tramadol vold turkey day 3 in uk. help?

[happyisclaire]

I slipped 3 discs 6 months ago. Was on morphine (oramorph) now been on 200mg tramadol 4 times a day for 5 months. I only gave one prolapsed disc left and ive had some facet joint injections that are helping and I need to go back to work. Tried tapering from this drug but didn't realise how hooked my body was and what the side effects were when you stop taking it. Tapering gave me sweats, upset tummy, headaches so I just stopped it 2 days ago...  but oh crikey I feel awful!!!! The headache and insomnia are bad. Can't see my gp until Thursday.  Just wondering is there any natural remedies to combat tgese symptoms?

[FourJays]

Geez, I can so relate to how you are feeling . . the stomach and sweating issues were my worst symptoms too.  I know it feels like it will never end, but it does, I promise!  Have you been able to eat much?  I didn't have much of an appetite, and when I did eat, it seemed like it just went right through me.  I tried to limit taking the Imodium, but if I had to leave the house, it was a must!  People suggested sticking with bland foods; I remember eating a lot of crackers, toast, soup; and bananas - and those really seemed to help (the potassium is a plus too!).  Be sure to drink as much water as possible.  Have you tried Vitamin Water; can you get it where you are?  If so, try the "Revive" flavor/formula.  It worked GREAT for me.  It has 100% of the RDA of vitamin C, all the B's, potassium and electrolytes; full of all good things your body needs now (& NO caffeine).  Honestly, I still drink one every day!  I know it is probably the last thing you feel like doing, but if you can get out and get a little exercise, even a short walk, you will feel better.  It seemed like the more I pushed myself - got the heart rate up and a good sweat going, the more energy I felt and actually sweat less later.  It's those endorphins I guess; and knowing that you are getting (sweating) out the toxins.  I noticed in your profile that you ran a marathon last year (which is amazing :) - you probably already know about this stuff!  In any case, you should start feeling some relief very soon (at the end of day 3, right?).  My symptoms started to slowly fade and get a little better each day.  And the sleep thing is a pain, I know.  I felt exhausted even though I wasn't really doing anything :(  Try to get as relaxed as you can (maybe a nice long soak in the tub w/some Epsom salts?), and some music that is soothing to you, or maybe a movie or two.  Anything that will divert your attention AWAY from thinking about not sleeping!  It will come in time; even if you can get in just an hour or so here and there, it will come.  I think you are doing great...hang in there and keep posting :))

[happyisclaire]

Thank you for your support.  today the main problem has been diarrhoea, which is awful and the sweats and cramps, I feel like I have been poisoned!! I had Salmonella 3 years ago, and it feels like that...will it ever end.  The weather is beautiful and I can;t even bear to open my curtains. :(  Uforrtunately I have never been able to take NSAIDS so I cant take ibuprofren or anything, so I only taking paracetomol for the headaches, and it seems to help the sweats a little...but the other stuff is still there. Hoping I  can sleep tonight, Last night was like my brain would just not shut down, jumping from one random thought to another, I got 2 hours sleep in total, and dozed for an hour today, I am exhausted ... xx

[FourJays]

hello and welcome to the fourm!  I took tramadol for many years; started taking it for back pain with the understanding that it was non-narcotic and non-addictive.  Well, WRONG on both accounts (as it sounds like you have found to be the case as well!).  I ended up quitting it cold turkey back in December, as I was not able to taper off of it either.  It you have 2 days down you are going GREAT, and the worst of it should be over very soon (like within the next 24 to 48 hours).  The symptoms you are describing are real common side affects of w/d from this med.  Cant you try any OTC remedy for the headache (ibuprophen or Tylenol)?  Imodium helped me with the upset stomach and diarreah problems, as did peppermint tea (or any kind of peppermint candies, mints, etc. - really seemed to help the stomach problems).  I had the sweats SO bad too.  They were pretty severe those first few days but did drastically decrease after that.  I found that keeping stacks of fresh, clean towels & washcloths, underwear, cotton/comfy t-shirts, shorts, etc., on hand helped a lot.  When a 'melt down' occurred (and they were bad, I would be soaked and then get cold); I'd strip down and get dressed in dry, clean clothes.  It felt so, so good and calmed me down (until the next one..lol).  Soaks in the tub with Epsom salts really helped with the general achey, restless and sweaty feeling.  If you can light a candle and play some calming music - it was like Heaven.  It really helped to relax me so much.  Sleep was a different story.  That one did take awhile to return; but I have found that to be SO common among people in opiate w/d.  Tramadol is a tough one too, because of the anti-depressant properties it has.  You are essentially withdrawing from 2 meds - an opiate AND an anti-depressant (double the fun.....:(  You may want to try some magnesium tablets (my doctor suggested 1000 mg. for me, taken at night before bed, some potassium (banana's are a good source), and/or you could try Melatonin - it is a natural sleep aid.  I personally did not care for the Melatonin, but lots of people say it works for them.  It is great that you will be seeing your doc it a few days.  Until then if you can hang in and try some of these things, hopefully you will get some relief.  Are you planning on quitting the Tramadol for good?  Hopefully your doctor can talk to you about other remedies for your back pain.  I have had a few series of injections over the years and they have helped me too.  Tramadol is a really difficult med to w/d from and because of the AD properties there are often emotional ups and downs that linger after the w/d period is over.  This is all stuff that you may want to talk with your doctor about, as there are many prescription and natural remedies available to help with all these things.  In the mean time, you are doing great,  The stuff you are feeling are all normal symptoms of the tram w/d.  I'm sure other members will be along to offer some other suggestions as well.  Hang in there and keep posting here for support - you can do this and are not alone :))