Please Help! Lortab withdrawl symptoms?

[bayougirl2008]

I posted this question earlier and didn't get any answers so i'm going to re-post. I've been trying to taper and have been experienceing some very scary symptoms (which i am assuming are related to the tapering).


hi all. this is my first post. I have been on Lortab 10/500 since February. I have recently tried cutting back on my dosage to try and get off of them. For the past 4 days i have been experiencing new side effects that are STRANGE. I find that taking one pill makes me extremely dizzy and light headed (this was not the case before). I also keep getting these "shock" sensations going through my brain then traveling throughout my whole body. My heart rate is also abnormally high.  I've been taking this medication for a while now and have never had a problem, now all of a sudden my body is acting like i've never had it before. Anybody experience anything like this? I'm worried that maybe my body has just had too much and the meds are slowly killing me. Please respond - I will feel better if I hear others opinions

[DMX993838]

Hello Bayougirl,

  I'm sorry for such a late response!  

  But your symptoms seem way too familiar to me for me to pass up commenting.  
   First time I had these symptoms were actually back in 2003 when I was taking Effexor for some depression and low energy.   I know Effexor affects/increases specifically 2 chemicals: Serotonin and Norepinephrine.   When I told my doctor about these "brain zaps" or "brain shocks" I was getting, he took me straight off the effexor and right on to Paxil (which only affects serotonin alone).

   But today, 2022, is a whole NEW problem.   I'm having very similar "brain zaps" when I reduce my Tramadol dosage.   I did some research which indicated Tramadol ALSO affects the same 2 brain chemicals as Effexor:  Serotonin and Norepinephrine.   But Tramadol affects a third one also:  The Opiate receptor.

   Even though tramadol may be classified as a "painkiller",  I think we must not forget that Tramadol affects Serotonin and Norepinephrine as well because that reminds me that those 2 other chemicals can really add to the side effects and tapering/withdrawal effects.

   I know you got this from Lortab, (a drug I never even took--not even Vicodin--I think I'm allergic).... But I just wanted to tell you how parallel your experience was to mine.

   Bayougirl:  Did you find any remedy to help your symptoms like "Myoclonus"?

  For me, I think the next time I get Tramadol taper/withdrawal effects,  I might as well take a small dose of Effexor just for a maximum of 2 days hoping it may stop those debilitating brain zaps.

   Has anybody else on this forum had experience with Tramadol causing Brain Zaps?   How did you handle it?

Thank you everyone for reading!  GOD BLESS!

[drgla84]

Hey I've been going through exactly what you've described and the zaps do subside once you start decreasing your intake.

[bayougirl2008]

I know you think it sounds like seizures, however, I found a condition that describes what i'm having to a "T" so I do not think it's seizures. If you don't agree, read up on "Opiate Induced Myoclonus". Then maybe you'll understand.
From what I read, this is VERY VERY uncommon and you may not have heard of it before but i'm positive that is what it is.

[refusingbondage]

I felt the same way reading your post - not glad your going through it, but happy to know I was right, the docs were wrong it wasn't narcolepsy nor was I going crazy.  I haven't had it in a long time.  It started in the middle, more toward the end of my 9 year painkiller addiction and when I went for the sleep study the doc put me on sleep meds which curbed it and at least made me capable of getting sleep.  I wasnt ready to quit back then.  I do not recommend that because it enabled me to continue my addiction for a while.  The best way to avoid it is to quit.  But your know that!  Good luck and no, you are not alone :)

[bayougirl2008]

i'm so glad to hear from you. I've  been dealing with the shocks for years  but the sleep paralysis just started yesterday. I am so happy to know that I'm not alone in this (not happy you go through it though, not saying that at all). I researched this all day yesterday and found that there is actually a named condition for these shocking sensations when on opiates, and it affects approximately 2% of users. I hope you're doing well in your recovery.

[refusingbondage]

WOW I suffered the exact same stuff while taking opiates.  For years.  It was extremely scary.  At first I thought I was going crazy (hearing weird stuff "in my head") or having seizures every night.  That is exactly what it felt like, like my brain was being shocked and not only felt it but I HEARD it at night.  The sleep paralysis feels just like having seizures.  For no reason at all I would get sleepy and tingly all over.  I ultimately was so afraid to go to sleep I stopped and got bad insomnia for being so scared.  Went to a sleep dr. and told him I was taking a huge amount of opiates and I thought it was that and he said NO way it was narcolepsy.  It was not narcolepsy.  The symptoms were similar but I KNOW now that it wasnt, because it started with the opes and ended with the opes.  You are the first person I've ever heard of who had the same thing.   The good news is you want to quit and this is just one of many reasons why you should.  It will stop when you stop.   Good luck!  

[mtgoat911]

sounds like seizures

[wayway1414]

I've had the shock sensation before. But not from comeing off opiates, i got it from comeing off of my Paxil (anyidepressent). But i bet you are getting them due to the quick decrease of seratonin in your brain. And the high heart rate is very common when coming when quitting such a strong drug!!!

[paul300]

>>>I also keep getting these "shock" sensations going through my brain then traveling throughout my whole body. My heart rate is also abnormally high.

Yes, I've had those symptoms before and they are not pleasant. Just because I've had them doesn't mean you should keep close tabs of your situation. If this keeps up more than a few days I highly recommend seeing your doctor.

[HelpinUtah]

That's interesting about what you read.  I hope you start feeling better soon!!!  Hang in there and it's so worth it!  

My prayers and thoughts are with you!

[road2recovery]

I have never heard of that, but it is interesting, and will look it up...there are a few really good nurses here, and i am sure they will be able to help you with this...I hope you start feeling better...I can understand why you would panic, that doesn't sound like a good experience....
good luck
r2r

[Ryan1989]

I used to be addicted to lortab, but i never had any of the symptoms you speek of. i would take 3 at a time and after the high would not feel the things you are talking about.  I do not believe it is because of withdrawals but then again im not a doctor.  even after weeks of not taking it, i never felt those things.  Sorry and hope this helps

[bayougirl2008]

nothing else daily. I occasionally take xanax in very small doses AS NEEDED only! I have been reading up on this because when i was woken up the last time i tried sleeping my body was paralyzed, and there is a condition called Opiate Induced Myoclonus which explains my symptoms. this has been somewhat of a relief because before finding this i had no clue what was going on and thought i was literally dying. Guys, these pills are NOT worth all of these side effects. Why do i want to take something that makes me feel like i am dying? it sounds stupid when you put it like that.
I am so scared of feeling this way again, i don't even want to taper anymore, i just want to quit cold turkey but i know i have to taper. UGH this is so frustrating!!!
and to mtgoat911, your post was there i apologize. I was just in a state of panic and was hoping someone else had these same symptoms.

[road2recovery]

I also apologize , i didn't see your post...I have not had any of those side effects from quitting lortabs...But when i was weaning off of lexapro i had some of that, but it wasn't that severe...Are you taking any other meds??
r2r

[mtgoat911]

i responded, did it not show up?

[rue10]

I'm sorry no one has commented.  It's very frustrating when you have a legitimate question.  Could be people are on their way home from work and will be on later.

I cannot help you with your question, but please hang in there until someone with better knowledge responds.

Blessings.