Off of norco but on tramadol.."sigh"

[sissy925]

Hi everyone, been a year since my last post. doing much better than I was then but not as well as I should. I actually did my taper program and have been off of Norco 10s for 3 months now! Happy about that! Dr said NO wd's because my heart can't handle it so they switched me to trams 100mg 3x day. Another slow taper program. Was doing really well for the first 2 months but found myself "self medicating" again. Never ending cycle!!  I was about to call the dr when my 8yr old grandson decided to "help" me by flushing almost everything I had left!! Here's my problem: I have 20 50mg left with 2 weeks until refill. Dr say's they can't authorize an early refill cause of course they made them controlled. So now what? Have I been off of Norco long enough to avoid the worst of the wd's? Am I going to be so sick I can't work? Seems to me if they were that worried about the heart attack thing they would give me something!  Really trying not to call old contacts here. Is there something I can take that mimics tramadol? I just can't go thru wd's...any advice would be greatly appreciated!  

[sissy925]

oh and by the way congratulations on three days clean! Yay :-)

[sissy925]

thank you so much for responding! I've only been on the tramadol for a few months and never had a problem with my dosage which was 2 in the morning 2 in the afternoon to the night until this last script I picked up on Halloween. For some reason I don't know, maybe everything that's been going on in my life I was depressed and I just started eating them like crazy and two weeks later I'm out and like I said my friend gave me 20 with hopefully some more coming in a few days so I'm trying to only have 4 a day but I really feel terrible and that's the only reason I can think of?I mean, would what I've done in the last 2 weeks really affect me this hard?

[Missy1231984]

I've been tapering off tramadol for a couple of months.  I'm now down to 3 days without.  I would say with the withdrawal from tramadol that working will actually help.  Anything that can keep your mind or body busy actually help.  I'm also using gabapentin to help with withdrawl.  

[sissy925]

Hello again,  wanted to catch everyone up on the days events. Talked to the PM DR and she said that my refill on the 29th will be my last. Have to taper down in 1 script. IF I can make it to the 29th! I can't lose my job!! So went begging to family dr for inbetween script. NOPE, instead he gave me clonidine, promethazine for withdrawls and sertraline for depression ..Still want to make it to the date though, so my friend had some trams and gave me 20 and hopefully a refill in a few days.   Def cant taper enough with what I got so I know I wont feel great but with what I do have (also got some Epsom salts and b-12- the melt kind) do you all think I can get thru work? Not really sure how to use clonidine either?

[Katiebug46]

Taper down on those trams.  One a day if it's possible.  U are going to feel awful.  The brain is so used to the trams.  They are not the non opiate pill doctors first thought.  Try the taper and prepare to have imodium and rest.  It's not an easy fix.  

[Sonrissa]

Hi Sissy, I think I understand now. Have you called your doctor to explain the situation? I wouldn't be worried about Norco withdrawals. Tramadol does have withdrawals when you quit taking it, and there are risks when you stop suddenly.  I think you should talk to him about your situation and what can be done, especially in lieu of your heart issues.

Take care, and please let us know what happens.

[atthebeach]

Do you want to get off the tramadol for good or just trying to getting your next refill?
Tramadol is a synthetic opiate. It also has an anti depressant component to it.
It does have detox and withdrawal symptoms associated with it.
More so than the norco which is semi synthetic.

[sissy925]

Sorry I  guess I should have explained better. I wanted off Norco and started to go ct half way thru I had to go to the hospital cause the wd's were affecting my heart and the dr. said not to try it again for fear of heart attack. so I went back on Norco and started a taper program. I got frustrated at how long it was taking and they switched me to tramadol. I'm sorry I didn't explain it right, I'm at work and doing this between customers..

[Sonrissa]

Hi Sissy, I'm not a doctor but this doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe I'm not understanding something. You tapered off of Norco, and then your doctor prescribed Tramadol because your heart can't take withdrawals? Were you already tapered off of Norco? From what I understand, Tramadol withdrawals are worse than Norco. Tramadol withdrawals can cause seizures and other health problems.  If you tapered off of Norco, your withdrawals should have been mild and not a risk to your heart. I don't understand why he would then prescribe Tramadol. Like I said this doesn't make sense to me.   I would call your doctor and explain what happened.

Best wishes, and I'm sorry if I don't understand this correctly.

[jifmoc]

Hi there. May I ask why the doctor gave you trams in the first place? You were already off norco...I'm confused. Do you have a heart condition? (opiate wd sux but it's generally safe.)

[kittysRN]

Three months is long enough to be off Norco but I am unsure of the withdrawal process for tramadol.