Tramadol Addiction

[kes68]

I was prescribed Tramadol almost 4 years ago.  It was given to me as the non-addictive alternative to pain meds.
By the end of the 1st year I was using more than prescribed, by the 2nd year I was buying it on line.  As soon as I cut back, lowered my dose I was miserable.
So here I am - 4 years into this - using over 800mg a day and I am a mess.  
I've tried to stop - the withdrawal was bad, but the depression was crazy - I just couldn't do it - knowing that all I had to do was take a few pills, and I would be feeling better again.
I cannot reach out to anyone in my family - no one knows it is a problem.
How do I get my life back??

[afflyction]

I have been taking high doses of tramadol for close to ten years now. It started with one surgery then two then three i have quit a few times only to be left in such agonizing pain that i had to take them just to work. Most recently i had what i though was an irrugular beat of my heart it stopped for a split second i became dizzy and felt i was blacking out then my heart beat came back rapidly and 10x as strong.Now one of the side effects is muscle weakness is it possible since your heart is a muscle it may be weakened as well? I went to the ER explained how long ive been taking and how much and got sent home with percocet which is ridiculous and i did not take. I am at a point in my life where i have two beautiful daughters and i need to do this for them. Has anyone else had this experience? Also where can i go to get information on help? Thank you

[worried878]

not with trams..u can not ct from that dose..have u talked to ur doctor?  u need someone u can be open with to help u taper..depression is the most horrible symptom of tram wd..knowing this perhaps u can see a doctor for anti-depressant therapy while u do this/safely with an mds help..u can not keep doing this tho..it doesnt get better/only worse...if u can not taper alone then u will need to confide in someone..keep posting

[kes68]

I don't know - I am just coming to terms with the severity of this myself.  I am embarrassed that this is where I am - and I cannot imagine telling my partner right now.
I don't know about tapering - I have tried it before, but when the darkness set in - I couldn't take it.
Am I not better to just get rid of them all?  Tell everyone I have the flu and get it over with?

[worried878]

it is a tapering process..to quit trams..and a support person who can hold ur pills would be best..as being addicted to them it is hard to control a taper..ct at that dose is not an option due to possible seizures...can u ask someone to help?  u would be surprised at how understanding "certain" people can be..not all but some people r..and u can probably think of someone u know whom u can trust..keep posting

[Psalm91_Girl]

I dont have any answers but I will tell you what I just went through and still fighting like a warrior who will not lay down and die. I was taking tramadol 20-30, 50mg pills of tramadol a day for about three months. I finally decided to go cold turkey...............HUUUUGE mistake. Ok I went to my doctor and he gave me clonodine and xanax and sleeping pills to help with the withdrawals.......its not all.........there is still your part to play and be strong....but the meds the doctor can give you will help tremendously. Its hard and but it gets easier if you want it bad enough like I did. Talk to the Lord with all your heart and read Psalm 91 and pray it like you are praying it for yourself. Pray it until you can stop crying and beleive that what its saying is true and will come true.........It took me a while but I could finally read it with out crying......Its only been 16days and I went out and ate in a restaurant today, YEAAAAA... There was a time there that I felt lilke I was gonna lose it............and this too shall pass.................god bless you

[madtram]

You have come to the right site to go through this journey.  Check out these threads which are dedicated to tramadol withdrawal, you will find caring people & lots of helpful advice:-

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/20035?personal_page_id=142 (worth reading first)

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/20327?personal_page_id=142 (most recent)

Many of us have shared your experiences.  Far from being non-addictive, tramadol has the same tolerance building qualities as any other opiate.  The inclusion of a prozac-like antidepressant means that depression is also a common side effect of withdrawal.  The good news is that everyone feels better when they are free of this lousy pill & there are things you can do to ease withdrawal.

Have a browse thru the journals & please keep posting.

Michelle