Withdrawing from Tramadol

[gonna_make_it]

Hey, just wanted to be able to talk to people who's going through, gone through, or know something about what I'm going through. I was up to 450mg of tramadol(9 pills a day) and Sunday I started tapering down. I've been taking them for about 3-4 yrs and of course the dosage kept going up. I'm now down to 225mg and tomorrow will start on four 50mg a day. I'm going back to school and I started to notice it's so much harder for me to remember stuff for test and such. I just want to be normal again. The achyness is horrible and so is the restless legs when I try to sleep. I feel depressed but I will make it. I don't want to live life in a fog...I have my family to take care of. Thanks for reading.

[gonna_make_it]

Thanks everybody...like I said before u guys are really helpful....I'm dropping down to 3 1/2 tom so I'll let u know how it goes!

[vicki595]

...and did you know that 5 HTP is a precurser to SERATONIN???   Yes!

It requires an Rx in Europe.   Check: Melatonin and Tryptophan also...  :)

[ImDONENoMore]

Actually I never tried the l-tyrosine - but I did find the 5htp to make me super jittery so I didn't take it after that first time.

But I will say the daily vitamin, the fish oil tablets and the b12 were most important to me - they say fish oil can also help treat depression - but I also took St. John's wort for six moths and I know it helped keep me from getting depressed also.  They say you have to be more aware of that symptom after quitting because the anti-depressant in the tramadol messes with your serotonin levels and dopamine - both when low can attribute to depression and an overall sad feeling.

Also - plain bananas worked great for me for the RLS - I had that symptom early on and it was awful - but a banana at bedtime made a huge difference.  And I also found sleeping on the couch to be a bit more comfortable for the RLS - something about not sleeping flat seemed to help.

And I am SO impressed that you're going to nursing school.  I think you're going to be a great nurse because you'll be able to identify with the risks of addiction and dependence on certain meds.  And that experience is going to prove invaluable you'll see.  :)  (plus when you stop the tramadol your memory is going to go back to normal - so don't worry the studying will get better with time!)

[vicki595]

My source?   LOL   The internet.

You can do what I did this time:

1) Use GOOGLE

2) Type in TRAMADOL/WITHDRAWAL/SEIZURES

3) KEEP READING



Oh...and it occurs to me that I haven't read a thing about you!  Why don't you share your story in a thread of your own!  

[atthebeach]

thanks vicki. that was my plan to copy and paste. wasnt here all day.

google tramadol. lots of info. everyone says "withdrawals carries risk of seizures"

this one is wikipedia.

Physical dependence and withdrawalTramadol is associated with the development of physical dependence and a severe withdrawal syndrome.[34] Tramadol causes typical opiate-like withdrawal symptoms as well as atypical withdrawal symptoms including seizures. The atypical withdrawal symptoms are probably related to tramadol's effect on serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake. Symptoms may include those of SSRI discontinuation syndrome, such as anxiety, depression, anguish, severe mood swings, aggressiveness, brain "zaps", electric-shock-like sensations throughout the body, paresthesias, sweating, palpitations, restless legs syndrome, sneezing, insomnia, tremors, and headache among others. In most cases, tramadol withdrawal will set in 12–20 hours after the last dose, but this can vary. Tramadol withdrawal lasts longer than that of other opioids; seven days or more of acute withdrawal symptoms can occur as opposed to typically three or four days for other codeine analogues. It is recommended that patients physically dependent on pain killers take their medication regularly to prevent onset of withdrawal symptoms and this is particularly relevant to tramadol because of its SSRI and SNRI properties, and, when the time comes to discontinue their tramadol, to do so gradually over a period of time that will vary according to the individual patient and dose and length of time on the drug.[35][36][37][38]

[gonna_make_it]

It's weird...I take pills everyday but other pills make me nervous...lol Did you ever try the l tysorine or whatever it's called? I feel different this time...just over it! I'm going to school be an RN and remembering all the stuff I study is sooo hard, well impossible! Anatomy and chemistry is hard enough without memory problems...Thank u for helping me...

[littlebit667]

Go up on this page and check out the most viewed health pages...to Thomas Recipe reposted and and amino acid protocol.  Those are the ones that helped me the most.  Be careful about the L-tryosine dosages..they caused me anxiety and I quit it.  But it helps if you can take it.  Just start with the 500 pill once a day.  I am looking for a 200 pill to try.  Good luck.  The restless legs suck...I have a med for that but if you don't I am not sure what works for you.  Potassium pills or bananas or GNC has a restless leg withdrawal (Hylands??) that some say  helps.

[ImDONENoMore]

My g-d it's like looking in a mirror when I read your posts.

I remember when that "new" feeling of finally wanting to quit hit me too.  And it was weird - but it was such a new feeling, a different feeling, and I just knew deep down inside that it was time.  I was DONE.  And I hear that in your words too.

