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Tramadol - Day Six of Withdrawal
Jul 22, 2008 01:40PM
- 8 comments
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I have received great comfort from this site and I think it's time to share my story in the hope it might help others in some small way. I don't really have any pain. I wasn't in a car accident, I don't have Fibromyalgia, I'm relatively normal and healthy. When I started taking Tramadol, I was just a little depressed and thought it could help. I am completely self medicated. No prescription or evil doctor here. I started with one from a friend's prescription and I was off to the races. My habit never got too big, but it was big enough (100mg a day for almost a year) to cause some major withdrawal pain and suffering that I am still experiencing here, in the middle of day six. I am waking from a year long dream (nightmare) that I didn't even know I was having and the result, I hope, will be to regain my life.
I'm sure you've heard it before, but it bears repeating, Tramadol is a tricky little drug. Please don't believe anyone who claims that it is non-addictive and please don't allow yourself to start using it, thinking it will be an easy kick down the road. It is not easy. It is painful, it is lonely, and it is terribly difficult. That is not to say that if you are now on it, you won't be able to quit. Many have done it (check out emily post's journal), it's just a b*****. Sweating, shaking, aching, insomnia, but all worth it. How long does it take? I don't know. Everyday gets better though.
Here is a little bit about what Tramadol did to me, just to let you know how evil it is:
Tramadol made me want to be alone.
I stopped caring about what other people had to say, especially my lovely girlfriend (still have her, thank God).
Tramadol made me constipated.
Tramadol made me trivialize other people's feelings.
Tramadol made my gut hurt.
Tramadol made me freak out if I missed a dose.
Tramadol replaced all real beauty with fake drug beauty (might sound good. It's not. Trust me.)
Tramadol broke my spirit (temporarily)
Tramadol cost me money and time, both of which I would like back.
Tramadol stopped my dreams.
Tramadol never let me rest.
Tramadol damn near had me for life. I was ready to sign up for an endless nightmare rather than quit.
Tramadol caused more pain than it cured.
But I quit and you can too.
Here in day six, life still ***** in certain ways. The drug is strong in me and my body badly wants it back. I am prone these days to feeling like I am going to burst into tears at any moment, but I know it's just Tramadol. On the upside, I really enjoy being with my girlfriend again and listening to her talk about her day (absent with Tramadol as stated above). My legs go in and out on me and when I crash, I crash. It's difficult to focus in the afternoon and at night. Uh, and mornings suck too, but I have started to have a few golden hours during the day when everything seems almost normal. Be prepared for ups and downs. The road out is not straight and the twists and turns come without warning. In the middle of day two, I thought I was going to die and almost gave in, but something stopped me and it was the stories on this site. Just knowing that other people are fighting the same fight gave me the determination to make it this far. I'm not kidding myself. Day six is great, but it's only day six. One minute at a time.
Good luck and write me if you need support of any kind to get through your fight.
Peace,
TramaPaul
I'm sure you've heard it before, but it bears repeating, Tramadol is a tricky little drug. Please don't believe anyone who claims that it is non-addictive and please don't allow yourself to start using it, thinking it will be an easy kick down the road. It is not easy. It is painful, it is lonely, and it is terribly difficult. That is not to say that if you are now on it, you won't be able to quit. Many have done it (check out emily post's journal), it's just a b*****. Sweating, shaking, aching, insomnia, but all worth it. How long does it take? I don't know. Everyday gets better though.
Here is a little bit about what Tramadol did to me, just to let you know how evil it is:
Tramadol made me want to be alone.
I stopped caring about what other people had to say, especially my lovely girlfriend (still have her, thank God).
Tramadol made me constipated.
Tramadol made me trivialize other people's feelings.
Tramadol made my gut hurt.
Tramadol made me freak out if I missed a dose.
Tramadol replaced all real beauty with fake drug beauty (might sound good. It's not. Trust me.)
Tramadol broke my spirit (temporarily)
Tramadol cost me money and time, both of which I would like back.
Tramadol stopped my dreams.
Tramadol never let me rest.
Tramadol damn near had me for life. I was ready to sign up for an endless nightmare rather than quit.
Tramadol caused more pain than it cured.
But I quit and you can too.
Here in day six, life still ***** in certain ways. The drug is strong in me and my body badly wants it back. I am prone these days to feeling like I am going to burst into tears at any moment, but I know it's just Tramadol. On the upside, I really enjoy being with my girlfriend again and listening to her talk about her day (absent with Tramadol as stated above). My legs go in and out on me and when I crash, I crash. It's difficult to focus in the afternoon and at night. Uh, and mornings suck too, but I have started to have a few golden hours during the day when everything seems almost normal. Be prepared for ups and downs. The road out is not straight and the twists and turns come without warning. In the middle of day two, I thought I was going to die and almost gave in, but something stopped me and it was the stories on this site. Just knowing that other people are fighting the same fight gave me the determination to make it this far. I'm not kidding myself. Day six is great, but it's only day six. One minute at a time.
