Tramadol Addiction

[dlm66]

I have been using Tramadol daily (3-400 mg) for about 7 years. I need to quit using it. I have started to taper myself off, the only problem so far is not sleeping well. I just feel very alone in this and really have no support. Just wanted to talk to people who have been there and what they did. I really don't know how to live without it.

[dlm66]

My "boyfriend" runs the NA meetings in our area so I don't know if I should go or not. I could try to find one elsewhere I just hate going new places, especially not knowing what to expect.

[LeaAnn807]

Wow!  I can so remember being where you are, and it helps me also to read this!  I don't want to go back through that sweating and insomnia.  It was awful!  You can do this!  Keeping busy will help.  It may help you to go to an NA meeting, since you are up and moving around.  Especially when you don't have much support!

Keep posting!  It will help!

TH

[dlm66]

I am cutting down more than I thought I would be able to. Didn't sleep much at all last night again, and very very sweaty. I am trying to keep busy and that seems to be helping me. If it seems to get to be too much I will find a dr. mine is at the clinic where I work, so I do not want to see him. I guess each day I am able to get out of bed is a plus! I am trying to stay positive, which is hard for me as I am NOT a positive person! I was hoping my boyfriend would help me with this, he was through a lot worse years ago before I met him, but he is dealing with some of his own things and I'm not even sure if we will stay together, we hardly talk at all which makes this even harder. But I guess that is his choice! I am just hoping I can continue to do this!

[avisg]

yeah ct really s u cks i worked threw it was not fun at all

[LeaAnn807]

Absolutely, avis is right, it is safest (and easier) to taper WHILE you still have meds.  Don't do what I did and run out and not be able to get more.  That is miserable!  And especially if you cannot take off work or have kids and no help, tapering is a must.

If you can't talk to your doc, maybe you could talk to another one?  Or do the outpatient thing.  I'm telling you from lots of experience with this, it will be 100 times easier with some meds to help you.  I took a BP med called clonidine.  It made a big difference.  It helped everything except the diarrhea.  Immodium helps that!  

Anyway, it sounds like you have decided to do the taper, so that is good.  The intensity of the WD will be much less that way....promise.  It may be long though.  Just warning you!  : )

[Prospero73]

You'll find lots of support on Emily's journal, also on Medhelp:

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/179087/Tramadol--Ultram-Recovery-Room-Part-31?personal_page_id=142

[dlm66]

I am thinking of outpatient treatment when I get closer to being done, due to crappy insurance. I am just trying to keep myself busy and keep my mind off quitting. Have to get back to work. Thanks for the advice:)

[ReckaBecka6988]

I promise it will get easier. Hang in there!

[avisg]

tapering really is important with tramadol there are risks when you don't especially off hi doses  plz talk to your doctor


tramhater i know you cted and sometimes we have. to ....one of the times i had no choice but to ct, wd but when as you as u said if u can possibly taper it is safer

[dlm66]

I have tried tapering off before, but always went back for one excuse or another. I feel to ashamed to talk to my doctor right now. Right now I am taking 300mg a day I did talk to a pharmacist and he told me to cut down by a 1/4 a day. I don't know if I have that much patients I just want to be done with it now. I have been getting sweats and insomnia for some time now and my heart starts beating really hard when I am sleeping and it wakes me up, so I think I really need to quit. I have read about the withdrawals I work 7 days a week, there is no way I can be that sick for a week or more, tapering off is my only choice but already I feel panic attacks thinking about not being on them any longer.

[LeaAnn807]

Tramadol is hard to get off of.  I didn't taper.  I just quit!  Tapering does work for some.  It lessens the intensity of the WD, but it does drag it out longer.  It's probably safer to do it that way.  I didn't have the self discipline to taper, but if you do, that is great!  I would speak to a doctor about the side effects of tapering and try to get some meds to help you.  It can be a miserable thing to do alone!!!

Keep posting here!  You can message me if you have a question.  I have been off of them for a little over a month, I think?  

[avisg]

its a sythitic opeate and its very addicting

[addicted32]

I never knew tramadols were addicting are they a narcotic

[avisg]

DO NOT GET ANTI DEPRESSANT UNTIL YOU ARE ALMOST OFF THE TRAM... Tram works like an ssri antidepressant so you do want to add another AD until u are very close to being off then talk to the doctor about an ssri AD .I know the sleep part is the hardest but it will  get better .how much are on now

[dominosarah]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  You will find alot of support here and you wont be alone.  Others who have had experience with trams will be on at some point.  This time a day can be slow so keep checking back.  avisg has alot of good info in her profile so check her out.  She will be on at some point and i will send her a note to check this out.       sara

[opiateswon]

Hi there. Although I haven't been on tramadol, I know the effects are very simulair to narcotic pain killers as my doctor would not prescribed them for this reason. Sleeplessness is a huge part of withdrawls. Can you tell your doctor about your insomnia and have them prescribe a diazapam? I was completely honest with my doctor and she gave me everything I would need including a list of vitamins to take. There was a point in your life that you did live without the pills and you will find it again. A way of life that is not determined by how many pills you have left. The 5-8 days were always the hardest form me. Pamper yourself with hot baths and sweets to push through it. Tomorrow will be better. I'm here if you need to talk. Also, see about getting an antidepressent.