WITHDRAWALS FROM TRAMADOL, VALIUM and ZOPICLONE NIGHTMARE! HELP Please?

[shugalug]

How do I safely wean off Tramadol, Valium and Zopiclone all at the same time? I'm full of anxiety, nauseous, sweating hot & cold, and so scared! I used Valium to help me cope with the withdrawals from Tramadol, didn't have enough to last me till next script is due, so began taking Zopiclone. Now I'm scared of that med and need to get off it before it takes too great a hold of me. How do I get off all these horrible medications, that never worked to begin with, but I got addicted to? I kept taking them, hoping they would work. Now in a worse predicament than ever! Tramadol started all this, 3 weeks ago. Before that I only took Zopiclone at night, now and then, not every night. Now I'm having to take it 4 times a day, as it doesn't last longer than 2 hours. Can you help me please? I'm in HELL!

[GollumRFR]

Little by brain and my life is crazy and it literally with being on Zopiclone means to find and Bramazepam and I have been off it. Last week I could not pay for mine and my doctor granted me an account I should only use it and had to go into his officer me in to explained. I am at present experiencing hallucinnations to some order. I do not understand it as this might be the very first thing shown to me. I am very scared at present. Is this ZOPICLONE at work and should I see a doctor or a psychiatrist. Please help.

[VickiJJ]

I am awake at nearly 4am after taking a toyal of three zopliclone since going to bed at 11:30pm.  This IS hell.  It is like they have topped working completely. Had surgery six weeks ago and was given Tramadol for pain but stopped them a couple weeks back.  Was given mega morphine in hospital.  Have been diagnosed in the past with major depression and take Cipralex.  Is the zopliclon no longer effective because of all the drugs during my hospital visit?  Help!  

[Est76]

Hi! I just read all of your posts and all of the replies (Nice to know that are caring people out there) :)
I'm too suffering from Tramadol, I've took it at first thinking that it would be better that the other narcotics out there in order to treat my back pain, but it has been a trip to hell all this time; the withdrawals are so aggressive that are so scary to even think about. Thank God not to long ago I got valium, and now by reading your posts, I have finally hope to come off this horrible, devil's pill. Others also recommend going through a period of a "body Cleanse" and just either do detoxing juices and trips to the sauna along with loads of water.
Once again, thank you; and everyone else, for having the courage to put your own personal battles out there.

[anonymous112862]

I'd just like to add something about coming off of tramadol, and how Valium (diazepam) had to be used for that. I was in 'moderate' withrawal from opiates, codeine & hydrocodone, and I didn't want it to get bad. So I got a few tramadols from someone, reasoning that: since tramadol is a vague opiate-type drug that it would ease things for me a bit.

Well, it certainly did. In fact I was surprised how well the tramadol made me feel -- until I came down off of IT!! (8-12 gours later). I'm talking *extreme* edginess/tension, felt like my head would explode. Also felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. Bear in mind: not a typical opiate come-down. No, there's definitely something else special about tramadol.

Got so bad I had to go see my doctor (I considered the emergency room). Got a small batch of 5 mg. diazepam, just to take for maybe a day or two until I get safely past this 'tramadol come-down effect'. The diazepam works, about 45 minutes after taking it, although I still have a slight headache.

Hope my account helps or informs somebody. That tramadol is every bit as nasty as people say it is. When coming-down off of it.