Good luck and write me if you need support of any kind to get through your fight.
Peace,
TramaPaul
((((TramaPaul))))
Interesting and frighteningly accurate list! I agree with absolutely all of it!
I don't write lists that way, so we are clearly not the same person. I would have done something weird, like numbered it! LOL!
I want my money back too!
I want my TIME back!
It makes me feel really sad and angry that this drug cost me!
Tramadol stops dreams by stopping the drop into REM sleep. I'd bet on that one.
I see the return of dream (even if they are weird and horrible) as; nothing but an excellent sign! It means we're dropping into deeper sleep. I'm going to say, I'm so happy for you TramaPaul and I am so happy for your Girlfriend. Does she know about the tramadol? My Husband knows.
It makes me wanna cry when I think about explaining to him why I looked so sick and strung out ... cause I was sick and strung out! But he understood. He's way more drug phobic than I am, but he's never been injured.
Day Six is really good, esp knowing you almost went back on on day 2! Good job! You can do it!
Love and healing,
Emily Post
PS. Please send a good thought my way that I can make myself stop at a grocery store and get the food I need ok? ;-) I need to make a chicken soup!
Interesting and frighteningly accurate list! I agree with absolutely all of it!
I don't write lists that way, so we are clearly not the same person. I would have done something weird, like numbered it! LOL!
I want my money back too!
I want my TIME back!
It makes me feel really sad and angry that this drug cost me!
Tramadol stops dreams by stopping the drop into REM sleep. I'd bet on that one.
I see the return of dream (even if they are weird and horrible) as; nothing but an excellent sign! It means we're dropping into deeper sleep. I'm going to say, I'm so happy for you TramaPaul and I am so happy for your Girlfriend. Does she know about the tramadol? My Husband knows.
It makes me wanna cry when I think about explaining to him why I looked so sick and strung out ... cause I was sick and strung out! But he understood. He's way more drug phobic than I am, but he's never been injured.
Day Six is really good, esp knowing you almost went back on on day 2! Good job! You can do it!
Love and healing,
Emily Post
PS. Please send a good thought my way that I can make myself stop at a grocery store and get the food I need ok? ;-) I need to make a chicken soup!
Emily,
Thanks. Sending thoughts your way about regaining your appetite. I didn't have that problem. I was hungry as soon as I was off the stuff. Weird.
My GF does not know. We've been together for some time and she helped me through my alcohol addiction, this one I'm trying on my own. Somehow, even though I know she'd support me, it's more shameful and I have more issues around how I got in this mess. I'll tell her if I feel like I'm getting in trouble but, for now, I'm happy just to read and write about it. Her plate is full as it is and I have a feeling I'm going to be ok.
Peace,
TramaPaul
Thanks. Sending thoughts your way about regaining your appetite. I didn't have that problem. I was hungry as soon as I was off the stuff. Weird.
My GF does not know. We've been together for some time and she helped me through my alcohol addiction, this one I'm trying on my own. Somehow, even though I know she'd support me, it's more shameful and I have more issues around how I got in this mess. I'll tell her if I feel like I'm getting in trouble but, for now, I'm happy just to read and write about it. Her plate is full as it is and I have a feeling I'm going to be ok.
Peace,
TramaPaul
Hey Guys,
I'm currently 18 and on day 3 no more tramadol. No back surgey or any of that this was out of shear stupidity. Taking my dads pain meds and getting hooked like candy. I've had the worst 2 days of my life and even today was bad. Just sat in my shower this morning and cried. This is completely the worst thing to ever to have to go through. I hope each day will get better. I've been taking 5-htp, vitamin c and b, milk thistle, fiber to help with my terrrrrible bowel symptons. And i picked up some sleep aid at cvs to help get me a few hours of sleep here and there. I'm going to try and go out tonight and get my mind off of this stuff and stop laying down like i have been for 3 days now.
It makes me feel like I'm a pile of complete nothing. I couldn't even do work for 5 hours on Wends having to come home early because i felt terrible. I wish i knew what 'normal' felt like. I went cold turkey because i got caught and its been the most horrible week of my life. I'm going to try and go out tonight and get my mind off of this stuff and stop laying down like i have been for 3 days now.
I'm currently 18 and on day 3 no more tramadol. No back surgey or any of that this was out of shear stupidity. Taking my dads pain meds and getting hooked like candy. I've had the worst 2 days of my life and even today was bad. Just sat in my shower this morning and cried. This is completely the worst thing to ever to have to go through. I hope each day will get better. I've been taking 5-htp, vitamin c and b, milk thistle, fiber to help with my terrrrrible bowel symptons. And i picked up some sleep aid at cvs to help get me a few hours of sleep here and there. I'm going to try and go out tonight and get my mind off of this stuff and stop laying down like i have been for 3 days now.
