Aa
Tramadol Addiction and tapering off
I've been taking Tramadol for over 3 years now, but only taking it as prescribed. But that means that I've been taking it every 4 to 6 hours for 3 years. At one time (about 2 yrs ago) I had some "reserves" of it and I was taking more than I should for quite a while and decided to stop taking it, cold turkey. (NOTE: Duirng this binge I didn't request any refills, so my doctor denied any refills after that.) I knew it made me feel better than normal when taking it, but I had no idea how bad I would feel by not taking it any longer.
The first day out was not TOO bad, but I didn't know to blame the mildly bad feeling and mild diarhea on the Tram withdrawals, as I didn't know what withdrawals were or that I should even expect to have them with Tram, after all it's "non-addictive" right?
That night was one of the worst experiences of my life, if not THE worst. I woke and began vomiting and had severe diarhea. The crying was unrelenting and powerful. I could not stop crying for days. I say "for days" because I eventually found a way to get another prescription (more on that later.) It was so bad that I called a friends mother who was hooked on opiates during the time I was a teenager. She later cleaned up and began going to AlAnon and NarcAnon meetings. She's a great person now, so I figured talking to her would help. It did help a little, but the whole time I tried talking to her I was crying uncontrollably and had to put the phone down several times. She told me that I could overcome it but it would not be easy, and that I MUST stop soon. She said to call her any time if I needed help. The withdrawals had given me such a false feeling of extreme guilt for calling her and burdening her with the news that I couldn't bring myself to call her back.
Three days later I was so angry and sad about the condition I was in that I went to the Walgreens where I had picked up my scrips and told the head pharmacist that I wanted them to put a note on my name that says to NEVER allow me to pick up any more of this medication. I told them how bad it was and that something MUST be done about the false representation of this medications addictive properties. She gave me a "ok, whatever" attitude and acted like she was noting my account.
This is where I gave up and found a way to get another refill. Although the doctor would not authorize a refill I created an online account with Walgreens to look at my scrip history and saw that the scrip had an indication that refills were authorized 'unlimited' until a year later. That meant that all I had to do was put a check-mark on the scrip and submit the request for the order. Sure enough, I submitted it, and THAT DAY I was able to go back to the SAME Walgreens and pick up the refill.
Once that year of refills ran out, I found another doctor to keep it going, and he's been filling it every time I request it for about 2 years now.
I've been taking it, not to feel GOOD, but to not feel bad for all that time because I'm so VERY afraid of the withdrawals again.
But there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. I recently began tapering down after reading this entire series of posts for the 100th time.
What's surprising is how quickly I've been able to taper it off. I was taking 5 per day religiously for 2 years. I immediately cut it down to 3 and, although I didn't feel GOOD, I didn't feel very bad, and no diarhea or crying or vomiting. The worst part so far has been that my RLS has come back. Tram has worked FLAWLESSLY at stopping my RLS (restless leg syndrome) and I may actually keep some tram for helping me get to sleep when the RLS gets bad.
The next day (after taking only 3) I cut back to 2.5. Again, it wasn't easy, but I was determined. The day after that I cut back to only 2, and on that day my RLS was pretty bad, but I refused to take any more of this for RLS until I was sure I could beat the "addiction" to it.
Today I'm on track to take only 1.5. It's a real challenge, but I'm doing it, and I can't begin to tell you how good that feels.
The really crappy part of all of this is that 2 years ago, when I went through the severe withdrawals, I told my wife and family about the addiction and have convinced them that I have not taken any for the last 2 years. What's worse is that I have a 3 year-old daughter and I've been on this stuff the entire time she's been alive.
I have to say though, that Tram has definately smoothed out my mood for the last 3 years and has given me the energy and desire to do many productive things that I normally probably would not have done. Though at the same time, I have neglected my family because I don't feel any guilt or remorse while taking it. So I was able to avoid the guilt of neglecting my family while doing other things (like starting and running an internet business in the evenings).
It's time to end this charade of happiness and get back to actually being happy with real life.
Also, when tapering off you may find that you experience sudden, short bursts of a dizzy sensation. I felt the same thing when I stopped taking Zoloft. It happens mostly when you quickly turn your head or just look quickly in another direction. It's normal during the withdrawal process.
The first day out was not TOO bad, but I didn't know to blame the mildly bad feeling and mild diarhea on the Tram withdrawals, as I didn't know what withdrawals were or that I should even expect to have them with Tram, after all it's "non-addictive" right?
