I really hate pills...

[FairyDust25]

Hi everyone. I just really need to post something cuz I'm going crazy! I have a problem with Tramadol and I cant seem to get off it. I ran out yesterday and my dr. is not in. I have Tylenol 3. Will that ease the withdrawals until I can get ahold of my dr. to put me on a taper plan? Also I'd like to know if the withdrawl ease they advertise works?? I know that switching one drug for another is really bad, but I'm so miserble! My legs are so restless, it feels like there are a million red fire ants crawling around in my legs and I really dont know how much more I can take!! Thanks!

Just to let you all know I have been taking the tram for about 3 years now, and it was orignally perscribed for Fibro. any advice would be awesome! Thanks

[LeaAnn807]

Hi!  I just got a message from vicki, so here I am!  I had a HORRID time getting off of them.  Was taking about 15 a day and just QUIT!  My arms were out of control.  What I would do is ask the doc for some support meds instead of a taper.  It basically will do the same thing.  You are already into the WDs, so maybe some clonidine and neurontin would be all you would need for a few days to get you through this.  That's what the doc gave me, and it made a difference.  Nothing stops it completely.  Sorry!  Hot baths help.  Cal-Mag-Zinc is the best supplement I tried along with Hyland's Leg Cramps with quinine.  My legs would ache so bad I would cry.  The worst will be over in about 5 days.  Insomnia and low energy hang on for a while, but don't take sleeping pills.  BIG mistake.  Just let it run it's course.  And try not to stay in bed and flip and flop.  Just get up and try to act like it's NOT time to be sleeping!  LOL IT does help.  I drank a lot of apple juice and gatorade.  Can't say I ate much.  Just couldn't do it!  At least not before about day 3.  Also, take a couple doses of imodium every 4 or 5 hours.  It helps the diarrhea and some of the other symptoms.  IDK why, but it does!  Nyquil has an ingredient in it that helps with the RLS (or arms).  I'm not sure how it helps, but it did seem to calm mine some.  I also wrapped up my arms as tight as I could in a blanket before I got in bed.  

There are lots of tricks!  I would hate to be going through this again!  I'm sorry honey!  Let me know if I can help you at all!

[vicki595]

Okay. The thing that's going to work for you will be the very hot baths with Epsom Salts and mag/potassium tablets. Look for K-Mag Aspartate. It works fast and really well.

I remember Tramahater had a horrible time with RLS and her arms. Tramadol seems to be famous for that! She drank apple juice all day and that helped her the most. I did send her a message but she must be running around with the kids...

Let me know how you feel after...

[FairyDust25]

Im going to the store soon so I will check the things you told me out. I dont have Tonic water because I really dont like it at all lol. I have Mirapex here from the dr. and its not helping. I have tried the restful legs and they didnt really work for me either!! But thanks for the suggestion!

[vicki595]

You know, I had the same problem back in the day. I was horribly addicted to Fioricet (a barbiturate). For a long time, I just kept taking it to avoid the withdrawal and the difficulty in making such a life change! I finally bit the bullet and tapered. My taper was very,very slow and I cut back only small amounts at a time. It took months to taper completely off BUT it became easier as the time passed. I had only slight withdrawal during that time and when I finally took the very last pill I was fine. The mental was another story though...

Anyway, I have never tapered Tram but I think it could be the same. A slow taper will be easier for your body to tolerate. So, that's what you do. Just call the doctor and get in there for "the talk". I ended up doing that and it was the best decision! She was wonderfully kind to me,understanding,and mad at herself for not keeping a better "watch" on all those refills! LOL But I put the stupid things down my throat and I knew better!  Anyway,my doctor was an invaluable resource for me and a good friend (still is).

Get the things I have suggested;they'll help. Do you have any Tonic Water in the house? Drink it!!  It contains quinine which is what you need. Oh and you can get some Hyland's Restfull Legs which are just quinine tablets and the stuff works great!!

Let me know what the doctor says...

[FairyDust25]

Hi! I'm a little worse today. My legs are gonna.... well I dont really know but they are going crazy.. and now there's tingling in my arms and fingers too... I didnt sleep at all last night, I just hung around here, and watched some TV in the bed room. I tried to go to sleep but I couldnt make my legs or brain shut up long enough to fall asleep.

Thank you so much for your help, and emailing the others. I just dont know what to do. I want to get off this drug. Its not the drug thats keeping me doing it, its the effect my body has if I dont do it... I dont really get cravings. I dont know I guess I'm just looking for a way to bypass the WD but I'm sure its just wishfull thinking. The T3 just stopped it from getting worse, but did make the icky feeling go away...

[vicki595]

How are you this morning?  

Get your list together and get to the store to get a few things. Here's a suggestion and you can get all of this at Walgreens/Walmart or grocery store:

Epspm Salts for the bath. It contains magnesium and that will be absorbed through your skin. It really helps!

Multi vits, cal/mag supplement.

Orange/apple juice. (You also need potassium.)

Drink as much as you can. A really nice cocktail is orange and cranberry juice mixed with gingerale or 7 up over ice. MMM...

I hope you can reach your doctor today and are able to get in there for a visit. Please go easy on yourself! This happens,it bites,but it can be fixed. Your dose is not as horrible as you think...there are some members who have taken much more than that and are doing quite well now.

I sent "ImDONENoMore" a message and I'll send one to "Tramhater" as well. They're "experts"!

Keep in touch here,okay?   And don't forget to eat!!   Oh...did you know that Tram contains an antidepressant as well?  It does and that explains your mood; your brain chemicals are out of wack. Did the T3 help at all?