Tramadol withdrawals

[Kylie4501]

Hey Everyone,

So I am still tapering but can't seem to get lower than 4 a day. I hate this, I feel like a failure. I am completely fine during the day and actually have slight energy, but once I try to go to bed, it is horrible. My RLS kicks in right when I lay down and then I am wide awake. My legs are really killing me tonight. I even took 2 hot salt baths, ate a banana, I take magnesium every single day, and I took Hylands. I can't take anything like Benadryl or Tylenol PM because it seems like it makes my RLS worse, so any other tips on how I could get to sleep?? I was up last night until 4 am. This is crazy and I am only tapering. I feel like I have so long to go before I even stop taking any. I need some support!

[Bobo0331]

I sincerely hope my comments didn't hurt the situation. I didn't realize you were pregnant. I posted about transition to something easer to get off of because it's true that tramadol is so hard to come off of.

I'm just another guy going through something similar right now and wanted to embolden you to take that step.

Keep talking though

[nursegirl6572]

We are all supposed to not judge eachother for our choices, but support one another

Don't know if this was just a general statement but I just want to clarify that in no way have I ever judged Kylie.  I gave her advice, nothing was a judgement at all.

[vicki595]

Kylie- This hasn't really come up but I thought I'd mention it so you know...

It's standard practice at most hospitals to conduct a tox screen on all inpatients to Labor&Delivery. If you test positive for opiates it will be questioned and they'll want to know why you were taking it and who gave it to you. They may even contact your family doctor.  

I can't recommend taking the Hydrocodone so just do what you think is the most prudent.  

[waterview4326]

    You and I have shared why you don't want to tell your husband and I totally support you. Please continue to reach out for help through this, I feel just like Farmgal does, you know your husband and you NEED support through this, I am here for you,  Please don't leave here, we all need each other. I understand COMPLETELY

[ImDONENoMore]

I can only speak from the heart, sincerely and honestly.  I never mean to offend, only trying to get you to see another side of this situation.  But I don't want you to leave because of my words, so I will back off and no longer respond.  And I will continue to wish you well as that's just my nature.  I really do wish the best for you.

[Farmgal40]

Hey don't stop posting or leave!  I can totally understand not wanting to tell your husband for fear of how he might react (you and I talked about this in another post a week or so ago and your prior "issue" that you felt he finally got over) I've read both on here - good and bad stories about telling a spouse, and people who do, and do NOT tell their spouse, so you are not alone in that. We are all supposed to not judge eachother for our choices, but support one another. So please stay with us!

[nursegirl6572]

I'm sorry you're reacting in this way.  It's not a lecture.  Believe it or not, I'm trying to head off a major issue for you.  Just think of how realistic it is for him to find out dear.  You cannot control all of the staff members in the L&D, and there's even a good chance your doc may not recall that it's hush hush.  If he's going to be present for the birth, I think it's wise to tell him.  He will be more inclined to be supportive now, than finding out that way.  

Anything we post here is to help you, whether you like what we're saying or not.  Of course the final decision about this stuff is always up to you, it's your life.  I'm very worried for you and your baby.

I will not reply anymore.  Feel free to keep posting, no one wants you not to.  Hope all goes well.

[Kylie4501]

I am done posting on the forum. I have asked numerous times for you to stop asking me to tell my husband and you keep lecturing me about it. How do you know that he will be supportive, I know him and he won't. Good bye!

[ImDONENoMore]

OH man, nursegirl, I couldn't agree more with nursegirl... taking anything now in addition to the trams is a HUGE mistake.  You aren't thinking clearly.  Please, don't do this.  And TALK to your husband.  He has a right to know what's going on.

[nursegirl6572]

Oh geez....do NOT add anymore medication to this situation.

Sweetie, I KNOW you don't want to tell you husband, but just give this some thought...there's NO way you can guarantee your husband won't find out, and because you're getting closer to delivery, most likely there will still be concerns with the Trams.  Anything could happen, a nurse could say something about watching the baby, anything.

