Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Another Tramadol Withdrawal Case

I've used Tramadol HCL for about a year now. I'd say I used anywhere from 5-9 (50mg pills) daily. I noticed myself losing weight no matter how much I ate. I am a 29yr old male and normally weigh 145 (lean athletic body figure) and lost about 15lbs while on the drug. It seemed I was consistently at 130lbs...this to me was the primary indicator to stop using the drug.

2 days ago I stopped using the drug completely. I tapered down the use for about 10 days to about 150mgs and then down to 100mgs for the last 3 days. The one thing that seems to be bothering me the most about this withdrawal is the suppressed breathing and "seemingly" explosive heart rate...I can feel every heart beat as if it wants to plunge out of my chest. This varies during the day...its worse at some points than others. IS this a normal symptom???  
Also no sleep...or maybe 2 hours worth of sleep...plus brain zaps occasionally.

I am going on day 3 now and I know the withdrawals are supposed to subside as time goes on...I am already eating more and healthier. I am trying to concentrate on other things besides the sickness during work. It is VERY difficult to do, but I am fighting it as best I can. I tried taking some Nyquil to help me sleep...it seems to help reduce the increased heart rate feeling a bit...but I still cannot sleep well.

I've read a lot of posts and know what to expect, but I just havent seen anyone post about suppressed breathing and/or increase in heart rate or blood pressure.

Please assist!
16 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thank you all for the support! I've never been through something like this and have honestly never thought I would. Its good know they're great, supportive people out there!

Right now I have access Vitamin B6 and multi-vitamins (Mens One a Day). I did take an extra dose of the B6 and I must say I did notice a difference...it was a subtle difference but nonetheless better.  I will continue with this regimen and keep moving forward. Tonight I will rid the Nyquil as well...I know it will be slightly more unpleasant to sleep but my goal is to get off any kind of medication.

Thanks!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree with madtram.  It hangs on a while.  It's probably your body's response to the anxiety.  Mine was gone in about a week or ten days??  Give or take....

Take some Vitamin B12!  B6 is good too, but you can buy just plain B12 sublinguals.   They seem to work best and fastest.  I didn't take it for the heart things though.  I took it for energy.  Madtram may be talking about a different kind.
Helpful - 0
320944 tn?1245966599
I have been thru probably more hell with this tram than anyone on here and for about 3 years. It would take me forever to post all of it if you get a chance look at my previous posts. The last one was the 13th of this month. This is the post i sent to everyone on here who responded to my plea, maybe it will help you, feel free to post me any time.
Thanks for caring, I have not had any tram since the day i posted which was 09/13/2010. I got some clonidine .02mg that i take twice a day. The clonidine is actually used for high blood pressure which i do have now from stopping the tram, but there is also some kind of chemical in the clonodine that helps you clear off your opiate receptors, therefore reducing and eliminating your craving for opiate like drugs. Best thing is a months supply only costs $11.00 without insurance. The only side effects i have had as of yet are loose stools, i am sleeping well, no headaches, chills or nausea either. So hopefully this is the end of the line for me. By the way everyone i had 2 grand mal seizures and was having small seizures almost every day and did not even know it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
madtram

How long did it take before you noticed a significant decrease in the racing heart beat issue?

What kind of vitamin B? I have vitamin B6...not sure if that works out to be the same...
Helpful - 0
599071 tn?1300068702
The tachycardia & insomnia were the hangers on for me but I promise you there is an end in sight.  It's great that the thumping heart beats are already easing off.

I found that large doses of the b vitamin inositol, (6 grams 2x per day) really helped with the racing heart feeling.

So glad you decided to stop.  This is a sucky sucky drug.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Day 5 and I am still noticing the feeling of increased HR...not sure if its increased really...but I can still feel the heartbeats. Though this is mild, I am hoping the feeling will go away altogether. I don't have access to clonidine or anything like that, nor do I really want to get on any other drug. I do feel better overall, however this particular symptom seems to last for a good while.

I am going to stop taking Nyquil tonight and I am going to go to the gym.

I hope this feeling goes away soon!
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
great post dannyg33
mind over matter
addiction is so very much a mind thing
folks fear physical wd to the point they wioll dig a deep hole to avoid them
and all the while the answer is within
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have also done a lot of reading about this drug and observed other peoples withdrawal symptom posts. It seems that some of the most effective (long term) solutions to overcoming this is to exercise, breathe, and take limited OTC drug to alleviate body aches. After doing just that over the last 3 days, I can feel a difference and it makes the withdrawal symptoms more tolerable during the day. I am also aware that the withdrawal symptoms can spike at any given time...when this happens I try to snack on something healthy, take a warm bath is possible, and/or most importantly...try to focus on keeping busy with something else. If you're sitting behind a computer all day and not moving around, these symptoms tend to feel more apparent... unfortunately for me...sitting behind a computer is part of my job.

