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tramadol taper...kinda messed up
well, I haven't been paying close attention to my intake. I thought I had 2 left today before my shipment but there was only one which makes it 6 for yesterday. I now have them all in a pill minder and will be more careful. I am under a TON of stress so I don't think I can really taper below 6 this week. I will focus on keeping it constant and then reduce to either 5.5 or 5 next week.
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Vic, I know you mean well. I know you are trying to help. I know that. I appreciate that. I'm just a direct kind of person. It would have been VERY effective if you said, Hey have you thought about NA meetings? I got a lot of good help from them, you may want to look into some meetings near you. Do you keep very close track and record of all your doses. It helped me to do that, logging the time and how many pills I took. Then I would say no, I have not gone to NA, but I think I may look into it, since you got good help there, maybe I will too. I'm a direct, honest, in your face kind of guy. Like I said I don't like mind games. I have got one good thing from all this though. I am going to spread out my doses more . That way I don't get the Tramadol high anymore. I have to stop trying to squeeze whatever joy the Tramadol can give me on my way out the door. That, I realized is not helping me, but perhaps hurting me. But I still have not cheated! I have still stuck to my plan. And I do want to quit, and I will quit. You can believe that! You said you may be reading into my posts wrong. Well, you did. You read into my posts wrong. And you made some assumptions that you where not correct about. And I would be lying if I said that you where right about your assumptions. I thought long and hard about what you had said the next day at work. And I did some real soul searching inside myself, and I realized there is no part of me that wants to stay on Tramadol. All I want is to be free and clean again.
When I was tapering off of Trams it was a very unpredictable process. As an example, tapering down to 5 tabs/day from 6 was much more difficult than going from 4 tabs to 3. The anxiety was worse when I was stuck @ 5 tabs (for maybe 7 days?) than when cutting from 4 to 3, so it was a rather unpredictable process. What I did find to be true for me was after a difficult taper to the new lower dosage...I was then able to cut even more the next time. Something about getting though a difficult cut made the next cut easier...so sometimes I was then able to cut back by even more than what I had planned for...which is important because the key to the tapering process is to be always looking for opportunities to speed up the process and get clean ASAP because tapering really does suck. Also, IMO...the longer the taper the more opportunity for failure.
Two things that were consistent for me was:
1. Doing a slowwww taper was quite tedious and burdensome...it was like an extended torture session with only brief respites of feeling ok (the anxiety and sleep issue being the major hassles), which also provides an excellent argument for a quick taper to get it over with ASAP, and this is why I had so strongly suggested earlier that one really needs a strong and determined mind-set to get clean plus a support group (NA was my choice). For me it was basically an ongoing on/off hell-period of my life and probably why so many people fail in their first few attempts.
But I had finally got clean after my third attempt, learning more with each attempt. It was a long journey but ultimately very rewarding. I am back to 'near-normal' now and very grateful to those that had helped me along the way. Continue to fight the Good Fight and Victory will soon be yours!
I know that I am rambling but its late at night and my grammer/spell checker already went home for the night...LOL
Hope this helps,
-Vic
Two things that were consistent for me was:
1. Doing a slowwww taper was quite tedious and burdensome...it was like an extended torture session with only brief respites of feeling ok (the anxiety and sleep issue being the major hassles), which also provides an excellent argument for a quick taper to get it over with ASAP, and this is why I had so strongly suggested earlier that one really needs a strong and determined mind-set to get clean plus a support group (NA was my choice). For me it was basically an ongoing on/off hell-period of my life and probably why so many people fail in their first few attempts.
But I had finally got clean after my third attempt, learning more with each attempt. It was a long journey but ultimately very rewarding. I am back to 'near-normal' now and very grateful to those that had helped me along the way. Continue to fight the Good Fight and Victory will soon be yours!
