Tramadol help plzz

[hubbie]

I’ve tried other forums but have received no replies so I was hoping I could get some insight here.
Brief history: My wife’s Dr prescribed Ultram/Tramadol to her years ago for chronic back pain. Unknowing to both of us she was obviously building up a tolerance to the stuff and was taking more and more. She eventually had a seizure due to the stuff. I thought the Dr took her off of it but I think he just reduced her intake. Either way she was still taking it and had yet another seizure about a year later. I know for a fact he took her off of it the second time but she began buying it online behind my back. The third time I found her confused and staggering around our house. Had I not found her when I did she would’ve been on the floor again. This time she claims not to have been taking the Ultram so her Dr is totally confused and puts her on a seizure medication. While she was still in the hospital I find a few empty bottles and one full bottle hidden at the house. I confront her and she promises me she’ll never take it again. I believe her but continue to search the house on a regular basis. About a month later I find more hidden in the house that she again bought online. This starts to anger me and we have it out. She promises yet again no more tramadol. At this point I’m checking bank records too so she cannot use our credit cards. I can’t explain it but I can kind of feel a vibe when she’s taking it by how she acts. I have that “feeling” again, search the house, and find a bottle of 240, RX is written to someone else. She says she was just going to take a few and return the bottle. I can’t believe this. A few weeks later I get that feeling again and find a handful in her purse that she claims someone at work gave her thinking they were something else for a headache.
She now claims to not be taking tramadol anymore and I have not found any around the house. Certain times I still get the “feeling” and I’m almost positive she’s still taking it but she claims not to be and gets really defensive when I ask about it.
I know from past experiences after I’ve found it and taken it from her she gets really restless, especially at night, doesn’t have any energy, feels sick, headaches, etc, etc. She has not had any of these symptoms lately and over the weekend she was very energetic, cleaning the house for hours on end and is not the least bit tired at night. Usually after that much work, especially with her back, she’s beat after a day of cleaning and worn out by bedtime. She’s also quit taking her seizure medication which I guess could give her some energy back but now I’m worried about that too.
I’ve read here and other forums that tramadol is very hard to quit without tapering off or without help from your Dr. From what I’ve experienced thus far it seems to be true, is it? People here seem to have experience trying to quit. Is it possible she really quit taking them without any help and without any withdrawal symptoms? I want to believe her but have trouble, especially after being promised 4 or 5 times in the past each time was the last. I just think she’s hiding them better or maybe at work. Also, does anyone know if any of these online RX places delivery these pills C.O.D.?
Any help/answers would be greatly appreciated.
Anything I’m missing or something else to look for as far as symptoms/behavior she could be taking it again?
Thanks in advance!

[mr.lucky66]

It doesn't have any opiate in it and is not even a controlled drug in the US, but it is addictive in a different way that a true opiate. I'm glad you got off this nasty drug. all the best

[Diana660]

I have stopped the ultram now.  There is a thomas recipe which helps with the withdrawals. Take lots of hot baths, lots of mineral supplements with phosporous, zinc, take B6, use immodium for the diarrhea, L-Tyrosine (supplement), and librium or xanax or some other benzo. I feel like I have the worse flu I've ever had.  I'm grumpy and miserable, but I know I never have to relife "day 2 off ultram" again!  If anyone wants that Thomas Receipe for opiate withdrawal, I found it on this site.  I do have it saved.  I didn't know Ultram had opiates in it or was addictive.  I had been prescribed by a doctor for back pain for legitamate reasons.  He never said a word to me about it possibly becoming addictive or that it had opiate properties.  

[mr.lucky66]

This woman would be better off with a real narcotic (if she needs pain relief), than tramadol with it's nasty effects. Listen to Jaybay. all the best

[Diana660]

A 12-step program worked with my alcohol program.  I am sure the narcotics program could help your wife.  it is soo scary because tramadol isnt' classiifed as a narcotic yet.  I have had 2 seizures in the past 4 months, 3 eeg's, totalled a car (had one while driving), etc. It can kill.  I didn't think anything of taking more if it because of it's classification.  I think more of us should come forward to get this drug classified as a narcotic and opiate.  That is what it is. Very highly addictive.  I am weaning myself off with my doctor's help right now.  It's my 2nd day.  Yesterday I felt run over by a truck. Headaches, body aches, extreme fatigue, chills.  Not fun, but better that laying in 6 feet of dirt. Good luck to you!!  

