hydrocodone withdrawal

[southernbelle78]

I am 31 years old and am diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and copd.  I have been on lortab 10/500 for a little over a year now.  However, it has gotten to the point to where the prescribed dose of 4 times a day is not getting the job done.  I have been up to 10-15 a day.  Well, on Monday, I woke up and decided that was it.   NO MORE!! I want to live in reality and not fantasy land.  My doctor did prescribe ultram, which as I have been reading other posts, it seems to be a controversial topic.  For me, however, it has been wonderful.  Today is my 5th day hydrocodone free and I feel better already.  My question is, when should  I leave the ultram alone and should i wean off of that? I take 2 4x's a day as needed (it has really helped).  Any advice or suggestions would be great!!

[southernbelle78]

I think I will take your advice and decrease by one a day.  Today is day 6 and I actually feel better.  I think all the ultram did was make the withdrawal nonexistent.  This was my doctors goal and since Im over the worst I think starting today I will decrease the dosage and hopefully wake up on Christmas day and be completely drug free!! Thats my goal.  Every time I doubted myself I looked at my daughters, 8 and 10.   I realized this week it was me talking to them.  It was different.  I wasnt moody, irritable, tired.  I was myself and I havent seen that side of me in a long time.  I have a best friend who is addicted to xanax and I think I am going to tell her to do like me.  For the first few days I made it just by reading some of your stories then got enough courage to post my own.. I think she really needs help!! Thanks for all your support!!

[worried878]

The best advice woulda been not to take the ultram in the first place...glad it has been great...and when u should stop it///now...the sooner the better

I tapered off hydro with a friend who used trams instead..wondered why i felt so much worse than she did...she took trams the whole time...she is in the hospital after an overdose now..trams beccame her doc if nutting else was around...15 or more a day//the reason u feel great is cos u r still feeding ur receptors with a narcotic like drug...think about what u want here?  a new addiction or to be clean?

Which type of MS do u have?,,,the exacerbation type where u r functioning in between flare ups, the plateau type were u reach a certain level and stop declining..or the progressive type of MS?

Ms is usually controlled with anti-spasmodics and not narcotics as tightness is the main issue for the second 2 types listed...the exacerbation type is helped by drugs during the exacerbation but for none is narcotics the drug of choice...muscle relaxers and controlling the symptoms r the key...narcotics only take u down a tough road

be safe

[jaxbaby]

Hi!! I have had the same questions about Ultram (tramadol) --- my Dr. prescribed up to 3 a day and it did nothing for me.  I have not been taking it for that reason but i am curious what the ultram does for you that helps. It just seemed to do nothing for me. It seems to be controversial --- I wish you the best!

[fibropainaddict]

Hi, lots of support here from many cyber friends in your same boat. I would wean off the Ultram 1 a day and don't take it any more. Get off of all of it. The worst is over. You can get to the finish line. Hugs

[vicki595]

Hi and welcome to the forum! You'll find so much support here as others are sure to post soon.

First,I'm so sorry to read of your diagnoses at your young age  :(        You must be so strong!!      Happy you've stopped the lortabs but unfortunately you've traded one addiction for another by taking the tramadol. Looks like you take 12 a day. Is that right?  Tramadol/Ultram is an addicting narcotic.  I've not ever taken it (yes,there's one I've actually not taken!!!) but many say it's a bear to get off of.    Do you take it for pain?   Is it for muscle pain?  If you can take something else it would be better for you.
Did you just start the Ultram?  It may make a difference as far as quitting is concerned. But, regardless, only you know if it's truly a problem or you really need it medically.  That would be your guide.    
I hope I helped a little bit...keep posting...there's an incredible amount of support here from some very bright people.

Take care~  Vicki   xo