Day 2 - Ultram taper - looking for support & advice :)

[stupidpill]

Hi Everyone.  I'm new here so If I should have posted to an existing thread, let me know!  Sorry if this is long winded :(

Here's my story:  I've always been fond of popping pills, especially pain killers, but have always been lucky that I catch myself when a habit has developed and stop before things get really really out of hand, which puts me where I am today.  Like everyone else, I didn't realize how dangerous and addictive Ultram is.  I am done now, getting off these and NOT starting again.

I have been ordering Ultram online since Jan 2010, so around 9 months after a friend gave me 20 or so in December.  I quit for about a month in the March to April time frame and at the time was taking 2 to 3 50mg a day.  The withdrawl that time wasn't really all that bad.  I was pretty depressed for a week or maybe more, but not sick and I didn't taper that time.  I had run out and just went CT.  Stupid me succumbed to the cravings and ordered another bottle late April, early May and I've been taking them every day ever since.  I was up to 4 or 5 50mg a day with one or two more per day than that on occasion.  

So, this is my plan.  I have (had) 28 pills left.  Yesterday 9/1 was my first day and I decided to start with 2 pills which I took around 1pm.  I had decided that if I absolutely needed it to take 1 more pill later that day which I ended up doing.  I have 25 left.  I am going to try again for 2 today, but do the 3 allowance if needed.  Today though I think I am going to take the two at two different times instead of at the same time.  I am going to try to taper as quick as I can but TRY to make this bearable.  I want to be on 2 pills daily within 2 days at the latest, then 1 a few days after than, then 1/2 and so on.

Any advice on this on what I can expect and if this is a good plan?  I am doing OK so far.  I do feel a little strange, like floaty in the head this morning but it's manageable so far.  I am not depressed SO FAR...in fact I feel so determined to kick this that I'm actually in a decent mood.  I slept fine last night with the aid of tylenol pm.  I have been reading everyone's withdrawl experiences and am expecting the worst, hoping for the best.  

Thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to read my story and to help me out :)

[dominosarah]

Thanks Bear......I am glad you were on here this morning!!!

[stupidpill]

Thank you Beargizmo, I understand, and congrats on your 30 day success!  Hopefully I will be where you are in a little over a month :)

[PromisedLand]

I tapered by cutting back 1 pill a day for several days, (week max) then cutting by another, and another and then finally down to 1/2 pill per day and then that was it.  Called my pharmacy and cancelled all my refills and it's been over 30 days and haven't touched them since..

With the amount you are taking, you should not have severe withdrawals but might experience some discomfort for a few days...

I am not a doctor and please do not accept this as a recommended method of tapering off of this medication.

[stupidpill]

thank you Sara!!

Jami

[dominosarah]

Welcome to the forum.  I am glad you found us.  You will find a ton of support on here.  One of our members should be on shortly and will be able to help you with this.  tramahater came off tramadol and has alot of info.  madtram usually comes on in the evening and she has good info too.  I do know that tramadol needs to be tapered down as there are risks of seizures......You dont have to be a prisoner to these pills anymore.  Keep posting here and yes you did the right thing by starting your own thread!!      sara