Tramadol & Ultram Recovery Room #61

I haven't checked in for some time, but it's great to see the board is still home to many looking for help.  Never thought I would have made it this far, but eventually one day I just wasn't thinking about the little white devils and how much I needed them or wish I had them.

Kudos to everyone that is breaking the habit...you can do it!  One day at a time :)

I triied tramadol withdrawal cold turkey once after a surgery and will never put myself through it again. I have gotten a TENS unit, and since I am finding relief from it, I want to try it with no tramadol. I ran out of tramadol two days early, started through withdrawal, fended it off a little with imodium (reasonable amoutns, not 20 sheesh.) and stuff. But I said to myself, when I get the tramadol, I am going to taper. So. . .for four days I took my regular number, which was three in the a.m. and three mid-afternoon. I was able to jump down to four comfortably and am at that amount the first day. One every four hours is how I am proceeding. Two pills so far and I'm fine. I will stay on these four for four days, and then go down by half till I am at three. When I get to three, if I can remain there comfortably for four days, I plan to start tapering by a quarter pill every four days. I will tell you if I have to vary this and keep you apprised of my progress. I am pretty determined, because I really think if I can do something alternative about my pain I won't want the pills anymore. What happens is I end up with nausea every morning, craving the pill right away. I hate that feeling, waking up nauseated and needing a pill. Ugh. Wish me success, and I wish it for everyone here, too. I am making sure to take my daily supplements and all, maybe will help my discomfort when I get to the last jump off a quarter pill. Here goes. ....!

Taking just the four pills yesterday was fine. I had a little achies but took some tylenol and was okay without taking more tramadol.

I know this will get harder when I cut way down. I want to thank Emily for continuing this board so long after her withdrawal. I will not want to even be thinking about pills by then. It took me a long time and reading many threads before I found this one.

I don't think tramadol is evil like some people have posted. It got me through my pain without the "high" feeling. I just have found alternative pain relief,. I see no reason to remain dependent and every reason to go off.

Well, everyone seems to be off having their holidays. But I'll keep posting.

Negatives: took a long time to get to sleep last night. Didn't want to take more than one dihenhydramine.

Positives: I'm able to pooh after those two days I was taking 2 imodium every four daytime hours. I wasn't hurting from the constipation, but am glad things are back to processing. Urination is also freer the fewer tramadol you take. Hope I'm not being gross. It's less icky than some stuff on some other forums I just read, blech.

Hi Emily, just stopping by to send you blessings for 2014 & thank you for providing this great space which saw me through some tough times.

Keep on battling tramadol warriors, the goal is so worth it.

Hi MadTram!  Blessings back Sweetheart.  :)

1footforward I'm glad to hear you are on the road to recovery.  :)

Love you guys ... don't worry.  You'll get to 100% recovered I promise.  

Hey everyone,

I am 69 days clean!!! I am very proud of myself!!

Ever since I quit tramadol, my eyes have been red and irritated. I have never had problems before. I assumed it was the toxins coming out of my body, but it has been 69 days. When will it go away? Is this common with Tramadol detox or should I go see an eye doc? It is VERY annoying!!

Kylie: congratulations! I would go to the eye doctor about your eyes. I doubt it has to do with the tramadol. I've been reading and reading on these forums, and nobody has mentioned that. It didn't happen to me when I did a cold turkey a long time ago. Sometimes they run during withdrawal, but not that long afterward. Maybe it's an allergy, but you should check it out.

On my third day having stepped down to four a day and doing fine. I hope this method saves me the worst of the horrid physical stuff. We shall see.

2 weeks down....a lifetime to go. What's PAWS?  (Ok - I know I need to get off my butt and google it. Sometimes I think researching too much starts making me think things are worse then they are....know what I mean? ) I'm guessing PAWS is the massive boredom, nervous/anxious, feeling like someone sucked the color from your life. Like debbie downer from Saturday Night Live.

It's like I am like a child relearning how to do everything without the babydolls. Grocery shopping/working out/work/nights to myself (those are the hard ones). Without the dolls I have to push myself to get things done - with the dolls I had to push myself to stay focused to get things done( I was sooo scatterbrained!!). Its hard both ways - but without the trams I'm on a better path, with them things were just going down hill (harder to focus, harder to succeed, harder to keep my promises) at least I know things are going to get better.  Time to deal with things like a normal functioning human. <-- Why does that sound so hard?

I started talking to my family again last week. I was so ashamed of what I had become (they didn't/don't know) that I avoided them at all costs - now I'm calling them. Going to be a good daughter/mother/friend/partner.

Good luck all. Let's do this, we can do it....I can do it.

Hi Emily, MadTram and others… just wanted to stop in and say "Thank you" to Emily for continuing this beautiful place of healing, and to let everyone know that YES, you CAN get free from the tramadevil, and you will!  With support, determination, and faith that things will get better, you will.  Believe all of us who have gone down the same road you are on.  It does get better, and you will be just fine.

Stay strong, come here and ask for help when you need it, and never lose sight of your goal…freedom and life.

love and blessings,
~forget_me_not (former tramadol prisoner)

Caretown, you pretty much nailed PAWS.  It is complicated and apparently doesn't affect everyone, but for some of us, it's an SOB.  Low- to mid-level depression, general feelings of emptiness and strangeness, temper flares, memory problems, inability to cope with emotions. These symptoms vary, and not everyone experiences them.  For many people, it's best described as "the whispers" - the memory, perhaps, or some aspect of the habitual use of the drug (or whatever one is addicted to).  And it can cause slips, so it's best to beware.  You might experience some depression as your brain and body readjust and find equilibrium after being bombarded for so long with such a powerful SSNRI drug.  You may feel fatigue out of nowhere, but it won't last long.  You may even have memory lapses that frighten you.  Take heart…many of us have been through the same thing.  It will end, and you will be stronger and better.  Just be prepared, so that if it does happen, it doesn't scare you back to the poison.

Take care, and many blessings to you as you reclaim yourself.
~fmn

I have only stumbled across these posts 24hrs ago. I went cold turkey 23 days ago from tramadol. I thought once the irritable, heavy leg symptoms subsided,  that was me off the evil drugs! I have the most uncontrollable rages, lack of enthusiasm, depressed days :-( I knew that there must be something wrong. I was beginning to accept that maybe I am just a miserable, moody horrible person! My partner has left twice. I have no interest in my childrens activities. I can't remember the last time I actually enjoyed anything... I am scared of whats still to come

Sad Lou welcome ... how much tramadol were you taking and for how long?  Your symptoms sound very normal, the withdrawal is brutal.


ForgetMeNot A super big hug for you Hon!

Everyone else you fight on ok?  Don't let tramadol be your master.  

Love and Healing,
Em

I was diagnosed with a herniated disc in April, so about 8 months. I was taking 8 50mg tablets a day. And I gradually got them down to 2, then 1, now none. What I am most scared of is this horrid rage that seems to come from nowhere! I like many, have no desire to even leave the house. I don't dress nice or feel particularly nice. My partner says that I am just trying to find something to blame my moods on... but now, after reading through your journals. I am convinced its the dreaded pills

The rage is coming from the activation of the Limbic System.  A deep primitive part of our brains regulate rage, hunger, scent ...  You can use fragrance to interrupt it.  Epsom salt baths to detox.  b-12 sublingual tablets to stabilize mood and keep that burnout feeling away.  Honey to stabilize and give you energy.

I have two herniated discs and S1 neuropathy from it.  It's awful, but over time some heal up nicely.

Your partner is mistaken, tramadol withdrawal causes serious mood disorders.

I hope you have found a few things that help ease these effects.  

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73599

This is a good thread on PAWS, along with suggestions to help ease it.  I agree with most of what this says ... helpful!

For those of you worried about PAWS.... the depression, the anxiety, lack of enthusiasm, lack of energy, rage, emotions, depersonalization, nerve pains, weird feelings on the body, hopelessness, the idea it will never end, suicide ideation etc... It DOES get better.  maybe not overnight, but slowly,one by one, things ease up.  I remember feeling pretty hopeless at 6 months, then in the next few months, things started getting easier. I really believed I was the one person who was going to be stuck in the badness... the one who never recovered.  Permanently broken.  I never thought I would be able to come on here and say I was better.

You have to give it time, especially if you took a high amount or for a long time.  Your brain is trying to make new connections around the "damage".  Think of people recovering from a stroke or physical injury.  They have to have rehab.  Essentially, this is where we are.. in rehabilitation.. and in rehab you have to stick with it or it doesn't work.  Your brain is very powerful.  It wants to work right.

One thing that has really helped my cognition is puzzle games.. or number games.  Or brain exercises on Lumosity.  Also, word puzzles, crosswords an the like.  I would try a variety.  The brain loves learning new tasks and taking on challenges.  The brain wants to work.  It get's very bored.

Good luck!  I'm almost at 10 months!  I am so happy!

Oh, @Kylie4501... the eyes!  

Yes, I started having eye issues when I started my taper.

I have had dry burning eyes.  I've never had to use eye drops in my life, but I have had to up until recently.  I was having issues with blurry vision when I would have my withdrawal flashbacks, but that's not happening much anymore.

Also, I am having issues with seeing flashes in the corners of my eyes when they are closed and I look back and forth.  I know there are conditions that can cause this, I never had issues until I started tapering last January.  It goes away if I have a couple of drinks.  Weird.

I did read somewhere that antidepressant withdrawals can cause eye issues like the ones I have described.  I really feel that is the nasty part of this drug withdrawal... the SNRI.

Nonetheless, I am going to see the eye Dr soon.

Kylie and allinblack-

I see "flashes" or "sparks" in the corner of my eyes. Mostly at night. Not always. It seems to come and go. But no pain with it. My eyes are red and dry but nothing I can't handle.
I'm dealing with the PAWS now ..the depression, the anxiety, lack of enthusiasm, lack of energy, rage, emotions, depersonalization, nerve pains, weird feelings on the body, hopelessness, the idea it will never end, suicide ideation etc. ... big time.! I feel like all I'm doing is WAITING. I hate it.
Reading .. and RE-reading here helps me tremendously.
It's comforting to know I'm not alone and it WILL get better.
I hope everyone is doing alright. It's been a while since I've seen a lot of you post. Especially those who are good at putting their feelings down in typed words.

:::waterview let me hear from you!:::

:::KC where are you?:::


caretown and forget_me_not and sad_lou ---- Stay strong! You can do it. I know you can!

When you feel weak and hate the world... come here and read. And re-read if you have to.  It takes time. I hate hearing that. Time drags. It feels like you're never gonna get better. But you will. I promise.

-Karen

I forgot my ticker!

Go, Cali!  At 61 days, I remember the PAWS being pretty rotten.  I felt okay a lot of the time, just okay, you know?  But then, out of the blue, some kind of wave of depression or anger would wipe me out.  I did not know how to handle it, so I stayed here and wrote and read and shared and let others help assure me it would get better.  That was in 2009, and I can say that it definitely gets better!  Some people say things like "don't make any major decisions for six months after stopping," which is probably good advice, but that suggests it will end abruptly and all will be well at six months.  It may not take nearly that long for you.  For me it took a bit longer.  We are all healing, though, and there will come a day, very soon, when you are sitting some place quiet and you just realize out of the blue that it's gone.  Just like that.  And while it may revisit you for short periods of time, those will get fewer and farther between until it stays gone.

Hang in there, warriors.  It's hard, but you will be okay.  I promise.

~fmn (clean 4 years Sept 2013)

Thanks for all of the recent posts.  They really help and uplift me.

I am now close to being 7 months clean of this awful drug.

I come to this site almost daily, but most times I feel so badly that I don't have much positive to say, that I don't post anything.  Also, I find it terribly difficult to write when I feel this way.

At almost 7 months out, I am still struggling.  I was absolutely dreading the holidays and am so relieved that they are over.  I was super busy - like almost every day I had someone to visit, something to do, or something to cook.  I don't  advise overdoing yourself in any part of this withdrawal.  Anyway, I ended up completely falling apart on Christmas Eve - like locked in the bathroom sobbing my eyes out so my kids and husband wouldn't know.  I think all of my busy-ness caught up with me and just hit me like a ton of bricks on Christmas Eve.  It was so sad.

The good news is that I am beginning to see signs of major improvement.  I still have the daily morning dread and anxiety, but each week it seems to be lessening S L O W L Y.  

Cali_Soleil, your post was so accurate and the waiting - omgosh -  the existing - day by day is so very tiring.  I also have random bouts of anger.  I recently got in a fight with my sister and said some really mean things.  Afterwards, I just cried and said, "Who was that???"

I used this evil drug for 10 years at varyingly high doses each day.  Then I would quit for a few days thinking that I was giving my brain and body a break - only to start right back up again because the withdrawals were unbearable.  Lord knows what I did to my brain with all the attempted quits, and mini 2-3 day quits.  So, I have to believe that this is taking longer for me.  Also, I am in my late 40's so perhaps my brain just doesn't snap back to normal like it used to when I was younger.

I still feel intense sadness at times.  And hopeless at times.  But not as often as I did in the early months.  I have to force myself to think positive thoughts because it doesn't take much for me to beat myself up mentally and convince myself that I am the worst mom and human being ever.   And how in the heck did someone like me get so far into this addiction?  How did I allow this to happen?  

I have to force myself to extend grace.  I am not a bad person and I want desperately to get the old KC back.  The one who was happy and loved getting up in the morning.  The one who didn't need a pill just to get through the day.  The one who cared about her family and others -  and life.  I know she is still in there somewhere.  I just have to continue to extend myself the grace and time to heal.

Time...it's my worst enemy right now.  

I love all of you and pray for your continued healing off of this evil drug.

Sincerely with love,
kc

p.s.  Madtram - so wonderful to see you back.  You, Emily, and FinallyFred were such a light to me the first time I quit several years ago.  Are you completely back to normal now?  I remember you were fearing you had chronic fatigue syndrome.  I hope all of that has disappeared with the tramadol.  And Forget Me Not, I remember you too.  You are such a sweetheart.  Thank you.

KC, my goodness!  I can relate to everything you said.  Every single word.

For any lurkers who may be reading these posts and come across this thread on PAWS, let me say very clearly -- I am four years clean, and post-acute withdrawal is a reality, but NOT something that you need to be afraid of so much that it keeps you from getting clean.  PAWS is a reality for some of us, not all of us.  However, even though we may struggle with some drawn-out weirdness, in no way should that discourage you from quitting.  Even with PAWS, life is immeasurably better than it was while I was taking the pills.

KC, I think you and I might have a lot in common.  It took me a long time, too, for the pendulum to stop swinging and settle in the middle.  Weeks and weeks, as Emily and Fred said.  More like months and months.  I had the outbursts of anger, the crying, the feelings of anxiety, the insomnia that came and went, and the feeling that everything was over, and I was just waiting.  But not all the time. Those feelings were punctuated by little "previews" of what life would be like post-withdrawal, once I reached equilibrium again, or as close to it as I was going to get.  I had major depression prior to taking tramadol, though.

Emily recommended a book in a previous thread and I read it.  It's called "Facing the Fire" -- I forget the author's name -- but it's about dealing with internalized anger.  I didn't realize how much I had suppressed anger throughout my life, and much of what I was experiencing during PAWS was that anger bubbling up.  When I was growing up, throughout my teenage years and into adulthood, there were quite a few things (I won't get into them here) that happened and I did not resolve my anger about those events.  Also, on top of that, I realized that I had not grieved several losses, either.  Instead of going through the grief or dealing with the anger, I took a pill.  I cried now and then, but I took a pill and carried on and did not grieve or get mad.  Of course, that catches up with you as well.  So my story was complicated, the anger and grief were sometimes too much to handle.  But I kept reading, kept coming here and seeing the words on the screen from others who said they experienced the same thing, and that if I kept going, it would get better.  