I know that I am rambling but its late at night and my grammer/spell checker already went home for the night...LOL
Hope this helps,
-Vic
i have not tapered from trams but do know the slower the easier..and that is for some...others/like me and hydros/had to go quicker cos i suk at tapering..u r on a drug that has to be tapered...my friend is hoked on them and runs out from time to time..well every 2 weeks to be exact and CTs...not safe and i just know one day she will have a seizure but 2 weeks goes by and she refills them..sounds like torture to me..the only way she can quit is to hand them over to me...i have no desire to abuse trams so they would be safe with me...I do know that when she gets low she cuts back and when she can only take like 2-3 a day..she feels it pretty bad and gets depressed..will come over and talk about how she needs to quit them...she still runs out way before her refill as a rule....tapering down to like 6, for a few, then 5 1/2 for a few and so on has worked for her in the past....she relapsed tho...clean 4 months tho...and that is a start...sometimes u dont do it perfect all the time...i am a tapering nightmare and i know it..important thing is to pick a quit date and stick to it..cheating is not optial but for some it is just gonna happen./..like me...but when quit day came.. i was done..good luck and keep on keeping on
How does the tapering go when one gets to 6 and 5 and 4...etc. So far from 15 to 9 has not been all that bad really. Just some Very Mild withdrawal symptoms was all. Do those symptoms become worse? Well my drop from 11 to 9 was a little annoying. Headache, less energy, very mild jitters, some intestinal pains, and muscle pains. Not that bad, but I think I'll go down 1 per week from now on just the same. Going down 2 this last weekend did sting a bit. I know it gets a lot worse when I jump off 100%, but when tapering down, did you find it harder the lower you went? Like was 6 to 5 harder than from 8 to 7? When did you start going down 1/2 a pill instead of a whole pill per week?
I don't think victor was being unsupportive at all if anything it was the opposite .typed words dont always come out the way they sound in our head .
Well, I'm not a statistic, I'm a person. Now, don't get me wrong I can use all the support I can get. I know who you are and what you have been through before you even posted the above post, I read also. I already knew about your brother and your War with Tramadol. And I'm sure you have plenty of information in that brain of yours that can be of aid to me. And I'll be more than happy to accept it. I just think a guy with all your experience would know how to word things in a little more, of a supportive fashion. Because I'm in my War, and I'm moody! And I don't like mind games. You can be straight up with me, you want to know something, simply ask, I'll tell you. I have been all honest here at this Forum. My Posts are my Testimony. If I lie here, I'll just be lying to myself. And I have made the choice to quit Tramadol. And I will. I took my 9 again today. I'll take 9 again Thursday and Friday. Saturday I am going to go down to 8 per day. Oh and in the above post when I said..."Bah!!! I just want to take 12 Trams tomorrow and wizz through the day Tramadol style. Hell yea baby!!! Just kidding." ...Did not mean anything more than, Yes I have urges to cheat. But I was kidding, because I fight against those urges. I don't want to say I won't (knock on wood) cheat, but I have not as of yet. And don't plan to either. But I am human and it could happen. Pain can influence people to do many things they don't want to. Time is the only thing that will Tell my Tale!
I know that (statistically speaking) +40% of all people trying to quit drugs the first time fail. I also know that from first hand experience, from the death of my brother from oxy's as well witnessing the numerous # of folks coming through NA and this forum that many people fail in their ability to quit in their first few attempts, and as such I know that it takes a certain mindset to be successful. Nothing personal. As such I only offer up my experience from being on both sides of the fence and hope that you may benefit from it, as well as ALL peeps trying to detox from opiates. Sorry if your feelings were hurt.
Again, Best Wishes
-Vic
Again, Best Wishes
-Vic
I had recently detoxed from Tramadol and it was one of the greatest challenges in my life. I was up to 12 tabs per day when I knew that I had a physical dependence upon this drug and needed to get off of it ASAP.
My plan was to cut back 1/2 tab to 1 full tab every 3~5 days. Early on in the taper I was able to cut back sometimes by 2 full tabs.
My system was that when I had begun to feel better from the new lower dosage I'd cut again. Sometimes it took 3 days, other times it took 5 days and maybe as long as a week. How-ever, I had made a schedule to follow so that my doses were spread out evenly so that my body wouldn't revolt as strongly. An end date was also designated.
The plan always had a final dosage before bedtime included to help me better sleep. I had finally jumped after I had weaned down to 1 tab per day.
What helped me the most was this:
1. I had a plan and followed it to the best of my ability
2. I wanted it REALLY REALLY BAD! I wanted to get off that **** and made it my #1 priority. I logged all doses, including any OTC aids as well as other prescribed aids.
I was always looking for what would work best for me with this log, daily monitoring it and re-writing it when necessary.
