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Quitting Tramadol cold turkey while pregnant
Hi there, i need to talk to someone who was successful at stopping Tramadol cold turkey while pregnant. I am 33 weeks pregnant and my doctors will not do a slow taper so i have no choice but to quit CT.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Going ct while pregnant is not a good choice. The baby will feel everything you are going thru. Do you have enough pills to do a slower taper?
I did not run out of my pills. I am at 7 today. The reason I am really starting to contemplate CT is because I just found out my husband will be out of town all next week (he doesn't know about addiction). He will be out of town and I can take off of work also if I wanted too. My son will be in daycare all day everyday. I feel like this is the perfect opportunity to go through the w/d's since my husband is not home. I am doing ok at tapering but it is extremely difficult because I feel like such crap and yet I am still at 7 pills a day:( Next week I will be able to take baths all day and deal with the w/d's all by myself. It has been extremely difficult tapering and trying to hide it from my husband. I almost find myself getting more anxiety and stress just because he is around. We have a good marriage, it's just he has been really stressed at work and his mood isn't the best lately either. It feels like we are both picking at each other, yet he has no idea what I going through. Anyway, I just can't help but think this is my chance to get a good solid week alone to deal with this. Obviously continuing to taper will take me a lot longer to be done for good and I a still going through the w/d's. I don't know what to do:(
Hun you have to continue to taper. Start 6 pills tomorrow. You could go into labor ct at 7 pills.
How many days have you been at 7 pills? Treat your symptoms. Make sure you stay hydrated and are eating. Move around as much as possible.hot baths with Epsom salts, eat bananas
I am doing everything and taking everything i can and nothing is helping the legs:( i dont know if im strong enough to taper, but im scared of what might happen to baby.
The Epsom salt baths, bananas, moving as much as possible, magnesium/ potassium supplements, wrap your legs with ace bandages or heating pads.
You have to continue the taper. You are almost done. You are doing great.
You have to continue the taper. You are almost done. You are doing great.
I am starting to agree with you now...i would absolutely die if something happened to my baby so i need to ask another doc...who though if my OB and pain doc wanted a 1 pill a day taper?
I know we have been talking about the taper and CT. I think a taper as much as you want to CT would be better for the baby, however I am not a nurse or anything just a gut feeling. I would think about continuing the taper, yes if you could ask a Dr. or EVEN call your pharamist and ask, they KNOW ALL drug interactions. They may be able to guide you on how you can drop the taper successfully. You know I will be here to completely support you, I admire you, I,m here for you
7 pills how many mg? They make Trams up to 200mg a pill but normal is 50mg?
I'm a guy so can't address the pregency issue but went cold turkey off trams and I was taking 40 pills a day(2000mg) If you are at 350mg a day a taper can help but tapers need to be over a good amount of time to be really effective. By just dropping a pill a day you will not stop the WD's. Ask your doctor about using Gabapetin as I have no idea about Gabapetin as far as the baby goes?
Best to you
Michael
I'm a guy so can't address the pregency issue but went cold turkey off trams and I was taking 40 pills a day(2000mg) If you are at 350mg a day a taper can help but tapers need to be over a good amount of time to be really effective. By just dropping a pill a day you will not stop the WD's. Ask your doctor about using Gabapetin as I have no idea about Gabapetin as far as the baby goes?
Best to you
Michael
Cold turkey can be so dangerous for the baby so I'm advocating for tapering and I'm a nurse...
I agree but cutting a pill a day is not really tapering. Tapering to do it right takes a much longer time like months not days imo.
best
Michael
best
Michael
COMMUNITY LEADER
Going cold turkey is not good for the baby nor you especially with trams.
Please think before you post
I think it's wrong for us to tell her what is good or bad for her baby when her doctors clearly knows. a lot more details about her condition than we do. You are only confusing her and probably creating more fear in the attempts to help. So far we know her doctor wants her to go CT. We do not know what he plans on giving her to help the progress. At this point members would do well including myself to keep opinions to ourselves until she shares with us more info.
Thanks
Michael
I think it's wrong for us to tell her what is good or bad for her baby when her doctors clearly knows. a lot more details about her condition than we do. You are only confusing her and probably creating more fear in the attempts to help. So far we know her doctor wants her to go CT. We do not know what he plans on giving her to help the progress. At this point members would do well including myself to keep opinions to ourselves until she shares with us more info.
