How do I deal with withdrawal for the next 72hrs?

[Tramtorture]

I've been on Tramadol for 10 years now. I'm 29. When I was 17 I was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis and fibromyalgia and all the lovely problems that go along with that. I had a therapist who also suffered from fibromyalgia and she suggested I ask my doctor about Tramadol. Back then they didn't consider it habit-forming...so wish they really knew! My entire life it's always taken more than a normal amount of any medication to do what it's meant to do. Sometimes it feels like a cruel joke: give me a condition that puts me in a lot of pain, then slap on a natural high tolerance to things that help. My threshhold for pain is so bad that I have to be fully put under anesthesia just to get my teeth cleaned! I was in the ER last week from a really bad fall at home that happened after a dental procedure. I've been put under about 15 times over the last 2 years because I need massive work on my teeth. Normally I wake up and you'd never even know I had just been under for about 3 hrs. For some reason it hit me harder than normal and I fell while alone in my apartment and eventually had to call 911. I couldn't move because I was in agony from the fall. When I got to the hospital they gave me a decent size shot of morphine before my x-rays...guess what?!?!? It never kicked in. So they gave me another and same thing. What always strikes me as odd is that Tramadol has an effect and morphine doesn't. It's why I've stuck with it so long. Then recently my doctor said he was no longer treating his patients (not just me) for their pain management needs. Well the only pain institute that can see me can't see me till Tues July 19th (5 days from now) and my Tramadol ran out ystdy. I've gone through withdrawal once before and I really wanted to shoot myself because of the symptoms. In fact, if it wasn't for this website with these discussions I may have attempted to "check out" early, but seeing that I'm not alone really helped (mentally though, not physically). My doctor's a bit of a cynic who said that people don't get withdrawal from Tramadol so even though I'm going to attempt to see if he'd be willing to give me just a week's worth so that I can make it to the pain management appt to hold me over, I can't bare the thought of him labeling me and maybe even on top of that refusing to help me out. I hate that I feel like this. I'm ok with being weened off of Tramadol, but cold turkey feels impossible. I never overused the meds and so I don't want him treating me like an addict and looking at me like that for as long as he is my doctor. I don't know what to do if he says no. I'm also really afraid of feeling that there is only one way out to avoid the feeling and that way being as permanent as it gets. I don't want to die, but I'm scared my thinking will go in the direction. I've dealt with people treating me horribly when I need pain medication because they see that I'm young and how could I possibly really need it and if I'm young it must mean I'm trying to get it for kicks. I've NEVER EVER felt that feeling people describe when they take Vicodin or other similar opioids so being treated as if that's the feeling I'm after is beyond frustrating and really hurtful. Salt in the proverbial open wound. I'm just so scared. That fear makes the withdrawal all that much more excruciating. I just don't want to be punished and stigmatized for something I didn't do (abusing/misusing the Tramadol). I'm so happy other people have posted on this. If anyone has ANY ideas that are remotely doable that don't involving using another med to deal with the situation I would be forever in your debt. Help!

[coiledraven]

In my opinion and personal experience, tappering will do nothing but prolong the suffering you will exeperience. Iam not a doctor and I do realize everyone works differently. this is more for the people taking more then whatt they were prescribed.

I stopped june 7th. The first month was less than perfect. BUT the depression goes away within that time frame. My energy level is way up from what is was. I was in the dephs of hell for weeks and then one day i strarted to feel better. Now with each day it getting a tad better.

Those first 3 weeks were the tougest. But hey, If I can do it, you can to.
Trust me. I over abused ultram for close to  7 years.

If you want to msg me. please feel free to do so.

[Tramtorture]

Thank you for your great and valuable advice. I saw my regular doctor today and asked if he would give me enough to hold me over til Tuesday and he was way more understanding than I thought he'd be. I am actually looking forward to working with the new pain management doctor to taper off the tramadol for good. It's gonna be tough, but this way I'm not doing it alone cold turkey. Oddly the only thing I'm really scared of now is not finding another treatment whether it be shots or meds or whatever, that can help me function day to day. Tramadol was the only thing that ever truly helped me with the pain. So for now I'll just cross my fingers. At the same time I will begin receiving injections to help with my debilitating migraines. I'm really crossing my fingers for that one because NOTHING and I mean NOTHING has ever gotten rid or prevented a migraine for me other than sleeping it off which isn't always an option. So anyway just want to say thanks for the advice and support. :)

[sickofpillsandpain]

Heres a thought:: look up tramadol/ultram on web md or wikilook or something like that and print out some studies on the effect tramadol has on the body and brain and take it to your dr. any maybe then he/she will realize it is powerful and will help you with a wean/taper plan. tramadol is almost the same makeup as effexor ( a strong anti depressant) and they would never in a million yrs (unless they are an a-hole) tell you to just stop taking them. It could wreak havoc on your system. try to get a holf of your dr and get in there to see him/her and take them some info so at least you have some sort of proof from professionals =] i hope this helps! good luck to you!

[LeaAnn807]

Hi!  Try to take a deep breath here!  It's going to be ok.  The best possible thing you could do for yourself is quit the tramadol.  I know that you do need it for pain, but it will ruin your life.  The recommendable way of doing this, given the amount of time you've taken it would be to speak with a doctor about it and get a proper plan to get off of it.  I know you don't want to be labeled, but you will likely need some help.  I mean.....you CAN do it alone.  I did.  I'm not going to lie and tell you it'll be easy.  Quite the opposite!!!!  It's misery.  You have to be in the right mindset.  That is most important.  You seem to be telling yourself already that you can't do it, and that sets you up for failure.

Can you make an appointment with your doctor today?  You just really need professional advice about it, and then I can help support you here.  You have some underlying health issues, and it may not be safe to do the CT way.  Ok?  Let me know.  It's gonna be ok! : )  There are actually some things you can get otc to help some of the symptoms!

[gnarly_1]

HI WElcome vto the forum .....tram is no fun coming off of from what I here it probably the only drug I never got messed up with but we do have a couple of members here who know it well I will send them a message to look for your post give it a day one is tramhater she is good with this drug from what I have read it cant just be stoped you have to taper doawn let us know the dose your on they will be able to give you some advise on what to do good luck and God bless........Gnarly