[shugalug]

How true! What wise words! It's funny how we can praise other people, but when it comes to ourselves, we tend to be really hard on ourselves. We expect too much from ourselves, when really, we ARE doing the best that we can with what we've got. Oh but I'm feeling awful at the moment. Hanging out till it's medication time at 4pm, so I can have at least some of my meds. I never used to be like that. I'd even forget sometimes, that I had to take them, now look at me. Shaking and trembling all over, jitter anxious, antsy, can't relax or settle, headaches like mad, which I never used to get very often. It's just all a nightmare! I NEVER want to be controlled by medications ever again! That is not the real me and I want me back! I was a good person, had a good sense of humour, easy-going, and likeable I hope. I never really liked myself much though, but will after all this is over. Because if I can, not if, when I survive this, I will be a stronger person because of it and I will be proud of myself for enduring and getting through it. How's that! Is it OK to praise yourself up? I always feel guilty if I do and I think it's because when I was little, we were taught that 'Pride comes before a fall', so we should never be vain or proud of ourselves. I'll have to re-learn a lot of those old ways of thinking, I think, haha! (Too much thinking going on here, I think, haha again!) Well, you can see I'm trying to keep my spirits up and it's thanks to you and all the other replies I've had, that have kept me going and given me renewed strength. Especially hearing about your difficulties you have to face daily. I hope you are very proud of the way you're handling them all! I'm hyper-sensitive too, and react strongly to flatter(blush and deny) or imagined criticisms too (defend myself angrily and sarcastically), so I hope my admiration of you, and how you're handling your troubles, won't make you feel too uncomfortable, because I applaud your efforts. Sorry if I cause you to feel uncomfortable. I don't mean to. I just think people should be told when they clearly are doing their best, that they are making a good effort. We all need encouragement. Your positive outlook is heart-warming!

[Bubulous]

Don't beat yourself up.  You are doing your very best and that is ALL that you can ask of yourself.
That is what I do.  I know I have a little more working against me than some but at the end of the day if we do our very best we deserve the same praise as anyone else.
Stay positive friend  :)

[shugalug]

I just saw your reply after I'd posted mine. Thanks for that advice. I just tried to ring the clinic where I see my GP. It's closed of course, being a public holiday. I will ring tomorrow first thing, and hope they are open. An automated message said I can visit the website called homevisitingdoctor.com  and download an application or something, but that's not what I'm after really, though I'll have a look at it, as maybe a home visit might be the only way I'll be able to explain my predicament, and hopefully they can prescribe for me. I'm not sure if they can do that though, but will have a look. I don't have the zoloft until 4pm, but as I said, I've only got enough for 5 days, so I might get by without it till the 8th when I see my GP, as that's only 7 days to go. Even if it means cutting the dose by another 1/4 every 2nd day. I don't know, only guessing.

[shugalug]

Thanks again, Larry. I hope you're feeling OK today. I wasn't too bad up to 10 mins ago. Suddenly, the withdrawals have hit me. How I hate being addicted to meds! I just had my 50mg tramadol, as I didn't have it earlier, only the 15omg slow release one. I also just had to take my first valium, which I hate, as it doesn't seem to help, but as I'm addicted, I have to take it until I start a weaning off plan, once I get off tramadol. I haven't had any zopiclone, as I'm nearly out of those, so will try not to have any at all, or at least, wait as long as possible before maybe having 1/2 the 7.5mg tabs. I've got a shocking headache suddenly come on now too, sweating hot & cold, jumper on, jumper off. Shaking all over, well you know what it's like. Thanks for the reminder about not obsessing about the future (when I'm out of meds and it's holidays, so can't get scripts), and just get through one hour at a time today! Thanks goodness for this forum. It does help to talk about what I'm feeling at any given time, and I appreciate your replies and all the other replies I've received. I can't thank you all enough! You're surviving, with all your troubles too, so knowing about your struggle, gives me hope that I too, can get through this.

