.
What I meant about it being easy was that sometimes an older post pops up and it's very easy to not see the date. I've done it often myself. When looking at older posts, sometimes the information may be outdated. It could be that there are new medications or procedures now.
I don't always see every post here. If I had seen Ssloan or someone else post on an old thread, I would have pointed it out, but I didn't see it. I've had people point out to me that I was posting on an older thread and I was thankful for it.
Again, I am genuinely sorry if you felt my response was sarcastic. It wasn't written that way. Sometimes things come across differently in a typed response than it would have come across if the conversation was in person.
I am sorry about your disability. I am totally disabled myself and I understand all of the issues that surround chronic pain and disability.
You're very right in that reading older posts can often be helpful but it's also important to have current information. For example, over the years, there have been a lot of discussions about many drugs, including Tramadol, that have changed. I hope that anyone looking for information about any medications or procedures have up-to-date information.
The Pain Management Forum is a great resource for so many people with chronic pain and disabilities, including myself. I hope you will be an active member here as I'm sure you can bring help to other members here, as well as finding support and information for yourself.
To Darrellslady28, again, if you post a new question, you may get more responses to your question. Tramadol, I believe, should not be stopped cold turkey as there can be a risk of seizures. It should be tapered off. I was on Tramadol many years ago for a short period of time but couldn't tolerate the side effects. I wasn't on it long enough to have to deal with withdrawal.
At the time I was on it, I remember the prescribing doctor told me what a wonderful medication it was. They believed it was a very effective pain medication and there was no worry of dependence/addiction. Now it seems that many people have had trouble with Tramadol. They have found it does cause dependence and/or addiction and also that the withdrawals can be very difficult.
I hope you have been able to find effective ways to handle your pain.
I HAVE BEEN ON TRAMADOL FOR FIVE YRS., IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TAPERING OFF, QUITTING COLD TURKEY, AND GETTING ANY DR. TO LISTEN TO YOU IS BASICALLY OUT OF THE QUESTION COS THEY BELIEVE ITS NOT ADDICTIVE, WELL IT IS, AND I DON'T CARE WAT A DR. OR ANYONE ELSE, SAYS ONCE U GET ON IT UR BASICALLY SCREWED IF U GET ADDICTED. I WENT A WHOLE MONTH WITH NONE AND MY ACHES AND OTHER WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS NEVER WENT AWAY. WHEN I STARTED OUT I WAS ONLY TAKING ONE 50MG. A DAY NOW ITS UP TO 5 OR 6 100 MG. A DAY. I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT NONE OF THIS HELPS, SO WAT A DR. TELLS U OR SOMEONE WHO HASN'T BEEN THROUGHT IT IS BS.
What such easy thing mellie? thank you for your sarcasm - If I did not need help, I would not post here. I am a disabled person, physically and a bit mentally too, I am Italian from Napoli. Old or new post does not matter, someone may respond somehow, or people might just read the info from web searches on Tramadol etc. Ssloan posted on July 2011 and yet you did not made any comment like you did on mine. Thank you once again fro you kind comment.
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