HELP! I AM TRYING TO GET OFF TRAMADOL!

[chrisntn26]

I HAVE BEEN TAKING TRAMADOL FOR A YEAR....I WAS UP TO 800 MG A DAY...NOW I AM DOWN TO 400MG A DAY....I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO GET THEM....SO STARTING TODAY I NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW I AM GOING TO SELF DETOX MYSELF....PLEASE HELP ME...ANY SUGGSTIONS FOR A GUY WITHOUT INSURANCE TO GET HIS LIFE BACK????HELP

[ItalianJerseyGirl]

I am so thankful that I found this forum and see that other people are going through what I am going through.  I have been taking Tramadol for only two weeks at 300mg a day for pain after the surgery that I had.  When I had no more pain from the surgery I stopped taking them. OMG that was the biggest mistake, the first night I could not stop the feeling of my skin crawling, shaking, sweating, you name it I had it plus no sleep, it was aweful.  So what I did was go down to two pills a day 100mg just for about 3 days, this helped alot then I went down to just 1/2 pill a day an hour before I would go to bed and that helped I did that for a couple of days too.... NOW I stopped cold turkey and am having WD's so bad it is unreal.  I tried to taper off which I thought I was doing correctly but it did not work..I AM SO TIRED I HAVE NOT SLEPT IN TWO DAYS... At this point I am I don't know what I should do... go back to taking Tramadol 1/2 pill or just keep going with the cold turkey.  It's hard because I have to work of course and cannot focus on what I have to do plus I cannot keep still I have to walk around the office all the time or stand at my desk.  Everyone in my office knows what is going on and are understanding but I still feel like an idiot ya know!  I just keep praying that God will make this go away!  I will never-ever take this medication again!  My prayers go to everyone here that has taken it and trying to get past the WD's.  God Bless.

[mom_of_two136]

Maybe you can work with your doctor to figure out a tapering plan. I have heard it usually recommended to reduce 25% every four days. Usually the worst of the physical symptome if going CT is over with in 4-7 days. Drinks lost of water and exercise when you can it really helps. You were on it for a short period of time so hopefully it will not last long. I would suggest talking to your doctor about this. Best wishes.

[litlgrllost]

I found a supplement in Supper Supplements called GABA. Also try taking a stress supplement that has Valarian in it. It helps with nerves and panic attacks. GABA is a natural occuring chemical in the brain and helps you sleep. You can Google it and read more. But I have used it and it helps! My heart goes out to each and everyone of you. It happens to the best of us. Dont feel like a looser or a druggie. I didnt even want to take this evil pill but my Rhumatologist INSISTED it was safe! Yeah untill you stop taking it (even if you only use the receommend dose) and you feel like crawling out of your skin. Or start having a panic attack while having a bout of restless arm/leg syndrome.
I have taken Hydrocodone after both my C-sections and never had to taper off them. I stopped taking them when I had no more pain and that was THAT! Not Tramadol! Take care! GET sleep, take supplements and cuddle your heating pad!  You can do it!!

[theck]

Hi I was taking up to 20 pills a day last time I quit.  I went thtough hell to get off them in the first place, but got back on them again anyway.  I just liked the feeling of being able to do a lot and the first time I was on it it helped me stay super thin, I am 5'7'' and I weighed 114lbs last time.  SO anyhow I got back on it again to get back into the not eating and having tons of energy but I didn't get up to the doses that I used to so it really had no effect on me this time except I need it, and it started to effect my life again. Plus I was ordering it online and it gets expensive.  
So anyhow i wanted to give everyone else hope and my advise on getting off.  Weening is really the way to do it.  I was taking 8-10 a day, I know that this isn't as much as others are taking and I have only been on them again for 6 months but I think that how I have been handeling it would work for everyone will minimal amount of pain.  SO I went from taking 2 in the morning and every 4 hrs to taking 1- 3 times a day and then 2 at night.  Then once that started feeling ok I lessened it to 1-2 times a day and 1.5 at night, about 5 days later I reduced it again by waiting a couple hours after I woke up and then only taking half of one.  I would wait a couple hours and if I wasn't feeling ok I would take another half then like 6 hrs later take another half. and then another half if I needed to before bed.  THen at night I would take 3/4ths of one. and I kept reducing it like that untill I got to taking half 2 times a day and 3/4ths at night about 3 days.  Then I only took half during the day  when I start feeling like that tingly bad feeling and then I take a hot shower and then only again if I really needed it.  

Today I have only take 1/4th of one at around 630 pm and I will take 1/2 tonight before bed.  hopefully tommorrow I will be able to take none during the day and 1/2 at night.  Then once I can do that I will reduce it to 1/4 at night.. THen when I decide I can handel it I will just take some nyquil or tylelonal pm or similar and i will be off it agin.  FOR GOOD!!  

The thing is to be strong, try to focus on the fact that you will get through this and you will get back to normal.

My sister is in nursing school and she said that basically the brain makes the opiod naturally, but when you are taking these pills your body stops producing it because it is already getting it from the tramadol, so when you stop taking it your body hurts becasue its freaking out and isn't making the opioed.  So by reducing it and allowing your body to start needing to produce it slowly it will reduce the pain adn anxiety of the withdrawls.

I really want to take more too, but I am not allowing it, and once I get down to 1/4th at night after the 3rd night I am flushing the rest (if I have any I have like 6 pills) If you can do that, show your self you have the strenght to be done and get rid of what you have. YOU WILL FEEL AWESOME!

I know how this drug effects everyday life, I went on vacation to costa rica and I was freaking out like what if they stop me, what if my BF finds out I am taking then again.  Always having to take them, its aweful so good luck to all of us!  Having a support system like this or family is key, be strong! we can get throught it!

[petunia3334]

I have been on Tramadol for the past five months. I was taking 16 a day. I had a grand mal seizure without any warning this past Tuesday afternoon. It was Thanksgiving week so I cant see my Dr. till tomorrow.
I had taken tramadol before with no problem. Since my seizure I have only taken 6 a day. Will I likely have another seizure while im tapering off tramadol? I'm so afraid.

[PromisedLand]

I'd suggest you MAY want to start a new post on this subject as the original goes back a couple years and some people may not want to wade throughh all the replies to respond.  

My other advice would be to discuss all of this with your doctor...I believe I've read that coming off of tramadol could cause seizures...I'm not sure about the use/abuse of the med however.


Jim