10 year tramadol abuser wanting to switch to cymbalta

[swankme]

I have had both hip and back pain for the last 30+ years: I use to take opiate based drugs and got off of them with  methadone and suboxone. I still had major pain and 10-12 years ago tramadol got popular was something they never thought could be abused but I learned after 150mg (3 pill) that it was, So here I am today trying to stop! My doctor wrote a script for Cymbalta 60mg nine months so I could stop taking so many tramadol. He thinks I am only taking  8 a day the max but I take between 10-16 a day.  I know all the risks of tramadol abuse I have had seizure's I have had all the ups and downs of withdrawal. I have tried 5 times in 10 years to stop but never understood the ssri hold they have on me,  every time I ask him about the serotonin syndrome with Cymbalta and Trams and he said its fine at 8 pills a day, I need to get off trams but the most I can seem to taper down to is 8-10 a day. Has anyone started Cymbalta after getting off 800mg of tramadol a day. I WILL NOT BE TAKING TRAM AND CYMBALTA together and  I know some people will say talk to your doc let him know how much you are on but if you have been in my position u know u will never get tramadol again from that doc and he's the only doc I have had for years.  In other words I don't know if Cymbalta is going to work so I cannot burn my bridge to tramadol yet.  I am reading on this site that that some have been through this with cymbalta I need my life back from tramadol. btw  I have tried 12 steps and others ways and it does not work for me. tks

[VICourageous]

Hi again.
We are here for YOU and we will be cheering for you all the way.
Remember the FEAR thing you posted about.

I wanted to share something with you. I have been going over to the AD med community on here and also the Anxiety one. If you go over there you can pick up some great info about all these different AD meds. I have been reading and picking up some helpful info. I did try a few when I had a yr in, but any or all seem to just flat-line me. I just gave my Brain more time to find it's own balance and doing A-OK in that area. Wishing you the best!
Bless

[swankme]

The reason I cant get down further from 8-10 a day is because of the pain and the withdrawal together.  I cant believe I am alive with as many as I have taken in one day in the past. But I really  want my life back. I use to take lortabs  and used methadone to get off .When I discovered trams it was less euphoric but lasted longer.  I realized they didn't even help with pain unless I took 3-4.  but I was far happier on them then I ever was on opiates because of the ssri.  I totally agree with you about the withdrawal its so much harder to get off trams.  About 6 years ago I tried suboxone but lost my insurance and couldn't afford them and went right back to em.  I am going to try 30mg when I get back to 8. Part of me thinks I am not ready but I cant keep up this farce anymore.  Tks for your comment I have never used the internet for help before I went to one N/A meeting and its not for me.

[brownvelvet]

The tram train....been there...done that....started and stopped a few times now....the kicker with tram you hit on....tramadol affects the serotonin system not just the opiate effect....so when you quit c/t itis like stopping opiates and antidepressants at once....this last time I quit I went on ssri first while still on tramadol...I know everyone talks about the serotonin syndrome and to make matters worse I got migraines and took relpax which can increase serotonin too...but whether I was lucky or not I never had an issue with serotonin syndrome and I felt like maybe the ssri I was taking helped when I stopped the tramadol....withdrawal still was awful but maybe I felt a little stronger this time...idk...but then I had to stop the ssri and that was another withdrawal.... but if you plan on staying on the cymbalta for pain then I guess that second withdrawal wont happen to you

I would try to wean down on tramadol first if you cant get off completely. When you say you cant get below 8-10 is it because of pain or other symptoms? that will make a difference i think

well i am not expert but quitting tramadol was harder and longer than any pure opiate for me....and harder than an ssri ....but so worth it now

[VICourageous]

Hi & Welcome to our Forum.

It sounds like you have done this before so you should know the drill. Can you taper back the trams and then stop? Have someone hand them out to you. I am so proud for you to do your homework about the Trams. There are many Drs who do not think they are Addictive, nor do they know much about them hitting the Serotonin. That is what makes them one of the worst to w/d from. I had done a lot of research since I went c/t from my 3meds in 2012. I found out many things that these type of pills do to the Brain Chems. Any or all the opiate based ones and the synthetic ones like Trams, Methadone and Subs.

The big thing about getting clean is that WE have to really want it. I do go to many meetings and I also found that my Church offers so much support too. Learning all I can in a more scientific way has saved my behind to this day too. I am a Addict and have had this disease since I was young. Well we know it is a Progressive one. Very wise of you not to mix the 2 together right now because of the serotonin syndrome.

Just keep checking your post and other will chime in. WE do have a special site on here that is all about Trams. Maybe some one will come along with the post # to get in. I think it is in Emily's Journal.  Anyway, I do wish you the best and if you could taper back a bit and take it slow and easy while your Brain/Body adjusted to each drop, I do believe this will make it a lot less intense to come off of. Good Luck and Be Safe!
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