Ultram W/D, am I helping or hurting?

[moongirrrl]

Hi,
I've been on 300mg Ultram ER for a couple of years. I recently went down to 200mg on my doc's advice.
When those were gone too early, of course, I feined horrible w/d's and the doc gave me 20 short acting
50mg tabs of tramadol. I have taken 4 50's mostly in the early part of the day for the past 3 days. More the first day, actually, but it shouldn't matter. Now, I've got just a couple left, had only one  today. Starting to feel weird.
I've been taking a quarter of a 50 mg tramadol when I start feeling bad. Is that making things worse by prolonging
the inevitable, or should it help? Guess I need a crystal ball. Knowing these things DOES help...any advice is appreciated on help with the RLS and other horrible w/d symptoms...
Thanks for reading.
Lisa

[geraldh1000]

I had been taking tramacet, I think it is similar to tramadol, for 4 month. I gave them up 5 days ago. It was hard going for 3 days. Feeling better now.

Gerald1000

[moongirrrl]

Beth,
I'm praying for you too.
I believe when you're doing
the right thing, things are
better, they just are...and we know
getting off this garbage is doing the
right thing.
You're doing pretty much like I did.
I believe it helps. Everyone's different though.
Just remember, we're here, I'll be here til late tonight
PST. I am on day 3 of a rapid taper, maybe 4 it's all
a blur, but believe me my friend, we're moving in the right
direction, do not make yourself ever have to do this again.
You're doing everything right, having your supplies ready.
You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vicki595]

Beth~  Saying a prayer for you...Yes!!!

Keep posting,okay?  Tramahater can be a huge support to you and I'll try.  LOL

You're doing a good thing here!!!

Vicki

[LeaAnn807]

That's great!  You will feel better in a few days.  Do not be discouraged!  Don't let your brain talk you out of this!!!  

You can do it!!!  Good luck!

TH

[bethwillprevail]

I was only taking 200 mg /day, but I was on Tramadol for 10 years.  Gradually increased the dose.  Had to get off it- it is deadly.  I cant imagine feeling this bad for no really good reason, except I am an idiot and kept takign those pills!!  Today I have only taken 50mg- tomorrow I go free.  I guess I am doing it cold turkey since really I just started taking 100 mg yesterday, then 50 today.  I just figure if I am going feel this bad I am going to get it over with.  Pray for my success.  Got all the supplies here and I am on my way to freedom

[LeaAnn807]

Yep!  I quit at 15 a day!  COLD TURKEY!  No fun and possibly dangerous.  I would not advise that for anyone!  It was awful.  

You may get to the point in the next couple of days where your mind tells you that you can't take the WD.  Just remember that it is temporary!  Once you quit the taper, the WD will only last a few days for the worst of it.  You know all of this I'm sure!  Insomnia and RLS being the WORST!

You're gonna do GREAT!

[moongirrrl]

Hi,
Yeah, I read some horror stories about getting off of lyrica, so I may not take any more.
Only if it gets real bad. My hubby wants me to save my last 50 tram for a souvenir. Maybe I will! I still feel bad, don't get me wrong. But, you and I both know how this is and I feel very fortunate right now. Trying to remain grateful for the chance to get let down a little softer.
I hope you're doing ok too. Last time, I quit 16 trammies a day CT. Ouch.
It was a month before I could function normally for my stepson's wedding,
Thank God...
Lisa

[LeaAnn807]

Good job!  The RLS and insomnia get almost everyone!  Baths are really helpful.  Also, very proud of you for calling your doc to say no more tram!  That will help a lot.  It helped me to know that I couldn't call and get a refill.  Once I told my doc, it was over for me!  If he calls, you might ask about clonidine.  It's a BP pill and non-addictive.  It helps with a lot of the WD symptoms.  Just have to monitor your BP while you take it.

Let me know what your doc says.  Again.....good job!

PS......You know this, but watch the Lyrica.  I think it IS addictive.  Also, careful if your doc calls in a benzo.  I have switched addictions MANY times while in WD!  It'll be over soon!