As Winston Churchill said, "If you're going through hell, keep going."  I thought of those words a lot.  Just keep going, one step at a time.  Your brain will recover.  You will experience joy and energy and vibrance again.  You WILL, KC.  You will be happy and enjoy getting up in the morning again.  Just give it a bit more time.  ((((KC))))

Peace, warriors.
~fmn

Hey everyone,

I am 79 days clean today and it feels so good!!

I have to be very careful though because I catch myself thinking about the pills and how nice it would be to just "try a few". NOOOOO! Then I remind myself of how far I have come and how horrible the w/d's were. I am feeling pretty decent these days but wonder if the PAWS is starting. I still have rage episodes and have been feeling pretty down lately. It is mostly because I have gained quite a bit of weight since I gave birth to my daughter 4 months ago. I have never been this heavy. I ate so many snacks while on Maternity leave and it now just caught up to me. I feel disgusting everyday and I never want to dress nice. I come home from work and put on baggy clothes right away. I am in a slump and need to be very careful and get out of this.

I just joined weight watchers online and I have been doing good the last week. I think I replaced the pills with food and now it takes everything in me not to go get a snack or drink a soda. I have not had a soda or snack in three days and I feel great so I know if I start eating healthier, that my moods and recovery will go faster. My eyes are still red and irritated so I think I am going to make an apt with an eye doctor.

I have 2 kids under two so I am pretty busy which I feel helps me out. I really don't have time to feel depressed or think about pills too much. I just know if I can lose some weight I will feel much better. I need to start taking better care of myself!! It is so nice to talk with people who KNOW how I feel and what I am going through. Stay strong!!

Day 23 Tram Free......

Things are so much better. The random anxiety the first couple of weeks was almost unbearable now I'm actually starting to feel like a normal functioning human - laughed today for the longest time with a friend. I was taking tram for 5 years, at the end I was up to 6/50mg a day. Forcing myself to workout and get out of the house (even if it's just to the grocery store) even starting to resemble myself again.

For you all that have recovered - what do you do for pain now? I got stuck on the tram ride because of my back and now I'm tram free but don't know what to do about the pain. IT HURTS AND BUMS ME OUT - HELP.  It's worse than I remember -  daily now and 5 years ago it was on and off. I'm taking Advil and Tylenol daily and not getting any relief. Scared to go to Dr. cause I don't want them to dope me up again....is there any type of prescription med that will help the pain and not get me dependent? Non-Narcotic recommendations pretty please.

Hope everyone is doing well. :)      

First day here..its been 8 years...and knowing that tramadol is going to be a controlled substance in june 2014..made me start researching tapering off tramadol slowly...then i ended up here..i am glad there are others i can talk to about this and i am not alone!! i need to end the madness now!!!

http://www.choosehelp.com/topics/detox/ultram-detox-tramadol-withdrawal-pains.html    i was reading this link and somehow ended up here.

Hello My Tramadol Friends

   I turned my computer on yesterday and I was surprised at the PM's I received. I have not been on much since Christmas due to some family issues that have been weighing on me.  I am still sober and in the battle to get to the other side. Unfortunately getting sober has been sobering to say the least for me. I just wanted to thank those who were checking on me, very very sweet. I have a lot on my plate right now and as soon as I feel I can get it together I will be on to post some. To anyone reading through all of this I am still greatful to be off trams, a clear mind I have for sure now. The journey has been slow and long but I am greatful to have a safe place here. I thank all of you for checking on me, I am doing well in my sobriety, now if I can just get my life the way I want to LOL!!!!! I guess it is all a work in progress. I will be posting very soon

In two weeks I have tapered down to 150 mgs a day ...i was at 450 mgs a day...3 in the morning 3 5 hours later and three 5 hours later...now i am at 1 ... 1.... 1....I have to say something i think is helping is that i got a nutrabullet...no , this is not a plugin for it, but i have to say..doing nutrablasts every morning with the greens and fruits and maca powder and goji berries has helped tremendously!!!  i tink i am going to remain at one 50mg for another week and start cutting them in half and doing that another two weeks, then fourths...and so on!!! feeling fine right now. its amazing, because i have felt withdrawals from this before and this time, they are not so bad...prayers and hope for everyone!!

Here's the deal. I've been lurking. I've been a slave, literally, a slave to tramadol for over a decade of my life now. I have worked myself up to 350-400mg daily and have been sitting at that dose for over a year now. I typically use 100mg to start the morning, then work my way up to usually 400mg by evening time. I wake up every morning with intense withdrawal until I take first dose. I have had such a love affair with this drug for the past ten years that what is about to happen scares me to death. Granted, I have been through withdrawal before, but it seems so much more intense these days. I flushed the rest of my tablets last night. Refill is not allowed until later next week. Look, the deal is, I'm done. I will admit, I have a few Norco (hydrocodone/APAP) laying around and began to feel intensely uncomfy a couple of hours ago and started using the Norco. Stupid decision. Good thing is, after using these, no opioids will be available tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day, and so on. I am scared to death of the withdrawal. From what I remember they are brutal, and I have been forced into it in the past. Never made it all the way through the WD process before more tram was picked up at the pharmacy. This time, I am more determined. I can't live like this anymore. I am currently on unemployment and must find a good job soon. Because I am unreliable with this dependency running my life. Highly reliable on the tram, but running out early happens a lot. And what happens? Terribly sick. Therefore, I am not reliable with this current pendulum of tramadol dependency and addiction. Just wanted to get started on here. I will create a ticker tomorrow. I am tram-free today, however the hydrocodone is pausing the withdrawal for now. The real battle begins tomorrow.

Traumadoll, welcome, and please share your experiences as openly and freely as you are comfortable with.  We've been there, we understand, and we are going to support you and help you as you break free from the poison.  I like the slavery metaphor, by the way.  Isn't it the truth?

You can go back and read some of Emily's former journal strands and get a wealth of information from others who have gone down the path before you.  You can benefit from their experiences, their discoveries, and most of all, their successes.  Also you are most welcome to my journal, which contains a few entries I wrote during my post-tramadol withdrawal period.  I wanted to put it down in the hope that it would help someone else.  You may find some comfort and helpful info there.  Mostly, just read through old posts and share, share, share here when you can.  It's not easy, nobody will tell you it's easy.  It may be the hardest thing you will ever do.  But it is worth it.  I'm tramadol free now since 2009, and came from a dose even higher than yours.  You can do it, and it's so worth the temporary pain and discomfort.  

love and peace, warriors…
~fmn

Today is my birthday and I am almost 8 months FREE of the evil drug called "Tramadol".  I say "free" because I too was a former slave to these pills - you absolutely speak the truth Traumadoll.

I have been waiting - sometimes just existing - day by day by day - to feel better and to be able to come on here and post that I am finally better.

Well, Today is the day!  

To give you a quick recap about my journey, I was addicted to Tramadol for the past 10 years before I found Emily's journal.  My first time quitting was back in 2009.  I only made it to about 67 days before I relapsed.  From 2009 to 2013, I began a roller coaster ride of quitting/relapsing.  I relapsed so many times I lost count.   Every time I would convince myself that I was better on trams and that they helped me and that I really wasn't a slave to them.  

I finally quit for good on June 3, 2013 and now know I will never take another tramadol again.

I am sure that part of my recent overall feeling of well being is due to the amount of time I have away from my last pill (i.e.  8 months).  But I wanted to share something that really made a difference for me.

I recently saw a movie called "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" (website:  RebootWithJoe.com) and I recently read a book called "Awakening" by Stovall Weems.  Both the movie and the book were about the benefits of fasting.  At first, I thought, "I could NEVER EVER fast.  No way!  Not for me.”  I love food too much - especially carbs, breads, and wine.  But both the book and movie intrigued me enough to cause me to ponder fasting.

I am not fat, sick or nearly dead, but I have gained 20 pounds since quitting Tramadol.  I don't know what tram withdrawal does to our brains, but for me, I could not get enough junk food, carbs, breads, and sweets after I quit - hence the 20 lb. weight gain.  I remember reading that tram is stored in our fat cells and my fat cells were screaming daily to be inflated with all the junk I was putting into my body.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I decided to give fasting a try.  I was wondering if the fast would clean out / detox my fat cells and get rid of the remaining tramadol once and for all.  I mean, here I was almost 8 months clean and still feeling the blah/ doom & gloom/ sadness every single day.  Yes, it had gotten better since in the early withdrawal days, but it was still a dark, heaviness that I couldn't seem to shake.   So, I thought, "What do I have to lose?  It can't get any worse".  I figured worst case scenario:   I will lose a few of these unwanted pounds.

Since this is my first fast, I decided not to go 100% fresh vegetable juice (like Joe did in the movie), but instead I eliminated carbs (breads, pasta, rice), fast food, junk food, sweets, dairy, and alcohol.  So basically I am only eating lean protein (3 servings/day), Fresh vegetables (3-4x/day), and fresh fruit (2x/day).  Oh!  And lots of water (which I hardly ever drank).

The day before I started, I was scared to death.  It reminded me of the day before I quit tramadol.  Pure fear.  Deprivation is not fun - especially when I was cutting out all the stuff I Ioved!  But this dark tram cloud that has been hanging over my head was not fun either.  I had to give it a try.

So here I am about 2 1/2 weeks into my fast.  The first week was tough.  I had random headaches, minor shakes, and irritability.  The second week was way better.  And now I am halfway through the 3rd week, and I have to tell you - I am feeling so much better.  

I have lost 11 pounds and I do not wake with the doom/gloom/hopeless feeling anymore.  My sleep and energy level has improved dramatically.  I still have the same problems that I had before - nothing has changed.  But I feel so much better physically and emotionally that I don't want to turn to a pill or alcohol or any substance to help me cope.  I feel normal again.  Happy.  I thought I would never get here.

Fasting may not be for everyone, so I just encourage you to research it and check with your doctor before you try it.  Also, it may not be a good thing in early withdrawal as your body may need the extra nutrition and calories.

I wish everyone the best.  This is one beast of a journey - definitely the most difficult thing I have ever had to overcome.  

Sincerely with love,

kc

Hi Everyone,

I just want to share my story so you who are struggling can see the hope and know recovery can happen...and that you can fall down again and still get up. Tramadol is truly terrible and soooo much worse than people seem to know. I recently had a small relapse and am again off of it again. But my original ordeal with t was awful. I was on it for 3 years gradually building to 10 a day. I was having kidney problems and uti infections as a result. I was incredibly skinny which I loved, but I was a zombie and just wanted to be alone and high too much of the time. I know everyone knows that feeling of just wanting to have your t and no distractions. I went cold turkey and it took a year till I felt normal. I don't mean that to discourage anyone...it is definitely worth it...even though it often does not feel worth it when going through the worst of withdrawal. I struggled a lot to recover. The t made me feel more outgoing at times...more cheerful...but also constantly needing it like a complete junkie. And I did not have a history of addiction or drug abuse before this. I recently was really upset about some personal things and started again (after 5 years without) and had mild but crummy withdrawal the past few days. I was only taking 2 or 3 a day for about a month, but that was enough to know it would only get much, much worse if I didn't stop. I had a doctor recommend them to me for tmj pain, and wasn't strong enough to resist filling the script even though I should have known better (like I said, I was having personal issues and really struggling so I was weak). Luckily after such a short period and not a ton of pills per day it is seeming manageable. But that is why I am back to Emilypost! If you are in deep like I was back 5 years ago (for 3 years) please know that you can get through it and please be aware that you always need to be on the constant watch for moments of weakness and that falling back into it is soooo not worth it! The thing that is the most creepy for me is the familiar withdrawal symptoms of complete lackluster and lack of energy and the horrible sweats and totally "off" and disgusting sense of smell. It is familiar from the last time I went through withdrawal and just awful!!!! And the sad vanity-pleasing weight loss became possible to me without t by doing the dukan diet and exercise. I am not AS skinny, but I was too skinny at the height of my t addiction...I was skeletal. Now I am normal weight. I don't have great tips for withdrawal...it just took time. Sorry. :( I think hot baths helped a bit. It is just that NOTHING is worth the withdrawals from this horrible drug and you simply can't keep on it forever. You just need more and more to not feel withdrawal and eventually it will kill your body and mind.

I've taken tramadol for a little over four years usually six with my coffee in the morning then four at lunch then another five or six around five or six in the evening quiting is the easy part I've done that a hundred times staying quit is the hard part I've had 16 operations over the past few years and I have arthritis so bad I can't hardly move untill I have my morning dose I know I'll have to take something probably for the rest of my life but taking as much as I do can't be good for you every time is cut back on my dose I can't sleep and I'm freezing one minute and sweating the next and I have this feeling in my stomach like I'm missing something or lost something very important I think that's anxiety is their anything out their that would give me my sleep back I can deal with the other stuff it's the not sleeping is what drives me crazy and brings me back to taking more any help will be greatly appreciated

Did I post on a dead thread

No James,.apparently its just really quiet here lately.

Oh ok that's fine

I'm right there with you James. Cant taper, petrified of the withdrawals. Desperately need to do something

I can not stand the no sleeping and that funny feeling in my stomach I got to do something I know it can't be good for you what have you tried or done in the past that helped you

Take gaba for brain zaps, imodium for tummy issues, and google Thomas recipe. That should help. Are you totally out or tapering?

I hope this doesn't get deleted, because I really hate to see people suffering from what I believe to be the worst part of wd (lack of sleep), but the high dose loparamide (immodium) trick worked for me with very little lost sleep during my cold turkey wd. Makes going through wd much easier and I have quit ct without lop before, so I know the difference, and for me, it definitely helped considerably.

Booba77 and flippers thanks for the advice I'll try it I'm still tapering if u call it that how are u today

Take gaba for brain zaps, imodium for tummy issues, and google Thomas recipe. That should help.

Sorry I didn't realize I had already posted

Hey it's perfectly ok

Just wondering how everyone is doing

Just wondering how everyone is doing

The Immodium did take the edge of the WDs in the early days!!!  It was almost instant relief.  I only used it a couple of times though.

I'm doing very well.  Not perfect... but better than I was last year at this time.  I was in my taper and I thought I was going crazy or going to die.

I am feeling more myself as the days go on.  I do have my bad days... but I also have fibromyalgia.  Not sure which is which.

Will get back to you all when I have more time.

I almost cried when I saw my ticker.  I cannot believe I made it this far!  I never thought i could do this.  What a bumpy ride this has been.

Almost a year!!!!!!!!

Congratulations to u

I need help, I am on day 7 of no tramadol with the help of other meds but none now just natural and I do not feel any better. I can barely eat. Please help.

I took it for about 3 years, usually 12 a day and I am determined to fight but I need help. I havent been to work in 1 week.

Tramadolhelp I am copying and pasting a reply I made back in 2013 to a member here who was quitting ...  I think you can get some tips. The main thing is you can't stop eating ...  an Epsom salt bath and some soup ...

hang on let me find this ..

If I were doing it all over again, I'd take the following to the cabin in the woods with me.

b12 sublinguals.  Under the tongue absorption is 90% as effective as a b12 injection

Nyquil ... generic works fine too.

Honey ... believe it or not this was invaluable. I used to carry the sticks you put in tea in my purse and snack on one when I felt the "I am going to die or freakout" creepy tram w/d

Chamomille Tea

Soup of choice ... I liked chicken noodle

Saltines

Little crunchy salty snacks .. pretzels maybe

applesauce

You can bring Immodium AD ... the generic helps. If your belly is killing you ... (we have GABA receptors in our guts) ... you may need this but people try to avoid taking it as it'll slow the detox

I hope there's a bathtub ... warm bath and Epsom salts really help

GABA supplements ... lots of controversy about GABA supplements but some here have said they stopped the brain zaps

Passionflower for anxiety

Skullcap for anxiety ... I ordered my suppliments from Swansons Vitamins online  ... I like them.

