Tramadol Addiction

[Nanasnetto]

I was diagnosed by my primary physician with fibromyalgia 3+ years ago. Since then he prescribed and freely refilled my Tramadol prescription, 240 per month. I came to realize I was addicted 6 months ago because when I would stop the withdrawal was horrible. Nausea, vomiting, temper flares, crying spells, headache, severe pain in my muscles and more. I told my doctor 6 months ago I feared an addiction and still he kept refilling my Tramadol, 240 pills per month. I brought this to his attention in April and he lowered my amount to 90 pills for one month only. I used to take 15+ pills per day. I got myself down to 2 to 4 per day. I feel I can wean myself completely off this drug but I know I can't do it in one month's time and 90 pills. I can and won't go to rehab as he suggested for I have a 15 year old daughter to care for and knows nothing about this. I only have about 3 days worth of pills left and my doctor refuses outright to give me anymore saying he only gave me 90 to taper off. It's not possible to do it that quick. Some one, please, help me?!!!

[Krissy_123]

Hey Blu, I think she's out is what I'm getting from reading her post? Doc "gave" her 90 already and then on the first she said she only has 3 days left,and doc abso won't prescribe her anymore.

[BluCrystal]

Well, honestly, you said you are down to 2-4 daily, so at 3x a day, that's 90 pills.  And you want off, so that really should be more than enough.  If you taper one less a day each week, you will have pills left over when you come off altogether.  So, let's do the math: week #1 at 3x a day = 21 pills.  Week #2 at 2x a day = 14 pills.  And week #3 at 1x a day = 7 pills.  Week #4 = none.  Total for the month: 42 pills.  That leaves 48 left over!  This means that you can even taper by one every TWO weeks, using 84 pills over 6 weeks, leaving you 6 pills left over.  You can keep those last six as 'emergency use'.  Now that you see this, maybe it will make much more sense. You can be clean and off of these in 6 weeks or less, on one 90 pill prescrip. :)

[liliansdream]

I don't have experience with Tramadol, but I do have a long history with other opiates, so I know what you are going through. I also got started by my doctor and he was my primary source 99% anyway of my 13 year addiction.  I also know how our fear of asking for help and opening up to our families is very real because we feel so much shame.. Most of us had kept our addictions private.   That is one regret that I could not open up earlier to the people who really could have helped me.  Addiction is a real disease, real changes have happened in our brains, so there will be a period of readjustment when we stop.  However the really really really good news is our brains can heal, and when we are bold enough, are armed with all the support and resources we need we can beat this, and regain our lives..  Please don't let fear, shame or pride keep you from sharing openly with friends and family.. Your 15 yr old probably already knows something very serious is going on and by sharing with them may help them to understand what you are going through, and how they can best help you.  I found when I became very vocal, the enemy was out in the light and I could better strategize how to beat him..  

Good luck and keep posting all you need .... you are in the right place to get started on your road to recovery.  

liliansdream

[Jerry198]

how you feeling today?

[Nanasnetto]

Yours and all support is very much appreciated and needed. Thank you!

[Nanasnetto]

Thank you for your support. I so need as much as I can get.

[Nanasnetto]

Thank you, it is so reassuring to have support from others who know all about this horrible thing.

[Jerry198]

I'm 30 clean and have used Tramadol a few times in fact once to help get off Norco's it worked for about a year then had a bad accident and one shot at the ER and the pill train was rolling I do know that they have many side effects and that stopping cold turkey is not good you should reach out to your doc and tell him what you did all he can say is TS but if he cares he can help.  On another note congrats for taking the step to giving the pills up life will be much better all you have to do is get through the physical stuff for a few weeks then things look real clear then finish the plan that you started.

[tramuser99]

My username has Tram in it because that was what started my opiate addiction history.  God I loved the feeling it gave me, but the withdrawals like you know are horrible.  For me personally, I tried to keep it all a secret and I even took jobs in other countries hoping if I got away I could get clean.  I never got clean until I went to a detox/rehab (actually a rehab but I could only stay for 3 weeks so it was basically a detox).  I was taking over 20 trams a day and I didn't even feel it, thats the tolerance I had.  I know the stigma people have about rehab but if you saw me you would think I completely had my stuff together.  The people I met in rehab were all extremely successful people who had a lot on their plate but were tired of trying to stop on their own and failing.  It gets harder every time.  Even when all of the physical stuff is gone you feel kinda like "where the hell am I and how did I get here", at least I did.  You could always just sit in some NA meetings just to listen, it might give you some confidence to battle it out.  When you do quit try to get some chlonidine from the doctor, it lowers you blood pressure and I found that to help more than valium or whatever.  I have seen a whole lot worse than what you will face, the withdrawal isn't honestly the hard part anyways, its figuring out to do when you can no longer use the pills for motivation.

[Frogger76]

Hi!! There is a slight risk of seizures when stopping trams cold turkey, but the greater risk comes from taking too many pills at once. I myself was taking 50-60 50 mg pills per day, I had to quit cold turkey, I wasn't ready to do that at all, but had no choice. You may just have to bite the bullet and do it, it's very hard but it is doable.  Once you stop taking them, you should start to feel better in a couple weeks to a month, but be prepared for the mental withdrawals as well, those are what last the longest.

I know your scared, I was terrified. It can be done, you can do this! It will be a rough ride, but life without these pills is so worth it. Do it for yourself, do it for your daughter.  Take care and stay strong!!!