Tramadol withdrawal

[harry788]

Could i just ask, I have been taking around 400/500 mg of Tramadol for 3 years for post surgery, long standing disability and slipped disk. My pain clinic also started giving me oxy-codine (200-400 mg daily) both quick and controlled release.
From the 1st Jan 2013 I stopped taking tramadol and agreed with my doctor to up my oxy intake to help with pain and to minimise the withdrawal effects. I* have managed to change my oxy usage to only using controlled release so the pain cover I get is ‘smoother’ and less up and down.
HOWEVER last week I started getting very panicky feelings, seemingly , mainly when my oxy contin levels were low. At first I had no idea why so I was actually getting panic attacks but since I realised I ‘may’ be experiencing tramadol withdrawal still I don’t feel quite as bad although the feelings are still very worrying and make me feel like I want to scratch myself to stop them – even though I have no history of self harm or panuic attacks. I’m 43. My doctor doesn’t think it will still be the tramadol as she thinks the withdrawal will have gone by now. I think it is the Tramadol. Do you think it might still be the tramadol 45 to 50 days after stopping (cold turky from 400 to 500 mg daily) making me feel very uneasy and panicky?
Thanks soo much,

Worried

[scooter10511]

im on day 70 without tramadol after 600 mgs aday for 8 years and im still having withdraw symptoms but less active ones . hang in there its going to be worth it in the long run

[harry788]

2 to 3 weeks, at least it gives me a figure in my mind to consider, rather than believing it is going to go on and on forever because the GP can't tell me its the TD making it happen. Thanks for all the support here folks! It's really made a difference to me over the last week or so. I would have been in a much worse place if i thought i was alone with it! THANKS AGAIN!

[killerzoey]

Sorry to hear you're having symptoms so far out. I haven't suffered anxiety so far, but it seems really common. I read that the way Tramadol effects us is so dependent on our chemical makeup and how we metabolize the drug into its effective components. This makes it different from opiates. So every time I read an experience that's different from mine I don't dispute it in my mind. This is such a crappy cocktail of a drug. I hope you feel better soon.

[adexec181]

Me neither....no history of anxiety or panic problems, but had major problems with it WD from Tram.  Could very well be the same for you...as others have said, Tram has an SSRI competent, so it is very different than other opiates.  Took me about two to three weeks to really see a big change in those symptoms, and I still get them back a couple of times a week.  Time, time time, for the brain to heal this and start producing dopamine and serotonin on its own, and having clear receptors.  Tram is one nasty drug.

[harry788]

One other thing is that I have always been able to feel the withdrawl physically, i.e. aching, flu, lethargy, pain etc and never struggled with anxiety on its own. This seems very seperstte to any w/d i get from missing doses/leaving it too long etc.

Thanks for all your advice, you kind bunch! Makes me feel that i'm not going mad and aren't quite as alone with this :)

[adexec181]

From one of this Tram warriors whose in on day 29, and have read every journal on here about Tram ( and I've had lots of experience with other opiates...non as bad to WD from as Tram for me), my
guess is that def could be Tram WD.  Lasts 60-90 days before you're feeling good again...but I'd read the journals le others have suggested.  In my experience docs have little knowledge and experience with real-life Tram addiction.

[YesLife4Me]

Wasn't done....OR it could also be a combination of the levels dropping on the long acting oxy mixed with the tram mental wd??  

[YesLife4Me]

You stated that you were on the long lasting to prevent the ups and downs to keep your levels smoother.   I can't imagine that being the problem.if you are sticking to your schedule.  However withdraw can typically start within a couple hours up to 12 hours after last dose.   Maybe, just maybe the long lasting isn't keeping you as evened out as you would like.   As far as tram goes, the SSRI quality does take a couple months to balance out depending on how long and how much of it you took.   Definitely research the journals as I said to see what others have experienced.  

[vicki595]

I think this is happening because you dropped the short acting opiate. You might try going back to your prescribed dosages to see if that helps...

Let us know!

[harry788]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure i understand how the oxy could be the problem. I'm taaking controlled release at regulat intervals and don't run out.The difficulties seem worse when my oxy levels are lowest but they have been happening throughout the day and night and have only started a week ago. I havn't cut down on oxy or abused it. - sorry, not being funny but just interested! eand want to get to the bottom of things. Been feeling soo bad at times I don't know how i can face college next week....Thanx

[harry788]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure i understand how the oxy could be the problem. I'm taaking controlled release at regulat intervals and don't run out.The difficulties seem worse when my oxy levels are lowest but they have been happening throughout the day and night and have only started a week ago. I havn't cut down on oxy or abused it. - sorry, not being funny but just interested! eand want to get to the bottom of things. Been feeling soo bad at times I don't know how i can face college next week....Thanx

[eagle101]

It sounds to me more like the oxy might be the problem.You may present with those symptoms without being in acute withdrawal. If you do feel it is the trams' - check out a blog by Emily Post on medhelps archives...lots of participation and knowledge there.

[YesLife4Me]

Hi...in my experience and from tram warriors on here, it takes longer for it to leave your system due to its SSRI qualities as well.  Its almost like withdrawing from an anti depressant or benzo.   Many drs don't realize its addictive qualties.  I have withdrawn from it and it was worse than opiates.  If you look under journals on this site you will find tons of info on others who cave cold turkeyed off trams.   Hope this helps and welcome to this wonderful life saving site!