Loved Bach's Rescue Remedy, the liuid dropper one.

There's a tea by celestial seasonings called Tension Tamer that I loved ... very helpful

Ginger tea (I love Lipton Ginger Twist) and ginger ale for nausea

pudding? Jello? Some soft foods

Some kind of beverage that is very easy to drink ... gatorade ..  Water plain may hurt your tummy
.
Panthotenic Acid for Jaw pain and muscular relaxation

Melatonin for sleep but you might not sleep for ... awhile ... don't worry about not sleeping.  People don't die from not sleeping.  Just stay occupied. I couldn't read, but I could watch TV and obviously I could write ...

Ben Gay or Biofreeze

Pain patches like Salon Pas

Ice packs

Heat packs ... theraheat pads work well ... they last 8-12 hours and you can shuffle them around as things ache

Electric heating pad ... I put this on my belly ... it helped with stomach pain

an electric throw is nice ... cause you'll be cold and then too hot

Soft clothes ... to change into cause you'll sweat thru your clothes

Tons of movies ... comedies ... not a good time for Schindler's List ... although make no mistake Tramadol will tell you to watch tragedies.  It's an evil asshat of a drug and just basically wants you dead ... so do not listen to that Tramadol voice.  You'll recognize its voice.  "You need me just take one you can't live without me ... you should just give up this is too hard."  Liar.  It's a liar.

It's great your wife will come and help you ... it's going to suck and it will be nicer if she is there.  It's like the worst flu you've ever had but it is time limited,.  3 days of really bad ... ten 4 days of less bad. Then no energy and lots of acting as if for ... awhile.  It took me much longer than I wanted it to.

I would be happier if your Doc had also given you a few pills to help the withdrawal like one of the Benzos.  But I understand why they don't want to. I had Klonopin still when I came off and I am glad I did. I'm with the Thomas Opiate w/d theory.  They can help when you are super freakazoid.  I also used a beta blocker ... for blood pressure ...propananol.  It helped.  Was good when my heart felt like it was going so fast i was going to explode.  I feel like getting thru the first few days is probably what it feels like to be possessed by a demon.  But sweatier and grosser maybe.


I hope this helps.  Be comforted that you will be able to soothe yourself if you can prepare yourself a bit for the storm that is coming.  Right now I am sure Tramadol is telling you that you don't need to quit ... that you're better while on it and that you have more energy cause it is a cunning lair.   It is going to be ok, but really do as the Boyscouts say and Be Prepared.

Also.  When it gets really hard ... Get mad and go to War.  Really wen you think about it ... Tramadol hasn't played fair with you so ... kill it off ... murder it and stomp on its grave. That attitude helped me not ... die and the men on MedHelp who have been veterans really taught me that attitude and it helped!

Lots of love.

Thank you all for the kindness you show me and each other. It means so much to me that we all have this place.  

Em

PS. I know I have forgotten stuff so anyone else if you remember shout it out ... what helped in that first week ...

Thank you so much Emily. I am wide awake at 1am, cannot sleep. Just want this all to end so I can be a mom again.

How's everyone doing

Anyone out there? Day 11 and still feel terrible. Will this lift soon so I can function at work. I look terrible:(,

Anyone out there? Day 11 and still feel terrible. Will this lift soon so I can function at work. I look terrible:(,

I'm sorry thelp, but that sounds pretty normal. Give it 30 days and you should be feeling a lot better. Be sure to take b12 and vitamins

I'm sorry thelp, but that sounds pretty normal. Give it 30 days and you should be feeling a lot better. Be sure to take b12 and vitamins

Can tramadol, after being on for 3 yrs., make pain worse? I take 150mg per day, and my pain seems to be getting worse.

Well today is my day 2 of cold turkey tramadol withdrawal. I HATE this drug. I have been taking it for nearly three years and I go through this withdrawal every month. This is the last time I have finally had enough. I have never had to buy the pills I get them through the VA and get them every month. I also run out every month which has helped to show me that I am an addict. I have let them control me for too long and I am ready to stop.
I have one thing that I am concerned about at this point. I did what I always do and pushed the little button on the computer to get them refilled and now they will be here in about two weeks. I know by then I will feel much better than I do right now, and I just pray that I can remember how crappy I feel right now so I do not take them but throw them out. If I can do this then I know I can beat this forever. Every month when I go through this I think man this ***** I wish I had them but oh well they will be here soon enough. Not this month I am done. I spent my first two days last month sitting in a chair crying while my two beautiful boys asked me what was wrong I just told them mommy was having a bad day and they cried right along with me. I told myself I would never do that to them again and yet here I am at least I am alone and crying. I have to muster up enough energy to help on my sons field trip today and all I can think is I hope I don't start crying.
Well I am going to make myself get up and work out. I know I can do this I just have to continue to read these posts and have faith that I can throw away these things I HATE so very much.

@gizmodo986  YES! Definitely yes!  Which is one of the reasons I quit!  I had a feeling that the meds were causing problems.  It also caused high blood pressure.  Now, these issues are gone... however, I am back to dealing with my fibromyalgia.. but I am able to manage it sooooo much better than before taking stupid tramadol.

Well, everyone, today is my one year off tram anniversary.  I did it!!!  I never thought this day would come.  A year seemed so far away.. esp the first few months off when time went by sooooo slowly.

I do have some aspects of normality these days.  That weird disassociation and suicide ideation, combined with extreme anxiety and depression have lifted.  I have little problems here and there.  Brain zaps... occasional bad waves.  They are totally manageable. I was on the drugs for 12 years.  I know my brain still has a little adjusting to do.  I was a different person last year.  I have learned a lot this year.  I am happy to be where I am now.

It is possible guys!  I remember before I started my taper I broke down on my knees crying and praying for the strength to get off this medication.  I did not think it was possible.  I used to fantasize what it would be like to not have to depend on these pills.  I never thought it would be a reality. But finally, one day, the awful side effects were too much and I tapered until I couldn't take it anymore... down to half a tablet split in one day... and then just jumped.  I don't know if I did the right thing, but the taper just seemed to prolong the agony for me personally.

Here I am.... PROOF that getting off this medication IS possible and that I didn't end up in a nut house.  I am also proof that there is life after tram and things do get better!

All my best! Hang in there!!

Well.today is day 17, cant say im much better but a bit better, still have RLD, sleep.problems, very fatigued and the yukky sweats at night. Any idea when this will end? I had to take a valium to sleep last night.

Well here i go again, trying to beat the trams again after so many withdrawal/relapse rollercoaster rides i think this is  the first time i posted since last July. So much has happened since than like my sister was found dead in her apartment, ive tried killing myself, so many fights with my girlfriend but I need off this crap so bad but practicly everything ive tried hasnt worked. I can go a few days but something just snaps in my brain that tells me to take a tramadol than it starts all over again. Ive tried tapering, cold turkey, other pain meds, loperamide, vitamins, amino acids. I attended an outpatient group therapy center for alcoholics and drug addicts. Even when i was in group i couldnt stop, id take some before and after group so i stopped going for now. I have 4 kids i have to be there for so i cant sign myself into some detox place for a month. My psychiatrist put me on xanax so now my mind feels foggier. I asked my dr. for some suboxone but said he wasnt qualified to prescribe it. Well anyway today is day 1 again. I hope everyone on here is doing good because it takes a strong person to beat this poison!!!

Dm

  Just take one day at a time  get through the now and worry about tomorrow when it gets their just remember it gets better I've tapered for months and I still am good luck to you

Had anybody taken xanax to call them and help sleep for this aweful tramadol withdrawl? My Doctor gave me some but will it just prolong this agony??

It won't prolong the agony Sweetheart.  Just don't take those xanax for very long ... seriously less than 10 days if you can help it ...  Small use of benzos .(aka Xanax).. they don't work the same way the Tram does and won't impede the Tram leaving the building.

I'm sorry it hurts so bad.  Don't worry though ... it will pass and you will be ok.  Just try to stay as calm as you can.  When you can't sleep ...just close your eyes and try to breathe.

Ya I've had a vicodin addiction for 9 years I came off of them for almost a year when I was pregnant but always went back.here I am again taking meds I can't afford..  But does suboxne help short term. I have 4 kids and I am divorced both are parents have passed and my sister leaves out of state so I need to stay functioning I dont have anyone to help me out, but really hate taking these meds before I just tapered my self off.any ideas on the w/d medicine?

Personally I'm not a fan of the Subutex. I did it and it took me nine months to stop that. The w/d meds are helpful, if you're referring to Clonidine and the like. I couldn't have gotten through it without that stuff. For me it's four years in May being off of Ultram/Tramadol. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I had alot of support from my DH. That helped. Not sure what advice to give you. Do you want to be able to eventually stop any opioid painkillers? There is so much support on the internet on this site and a few others. During the hardest parts, those amazing folks got me through.

My biggest beef with the Suboxone/Subutex route is that they don't make pills small enough to really do a taper. The 1mg tab is still alot. I ended up taper by having a compounding pharmacy make it into smaller and smaller doses. I went down to about 1/16th of a mg and then stopped after that, I believe. The fact that they won't make anything smaller than 1mg makes me think they want everyone to stay addicted to it. Just my two cents. I wish you all the best whatever route you decide to go!

I am new here, although i have been battling addiction for around 3-4 years now, it makes me sick to even say that considering where I was before.  

Initially I got hooked on tramadol because I used it for pain and had no idea how much it felt like stronger opiates. I got addicted to the rush and motivation it gave me.  After about 3 months I knew I was addicted and got scared and was able to go C/T for about 3 weeks before relapsing.  It was much easier to detox back then, back before it really messed your life up. I knew back then that no one knew, and it hadn't really changed my life in anyway.

I made some poor decisions when I would take tramadol, I would spend money like it was nothing, and I even took a new job far away that I probably wouldn't of taken if it weren't for the influence of the drug. Tram made you feel like everything will be perfect.  However once I moved I had a bunch of remorse about my decision and it lead to almost like a very prolonged panic attack.  By this time I was taking adderall, which I had a script for, and the tramadol together just to numb the pain, but it made me a different person and I stopped doing things like working out and being social.  

Anyways, I ended up getting my former job back and I moved back, however people could tell something wasn't right and I got to the point where I didn't want to see people from my old gym or anything because of how self conscience I was about letting my body go.  My new job was pretty stressful and required me to travel every week to different locations and dealing with the local offices, so I was always afraid of running out while on the road and going through withdrawals.  By this point the tramadol did nothing, I could take 15 at a time and get nothing out of it.  I started ordering DHC which is a more powerful codeine off the internet.  The problem with this is that I had to wait for the overseas shipments so at least once every month or so I would be really down and out for a few days until they came in, I would take the tram to keep the pain away but mentally I couldn't get out of bed, and I was still taking adderall as well.

I am now at this stage where I don't know if depression is crippling me more than the drugs, I don't like leaving my house, I don't like seeing anyone, I just constantly think about how bad I have made things and how hard it will be to get my life back.  My job allows me to work from home but I just moved to a new team and that team isn't as flexible with the work from home, there have been a lot of days in which I wake up in this nervous mood and can't get myself up for work.

I have had a history of depression and I have had a couple episodes where I would freak out about nothing major but it would eat at me for weeks or even months, so bad that I couldn't concentrate and would wake up feeling sick.  I think I am making this situation out to be much much worse than it is, although I know being hooked on these two drugs is bad enough, but if I am so weak mentally I don't know if I can't snap out of it even if I get clean.

I am curious if suboxone helps you mentally at all, are you able to think clearly like before you were on pills?  I know the horror stories of getting off sub, but I would almost rather have a constant script of sub instead of having to worry about trying to make sure I have enough pills because I have a big work project and having all these ups and downs. If I can get my life back mentally I think I can beat the withdrawals just like I was able to withdrawal off tramadol early on when I started taking it.  I just want to feel healthy and get back in the gym and build some confidence before I attempt another detox.  I have a great job that pays me a lot of money, if I lost that or quit to go to rehab it would probably make me even more depressed.  I am fine with an outpatient rehab but I feel so low mentally that I don't know if I am strong enough to stop without closing off the world and never leaving my bed.  I have been out of DHC since last Friday and I left my house once since then.

Sorry for the rambling, but I am sure you all know what its like.  I know I just need help, but I live in a small town so I don't have a lot of options that are close.  I have a pretty insane work schedule that is a major reason why I still rely on these pills, I can't afford to take time off because of project deadlines, plus I don't want everyone to know I am an addict.  

Oh, and my current dosage of DHC is around 1200mgs I just take at once during the day.

My dosage of adderall is 25mgs and I take one daily.  I used to hate the adderall but when I mixed it with tramadol it took the jittery type feelings away and I still had an appetite.  The adderall makes the situation so much more difficult because I can't really stop them both at the same time because I feel really really bad.  But I don't know which I should try to detox from first.  Sometimes the adderall helps during opiate withdrawal, at least a little bit on the mental side but keeps me awake.  I wish I just had 3 months off with zero obligations, unfortunately thats not reality.  

Today is day 3 for me. Im not experiencing any withdrawals at the moment probably due to getting a tooth pulled yesterday and got a small script for some norcos. Ive never had a problem getting off any other meds so i dont think thats gonna be a problem. Im prescribed xanax 1 mg twice a day so sleep is deffinetly not a problem. Dont really have much of an appetite but i try to eat as much protein as i can. Tonight i plan on going for a walk to get some exercise. Im just gonna worry about staying tram free one day at a time and worry about tomorrow or next week when it comes. Anyway just letting everyone know how im doing. Im gonna try to post more often to keep the tram thoughts from getting to me. I wish everyone luck and stay strong because were in this together and its a hell of a fight.

Has anyone had experience with suboxone that can tell me how it affects you mentally?  The longer you are on pills the more and more you get used to it and kinda forget what "normal" feels like.  I wake up every morning in this really kinda depressed, anxious, nervous state and until I take the meds its hard to even shower.  I know there is no way my body is in withdrawals already but its just the mental grip it has on me.  I am wondering if Subs have any effect on seratonin/dopamine levels or is it purely for physical withdrawal symptoms?  When you first start Sub are you mentally ok to go to work or are you still going to suffer the major depression and anxiety from withdrawals?  I can handle the physical part, its just the mental aspect that is so hard to beat.

Also, I hear where some people say you have to take Sub for 6 months minimum and have heard some say they were able to use it for around 2 weeks as a way to help detox easier.  Any advice?

Is the forum just unusually slow or has it been slow since Tram was finally changed to a controlled substance which made it hard to get off the internet?  I have been on here before and it was pretty active back then before the change.

It seems slow don't it some days theirs a lot of posting then it seems like it's a week or more before theirs anything new I hope your doing well

Hey everyone,

It has been 158 days clean for me!! I am proud but have really been struggling the last few days. Tramadol made me superwoman and I could get everyhting done and then some. Sinmce being off of it, Ihave gained 25 lbs and am very depressed about that. I try to workout and eathealthy, but only last a day or two before I pick up fast food or snacks. I am lost and hurting! I fel fine and have energy to accomplish my day to day tasks, but I dont have any desire to accomplish them....what do you think will help me? I have been really thinking about the pills and that scares me. I tell myself I should just take them so that I have the energy to start working out and losing weight, and then once I do I will stop the pills again. UGH...Please give me some advice on how to get over this depression from my weight gain!

Is vomiting to be expected when withdrawing?

