Anesthesia procedure for opiate addiction; does it work?

[KMc13]

This is my first time posting so I'm not sure if I'm doing this right; if I should be posting in another area or under a different topic then please someone point me in the right direction! I am 37 years old and have been taking Tramadol or Ultram or Ultracet for approx. 5 years now. I have never gone over 8 pills at 50 mg per day so 400 mg. per day max but I have never gone under 6 pills a day or 300 mg either. I was told I had spinal stenosis and herniated discs and physical therapy never helped and my doctor insisted Tramadol was not addictive as I didn't want to get on something like vicodin...(I had a close call becoming dependent upon vicodin when I had bunion surgery back in my 20's and had vicodin for the pain prescribed to me and ended up being on it for a little over a year so I knew I had an addictive nature). Well I guess my doctor just hadn't been properly informed as he kept prescribing it to me for 3 years straight to deal with my back and lower leg pain. Whenever I tried to stop taking it to see if I was still in alot of pain; the symptoms I would encounter were so horrible that I would just take the pills to stop those symptoms. I tried stopping approx. 6 times during my first 2 years on it. I told my doctor my concerns and he said it was all in my head and it was not addicting and after 2 years of me trying to explain to him what I was finding on the internet and explaining my symptoms; he simply told me he was not going to prescribe it for me anymore as I must be having an allergic reaction! To this date he refuses to acknowledge that Tramadol is addicting and my mom; who also happens to be his Office Manager refuses to believe it is addicting either which led me to ordering it off of different websites and hiding from most of my family that I even take it (my fiancee and one of my sister-in-laws and my sister are the only ones who know). The kicker is; I just found out this past May; I had been misdiagnosed all these years and had hip dysplasia; where my hip had been dislocated and most likely had been since birth but sometimes symptoms don't start presenting themselves in women until they are in their 20's - 30's so I had hip replacement surgery 2 weeks after being diagnosed and I am pain free finally for the first time in years yet I can not stop taking the Tramadol and I don't know what to do anymore. My fiancee just recently found some information about a procedure in which during light anesthesia for a few hours; the opiates are removed thus removing most of the wd symptoms. Has anyone had this procedure or does anyone know someone that had this procedure? If so; do you know if it's costly and most importantly; does it work? It states that it takes 48 - 72 hours and you can return to normal life with no symptoms then but they recommend you do go to classes weekly or enroll in NA, etc. to address the mental issues of addiction...I work full time, have an 11 year old son and recently got engaged and I know that I would have to basically lock myself in my room for at least a week if I did try to quit cold turkey and right now; I can not be off work that long unless I want to be out of a job so this procedure may be the answer but I am scared because it's a new procedure and again, not even sure how much it costs. I have to get my life back. I have to. My fiancee is worried about me as are my sister and sister-in-law; they want me to get better and want to help me anyway they can but I don't know how to even help myself right now. I am afraid I am going to end up dead if I don't get off these pills and I don't want to die...I tried to deny I had a problem for years; quoting what my doctor had said over and over and actually convincing myself it was not addicting and just an allergic reaction but that was just the denial talking. I know now I need help. I can admit now out loud for the first time in my life that I am scared I am going to die if I don't get off these damn pills.

[KMc13]

I started reading more about PAWS and things like that and I'm realizing that you are right; there is no quick fix. No matter what there is a long road ahead of me; most likely for the rest of my life. It scares me that my Dr. didn't even know this was addictive when he gave it to me and to date wont admit it is...I saw alot of other people writing how they were given it and told it was not addictive. I wish there was something I could get involved in to educate the Dr's about giving out drugs before knowing all of the details. I don't even understand why tramadol is so easy to order from websites. I think I am going to have to wait until Spring Break when I'm off work for 10 days straight and go cold turkey during that time. Does anyone know if it'll help  to start cutting down the amount I take and how often I should do that and by how much? Any advice is so appreciated. I've been reading through alot of posts and see how much you really need people and a good support system and a plan after you get the drugs out of your system and to take each day as it comes and to not think ahead and for the first time; I don't feel so alone and I feel like people get me even without knowing me. It's a good feeling to have even though it's under horrible circumstances. Thanks for the replies thus far.

[newway]

Tramadol is very addicting, and the withdrawal is difficult.  From my experience there is no quick fix - you have to go through the withdrawal.  
Hopefully others will post with suggestions - I slowly tapered off  25 a day and then went c/t when I got down to and amount where the taper was no longer working - I felt like I was in withdrawal all the time.
Keep posting and reading - others will be along to offer suggestions and share their experiences.
Good luck.

[wannawean]

Your post is fine and in the right place wow. Ur doc's a piece of work!!!! The procedure is expensive i had a friend go thru it> She had narcan implants put in also as a part of the procedure...I saw part of a documentary once and as a nurse it scared me!!! They used a drug called propofol to sedate the patient, she was sneezing and going thru all the w/d while under it was weird to me? I guess it's safe if done in a VERY controlled HOSPITAL enviroment...Ultram was my doc and it is wicked I was taking more a day around 13 or so?/day with norco's. i quit one time when i was pregnant and to be honest it did take me awhile @ that dose to feel better....but i did eventually feel better. I understand about bein busy w/wk and all. Best wishes to ya!!!

[716]

heard it costs about 10k and it is not worth it.  never have i heard a good thing about it,  somebody experienced might help you more.