[Bubulous]

The first day or so off of the Zoloft will not be too hard becasue of the half life of it but 4 or 5 days will definitely have an impact on you.  I would say that goiing to that clinic would be your best best.  Everyone knows that narcotic w/ds stink but with you w/d from trams and zoloft you are could be in serious danger.  If that doesn't work try any other resources that you can think of and yes post another question about it that you may come up with other responses.
Thanks for posting back and letting me know how you are doing.
Larry

[shugalug]

Hi again, I meant to tell you that your answer was most helpful. I was doing exactly what you did. I used valium to help with the Tramadol withdrawal, then the sleep med zopiclone as I was running out of valium. Now I'm nearly run out of zopiclone, so have had to cut right down from having 4 each day, last week, to 1 and a half, then none, as I only have 5 left now. Haven't had any today yet, or any valium, as so far so good, and I feel ok. I've even cut another 25mg of the slow release Tramadol, last night, so instead of having 150mg, I'm now down to 75mg at night. I still take the 150mg prescribed in the morning, and the the 3 of the 50mg fast acting ones during the day. It's going to be a long road ahead, to get completely off it.  I might start a new post with the question about what to do when it's holidays and your GP or Psych is not available and you've run out of your anti-dep and sleep med scripts. The leaflets tell me "DO not stop taking this medication suddenly". Help! Stupid me forgot to ring for new scripts before the holidays, now I'll be in trouble in 2 - 4 days time, without those 2 meds.Just when I'm trying to cope with the tramadol withdrawal  and having less valium, less zopiclone at the same time, even though all the replies told me to do one at a time, because it's holidays, I am forced to have less of the zopiclone and now Zoloft, as I can't get scripts until after the hols. I've been forced to cut my valium dosage down to just 3 a day also, as I will run out before the next script is due, so can't even use the 4 initially prescribed to hep ease withdrawals. As I've explained quite a few times, I was using the valium all wrong, but certainly liked to have a stock there to fall back on, in times of emergencies, such as this withdrawing from tramadol. God, what a mess it's all turned into! Partly my own fault.

[Bubulous]

Thanks for your kind words and your prayers.
You have a great attitude.  You will get through this and I love that you realized that you shouldn't obsess over the future.  That will go a long way in keeping your sanity...:)
Keep checking back and let us know how you are doing.
Larry

[shugalug]

I forgot to mention the dosages I was on for Seroquel. It was 25mg, once a day. It sent me loopy, not high, just an awful weird feeling of unrealness. Familiar things looked unfamiliar and that was scary! Anxiety n otched up quite a bit too, and it did nothing for my depression at that time. I weaned myself off it quick smart after being on it for about 8 days. I told my psych and she thought it very strange that I reacted to it in that way, as she said it's usually very successful in reducing anxiety. Hah! It's a anti-psychotic drug. It might help bipolar and schizophrenia, but did not help me one bit. It had started making me feel psychotic instead. I'm also on Mirtazapine 30mg twice daily, Pamelor 20mg or more as needed (that seems to do nothing to calm my anxiety). mirtazapine is the best, I've found, for calming me down, and reduces the anxiety jitters and all that goes with anxiety. My GP told me it's not used for anxiety and thought I was crazy when I told her it works better than valium. Looks like I react the opposite to meds, to what they're supposed to help with. Trust me to be different! The psych I was referred to, put me on Zoloft 50mg also, as an adjunct to Mirtazapine and the norepinephrine (Pamelor). It made me worse, so I cut the dosage in half to 25mg, and that didn't affect me adversely. Not sure if it helped with my anxiety or depression though. I'm still very keen to get of the benzo valium, but will have to wait until I'm off Tramadol. I've printed out Professor Ashton's Weaning off Valium plan to show my GP.

[shugalug]

