Tramadol withdrawal - day 2 - question

[dammitol]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but I wanted some help with my withdrawal from tramadol. I satrted taking them approx. 3 months ago to tx. a chronic pain condition and rapidly rose to 10-14 pills (500- 700 mg.) each morning loading dose.  I've been a substance abuser since 13 - I've tried just about anything you can name at least once - (I'm 46, now), but stopped everything and was easily clean for about the last  2 years when the doc RXed these for me. He also RXed restoril for sleep, but I don't take them regularly. Pills were never my D.O.C.( pot was), but this tramadol has my bag. These are threacherous.

I'm going cold turkey and so far, so bad. The only bright spot I can see in my life is when these things are purged from my system. I was alarmed when I saw the number of people similarly affected.

My question is how long until the "brain zaps", "depression, muscle spasms, insomnia - the acute withdrawals- end?  I don't care about my chronic pain anymore. No pain I ever had was as bad as this.I took my last pills (eight 50 mg.) Wednesday morning, it's now Friday night. I'm drinking lots of water, taking ibuprofen for the pain and took 4 restoril (120 Mgs. to try to knock me out - didn't touch me. I got about 30 minutes sleep total since Wednesday.

Anyone who beat this can share how long it took you to W/D completely?

TIA,

dee

[GoingToMakeIt]

I am not a Tram expert but look in avisg journals. she has a lot of info on Trams. There also is some info in the Health Pages found near the top right of page. I do know that Tramadol should be tapered off of due to the seizures and the zaps. What I can't answer is if it is best after day two, to start back and finish tapering. Avis will be on in the AM EST.

[dammitol]

Thanks for your help, Going.

Too late to re-up, plus I'm not that kind of guy. I'll take my chances cold-turkey.

I just found avisg's journal. looks like 7 days...oh, boy.

[malenurse57]

It takes about 7-8 days to get through the w/ds but it takes longer to get your energy levels back. I am 80 days clean from a 1200 mg plus a day habit and the pain is not really all that bad. things start looking up after about day 4, get lots of excersise and stay hydrated. Also check the health pages there is a lot of good info there. C/t from trams is not recommended because of the risk of siezures. Good luck and God bless

[swtbreezie]

Keep going, I feel you really want this and it will work.  It gets better, you wont regret doing this for yourself and your family.  Good Luck and God Bless
swtbreezie

[dammitol]

Thanks male and swt for your encouragement. It's day 3 and I feel it lifting *ever* so slightly, but that's all I need. I want my life back. Reading other people's stories is tremendously powerful. It's somehow comforting knowing I'm not the only one. I used to think I was pretty bad-a$$. I'm not. I'm a quivering, sniveling, infantile weakling. Trammys have brought me to my knees for the first time in my 46 years on earth. I despise their allure. I get a split second thought of re-upping, then I smash it down. This is living he11, but I'll take eternal he11 before ever again being a slave to those trams.

[swtbreezie]

Hang in there hon!  I am not sure what is in the minds of doctors to put you on something else that is addictive, it *****.  I am reading a lot of problems caused by usiang it to withdraw.  And you ARE strong to be doing this, never put yourself down!  Look at Golliath(sp) he was no weenie, a giant but was brought to his knees!    Do NOT re-up you are doing great hang in there.
HUGZZZZZZZZZZZ
swtbreezie

[dammitol]

Thanks again, swt. Every minute that passes makes me more firm in my resolve to unshackle my chains of slavery to this drug. The minutes seem like hours, but that can work in my favor, too.