I'm confused.

[clueless33]

I'm confused. I guess you could call me conservative. Really conservative. My husband is an ex-opiate/alcohol counselor. I have fibromyalgia  and take lortab and tramadol for it. I have an overwhelming F-E-A-R of becoming addicted. I don't have side affects from the lortab. My doctor prescribes 60 10 mg per month and that's it for me. I don't buy anywhere else. I take three 50 mg of Tramadol per day. When I don't take the Tramadol I feel horrid - kind of disoriented and out of it. My husband makes me question myself - and he's a good guy, please understand, but Lortab makes me feel BETTER. About everything. So I guess I should know there that there is the potential for an underlying problem. I've been taking this combination to treat pain for a year now. I do have the tendency to take more Lortab some days, then be out at the end of the month. I have a little irritibility right after I'm not taking it, but then I'm ok.

I've called twice early for more meds, and my doctor called it in for me, but told the pharmacy to not release it until Friday. I actually picked it up over a month ago, but I'm scared that he must be concerned about my use of them.

I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I guess that I just don't want to end up needing to take 10 10 mg Lortab a day. Does anyone have advice? Am I standing at the cusp of having an issue, or am I just so used to being second guessed (and second guessing) that I'm being irrational?

Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any comments.

[GoingToMakeIt]

Actually it isn't very old (2-11-08) But IBKleen is so right about others needing to hear from you. Please take the time to share this and more.

[IBKleen]

Hi Sox...

Surely your recovery experience is very much appreciated here. However, this is an old post and will be sent to archives. Please..go to the top of this page and hit the post a question button. Copy and paste what you said here. You will be an asset to the community. Hope to see you.

[TheSoxRock]

I am also a recovering person, 21 years, so want to identify with folks here and offer another voice.
I have had tremendous insomnia during treatment, the Drs kept saying we will write you anything, I always adamantly refused.
Finally, I took one Tylenol PM.
It was magic.
I waited three days took another.
MAGIC.
I KNEW if I took one I would sleep, and I could wait for the BUZZ that meant relief was coming.GLORIOUS.

I dont take them now.

I have to be oh so careful what the ritual and the mental obession does for me, when I wake that dragon up. Short of being in excruciating agony, I WILL NOT take drugs, it just isn't worth it.

Every individual has to make that decision themselves. I found myself sharing my fears with my wife right away. I reasoned that if I hid my fears and thoughts, that in and of itself was a warning sign to ME that something nefarious was afoot.

Don't know if this helps at all, just sharing my experiences with this, please take care of yourself and be as honest and real with yourself as you can be, plus more
:)

[avisg]

I am addicted to ultram as well ...... its says right  on the insert for e ultram" it can be habit forming ",I have always wondered about these doctors .......LOL  I have 5 months clean ,but it was hard to come off of ...

[toxictome]

TRAMADOL IS ADDICTIVE!!!!

[Avalancheblanche]

It would be nice if the doctors got a clue about it.  I thought I was going crazy too.  I hate thinking how many people take Tramadol with the same false belief.  
Welcome to the community!  I am sure you will find a lot of your answers here, and a whole bunch of love and support!

[Tramatnite]

I too was addicted to Tramadol. There is one thing about your post that concerned me.
"Lortab makes me feel BETTER. About everything,"

Is there an underlying problem that it is making you use these pills as a mood elevator as opposed to just using them for pain? That is what I did. The Tramadol made all my problems go away in a warm fuzzy haze. Until it got out of control.
You may want to tell your Dr. about your concerns and look into alternative treatments. And absolutely force yourself to take the amount prescribed for pain and no more!!!

[clueless33]

Ok - I've been told by my doctors and my husband and others that Tramadol is NOT a drug you can become addicted to.

Thank you thank you thank you... for helping me see I'm NOT going nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(And thanks for accepting Mrs. Suburban Mom into your group!!) :)

[toxictome]

I have always been told..."if you think you have a problem...then you probably do!!!"

Welcome to this forum..it's a great place to get help and support.
The good thing is... there's no discrimination...so conservatives are welcome!!!!  LOL

Keep reading the posts and i think you will find your answer.
Only you can decide if you have a problem or not!

Stick around and good luck!!!

[Angel929]

My mother has that same disease, and has the same concerns.  I know it can be very painful, and find my mother struggles between treating the severe pain, or , should she worry about becoming addicted.  It is a tough question for those who live with pain on a daily basis.  If you feel you are starting to take more than prescribed, talk with your doctor and voice your concerns.  Good Luck!!
Angel.

[clueless33]

I guess I need to add that I DO hide my Lortab from my husband because he is somewhat judgmental about it. I do not blame him, I know that 13 years watching people with serious drug issues because of opiates would make him be overly concerned especially after his wife admitted it made her feel normal. Relaxed. Like the world is going to be okay. He's also bipolar and I think I've made my usage of Lortab a coping mechanism... I can be calm when he's not. I can be rational when there is no rationale to my world. And I don't hurt. This disease bites. I sit in a computer chair for 16 hours a day with my disease and I HURT. There are two sides to using it. A double-edged sword. I'm a WEEEEENIE with pain. I'm whining, so I will move on!

Can you tell that I worry a lot about being addicted? Its hereditary, my brother was an addict, misc family members alcoholic, but in the end, it becomes MY decision.

[avisg]

Welcome,
In the end you are the only one that knows for sure if you have a problem . It does sound as if you have some addictive tendencies going on here . What you are feeling when you don't take the ultram is withdrawl . you are running out early with your lortabs... I would read some of the posts here stick around for a while I think it will help you figure out where you are :)

[Avalancheblanche]

It sounds to me like you are standing on the cusp...if not already there.  I, too took Tramadol and felt terrible when I did not take it. That was my clue that I may have a problem.  I relied on them to get me up in the morning and keep me going all day.  It sounds like you are doing the same thing?