Tramadol to suboxone questions

[Tramprisoner]

I have decided to stop taking the tramadol i had a reality check 2 days ago and it was my rock bottom.  I take about 20 50mg pills a day. I will have a full script on the 24th of 180 so I was wondering is there a way to taper with just those? Otherwise I have an appointment with a doctor tomorrow to discuss a suboxone taper program to get off the tramadol. I have taken subs before for a short 10 day taper 2 yrs ago in a detox facility to get off oxy's and benzo's and it worked with very little withdrawl symptoms. I had a year and some change clean time then my doctor suggested tramadol for my ruptured discs assuring me it was a non narcotic. In my state it was just listed as a narcotic in January I think. So I was already addicted.  Any advice would be great. The people who posted comments in my other posts told me to post a new question so I could get advice on the subject.

[clean_in_ks]

Ditto ImDone......no need to see a sub dr now......I posted on your other thread yesterday about NO subs for a tram addiction...and encouraged you to learn about subs NOW beforehand.  I was on subs for 28 days and I NEVER would have ever done that had I known what I know today.  Our health pages a rock chalk (ha) FULL of very valuable info.  Hope you'll be open to just getting off the trams~

[ImDONENoMore]

PLEASE.  I'm begging you.  Cancel that script, keep up with this taper and do NOT go the suboxone route.  I'm begging you, DON'T DO IT!!

[Tramprisoner]

Thank you Julie and viki595 I do have 2 kids but they are both 11 and 8 so they will be able to help around the house etc. Just from decreasing my dosage from 7 pills at a time 3 times a day I took 5 this morning when I woke up and only took 4 an hour ago so I am  already am getting the hot/cold flashes and sweating profusely and my feet cannot get warm they are like ice! I know I can do this! I just remember how free and great I felt when I finally got clean from oxy's and benzo's and I just feel like the doctor tricked me I know I agreed to take the pills and I put each one in my mouth and indeed started abusing them so I know I had a choice I just feel like the doctor knowing I had just got out of a treatment center 6 months prior to our visit which was a year and a half ago wouldn't have put me on something so addicting! Any ways I am going to continue to taper like I have been doing the last few days and then when I feel ready I am just going to stop. I feel like that option is eat rather than dragging it on and knowing when I feel awful I can just take more. My sister can hold onto the new script if I decide to go that route too. Also the doctor I am supposed to see tomorrow I have never seen he specifically specializes in suboxone tapering programs.

[vicki595]

I was just thinking....where is this refill for 180 coming from?  It's not from your doctor...Can you cancel it?

[FourJays]

I was going to agree with Vicki - if you were already off 2 days and had to wait another 4 to get your refill then why start up again.  But I just saw your new post.  So you do have pills left to get you til the refill in a few days right?  As far as tapering, the idea is to reduce the amount you take each day/days/week, leveling off as you go until you are down to nothing and then "jump" off completely.  As I said before we aren't supposed to give actual taper schedules, but you can figure this out.  You are seeing the doctor tomorrow, right?  Can you ask him/her for advice on this?  If he/she knows that your purpose is to get OFF the pills completely I cant imagine that they wont help you out.  You gotta realize though that no matter how you do this there is going to be some discomfort, and that even tapering is not going to be without some withdrawal symptoms.  My personal OPINON is to get off them as fast as possible.  It sounds like you have lots of the detox supplies on hand to help you through the worst of the w/d's.  It is great you have Clonodine; I've heard that to be a really helpful aid during detox and that it has helped many people with some of the worst symptoms.  Get some Vitamin Water "Revive" formula - this has lots of B vitamins, potassium (very important in w/d) & electrolytes.  Also, have lots of clean towels, tshirts, underwear, etc. ready for the hot/cold flashes.  I changed my clothes every few hours those first couple of days and it felt SO good every time.  Also - hot baths w/Epsom salts (or showers if no tub), w/some of your favorite music to soothe you.  All of these things will help - and it WILL only last a few days.  The physical symptoms will be gone in a week or so.  Then you have to consider aftercare and the emotional part of all of this.  But for now, just get yourself off these evil pills.  Based on what has happened in the last couple days, It could not be any clearer that the time is NOW for you to do this.  Since you are not working you can recover in the comfort of your own home (something you are very lucky for - many have to work and care for kids, etc. and deal with all this too).  It is meant to be - go for it, please don't let these pills take anything else away from you.  Good luck, you CAN DO IT :))
Julie

[vicki595]

Okay. You know we can't give taper plans but it's basically dropping a small amount over time.   You may be just fine with what you have left...getting that rx will cause you to take more, I'm afraid, and you don't need 180 to taper off.

Is there someone who can hold the pills for you?