Thank you so very much, Larry. I'm replying to this , your 2nd post in reply to mine. How very wise you are and I appreciate your kind words. You are trying your 100% best. I applaud you for that, as it must be so very difficult for you, with your different diagnoses, and your PTSD. I am going through my own post traumatic stress disorder too, but not of the kind of horror you must have experienced. Mine is the aftermath of a very traumatic and terrifying experience of having my right leg trapped from 9pm one night, to 11.30 the next morning until my sisters visited and were able to call an ambulance, the fire brigade and police came, as they had to break the lock of my doors to be able to let the ambulance medics in, and then yet another rescue team to use the 'Jaws of Life' to cut me free. They even wondered why I was still alive and conscious, but I was. Anyay I still keep having nightmares about that and unfortunately asked my GP to put me back on valium and she also increased the anti-dep I was on, which I didn't ask her to do, but she thought it might help. Damn got addicted to valium again, when I had been free of it for well over 6 months while in hospital and then a rehab hospital for that time. I used it as prescribed at first, then wanted to get off it, so took it haphazardly, and none at all some days, just to prove to myself I could do without it. Of course, I didn't know about the half-life or whatever they call it, and how long it stays in the body so that's why I never got withdrawals from not taking it for 2 or 3 days. I'd soon take just 1, here and there, 2, sometimes and then up to 8 when having a stressful day or days, that the pressure built up so much that I would go crazy and end up being nasty if I didn't have that many valium to make me calm down and to stop me saying things I'd later regret. Didn't do that often, but still, I was not using it as prescribed any longer. Bottom line, I'm addicted, I'm in a mess and suffering. I WILL GET THROUGH THIS SOMEHOW.  Gotta hang on as the body won't die, so must endure it! At least it'll all be over in a few months. Oh God, I must not think further than today, or I'll be even more overwhelmed. I can't stand this! Thanks for being there for me to have your support and I trul wish you all the best too, as it's so horrible to suffer, and only people who have been through this would understand. My family can't grasp the depth of these awful feelings. They just don't know what it's like to feel so anguished and despairing. I hope they never will have too go through such mental pain!

[shugalug]

WOW is all I can say your post! How incredibly strong you are, to go through all this at once! I really hope you will find a solution to overcome these hindrances in your life. It's great that you are still searching for an answer and hopefully, a cure.  It certainly helps to be a member of this wonderful forum. I'm so glad I stumbled upon it and joined. I'm struggling terribly today! Withdrawals are horrendous! Having to cope with less valium and less zopiclone, as scripts aren't due, and my pharmacist is only giving me 7 a week of the 50 valium, that my psych prescribed.  I also get a script from my GP for 50, and thought that both knew that they were both prescribing it for me. I never asked, at my appts, if they knew the other was prescribing it. I am addicted and I've always admitted it I posted in the anxiety forum about this. The reason I didn't ask either of them is perhaps because I always wanted to have a stock, for 'just in case', you know, emergencies. Now I don't have a stock to fall back on, just when I'm going through the hell of tramadol withdrawal too, and also zopiclone, as I was stupid enough to take an overdose of it, last Wed, so now only have 5 or 6 left. (I think I have 1 in my bag, but will check later, as I'm in bed at the moment). I must have taken over 30, as I still had a full pack of 30, which is why I've only the 5 left of that pack. What an awful experience that was.Falling asleep in the middle of a sentence, middle of a room dropping my laptop several times, its'a wonder it's still working, and having my hubby hovering over.me as he was worried about me and that I might have an accident, as I was either in my wheelchair, or some of the time, wearing my prosthetic leg. I even realized I wasn't keeping my balance very well, so took it off and used my wheelchair after that. but God, what a foolish thing to do. All because my hubby had said something nasty to me, and I was feeling fragile enough as it was. Now I've realized that I don't have a repeat script for Zoloft and I've only 5 of those left, and it's Easter holidays, so my psych won't be there until next week sometime and my appt with her is not until the 10th, so don't know what I'm going to do when I run out of that. I'm so angry at myself for not checking to see if I'd need a new script before the holiday began. Maybe, when the clinic where I see my GP is open again, I can hopefully explain to the receptionist about the zoloft and ow I'm not supposed to be without it, whe can tell whichever doctor is on duty there and hopefully one of them can give me a script for it. Oh God! I must just take A Day AT a Time and try not to get all worked p worrying about running out of scripts. Jeez, I HATE being addicted and needing meds just to feel a bit normal! I want off all except the phantom limb pain one, Gabapentin, and will renew my studies in alternative healing and go the natural way once this is all over. I have learnt a hard lesson, especially in that it snuck up on me so insidiously that I never fully thought about how is it that I was on so many meds. Tramadol tipped the neurotransmitter balance, and made me think long and hard what being on medication can do to your health and mental state. I feel so crook at this moment, but as I said, Time does pass and each day will bring me closer to finally being free of the prescribed meds. Thank God I no longer drink, due being an alcoholic for about 25 years, but stopped drinking 4 years ago when I had my accident, in which I lost my leg, wasn't expected to survive but did, in a coma for 3 weeks while they tried to save my leg but couldn't, so losing that was a Godsend, as I gained my health and sanity, but unfortunately got addicted to pain meds, then valium again. Wish I'd never gone back on it. Too ate now. I did, so have to deal with getting off it now and all the withdrawal horrors that go with weaning off that. I've been through thousands literally, of withdrawals when I was drinking and tried to stop. God, they were a nightmare and I don't know why I kept going back to drinking, knowing full well I couldn't control it, and that I'd have to stop at some stage again, and go through those DT's all over again! Madness! They say the definition of Madness is doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result, so that was me!  Thanks again,, and you'll be in my prayers to our Higher Power who I choose to call God. I'm even reaching out to Jesus, as I used to be a believer and am still a Christian, just not a church goer, but I want to believe and have my faith back, that Jesus can and will heal me, if I just trust and hand it over. And I' not talking religion here either, just about having faith in something greater than ourselves. I'll let all who replied to my post, know how I go with my GP on the 8th, and psych on the 10th. (And how I'm surviving these withdrawals).

