Ten Years of Tramadol - Now Want to Try to Quit for First Time

[ls10041948]

Just Coming In and I'm Overwhelmed

Sent by ls10041948 37 minutes
I stumbled onto this Emily Post group, and I am stunned that so many people have gotten bad withdrawals from Tramadol. I have been taking 30 or so 50mg tablets for over 10 years. Don't get me wrong, I knew it was not exactly helping me (shivers, electric charges through my body and brain, twitches, and 'snapping' legs.

I started taking it for some knee inflammation when I was 55. I am now 65 (almost 66), and I am scared as hell now about getting off of this weird stuff.

It somewhat sounds like I need to try mightily to decontaminate in slow increments, decreasing the dosage in a regular way.

Quite a few times through this 10 year period, I didn't take it in time, and those symptoms you all have talked about overtake me.

I need advice on procedure, now that I know this such ugly stuff. When I had those bouts when not taking the Tramadol for a few days, it was always okay if I popped in about 8 tablets - actually was effective less than 15 minutes later, which was a good thing.

I'm wondering if it's an idea to consider to maybe try 8 tablets and see when the next electric zap hits me. I could time it, and then take 8 tablets once again, but then take another 8 just before it's 'time' for the next zaps.

I am wondering about going from 30 tablets to 8 tablets - the biggest thing is my psychological feeling that I have when taking Tramadol. It brings me to a (false) state of 'normal'.

Maybe this approach won't work? Is going to 8 as a starting point for withdrawing going to be too hard? Should I start with a higher amount? Is there a formula out there that would deliniate a starting point based on daily intake?

I haven't tried to get away from this beastly medication before, but now it's even affecting my ability to go on my hikes, which I love so much it's almost my life. I am starting to stumble too much and it's harder and harder to go off-trail which involves jumping over or crawling under downed trees. I'm afraid now that I could stumble and fall into a hole, or a box canyon, or whatever, and splatter myself all over the place.

I'll continue to peruse this wonderful forum and start learning more from all of your experiences. I SO badly want to do this. I'm really, really tired of losing my strength and always thinking about the next dose. Sometimes I will have taken 20 Tramadol and then 10 minutes later shove another 10 into my mouth because I 'want' that feeling it gives me. It is a sadistic and despicable compound and I don't see how doctors can say it's not addictive.

Any help or advice would be wonderful for this newbie. Just the fact there IS a community out there is absolutely wonderful.

[kyle505]

I agree with atthe...Although we can't give taper advice on this forum, my opinion is that going from 30 to 8 is just too much too soon. And I also agree - the best place to get a taper program is from your doctor. He/she needs to know what you're doing and why, and needs to be a part of the plan. Also, most of us find it hard to taper without someone to assist. Get the plan from your doc, then have a trusted someone give you the pills per the plan and then hide them between doses. Good luck.
K

[atthebeach]

Hello and welcome. There is no way you can go from 30 pills down to 8 at once.
You will need to taper slowly. You can get seizure sit you stop them suddenly.
You should ask your doctor for a taper schedule.
You will have to cut out one pill at a time.