Jumping Off the Tramadol Train

[Sleepless_in_Florida]

I'm not going to bore you with my long story, but wanted to thank you all for sharing your experiences of quitting the wicked, "non-addictive" drug Tramadol.  I am on day 4 of cold turkey, and have never, ever been through anything like this in my life.  I'm no stranger to opiates, and have done my share (and someone elses too!)  Of recreational drugs in my life, but coming off this one is hell x 5! I thought I was going nuts... no sleep at all for 4 nights now.  Oh, I broke all the bones on my left side falling off a roof 3 years ago.  After several surgeries I would be prescribed Percocet, and then migrated down to the "non addictive" Tram.  I was taking an average of approx 300 mg in 12 hours. I finally decided that I had HAD IT with begging for my refills from my surgeon.  I took my last bottle to wean myself down, by cutting back to 2  50 mg. tabs a day. My body immediately decided to mutiny. I feel like I've been hit by a truck... several times. The diarrhea was so bad yesterday that I had to call in to work and take the day off.  I'm tortured by having zero sleep.  Maybe tonight... right after I stretch my arms a thousand times. Legs too. The chills and sweats subsided a little today, so I can see a pinprick of light at the end of the tunnel.  Thanks again for being here during my 3:00a.m. surfing for Tramadol withdrawal.  You've helped more than you know.  Praying for sleep (Benadrl didn't work. How many am I supposed to take?

[james22778]

I've taken tramadol for four years I'm slowly tapering off them I've ran out early several times so I was forced into a cold Turkey not because I wanted to and I could handle the anxiety sweating electric shocks throughout my body but the loss of sleep absolutely drove me crazy that's what always made me continue taking them when I got my refill so while I have a full bottle I'm trying the taper thing so hopefully the withdrawl symptoms won't be as intense as they are when I ran out I wish you nothing but the best good luck to you

[Sleepless_in_Florida]

Wow! So thankful for all of your suggestions and advice.  Right now going through what feels like electrical shocks going through my neck, shoulders and middle back. This morning it was my hip joints.  Every time something goes away (headache is gone for the time being), it's like a trade-off... something else starts aching. It's like my body is screaming at me.  I started vitamins yesterday. Thanks for that suggestion. And on the Benadryl thing, that's exactly what happened... restless legs. I won't be doing that again.  I stopped taking the 1 mg xanax for sleep about 3 months ago.  I took them for 5 years, after my son and husband passed away.  I'm just so sick of taking pills!  I haven't experienced any crying or depression yet, and with a little luck, I won't.  I'm a therapist, and I know that you guys are my ace in the hole!  It's tough going in and listening to heartbreak all day when I already feel so lousy.   I'm absolutely sapped when I get home. Thanks again for your support.

[Lainemoss]

Oh yeah, I was doing between 750-1,000 mg a day!!! So you definitely got this!

[Lainemoss]

Oh yeah, I was doing between 750-1,000 mg a day!!! So you definitely got this!

[Lainemoss]

Hi there! I have tons of experience with tramadol. That became my DOC, since it was so accessible. I'm now 34 or so days clean from it. The sleep is the last to return, unfortunately. If you have RLS, take plenty of magnesium and potassium, and lots of Epsom salt baths. That helped the most with sleep for me. Melatonin didn't work at all in the beginning, but now I don't even need it to sleep. My sleep pattern has changed a ton. I am now in bed by ten every night and am awake by six. I find I don't need naps during the day like I used to. I had neurontin for the first two weeks to help with sleep and RLS, but flushed that too after finding out it can be addictive. It helped a ton with the initial sleeplessness and RLS. I can tell you from my experience that it does get so much better. I feel so normal now and the hardest thing has been depression and boredom. I also have found that around the thirty day mark my cravings became intense. I have had some serious ones the last four days. I push through them and they go away. The main thing is to never go back! This is my second time withdrawing from tramadol and this time has been so much worse. Take a good multi vitamin and stay hydrated. You can do this!

[ariley13]

Hey there and a huge congratulations on your 4 days clean! I don't have any experience with Tramadol, but I am somewhat of a professional at the troubled sleeping thing. Benadryl sometimes makes it worse when you are going through withdrawals. If you do take it, stick to the recommended dose which I believe is 2 .  Something else you might look into is Melatonin and Valerian Root. They both can aid sleep. Try not to stress too much about the sleep thing. I know it's miserable and hard not to, but the more you stress, the more trouble you'll have sleeping. Don't fight it. Watch some good tv or movies, chat on here, listen to some good music. Sometimes a hot bath with epsom salts will help relax you enough to sleep. It also helps alot with aches and pains. Hang in there. The sleep will come back. Take care of yourself. Hope the sandman visits very soon!

[Sleepless_in_Florida]

Thanks OxyTired. I appreciate you taking the time to write. I was finally able to get a little sleep last night... just a couple hours, but it gave me hope. I still have the sneezing a little, but the worst is the pain all over my body. It seems to be easing up a little bit, but now my head feels like it's going to explode.  I took my last Tramadol Saturday around 5, and it's now Thursday; 5 days of hell on Earth. Wish I'd kept a journal. Anyway, thanks again Oxy, I'm going to look for the Thomas Recipe. From what I've read, I could be in for a tough few weeks, and can use all the help I can get!

[OxyTired]

Sounds like a rough time you are going through. Whatever you do, you can't cave in. No decent sleep will be the norm for awhile. Just keep in mind that it gets better. Read the posts here about amino acids, Thomas Recipe, Epsom salt baths-all that really works.
Plus fierce determination, and it sounds to me like you have that.
Good to have you here, lots of knowledgeable, caring people.