[shugalug]

Sorry it took me so long to reply. I want to thank you for your support and understanding.  WOW, I'm blown away by all that you are going through. You are amazing, having so much strength to help you try your best!What crosses a lot of us have to bear! I sincerely hope you will overcome your disorders, as you sound like a lovely person with a lovely character. .Been going through hell this last week, with anxiety going through the roof, so I started posting on the anxiety forum of this wonderful website. I knew and always admitted to people that I am addicted to valium and have ALWAYS wanted to get a weaning off plan by my GP who referred me to a Psych to help me with my meds. The Psych did not recommend going off valium until my depression was under control. She prescribed Seroquel, which made me worse, with nausea to boot and I felt weird, like all the familiar things around me, were unfamiliar and I felt disoriented and scared. I weaned myself off it, as when I researched it, I saw the horrific side-effects and I wasn't willing to have those a minute longer than necessary, to get off it. She put me on 50mg Zoloft. Made me worse depressed and more jittery, but not nauseous so cut the dosage myself, to 25mg not 15mg, and my depression seemed not quiite so dark, so I've stayed on that since about last Aug. I was still majorly anxious, couldn't answer the phone or door, go out and din't feel motivated to do anything, but pushed myself to at least try. I accidentally stumbled upon a solution. I had stopped taking Gabapentin suddenly, over 6 months earlier and within a week had full blown panic and anxiety and fear which soon led to depression. Thought valium was causing it as it's a depressant, hence the referral to the psych, supposedly to give me a weaning off valium plan. Anyway, getting back to my solution, I had phantom pain really bad one day, as I had my leg amputated 4 years ago, and had some Gabapentin left. Took 1 in the hope it would help like it used to, but had to stop because of cost. Within 2 hrs, I suddenly realized that the anxiety had gone and I felt 'normal' for the first time in over 6 mths. Didn't have one the next day, and sure enough, anxiety/depression hit me again. The day after, I did take a Gabapentin and yes, within 2 hrs felt normal again. This gave me hope at last, so continued to take it. Told my psych, who told me it's sometimes prescribed as an off-label use for anxiety/depression. I was free from all that at long last, until being prescribed Tramadol for arthritis pain on top of my other pain meds, Oxycontin SR, Oxycodone, faster acting, panadeine forte which has 30mg codeine, 500mg paracetemol. I'm also on Mirtazapine and Pamelor as well as Zoloft for depression. Tramadol acts like a SSRI meaning I'm getting too much Serotonin now, and that's why tis anxiety has come back which is making me feel extremely depressed. Started weaning by 50mg at first, and went into a highly anxious state. Was told that's too much to cut and to do it cutting down by 25mg a week or so, then another 25mg, so have done that and tomorrow will cut another 25mg, if I can cope with that. I'm also having to cut down valium, due to my psych giving me a script for 50 but telling the pharmacy to only give me 7 a week. Thanks Lanka (Psych) for telling me you were doing that without even discussing it with me first. So I can't use more than 1 a day, from her, but I'm also getting a script from my GP for 50, so have that at least, but still can't take more than prescribed, 2 a day from her, as I'll run out before next script is due.  3 valium does nothing for me, as my body is so used to it, that I'd need at least 7 or 8 to feel any calmness that a normal person would feel on just 1.Started using zopiclone to help me cope with withdrawal from Tram & valium, but now haven't enough to  last till next script it due, so I'm in a real bind!  To top it off, I forgot to ring for scripts for Zoloft and Zopiclone, before the Easter holidays, so won't have enough till holidays are over. All I can do is take one day at a time, get through it, rough and nightmarish though it is, the body lives on, so must endure it. May God Bless you, and Thanks so much, once again.

