how to get through Tramadol (plus other) withdrawel in one piece, step by step

[lulu_the_cat]

hi,
actually found this forum by mere chance of desperation
whilst googling I came cross "Emily Post's Journal" somewhere here on the forum
this could be the linky

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/16030/Day-18-Cold-Turkey-Withdrawal-from-Tramadol

sent a distress call and Rosy and Heather directed me to here
please find below said destress call and maybe you could furnish me with some help
will also read more through this file etc

head is moodled/moddled up, hope the below makes sense

what is actually my question?
how to get through Tramadol (plus other) withdrawel in one piece, step by step

one thing is for sure: in this battle I will come out as the winner and Tramodol as the big looser

destress call
hi,

I am another one glad to have found you
thanks for keeping the thread going
am a few years back to you and slowly reading my way up but thought of jumping on here to let you know of how thankful I am to you all

am all over the place, vomiting, shaking, emotional, angry you name it

not quite sure if I am on day 2 or 5

but I started now to detox and I will get through it! I am stubborn! and this thread will help me through!!!

am/was on a combo of venlafanine, quetiapine, paracetamol, tramadol, quinine and zopiclone
for depression, chronic pain/fibroyalgia, ME, mscle spasms, insomnia etc

my (clever - not) idea was to come off the venla (plus quetiapine) because after years of taking them, they don't make a difference anymore and
"why "inhabit" a reuptake of serotonin when I can take something to increase it (5htp)?" was the thought and wondered why my GP (I think that is what he said at the time) said there is no such thing ...

successfully reduced more and more, no probs until reached a certain dose and than stayed on it for some time now

anyway, far to shakie etc  now

thought I reduce and will stop the venla etc and slowly start taking 5HTP
thought was good until .... I couldn't say what it was that hit me first

anyway, getting the shakes and sweats and vomiting etc I thought it might be to much serotine floating around and treading very carefully around the 5HTP now, actually only took 3 in about a week and stop now, no need to mess me around even more

didn't know that Tramadol has anti-d in it too and am shocked at what I read so far

stopped Tramadol now too, hence no idea which day I am but am rubbish therefore must stil be in days 1 to 4 ish
sorry, concentration on low and dexterity of fingers on keyboard a hit and miss ...
anyway
will continue to read and will get through
went through other withdrawels before but nothing close to this

because of the non sleeping I tried to ease myself of to sleep with  zopiclone last night but even after 3 (!) I was wide awake and I am very sensible in taking zopi and can go without for weeks etc without a problem

regardless of that my GP gives zopi to me very reluctantly ( because of withdrawel - not) but dishes out the Tramadol like sweets the brain zaps etc

my brain is all over the place and reminder of head frequently vomiting over the bucket

drinking sips of water to keep the vomiting experience of "wrenching out my guts" to a minimum
can rely on the "am I dying, or what? and when hopefully soon" - thought train
can't wait for it to be over

any ad hoc tips welcome

lots of love
Lulu

[1ringmaker]

I will give that statement over to you because you diferentiate between physical dependence vs an addict. The statement I made was aimed at physical dependence, not abuse. If a person can use the drug as it is intended then there is no reason to live in constant pain.  If you take to much or for to long, your back to sweating a monkey

[clean_in_ks]

Gonna chime in here on this statement by 1ringmaker:

"Once you get a firm handle on this lulu there is no reason you have to live in constantpain. Occational meds to aalleviate pain is fine. Its the steady intake that sends the signal to your own pain pumps to shut down."

If you are an addict....and not just "dependent physically" on a narcotic pain med....I totally disagree with this statement.  Addicts can't "reverse" brain chemistry.  Not only will we pick up where we left off....our use will progress.  To tell myself "someday I can go back and take narcotic pain meds" is not a thought I ever allow myself to entertain~

[lulu_the_cat]

that makes it clearer
wasn't able to read between the lines

hope my body starts producing  soon - my legs are on fire and kicking - took the meds for today already

rubbing my feet against my knees does distruct a bit - also the heat of the electric blankett

tired but legs keep me awake
not sure what to do about that

[1ringmaker]

You mean about what you've been experiencing?
Your body produces its own medication constantly.  When someone takes external meds (narcotics for example) the body stops production of its own. When you stop taking the external med your body has to go through the process of making it on its own again. The discomfort experienced during withdrawal is the time lapse between the external meds waring off and the body taking up the slack and making its own again.
My comment was simply that it astounds me just how much pain our body is in on a day to day basis and that a week of withdrawal shows us quite clearly what life would be like if our bodies didnt have its built in pharmacy.

[lulu_the_cat]

forgot to mention
had a mineral bath today
it was needed
the sweat is so itchy, didn't wash hair - skull itchy still
still sweating but nothing compared with before
lost about 2 or 3 kg during the week
have now more thirst and "appetite" for liquid

1ringmaker, sorry I don't understand what you are saying in your second paragraph, please come again ...

[1ringmaker]

Not a problem at all. I think yoi have the physical park licked. The hard part is not falling back into the same trap. Once you get a firm handle on this lulu there is no reason you have to live in constantpain. Occational meds to aalleviate pain is fine. Its the steady intake that sends the signal to your own pain pumps to shut down.
What youve been experiencing is the restarting of your own pain devices.
It hard to believe that we are in that much pain all the time. But one week of withdrawal slams home that thought very clearly.
Imagine having to live like that constantly. .....