Stopping Ultram use after 6 years of constant use

[csidesoon]

I have been taking 150-200mg of Ultram (Tramadol) every 4 hours for the past 6 years (constantly). It has come to the point my memory is suffering, I was a "no call no show" at work today because I forgot I picked up an extra shift.  I am a nurse and see addicts all the time, but have never seen myself as the addict. Guessing I am? I am attempting to taper myself off. Down to 50mg every 4 hours (only day 3). I'm afraid of the WD systems. I'm also afraid to admit this to my husband or anyone else. How did I let myself get hooked? I guess it all started when my doctor ordered it for me because of chronic mid back pain due to vertebrae disease. I'm not hooked on any other med and all my meds are obtained legally through my doctor. Doesn't he understand my mind and body have to be addicted after 6 years???

[marycarmel]

Do you think that will be a long enough taper?  I wouldn't waste money on a detox kit.  Pick up the stuff in the Thomas Recipe and/or the Amino Acid Protocol and you'll do just as well.  I was given Ultram years ago and was told it was "like a narcotic without any of the side effects or dependence issues."  I took it for 3 or 4 days and stopped because it made me high as a kite.  Blessing in disguise!

[csidesoon]

What a surprise to come home this morning after work and find such wonderful comments. I, of course, started crying. It does feel good to be honest with myself and now others. I did tell my husband last night. I believe he doesn't understand the full extent of this.  He immediately joked, "Now your just like the rest of your family." Yes, addiction runs strong in my genes, starting with my great-grandmother and her phenobarb addiction. Anyway, I worked out a schedule to taper myself off for the next 7 days. I was a little strict with myself because I only have 14 tablets left and I sure the heck don't want to go back for my refill!!! What about the use of meds to control WD symptoms?  And after I am clean, what about those detox kits I have seen advertised in the health stores? Yes, I know I should be taking it one day at a time, but I'm actually looking forward to be free of the white chains of tramadol! You know, I did a lit review of tramadol and although it states dependence could result, there really isn't any big warnings about this demon. In fact, I've heard many in the medical profession refer to it as "a glorified Tylenol." We have drug seeking patients come into the ER and tell us they are allergic to Ultram just the doctor won't write them a script for it (they want the Vicodine and Oxy).  I just wonder how many medical professions are also hooked up Ultram? Thank you again everyone for your words of wisdom and encouragement. This is such a great website with such great people!!!!!

[AnastasiaSteele]

I also believed Tramadol was a minor medication, and non habit forming with no withdrawal.  So imagine my surprise when I stopped taking it and tried getting back on Suboxone years ago.  I cried over everything for 5 days straight and I got those awful brain zaps from the serotonin withdrawal.  

[marycarmel]

I was so ignorant and so blindly trusted my doctors even though I repeatedly asked them about addiction, dependence, tolerance and either they flat-out lied or they were ignorant themselves.  I know some people have used methadone for pain but I personally believe that it is for really severe addiction and/or end-of-life.  My mother-in-law passed away from lung cancer in the spring.  She had never taken a narcotic in her life.  For some reason the oxycontin and morphine didn't help her bone pain and she did get relief from the methadone.  But there are certain drugs that I don't think should be used unless you will never be coming off them again.  Fentanyl same thing.  It was the help I got from medhelp that got me through getting off that.  My doctors said I wouldn't be able to tolerate the pain and I needed it.  It wreaked havoc with my physically.  I don't know how I would have ever got off methadone.  I am so grateful I didn't have to.

[Dane74]

OH Mary, thank the Lord we didn't agree to go on methadone!!!!! Thank you medhelp!!!!!!

[marycarmel]

Very slow on the taper.  And I agree with Dane that a lot of doctors think they're harmless when it seems they are possibly more difficult to come off than other pain meds.  (I also am very grateful to this forum because when my previous pain doctor suggested methadone I said no.  Before that I had used Fentanyl without knowing how hard it was to come off.  Brutal.)

There are lots of things that will help with your symptoms as you go through this and the support is really incredible.  And there's quite a few nurses here as well who have great information and experience.

[BarbRTR]

I took these for awhile, prior to LT. Slow is very key, as they have an anti depressant effect as well.

But many here have kicked them and so can you!
In a lot of states, it's not even a scheduled drug. I really think Drs are clueless. So if you enlist your Drs help, be prepared that you might have to enlighten him on the addictive nature.

Good luck, keep posting for support!

[Dane74]

Im sure you are already aware but taper nice and slow coming off the trams.  If you take it slow with your taper your WD's will be very doable.  I hated being told this but its so true, once the Wd's are over the hardest part is yet to come and thats the mental battle to overcome addiction.  You cant do this alone crap we need an army, please think about telling your hubby i am not saying its easy.  Shoot, my friends on medhelp were yelling and screaming at my stubborn self because i was so against telling anyone, and i sure didn't want to tell the hubby.  BUT, the truth shall set you free, our secretes keep us sick.  Just something to think about.  AS for the doctors, i hate to sound so belittling as they are the ones who went to med school, but i believe allot of docs are not aware of addiction and as for Ultram, a lot of docs believe its not an opiate and or habit forming.  I was going to the pain clinic for legit pain and all he did was continue to feed my addiction, and i would tell him that i was using more than prescribed, so he wanted me to go on methadone and thank the Lord my dear friends on here told me HECK NO!!!  Good luck to you and continue to fight through this and please consider talking with hubby.