After 6 weeks, down to 3 1/4

[Victor322]

tabs/day of Tramadol from 12/day. Been on T for 4 years, abusing it for 1 1/2 years.

Was breezing thru the tapering process until i reached 3 1/2 tabs per day...and even after a week @ 3 1/2, anxiety attacks were still wreaking havoc. down now to 3 1/4 tabs/day now (3rd day) and the anxiety is continuing to be an ongoing problem, even while still taking 1.5 mg of Xanax per day.

Anxiety had always been a lifelong issue, but once i had started Tramadol, the anziety appears to have gotten
worse.

Not really sure whats going on here, but how could the anxiety have gotten worse just because I went on tramadol and now trying to wean off of it? Perhaps I'll have to stay on T for-ever while keeping the dosage down to a legit level for pain/anxiety mgmt only...instead of using it as a recreational drug too.

But I just don't understand...recommended dosage for tramadol is 2 tabs x 3 times a day, and i've tapered down from 12 per day to
3 1/4, been at 3 1/2 or less now for 10 days! Also, been taking less than 6 tabs/day for about 3~4 weeks already.

So...where the frick is this additonal anxiety coming from? Anyone?

TIA
  

[GoingToMakeIt]

I wish you luck in the tapering. It is best on Tramadol. Keep us posted. It sounds like you are doing this right. Don't push it. Slow and steadily decreasing as you can, is best.

[avisg]

Wow you have come soooo far .I had panic attacks when I got down low as well .i took some benadryl with my does when i got down that low it really did help. I would stay right where you are until your body adjusts.Tram is not an anxiety med. Keep up with the taper the panic attacks well get better ..
avis

[Babanker07]

Hello, and good morning Victor, hope all is well in your neck of the woods:)  I wouldn't be the best for advice with your particular situation, though I noticed no one had responded yet so I wanted to get you bumped up to the top.  Stick around, plenty of great people with great advice.  Take care, BA

[Victor322]

I had taken it down to 2 1/2 tabs of Tramadol for 2 days straight right before Thanksgiving, but the anxiety and upcoming travel plans (and being with gf's relatives for 3 days), i decided to take it back up to 3 tabs. Been hanging there since 12/19.

Today, Thursday, I begun to back it down again, this time to 2 3/4 tabs. Been anxious all day, and not even at day 3 yet for this new dosage (half life effect). But hen again, I've always had anxiety issues and haven't been getting hardly any exercise the last dew days, plus my weight gain (225 lbs @ 5'10") has made me feel very uncomfortable too. Anyway, I'm ready now to continue the tapering down process...I really have no choice! Have to keep the Xanax useage down too, wont do me any good to increase my Xanax dependence while weaning off of tramadol! Oy!

More Later!

[Victor322]

not the PAWS recipe. My mistake...so should I tattoo that across (The Mistaken One!) my forehead too?

:D

[Victor322]

Today is the second day @ just 2 1/2 tabs!
Yay!

Also extended the dosage timing of 1/2 tab to every 5 hours, up from 4 hours. My mind is starting clear up and my sexual drive has returned. The PAWS plan of vitamins and other detoxing aids appear to be of tremendous help. So glad to be able to see the light at the end of that dark and lonely tunnel of drugging.

Best to all!