Its like a bad break-up....you have to forget that you ever took these things, keep yourself busy...clean the house, mow the lawn, talk and hang out with friends, laugh, and your state of mind will become more positive. In my opinion, your mental health will manifest itself to the way your body feels...hard to believe when you go through withdrawals like this, but I can assure EVERYONE that this DOES play a healthy part in getting better.
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
Tram also affects seratonin uptake,,,so it is nt only a very weak narcotic like drug..but a strong AD as well...this antidepressant effect,,the withdrawal of seratonin is the hardest part
with this drug, wds are much longer than a pure narcotic like hydro or oxy due to the AD quality of trams....it may get worse before it gets better..u were smart to taper down...
being on this forum for a long time, anxiety and lack of sleep, and depression r the  major complaints i have seen in tram wd..the increased HR etc could be anxiety induced but I would check with my dr about it..he can also give u a safe drug like phenergan to calm u and help u sleep..most drs will call phenergan in for a tummy virus over the phone..there r also other safe, non-addictingdrugs that can help.
Nyquil, which contains benadryl, as most OTC sleep meds do,,,can actually have an opposite effect on folks when anxiety levels r high

talk to ur dr....read the health pages as folks spent alot of time posting info to help others...above all..seek support..this is hard to do alone
Helpful - 0
495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sounds like you are feeling better already!!  Stay with it and continue to ride out the rest of the wd's.  This part of it will be gone soon........sara
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
All,

Thank you for your support and the posts. I think this process right here (message forums) is also an excellent way to gain positive mental support during the withdrawal.

I wake up a new morning...a little more well rested then the last 3 days. I feel a bit more positive about my situation...and thats a good thing. I've learned that some controlled breathing exercises also can help tremendously...light meditation. I did this last night, took a few sips of nyquil and felt considerably better.

I hope that using nyquil is not just masking the withdrawal symptoms. I only use it at night, but I plan on stopping the use of nyquil within the next day or so.

So...I've overcome diarrhea, anxiety along with many aches and pains within the first 2 days. Day 3 was left with the heavy heart beat feeling...now on day 4 I feel mentally better with milder effects of the 'heavy heart beat feeling'...in my opinion...progress.

I already have developed a hatred for the drug...have no need and do not intend to use again, and at this point I can foresee myself being back to normal within 2 weeks. The sleep is going to be the most difficult thing, but if I can manage to perform some breathing exercises each night, I think I would have solved this issue too...

Thanks everyone!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi!  I definitely had the heart rate and BP thing.  Mine were both elevated, but I took clonidine, and it lowered both, making me more comfy.  It sure feels like you can feel every single beat though, doesn't it?  YUCK!

Otherwise, how are you making it this afternoon?  Diarrhea?  Anxiety?  Aches and pains?  If you have any problems with your symptoms, let me know.  I have a million tricks for getting through it, halfway sane!!!!! : )

Good luck honey!  I'm so glad you are doing this.
Helpful - 0
1418975 tn?1282415178
hi , iam also on a tapper down program from tramadol ,i was on 20 a day and its taken 5 weeks to get to 4 a day, i had seizures at first but i dont think this will happen in your case if you have now gone 3 days, i would carry on the way your going as i did this a few years ago at roughly the same amount you were on and the same way you have tappered also, as for the breathlessness i experiance this also when tappering this is just part of the withdrawel, iam sure you will be fine in 3 or 4 days but well done you should be very proud, i think its one of hardest things ive had to cope with so hang in there and let us all know how our doing.  
Helpful - 0
1436330 tn?1284666036
Sara is right. Tramadol can be a dangerous medication to come off without doctors supervision. Your high heart rate and decreased resperations do not sound good.  Please go see your doctor or at least call or page him.    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Sara...I may have made the symptom sound like I am about to die...but the truth is that I am coping with it. Its not impossible to deal with, but it certainly is unpleasant. My blood pressure was taken yesterday and it was 135/85...not great but not horrible according to the nurse. She mentioned that for someone my age that blood pressure may come across as hypertensive.
Helpful - 0
495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
You may want to get this checked out with a doctor.  tramahater should be on at some point today and she has alot of info on tramadol.......sara
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.