[sandim]

Hubbie,
You are in a bad spot right now and so is your wife. From what I know about Tramadol, your wife's behavior is leaning toward her still continuing to use Tramadol. I have never seen someone who has been on it for years, just stop taking it without some kind of withdrawal symptoms and especially not at 20 + a day.
The fact that she is getting it online or through friends indicates that there is more than pain management going on with her.
I would strongly suggest that you contact her doctor, or better yet, go with her to her doctor's appointment and have her tell him that she is continuing to take it, despite being told to stop.
Seizure activity comes from either a sudden withdrawal of the medication or taking too much of it.
It can cause permanent injury to the brain.
You might be better off reading and posting at the addiction and recovery boards on MedHelp. There are a lot of people who can  help you there, and give you some ideas for discussions with your wife and her physician.
Best wishes to you both,
Sandi

[hubbie]

First off Feedup13, I am not the “police” for my wife’s pain and yes, I do know why she takes the tramadol. Her Dr originally prescribed it to her years ago and it worked great until she built up such a tolerance to it she was taking upwards of 20 a day, to the point it caused a seizure and almost killed her. She’s since had 2 more, one while she was at home with our young son by themselves. She does still have pain and probably always will but this stuff is not good for her. I know her pain is real, I’ve been to the Dr and specialists with her and seen the x-rays and MRI’s. I realize the other meds she’s taking is not good either but she’s got to take something and tramadol is not it. So I am not at all against her taking pain meds. I do have a full time job and worry like hell all day about her. I’ve cried about it to the point of almost having what I can only figure was some sort of mental breakdown. I don’t think she’s able to make the decision of whether or not she will abuse the tramadol as she already has 5 times in the past. After the 3rd hospital visit b/c she begged me not to tell her Dr she was taking it b/c he would no longer see her anymore as he took her off of it after the 2nd seizure. I agreed b/c she promised me she would quit the stuff. I have since found it hidden around the house 2 more times, so no, she obviously cannot make this decision on her own. Please do not judge me like this, I’m only trying to figure out the best options for us. Like I said, anytime I question her or ask about it she gets very defensive and it results in an argument so I’m asking for info here b/c it looks like many of you have had similar problems.
JayBay, thanks for your insight. Like I said, I know her pain is real and she likes the tramadol b/c it works for the pain without the “buzzed” feeling she gets from the percocet. So I know she’s not taking it for the buzz just to feel good. That’s what makes me feel so bad about not wanting her to take the tramadol. If I thought she could just take a few a day without building up a tolerance and with her Dr knowing it, I wouldn’t mind, but this is not possible. When she had the first seizure her Dr could not believe it was the tramadol but he did not know how many she was taking. The second one baffled him b/c he didn’t know again. The third one confused him even more b/c he had no idea she was taking it at all. Like I said above, I never told her Dr she was taking it b/c I didn’t want him to stop seeing her. I think after reading your advice maybe it is time for her to get another Dr. or maybe I should tell him about her taking the tramadol and let him decide. She promised me she would tell him on her last visit but did not. He is a good Dr but in this case I don’t see how he can help her when he doesn’t know the truth so switching Dr’s may not be the best solution. Maybe she should tell him the truth first and see where it takes us.

[feedup13]

I agree with Jaybay.  The most important part of the solution for your wife's dependence is to evaluate her pain, believe in her pain, and help her to find a medication that will bring some kind of relief for her pain.  Once this issue is resolved, her life and her behavior will change dramatically.  My question to hubby is, "Do you believe her when she tells you she has chronic pain?".  I do not mean to be hard on you but your situation is a very classic example of how chronic pain can affect everyone in the family.  I agree that you should go to another pain doctor and if they don't work out, go to another one.  Every doctor has their own understanding about chronic pain.  The question I have is this, a diabetic is dependent on insulin to help them to live active lives, why is it so wrong for a chronic pain patient to be dependant on pain medication to help them to live active lives.  We must start looking at chronic pain as an illness that must be treated not as a weakness.  Anybody feel the same way.