I just wanted to post saying that I am doing well and that I would very much like to be available for anyone struggling with tramadol when I can.  
Please, anyone who wants to, send me a message.  I get notifications by email and will respond as soon as I can.  This site and Emily's journal gave me the hope I needed to quit Tramadol for good.  Everyone here deserves a life free from tramadol!!!

Started a quick taper.  Was taking around 15 per/day and got word about possible trouble in the supply chain and it looks like Tram is getting scheduled this summer and decided it is time to circle the wagons.  Came clean to my wife, she has known for a year and a half, but I told her that I can't get off this by myself.  I am going to med detox in 8 days but I don't want to go from 15 to 0 so the plan is too taper as much as I can then go in.  From previous attempts to get off this I have some Clondine & Hydrooxyzin which have really helped for a quick taper.  That is not to say I don't feel like absolute crap.   Day 1 I got down to 5 a day. Day 2 I got down to 4, and this is Day 3 I am not sure if I will drop down to 3, I think I will stay at 4 one more then drop to 3 tomorrow.  If it is ok I will post my progress until the 10th, it does helping writing it out.  

Thanks.

I have some clonidine and am going to attempt a long taper because I've been on these forever and take 20+ per day. Do you wait until the tram is it off your system before you take the clonidine, or do you use it when you get to a really low dose? And what is hydrooxyzin? I'm trying to find something that will help for when I finally get to the end of the taper and jump off totally. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

For me low dose I'm still on Tram I am trying to taper pretty fast.  The Clonidine does help I don't think I could go from 15 per/d to yesterday 4 without it (today is the 3rd day of my taper).  I still feel terrible, but I am at work.  The last 2 days I was taking 1 a day but I have enough to take 2 now.  

I misspelled it: Hydroxyine.

The 1st Dr I went to to get help with this gave it to me.  I used it once during the day and everything slowed down.  Too much to be at work or in public.  It was not pleasant.  I didn't touch it until I decided I have to get off this ride.  I use it before I go to bed day 1 I was out, day 2 I tossed & turned for an hour before I could fall asleep.  But eventually it knocked me out.  I have been able to sleep through the nights both days.  

So I use Clondine during the day and the Hydroxyine at night.  For me they seem to do the same thing with different degrees.  I can function on Clondine during the day and use the other at night when I need to sleep.

If you are still around after the 10th when I check in I will let you know what they gave me but my guess you will need Dr. to get it.  Depending how long your taper is you may not need anything more then a long weekend.  I have also heard Krantom works for some people.  Also heard of someone cutting up the pills into 1/4's.  

Good Luck.

Thanks a ton for the info

Got to 3 yesterday.  On the Clondine script it said I could take 2 a day so I did, and was able to cut off another pill.  I do feel like crap (really foggy head) but I am at work.  

Got to 2 yesterday.  Probably tapering too fast, had a terrible night.  Slept on the floor so I would not bother my wife, I had really bad restlessness in both my arms & legs.  I am going to kick it at 2 for a day, then start cutting pills into either 1/4 or 1/2.  I have tried to get off of this before and for me it gets really hard for me when I get to 3.  

Also bought a large coffee this morning which has really helped with the foggy head (yay!), but now I am unfoggy and have to stay within 30ft of a bathroom at all times (boo!).  

Hi Tramadol Warriors,

I've been lurking on this forum for some time. I've tried many times to quit tramadol without success. I once went 6 days but the W/D symptoms did not subside noticeably in that time and I had to go back to work, so I started back on them.
I am now at 2-3 per day and have been trying to taper but it isn't working.  It seems that the horrible withdrawals (you all know, restless, aching legs, night sweats, flu like symptoms, insomnia, and general malaise) come on full bore when I even decrease from 2 to 1 tab daily. For instance I tried to cut down to 1 tab tonight, and the one tab did absolutely nothing!. I might as well not have taken any. If I'm going to have full-on withdrawals I might as well go C/T. It seems, for me, that there is no such thing as 'mild withdrawal symptoms'  with tramadol.  So. I took 2 tonight, and plan on going CT
from this time.  Wish me luck and strength.  Hot baths help. Walking helps some. I have to accept the fact that I won't sleep much for the next week, but, as somebody said, no one ever died from lack of sleep--when I get tired enough, I will sleep.  Thank you Emily for keeping this forum alive.

I say that ... from personal experience ... no one dies from lack of sleep.  You'll probably feel awful jbr999, but you won't die.  Try not to get upset about the lack of sleep. I learned that over all the time I spent getting off the pills.  Just try to stay even and calm.  I agree with you on your plan.  Sometimes on lower doses, with the right time frame, CT makes sense.  

You can do it ...  life really is better w/o Tramadol.

Well,  this is day2 without the little white pill.  Feels like I have the flu.  Aching all over. Just want to sit in hot tub all the time. Having diarrhea. On the plus side, I did sleep 4-5 hours last night.  No Benadryl, it doesn't help, in fact it makes me feel like jumping out of my skin. Did I hear someone say Epsom Salts in the bath helps?  I'll try that.  This is the first time without tram for several years.  It'll probably take some time for it to clear out of my system. What time frame?  A week, a month?  I hear a lot about PAWS, and that it can go on for months, but right now I'm only concerned with AWS, I'll worry about PAWS later.  

Yes Epsom salt baths really help.  Soak it up!  The worst day are the first 3 ... then there seems to be a break at Day 10.    

I have to say the only reason I haven't taken any trams is that I said here I wouldn't. I'd really feel awful of I said I was going cold turkey and then reneged on my word. If I just quit posting you'd know what happened. I've made a commitment to you guys and I aim to keep it. I don't want to be a slave to any pill. I see now tram gives more pain than it relieves. I've been taking it just to ward off the nasty withdrawals, which have nothing to do with the original pain I started them for--that pain is long gone.

"Bumpy ride" huh?  Yeah, a bumpy ride through Hell !  My legs are aching and burning so bad I don't know how much longer I can stand it. Got up and exercised and stretched, gave some temporary relief, now it's back.  I hope this night is the worst it gets, or I may need some chemical help to get through this.  I find myself saying,  "Can this really be from the tram? Maybe I just have severe neuropathy, and this is just how it will be without the little white pill."  I'll try to hang on a little longer, one minute at a time.

Well I made it thru the night without taking any pills. One of the worst nights I can remember. Tonight will be the 3rd night, then hopefully it will ease up some. The days are not so bad b/c I can stay active and engage in diversionary activities. I can't imagine anything worse than last night but we'll see. I feel that if I made it thru last night I can make it thru anything. The saving grace is that the worst of it comes and goes--it's not constant, it does subside for periods--enabling me to sleep for a couple of hours.

Jbr

  The restless legs and no sleep absolutely drove me insane I did get some requip for my restless legs and it helps I'm still tapering best of luck to you

Was out of town a couple of day and it didn't throw me off the taper.  Got to 1 a couple of days ago and have split the 50mg 25mg in the morning & 25mg at night.  Feel much better during the day then I did last week but am having really bad sleep and restlessness.  

Hi guys. Well I actually just wanted to check my tracker before having to go back to 0 days

Oh half my message disappeared. My ticker says 963 days but the truth is I relapsed in December. Too much work, too much stress and too many emotions. During my first tram period, I was addicted for 6 years leading up to me popping 24 50 mg's a day. I went CT back then and was miserable for a week. After that it was just physical withdrawel symptoma like being so extremely tired I couldn't even vacuum the floors.

This time I controlled myself. Highest dose was 6 50 mg's a day but mostly only 4. But very fast I found myself counting pills again. Thinking about the next bottle, hiding a few in my pockets so I wouldn't run out if I wasn't home. 10 days ago I went cold turkey once again. I can't taper. To me it's about all or nothing. I had about 150 pills left and flushed every single one. Including those found in my clothes. The WD's weren't that bad. No physical pains anywhere, just feel like having a bit of the flue. Constantly sneezing though and lacking energy. But when I get that tired, I fetch the iPad and play all of my favourite music. That gives me energy. My luck is that I'm working from home (author) and making stuff up is like my favourite thing to do. So I'm working as much as I can. I'm struggling a bit from lack of concentration, so it takes longer to write than usual. Taking my time.

Compared to my first CT this is nothing. But my problem now is that I write so much funnier when being on tramadol and it scares me. I know I'll do it again the next time the world overwhelmes me. It's my pacifier. Hopefully I'll wait another few years and stop again before I ruin my own and my loved ones lives as I did the first time. Well I don't know but we humans tend to go back to stuff we know while being stressed. And those little devils soothes me when the world tumbles and swirls. Arghhhhhg !!!!

Anyways I needed to tell someone and this wonderfull forum never judges.

@JBR999 - I hope to see you on here again soon. Would hate for your sake if you relapsed when you've come this far already. But I now how tempting it is to say just f*ck it all and give me my tramadol and then leave me be !!!

I've been fighting this drug for years and so far it wins every time hopefully you will be able to stay off of these pills this time for good

Well, as you probably guessed, I didn't make thru the 3rd night. Took 2 at 5am.  I' m not giving up. Maybe going from 2/day to. 0 is too fast. I'm now at 1.5 /day and plan to drop to one a day for at least 3 days before jumping off. This is one b****h of a drug to get off of. Wish me strength to persevere.

Boy this thread is dead. It used to be hopping with activity. James how is your taper going? Once I get time to count my pills, I'm drafting a taper schedule. It will have to be a very slow taper though. I usually go cold turkey, but I've relapsed so many times I have to try something else.

I have been under the control of tramadol for 3 years now , it was doing what was needed at first, shutting of the pain after the operation ( car accident) , helped me get around , work.. etc. , but now , NOW it’s the worst thing i ever done to myself , I feel I have ruined myself with this drug, this drug is a nightmare, it robs you off your humanity and real being, it destruct you , am afraid if I quit I won’t be able to adapt , I don’t remember how I used to be like before it,

I want to live normal again , I want to be the normal me again , I want to enjoy life with all its ups and downs , feel and sense like am supposed to , I haven't tasted or felt anything and enjoyed it , like simple things , smell , taste , touch , they are all vague and not normal , emotions are never stable . nor thinking , feeling lost is always persisting … short and long memory lost is ugly , forgetting things , feeling tired , controlled , trapped , depressed ,Thinking about the next dose ,the feeling of guilt, the feeling of being under the control of a pill, I feel the past 3 years had just passed in a month time ,

I want to quit and have tried before for , lasted around a month , had a seizure in the process, and went through living hell for 10 days , a month later I couldn't adapt and got hooked again

Am on 3 tablets x225mg a day now (we get only 225 mg tablets where I live ( Egypt))) and just about maintaining ( I feel extremely exhausted, depressed , lost interest in doing anything, ,joint pain and muscle pain, get chills ) which is all opposite to what this drug should do in the first place but maybe as i dropped from fro, 750mg to 675 and trying to maintain , and it could be that i built tolerance

Now I need to quit but don’t know how to start , I understand tapering is important , but I have to quit before the end of May, any advice on a quick taper? Or CT ?

Now most importantly I am concerned about the withdrawal symptoms

Any advices to help with withdrawal? how to go through with minimum symptoms possible

how to overcome the RLS and insomnia, chills and depression during that phase?

I need medication to deal with it

I live alone but I can visit the Family but they should not be aware of what’s happening , I can pretend I have the flu , I can get 1 week of work , but that’s it , no option of visiting a doctor , Rehabilitation is out of the question , where I live it’s not acceptable to be labeled as a drug addict

Anyone can help ?? please it’s the only thing I can think of for the past 3 month , doing my research on WD symptoms, OTC drugs to relieve it, a lot of info and not all from reliable sources and made me more confused but I need the advice of someone who actually went through it , feel the same and can give a true helping advise and support throughout the withdrawal , no one knows about my addiction and it will help much sharing

I have been through this journal and a lot more , read a lot of members quit successfully with the support help and advice shared by others

Thank you all

Any helpful response is highly appreciated and of great help

Seems like every body quit ultram , gotta go through it myself then, God be a though one,
any advice is appreciated,

Wake-up -

I sent you a message on loperamide. Please do a little research on it on your own too. It's the only thing that REALLY helped with WD symptoms. Most importantly, educate yourself on addiction and the "addicted mind", how it works, etc. I quit c/t for 2 x 3 months, 1 x 4 months, and 1 x 8 moths, only to come back. I decided, after nearly 5 decades of life, that maybe I should focus on addiction as i've always known that I am "different" from other people. Tram is bad, but so is any drug/activity that one can become addicted to. Don't focus on how/why tram is bad, focus on addiction. Watch anything/read anything by Dr. Gabor Mate, as well as Dr. Jeffery Schwartz from UCLA. You have to have tools with real utility once the wd's are over or, as you can read over and over, you will probably relapse.

Dear Emily
Can you please point me in the right direction and link to the reference journal that you mentioned tramadol causes neuropathy. My husband has been on it for a year now post a spinal fusion and still experiences some neuropathy.
I am also expereincing from him aggressive behaviour and low tolerances outside of his usual demeanor. I love him dearly however this drug I believe is damaging our relationship and whilst I understand the need for chronic pain relief for the sufferer I have concerns over this drug and its side efffects and what it is doing to my husband. I would really do with quality articles to try and educate further and hopefully help him better, its affecting our communication. he is also getting sweats and insomnia. I am concerned i know there is dependence because of pain to treat, the quality of the mind with this drug I am struggling with the effects of seeing it in my husband and feeling powerless and needing an alternative. thank you.        

Tramadol causes neuropathy? Please post this information. Will be greatly appreciated!

HELP! It 's all we r looking for! I am not a "druggie" but I quit Trams after a severe accident, tapered down to 2 x 50 grams/ day for a week. now c/t for 3 days..WTF? I'm sneezing, and all the severe withdrawals! Even drinking alcohol to take the crappy feeling away! The only answer I want is when does this end?

Hello Everyone, I'm so happy to find this group. I started taking tramadol after a bad broken ankle. I had taken it once before for another injury & so I asked for it post-op to step down from vicoden. After I recovered from that, I started having terrible headaches and since tramadol had worked before, my doctor prescribed it. Anyway, I now find myself addicted. I've now bought it over the internet 2X, at great expense. Now I take it to ward off overall body pain, nausea, and to feel good. I'm taking 100-300mg a day. I'm pretty sure i went through withdrawal once a few months ago when I ran out of my scrip. Felt crappy for 5-7 days. Now I know I need to get off but not sure I'm ready for that yet. I hope joining the forum will motivate me. Of course, its hard when I've got plenty in the drawer from my last purchase.

I was on tramadol for 5 years.  I went to detox on April 1st, and it was hell.  I was taking about 10 pills a day, and can relate to all the posts above.  The doctor gave me subcoxone, and thought I was going to die.  I got SO sick on this drug, that I left AMA,  and finished the detox at home.  I didn't sleep for 3 days or so, anxious, hallucinating, terrible mood,crying, my eyes were half shut, and my body craved carbs and sweets.
I'm 6 weeks out, no drugs in my body.  I have a couple of good days, then I'll hit a bad day.  However I have found going back to the gym 3 to 4 times a week really helps.  I'm 50, and was in great shape, however lost all my muscle tone in one month.  It's a very slow process rebuilding muscle, as I don't have a drug to give that energy anymore.  

Ive read that it can take 6 months to feel like myself again.  My doctor wants me to go onProzac but I don't want any drugs in my body except Tylenol which helps the headaches I get.  I also think it was a habit to take pills all day.  

Well here I am, basically back in the same place I was 3 years ago. Detoxing off another drug, oh my god!

Unfortunately after coming off of morphine, my back pain was intolerable and I couldn't cope.
I ended up on Tramadol, which I didn't realize was actually more addictive than morphine.
I did ok for 2 years, this med gave me pain relief, a boost in my energy, and my mood. My mood was so good that I ended up coming off of my antidepressant. I thought this drug was marvellous, but it's not!

