Quiting...well kind of

[Nicole0944]

I've been on this site watching for awhile and decided to join...you all seem like a great support group! So I've become addicted to Ultram. I've been on it for over a year and I take about 13 or so a day. I've decided I have to quit for me and for my daughter. My husband is no support at all! He thinks people who take pills have serious problems and he has no idea about my serious addiction. So I stopped taking the ultram yesterday but I've been taking vics so I don't withdrawl so hard. The fist day actually went well but today I'm feeling the withdrawls. I know I shouldnt replace any drug but I took vics b4 the ultram and had no problem just quitting. I guess I just need support and any suggestions! Thanks!

[nick893]

Hi,
I am a pharmacist and I can definately confirm that 8 acetaminophen is the absolute max per day. Dont take anymore otherwise you will have liver damage. The best way to come off this drug (tramadol) is to ask your doctor to reduce your dosage by limiting your scripts and requesting the pharmacy dispense daily quantities for you. This way you cannot cheat.

Once you have tapered off your dose you may like to consider citalopram (anti-depressant) as the majority of tramadol addicts are using it for its SSRI (anti-depressant) activity without knowing it. It will boost your seratonin levels and if you are deficient (naturally) in seratonin, tramadol will make you feel confident, normal, sociable etc etc.

Good luck and I feel your pain too (if you know what i mean)...

Anonymous

[dominosarah]

You dont have to do this alone and none of us recommend that.  You need the support and that is what we are here for.........sara

[taperme]

Nicole-8 of the 5/500 vicoden is the MAX amount of acetometaphin you should ever take. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but more than that can really mess up your liver. Please talk to your doctor asap. You absolutely do not have to do this alone. Take any help you can get.

[Htownnofrown]

If there's any comment I can say I'm stronggggly against, there is "you have to do it alone".

You absolutely do not have to do this alone, it is actually imperative that you do not do it alone. Support is a cornerstone of recovery, and without help, many of us addicts would have died a lonely death. If your husband isn't understanding, your doctor will at least give you a plan of action if you let him know you want off. Then you can have that plan and get support through one or more of the many different means (AA, NA, Addiction therapists, etc.)

I went to treatment and then went to NA and AA and stuck with it, and because I was able to finally say, "Hey, I can't do this by myself", I got the help I so desperately needed and have over 11 months clean of everything today.

Remember, WE can do this!

[Nicole0944]

I'm on 5/500 of the vics. Thank you all for the help. I plan on getting a hold of my doc next week if I am still not doing better but I would like to try to do this alone because I read in another post how really you have to do it alone. Just being off the ultram for 3 days is a big accomplishment for me right now.

[micheleTX]

say Nicole be really careful with Ultram/tramadol.  You should always taper off that drug, because not only is it a powerful pain killer, it also has an anti-depressant in it, and can be dangerous just quitting it.  I would definitely talk to your doctor about a taper plan for both, if you are really wanting to quit everything you are taking.  That's a pretty high amount of vicodin too, what strength are you on?  I am just concerned because I took Ultram for a couple years too, and tapered from it, the w/ds werent horrible for me, but you are mixing drugs, so be very careful please.

[Nicole0944]

I just dont know how to get off the ultram without all the horrible wds. I only took 8 vics yesterday but ended up taking 2 xanex and 2 flexiril to sleep. I only plan on taking the vics until they are gone...which i have about 25 left. This is day 3 without the ultram and Im having the hot/cold flashes and total lack of energy....the energy is what I miss most from the ultram. The vics and the others just make me tired.

[avisg]

I am glad you have gotten off the tram but quitting is not taking anything .Basically you have just changed drugs .How long are you going to take the vics. 16 is a rather large amount which strength are they ? Also changing for one drug to another is textbook addictive behavior what aftercare are you going to get .That is going to be so important to help you stay off of everything when get get clean .How long are you planing  on taking the hydro ?

[taperme]

Just re-read your post. I missed that you are taking 16 vicodin per day. That is a huge amount especially with the Ultram. Please listen to Vicki and talk to your doctor tomorrow. He/she will know how to best help you taper off of both of these drugs. Please be 100% honest with the doctor so they can best help you. I don't have any experience with Ultram but many on here do and I am sure someone post to you soon. Keep posting and asking questions, we'll be here to help.

[vicki595]

Hi and welcome~   First off,the best advice I can give you is to stop getting the Ultram from two different doctors. This is dangerous and can get you red flagged. Stop it now.
Next,tell your husband something is wrong and ask for his help and support. This IS a serious problem.  You need to get off both of these drugs. I would start with the vicodin
and call the doctor who gives you BOTH to help you taper off the Ultram.   I can't believe the doctor is giving you both these drugs. Now,it's incumbent upon him/her to help you get off. Call the doctor first thing in the morning.   We'll be here to support you...
There are a few members with much experience with Ultram...they'll post to you,I'm sure.
Keep posting~
Vicki

[abritt121222]

im sure someone that knows more about ultram will be here soon but im almost positive you are going the wrong way by taking vics for the withdrawals because it is a stronger pain med and is a narcotic i know there is a huge argument in the medical world about ultram but doctors say it is not a narcotic(im not saying that is isnt and i do know it is addictive and causes bad withdrawals) and hydrocodone def is so i dont think you should take the vics for the withdrawals you just need to taper down with the ultram because switching to a stronger pain med is just going the wrong direction if you are trying to quit but like i said someone that knows more about ultram im sure will be on here soon but thats my best advice is to taper off of the ultram and throw the vics in the toilet also because from everything i read just quitting ultram is dangerous and can cause seizurs and is just dangerous and you are supposed to taper off of them
good luck
abritt
sorry for the spelling i am on my phone typing

[taperme]

If your husband knows you take the pills, you should really talk to him and let him know what is going on. I know your first instinct will be to say that you can't, but seriously if he sees you taking pills part of him already knows. I didn't think I could tell my husband but it was the best thing I ever did...I actually posted about it earlier today. If you are going to do this you will need support. At least think about it.

[Nicole0944]

I was first prescribed the vics for my back...I have 2 bad disks. Then my brother got ultram for his back and I fell in liove with it so I asked my doc to switch but he still gives me both. THe really terrible part is that I have been going to 2 different docs a month to fill ultram...I just cant believe how much of a hold this drug has over me. I took 16 vics yesterday...had to fly... but so far 2day have only taken 8. My huband watches me take the pills but just doesnt get it....I dont get how he cant see something is wrong!

[taperme]

Were you prescribed the ultram? What for? How many vics are you taking? Is your husband aware at all that you are taking the Ultram? If you give us a little more info, we may be able to help.