Vicodin for Tramadol withdrawal?

[reelite]

I started taking Tramadol in April of this year for some still as yet undiagnosed neck pain. I have been in physical therapy and will probably bo back. Not sure what the problem is but sometimes when you massage one side of my neck it sounds and feels like you are popping bubble wrap under the skin. Very odd and I am only 35.

Anyway. I started taking it as prescribed and loved the mood elevation and energy it gave me. The pain relief was nice too. :)

When I started having breakthrough pain I increased my dosage from one 50mg pill twice a day to two 50mg twice a day. Now I hover between there and two 50 mg pills three times a day. I am ready to stop this now. The last few times I missed a dose I got terrible physical symptoms. Sweats. Shakes. Confusion and anxiety. Of course, bathroom issues.

I have babies at home and I can't go away for detox and I don't want to go cold turkey.

My plan is to taper down with my husband's help. My question is, could Vicodin help in any way with withdrawal symptoms whatsoever? I have access to a bottle and I am not worried about switching one addiction for another. Vicodin is not my drug of choice and I would only have access to this one prescription.

I am also wondering if taking L-Tyrosine or 5-htp would help with the antidepressant part of the withdrawals.

I do not have a rx for any benzo's so this would be all I would have access too unless I find a doctor that actually recognizes Tramadol as an addictive medication.

Thanks in advance,

Ree

[Dave W.]

Stay away from the much more potent Vicodin. The Tramadol is a synthetic narcotic
so if you start taking the Vic,which is a true narcotic,you will have one heck of a time
with much worse withdrawl symptoms than with the Tramadol. The vic's will completely
stop your Tram detox in it's tracks,but as earlier posts stated,once you stop taking the
Vics,the Tram withdrawls will seem like a walk in the park. Not trying to scare you,
it's just reality with the darn meds. Good luck and just try to kick the Tram withdrawls
without switching narcotics. Tram withdrawls should'nt be too bad,from what I've read.

[lady1981]

Also, you shoud check out my thread I started yesterday:

Ultram is NOT the solution for a Norco detox - Feeling hopeless :(

My Dr. gave me Ultram to use to get off of Norco and the detox has been a little less than pleasing. However, there are some good suggestions and a lot of support on that page, so you should check it out since you plan on detoxing off of Tramadol (Tramadol and Ultracet and pretty much the same drug)

Let me know if you have any questions, I am here to help.

[lady1981]

So, I am coming off of Ultram (I have about 44 hrs clean) and depression has been one of my most serious side effects. I dont know much about 5htp, but do you think i should go get some and try it, or is the worst part over and there really isnt a need for it? And if you do suggest that i try it, how long should i take it for?

[VOsRose]

I think that's wise.  There are a lot of people here who will help you through the withdrawal.  You'll be okay...you really will.  If I can help, please let me know.

Rosie

[reelite]

Thanks so much.  I certinaly don't want to prolong the withdrawal.  So I will prbably just leave them alone.

[VOsRose]

While you may not want to trade one addiction for another and feel that Vicoden is not your DOC, I would advise strongly against using it at all.  It is a much stronger narcotic and will only prolong the withdrawal.  To answer your question...it will definately "ease" the withdrawal.  It should, considering the difference in the two drugs, stop it in its tracks.  The problem is, you will begin withdrawal as soon as you stop the Vicoden.  I hope someone else jumps in here.  Let me know if I can help you with anything else.  

Rosie

[FLaddict]

5HTP would help alot since Ultram stimulates the serotonin part of our brains.I would suggest tapering with the Ultram before I would suggest taking any of the vicodin.. Taking another opiate will just 'mask" the withdrawl.. you would still have to go through withdrawl when you ran out of vicodin and technically from a stronger pain med.
Welcome to the site.. it is very helpful and full of support..

Stephanie
Day 61 off of pain pills