I'm sure you're scared but imagine HOW much worse this will be if he finds out from another person besides you?  And what if he finds out when you're delivering?  He's going to feel SO hurt and SO betrayed, and will have every right to feel that way.  I'd say there is a better chance he WILL find out versus not finding out.  He really has the right to know this, and you could really use the help and support.  

I really wish you'd give that some serious thought.  This is not a secret to keep, not from your husband and the father of this baby.

Best to you, hope it gets easier for you.

[Kylie4501]

Thanks so much! Your words really help motivate me!!

[Kylie4501]

I have a question....i am still tapering tramadol and an at 3 a day. I just realized i have a half bottle of hydrocodone from last year...would that help aid in the tapering? I wonder if i stopped tramadol and only took the hydro how i would feel. I know its not a good idea but i have no desire to abuse hydros...they dont give me a high at all, just make me drowsy.

[HappyDays2Come]

Kylie, you're doing great getting down and staying on 4 per day. I know you've been trying so much and so hard to get off of these and your struggle is a bigger one because you're pregnant and you have to think about the baby. You've been a rock star in my book. So many of us would've just given in and you've stuck it out and continued to plow ahead. I'm so impressed with and proud of you. In addition to the above, the honesty you've maintained with your doctors is admirable. Keep doing what your doing and keep trying. Tapering is not easy, quite the opposite because you experience the w/ds every single day. You've stuck with it and you're doing it so don't get down on yourself. Please keep us posted and updated on how you're doing. We're all cheering for you!

[Kylie4501]

I don't have an appt with her until 22 Aug and have tried calling and leaving messages with her staff for her to call me and she does not call me back. The one reason I want to stick with her is because she respects my wanting to keep this a secret from my husband. If I were to switch OB's, I would be afraid they would maybe say something at the delivery or you know what I mean...
I am still dispaointed with her for just abandoning me and not even wondering how I am doing. The last time I talked to her was when she told her nurse that they wouldn't slow down the taoer for me, that was a couple weeks ago. I have my old family doc right now that seems helpful. I meet with him today at 11 and hopefully he gives me more to continue to taper, and if he doesn't then my last pills will be taken on Monday. I really want to quit this stuff right now but I have a 15 month old to take care of plus an unborn baby, so I can't help but keep thinking I need an even slower taper than most people. I am just struggling. Obviously the Tramadol is screaming at me everyday to take more.

[Kylie4501]

Thanks everyone,

Yes I am 34 weeks pregnant, which makes this process all that harder. I not only have the w/d's but all the physical discomforts being this far along in pregnancy. Yesterday I was very emotional and broke down. I have only been sleeping about 3 hours every night because of the RLS. I have tried everything for them but nothing helps. I tried to do CT but couldn't handle it. My restless arms and legs drove me crazy and my anxiety was out of this world. I have never had anxiety before this either and now I know what it feels like. It is awful. I am really good during the days but the nights are bad. I see my doc again today, the one who put me on this taper so we will see what he wants me to do. I just can't seem to get down past 4 pills a day. I always break down at night and take an extra one in my pill box, which is pointless because it doesn't even help with my legs or allow me to sleep. So I am not doing that anymore. I really tried to cut out my sugar and salt intake yesterday and that seemed to help a little. I cannot take anything like Benadryl or Tylenol PM because it makes my RLS worse. I wish I could just dive in and CT this weekend but I have a 15 month old son to take care of. I am scared and wish this would be over already.

[vicki595]

Hi Kylie-  it sounds like you're really struggling here and the fact that you're so far along in your pregnancy probably makes it twice as uncomfortable. I wish you had some good medical support during this process. It shouldn't have to be so difficult...
Is your OB the only one in your area? Have you called her for help with this? I know she let you down before but you really need some some medical intervention now.