[moongirrrl]

Doin ok...
Lyrica has saved my butt. I only have a few, so they won't be a problem.
They were prescribed to me. My doc will be calling me today. I already
left him a message telling him I'm THROUGH with Ultram. No more.
If he wants to prescribe something to help, fine, but NO opiates, or anything
like them.
It can be done.
Lyrica saved my butt, it helps more than I can even say
with the RLS and depression.
I only feel tired. I know this can all change,
but I honestly feel that when we're doing
the right thing, we get help from higher places.
Lisa

[moongirrrl]

I do get the RLS, have before,it's the WORST. I do have multivitamins with mag and lots of really good c and b vitamins. I do have epsom salt, so I did soak in it when I felt a little RLS coming on, just a bit ago...it really does seem to help.

[LeaAnn807]

Yes it's insane, and I did if for a long time.  That is what WD feels like.  Hot, sweaty, cold, freezing and then hot again!  It doesn't last forever thank goodness.  The B vitamin is good.  Glad you have that. I take it too.  Super B it's called, I think.  The mag/cal is a help for RLS, but if you don't have the RLS that's GREAT!  You are dodging a big bullet!  You may get it when you stop the tram completely.  Heating pad is good if you have one.  Glad you ate too!  You'll need it for energy!

I'll check on ya later!

TH

[moongirrrl]

Nyquil was very helpful for sleep. I took a 1/4 tram and a normal dose of nyquil and went to bed, no issues. Woke up feeling a bit freaky have only taken 1/2 of a tram since.
My hubby made me something to eat, and lots of cut up veggies.
I took a B stress complex, but don't have any mag/cal yet, kinda broke
for all the store stuff.
I am on my ritalin, not sure if it helps or hurts. It does seem to keep
me a bit more positive.
It's become VERY obvious my family wants me to succeed with this.
I am a bit sweaty, then cold. Weepy. But OK. I will make it through this.
I want to. To go through this ever again would be just insane, and I know it.

[moongirrrl]

K, going to try to go to bed. Hoping that nyquil won't make things worse, it may help with the sneezing and stuff. I'll report in tomorrow, when I can. Thanks a million and cya then or whenever you get on. Have a good night. Lisa

[LeaAnn807]

I have no idea why that posted twice!!!

The crying and fear are normal, and will go away.  You haven't been feeling for awhile!  Having a supportive hubby helps.  Mine helped a lot, especially taking care of things while I was "down"!

Don't let your fear stop you from doing this.  It's going to be over soon!

[moongirrrl]

thanks for the list. I'm on it. I forgot that the heating pad can combat a bad case of flails and the stomach ewwws. I'm still scared though. I have started crying all the time too...every little thing. But mostly happy tears.

[moongirrrl]

I can relate to the type A thing...I get really angry during the flails about my house being dirty, etc...funny I am making food and cleaning my bedroom too. My hubby is very helpful. I just realized I'm luckier than most during this time...that will help. I'm thinking of putting a huge sign above my bed that says STICK WITH IT IT"S WORTH IT!!!!!!!!

[LeaAnn807]

Store.....

Gatorade
Immodium (Must have this!!! You know why!!!)
Advil
Tylenol
Heating pad (if you don't have one)
Epsom salt for baths
Bananas and bland food like soup and crackers
Mag/cal supplement but you have to take like 1000 mg
Hylands leg cramps or restful legs
Apple juice???  I also drank propel water.  I like the taste!

Thomas recipe is great.  I am still doing a lot of the stuff on it!!!  

Also before you stop completely, you will want to do all your laundry and get all your comfy clothes and towels clean.   You will need them and won't feel like doing laundry and cleaning for a few days!  I cleaned like crazy before I quit CT, and it's a good thing I did!  I'm kinda type A anyway, so I felt a lot better with my surroundings being clean when I was in bed not feeling well!  

[LeaAnn807]

Store.....