This year it stopped working for me, and I was at the max dose of 500mg. The Tramadol wasn't helping my pain, the depression came back and of course, I had no energy. It has been a very long cold winter, and I've been miserable.
Over the last month I have been able to taper from 500mg to 150mg. At 150mg, the withdrawal symptoms started to kick in. Yes kicking the habit, gives you those horrible restless legs, insomnia (I had a few hours of sleep last night)
Extreme nausea, headaches and the chills. It feels like a horrible flu that you can't get any relief from.

I've started reading Emily's journals, I wished I had read it a few years ago!

I knew I was in big trouble this winter, when nothing would help my back pain. Apparently it is the drug, saying "take more of me to get relief!"  I didn't give in, one of the side effects of this drug is seizures especially if you take more than 500 mg.  I did end up needing morphine to get me through the rough days. I was extremely upset, really annoyed since I had worked so hard to come off morphine 3 years ago. Needing the Morphine was the point when I knew that I would have to come off Tramadol, but wasn't sure how or when?

My family Dr. has put me back on Effexor since my mood was so flat, and I was extremely anxious. I will probably need to stay on Effexor until I'm off the Tramdol for at least a year. I'm also trying Baclofen (a muscle relaxant) to see if that gives me some back pain relief. But it is also a drug you must taper to come off; I'm just so sick of drugs.

I know I want to come off this drug, but the timing just ***** right now. Summer is just beginning, which I love, and I don't want to miss out on another summer, like I did three years ago.
(Since Winter started in November and lasted until the end of April!)

I've been going back and forth with my decision making?
Should I detox now, since I've dropped my dose, and go cold turkey? Or should I stay on a small dose this summer and finish the detox in October? I suppose I could try to do a really slow taper, but if I'm constantly sick, that wouldn't be my choice.

Well, I guess today, my thought is to do a very slow taper from 150mg. But I could change my mind, depending on my patience level? I may just scream, and say "get this f***** drug out of my body".

I just wanted to say hi to all the current Tramadol detoxers. (If that's even a word?)
We will be going through this together, that gives me comfort that I will have people who understand my situation.
I would like to thank Emily, and the rest of you who have continued to keep this site going and are still offer your support.
Truly grateful to have found this site, Sue

Wanted to ask if anyone else who has detoxed from tramadol has experienced loss of muscle in their face ( facial droop)?
Also do you regain muscle tone in the weeks following.

I posted above, and am 6 weeks off tramadol, and it nearly killed me, but feeling just ok.  I know what everyone says about missing that high.  I do as well, but never want to go through this pain again.

Also I read that Tramadol will be listed as a Narcotic in June 2014.  Is this true?

Megan

Sue,

I would get off Tramadol.  Like many have said it's the worse opiate to detox from.  I've posted a couple times above, and once the drug is out of your system ( 1 to 2 weeks ), PAWS hits.  For me the hardest part insomnia, lack of energy - I didn't want to get off the couch, and terrible anxiety.  It took a month before I slept 8 hours.  

I'm almost 7 weeks out and doing better.  I read a link that Emily posted, and it listed many things to do for your natural endorphins to kick in.  For example, completion of a small projects, walking, lifting weights.  I didn't do any of these until I was 3 weeks detoxed from tramadol.  I was taking 400mgs a day for 5 years.  I am so HAPPY to be off this evil drug.  I had no idea I would become addicted to this drug.  I thought it's not a Vicodon or Percocet.  Boy, was I wrong.

Hang in there Sue.  Hate to say this but it will get worse before it gets better.  However, life is SO much better off this drug.  It can't compare to the old days of being a prisoner to this drug.

Thank you Meganann for your encouragement.
What amount did you taper too, before you stopped taking Tramadol?

I will come off it, but after reading how long it takes, I just don't want to loose another summer to a drug detox.
Im hoping I can really slow down the taper, so I will have less symptoms? But I don't know if it makes a difference?

Sue

I feel miserable. Two days in. My God. Miserable. Cold, hot, cold.  Hot. Dizzy, sleepy, and more I need support.

Sue,

I went to the hospital as they have a detox center.  I was only there 3days as I got so sick from the subconox the doctor gave me, that I checked myself out.  I did the rest of the detox at home.  I didn't leave the house for one week, and started to feel slightly better.  It is he'll, I'm not going to lie about detoxing.  But, it's SO worth it.

I went from 500 mgs a day to zero in 3 days.  Hallucinations were terrible that first week, and insomnia was horrible., along with other side effects.  I took extra strength Tylenol for the headaches, and still take Tylentol once a day.   I also take Neurontin for anxiety and that also helps.  

Some days I'm still in a little fog, and my memory isn't the best, however I think that will come back.  I was on tramadol for 5 years, so I know it's going to take awhile.  

I really think you need help at a detox center if you can.  My insurance paid 90%, so wanted to try.  My experience wasn't the best in there, however everyone is different.  I also didn't realize how difficult the detox was until I went through it, however I was on a high dose.

Good luck, and I do check in every day.  Look forward to hearing from you.

Megan

To the post above 2days in;

Good for you !   Everything you are describing is normal, I felt the same as you.  All I can say is that it's HELL, but it will get BETTER.  How much and how long were you on Tramadol?

I'm 7 weeks out, and when I was on day 2 I kept telling myself, 1 day at a time, and at times thought can I get through the next hour.  I ate lots of carbs and sugar which helped me.  Probably not recommended, but helped with my upset stomach.

Hang in there, you made it two days.  Be proud of yourself.

,
Megan

Anything you can eat is fine ...  even if it is carbs and sugar ... anything to get free of the demon Tramadol and never go back.

Eventually you will be free.  It won't hurt.  You won't even think about it anymore.

You'll no longer be the Prisoner of Tram ...

Well I'm having another night without sleep. So It is getting difficult to think clearly or get anything done during the day.
I did manage to eat today, yeah :)
I think I will do ok with the taper, since I was on 500mg a day for a few years and am now down to 100mg.

Thanks Emily for your helpful tips, I'm finding honey really soothes my stomach.
Ok goodnight, Sue

Hi Sueduva, and ALL others who are looking for help and support with Tramadol,
I took Vicodin or Hydrocodone for my arthritis for several years.  Then 3 years ago I had a knee replacement.   Of course the doctor told me that Ultram/Tramadol was preferable to other opiates.  After first being on Dilaudid and hydrocodone for a few months, he switched me to those innocent looking little white pills.  When he quit giving them to me I was up to 400 mg a day.  I then began ordering them on the internet.  My relationship with Tramadol went through all of the stages people write about here.  I learned to hate this drug.  I have been tapering off for 8 weeks now from 300-400 mg daily, down to 150  mg for about a month.  I then sought the help of a naturopath who is working with me on tapering further.
I am not having a problem sticking to the taper.  Once I decided that this drug is my EVIL ENEMY, I am sticking to the taper.  My doc is having a compounding pharmacy make me 2 week supplies. The first drop down was from 150 mg to 135 mg. I am on my second 2 weeks at a dose of 120 mg.  I'm coming down 15 mg at a time and experiencing very mild withdrawal.  I am tired and have trouble getting going, I am sleeping, but only about 5-6 hours a night, once I wake up, there is no way I'm going back to sleep.  My stomach is a bit upset at times, but not too bad, some headaches and a bit of sneezing.  Overall the physical symptoms aren't too bad.  I think that the depression and lack of energy and lack of interest in life is the hardest to endure, but at least I'm not having that AND bad physical withdrawal.
I realize some people cannot taper; It's just not something some people will be disciplined enough to do, and some people cannot go to a doctor who will help them this way.  My naturopath is also giving me acupuncture treatments for depression and withdrawal as well as Bach Flower Remedies and a homeopathic remedy.
It's slow, and it means I will be still on a very small dose of Tramadol when I go to my family reunion in July.(Which of course I am not looking forward to because I'm not excited or jazzed about ANYTHING right now)  However, I know that this too shall pass
I have always had a problem with depression.  Tramadol gave my personality a false sense of well-being and made me more social.  It made me feel as if all is just fabulous as long as I had my pills.  I depended on Tramahell to get things done!
Well, I may need to address the depression another way, and if I need an anti-depressant, then so be it. Taking more and more of the evil pill was becoming totally unmanageable.  Every morning when I woke up, Tramadol is the first thing I would think of.  I felt like a complete fraud.  I couldn't do the simplest of things without the fake boost from a substance

Hi Notramadol,

That is wonderful that you are able to taper from tramadol.  I wasn't able to.  This is my 7th week off ( 49 days ) off this evil drug.  I take B12, a multivitamin, and have thought about doing acupuncture.  I feel A LOT better than I did the first month.

I still have some headaches, sluggish feeling.  After I go grocery shopping and run other errands I have to rest for an hour or two, as my head is foggy from the energy it took to do all of this.  I walk everyday for 20 minutes and go to a bootcamp 3 days a week.  I'm still pretty weak because I don't have tramadol to give me the energy I use to have.  HOWEVER I have times while I'm working out that I feel like my old self, strong and able to lift weights I didn't think I could do. I want the old Megan back, not the one on tram.

I was put on tramadol for headaches as I had a menningioma brain tumor.  I had gamma-knife, and was given more tramadol with unlimited refills.  I never thought I would become addicted to this drug.  Like others have said doctors told me tramadol was safe and not like other opiates.  I was taking up to 500 mgs a day for 5 years.  I didn't take that high of a dose in the beginning.  BTW my tumor was benign.  

Emily has a link towards the beginning of these posts that list ways your natural endorphins will kick in.   They were very helpful to me.  Like completing little projects around the house, some sort of cardio or weight baring exercise..  I can feel the endorphins, however it will take more time until I feel like myself again.

I'm so,happy I found this message board as it encourages me that I'm not alone.  Thanks Emily.

To me theres only one way. CT. Done it twice now. First time was from about 6 years use and abuse (up to 24 pills a day) and it was pure Hell for a few weeks. Had to spend the first three days in bed, crying, sneezing and craving sugar and well yeah sex. My brain and body just screamed for endorfins. After those three
days I could get out of bed, but I was so extremely tired. Fell a sleep constantly and had lost all physical strengh. Took about 3-4 months untill I was back to being Susie before
Tramadol.

Second time wasn't that bad. I'd been really carefull and was on a (to me) small dosage. Just 4 pills a day, to get me through a really stressfull time. Went CT again and didn't have to stay in bed. I filled up on sugar and favourite music and was ok again after 3-4 days of sneezing and foul mood.

But I don't think I'll ever be completely off. When my world crashes and things are too tough to handle, I'll probably do it again. They give me energy to handle complicated stuff, and they keep me calm. So if I have another period as stressfull as this winter, I might seek my safetyblanket again. They actually helped me. The problem is when no longer needed... But I managed and I will again if needed.

Tramadol is considered narcotic in Europe. Can only be bought with a special prescription as they are highly addictive. So I guess it'll be like that in the US too.

Yeah, I slept a bit last night :) so I was hoping to get up and participate in life today!
But that hasn't happened, my stomach is a mess today and I'm extremely dizzy.

I know I should try to get out of bed, but my body isn't in agreement.

Dear Sarabie, please talk to your Dr. About other ways of handling stress.
I would hate for you to be in this constant cycle of coming on and off Tramadol, it's not a fun way to live life.
Have you ever tried yoga? I find it helps fight off anxiety and depression. You get a blissful state of mind after a class :)

I've been taking Tramadol for chronic back pain. Three years ago, I thought it was a miracle pill when I first tried it.
But I constantly need to up the dose for pain relief. When I got to 500mg a day, it didn't even touch the pain, and I needed
morphine! That was my wake up call. My self worth is pretty low right now, I feel useless, and feel like a terrible wife and mum. (Even though my immediate family are supportive, and all adults, I feel like I have let them down?)

Hopefully my body will adjust to 100mg soon.
Talk to you later, Sue

Hello to all of you out there who are listening.

I read all of the posts and feel grateful for the information I get from this forum.  I now know that there are some differences in the way we can get off Tramadol.  I also know that it's ok to either taper OR CT, whichever one you can pull off.
Someone posted about having an epiphany one day about taking Tramadol, after being on it for years.  I realized that I had this happen to me too.  I just found one day that I was thinking of the pills as if they're my mortal enemy.  I think I have now "personalized" these pills and made them a living thing that's trying to take my life from me!  It's just like Emily has said, this is WAR.
I just had a phone call from a friend who has known me for 40 years through many ups and downs, and I saw on the caller ID who it was.  She's a very dear person to me and I love her, but I just did not want to answer that phone!  Well, when I took the T's I would have been happy to chat, chat, chat, and be miss friendly, but now I have to make myself go through the motions.  I took the call and didn't talk about my depression, just small talk and catching up.  I know that my interest in life will return some day, but as everyone here says, it's so hard while we're waiting to get our old self back.
Sue, I am relating to where you are every time you post.  I'm at 120 mg and doing ok.  I'm worried about the PAWS, but going from 400+ mg daily down to 120 just HAS to be doing something toward mending my brain, doesn't it?

I saw a psychiatric nurse practitioner last week who put me on 40 mg of Prozac, and Sue I remember you saying that it wasn't good for you.  I just feel that if I don't try something for this depression, I am not able to go on.  It's scary to think that ending my life is preferable even to taking Tramadol.  My suicidal ideas are not well-formed or planned, and I am the kind of person who will not do that to my family, ever. Plus I love my animals so much, and their lives would be so badly impacted by me being gone, that my thoughts never progress that far.
Still,  the reason I am resorting to an anti-depressant is because I am so afraid of how dark everything seems to me right now.  I can cry over ANYTHING.  I don't want to DO anything, and I am isolating a lot.  Fortunately, my husband knows everything, (he and a couple of close friends are the only ones) and is very understanding and non-judgmental.  I am so lucky that way.  I'm hoping the P takes a little of the edge off of this depression.
I am an older person (64 years old) and have been addicted to the high and energy of opiates off and on over my adult life.  I always managed to get off them.  However, when I found Tramadol over 3 years ago, it took things to a new level.  I think someday, there will be a lot more known about how dangerous this drug is, but right now, most people have never even heard of it.  

Thanks to all who post their positive information and reactions to us who are beginning this journey.  I can feel that there are people reading and posting on this forum who really care and understand what I'm going through right now.  

I hang on your words of encouragement.

Today, I need to get some work done, and I have had several thoughts about taking some Tramadol "just this once", but I know it's the Tramadol talking.  

Love and Peace,  Katy

Hi Katy,

I'm 55 years old and I'm wondering if the PAWS are harder at our age.  I posted above and am 50 days off Tramadol.  For me the first month was very difficult, however I'm almost 2 months out and it's much better .  Im on Prozac too, 10 mgs and it's helping me.  I miss the high I use to get from tramadol, however each day I get a little stronger.  I use to be able to stay up till midnight, now I'm in bed by 9:00 and sometimes sleep to 7 am.  Maybe it's the Prozac or catching up on the sleep I missed in the first couple of weeks off tram and I was wide awake all night.

I wanted to tell you there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm happy you have a very understanding husband and shared this with a couple of friends.  My husband too was very understanding, and we didn't do anything ( socializing ) for about a month, as I was too tired, and didn't want to me off the couch.

Life is so much better off tramadol.  I take Tylenol for my headaches and Neurontin for anxiety.  My psychiatrist said it probably will take me 6 months before I'm me.  That's ok, as I was on this drug for 5 years, up to 500 mgs a day.  

Yes, it is the tramadol talking.  I got so much work done when I was on tramadol.  Now I have to rely on my own strength.  
I've thought the same thing, just one or two tramadols, however I don't want to start over.  I'm done with this drug.

