Tramadol

[Critter3201]

Man o Man,

I have been taking something for basically 15 years.  I think you are heading in the right direction SAHM, the first part i guess is acknowledgement that you have a problem?  Everybody pays the fiddler when there time comes due.  I have tried and tried and tried to stop even went on the Sub program for 18 months.  Then started on the Tramadol now I am back to taking everything again just to get through my day including Tramadol.  I am embarrassed and ashamed!  Especially since I made it a major production the first time with my family (wife and kids) (mom and friends) that I was addicted and needed help. I don't know which is worse, the pain I will cause my family or the withdraws.  I am a very proud hard working man, who prides himself on taking care of work and family and I love them so much.  
Think of your family SAHM, be strong and learn to try and forgive yourself as I will.  You sound like a very caring individual and I will pray for you.  No matter what It all works out!  Just know the sooner you start the better.

LOL I will take some of my own advice here!

God Bless.

[FourJays]

Thank you; I do feel stronger now, yes.  As the time goes by I feel more confident about my sobriety, yet I also know that it is something I will have to protect and fight for the rest of my life.  I totally understand about the career and family thing.  Have you considered trying to taper down very slowly, in a way that will lessen the severity of the w/d's so that you can continue with your work and travel schedule?  I personally was not able to taper (if pills were around, I found them and took them, period); and ended up doing a c/t from a massive amount of Tramadol.  You mentioned that you are taking other meds in addition to the Tramadol(?).  I was doing that too.....amazing how much our tolerance grows and what becomes necessary just to keep the w/d's away (for me it was up to 50 pills a day - Very Sad, but true).  Anyway, please think about it all...as you know, these pills are never going to just let go; they will only dig in deeper.  When you are ready, please know that we are here for you.  Good luck :))

Julie

[Critter3201]

Thanks Four Jays, that is great to hear.  Yes I am ready to stop again but questioning my resolve here.  I have a great career as a national sales manager and travel a bunch.  I don't want to jeopardize that nor do I want to alienate my family with this problem again.  I am a chicken.  LOL I was actually trying to post to someone else's thread and messed it up starting my own thread here.  I am proud that you have kicked the habit now for almost a year. You are a strong person FJ!!!

[FourJays]

Hi Critter and welcome.....please - don't feel embarrassed or ashamed; surely you did not intend or want to become addicted to these meds.  I spent 15 years of my life battling with this as well; in no uncertain terms did I purposefully lose touch with my friends, isolate from everyone in my life, lose interest in many (most) of the things I loved to do, spend thousands of dollars, walk away from a professional career and almost lose my life in the process.  I was originally prescribed Tramadol for back pain; quickly developed a tolerance and it was all downhill from there.  I told myself for many years that I was in control, but I was sadly mistaken.  I was able to break free over 5 months ago and don't ever intend on going back.  You have been through this once so you know it can be done.  Are you wanting to get off everything again?  This is a really great place with a lot of people that have been through it all and are here to offer support and encouragement - when you are ready, we are here for you :)