3. NA meetings and posting here. It was @ NA that I truly found out more about my addictive personality in ways that I wasn't aware of. I would strongly suggest that anybody with a substance abuse issue attend NA. What struck me odd about your posts here, if I may say without offending you...that you appear to not to want to quit badly enough and act more on feelings, that being what-ever feels right to you. From my experience going through this taper that it took a strong and determined effort on my behalf to work through the wd's and associated anxiety issues. It certainly wasn't easy for me and perhaps I took longer to taper than necessary, how-ever...without logging and strategically planning my exit process and date combined with NA meetings and really wanting to QUIT REALLY REALLY BAD I would NOT had been able to pull the detox off successfully.
This is what concerns me about your postings and please forgive me if I am reading you wrong for I am only trying to be helpful in the only ways I know how! I know that you can pull this off if you indeed can wrap your mind around this challenge currently in your life!
Best wishes!
-Vic
My plan was to cut back 1/2 tab to 1 full tab every 3~5 days. Early on in the taper I was able to cut back sometimes by 2 full tabs.
My system was that when I had begun to feel better from the new lower dosage I'd cut again. Sometimes it took 3 days, other times it took 5 days and maybe as long as a week. How-ever, I had made a schedule to follow so that my doses were spread out evenly so that my body wouldn't revolt as strongly. An end date was also designated.
The plan always had a final dosage before bedtime included to help me better sleep. I had finally jumped after I had weaned down to 1 tab per day.
What helped me the most was this:
1. I had a plan and followed it to the best of my ability
2. I wanted it REALLY REALLY BAD! I wanted to get off that **** and made it my #1 priority. I logged all doses, including any OTC aids as well as other prescribed aids.
I was always looking for what would work best for me with this log, daily monitoring it and re-writing it when necessary.
3. NA meetings and posting here. It was @ NA that I truly found out more about my addictive personality in ways that I wasn't aware of. I would strongly suggest that anybody with a substance abuse issue attend NA. What struck me odd about your posts here, if I may say without offending you...that you appear to not to want to quit badly enough and act more on feelings, that being what-ever feels right to you. From my experience going through this taper that it took a strong and determined effort on my behalf to work through the wd's and associated anxiety issues. It certainly wasn't easy for me and perhaps I took longer to taper than necessary, how-ever...without logging and strategically planning my exit process and date combined with NA meetings and really wanting to QUIT REALLY REALLY BAD I would NOT had been able to pull the detox off successfully.
This is what concerns me about your postings and please forgive me if I am reading you wrong for I am only trying to be helpful in the only ways I know how! I know that you can pull this off if you indeed can wrap your mind around this challenge currently in your life!
Best wishes!
-Vic
I am new to this forum and have been reading only the posts regarding tramadol, since that is the only drug I have ever had any problems with. I have tried to taper too many times to count, so I commend those of you that are able to do it. Tramadol has caused me alot of problems in my life, but I am happy to say that I am finally off of it. I quit CT. I had to hit bottom first though. If you want read my post on busted the second time for a fake RX and you will see what I mean. Good luck to all of you and I am praying for you. I just hope known of you have to go thru what I did to finally get off this evil drug.
agree...when u get down to 0...keeping them around can mean getting back up to 6 in a heartbeat...if u have quit...then u dont need them...if u have decided that u can not take them responsibly then u just cant..saving them for pain days will drag many back down...chronic pain patients are not lucky..at all for sure....but when u r sick and tired of the control those pills ave over u...seek other methods...i can not keep emergency lortabs in my house
yea it is hard. i just can't wait to get where you two are. i still at 9 per day for now. but i am tapering good. and not looking forward to what's to come when I get lower in the doses. but I hope for the best for us all. we just have to try and stay strong. i still have not cheated. took 9 again today. and thinking about dropping again saturday to 8. 9 today just made me feel normal. I never felt the Tramadol really do anything for me today, except keep me from withdrawaling. 9 per day and it feels like I'm taking zero. Just another reminder how dangerous this stuff is. god i can't wait to get off 100%.
When I successfully tapered down to about where you are at, I got rid of the remainder of the pills. If they are there, I'll take them.
I'm still struggling to stick w/this taper this time...I think I just have to get past this stressful couple of weeks and then refocus. I can't beat myself up about it.
I know I WILL quit. I have to.
I heard somewhere that when you are detoxing, you get rebound pain, usually in your "weak" areas. I have had wrist pain on/off from typing so much. When I feel WD coming on,even from tapering or missing a dose, my wrists start to throb almost immediately.