Good luck to you Katy.

Megan

Hi friends,
Well I think my body is starting to get use to 100mg of Tramadol. I actually ate breakfast today, and unloaded the dishwasher!! A tiny step in the right direction.

I think the worst part for me is the dizziness, weakness and inability to think clearly. I'm still constipated, I don't know if it's still the Tramadol or if it's the Effexor? I was expecting to be running to the bathroom by now, but I still need laxatives.

Having a hot shower is the best part of my day.

Please share any tips that have helped you cope with the detox.
Thanks, Sue

I think you have to be totally off tramadol before the constipation goes away.....at least that was my experience.  It then took 3 or 4 days after for my body to start working correctly.

It's great that you are down to 100 mgs a day.  The dizziness, weakness and not thinking clearly are detox symptoms, along with insomnia, anxiety and being nauseous.  Try to eat small meals throughout the day even if you are not hungry.

I take B12, 10 mgs or Prozac, and Neurontin.  I'm almost 2 months out from tram, and have gotten through most of the PAWS, except anxiety which is why I'm on the above meds.

I'm still trying to feel normal again, and after reading all the posts, it's going to take time......maybe 6 months to a year before I'm totally back to feeling good.  

What helped me was reading Emily's post and her recommendations that helped the detox process.

Megan

Well I made it!  ONE YEAR FREE of this poison called Tramadol.  

It took me a VERY LONG time to heal from this drug.  I tell you this not to scare you, but to prepare you.

I relapsed so many times I lost count – and it was all because I expected to be back to normal in 90 days or less.  Now, please hear me… there are many people who do heal in this amount of time, but my journey was different and longer.  This is a battle.  And if you are mentally prepared for battle, you are more likely to win.

I do believe that the severity and length of MY withdrawal (PAWS) was due to several factors:  the # of pills I took daily and the amount of time I took Tramadol.  I took 8-15 50mg pills/day for 10 years.  I also think my age (late 40’s) had something to do with my extended recovery – I just don’t heal as well as I did when I was younger.  And last, the reasons I took them contributed to the difficulty of my withdrawal.  I took them because I was trying to cover up and cope with a lot of life problems and they made me feel better for about the 1st year or so.  

I was more social, more productive, and even lost a little weight (because tram kills your appetite).  Then…like everyone else… they turned on me and I had to take more and more to get that same feeling – chasing that original “high”.  But it never was the same after they turned on me.

At first, I loved being social and going to parties and being around people while high on trams.  I also felt my exercise and workouts were enhanced when taking them.  But as time passed, I became more and more recluse and found myself not wanting to do anything.  Just lay around and watch movies or TV.  

I also purchased lots of “stuff” over the past 10 years and have recently begun to slowly clean it all up.  It amazes me some of the stuff I allowed myself to purchase and accumulate.  I also thought  I was superwoman and was more efficient, but really I was just a shell of a human being.  Not really feeling or caring about anyone or anything except if I had enough pills on hand.  

Again, I do not want to scare anyone but I am not going to sugarcoat my experience either.   I want to be completely honest so that if any of you have a similar experience to mine you will know how to be prepared and you will know what you're in for.
  
I don’t know any of you… and I have no other motive to post than to encourage and help people get off this drug.  I say this because over the past 10 years, I would read a post like I am typing now (i.e.  someone who was successfully free of tramadol), and think, “yeah right.  I am sure he/she is full of crappola”  or “I am not like them because I am not an ‘addict’ ” or “my situation is completely different than theirs because I can control my usage”.  

This drug will mess with your mind.  It will tell you anything to keep you addicted to it.  I am serious.

I have no other motive to post on Emily’s wonderful journal than to help.  If I can help one person get free from this drug, I want to do so.

Here are some of the withdrawal-related symptoms that I experienced:   Restless anxiety, intense depression and apathy, very poor sleep, self-hatred, intense anger, stomach issues (mainly in the first 2 weeks), auditory/visual issues (sporadic throughout), suicidal ideation (i.e.  wanting to die), zero energy or motivation, non-social (wanting to just stay in a dark room and watch tv), sweating then freezing, headaches.

Most difficult was dealing with the daily “blah” feeling – like nothing really mattered and I felt hopeless – day after day after day - like I would never improve.  I felt I was doomed to be like that forever.  Then there was the 25 pound weight gain – which I did NOT need.  

But….the good news is that ALL of these side effects are temporary.  ALL of them eventually went away with time.  I have even lost 15 of the 25 pounds I gained.  Still working on the last 10.  :-)

At 1 year out, I feel happiness again – and on a regular basis!  I am dealing with my problems without the help of drugs.  I am sleeping better again.   I am wanting to be around people again and the old me is back.  The freedom from the slavery of Tramadol is all worth it.  All the months and months of suffering and wondering when it all would end has finally ended.  

If I can offer you some advice it would be to be kind to yourself.  Tell yourself that you will fight this until it is over - however long that is for you.  When you feel depression, anxiety, hopeless - don't give up.  It WILL get better as long as you don't take any more tramadol.  It may take a short amount of time to heal - or you may be like me and take a long time.  But you WILL heal.

I echo Emily’s words above, “You can do this”.  And I will add that it IS worth it.

Sincerely with hope and love,
kc

Thank you for the above post.  I felt the same way....very social at parties, my workouts were stronger than before, and felt like superwoman.  I bought clothes and stuff I would never have bought if I wasn't high on tram, then The drug turned on me. I became a recluse and wanted to just stay home and watch tv, and play games on my IPad.   I became a shell of a human being, only caring if I had enough tramadol to get me through the month.

I'm almost 90 days out, and went to detox to get off the drug.  I've never gone back, however I know I'm still in recovery and do get the urge to go back on.  I was taking about the same dosage as you for 5 years.  I've read other posts and do believe it takes at least 6 months or more to feel totally normal again.  I still have headaches, and sometimes dread social occasions.  But I must say when I do go out I have a lot of fun, laugh and really enjoy myself, and I'm drug free.  I work out 3 times a week, as I've gained weight too.  It's brutal to walk out the door, but when I come home I have this natural high from cardio/weight training.  So, I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm not quite there yet.

I want me back too.  I'm hanging in there, and love to read others post regarding their journey.  It really helps me.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Megan

well, here I am , a year later after a few posts on here and of course failed attempts to quit. I have got to get off this drug, and now well, its no longer avail to me online so thats a plus.I have so much going on right now and am so scared that I will not be able to carry on and do the things that have to be done. I ran out of tram  one time before a year or so ago , for a few days and I remember it being horrible. I am better prepared now than before , i have some benzos and supplements and have done research. But it is still scary

Grateful to be where I am at today.  Don't lose hope.  It is possible to get clean and stay clean.  Have a blessed day.

3 months clean, and 5 lbs heavier.  I'll take the weight gain over the addiction of tramadol.  Prayfully I'll never go back, as the withdrawals almost killed me.  That is what keeps me from going back on.  I feel pretty normal, and from what I read each day gets better.  The support group I was going to we are to say "today I'm not going to use", that got me through the first couple of months that were so hard.  

Yes, don't lose hope, you can get and stay clean.

Hello all. I was here a couple of years ago but couldn't remember my log-in information. I was unsuccessful at quitting the tramadol after trying cold turkey a few times. My normal daily intake of tramadol was the upper 400 mg a day. The last time I quit, I was able to do it and have been off tramadol for six months now. I have gotten a better handle on my physical pain so I believe I'm off for good. This time I did withdrawal without suffering the physical discomfort. So I wanted to share how. I have read this does not work for everyone, but thought it might help someone. This last time, before I discontinued the tramadol, I got a couple of bottles of loperamide (Imodium) in the 2 mg caplet form.

The first day I planned to discontinue the tramadol, I took my normal 2 50 mg tramadol pills in the morning. Four hours later, I took 12 loperamide. Four hours after that, I took 12 more imodium. At bedtime I took 12 more. The next day I took 10 loperamide morning, mid-day and night. The third day I took 8 loperamide morning, mid-day and night. The fourth day, I took nothing and from then on was fine. At no point did I suffer withdrawal symptoms. Each day I took two doses of Metamucil capsules (2 for each dose) and my bowels didn't even block up. I feel that I got off easy using the loperamide method,, and I'm not even tempted to use tramadol again. BUT: if you follow a plan involving loperamide, you have to make sure to drink lots of water and use the Metamucil or heavy duty stool softeners. Don't take it more than a few days - you really don't have to, and some people become dependent on loperamide, so just don't go there.

I've been able to manage my pain with taking some Vanquish when it gets bad. I'm thinking at some point the tramadol was actually making me more sensitive to pain. I love that my mind is so much clearer! You don't even realize how foggy you are until the tramadol is out of your system. I have not even had the brain zaps or PAWS after using this loperamide method, and I have no idea if that's typical or not. I don't understand the science, I only know this is what worked for me.

That is interesting, I tried the lope just the other day as a trial, when I got up I didnt take any tram - i took 8 lope - mid day i took 6 more - took a while for it to kick in but most symptoms were mild - I did have somewhat of a belly ache from the lope I think. It did not stop the RLS at all - it was a miserable night and somewhere in the middle I broke and took 2 tramm so I could sleep. Maybe my lope doses were too small idk. But I have heard of it working quite well. My my plan now is to taper down to 1 pill a day over the next 2 weeks then I have 6 days off. I will have to suffer through it then and this time I have to overcome. I will not do this any more. On that last day I will flush any remaining and will have no way to get more so ill have no choice.

I think it just has to do with individual body chemistry. ..I feel lucky that it worked for me. I was never able to taper.If the loperamide gave you a stomach ache, you're right not to try more. . .you could get an even worse problem. Sounds like you are determined enough for your taper to work. Big hugs going out to you. . .you can and will do this.

well, now i find out that I will be having summer exams during the days immediately following my planned last taper days. There is no way i can take midterms during the first week of full on withdrawls. If i wait six weeks til the semester is over i can have 11 days off school and work to lay in bed. I dont want to go back on saying im quitting on the 26th of this month but I dont see how I can now. I know how bad my rls is when i have tried to quit before - there is no way I would be able to study or concentrate on an exam. This tramm habit i will kick, i quit smoking 3 years ago cold turkey after 20 years at 2 packs a day. I know I can do it its just a matter of timing. I guess I am just looking for advice from the ones who have been there and done that if you know what I mean. I dont want to continue but in the grand scheme, 6 weeks isnt that long...I cant fail out of school

How I hate this drug - i wish i could just go to  the cabin in the woods away from all responsibilities and do my detox without worry of everyday life responsibilities. I wish I knew how long the physical symptoms would last - Ive never made it 48 hours - its always been so bad. IDK - I have to get it done though.

Well, I guess its a slow spot on the forum. Anyway, gonna put it out there. I have re evaluated everything and have arranged 7 days off work and everything starting july the 7th. July the 6th is my last day on these things, come hell or high water. I am gonna take the next couple weeks and gather all the supplies I can based on what I have read , and mentally prepare myself for it. And thats just the way it is. And that is just the way it will be. SO , heres to  the upcoming sleepless nights and cries for help. And heres to no more of this **** bag drug being a part of my life.

If you are going to do it cold turkey, you are doing the right thing to plan the time off. See if you can get some zolpidem beforehand too, then you'll be able to sleep. If you can't sleep, you're more likely to cave. You'll do it, but you do need the time off.

Yes if you do cold turkey you will need a sleeping aid.  If not, you probably won't sleep for several nights, and be tempted to get more tram.  I don't know how long you've been taking the drug.  I was on it 5 years, 500 mgs a day and it took me 2 weeks to feel somewhat better.  I'm 80 days off the evil drug, and part of me would like to go back.  BUT, I won't because the detox was very tough on me, which makes me never want to go back on.  I take Neurontin for anxiety, and 10 mgs of Prozac.  Also make yourself go on a walk everyday, even it's 5 to 10 minutes, it helps.

Good luck to you, and hope you continue to post your progress.

Ditch - I quit trammies two different times.  The first time I just was fed up and did a very fast taper.  I was successful but about 9 months later started taking them again.  The last time I quit I did it a bit differently.  I did a relatively fast taper again but I planned it out as you have.  I also started making the changes to my lifestyle 2-3 weeks before I tapered.  This helped me immensely the second time.  Some of the supplements people list here that have helped them take some time to maixmize their benefits in your body.  Start them now so that when you quit they are already helping.  Same with diet and excersice.  Starting now might really help you get through this fight.

Battle on!

Thank you both for your support. I have gathered some things, I am working on the rx sleeping aid, the no sleep and rls have broken me both times ive tried to quit, within 48 hrs. It is the most horrible part for me. I went ahead and ordered the withdrawl aid, simply because it seems , or is supposed to contain all the things plus a few, in the thomas recipe and others that have been suggested. I was planning on starting them the week before , then I would have a 3 week supply after I quit, then could adjust accordingly. I have been on the tram less than 2 years, this nov will be 2 years. A steady daily dose is 200 mg. I know that seems low in comparison to what some people take. I as well have a good supply of zofran for nausea and flexeril (muscle relaxer) and liquid immodium. So, idk, I am gonna be off that week so Ill just plan on staying up if I have too but I hope with the meds and supplements I can at least sleep some. I can deal with the daytime ok, its the nightime that gets me.

Keep coming on here, we'll be here to talk to. Hugs.

Hey Guys-
Lu here- Not a Tramadol addict but an opiate addict in recovery.  I have a very close friend (my best friend) who has been on Tramadol for nearly a decade after a car accident.  She knows she doesn't need the pills anymore for the pain and wants to taper off.  Every time she tries her w/d's are awful.  I myself went cold turkey off a huge dose of oxy and it was hellish but I was fine and healed after a couple of months.  I know this is not the case with Tramadol due to the synthetic nature and the SSNRI component.  I told her to set up a taper plan with her doc- but her doc is gone and the replacement does not believe that Tramadol is addictive and she should JUST STOP. I believe her dose is 50 mg/8 a day- so 400 mg total. I know from all I've read on here that this is not the case, and I really want my friend to recover in a healthy way and not put herself through hell.  After reading through all of your posts I am going to recommend her to come here and talk with y'all.  I hope the stories don't scare the sh*t out of her and keep her using.  I know she has to stop because she's ready to, and there is nothing I can do but lend support.
I wanted to tell you all that I have the upmost respect for you and your journey's.  What a terrible drug Tram is.  I am so grateful that when it was prescribed to me I only lasted on it for two weeks, it made me depressed.

Anyways, thank you for sharing.  I hope my friend will come here soon and receive the love and wisdom that you all have to offer.
Much love and respect....
Lu

Ditch - from what I've learned is you are on a low dose of tram, and only been on two years.  You sound like you have the right meds to help you as you go 'cold turkey' from this drug.  You might have a better and faster recovery than most of us.  I was on for 5 years and got up to 500 mgs a day.  I'm almost 90 days out, and just starting to feel normal.  Everyone is different.  Mornings are the hardest, and I have a sugar free monster drink.  I tell myself it's better than tramadol.  I've been seeing a psychiatrist and he put me on a low dose of Prozac, and told me based upon the years and dose I was taking of tram it would take up to 6 months to return to my normal self.  I'm half way there.  Prozac has really helped with anxiety.
Like I said in my other posts some type of exercising helps, and continue to eat even if you aren't hungry,  the only thing I could keep down was Cheerios.

Lu - I hope your friend reads the posts and it doesn't scare her too much.  Would be happy to communicate with her, like many on this thread.  