[Bubulous]

My last post was so long that I had to delete this part.  I have been working on these issues for the last two years since I started my recovery from my addiction.
I wanted you to know that although I said I am nowhere near stable....at this point in my life through hard work and a never say die atttitude, I am more stable than I ever have been and I have a more positive outlook on my future than I ever thought I would have.  I have the peace of mind that enables me to think that if this is my last day on earth I would be able to leave it with no regrets.
I can look back at the challenges I have overcome and my willingness to try my best to help others from having to go through the same thing and be proud of the person I have become and the impact I have made on the people that I have met.
Don't give up friend.  In life there is a time for being powerful and a time for being powerless.  Neither could exist if the other didn't.  Like you said "'time passes and if I can stick this out, I'll soon be free."  If we try to rush ahead we will get nowhere.  You may have an addiction but you are not your addiction.  You may have anxiety and depression but you are not your anxiety and depression.  You are just you and everything about you; your weaknesses and your strengths are attributes to be cherished because without undertsanding and overcoming your weaknesses you will learn that your strength is limitless.
Work and work hard to learn how too manage and better understand your illnesses.  Notice your triggers, realize things you have to do right now and things that can be put off for a little while, and take some time before you go to bed at night to give your mind a rest from obsessive and negative thoughts.  Use that time to realize that you were blessed with another day and whether you realize it or not you did the best you could that day and not God, or whatever higher power you believe in, would expect anything more.
Larry

[Bubulous]

What mg did they start you out on with the Seroquel?  What exactly were the complications/side effects you were feeling from it?  How long did you take it?
Also with the Zoloft... What side effects did you experience with the 50mg dose and how soon did you notice these?
Do you have panic attacks frequently?
I think that the Zoloft could aid you with the depression but at that low of a dose you may not see significant improvement yet.  Let me know what side effects you experienced with the Zoloft at 50mg.
I have had to try a lot of medicines and a lot of types of therapy for the MANY diagnosises that I have so I understand your frustration and desire to put an end to your daily struggle with not just one but many debilitating mental disturbances which each one by itself has to be managed with different mediicines and coping techniques.
I can promise you that although treatment for you is going to take some time and hard work not only for your mental health providers but you a well, you can find some peace in your life.
I am doing great today and although I do not win everday...I win a lot more than I lose.  I want to tell you what I have so that you can see this is possible:
I have PTSD from 2 different deployments to 2 different combat zones

I have been diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder which is the hardest depressive disorder to treat with symtoms that include mania and such deep depression that being in it for only minutes I have inflicted harm  upon myself by cutting and ore extreme cases suicidal thoughts and attempts.

