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Tramadol, not so innocent?

I'm a mom of 3 kids. I have a professional career, great husband, great friends. We're upper middle class, we are comfortable. A burned my leg badly on a motorcycle in 2006 and since then I've been off and on with Tramadol. I used it for the pain from the burn. Then I used the Tramadol for menstrual cramps, that was my excuse. Now I am taking them every day. It's like I need them, they not only do they relieve aches and pains they seem to elevate my mood too. I am so much more patient with my kids when I'm taking them, I have less appetite and seem to be just more mellow. Normally I'm really high strung and when I'm taking Tramadol I'm not so much. I have a lot of work stress right now and the drugs are helping me cope and stay calm and not be all frazzled. But in the end, I know I have to get off these meds. I have tried to just not take them cold turkey and I had to call in to work 2 days in a row, it was horrible. I had the restless leg thing going, I couldn't get comfortable, it felt like my bones were trying to get out of my skin! I was considering going to my doctor and not mentioning the Tramadol use but to try and say the right thing so she might prescribe me Xanax or some sort of anti-anxiety drug. I don't want anti-depressants because they tend to make me really sleepy and I have no time for that! Is the long term Tramadol use really going to hurt me in the end? I mean, lots of people take meds every day, so what if I take 200-300mg of Tramadol a day?
5 Responses
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340590 tn?1290952141
hi and congrats for taking your life back.  it will be the best thing you can do for yourself.  i never took trams but, i don know you cannot quit them c/t.  there is a very high and real threat of seizures.  you must slowly taper off them.  tapering is very hard to do for an addict,   must dont have the will power.  is there someone who can help you by holding your pills and givivng you what you need each day?  that seems to work better for some.  this doable, you can beat this.  you just have to get a plan...know what you are going to do and when and then get started.  you will need a reasonable taper schedule...and then you have to stick to it.  good luck to ya and keep posting.  if you  need anything  or have ?s pm me.
cathy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I didn't "abuse" tramadol (ultram). Max...4/ 50mg per day, sometimes only 2 tabs per day. I was told by my DR that it was as harmless as taking aspirin, non-narcotic, non-addictive. But if I missed my night dose I woke up in night sweats and nasal junk. And if I missed a morning dose I would become anxious, fingernails on a chalk board. I've gone thru all the w/d symptoms...flu, aches, pains, jitters...everything, over 2-4 pills a day. Shame on those Dr.s for misleading me. Quitting is the only option for me. I don't like to be "enslaved" I quit cold turkey. Some taper down.
I know you are busy and alot of things seem more important than putting yourself thru misery. There is a lifestyle to maintain, things to take care of etc. What you have is Good....but a bad storm during the night, or an accident driving into work, a loved one hurt or sick....all those things you really can't control....could wipe out everything in a moment. I'm not saying that you shouldn't continue to strive for good things, just don't do it and lose yourself in the process.
Keep asking questions about this issue. Keep coming back while you're thinking about whats best for you. We are here for you
Helpful - 0
348629 tn?1212325673
its hard to come off it, it acts as kind of a anti depresent, releasing sarotonin in your brain right now im taking anti depresents to kinda help me feel beter then ill just get off it when im done. its really tough stoping it you dont really feel like your alive when youve taken them for a long time then stop taking them which makes it really hard
since you a pretty busy person dont abbuse them and start tapering them off realy slowing cause if you stop ct you can have seizures
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't know much about Tramadol either, I too was a hydro head. I started out with a few here and there, as needed for pain. Then it was a few more here or there as needed for my mood, energy, because I had to go to the grocery store, whatever. I know the feeling of whatever so I take pills, at least its not coke, meth, etc. But it only took a year and I was taking way more that prescribed to just feel normal. I'm not trying to scare you but any mind/mood altering substance can easily become a huge habbit. Like CH_ST_NA said, you know in your heart of hearts if this is becoming a problem for you. I do know that if you decide to quit this is the place to seek advice, encouragement, understanding, and motivation. Keep posting and let us know what you decide.

Much Luv!
Helpful - 0
451343 tn?1256250831
my addictions was hydrocodone and it was so hard to quit. i too take tramadol for fibromyalgia. i can say that it too can be addictive if you abuse it. if you want to get off of it and are having a hard time, my suggestion would be to go to your doc and tell him the truth and just ask for something for anxiety to help you with the withdrawl. best of luck, i can totally relate. i was on 12-15 lortab a day, sometimes more. they were like my best friend but they decieved me in so many ways. you just have to do what is right for  you, you know in your heart what is right for you. keep posting here. lots of support on this forum. god bless you. christina
Helpful - 0
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