Thanks
Michael
Michael, thank you for your responses!!! I am taking 50mg. I agree with you that dropping 1 pill a day is basically CT because that is what I FELT. That's why I was concerned when my OB and Pain doc both said drop 1 pill a day....that is not tapering at all because I was feeling it all. I also agree with you that tapering requires a very slow drop in order for the individual to not feel the effects. Tapering is hard and I just need this to be done. I want to be done now so that when my baby is born in 7 weeks I am over the hard part.
Vicki, thanks for your advice too and I understand your looking out for the baby but my OB and pain doc told me to taper 1 pill a day, which is not tapering. That is why I slowed down by myself. I found some old pills in my bathroom and that is what I have been slowly on since the docs cut me loose last week.
Today I went to out local walk in clinic because I wanted to get another opinion. My doc was an older gentlemen and the first question I asked him was if he knew about Tramadol and he said YES. He was clearly upset with me when I started to tell him my story so I knew I could trust him, he didn't sugar coat his reaction or feelings towards me being an addict, let alone a pregnant addict. Anyway, he told me that I CAN quit CT on Monday and he isn't concerned at all about the baby. He said that the baby's metabolism is way faster than ours and she will be done with the w/d way before I am. He said he would rather have the baby feel a little discomfort while she is in the comfort of my womb, rather than me give birth and he having to CT anyway on her own. I guess it al makes sense to me. He also said that if I am on 6 pills a day, he has no concerns about siezures at all. He looked me in the eye and said that my baby and I will be fine if I taper on Monday. I truly believe him! After hearing another opinion I have made my decision to quit CT. Sat and Sun I will try taking as low a dose as I can. I hav to go out of town with my entire family for a wedding and I NEED t be able to function a little. Once I get back I will only take 1 or 2 at the most on Monday and then Tuesday none at all. My husband leaves Tuesday out of town until Sunday, my son will be in daycare all week, and I have off of work. I think this is my perfect opportunity to do this! I feel very optimistic about it and am excited knowing that Tuesday I will no longer have any Tramadol in me. It is going to be rough because I remember how horrible the w/d's were, but I will concentrate on this forum, taking lots of baths, and moving around. I will have to take care of my 14 month old son every evening but I have no concern with that. He makes me smile and laugh and I know he will lighten the depression part of it. Thanks for everyone's help and concern.
Please stay on this forum as I will need all of your help and support next week:) I will continue to post everyday too.
Vicki, thanks for your advice too and I understand your looking out for the baby but my OB and pain doc told me to taper 1 pill a day, which is not tapering. That is why I slowed down by myself. I found some old pills in my bathroom and that is what I have been slowly on since the docs cut me loose last week.
Today I went to out local walk in clinic because I wanted to get another opinion. My doc was an older gentlemen and the first question I asked him was if he knew about Tramadol and he said YES. He was clearly upset with me when I started to tell him my story so I knew I could trust him, he didn't sugar coat his reaction or feelings towards me being an addict, let alone a pregnant addict. Anyway, he told me that I CAN quit CT on Monday and he isn't concerned at all about the baby. He said that the baby's metabolism is way faster than ours and she will be done with the w/d way before I am. He said he would rather have the baby feel a little discomfort while she is in the comfort of my womb, rather than me give birth and he having to CT anyway on her own. I guess it al makes sense to me. He also said that if I am on 6 pills a day, he has no concerns about siezures at all. He looked me in the eye and said that my baby and I will be fine if I taper on Monday. I truly believe him! After hearing another opinion I have made my decision to quit CT. Sat and Sun I will try taking as low a dose as I can. I hav to go out of town with my entire family for a wedding and I NEED t be able to function a little. Once I get back I will only take 1 or 2 at the most on Monday and then Tuesday none at all. My husband leaves Tuesday out of town until Sunday, my son will be in daycare all week, and I have off of work. I think this is my perfect opportunity to do this! I feel very optimistic about it and am excited knowing that Tuesday I will no longer have any Tramadol in me. It is going to be rough because I remember how horrible the w/d's were, but I will concentrate on this forum, taking lots of baths, and moving around. I will have to take care of my 14 month old son every evening but I have no concern with that. He makes me smile and laugh and I know he will lighten the depression part of it. Thanks for everyone's help and concern.
Please stay on this forum as I will need all of your help and support next week:) I will continue to post everyday too.
Very good dear sounds like the doctor does make a lot of sense.
One thing to remember Trams have anti-depressant qualities so just watch the pt postpartum blues after you give birth. As a matter of fact this would be a good question to bring up next time you speak with your new doctor.
Wishing you all the best
Michael
One thing to remember Trams have anti-depressant qualities so just watch the pt postpartum blues after you give birth. As a matter of fact this would be a good question to bring up next time you speak with your new doctor.
