Getting off Tramadol

[accidentaladdict]

I have been taking 4 50mg tabs of tramadol a day for a year for a back injury. I did not abuse this drug. I never seemed to develop tolerance either although my doctor warned me I would. He also told me I would become physically dependent on them. I asked how bad the withdrawal would be and he said "Go to the ER bad."

When he phoned in my last prescription it was cut in half. Instead of 120 a month, it was 60 a month. I guess he thinks it's time for me to taper off?

Is this going to be bad? I have noticed on the days I forget to take one, I do get some withdrawal symptoms. That's one. This will be cutting two a day. I'm really afraid because I have to go to work.

Please don't tell me to go see him or call him to discuss this because he's always right and I'm wrong.

[accidentaladdict]

Ok, I got nowhere asking to see a doctor. I was told the doctors call patients if they need to talk to them. My doctor did call me before so I asked that he call me. He didn't.

I was reading a post on here from someone whose doctor dropped them for trying to get off and maybe that is what I'm dealing with. So my new plan is to say I have no idea why I ever wanted to stop this medication and can my doctor please get me my old script back.

Then I will just taper off myself and let them think I'm just a nice compliant patient.

He kept saying he didn't understand why I wanted to off my meds. So I think that must be what is going on.

In the meantime, I'm running out fast while no doctor will see me or even talk to me.

[LeaAnn807]

Yep, it's hell on earth!  No doubt about it.  The thing is, if you taper it will certainly drag it out longer, but it's probably less painful other than it takes so long!  (some say it's also safer)  I had to get it done!  There are meds they can give you to help the WDs so that you can function.  Maybe that would be a better route for you?  Maybe run that by the doctor?  Let me be clear though.....there is NO drug on the planet that will take all the tramadol WDs away.  Unlike regular opiate WD, where suboxone or methadone will stop them, tram WD is a whole different deal.  You have to suffer through some of it in order to get off of them!  It's not good news, but it can be done!  : )

[accidentaladdict]

I actually did talk to the doctor by phone. He returned my call. He couldn't even understand why I had stopped the tramadol and since I was also sick at the time, I was running my symptoms by him and he would tell me if they were withdrawal or illness. All were withdrawal.

He didn't know about the cut in the prescription to 60 a month. He said talk to his nurse if I needed more during the taper. I did that. She sounded completely clueless but said she would ask him.

In the meantime, I have a fever again. I didn't ask if that was illness or withdrawal because it had gone away. Now it's back.

I'm just losing my mind. I've missed so much work. I am trying to call now and I am going to demand to see a doctor. Not a PA. Not a NP. It's not that I don't think they're competent but apparently they're limited as to what they can do. They are still calling in cholesterol prescriptions to my pharmacy and that is the least of my worries right now. I'm hardly eating anything and I'm not starting new medications until I find out what is going on.

As for seeing my PCP, I got an appointment in June. That was the earliest I could get.

I was released to go back to work and I can't stay home. I do not have a doctor's excuse.

And thank you for making me laugh this morning. The last sentence of your post cracked me up. Yeh, I'd say the two days I tried to cold turkey were not the best two days I've ever had either. I told the nurse it was like going to hell. At least I know what hell is now and I'm motivated to get to heaven. :)

Wish me luck.

[LeaAnn807]

That's a hard question.  Only you really know what you can handle.  I guess you could make an appt and talk to the doc and get the script???  They probably won't let you speak to him over the phone.  Doctors are not real prone to talking on the phone with patients, at least where I'm from!  And you're right......it may be that the more you call, the crazier they think you are.  You could taper faster.  Definitely do that if he refuses to call in any more meds.  The more you can taper before you stop, the easier it will be!  That's about the best advice I can give.  I didn't taper.  I went cold turkey from about 15 pills a day.  It was not the best week of my life!

[accidentaladdict]

Update. I cut to 3 1/2 a day. The withdrawal has been mild. Now, I feel the anxiety and have some trouble sleeping but compared to cold turkey hell, it is nothing. I went back to work today.

I realize the taper will get harder as I go along because the percentage of the total will increase. Say now I'm cutting 10%. Next cut will be 25%. This isn't accurate. I'm just throwing numbers out there.

So I called my doctor's nurse today as instructed. I realized there is no way 60 are going to last long.

She acted completely clueless. I told her the doctor said to call if I was going to run out and I was going to run out and I did not want to go back to hell. I think she is one of the ones who think the withdrawal is not that bad and I'm a drama queen judging by her reaction.

Anyway, she said she would talk to the doctor and see what he wanted to do.

I don't think anyone there talks to anyone else. They just put everything in the computerized chart and run around with their little laptops typing in new notes every time they get a chance.

And I keep getting calls from the pharmacy because they're calling prescriptions for cholesterol meds and niacin and I don't even have a niacin deficiency. At least, no told me I did.

Anyway, to cut to the chase, should I start tapering faster or something or just do it my way until I run out and go cold turkey again. I won't be able to work or function and I really hated that hell but it's looking like I won't have a choice. I can't keep calling. The more I call, the more they're going to be noting "drug seeking" behavior on my chart.

[Jimmy1975]

My God another horror story about this drug ! What the Hell are these doctors thinking or are they  ! Every person I talk to has told me that has taken Tramadol has said it makes Vicodin withdrawals look like a walk in the park ! Just look at one of our members names .(Tramahater) When I first came to medhelp in July of 2007 I never saw any post about this so called miracle drug for opiates . Like most of you know I came so close to feeling a prescription of this drug a month ago when my doctor told me how it was a great alternative to Vicodin without the nasty side effects or euphoric high . I just happened to come across the large post we were having about this and nearly fell out of my chair ! God bless you people for saving us from more agony and for you people getting of of this crap ! We are al here to help you ! God bless.. Jimmy