I don't know if anyone else who has withdrawn feels this way, but I always do. I am drop dead paranoid of falling and suffering the extreme chance of injury (I have a lot of metal in my back.) And then I won't have any pain pills. It's been almost ten years since my surgery, and I have always been able to catch myself (but I sure do trip a lot, lol.) People must wonder why I spend every walk staring at my feet.

Hi everyone!  I was an abuser for 10+ years and found the strength 2 years ago to get off.  I was taking approx 16 pills a day and did very slow taper and had no withdrawal symptoms.  Well after 2 years I fell off the wagon.  Typical addict mentality of thinking I could just do a few here or there.  Unfortunately here I am 4 months later trying to taper off again.  I am now 24 hours into my detox and feel ok except for dizziness.  Keeping my fingers crossed that this will be the worst of it!!

It happens because we don't properly take care of the reasons why we take them. For me, it's physical pain but is different for everyone. You can do it. You know you can because you have. Thank God for Emily keeping up this journal. By the way, who is Mr. Meaty? Sounds like a cartoon character maybe?

Well, I have all I think has been suggested, most of it anyway. So, now I just wait until July the 7th. tick tock tick tock

You will be fine . . .and just wait till the day you wake up and your head is clear. It's going to be amazing!

How long have you been off tram?

I have been for about six months. . .and trying to  work on my pain right now  through natural means so I don't cave. Hoping it works. OffTram4Good is a hopeful nickname.

It's a great name.  I saw my psychiatrist today, and he thought I looked a lot better than a month ago.  I'm 90 days out, and feel better, but not 100%.  So hoping in another month I will feel even better.

Detox for me was worse than child birth.  I can't imagine going through it again.  I would love the energy tram gave me, but it's not worth the cost, as I kept popping pills, 500 mgs a day.  It's a fake high.  

Congrats on being off for 6 months.  Others on this board have said 6 months seems to be the magical milestone when you are 100% back to who you were before tram.

I must admit I feel pretty darn good at 3 months off.

Good! You will feel better and better. I'm taking my DLPA, just started that, cutting my coffee, and protein loading, everything I can do to get the serotonin and endorphins flowing again naturally. I read all I can about that. Hardest thing for me is making myself exercise, because I do hurt. Usually I just sit here and jiggle my legs, lol. I tried kratom yesterday and it worked like a charm on the pain, but nauseating and pricey. Otherwise it would be nice, because it removed my pain without making me "high."  A once in awhile thing. No magic bullet for the pain that doesn't come at too high a price one way or another.

So. . .yesterday I took 3 g kratom with two naproxen (Aleve.) Half the amount and on a full stomach this time, so suffered no nausea at all. That combination worked great on my pain for almost 8 full hours, and that is a minimal amount of kratom. That I will take a couple of times a week in order to function better on days when I'm vaccuuming and activities like that which cause me so much pain. Should be a great aid in keeping me from wanting the trams again on days of great pain.

Where do you purchase kratom ?  Health food store ?

I got it online at a store that a friend recommended. Careful with it if you try it. It is related to the coffee plant and is addictive, not an every day thing to do. I even have my coffee down to a minimum now, lol, I don't want the coffee withdrawal headache at this point in my "career."

well, started the supplements today to try and build it all up in my system , got about 9 days till q day. I figure that should give it enough time to reach whatever therapeutic level its going to. i hope anyway

You'll be good. The supplements should help. We'll be here.

I have severe fibromyalgia and the the complete gambit of co-morbid "issues" (I don't wish to call them diseases or give the entirety of my symptoms more power as I am currently disabled and fighting with all my will.). I also have one disc in my mid thoracic that is pinching my spine pretty severely and still have to wait 6 more months for medicare. I suspect a micro laser discectomy will be preformed. I have spent eight months on "trauma-doll". The first 2 months I was prescribed 8X 50 mgs per day right away. Then the doc dropped me to 6X 50 mgs for six months. In the last month or so I noticed it not working very well, keeping me even less functional and causing even more severe fibro mood swings. My sister unfortunately has stolen some of my tramadol and clonazepam in the past. The combination of these two factors made me extremely angry and wanting to get off of as many of these meds as possible. Even my extreme pain and discomfort have become more bearable than stolen medication, lies, and mis-informed doctors. So about two and a half weeks ago I stopped cold turkey for a day, 24 hours later a massive wave of issues came over me including a fairly long and powerful seizure. So I went back on tramadol for a week @4 X 50 mg. I waited about three days and attempted the same. Again the same gambit but I returned back to 3 a day instead of four, next few days I forced myself down to 2 and then 2 days at 1X 50. Now I've been off of it for about 5 days. I felt pretty good suddenly and also reduced my lyrica dose and dropped baclofen cold turkey without much ado. I'm using immodium just a few times but haven't had to use it much at all. I am not sleeping. but because I do not respond to antidepressants and have been practically force fed nearly everyone of them that I can think of, coming off medication and dealing with transient insomnia is another normal day for me. What I am concerned about is my eyes burning and going back and forth between feeling fairly fine and tearing up to burning itching dryness and back. I can deal with the resurgence of depression and anxiety levels, I can even deal with the pain for now. But this issue with my eyes burning has got me fairly concerned. I noticed more than a year ago when I just skimmed this forum that someone else had similar issues. Without reading everything here, can anyone tell me if this will pass or if I need artificial eye drops or something along those lines? BTW I have a full RX of tram right on my night stand and each time I look at it, I get this anger welling up inside me and disgust. It's been my go to technique for conquering dependency as the doctors continue to give me drugs that cause serious dependence without testing nor concern. Once I'm fully stable and see my doc on the 29th I'm going to give the full bottle to him and suggest he try withdrawal for a while. It makes me beyond angry. But the anger for now is motivating. I'm currently still taking clonazepam 3mgs, and lyrica 450 mgs per day. I plan to drop the clonazepam next and am prepared for a much much longer ordeal with than since I've been on it for about 6 years now. This may not be condoned by the forum, but I will admit that a friend asked me to try an "alternative" medication that only 22 states currently allow for a week in very small quantities to see if it might work. It far beyond eclipses all of the other medications combined. I'm planning the long road to severing ties with the pharmaceutical industry and moving to a "compassionate state" that offers this medication for which I apparently would qualify for very quickly. I hate these chains we have to wear and I'd rather take my chances with something far more natural even if it's not completely proven yet after the hell I've been in for the last ten years. So that's me. But I am freaking out about my eyes! Any help?

@MBFT

I had the burning eyes thing.  Wasn't sure what it was at the time, but it drove me crazy.  I thought it was just from staring at the computer, but I didn't have it before quitting tram and do not have it now.  I used eye drops the Dr gave me, but I think it is something you can get at Walgreen's etc.  Not visine but something for dry eye.

I had a lot of eye problems at first.  I had a lot of floaters and blurry vision.  I would see flashes in the corners of my eyes when I closed them and moved them side to side. Chronic dry burning eyes. Was so stressed out and finally broke down and went to the eye Dr thinking my eyes were seriously damaged.  Nope!  Perfectly normal with outstanding vision for a 40 yr old.  He didn't even think I needed glasses.  I asked about the tram withdrawals causing eye problems and he said it was possible, but they cannot see it because it is happening in the brain, not the eyes. This is mostly from the antidepressant aspect of the drug which closely resembles Effexor in chemical makeup.

You can search for "antidepressant withdrawal dry eyes" and see many people complain about this as a symptom.

My eyes are doing much better!  I think the worst part was the first 6 months and then things slowly got back to normal.  I would only get the weird vision symptoms during a bad wave of the "windows and waves" pattern of recovery.

All my best!!

and I just wanted to see my ticker!

yay!!!

Oh you are awesome! Thank you so very much. I never thought about the anti-depressant like qualities being the culprit. We live and learn. Clean for 6 days and have no desire to go back. Woot! And high five to you allinblack on 482 days clean! Thank you again, very much appreciated.

@MBFT

You are most welcome!  If you do continue to have issues with your eyes, please don't hesitate to see an eye Dr for a checkup.. just in case.  I would hate if you did miss something that was wrong because of my experience.  With that being said, I did see a lot of people complaining about vision and eye issues in many of the antidepressant withdrawal forums.

I think the SNRI aspect of the drug is what  really, really got me.  I have never been able to tolerate antidepressants and I unknowingly was prescribed this for years and didn't know until I did some investigating when I could no longer tolerate the med. I was furious and that is why I wanted to quit.  I have never had a problem with opiate based drugs and never felt an addictive urge for them. I can even take a Vicodin now and again with no issues.  The only reason I kept on the tramadol is because if I stopped taking it I felt horrible. I thought my fibromyalgia was coming back with a vengeance... and even the Dr told me it was that.  funny how I don't feel that awfully any more.  Still have my issues but nowhere near the pain of withdrawal.

The worst part of this withdrawal experience for me was the PAWS.. or post acute withdrawal that was bad off and on for 6-8 months.  I never thought those brain zaps would go away!  Those are awful.  The the vision problems and the weird hypersensitive nervous system.  All antidepressant withdrawal symptom related as far as I am concerned.

I don't think many people will have the withdrawal symptoms I have had though.  My brain  was already wired strangely.  I have always been extremely neurologically "sensitive" and did have some anxiety and nervous problems beforehand.  I do not think my brain liked being flooded with the mind altering chemicals for 10 years.  

This whole experience has made me a stronger person in many ways.  I really now understand mind of matter and the plasticity of the brain.. and how we create our own realities in a sense.  It has really given me the strength to fight the anxiety and negative thinking HEAD ON!

If symptoms seem to linger on for a while for anyone, please consider the AD withdrawal aspect.  You can check forums and postings for symptoms that you may not see here. You may have a sensitive brain.  This is the evil of this drug.  Two awful substances in one tiny pill.

well, the day has arrived and I am nervous and not looking forward to it but it is time. I took my last dose this am about 30 min ago, so my 24 hour mark when historically my bad symptoms start , would not be at bedtime tonight. I have to say though, for the past 9 days I have been taking the withdrawl aid supplement to build it up in my system. the day before yesterday I took a pill at 3pm and didnt take another till the next day at 10 am. symptoms were very very mild to say the least. So...I have high hopes that the supplement will at least help some. I have my benzos and zofran ready to go for the night time, and today marks day one of a week off work. So , here we go I guess, gonna go about my business for the day

And a new tracker

Day 10 will I ever get better,28 months using, doing 15 a day some days, feel like ive ruined my life, anxiety rearly bad, psychiatrist thinks its post traumatic stress disorder,had bad car crash 30 years ago,advice please

Day 10 will I ever get better,28 months using, doing 15 a day some days, feel like ive ruined my life, anxiety rearly bad, psychiatrist thinks its post traumatic stress disorder,had bad car crash 30 years ago,advice please

Been lurking for a bit and thought I would setup an account.  Been using Tramadol for around 4 years, the most I have taken is 800mg.  I have been tapering for about a month now and am down to 200mg per/day.  Good luck to everyone trying to quit.  It has been my experience that a gradual reduction has worked the best for me.

Also I have a question what dosage do people jump off at?  I want to get to .25mg before I do, but I am curious as to what others are doing.?

Thanks

@rednik

I tapered down to .25 a day and I just couldn't go any lower than that... even taking .25 twice a day I was still having some withdrawal.  But the .25 was like taking nothing at all.  I tapered slowly too.  I just decided to jump.  I felt I was prolonging the suffering trying to keep going at .25.  I'm glad I did... I couldn't take it any more.  Other people have had different amounts but i think I've read most got to a taper amount that just didn't cut it.  The taper is supposed to be very slow.

@blockhead123
Yes, it will get easier and better!  I've seen people take as much if not more than this for a longer time and have pulled through.  Please read the archives for the last couple of years.  Initial withdrawal is hard and you have gotten through the worst of it.  The next few months you will have some weird symptoms off an on and the anxiety is a B****.  I thought i was losing my mind. This medicine alters your brain... it has to fix itself.  It doesn't happen just because the drug is out of your system.  Much like any injury, healing takes time.  You are going to find out a lot about yourself in this time.  Use this to your advantage.  You will realize your strengths.  It will force you to face any issues you had even before you took the drug.  Use this to your advantage.  I am somewhat of a different person now... for the better.  I was forced to deal with many things the drug made me forget.  Just hang in there and keep reading the archives.  You will find a lot of familiarity.  Also, really focus on how our minds create our own realities.  This was my best weapon when I felt the drugs claws still anchored into my brain.  Sometimes you just have to lay low when it get's rough... and that's ok.  Just ride it out.  One day at a time.  I never thought I would be where I am today.  I am here..... and I am talking to you because I know where you are.

Thank you, feel like I need to be on a psychiatric ward, just wish id never took this poison

Well, theres one day in the books..so far im ok but i just hit the first 24 hr mark this am so we will see what the day brings. I am having fewer symptoms than I thought I would but not counting my chickens just yet. I do know that in past attempts by the 24 hr mark i was a mess. what i have done different this time, well. have been taking the withdrawl aid supplement for a week prior to quitting, i dont know but it had everything in it that everyone talks about to use when quitting, so i just bought it. I started taking slightly larger doses of zofran yesterday every 5 hours. I had read and researched that tests were done saying zofran not only helped with nausea but blocked or reduced the opiate withdrawl symptoms. I couldnt find anything really recent on that but figured what the hay. I was feeling somewhat anxious before bedtime last night, I took versed before bed and slept till 430 am - took versed again and slept till 830 am. I got up and took my supplement and zofran and showered. and now here i am. I took a five hour energy , so we will see about that. The only thing i am experiencing now that i havent before is an apparent increase in sneezing. idk what thats about. Im off work for the week so ill try and get some studying done and work around the house a bit as long as i can. will check in later on, i only hope i stay this "ok"

@ditch

The sneezing thing is normal.  Happens the first few days.  Just take it hour by hour and ride it out.  I think the really bad part is over in 3 or 4 days... then begins the healing.  We all wish you the best.

@blockhead123

You may feel like you need to be in a ward for a short while.  I realized that any depression or anxiety I had before was nothing compared to early withdrawal.  I just had to remind myself it wasn't real and this wasn't me.  Keep yourself distracted and do not start the obsessive symptom thinking.  Get out and take a walk if you can.  Play games online etc.  Puzzle games are great. This is important. You really have to keep your mind busy.  You will be ok.  This part will end.  Stay strong!

Yes sneezing is very normal for at least 10 days or so.  Boy I wish I did the supplements before quitting tramadol.  Sounds like you are doing pretty well.

Comments about keeping your mind busy is very important for recovery, along with physical activity.  I found when I have a social day and have conversations with many people and take a 30 minute walk I feel so good, compared to being quiet most of the day.

I still have good and bad days.  Hardest for me are mornings, as I'm tired and use to the 'awake, high' I had when taking this evil drug.

I'm not going back either.  I'm very encouraged by everyone, and sounds like it can take 6 months or so until I'm a better me.

Thank you all for posting, Yeah the sneezing is annoying for sure - I feel a little under the weather but I have some things to try and get out and do , so thats where im headed, hopefully thatll keep me occupied - been laying in the bed doing school work all morning and starting to not feel super - gonna get up and get moving , see if that helps

Someone posted on an older thread that sneezing is very normal and good as your body is ridding itself of toxins and your normal sinuses are kicking in if that makes sense.

Good to hear you were able to sleep last night.  Zophran really helps with the stomach issues,and sounds like you are taking the right meds to make the detox process easier.

@allinblack  cheers

well, the later part of the day today was a bit rougher than earlier - still not as horrible as i had expected or have been in the past on attempts to quit. I have had a nagging nausea all day that gets worse and then better then worse then a little better. oddly seems better if i eat something. I have been taking zofran as well and sipping pepto.  started having some restless leg a couple hours ago , i took a zofran and my night time supplement and it seems to have subsided mostly but still there a bit. I have just taken my benzos so waiting for those to kick in and put me out for the night I hope. I waited til late to take them. anyway, tomorrow morning at 8 is 48 hours so heres praying for a decent night and a good day tomorrow. **** bag drug.