Gatorade
Immodium (Must have this!!! You know why!!!)
Advil
Tylenol
Heating pad (if you don't have one)
Epsom salt for baths
Bananas and bland food like soup and crackers
Mag/cal supplement but you have to take like 1000 mg
Hylands leg cramps or restful legs
Apple juice???  I also drank propel water.  I like the taste!

Thomas recipe is great.  I am still doing a lot of the stuff on it!!!  

Also before you stop completely, you will want to do all your laundry and get all your comfy clothes and towels clean.   You will need them and won't feel like doing laundry and cleaning for a few days!  I cleaned like crazy before I quit CT, and it's a good thing I did!  I'm kinda type A anyway, so I felt a lot better with my surroundings being clean when I was in bed not feeling well!  

[moongirrrl]

Hi,
I guess I forgot to mention I do MJ for pain. Another reason to get off of the ultram.
I did NA and AA both, paralell, I like to say. It saved my life. I live in a small town
and the folks here reject the idea of medical MJ, as many do. It's been a lonely path
around here lately...
Making a list for the store, looks like the Thomas Recipe is made up mostly of stuff
I have...YAY!
Lisa

[LeaAnn807]

You aren't going to bug, I swear!  The potassium helps RLS and leg cramps mainly.  I like bananas, but I ate enough to turn into one and didn't get any relief.  Then I was pouring my little one some apple juice and read the label.  Come to find out it's loaded in potassium!  The mag/cal is priceless as far as I'm concerned.

It does help to talk to people who have been through it.  When you feel like it, go check out an NA meeting.  I know that you have done AA with success with the drinking.  There is a lot of help in NA, like here, from people who have been through this.  I am finding great comfort there and here on the forum!

But let's get these WDs over with for ya!!!  They will be a distant memory soon! : )

[moongirrrl]

Hi,
I'll try the mag and calc for the RLS, for sure!
What does the potassium help with?
Thanks for being there, I won't bug too much, promise:-)
It's just nice to hear from people who've been there.
I was taking 5 different kinds of pills a day and quit them too,
about 7 mos ago...lexapro, tizanidine, buspar, ultram, and can't even
remember the other ones, lol...so I'm on a roll.
I can really tell the diff just being off the psych drugs, for sure!
I recently found out all my pills intereact w/ each other, I could've
died...
Lisa

[LeaAnn807]

Trazadone is an AD.  I would not take the ultram with it!  Ultram has an AD in it.  So too much seratonin, ok?  Don't take together!

With having so few left, you might just try to take part of a pill when you get REALLY miserable.  Ideally, you should do a slow taper to avoid sickness and WD.  I did CT, and that is NOT advisable!!!  

If you have had WD before, you know what to expect?!  It's yuck for sure, but you can do it.  Ultram has a long half life, so the WD may last a little bit, but hang on ok?  Don't give up.  Get in a bath as hot as you can stand.  Put some epsom salt in it too.  Immodium will help a lot.  Gatorade is really important if you have some.  Bananas or apple juice for potassium.  I found apple juice better and easier to deal with!!!  Magnesium and calcium come together in a supplement and it helps SO much with RLS and cramps.  I still take it!!!

Let me know if you need anything!

[moongirrrl]

Hi,
I have two and 1/4 50mgs left. I am only on 10mg ritalin LA.
I do have trazadone that was prescribed to me once, for this.
I really appreciate your help!
Lisa

[LeaAnn807]

Thanks and congrats on your 9 years!  That's great!

Tramadol is just evil.  I don't know how else to describe it.  First.....stop the benadryl.  Really!  I would have jumped off my house if I had taken it during WD!  Second, I know how you feel about going thru WD long enough to get a refill.  I did it for months!  It is worth the time it takes to get off this junk.  How many do you have left, exactly?  Enough to taper?  Do you have or take any other meds besides ritalin?  Avis knows more about this than me, but I don't think you should be mixing the two.  

It's going to be ok.  You will be helped here, I promise!

TH