[AnonDH56]

I tried Tramadol when it first came out and insurance actaullly covered it, surprised since my insurance, ex-insurance sucked. At first they didnt realize it was addictive since it isnt just a slight variation of the molecular structure that most opiates have in common. I never took much of it but do remember it knocked me out like a sleeping pill and didnt seem to do much for my back pain. I believe they now consider it very addictive and it is not that easy to get becasue of that anymore. It may have an advantage of not causing constipation but Google that to check, i just dont remember. rxlist.com has info on most drugs as well as many other sites.

[Jaybay]

One last note on the dirty little secret about tramadol.  Doctors just love this **** because it's supposed to be non-addictive.  Your wife is far from the only patient to react this way to tramadol.  The molecule is similar enough to opiates, and works in basically the same area of the brain and that all adds up to the same dependence and withdrawal issues as any other opiate.  It works well for some people, but for most - it doesn't even begin to touch pain.  Check out the addiction forums here at medhelp and you'll find a great number of people who got in trouble after their doctors prescribed tramadol.  

[Jaybay]

You have a couple things to consider regarding your wife's behavior.  On the face of it, yes, she sounds like she's displaying classic addict behavior.  YOU cannot force her stop.  Since she's still obviously having pain issues, I doubt she's going to.

There is another behavior that might apply here called Pseudo Addiction.  This behavior is very similar to Addiction because the person will doctor shop, or go outside the medical system to obtain the drug of choice.  However, the motivation is different.  With addiction, the person is going after the high.  With Psuedo Addiction, the person is trying to get pain relief because the pain is under treated.  Once the person's pain is adequately treated, the other behavior will stop.

I suggest you get your wife to a different pain doctor.  They are not all created the same and each one has their own favorite treatment protocols - some of which include opiate therapy, others don't.

Instead of focusing on your wife's usage, you might try a different approach and help her get her pain treated.

[feedup13]

I have been on Ultram for 10 years.  Yes, there are side effects when you stop taking it.  But my concern is why are you the POLICE for your wife's pain.  Have you asked yourself this question, "why does she keep going back to taking Ultram?  Perhaps she has PAIN that is not adequately being addressed.  I have terrible pain throughout my body and it is my responsiblity to monitor what I take.     There are many, many different pain medications out there.  Help her to find the one that works for her.  If she does not have pain anymore, than she needs to go through a chemical dependancy program because she has an addiction problem. With all the sneaking around you do to "catch" her doing the ultram, perhaps you might consider looking at your own actions and how that might contribute to the problem.  Do you have full-time job because it seems that your full-time job is to police your wife'.. Only your wife can make the decision as to whether or not she is going to abuse the Ultram.  Please get some counseling for yourself and maybe she will follow suit.

[reform_wc]

I know what you are going through because I am dependent on pain meds for a back injury and If I said I was not addicted I would be lying. I was on ultram/tramadol for a while and they use to make me hyper and gave me a euphoric feeling. If i didn't have the tramadol I would get real restless and in a real bad mood, The only reason I quit them is because I am on stronger meds for pain management. And a person should be weened off of any medication that they are dependent on, I am no doctor or expert but I have years of experience with pain meds and know that it is hard for someone to give it up. Persons that are taking any type of drug wether its prescribed or not reach a point where they deny not only to their family but to themselves that they don't have a problem. Now don't get me wrong, There are folks like me that need pain meds in order to function due to the excrutiating pain that they are dealing with. My advise to you is to get professional help for your wife and if need be,  for anyone who is affected by her situation. As far as signs of taking the meds again, Trust your gut instinct, You know your wife better than anyone else and have experienced her personality when she is on the stuff, You already know what to look for in terms of her being "High".

Hope I helped somewhat, Belive me know what it's like to be dependent on pain meds, It is difficult to just give up without any side effects, Like I said get professional help, Thats the best way to kick the habit.