And if you're not sure about the vitamins/supplements, ask a pharmacist (I know the last person we want to be talking to right?  lol - but they ARE there for other reasons than giving addicts their narcotics...lol) - but seriously they can point you in the right direction to help you get the stuff you'll need.  Some of the items weren't familiar to me either in the beginning, so just ask them.  They can help.

I'm excited for you too - getting off of this stuff was the best thing I ever did.  That constant anxiety, worrying about how many pills I had, never planning a vacation or making a promise to appear at a family gathering without being sure first that I would have enough pills to function like a normal human being (well, what I thought was a normal human being - what a joke)).  That was the worst and it feels really good to no longer rely on a bottle of pills to get through my day.  You will finally feel FREE.

Hang in it's going to get better.  :)

[gonna_make_it]

Thanks for the info...I've been tired today and like I said before, it's the hardest on me when I give up that half a one. This morning I took only 1 instead of 1 1/2. It's crazy a half a pill can hurt u that much! I've went to the store today and done some other stuff. I've been making myself clean the house every day just so I feel productive. I know my hubby is proud and normally my will power ***** but this time I've dug it up deep and held on. I really can't explain why I'm so determined, I've never really tried to quit (been without) but never actually tried. When I saw how affected my memory was it ticked me off. I can study and study for a test and still fail. I know it'll get harder the lower I go but I'm not sticken to one dose to long because I don't want to get used to it. I absolutely love this site...u guys are so kind hearted and inspirational. I love getting on here and reading all ur stories so feel free to post what ur goin through or have went through. I'm struggling about what vitamins to take though. Somebody told me what they took but I'm trying to figure out what they all are:-)

[snakejones]

Hi there---thank you so much for the info. May I ask the source? Again, I've never seen that info anywhere else, and I've used several search engines all September to learn about it. And no matter who's "right", I think it's better for people not to take it in the first place. Ultram is the devil's chew toy!

[vicki595]

Here you are:    Read this.    I pasted it for you but you can find a lot of information yourself. As always, we tend to err on the side of caution here...IF we are in error.  Thanks!





Quitting Ultram Tramadol. Ultram withdrawal symptoms.




Ultram is very addictive

Although a narcotic (synthetic codeine) Ultram is widely touted as a far less addictive alternative to prescription medications such as vicodin, oxycontin or methadone. Yet a browsing of internet forums devoted to overcoming an addiction to Ultram makes you question just how non-addictive it is.









Some common withdrawal symptoms with Ultram detox are:




Anxiety


Depression


Sweating


Nausea


Diarrhea


Vomiting


Insomnia


Leg restlessness (hard to describe, but very uncomfortable!)


Tremors


Chills


Hallucination


Breathing problems




Additionally, for people dependant on Ultram, a sudden cessation of use carries with it a significant possibility of seizures, and you should never try to quit "cold turkey" without first consulting with your doctor.




The withdrawal symptoms will peak after a day or so, and last for 3-4 days before gradually subsiding over the course of a month or so.




Most doctor's will advise you to gradually reduce your dosage over a period of weeks or months; and unfortunately, it gets harder to reduce the dosage as you get closer to your ultimate goal of abstinence.

[dominosarah]

Thank you!

[ImDONENoMore]

OH and I meant to mention - me memory also sucked when I was taking this stuff.  It used to **** my husband off so much that I couldn't remember anything - even small stuff like forgetting items at the store, or promising to run an errand and forgetting all about it.  Seriously it messed my memory up really bad.  But I can tell you once you quit your memory DOES return.  And that puts a huge smile on my husband's face when I can instantly recall what he's talking about or that I remember what I promised him and actually DO the stuff I say I'm going to do.  So don't worry it will get better.  :)

[ImDONENoMore]

hey gonnamakeit - welcome!  And YES you are going to make it.

Tramadol was my DOC for over six years and what a lousy six years they were.  Seriously I felt bad all the time on this stuff yet couldn't stop taking it because of the way I felt when I didn't take it.  Awful just AWFUL!  So congrats to you for deciding to quit!!

And it's pretty controversial around here as far as whether tapering causes seizures or not - I know some members have reported seizures going cold turkey, but I've never seen that reported anywhere else.  I didn't know all the risks of going cold turkey at the time and just quit.  From an almost 25 pills a day habit (bad I know).  Now don't get me wrong - the withdrawal was horrendous - and lasted quite a while for me.  But I would not trade ONE second of that time for it got me out of this mess.  And thank g-d for that.

So do check out the thomas recipe and amino acid protocol found on this page - those vitamins/supplements were a huge help for me - especially the samE, fish oil tablets and b12 sublingual tablets.  I stayed on all of these religiously for months and they helped me so much.

