Please someone! Need comfort

[TramadolTrap]

So my mom will be holding my pills one a day for 7 days. I cannot tell her how bad I've been abusing them. She knows I have a problem though. I've been taking 5 a day and I'll be going down to 1 a day for 7 days. Will this help with when I come off? I know it's incredibly short of a taper. But will it ease them at all? I am looking for some comfort as I'm TERRIFIED of withdrawal.

[rillipoo]

Yes, I think I can understand that. I know that a lot of people were prescribed Valium at one time and they had a hell of a time with it  when they wanted to stop it because Valium (as I understand it ), you need more and more of for it to do the same job as when you first started using it..So you end up taking vast amounts of it
I have never found the need to alter my state of mind except  with alcohol and then I only do that in moderation. I drink  well below the safe daily limit and sometimes don't have a drink  through four weeks  if the occasion doesn't demand it. I was told by my doctor that  tramadol does not require  an increasing dosage  to continue to be effective, but  that it is an  addictive substance. He said that if I wanted to stop taking it after say a couple of years, I should not do so immediately but go back to him. I told him that  I couldn't see that I would want to stop it unless and until my  arthritis was cured and I don't think anyone will find a cure for that in my lifetime. So my point really is does it matter if I get addicted providing I don't have to cram more and more of these tablets down my throat them were originally prescribed when I first started taking them. A year on into my being prescribed tramadol  I find that 100 to 200 mg daily is quite sufficient for me  and often 100 is enough.  I have never tried to stop it.

[TramadolTrap]

I am on the extended release right now too. Not the short acting. I'm still going to do the taper and see what happens. I feel better about stopping if I do it that way. I'm not AS terrified. Might not make sense but at least I'm going to quit. I have 4 days off after my last dose.

[VICourageous]

Because we got Addicted to them and was using them for all other purpose then what they were prescribed for. They have come out with so much about the Disease of Addiction and it has a lot to do with our Brain Chemistry and so much more. When we use to Live and Live to use for other reasons, like to get wired up or numb our feelings out. There are Tons of reason and now it has been scientifically proved that it can be handed down in our genes. Just like one who drinks and drinks alcohol. They become a Alcoholic and the same can go with Pills or any Street Drugs.

I hope this helped Rillipoo..
Bless

[rillipoo]

I am 73 years of age and am prescribed tramadol 200 mg daily for osteoarthritis pain. I now get on with my life and it hhas changed my life. I can now walk my dog without dreading getting up from my chair because of the agony I used to have. I can walk miles because my ankles sno longer kill me. I can go fishing and enjoy it because  my shoulders don't ache so much when I'm casting. I have never abused these pills sometimes even taking less than the 200 mg prescribed. I suppose I am dependent. I've never tried stopping. I would like to ask you , many of you as experts on dependency, whether in my case you think it matters? I don't want to stop them and I don't need to (at least,, I don't think I do). If so many of you are dependent upon these things and suffering withdrawal when you try to give  the tablets up, why did you start to take them in the first place? Did you have a prescription and did you have genuine pain or not? If not what is the effect of tramadol on the person who was perfectly healthy? Why do you want to stop?

[brownvelvet]

I think I would just stop. I did that but that was I needed to do...go c/t. It was tough but I figured it would be best to get it over with and while it took longer than 7 days to feel betterI am glad I did it that way. Of course I was on an SSRI antidepressant and I think that lessened some of the serotonin effects of withdrawal from tramadol which shouldnt be taken lightly. I am now tapering off those and the taper is killing me. I just want to be done but my doctor assures me I should taper. I dont know that it is better....just seems to make the whole process last longer and makes me think more about it. I want to be done.
Anyway back to you....I think anxiety about withdrawal is what stops a lot of people from trying. I also think a lot of posts about withdrawal are scary to read. Yes it does stink but not as bad as doing drugs. Just try to think of every bad thing (fatigue, insomnia, restlessness, etc) as the poison of drugs leaving your body. and remember it will end and there will be joy.

[vicki595]

Are you taking the short acting ones now at 5 per day?

You may still experience some wd's going to the one per day but it passes. You're not on a big dose so I would recommend you just stop and get this over with. The way you're attempting the taper is really not going to help you in the long run and 7 days from now you'll be feeling pretty good if you just stop now.

[TramadolTrap]

I'm praying the extended release might help some

[TramadolTrap]

Thank you all SOOOO much. I do have the extended release. They last for 24 hours each so I'm praying that might make a difference but who knows lol. They aren't immediate release.

[lola200677]

My mum helped me do this too with painkillers I abused crazily for years. I had to tell her exactly how much I was taking so that I could taper not too fast. You must also remember that tramadol has that seizure side to it if you come off too suddenly. Please be safe. Even if you taper slower, you're getting to the same end point and it's less stress on your body and mind :-) x

[MrsANAV]

VICourageous is correct in that you need to tell your mom about the full extent of your problem. This taper is extremely fast and in my opinion will mimick cold turkey. When I tapered off oxycodone I also went suddenly from 5 to one and withdrawal hit quickly.

Remember this...if you go into withdrawal it will NOT last forever. The fear of withdrawal can be more severe than the withdrawal itself. I have been EXACTLY where you are and it was just seven short weeks ago! I went through a week or two of hell but EVERY DAY I knew my body was healing! The first 3-4 days are the worst and if you are honest with your mom now she can help you! I know for me running out of pills and being forced to rapid taper just like you was the best thing that ever happened in hindsight.

Hang on, use this as a stopping point and get your life back! Lean on your mom and those of us here and instead of fearing the days ahead, only deal with this hour!

I know you can do this.

[TramadolTrap]

I'm just terrified!!!

[VICourageous]

Hi Tramadol!
We can not tell you how to taper but I can say it sounds OK.
Try not to get ahead of your self. The detox will be what it will be. YOU will be fine in Time. All of us are here to confirm this too!

Just remember that our secrets keep us sick. Maybe you should be honest with your Mom. I bet she already knows and is just giving you time to tell her the Truth. A Big Weight is always lifted and we need all the Support we can get! I wish you the best and just keep reading what others are doing or have done for there detox or w/ds symptoms.

You are getting there! Do not forget about the Aftercare!
Bless