I have Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder which if I let it get out of hand can extremely impact my mood swings by increasing the frequency and severity of my mania and depression as well as my day to day functioning
Relational Problem NOS which from what the psychiatrist says means I have difficulty with maintaining a long lasting relationship/friendship

Anti-Social Personality Disorder which my psychiatrist says for me means ways of thinking, perceiving situations and the ways I relate to others is abnormal and destructive.  I have a distorted view of how society is and have a hard time letting small things go that would usually not bother the typical person.  I am hyper-sensitive which in my case means that any flattery or critisism is magnified and there are different behaviors and consequences for both.  Too much flattery and I can become manic.  Little to moderate rudeness or critisism can trigger aggrresiveness and violent outbursts.
I also have pretty severe memory issues and have frequent trouble with focus such as being easily distracted and sometimes presenting anger if distracted while in situations like frantically cleaning and most often when stopped in the middle of a "rant".  This one causes me a lot of problems.

Anyway I am nowhere near a place where I would consider myself stable and I have worked hard, been compliant with treatment, and been compliant with my medications but see little chance that I will reach a point in my life where I will be able to manage my own money, hold a relationship together, or be able to except society the way it is.  I know all of that may sound hopeless but I have learned to accept it.  I do not consider myself crazy and although I have accepted that this life is going to be very difficult and there may be a chance that I am fighting a losing battle, I still fight every day with 100 percent of everything I have to learn new techniques and develop new theories on how to fight depression and how to accept this world the way it is.  I am glad you found this site.  This is the only place that I can come to where my reality distortions and hyper-sensitiivity issues do not keep me from having and maintaining friendships and trust.
Let me know if I can help in anyway,
Larry

[VICourageous]

Oh that is so sad you feel so awful...You are on a lot of meds there shug..I do not have any experience with the others. Just the benzo..I do find it odd that both doctors are prescibing it...You just stay here and talk to use..We can re-direct your thoughts for a while..You know from my expereince it seems to be so tuff on us at our age...We are no spring chics...And having to use the meds for so long...I wish I could just sap you my happy lil brain right now..It does feel good to be clear headed...I know you can do it..You took the First Step to wanting your life back...Some times I just wonder about these DR..Ohhhh..Anyway you keep comming back..It gets slow at night..They seem to sleep good..I just started to sleep real well...
Hang in if you need us...ok
vickie

[shugalug]

Hi VICourageous, Oh boy! I am really struggling, but managing by thinking 'time passes and if I can stick this out, I'll soon be free!' Oh but it's hard. I'm not game to wean down another 25mg Tramadol just yet, as I'm still having to cope with having less valium. It's weird, because when I had plenty, from both  my GP and Psych prescriptions, I didn't feel the need to take the 4 (2 by each) every day.  As I've posted before, I used to take haphazardly and never as prescribed, so really, I stuffed myself up. But just knowing I had plenty, to have there as a standby, I felt less anxious and therefore, less need of it. Now that I have less to fall back on, I am more anxious. Crazy! I took zopiclone for a few days, but am now running out of that until the 10th April when I see my psych, so can't even use that now, to help lessen the nightmare of anxiety, feeling so ill, shaky, and all that goes with withdrawal. I wish I'd never started taking the zopiclone, but I was desperate at the time and couldn't think beyond the moment. I made an appt to see my GP on 8th, as I couldn't get in any sooner, and will get all this valium business sorted out. I will ask my GP if she knows that the psych she referred me to, is also prescribing valium. I thought she knew, as she brings up my file every time I have to see her for this or that. I will also ask my psych if she know that my GP is prescribing valium too. When I first saw this psych, I had to write down a list of my meds, including valium, and my reason for the referral from my doc, was to hopefully start a weaning off plan for valium. As I was also suffering depression, because of the anxiety, this psych wanted to address that first. She put me on Seroquel. I have never been so ill in my life, on that poison, so weaned myself off it. I told my psych and she then put me on zoloft 50mg. That too, made me ill, so cut the dose to 25mg myself and told my psych, who okayed it. Anyway, going back to my first visit with her, she prescribed valium for me and gave me a script. I just thought it was because she wanted to increase my dosage for the time being, until my depression was under control, so it didn't occur to me to ask her why she prescribed it even though my GP is presribing it too. I assumed she knew, as she looked at the form I had to fill in before seeing her, that had my list of meds. Hence, all this mix-up now, just when I'm trying to get off tramadol. I feel like dying, honestly. I'm so sick of this!  This is no way to live! Scared to go out, fear fear fear, day in day out! Unable to eat because of a bowel problem and waiting to hear from the hospital to book me in for a sigmoidoscopy. All this on top of this horrific anxiety has just about sent me loony! I'm so glad to have found this forum as it helps to tell my feelings and despair, and to receive support and advice. I'll get there!

