Tramadol tapering in early pregnancy

[kumquat534]

I tried to post this before but it disappeared. Sorry if it shows up twice. I recently found out I'm expecting and have been taking tramadol for 2.5 years since I broke my tailbone delivering my last baby. I'm surprised to be pregnant and started trying to tapper off right away. It has been a week and today I tried taking only 2 pills down from 7. I caved around 2:3oam bc the pain was so enormous and I felt like I was crawling out of my skin. I want to do this safely but also quickly for the baby. I see my rhuemetologist on Wednesday and since its the weekend I was hoping for some advice about how to safely do this. How long do I stay at 3? A few days? How long will I feel so physically awful? Once I am "clean" will I still feel achy and sweaty all the time? I am so worried for my baby.

[atthebeach]

you are welcome.
yes you did drop more than half of your dose and that is very drastic,
but  glad you are feeling ok. that taper schedule seems a bit fast to me.
I don't think you should go from 150mgs to 50 mgs. you will feel it.
tramadol also has a anti-depressant component in it and can cause anxiety and depression when you stop taking it.
please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing.
praying for you and baby,
debbie

[kumquat534]

At the beach thanks for asking. I'm feeling much better since talking to the dr. I just think I tried to do it too quickly. This new schedule he gave me is very slow and the only side effect I am feeling is just the cold sweats and even that might be pregnancy related with my hormones like tripping. I will see my ob on June 15 as they dont want to see me before I'm 8 weeks. (I'm not quite 6 weeks along now). Today i had my first small wave of nausea and believe it or not I was so thankful- to me that says everything is going ok so far! I just feel so dumb for not ever googling tramadol/addiction. I had no idea what I was getting into and I hope I never make that mistake again!

[atthebeach]

How are you feeling? Are you in withdrawal?  Will you go to the Ob this week?

[kumquat534]

I ended up calling the ER number for my doc and he recommended one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and 2 at bedtime to sleep. Next week will be one in the mornining and 2 at bedtime and then the last week will just be one in the morning. Thanks so much everyone for the advice, thankful there are strangers watching out for each other. If you pray, pray for my baby to be safe and healthy thru this mess I've made.

[kumquat534]

Thank you so much I called my ob and prescribing dr as soon as I found out and they both told me to take it as needed and taper off but mentioned nothing of the withdrawals I would feel. Perhaps they aren't aware?!?! I will take the lowest amt possible until Monday morning when I can speak to them directly. I am only 5 weeks will taking 3 a day harm the baby?!

[nursegirl6572]

Absolutely agree with the ladies above.  You need to be doing a slow and gradual taper guided and supervised by your OB.  If YOU are feeling w/ds, then your baby is too, and that's risky.  Don't make any changes until you get in to see your OB...stay on your Rx'ed dose...and make an appt to be seen sooner rather than later.

Congrats!  

[vicki595]

Please speak with an OB as soon as possible and STOP tapering right now! Don't do anything until you've spoken with your doctor...to decrease your dose or to abruptly stop is very, very dangerous, as stated above.

[atthebeach]

Hun how far along are you?  
you dropped way too much on your dose. Please call your prescribing doctor and get a proper taper schedule. Have you been to the Ob yet? I would definitely get there ASAP. You could be at risk of miscarriage from withdrawal. It is never safe to go cold turkey or have a drastic decease opiates during pregnancy.
Please make those phone calls. The doctors will advice you as to the safest way to handle this.

[kumquat534]

Does anyone have any advice? I'm feeling awfully scared. Had no idea it was possible to feel this awful.