That night was one of the worst experiences of my life, if not THE worst. I woke and began vomiting and had severe diarhea. The crying was unrelenting and powerful. I could not stop crying for days. I say "for days" because I eventually found a way to get another prescription (more on that later.) It was so bad that I called a friends mother who was hooked on opiates during the time I was a teenager. She later cleaned up and began going to AlAnon and NarcAnon meetings. She's a great person now, so I figured talking to her would help. It did help a little, but the whole time I tried talking to her I was crying uncontrollably and had to put the phone down several times. She told me that I could overcome it but it would not be easy, and that I MUST stop soon. She said to call her any time if I needed help. The withdrawals had given me such a false feeling of extreme guilt for calling her and burdening her with the news that I couldn't bring myself to call her back.
Three days later I was so angry and sad about the condition I was in that I went to the Walgreens where I had picked up my scrips and told the head pharmacist that I wanted them to put a note on my name that says to NEVER allow me to pick up any more of this medication. I told them how bad it was and that something MUST be done about the false representation of this medications addictive properties. She gave me a "ok, whatever" attitude and acted like she was noting my account.
This is where I gave up and found a way to get another refill. Although the doctor would not authorize a refill I created an online account with Walgreens to look at my scrip history and saw that the scrip had an indication that refills were authorized 'unlimited' until a year later. That meant that all I had to do was put a check-mark on the scrip and submit the request for the order. Sure enough, I submitted it, and THAT DAY I was able to go back to the SAME Walgreens and pick up the refill.
Once that year of refills ran out, I found another doctor to keep it going, and he's been filling it every time I request it for about 2 years now.
I've been taking it, not to feel GOOD, but to not feel bad for all that time because I'm so VERY afraid of the withdrawals again.
But there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. I recently began tapering down after reading this entire series of posts for the 100th time.
What's surprising is how quickly I've been able to taper it off. I was taking 5 per day religiously for 2 years. I immediately cut it down to 3 and, although I didn't feel GOOD, I didn't feel very bad, and no diarhea or crying or vomiting. The worst part so far has been that my RLS has come back. Tram has worked FLAWLESSLY at stopping my RLS (restless leg syndrome) and I may actually keep some tram for helping me get to sleep when the RLS gets bad.
The next day (after taking only 3) I cut back to 2.5. Again, it wasn't easy, but I was determined. The day after that I cut back to only 2, and on that day my RLS was pretty bad, but I refused to take any more of this for RLS until I was sure I could beat the "addiction" to it.
Today I'm on track to take only 1.5. It's a real challenge, but I'm doing it, and I can't begin to tell you how good that feels.
The really crappy part of all of this is that 2 years ago, when I went through the severe withdrawals, I told my wife and family about the addiction and have convinced them that I have not taken any for the last 2 years. What's worse is that I have a 3 year-old daughter and I've been on this stuff the entire time she's been alive.
I have to say though, that Tram has definately smoothed out my mood for the last 3 years and has given me the energy and desire to do many productive things that I normally probably would not have done. Though at the same time, I have neglected my family because I don't feel any guilt or remorse while taking it. So I was able to avoid the guilt of neglecting my family while doing other things (like starting and running an internet business in the evenings).
It's time to end this charade of happiness and get back to actually being happy with real life.
Also, when tapering off you may find that you experience sudden, short bursts of a dizzy sensation. I felt the same thing when I stopped taking Zoloft. It happens mostly when you quickly turn your head or just look quickly in another direction. It's normal during the withdrawal process.
flashing ,
I have been clean from tramadol for almost 90 days now . I have gone both cold turkey and tapered off the withdrwal from the taper was so much more bearable. You are doing well keep it up
avis
I have been clean from tramadol for almost 90 days now . I have gone both cold turkey and tapered off the withdrwal from the taper was so much more bearable. You are doing well keep it up
avis
You would be better off taking a real narcotic sorry to say. The "head" symptoms you are reffering to are like antidpressant withdrawl because this drug has antidepressant properties like a zoloft or another. This is one reason this is a hard drug to kick and should be more controlled soon. all the best
You got it flash - need to add that the dizzy's are probably like postural hypotension - not a dangerous thing - and as you say, normal- you can be even happier in real life - you know that - I can't help but wonder if the business might not have been even better if you were running it by yourself and not with your little helpers - your family is really important here - getting back to being happy with real life is an admirable goal - I wish you all of the best.....
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Social Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