Wishing you all the best
Michael
Hi Kylie, I'm glad to see you still posting.
But I have to say this... your plan scares the hell out of me. My concern is that you've decided to go with this Dr. only because he is telling you exactly what you want to hear. And honestly, every post I have ever read on this forum advises pregnant women to taper. Why this Dr. would believe otherwise is beyond me, but of course, entitled to his opinion. But please, consider seeing another OB, and see what they have to say. This is too important. And I can't help but wonder if this Dr. really does know anything about tramadol, because it's a very tricky drug and the withdrawals are rough. Especially with the anti-depressant quality contained in this med, which is probably why there is such a high seizure risk associated when quitting cold turkey. Please, please give this some more thought, okay?
I hope this doesn't seem harsh, I definitely don't mean it to be. I only want to see you do what's best for your baby, and you.
But I have to say this... your plan scares the hell out of me. My concern is that you've decided to go with this Dr. only because he is telling you exactly what you want to hear. And honestly, every post I have ever read on this forum advises pregnant women to taper. Why this Dr. would believe otherwise is beyond me, but of course, entitled to his opinion. But please, consider seeing another OB, and see what they have to say. This is too important. And I can't help but wonder if this Dr. really does know anything about tramadol, because it's a very tricky drug and the withdrawals are rough. Especially with the anti-depressant quality contained in this med, which is probably why there is such a high seizure risk associated when quitting cold turkey. Please, please give this some more thought, okay?
I hope this doesn't seem harsh, I definitely don't mean it to be. I only want to see you do what's best for your baby, and you.
Actually the high seizure risk while going CT is much overplayed. Now the seizure risk and rate while taking lots of Trams is high. I was taking 40 pills a day , 2000 mg and went CT and never had a seizure but I certainly had them while on the Trams.
At 350 mg per day the doctor is correct that there is little risk in going CT.
To be honest if I read correctly she is due to give birth in 7 weeks. This is certainly enough time to do a proper taper but what if she can't and relapses and does more Trams. I am sure this is a concern of the doctor. There are meds the doctor can give her to help during the first few days of quitting. I do hope she can ask her doctor about this. I know we are all trying to help but please if her comment scares the hell out of you consider how she feels right now. I am sure she is not jumping for joy after hearing her doctor advice.
Michael
At 350 mg per day the doctor is correct that there is little risk in going CT.
To be honest if I read correctly she is due to give birth in 7 weeks. This is certainly enough time to do a proper taper but what if she can't and relapses and does more Trams. I am sure this is a concern of the doctor. There are meds the doctor can give her to help during the first few days of quitting. I do hope she can ask her doctor about this. I know we are all trying to help but please if her comment scares the hell out of you consider how she feels right now. I am sure she is not jumping for joy after hearing her doctor advice.
Michael
I just want both Kylie and her baby to be safe. That truly is my only concern.
And Kylie, please know that I am not trying to scare you and I hope I didn't come across as insensitive. That has never been my style. This comes from sincere concern, and nothing more. Please don't misunderstand. But what would it hurt to see another OB just to be absolutely sure you are making the right decision? That's all I'm trying to say.
And Kylie, please know that I am not trying to scare you and I hope I didn't come across as insensitive. That has never been my style. This comes from sincere concern, and nothing more. Please don't misunderstand. But what would it hurt to see another OB just to be absolutely sure you are making the right decision? That's all I'm trying to say.
Going cold turkey while pregnant shpuld not be done bc the baby can dtox bad an cause problems an complications that can result in miscarriages. You should slowly back yourself down. I was opiate dependent foe the first 3mos of this pregnancy i am curently in my second trimester an have been clean for a month i backed my levels down an went into the methadone clinic here. Bc i found the strength to realize i couldn't do it all by myself an needed help an finally grew a pair an went an found the help. An when i did i realized im not alone in this battle. Keep your head up stay strong. An if you need someone to talk to thats pregnant thats going threw what you are going threw message me on here.
I appreciate everyone's concern and advice..
Imdonenomore- im not sure what else to do!! You say to get another opinion and that is what i did today! I have discussed the with my OB, a certified pain doc, and this family practice doc- they ALL didn't even give it a 2nd thought- they said that CT will be ok. The pain doc tapered me at 1 pill dropped a day which is CT because dropping 1 pill is fast!! None of them even mentioned giving me additional meds to help with CT. So either i have bad luck and docs who are incorrect OR i can trust what they say. I'm worried about my baby too and that is why i have been seeing docs and doing research on this! Also do u get what i put in my earlier post? If i wasn't ready to come off tramadol before the baby is born- she would go thru CT w/d's anyway...and all the docs agree that it is better for the baby to detox with me while inside rather than on her own. So right there proves that either way i go...she will have to detox. Yes i could continue to taper...but tapering has been extremely difficult already and im not sure i would follow thru. I mean i already messed up while i was tapering for the pain doc and didn't stay on the right doses because i found more pills. I am going to beat this next week!!!