[Bobo0331]

Now, I came to the point where I was tired of percocet this week, taking 70 mg a day, which is a lot. I told my wife and Dr, took today off work, and took my dogs out to my cabin in the woods to work it out.

My Dr gave me some valium to help sleep and some adderal to help get me up during the day.  Both are bad things to be on, but the adderal helps with the fatigue and dysphoria that makes it so hard to stop. I stopped taking percocet on Wednesday night, fought my way through work yesterday and came to a peaceful place.

Up most of last night with the legs and arms twitching. I am about to go for a walk, then make a paper list of things I want to accomplish today.

I lurked in forums for 8 months wanting to stop, and have been actively trying to stop for four. I started a written log I kept in my safe, with dates and insight. It is helpful because it prevents your mind from hiding the pain you have experienced in the past. It's sad to go back and read, but the truth is a huge weapon against the games your mind will play.

I could not taper, because my mind would not shut up until I went up and took 4 more tramadol. (damnitol). I duct taped the bottle and gave it to my wife, and told her not to open it unless I was having a seizure. Within 2 days of crying and pure hell,  I felt emboldened and my mind come out of that cage. I was on fire! That 3 day period was right up there with boot camp at Paris island, which I made it through.




My methods may not work for you, and they might be frowned on by purists here,  but if you know that you weren't alone last night in your pain and struggle, it might help your suffering.

Sorry for jacking your thread. Today, when you struggle, and any other day, particularly when you stop and are in that fight, go outside and look up at a white cloud, and tell yourself that it is not the end of the world, it's just another Friday that you are going to get through.

I hope this story and content helps you, because you are not alone.

Peace be with you sister.

[Bobo0331]

Hi Kylie4501,

I signed up after reading your post and knowing that you are in the spot you are in this Friday morning. I stop taking tramadol on july 19th which was almost a month ago. I kept taking percocet to transition to something else, didn't want to stop everything at once. Been on daily pain medication for a year and a half, and was sick of being on it. My untrained, but highly insightful opinion ;

Tramadol creates a sense of well being and no pain or anxiety at roughly a rate of 30 minutes per 50 mg pill, then takes you down twice as low as you started for about a day per 50 mg pill.

Tramadol creates anxiety in people who don't naturally have it. My friend took it as well and reports that this is the only thing that ever made him feel this way.

[ROSYouralright]

Oh.., I see

[nursegirl6572]

Its great that you have the discipline to taper.... Have you considered just diving in and quitting completely?

She's pregnant, which is why she's tapering.

You can do this!  Keep posting and try some of the tips offered here!  You have to do this right?  Have you tried looking for a new OB?

[ROSYouralright]

Its great that you have the discipline to taper.... Have you considered just diving in and quitting completely? The wd's don't last forever and you can totally do it! You won't be bound by the chains of addiction. No matter how you do it we are all here for u my friend and just know that day by day it becomes more manageable. Best of luck to you.

[Molytex]

I agree with ariley13 - to taper actually takes more discipline so you should absolutely take some pride in that fact - and yes hopefully the symptoms are a little more bearable..

As I see it the advantage comes with regards to the psychological w/d's - because you taper your brain has a better chance to adjust to the lower presence of serotonine and noradrenaline... I am sure that me already being on antidepressants helped with the severity of w/d's

Make no mistake - I know it is a struggle - I still struggle... BUT WE CA DO IT!

[ariley13]

I did not. I went cold turkey off of Vicodin. Tram w/ds can last a little longer and they have that added antidepressant factor. You are doing a good job on the taper. A lot of folks can't stick to a taper and just have to jump.  I'm glad that you can do it this way. It drags it out a little, but makes the symptoms much more bearable.

[Kylie4501]

Thanks for the advice. Did you taper off of Tramadol? I suppose I will feel like this the entire time I taper and then when I quit also right? I should just not expect to get any sleep. I barely got 3 hours last night so I don't know how I am not tired right now. This is the worst thing in the world to go through.