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Several Tramadol Questions / Very worried
Dear Medhelp Community,
I need some help, and I'm really scared. I work as a professor at a top-ranked university, and I'm afraid for my job, my relationship with my girlfriend, and other parts of my life. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney stones, and most recently, with intractable migraines with aura. My neurologist started to prescribe me Lortab 7.5/500, and I decided to stop taking them. My neurologist started to become less and less accessible, and when I called his nurses, they claimed they were only allowed to refill what he had already prescribed, viz. the Lortab. So, I decided to start going to the GP on campus, and he put me on Tramadol, which has actually been very helpful. I began to take more and more of the Tramadol, even when no migraine was present, because I was worried about getting a headache in the middle of a lecture, etc., and now I'm up to 400mg a day (8 50mg pills). I've been taking them for about a year, and my GP has suddenly decided to stop prescribing them to me--he has referred me to another neurologist who's supposed to be the best in the state (and who's inconveniently 2 hrs away). Anyway, I believe I have 9 pills left. I'm deeply depressed.
A few questions: (1) Should I ask the GP to consider helping me wean off the Tramadol, and if so, at what rate should I wean? (2) Since I've heard that Tramadol acts as an antidepressant, and since I've become legitimately depressed, should I ask for a drug that will help with the depression and ease certain serotonin-specific withdrawal symptoms? (3) The tramadol has genuinely improved the quality of my life, but I know I'm dependent, if not addicted (the depression, I believe is not drug-related, although I could be wrong). Is there any advice as to how I should broach the subject to the new neurologist? Should I request some sort of opiate antagonist along with an antidepressant?
I know this is a lot of information, and I'm going to need you guys when I have no Tramadol left. I've functioned better this year than I ever have, and so I'm having problems coming to terms with going off of the drug at all, but I suppose my GP knows best. I thank every one of you for the time you give these questions.
I need some help, and I'm really scared. I work as a professor at a top-ranked university, and I'm afraid for my job, my relationship with my girlfriend, and other parts of my life. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney stones, and most recently, with intractable migraines with aura. My neurologist started to prescribe me Lortab 7.5/500, and I decided to stop taking them. My neurologist started to become less and less accessible, and when I called his nurses, they claimed they were only allowed to refill what he had already prescribed, viz. the Lortab. So, I decided to start going to the GP on campus, and he put me on Tramadol, which has actually been very helpful. I began to take more and more of the Tramadol, even when no migraine was present, because I was worried about getting a headache in the middle of a lecture, etc., and now I'm up to 400mg a day (8 50mg pills). I've been taking them for about a year, and my GP has suddenly decided to stop prescribing them to me--he has referred me to another neurologist who's supposed to be the best in the state (and who's inconveniently 2 hrs away). Anyway, I believe I have 9 pills left. I'm deeply depressed.
A few questions: (1) Should I ask the GP to consider helping me wean off the Tramadol, and if so, at what rate should I wean? (2) Since I've heard that Tramadol acts as an antidepressant, and since I've become legitimately depressed, should I ask for a drug that will help with the depression and ease certain serotonin-specific withdrawal symptoms? (3) The tramadol has genuinely improved the quality of my life, but I know I'm dependent, if not addicted (the depression, I believe is not drug-related, although I could be wrong). Is there any advice as to how I should broach the subject to the new neurologist? Should I request some sort of opiate antagonist along with an antidepressant?
I know this is a lot of information, and I'm going to need you guys when I have no Tramadol left. I've functioned better this year than I ever have, and so I'm having problems coming to terms with going off of the drug at all, but I suppose my GP knows best. I thank every one of you for the time you give these questions.
Gday sort it out with your doc soon is my advice ..I just dunno what to think it effects everybody in all different ways,, antidepressants and tramadol can be really dangerous goodluck... The more you read the more we learn on this site it's never ending wish I never ever touch the drug .. But it works so good at the start for pain...going to get help next week from doc so see what they say..hope all goes good bye
u remind me alot of myself. I am a professional woman w/ a great job and started taking tram for migraines too. I upped my dosage by taking them for fear that I would get one at an inconvenient time and have noticed that they improved my quality of life, mood, optomism. But I have gottenso addicted I cannot go w/out them and order them online (way too easy to do) I feel like such a loser and am trying to taper. The w/d are terrible I have a Dr. appt at the end of the month and am planning on asking about getting a antidepressant w/ anti anxiety. Unfortunately I am also 6 mo pg and can't take some things. I looked into the natural route like sam-e and St. Johns Wart and they both say "not for use by pg women" So I am in a awful spot of just having to suffer thru the w/d. Keep posting there is alot of support here and ppl who understand.
Yes, I know, I've read the forums, and don't get me wrong, I really appreciate all the help everyone is offering here. And, trust me, I've read over the information that comes with the drug about twenty times. I'm just worried that my doctor won't be sympathetic, but that's thinking too negatively, I guess.
I don't mean to be negative; I'm just worried.
I don't mean to be negative; I'm just worried.
Yes , we have had members have. We had a lady who had a seizure form CTing in the middle of thanksgiving that about as scientific as we can get.It says right in the insert info about the drug it needs to be tapered down.
Do not stop taking tramadol without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking tramadol you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness; panic; sweating; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; runny nose, sneezing, or cough; numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in your hands or feet; hair standing on end; chills; nausea; uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body; diarrhea; or rarely, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist).
Do not stop taking tramadol without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking tramadol you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness; panic; sweating; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; runny nose, sneezing, or cough; numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in your hands or feet; hair standing on end; chills; nausea; uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body; diarrhea; or rarely, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist).
how about printing/showing to him some of the posts with the experiences from others ?
I appreciate all the feedback, and it appears that the consensus is that I should not go off the tramadol immediately, but wean. Two questions: Is there any scientific and/or official evidence online that suggests quitting tramadol withdrawal cold turkey is dangerous? Second, how should I broach the topic to my doctor, the GP who has suddenly decided to quit prescribing them? I don't want him to think I'm merely attempting to get more pills. He's actually a really nice guy, so I think he might be willing to give me the benefit of the doubt. Any suggestions appreciated, and thanks for the help and support thus far!!
i know it not smart to quit tramadol cold turkey but i was taking 300mg or more a day for four years and i quit cold turkey and was fine in the way of no seizures but i felt like i wanted to die
hi I would make sure you get to your doctor and explain your thoughts I really think it doesn't matter what dose your on you body will have the same withdrawal syptoms and from what i have experiences they take you out of action for a while .. I am taking 200 mg a day and going to seek medical help next week to get of tramadol... don't let yourself just run out of tramadol it could be very dangerous... keep me up to date if you can very interested too see how you get on .. good luck ..The doctors just don't know enough about the side effects of this drug
That is something you would have to dicuss with your doctor .I am not a doctor nor is anyone else on here .
How long after ceasing Tramadol will it be safe to begin taking an antidepressant, most likely an SSRI?
One pill a week is the best way that I have seen to do it .It gives your body time to adjust between each drop.
i have no experience with tramadol but i do know getting off cold turkey can cause seizures. avisg has nfo in her journal about trams...i will see if i can find her for you. hang in there.
Yes you will need to wean slowly off of the tramadol .There is a seizure risk if you don't .I would not take antidepressants until you are off of the tramadol because it does indeed work as an AD .You can end up very sick if you take both.I dont think you need a opiate antagonist that would be like going from the frying pan into the fire .Let you GP know your concerns hopefully he will help you get off of it .It can be done I have been clean 400 days in the am good luck
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