[VICourageous]

Hi I was getting ready to turn off the computer..Hey you are doing great. It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulder and know what is good...You just keep us posted so we know how things are going..I know we have alot of tram experince people here that can help. My issue was the benzo...So keep checking this post or even start a new one with your up date..You will be fine..It is a small ride compared to the rewards on the other side...
God Bless You
vickie

[shugalug]

Hi VICourageous, Thanks for replying and your advice. I'm so comforted by the support of this forum, knowing I'm not so alone. I won't go c/t! It's hellish enough with just tapering! I'll stick with the weaning 25mg tramadol for a week, and then maybe try another 25mg, but I have to cope with the less valium, as my pharmacist only gave me 7, when my hubby picked it up,instead of the 50 prescribed by my psych. (I was in no fit state to go out to get it myself, but certainly didn't expect that to happen). He has gotten something mixed up and just my luck he has gotten mixed up at this time. I'll see my GP ASAP, if I can get an emergency appt.  I'm hanging in there, just! Never again will I take a prescribed med without doing my research first. They are just not worth it, as sooner or later, they stop working and you have to wean off it anyway. That's my experience anyway.Thanks again.

[shugalug]

Thank for your advice and support. All the replies have been a great comfort to me, knowing I'm not alone.  I'll keep weaning off tramadol by 25mg for another week or so, but better not taper the zopiclone until i get through the worst of this tram and benzo valium withdrawals first. I wouldn't have even attempted to taper valium at this point, but have had to, because of a mix-up between my doc, psych and pharmacist. I thought I was getting my full 50, as prescribed by my psych. When my hubby picked it up, they only gave me 7 as they said it wasn't due till next week. my GP's script is the one that's due next week, not the psych's one That was actually due 3 weeks ago, but I missed my appt, and had to phone for a script to be mailed and didn't receive till the other day. Why did have to happen at this time? Just my luck! I'll get it worted out once and for all as soon as I can get an appt, even if I can only get in by saying it's an emergency, which it really is, as I'm so ill with it all, and not having enough valium to help at the moment, is not helping. I'll deal with the zopiclone when this is sorted out. Thanks again.

[shugalug]

Thanks for replying and advice. I hope I can see my GP on an emergency basis, as she's fully booked for 2 weeks, and I cant wait that long. The tramadol weaning is hard enough and yes, it is HELL!! I was only given 7 of the 50 I was supposed to get, of valium, as he said it wasn't due till next week. The one from my doc is due next week, but the one I had from my psych was due 3 weeks ago. That's the one I put in the other day, thinking I'd get the full script, from my psych. I never understood why both my GP and psych were both prescribing valium and why couldn't I just get 1 script for 4, instead of 2 scripts for 2 each. So, the pharmacy has gotten confused as well as to which script from which doctor is due. Just my luck for this to happen at this time when I'm needing the full amount of valium prescribed, to help me cope with this nightmare of withdrawal from tramadol. Thanks for the advice on only weaning off one at a time, even though the valium taper is an enforced one through the mix-up. it will all be sorted very soon.