Tramadol Here we go again!

I've had lower back problems for years. I had to detox off of Vicodin after taking them for years. That was a terrible experience. Started having problems with my back again this past March. They put me on Tramadol and said it wasn't that bad of a medication. I was up to 4 a day. From reading posts on here that isn't as bad as some. But it's bad enough I guess. I'm trying to taper off of them and have found out it's not easy. (again!) I don't want to go through this again but looks as if I'm going to have to. Why would they put me on Tramadol knowing what I went through with Vicodin? What am I in for? Is it going to be as bad? This really stinks.......

[Mollyrae]

Hi Whatfrat:

I'm sorry that you're facing this w/d thing again. I don't know what you're facing. MedHelp does have a forum called "Substance Abuse" forum. Not saying that you have a problem. It may help you with what to expect. You might try posting this on that forum. I feel that it will help you.

Please take care,
Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am sorry that you have chronic back pain and that once again you are faced with withdrawal.

If you have continued back pain is your physician not willing to continue to treat it with medications? Or have you decided that you do not want to continue on the medication because your back issues have subsided?

I have been told that Tramadol withdrawal can be vicious, even worse than an actual narcotic. Granted it is not classified as a narcotic but it works much like Morphine and on the same receptors. Like morphine, tramadol binds to receptors in the brain (opioid receptors) that are important for transmitting the sensation of pain from throughout the body. As you have discovered you must taper from this medication. You cannot abruptly withdraw from Tramadol. It could cause such symptoms as anxiety, sweating, insomnia, increased pain, nausea, diarrhea and hallucinations.

I like Mollyrae have not had to go through w/d. I am a chronic pain patient that will probably require narcotics for the rest of my life, like it or not. Therefore I cannot help you with suggestions on how best to deal with the symptoms of w/d. Please be sure that you are monitored by your physician. There are non-narcotic medications that can make some of your w/d a bit easier.

The Substance Abuse Forum may offer you better support than we can. Please understand that I am not suggesting that you are abusing  or that you are an addict. Your system has just become accustomed to the drug. You are always welcome here. Please let us know how you are doing, and best of luck.

Take Care,
Tuck

[sandee1818]

Tramadol or Ultram is a wonderful medication if it helps your pain. It is a non narcotic but you will suffer withdrawal if you sop taking it. The withdrawal is tough. Like Tuck said though if it is helping your pain levels and your comfortable taking it then why are you wanting to stop. It will cause seizures in high doses so be careful that you only take the prescribed dose.
There are medications that will help you get off the tramadol easier. talk to your doctor about all your options before deciding.
Good luck, let us know how your doing:)

[Dylan465]

Hi,

I was on ultram for about 2 1/2 yrs or more and though it is not the strongest, I can tolerate it.
I can not tolerate percocet's comedown, I was so sick, I told my husband don't ever let me take these again.and flushed them.

I don't see a huge choice of pain meds. I am on ms contin--morphine--you would think that would help. At first my doctor let me take it with the ultram and it worked great but of course it didin't last.

I got off the ultram and have just been taking the ms contin and it is like barely touching it. I am considering going back to the ultram. There is someone on here that has pages of the evils of it and I never understood it. I disagreed with her and she banned me from her page.

I tried cutting back thinking I could use nothing--no way. I didn't feel sick from the detox but the pain was more apparent and that's with remnants left in my body. For my pain, I don't think contin is the answer.

Wish me luck, I can't live like this. My husband is sick with chronic fatigue and the morphine does help him.

If you want to write me, feel free, maybe we can help each other.  

[sandee1818]

Everyone has their own views and their own personal story with the medications they deem "evil".
Some people do really well on tramadol and some do not this is true with any drug.
I believe the tramadol and the MS Contin was the right regimen for you Dylan.
I would try and get the doctor to let you try it again.

[needtano]

Just fyi - the drug tramadol has recently been scheduled a narcotic due to the fact it does have addictive properties. ( I don't think it is a schedule 2 or three like oxy and hydro, but it is scheduled). It used to be, then it wasn't, now it is again.

[sandee1818]

Thanks for the information, I did not know they had scheduled it at all yet.