tramadol withdrawal, what is helping me

For 21/2 years tramadol helped me function through the moderate to severe pain of long term osteoarthritus (hips and knees).  When beginning to exceed 400 mg. daily I decided to stop it.  Never did I guess this would be so hard, even tapering off slowly during the last 5 weeks.  Many nights were sleepless, or with only a few hours of restless sleep, primarily due to intense restless leg symtoms. The sensation was driving me crazy. Always felt like my nervous system was electrofied and could never relax.  Tried valerian, other herbal and over-the-counter sleep aids, extra calcium and magnesium, often all in a night, to no avaIL.

Finally, a few things others have recommended are really helping me: 6 mg. melatonin at bedtime, L-tyrosine 500 mg 3X day, and 50 mg. potassium gluconate 2X day. Am down to under 100 mg per day now and know I will suceed within the next two weeks.

How to function with the pain again is my next step, but once off tramadol, unless on my deathbed, never will I take another.  Maybe this will help someone!

Rick