Tramadol withdrawl

[The_Fox]

After surgery two and half years ago I was on Vicodin.  Because of residual nerve damage from surgery I continued to use hydrocodone for a good year plus.  Then the doctor put me on lorozapam to help deal with the anxiety...hydrocodone still...for the pain.  After awhile Doctor suggested Tramadol...it was not as addictive as hydrocodone, etc.  Continued on with both Lorozapam and hydrocodine untill about 6 months ago when the doctor suggested Cymbalta for the depression and took me off Tramadol.  Don't remember a problem getting over the Tramadol that time because I think Cymbalta took up the slack.  Used Cymbalta 30mg them 60mg for about 5 months and asked the Doctor to get me of of it.  He said, 'go a week on 30mg and then take the Tramadol again...good luck!  No, he actually said, "good luck."  I was using .05mg lorozapam but went to 1mg during this whole process.  I've been back on Tramadol for a few months now (didn't know it had an anti-depressent in it), but want to get off all of this substance addiction.  I tried cold turkey on the tramadol for about 2 days, then all hell broke loose, sweats, feeling like I'd been clubbed in the head with a 2x4, funny crackling noises, nightmares, just plain pure hell.  Looking for some real honest feedback.  I've been using 5 to 6, 50mg Tramadol per day and about 3-4, 1mg Lorozapams per day.  Which is the best to come off first.  How long should I take and dosages.  Same on Tramadol.  Quite frankly I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to knowledge...I thought by listening to the doctor and reading the drug info I had it pretty much handled.
Thanks,
The Fox

[josh231]

Its acually pretty close to a year since i stoped taking ultrams and its awsome. Anyways its not impossible, When you are quiting you will ask youeself and contemplate whether or not it really is worth it, even though it seems like hell you will get through it and youll look back at this time in your life as a learning expeirnce. I wouldnt really change what happened to me because now i know. You sound like a person that is really serious and you will quite, you just have to want it.

[madtram]

There are a number of people tapering off benzos & tramadol on this thread

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/69988

Tapering one at a time seems to be more manageable.

[The_Fox]

Thank you for your quick responses.  Interesting side not: after the two days of hell trying a cold turkey method with the Tram. I ended up doing 3 1/2 Tram and 2 1/2 Loroz. yesterday.  Kept busy and did use 1 50mg Tram and 1mg of Loroz at bedtime.  Actually was able to get through the evening pretty well with a number of wake-ups through the night.  I think (based on your replies, stay on this if I can for the next 7 days.  Then begin to taper of the Ativan first.  Question:  Would it be avisable to cut to 25mg Tram (half a pill) plus .05mg Loroz.  That would leave 150mg Tram and 2mg Loroz per day for my second week?  I'm just hoping this feeling better feeling I have today doesn't backfire.  I think there may be some residual Cymbalta still floating around even after three/four weeks or so.
Thanks
The_Fox

[cathy5841]

thanks to you to worried...you always give out informative advice...you know your stuff to girl...lol

[avisg]

LOL I am still lurking around,hhehehehe

[cathy5841]

sorry avis i was coming back to send you that link and saw you had posted..lol..i didnt figure you would be back til morning

[worried878]

and correction...many cut back 1/2 a pill of tram per week.....again with the benzo on board seizures would be less of a risk

[worried878]

both have to be tapered...relatively speaking..ur dose of the benzo/the ativan is the highest...it would need to be tapered slowly.....trams r within dosage range...6 a day is in dosage range...so perhaps this would be the drug to stop first as anxiety will be associated with wd...and depression as well...so perhaps another AD for now would help..like sumpin weaker than cymbalta which is a big gun...then work on the benzo....a slow taper would be warranted from the tram and the benzo with ur doctors help...like 0.5 mg of tram per week..some go faster and since u have the benzo on board ur chance of seizure during wd is considerably lower

good luck to u and keep posting

[avisg]

I too have been where you have I know what you are going threw .Like Cathy said I would get off the tramadol first then if you wish the Valium .The best way I have seen to help minimize the WD is to go down one pill a week this gives your body time to adjust to each drop.You can do this I have been off it for a year and a half now .You will get there we will be here to help.

[cathy5841]

i have not been addictedto either of those but i wanted to say welcome to the forum and avisg's DOC was trams and she can help you she wont be on til mornign but i will send her this link and ask her to contact you.  i do know you have to taper off them both.  i would think the trams then the lorozapams as they woll help you sleep during the tram w/ds.  avisg also can help you with a taper.  good luck and keep us posted...