going through withdrawal for no reason?

[gameman]

This may seem confusing but please answer.

I have been taking tramadol for 2 years for constant headaches which no one can figure out. I take 3 pills a day, and i'm obviously dependent on them. A few day ago the pills start to make me feel sick, they get weird sometimes. so I tried not to take as many at one time.

So instead of take 1 and a 1/4, at night, like I always do, I cit the 1 in half and took that, waited an hour, and took the rest. This helped and I did not feel as weird. I did this  for a few days, then I feel anxiety (withdrawal feeling), I figure its because I spaced out the taking of the pills, so I take an extra 1/4 just to help it out. Then I start taking the medicine back to normal. But this does not really help. For some reason every other day (I have no idea why its every other day) I have need anywhere from 3 extra to just 1/4 extra to stop the withdrawal.

I thought if i took the extra it would just level out, it has not. I obviously can not keep taking extra or I will get addicted to the extra. So I have not taken it and am going through withdrawal. I have not been taking the extra long enough to get addicted too it and it does not make much sense why the withdrawal started in the first place.

Does anyone have any idea, it feels really bad. I am going to take a vicodon to help with the withdrawal so I can sleep (hopefully). But still don't understand why this is even happening. I'm still on the tramadol, all I did was space out my dose for a few days, I can't believe that would effect me like this, but that's the only thing thats changed.

[dominosarah]

Maybe it is time to get with your doctor and reevaluate your situation.......all the best    sara

[pattifan]

Hi,

Constant headaches usually turn out to be what's called 'Chronic Daily Headache' also known as 'Medication Overuse Headache'.

This often starts due to daily use of even a simple analgesic like paracetamol (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).

I think that's something you may want to talk to your doctor about too.

Take care.

[LeaAnn807]

You got some good advice.  I would just add that tramadol is an evil and weird drug, and nothing that happens while taking it would surprise me.  I built tolerance very quickly to it!  I had high BP, headaches, seizures, insomnia, increased pain and several other weird symptoms with it!  It is not a good chronic pain drug.  You will probably find that your pain, over time, gets worse.  It's a very dangerous drug.  Is there anything else you might talk to your doctor about giving you for it besides the tramadol?

I hate to see anyone taking this medicine!  Please think about talking to your doctor.

[madtram]

I agree with Brian, this is classic tolerance & very common with tramadol.  You are very wise to note that it would be a bad idea to become comfortable with the increased dose but you may find that the between dose withdrawals become more common if you try to stay on your prescribed dose.

Some tramadol users have found themselves taking many times the prescribed dose trying to stave off withdrawals.  Tramadol is not a good option for long term pain management.

I hope you do take the opportunity to taper off the trams as Brian suggests.

Best wishes.

[bmdad]

I'm guessing it has nothing to do with switching up how you took them. I'm guessing it has to do with tolerance. After being on pain meds for awhile our bodies build a tolerance towards them. We have to keep taking more and more to get the same effect. As far as why you are feeling the withdrawals...you are physically dependent on them. You don't have to be an addict to have withdrawals. Anyone that is on narcotics long enough will have withdrawals if they stop taking their meds. There is a fine line between dependent and addicted so you have to be careful. With you saying you are going to take a vicodin to help with the withdrawals is addictive behavior. There is no difference in taking vicodin, tramadol, or anything else in the opiate or opioid family.
From what I have read, tramadol should be tapered due to the risk of seizures. You may want to consider getting back on the tramadol and doing a slower taper. If tapered properly you will feel little to no withdrawals.
I know you say you are not addicted yet, but please be very careful. Almost anyone that is on pain meds for long enough will eventually become addicted. It's hard not too. That's how I became addicted. I injured my back and was started on 5mg vicodin to control the pain. Over a few years that 5mg vicodin turned in to 80mg oxycontin with anything and everything in between including tramadol. Be sure to stick around this forum for support while going through withdrawals. It really does help. Also check in to the amino acid protocol in the health pages.
Best of luck to you!

Brian