Michael- thank u for sticking up for me.... I just think CT is the best solution for me, especially since it is oerfect timing and i have all next week clear on my schedule and alone.
It is going to be rough and painful but i am going to carefully monitor my baby thru this...if i feel the slightest thing is wrong i will call my OB. I am going to be as calm as i can and beat this!!!
Imdonenomore- im not sure what else to do!! You say to get another opinion and that is what i did today! I have discussed the with my OB, a certified pain doc, and this family practice doc- they ALL didn't even give it a 2nd thought- they said that CT will be ok. The pain doc tapered me at 1 pill dropped a day which is CT because dropping 1 pill is fast!! None of them even mentioned giving me additional meds to help with CT. So either i have bad luck and docs who are incorrect OR i can trust what they say. I'm worried about my baby too and that is why i have been seeing docs and doing research on this! Also do u get what i put in my earlier post? If i wasn't ready to come off tramadol before the baby is born- she would go thru CT w/d's anyway...and all the docs agree that it is better for the baby to detox with me while inside rather than on her own. So right there proves that either way i go...she will have to detox. Yes i could continue to taper...but tapering has been extremely difficult already and im not sure i would follow thru. I mean i already messed up while i was tapering for the pain doc and didn't stay on the right doses because i found more pills. I am going to beat this next week!!!
Michael- thank u for sticking up for me.... I just think CT is the best solution for me, especially since it is oerfect timing and i have all next week clear on my schedule and alone.
It is going to be rough and painful but i am going to carefully monitor my baby thru this...if i feel the slightest thing is wrong i will call my OB. I am going to be as calm as i can and beat this!!!
I too agree with getting a second opinion, from a doctor who you're sure has experience with this. It can't hurt right?
The general rule is that going CT while pregnant is far more dangerous than doing a taper. There is risk of preterm labor, seizures, among other things (and the seizure risk at your dose isn't minimal, and it isn't over-dramatized, it's a very real risk).
No one is telling you this to scare you, but because it IS the generally accepted correct way to discontinue a med like tramadol while pregnant. I understand you want to trust your doctor, and there's nothing wrong with that, but unfortunately many doctors have little to no experience dealing with women taking addictive meds like this. Call your local women's hospital, explain the situation, and ask if they can recommend someone to you.
We just want you and baby to be safe, has nothing to do with scaring you whatsoever. If you still are inclined to not want to hear what we're saying, I would strongly urge you to do a google search for "risks of stopping tramadol cold turkey while pregnant" and just read some of the results. You will see forum after forum after forum offering the exact same advice. It's hard to discount that. That's really the same answer you'll see over and over.
And as for you monitoring your baby, unfortunately, unless you're in the hospital, on a fetal monitor, YOU wouldn't always be able to tell something is wrong until it's too late. I genuinely think the desire to hide this from your husband is a strong motivating factor, and I understand that you're scared, but you really want to do what's right for your baby, and that is not going CT from 6 or 7 trams a day.
Very best to you. Hang in there!
The general rule is that going CT while pregnant is far more dangerous than doing a taper. There is risk of preterm labor, seizures, among other things (and the seizure risk at your dose isn't minimal, and it isn't over-dramatized, it's a very real risk).
No one is telling you this to scare you, but because it IS the generally accepted correct way to discontinue a med like tramadol while pregnant. I understand you want to trust your doctor, and there's nothing wrong with that, but unfortunately many doctors have little to no experience dealing with women taking addictive meds like this. Call your local women's hospital, explain the situation, and ask if they can recommend someone to you.
We just want you and baby to be safe, has nothing to do with scaring you whatsoever. If you still are inclined to not want to hear what we're saying, I would strongly urge you to do a google search for "risks of stopping tramadol cold turkey while pregnant" and just read some of the results. You will see forum after forum after forum offering the exact same advice. It's hard to discount that. That's really the same answer you'll see over and over.
And as for you monitoring your baby, unfortunately, unless you're in the hospital, on a fetal monitor, YOU wouldn't always be able to tell something is wrong until it's too late. I genuinely think the desire to hide this from your husband is a strong motivating factor, and I understand that you're scared, but you really want to do what's right for your baby, and that is not going CT from 6 or 7 trams a day.
Very best to you. Hang in there!
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