Good luck to you and feel free to PM me if you have any questions or whatever.  We have a few tramadol survivors here and I know they will be a huge comfort to you now.  You can do this - and life now, well there's no comparison from my life then.  It's just BETTER.  And yours will be too. :)

[gonna_make_it]

Thanks for your words of encouragement, I really appreciate them. I told my hubby I'm cutting down fast because I don't want to stay at the same dose for like a week and start feeling good on them again. Then I would want to stay at that dose...lol Does that make sense? I think having a younger child helps me...it means I HAVE to get up and do stuff for him and it actually makes me feel better. Do I feel like crap? I feel like somebody has run me over with a truck and then backed back over me. I can't believe how my memory has been affected by taking them and hopefully it'll go back to normal once I'm done.

[gonna_make_it]

I think some doctors are starting to listen...I only say this because my doctor dropped my script down. He said "they"(whoever they are) starting to watch how many are given out...Ya,weird I know. It really is the devils candy...completely agree.

[dominosarah]

Tramadol was supposed to be "the drug" of the century when it came out.  Drs still dont pay attention to the dangers or maybe it is the pharmacuetical reps that try and cover it up.  Either way it is the devils candy~~

[snakejones]

Hi, Sara, and thank you for the helpful information. I know all too well about the seizures--I had one, too, a full 5-minute grand mal! I am in full agreement with you about tapering, particularly with tramadol. In fact, I think we are definitely in the minority sometimes! Well, if folks at this website had seizures coming off tramadol too fast, I believe you. The drug reference guide websites like the PDR need to listen to the "underground" and really pay attention--they may need to amend their info. Thanks again! I am still looking for that info, though......

[dominosarah]

We have had members who have had seizures coming off tramadol and also while taking this med.  Since none of us are doctors it is the safest thing to tell them to taper.  The girls that have successfully tapered down will say the same thing.  We want them to be safe.....sara

[snakejones]

Hi there---
I am so proud of you. I wrote to you early on in the thread, but I just want to tell you again how nicely you are doing with this! I also want to tell you that you are now on a "normal" dose of tramadol. I know you want to totally quit, and I want to see you free of it as well. I said this so you know you are no longer injuring yourself with larger dosages and maybe exposing yourself to the possibility of a seizure if you take too much. You are one of the few that can taper---personally, I recommend that to all who can do it. Keep going nice and slow so you can do this with minimum annoyance. I'll be looking for your posts in the days ahead!

[snakejones]

Hi, friend---
When I first came here, I saw several people say that stopping Ultram/tramadol too rapidly can cause seizures. I had never heard that before. As an RN, and someone who feels a day without learning something new is a wasted day, I decided to go looking for that info, as it can also be useful to my patients, friends, family, etc. Well, I've been looking the entire month of September and still haven't found any info stating that people can have siezures if they stop tramadol abruptly. I know of many drugs, including tramadol, that can cause seizures from taking too much. I also know many drugs, including alcohol, barbiturates, benzos, etc. that will cause seizures if taken off too abruptly. But not tramadol. I'm not trying to contradict you, I just want to find this info so I feel comfortable sharing it with my patients. And if withdrawal from tramadol does not cause seizures, then everyone needs to know it! Personally, I think withdrawing cold turkey from tramadol is one of the wretchedest (is that even a word, lol)  things in the world, so I'd never recommend coming off it too fast anyway!  :-P

[atthebeach]

there is risk of seizures if you drop your dose too fast.
recommended 20% drop. every 3 days.
keep yourself hydrated.
keep yourself busy and get some exercise everyday.
so happy for you wanting to re-claim your life.
you can do it.
please be patient and dont drop too fast.

[snakejones]

Hi there---
I am a big believer in tapering--it's just that very few addicts can taper, they don't have enough control to do that. It sounds like you are one of the few that has done well with tapering! Taper down on your own schedule, but don't push too hard, because if you feel terrible you will go back to taking more than you should due to desperation. As far as continuing your taper, think hard each time about which dosage time should have the change. For many, the last dosage time to go is bedtime due to sleep disturbance if the nighttime dose is cut or taken away entirely. For others, they need the first dose of the day the most. It is good that you have such great support--that hubby is a keeper!
I wish you all the best in stopping the tramadol. Post any time--we love to hear from you!

[gonna_make_it]

I know I've cut down alot over a short period but I just want them gone. The bad thing I think about tapering like that is I never feel really good because before my body gets used to one dose I'm dropping down to a smaller dose. I'm completely determined to have a drug free life. I know the lower I get the harder it'll be. I have a wonderful hubby who does all he can to help me...clean, cook, change diapers...lol I think the hardest part I did so far was lose my extra half at night yesterday. I was takin 1 1/2 in the morning and then 1 around 1:00, 1 around 6:00 and 1 1/2 around 9:00pm. Well last night I only took my reg doses but only took 1 at 9pm. Thanks for the encouragement!