Can you take a weekend and go away somewhere with a friend?
Keep with it!
d
I'm still struggling to stick w/this taper this time...I think I just have to get past this stressful couple of weeks and then refocus. I can't beat myself up about it.
I know I WILL quit. I have to.
I heard somewhere that when you are detoxing, you get rebound pain, usually in your "weak" areas. I have had wrist pain on/off from typing so much. When I feel WD coming on,even from tapering or missing a dose, my wrists start to throb almost immediately.
Can you take a weekend and go away somewhere with a friend?
Keep with it!
d
i tried detoxing two weeks ago and did good up until about a week and then relapsed. I have taken a half on two days, skipping a couple days in between, and one on sunday. I don't know if my brain creates the pain in my neck and back or if i have legitamate pain from the work I do. I am a massage therapist and have two children 3 and 1.
anyway in the past week I have taken a total of 2 tram skipping one to two days inbetween. Why does this **** have such a hold of my brain. I didn't have any yesterday but today I am in pain and have to do four one hour massages back to back and am kind of dreading it. when I was on the tramadol it gave me the pain relief and energy to do it all. I like my work and love my kids but just wish I could go somewhere else to detox b/c I just feel like I need supernatural powers do my everyday responsibilites. I am trying to exercise, take all the vitamins, sam-e for depression and eat right but not its not helping as much I thought it would.
Tapering is hard but staying off is the biggest challenge i have ever had to do, besides natural childbirth to 9lb+ babies lol
Good luck to everyone tapering off tramadol and staying off. I am still not there but I am not going to give up on kicking this bad habit.
We are all making headway and we just need to keep posting and encouraging one another:)
Annie
anyway in the past week I have taken a total of 2 tram skipping one to two days inbetween. Why does this **** have such a hold of my brain. I didn't have any yesterday but today I am in pain and have to do four one hour massages back to back and am kind of dreading it. when I was on the tramadol it gave me the pain relief and energy to do it all. I like my work and love my kids but just wish I could go somewhere else to detox b/c I just feel like I need supernatural powers do my everyday responsibilites. I am trying to exercise, take all the vitamins, sam-e for depression and eat right but not its not helping as much I thought it would.
Tapering is hard but staying off is the biggest challenge i have ever had to do, besides natural childbirth to 9lb+ babies lol
Good luck to everyone tapering off tramadol and staying off. I am still not there but I am not going to give up on kicking this bad habit.
We are all making headway and we just need to keep posting and encouraging one another:)
Annie
Sounds like you have everything under control, don't let yourself stress, you take less than 6 per day. That's very low and takes a lot of will power and self control to dwell that low. It probably gets harder and harder the lower one goes. I did my 9 today, kinda regret it. Man, I was so tired, and my legs where so sore after work. (I walk like 7 hours straight, Mon. - Fri.) The less Tramadol, the more sore I am after work. I'd take that soreness any day though - I'd rather be clean and free again. So I am trying to welcome and embrace all the bad feelings I've been having lately. (gotta take the bad with the good) Today was a little rough. I went down 2 pills this past weekend. (11 - 9). So now I am at 9 Solid. I guess. Tomorrow should be better. And the next day I'll probably be back to fine again. I hope. Ahhh...intenstinal pains. Like someone tying my intenstines in knots. I got off work, got home and went straight to bed. Slept 5 hours. And I'll have to get another 6 hours before I go back to work in 9 hours. Bah!!! I just want to take 12 Trams tomorrow and wizz through the day Tramadol style. Hell yea baby!!! Just kidding. I'll be doing my 9 every day this week, no doubt. Still have not cheated, probably, maybe, I will some day, but it won't be this week. Maybe Saturday I drop to 8. I wanna catch up with Done4Good!
Good luck to you as well. This addiction thing really *****. I really don't get it at times. It seems so logical...Just get through detox, don't pick up and watch your life get better. There's no logic in addiction whatsoever. I'll be at 24 hrs at 7:30. So far so good. Wish I didn't have to worry about a job. I know I'll get one though. Good luck with your taper. I'll keep you in my prayers as well. GBU, Corey
thanks. Yeah it was more a matter of just not paying attention. I have tapered on tram before and was able to stick to it pretty well once I really decided to go for it. I don't think I could do it on hydros or anything stronger though. I would def have to have someone hold them for me.
I live alone so I really have no choice.
d
I live alone so I really have no choice.
d
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