Tramadol Hydrochloride

[digital_monkey]

I took Tramadol Hydrochloride for 6 months due to joint pain from my work.  It worked wonders.  I had energy, no pain, and happiness.  But I began to notice that I had to take almost 8 pills a day to feel good.  So I tried to stop.  I cut dosage down little by little.  I felt like ****.  My body had this 'rushing' sensation of anxiety and aches.  So now I have to take at least 1 pill a day just to feel normal.  I stopped for 2 weeks altogether, but everyday I felt terrible, more so than I did before I started taking the meds.  The only way to feel 'normal' was to take at least 1 pill every 18-24 hours.  At least i don't have to take 8 anymore.  I just wanted everyone to know that even though the medical industry denies the addiction possibility, it is really there.  I'm afraid I will have to take one pill a day forever.  Anyways, just wanted to share my feelings with ya.  And my question is, why?  How can I get off this stuff?  2 weeks doesn't even do it.  

[StephieBee]

I just wanted to say im sorry.

The drug companies remind me so much of the tobacco companies that its sick.  

[Jaybay]

You need to talk to the prescribing doc about this problem.  One pill a day is fine if you are taking it for the pain.  If you want to get off the tramadol altogether, you need some help with the withdrawal symptoms.  Your doctor can help with that.

[embla_2010]

I agree with JayBay, it might be an idea to get some help with this stuff.

I have heard that Tramadol W/ds can last quite a while, but I dont know it throuugh my own experience.  

What I do know is that I was in my doctors office a while ago and a drug rep was there.  This was in Canada and she was talking about Drs in the U.S. often wanting to prescribe tramadol because it was suppose to be less addictive. (this is exactly what happened to me by the way when I went to my doc in Indy and thats why he prescribed Tramadol).


The drug rep went on to say that it was basically B.S. and that only applied when the medication is used for short periods of time, otherwise it is just as addictive as the others.  The thing is I read up on it a bit and sure enough it said "is meant to be used for short periods of time or may lead to yadda".  The funny thing was that the Dr. that prescribed it to me under the *less addictive clause* KNEW I would need it on an on going basis.  

So in the end the drug rep, basically said that those Dr's had fallen into that puddle of thinking it was better, when in fact, when it's used for extended periods of time it can be just as bad (PLS note that I am saying EXTENDED periods of time).

My next question to you is this. Since you are down to 1 pill a day.  How bad do the W/d's get ?  Can you explain exactly how bad ?  Do you get the full on vomiting/ bone-aches/fever-chills/diar/can't sleep/legs that wont stay still/basically the full on withdrawals...... OR....... some clammy ness head ache and dont feel so hot ?

There is a reason I am asking this, and that is, if the w/ds are fairly mild then you just may not have held out long enough for them to go away totally...... It will take a while

[digital_monkey]

Thank you guys for your responses. Hey Embla_2010, to your question about bad withdrawls even if I stop taking one pill are like this:  nausea, super-achy skin, some mild chills, anti-social, and most definately restless legs.  BIG time on the aches and restless legs which makes it really hard to sleep.  And I notice the bad effects again about 18-24 hours after I take one.  Then I take one and the "normalness" comes back, and almost makes my eyes water to feel calm again.  I guess one a day isn't too bad, but i'd still like to get off totally, since it's not good for long-term use.  I'll definately talk to my doctor.  Thanks again for your support.

[casablancas]

My mum had the same problem she basically went cold turkey and felt ill for 2 months, now she is totally off them but she still has the pain in her legs from CFS/ME which is why she got them in the first place.
They are highly addictive opiates and your tolerance quickly grows to them so you end up taking more and more just like a heroin addict. The Doctor was aware how bad they were but apart from morphine there is nothing else which kills her pain so now she just has to live with it.

[pkcom]

I had the same problem and was up to 600 plus mg per day.

I developed appendcittis in Jan and while in the hospital they
stopped my Tramadol and I had insomnia every night there for a week.

After coming home the insomnia persisted plus old chronic pain was pretty intense
because I wasn't getting the hospital pain meds.

My doctor switched me to Utram ER 50 mg twice a day which took the edge off the pain and I was finally able to sleep.

I've since stopped the Ultram ER and the withdrawal wasn't as bad and am now trying Nerve Block Injections and wearing a rib belt as that's where the old pain is.

If you want to continue Tramadol I would you suggest try Ultram ER instead and the manufacturer provides a discount coupon for your first three fillings ($25 off)
Do a Google searh for the manufacturer.

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

[Bsta1382]

I am a mid-aged American 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 every couple weeks.  As time went on, I would increase the frequency and number of pills until it became a mandatory daily ritual.  

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 amount of mg 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.  

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.

Thank You!!

[wanna1450]

From a middle aged woman's perspective:  Your story sounds so like mine.  I have "stopped" for months at a time with all the w/d symptoms named in the thread.  Depression, night sweats and chills being my worst.  I have "stopped" by using low doses of the anti-depressant Effexor (37.5) morning and night, then morning only, then Efffexor every other day for a period of 2 weeks or so.  Effexor has its own w/d demons, but its the only way I've been at all able to "stop" the tramadol.

Its still not fun, but it reduces the symptoms some.  Now the trick is to figure out how to stay "stopped".  I have returned to the tramadol even after 2 month breaks, convincing myself it won't get out of control and I can stay in a therapeutic range of no more than 8 per day.  I have never taken more than 10 per day, but I take it every single day that I have it in the house.  Otherwise, well you know the drill...

So, if you can get some Effexor and let yourself run completely out of tramadol then start Effexor the next day maybe you can stay "stopped".  If you can taper off, that would be even better but I just can't.  If tramadol is  around I take it all!

You wondered about long term effects, I have heard that if you use tramadol in an abuse long term manner as I have (and will again no doubt) it can cause fybromyalgia which would be an additional burdon.  I got that info from a site called "crazymeds".

[Bsta1382]

Thank you wanna1450,

I am going to look into Effexor, but not exactly excited about trading off one drug for another.

[krazykatie]

I have beem taking tramadol for 13 months, and im scared of the effect it has been having on my body. Has any heard if it effects your menstral cycle? i havent had a period for 10 months now. I have also been experiency stomach spasms and hot flashes, this is while im taking them, so god only knows what will happen when i stop

[Jaybay]

FYI - tramadol and ultram are the same med.  One is brand, one is generic, but the same active ingredient.

Quinine can help with the restless legs part of withdrawal.  It's Hylands Leg Cramps and is available over the counter at most pharmacies.  Do NOT take it with benadryl and better yet, check with your pharmacist to make sure it's not contraindicated with any of your other meds.  I am currently tapering off the fentanyl patch, and found the quinine to be very helpful.  Also, liquid sublingual b-complex helps as well.

You might take a look at the addiction forum here at MH.  Lots of good info on dealing with withdrawal symptoms.

[mr.lucky66]

i feel bad that people are having such a hard time getting off this tramadol. I got a RX once because some P.A. in an ER didn't want to give me a real pain