Tramadol withdrawals and crawling under the skin?

[Alexis1975]

I've been on quite a high dosage of 800mg of Tramadol a day. It was recently recommended by my doctor to come off them as I've been getting muscle spasms in my arms and legs. Some are quite violent to the point I'm in a lot of pain, like I've been running a marathon or something and my legs have been overworked. I have also experienced weakening and trembling in my left arm. I have been referred for more tests at the hospital and already had bloods done a couple of days ago. But my Doctor wanted me to come off Tramadol completely to make sure that it's not just these that are causing the symptoms as they can be a side effect of the drug.

I've been tapering down and dropping 50mg every 5th day. I felt it for the first day or so, but then it eased off. When I got down to 100mg a day a few days ago. I came off them as I had no more left and my doctors have removed them from my prescriptions now, so had to come off completley. It's been almost 48 hours and the withdrawals aren't seeming to let up.

The crawling under my skin and the aching of my bones are the worst. I can cope with the hot and cold sweats, but the crawling is driving me insane. I am already taking Imodium, which is funny as for the past year or so I've been having to take Laxido for constipation.

My partner is trying to be understanding, but unless you've experienced drug withdrawal, it's hard to for them to empathise.

I just want the crawling under my skin to stop, I just don't know what to do. As suggested I've tried walking, which does help. But I'm so tired and unable to sleep. My Doctor gave me 2 weeks prescription of 5mg Diazepam/Valium 3 times a day. Which is making me feel tired, but not able to sleep because of the crawling feeling under my skin and feeling restless constantly.

[ImDONENoMore]

Actually you can use epsom salts in the showers - just get a loofah and pour some salts into that and use it as a scrub.  I did this only because I"m not a bath kind of person - and it still helped a ton with the body aches.

I think it's great that you're getting off of this poison - tramadol was my DOC for over 6 years and I was taking up to 20 pills (50 mg) a day so I can totally relate to what you're going through.  Feel free to message me and I'd be happy to share my experiences and some of the things I did to get through those initial days.

Good luck to you!  And congrats for finding your way out.  :)

[Alexis1975]

Thanks for your response. And really well done on staying off for 17 days now. I will check out the Thomas Recipe. Unfortunately I can't try the epsom salts as I only have shower at home, no bath.

I think I will be ok with the Valium. I have taken it on occasions before for a week or two at a time, and had no trouble stopping them. Apart from the first couple of nights having broken sleep. Nowhere near as bad as coming off of Tramadol.

[Blackwolfsgirl]

Take a hot epsom.salt bath. Not only foes this help eliviate muscle spasms, but it is a natural detoxifier that pulls the toxins out through your skin. Also, look at the bottom of the page for the tomas receipe. It works wonders. Also, be vareful with taking valium as benzodiazapines are very  hard and risky to come off of. Good luck and feel free to post as often as you need to; there are tons of wonderful, knoledgeable people on this forum. I am on day 17 and I couldnt of done it without this site. Good luck and welcome.