It makes me feel like I'm a pile of complete nothing. I couldn't even do work for 5 hours on Wends having to come home early because i felt terrible. I wish i knew what 'normal' felt like. I went cold turkey because i got caught and its been the most horrible week of my life. I'm going to try and go out tonight and get my mind off of this stuff and stop laying down like i have been for 3 days now.
jboss,
You are almost there. I've been clean for nearly a month now and feel so much better. I've been riding my bike to work everyday and feel like I want to be healthy again. It's great. For you, right now, just be really kind to yourself. When I was in the first few days I lived on this site. Read and re-read all of Emily Post's posts. They made me feel a lot better and they will do the same for you. You can break this thing. It will NOT break you. Hang in brother. There's a light at the end of the tunnel and it's not a train, it's your life.
Respect,
TramaPaul
You are almost there. I've been clean for nearly a month now and feel so much better. I've been riding my bike to work everyday and feel like I want to be healthy again. It's great. For you, right now, just be really kind to yourself. When I was in the first few days I lived on this site. Read and re-read all of Emily Post's posts. They made me feel a lot better and they will do the same for you. You can break this thing. It will NOT break you. Hang in brother. There's a light at the end of the tunnel and it's not a train, it's your life.
Respect,
TramaPaul
While I have tremenous sympathy for suffering, I am sure some of the comments attributed to Tramadol can really be attributed to something else, like a personality disorder or other illness. For instance, I think anybody who takes (or prescribes) Tramadol for depression is wrong. Tramadol is an effective pain killer but also has some side effects like any other drug. However, it can be remarkably difficult to withdraw from this drug. I find the 'list' by TramaPaul will not apply to everybody. It never stopped any of my dreams, conversely I wish it had as my dreams are quite vivid and bad at times. I also never experienced more pain than it cured or feelings of loneliness etc.
I am just coming off Tramadol after taking it for over four years because of bone pain in an arthritic ankle. The first two nights' especially were awful. I could not sleep, suffered panic attacks and anxiety, hot and cold flushes and a general feeling akin to flu. It is now day five and I have had a good night's sleep for the first time since withdrawal. I feel better and the withdrawal symptoms have lessened. I am still suffering mild 'flu like' symptoms but these have decreased dramatically. On the downside my ankle pain has returned slightly after being free for so many years. However, I shall now seek a different pain killer than Tramadol as I do not like its addictive properties and hate its withdrawal characteristics.
I am just coming off Tramadol after taking it for over four years because of bone pain in an arthritic ankle. The first two nights' especially were awful. I could not sleep, suffered panic attacks and anxiety, hot and cold flushes and a general feeling akin to flu. It is now day five and I have had a good night's sleep for the first time since withdrawal. I feel better and the withdrawal symptoms have lessened. I am still suffering mild 'flu like' symptoms but these have decreased dramatically. On the downside my ankle pain has returned slightly after being free for so many years. However, I shall now seek a different pain killer than Tramadol as I do not like its addictive properties and hate its withdrawal characteristics.
My husband is detoxing from Tramadol and I could use some advice.
He had been taking an average of 10 50mg pills a day for approximately five years. In the past several weeks, he has cut his intake dramatically and is now at 3 35mg pills a day. He will be completely out of pills in the next few days. Are there any dangerous symptoms I should watch out for? Do you think we'll have to go to an emergency room or something?
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
He had been taking an average of 10 50mg pills a day for approximately five years. In the past several weeks, he has cut his intake dramatically and is now at 3 35mg pills a day. He will be completely out of pills in the next few days. Are there any dangerous symptoms I should watch out for? Do you think we'll have to go to an emergency room or something?
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Hi SH30
I am now in week two of being completely free of Tramadol. The first few days were the worst (see my posting above). Now I feel great and don't even think about Tramadol, apart from coming on this site today. My nights are settled and I sleep well. I am no medic but I doubt whether your husband will suffer any great problems, especially as he's only taking 3 x 35mg per day - that is very low. Forget about emergency rooms there should be no way that sort of thing will be required.
Best of luck to you and your husband, just remember to give him the support if needed - and don't be tempted to let Tramadol into his life again. If he gets any pain returning, from perhaps a previous condition, use other pain killers rather than being tempted back to Tramadol.
I am now in week two of being completely free of Tramadol. The first few days were the worst (see my posting above). Now I feel great and don't even think about Tramadol, apart from coming on this site today. My nights are settled and I sleep well. I am no medic but I doubt whether your husband will suffer any great problems, especially as he's only taking 3 x 35mg per day - that is very low. Forget about emergency rooms there should be no way that sort of thing will be required.
Best of luck to you and your husband, just remember to give him the support if needed - and don't be tempted to let Tramadol into his life again. If he gets any pain returning, from perhaps a previous condition, use other pain killers rather than being tempted back to Tramadol.
Frosty900,
Congrats on being T-Free!
SH30,
Haven't heard from you in awhile. How is your husband?
TramaPaul
Congrats on being T-Free!
SH30,
Haven't heard from you in awhile. How is your husband?
TramaPaul
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