It's hard to believe it's been 4 years off Tramadol!  A friend of mine was just discussing how he was taking tramadol for three months for back pain and described how when he went off of it he had terrible withdrawals.  It brought back many memories, which led me here to post again.  It's funny how once you get off of it, you never want to pick that drug up again.  I can't believe doctors are still prescribing this medication as a "safe-alternative" to narcotic pain medication.  To be honest, I think w/d'ing from Percocet or even OxyContin is nowhere near as bad as Tramadol w/d.  Just know it can be done.  I suffered absolute hell going through my withdrawal back in 2010.  

One thing I would do differently to help with the Restless Legs and Tossing and Turning as well as the overall withdrawal symptoms would be to take Immodium AD.  I came across an interesting website in which many people suffering withdrawals from opiates took Immodium to ease the withdrawal pain.  I had to do it about three months ago while getting off of Percocet (yes, I actually went back to percocet rather than take tramadol).  Just search "Immodium for Opiate Withdrawal" on Google and you will be surprised on how many people it has helped.  Dosage varies, but 20 Milligrams (10 pills) every 6 hours followed by a taper over four days should really help all of you going through the Tramadol W/D hell.  The main ingredient in Immodium is Loperamide, which believe it or not is actually an opiate, but doesn't cross the Blood Brain Barrier (so you can't get an intoxicating high from it).  By using Immodium, you can ease the withdrawal effects so much more than cold turkeying it like I did four years ago.  It's safe.  Just search around on the internet (since this won't let me post a website).

Wishing you all lots of love and luck.  You can do it.  4 years off tramadol and not looking back! :)

@ditch

Congrats!  You really are almost through the worst of it.  My worst was the first two days and then midway through day 3 I suddenly felt like I could get up out of bed.  I think that was the opiate part of the withdrawal ending.  Then  I just had to deal with getting my brain back in order and deal with my fibromyalgia without meds.

Yes, it is a bad drug!  I am so mad that I was never informed of the antidepressant aspect.  My Dr probably didn't know 10 years ago.  I think it should have been the responsibility of the drug manufacturer to let people know this.

They prescribe it so much now to almost everyone  I know... and no one realizes they are taking a mind altering substance.  This is NOT RIGHT!  People are unknowingly being given these thinking it's a standard pain pill... and some of us are taking a LOT.  This cannot be good. It can even be dangeous for some. People have a right to know.  I would have never taken this on a regular basis if I would have know all the details.  My dr told me it was a safe alternative to opitates.  I even investigated online... but at that time there was no info on the SNRI aspect.  They just said they didn't know how it worked... then years later they slowly let us in on the secret and I saw the new side effects and drug interactions lists on my pharmacy pamphlet grow and grow. Have you looked at this information lately?  it's ridiculous

I'm sorry I keep bringing up the AD aspect everyone.. I am just so angry.  I just had one of the hardest years of my life because of the lack of information.  At least there were some good things that came out of it.... I really learned a lot about myself and was forced to face things I would not have otherwise.  I have grown and I feel like a better person for it.


XoXO

@wantmyselfback.

Congrats!!  I totally agree... I would much rather withdraw from opiates any day!

allinblack -

I'm 99 days clean, yah !!!  I must admit it was worse than hell.  I still get depressed and tired through the day, and wonder when that goes away.  I was on tram for 4 years, progressed to 700 mgs a day.  I gained 10 lbs and have lost 5 of them.  I don't have my energy back yet, however when I work out I feel better, but much weaker than before.

I still feel I have these droopy eyes at times.  Sometimes I think I'm at the point where I want that high back, however what keeps me from starting again is the agonizing detox I went through.  From older posts I read it can take up to 6 months to a year to get your old self or better self back.  I'm hoping it's sooner than later.  So hard !!

I read on older posts that tramadol purchased over the internet may have pcp or other stuff in it.  I was one that did this some of the time, and wonder if my PAWS are due to this.

Anyone know?

Havent posted yet today, I did manage to fall asleep last night with the help of the things I took. It took awhile but i slept from 130 till 530 then till about 830. I got up , showered and took my supplement, and even though i didnt feel like it i went out and did yard work and worked outside from about 1030 am until now. I am exhausted. I havent had as bad of nausea today, still sneezing a bit. In fact when I woke up I felt really good. That good feeling went away quickly after getting up , I havent felt horrible, just not well, if you know what i mean. dragging, forcing myself to go and do. time for a shower and to see what happens next. I hope tommorow is much better. But i have to say, i feel as if i have gotten off easy so far, given my previous attempts to quit, but this time its gonna stick

I feel uncomfortable in my skin

Ditch -

All normal when detoxing from tram.  Hate to say this, day 3 and 4 can be worse, then it gets better.  You seem to be doing everything right.  Getting outside for fresh air, and doing something helps too.  However you need to rest and let your body heal.  Baby yourself, you are going through detox and it *****.  I remember it all too well.  You mentioned you feel better when you eat, that really helps with nausea.  Try to eat small meals all day long.

Congratulations on quitting this evil drug.  You did it !!!   You may feel you'll never get through it, but you will.  I spent days reading prior posts, room 52 and on.  I can't tell you how much I learned about myself thru these posts and the reason tramadol kicks your butt thru detox.  

Good luck, and keep posting.

@Meganann123 - thank you for the posts.

after that post last night it got the worse it has been so far - that was technically half way through day 3. I got soooo squirmy and uncomfortable that I couldn't stand to sit or lay down or live basically. It was horrible. Hopped in the bath 3 times in an hour. I took as much benzo as i dared and finally went to sleep - i woke up in a haze about midnght or so (2 hours later) and took a bit more. I went back to sleep and slept until 830 am thank God. I woke feeling awesome, I felt as if nothing was the matter. But shortly after I felt the fatigue start in, got up and showered, took my supplement, a 5 hour energy, the i went shopping for some things I needed for the house. I am back now and so far I feel ok, not great but i think defiantly better than yesterday - just sluggish - very very sluggish. I feel my legs abit as i am sitting here writing this but its not bad, ill take it a bit easier today than yesterday, i think i may have overdone it a bit and made it worse , idk. I do know however that I am off the Trammadol :)) and to that I say yay me cause im not going back. I wonder if a year from now someone will read about my experience as I have read so many others.....I also know that if i hadn't been able to plan this attempt out, i would not have gotten this far. If I didnt have a way to overcome the sleep issue, i probably would have folded. The sleep is what drove me back the previous two times I tried to quit. Anyway, I pray everyday gets better from this day forward. I am working through day 4 now, tomorrow marks the start of day 5, I hope this evening is not like last night, but I will let you know.........love to all of you out there who have struggled or are struggling with this drug

You know , its crazy to think that this drug and its constant barrage of chemicals can make us lose sight of who we are. I am by no means out of the woods but I have to say, over all i have felt very good today. slight depression and sluggishness but nothing too bad. better than yesterday. The funny thing is I do now, even 31/2 days out, remember who I was before this stupid pill. I was a happy person, in fact, when I started taking this pill things were going good for me, (I wont get into the reasons i started on this drug) On this pill I became a monotone, no good no bad person. I couldn't enjoy anything enjoyable because it was just one day just the same as the rest kinda attitude.I wasted so much money on crap that I didn't need, not to mention ordering that stupid drug.  I play guitar, love it, haven't really "played" in a year and a half, never enjoyed it. Today I had music on, a new song came on and I picked up my guitar and played and loved it again. I actually cried because I realized the emotions that playing music gave me had been taken away and were now rushing back. AMAZING. I have high hopes for this evening and for tonight and tomorrow. If I feel even better tomorrow then that will be amazing. I will say this and again, I am only 31/2 days out , I haven't had the same symptoms this time that I had the last two times. The differences this time in my cold turkey quitting is as follows. I planned the time off, it took a month and a half to get here, I kept taking the pill till the right time came and i committed to the date. I stocked up on zofran, its easy to get from a doc in a box for nausea or your primary care. I ordered "withdrawal" aid day and night supplement" and I started taking it 9 days before my quit date. I have got to say that I honestly believe it has made a big difference this time and would recommend it highly. I did manage to secure enough benzos and a strong one at that, to help with sleep. I know everyone cannot do that last one, get something, Valium, lunesta, ambien something. The ability to sleep is the kicker for sure. I am not trying to sound like I know it all because trust me I have learned that I do not. My last two attempts were miserable. I hope that anyone out there thinking about quitting will plan it out and do it, I can see now that it is worth it . Ive had the blues some today but I know why....it will get better and it is possible to quit.

Ditch

Yes, the ability to sleep is the key.  I went into detox not knowing anything.  I thought I was going to die.  I didn't sleep for 3 days, and it took 2 weeks before I slept 6 to 8 hours.  I was weak, nauseous, vomiting, headaches, anxious, depressed and angry and my legs hurt badly.  It was horrible.....I didn't know about this forum because if I did I would have stocked up on the meds you listed and planned it out better.   I lost weight initially, then craved sugar and carbs like crazy and gained 10 lbs, but have gotten most of it off.

I'm taking 5-HTD supplement.  It's a chemical compound that is naturally produced in your body as it makes serotonin, which regulates your mood.  I read on earlier posts that it helps with depression and anxiety.  You can buy it on amazon or health food store.  It really helped me.  If interested, google for more info.

Since you are able to sleep these early days of detox, your sleeping will only improve as you go forward.

Keep going !   One day at a time !!!!!!

This forum kept me from getting back on that killer drug.  

Had a little bout of rls again a bit ago, seems to be subsiding idk. went ahead and took my night time meds, so hopefully they kick in and I can sleep again tonight...until then, or maybe sooner....

made it through day 4, working on 5. Had the same symptoms late in the evening yesterday , rls, squirmy skin all over, but not as bad as the day before. I did manage to sleep some last night but woke up several times. Now there is no reason to go back , i believe the worst may be over as far as the physical pain and discomfort. Lets hope so anyway,I can say I am defiantly glad that I took the time off work to do the first 7 days of detox anyway. I look back at this past monday and it seems so far away ...still having the occasional sneezing attacks but not too bad. anyway , just saying hello to all on here and to those lurking about and reading, I hope that you will post, id like to talk to you and offer my support...peace -

Good for you Ditch !!!!  

You should be through the worse of the physical detox.  Congratulations !!!!  Hopefully you will be a ittle better tomorrow, and by Monday even better.  Just think you are 4 almost 5 days clean, great accomplishment.

Ive been reading the boards back in 2010/2011, and wherever you are in your recovery ( ticker date ), you will find someone who has been through the same time period.  I found it comforting to read while I continue to get healthy.

Nest news you are no longer taking the evil drug :))

Oops 'Best'

Yes, that is the best news. Today has been good. I feel ok tonight so far and that is good , my mind is sharper already, i can tell a difference. I think the physical stuff is all but gone now. For anyone out there, i am approaching the dawn of day 5 and I tell you that it can be done and you can survive. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but you can do it..i promise..just remember...A trying time is not a time to stop trying...D

5 days clean, last night was good, made it through the evening with very minor short bout of rls. I took a smaller benzo dose to sleep and did not wake to take another in the middle of the night. I will try to sleep tonight without them

@ditch

I am so happy for you!  You are really doing this!  I remember thinking it would never be possible for me to stop, but I DID it... and I am so happy that I did!!!!  I sometimes forget what an amazing and difficult thing I went through.  I know I am me again... imperfections and all

take care

@allinblack..thank you , it is an  awesome feeling now, I looked in the mirror earlier and just said..you did it....I didnt take any benzos last night , had insomnia most of the night ..wide *** awake but oh well. The only other thing I seem to have going on is the occasional "blurry" feeling and not super clear vision, but nothing major. I can realize when its happening and I know what its from. I am thankful that i had 7 days  off to break this chain and although it wasnt the vacation I was hoping for , I am glad to be on the other side of it and going back to work tommorow. My mind seems so much clearer during the day...what a blessing....

forgot the ticker....:)

-ditch,

It took me a couple of weeks before I could sleep more than 2 to 4 hours at a time.  I didn't have access to benzos, so was tired all day long.  I remember the feeling you are experiencing the joy of getting off tram.  I don't know how long and the amount you were taking but sounds like you are doing very well after a week.  I was on 500 mgs a day for 3 years .

Allinblack - I saw your ticker, at least 15 months clean !  Did you ever take 5-HTP for mood, and anxiety problems.  I just started taking it, and has given me more energy.  I did some research on it, and you can only take it for 3 months, and by then I will be 7 months out.  I know my brain in still healing, and like I've posted before my best days are when I get out and walk or exercise, and/or complete projects around the house.

Congrats again -ditch !!!!

@meganann123

I did not take anything at all.  I was on this medication for so many years that I wanted my brain to get back to its regular baseline to see what it was.  In retrospect, maybe  it would have helped.  I had those dang brain zaps so badly.  I had some Xanax around, but only took it on occasion.  Didn't want to get dependent on that stuff because that also has awful withdrawals.

At first I took nothing at all, as far as supplements, but after a while I did start taking magnesium, Bcomplex, fish oil and turmeric, vitamin C and vitamin D.  They have helped.  I can also drink caffeine again.  My nervous system was so raw at first.  I was way overstimulated by everything. I wore earplugs constantly.  I was already a hypersensitive person before tramadol, so I think that is why I took withdrawal so hard neurologically.  I had already taken other drugs for nerve pain before tram.  I seriously thought I had become bi-polar during those first few months.  I would have these weird ups and downs. I know it was the meds because I don't feel that way any more.  I feel so sorry for people who have real depression and real bi-polar type of things... I had my foot inside the door there for a short bit and it was not fun.  This forum helped me so much.

The exercise and walking are amazing.  The walks were hands down the best thing to help me.  

i am so tired of being "special", but at least I am now the special me that is not dependant on daily pills that give me awful side effects.  I love being able to laugh and feel happiness. I love not being a robot!

I sure hope @blockhead123 is ok.  Haven't heard from them and I know they were having a hard time.

I can relate to the brain zaps.  I still get them.  Mornings are still tough, however when I go for a walk first thing in the morning I feel so much better that day.  Must be the natural endorphins compared to the fake ones on tram.  I still remember the high and how good I felt.  However like many have said, the tram turned on me and I was no longer the person I use to be.  Like you said, I was a robot too.  I also know for me I couldn't handle detox again.  That in itself keeps me from using. Plus I never ever have to count pills and figure a way to get more.  It's one day at a time and I keep my eyes focused forward and watch the days accumulate on my ticker.  A great feeling !!!

@allinblack 18 days today,got to say im feeling better every day, im moving house and the stress is immense, but it has got to be done, had my ups and downs, feel so knackered all the time,never going to take this poison again !!! Thanks for your concern :-)

@meganann123

So happy that I don't have to figure out how I am going to get my next bottle of pills when my Drs prescriptions weren't sue for refill yet.  I hated being a slave to that!  I feel so happy when I think of my freedom from that!!  I think there def comes a point when taking this med that you just want to be done with it.  I remember falling down on my knees and crying and praying for the Lord to help me get off of this... I wanted to so badly! Now, here I am!  It is a great feeling

@blockhead123

Good to hear from you!  You are doing so well.  18 days is amazing! You will keep feeling better and better....

time for bed, first two days of work since quitting done, I feel exhausted, going to bed now , but still tram free.....

Has anyone here been on tramadol for more than 10 years at 400-800mg a day?  Can I really come off of this? I hate it. I ffeel like a prisoner to it!!!

@keek36, I may not be the best here to give advice as I have only been off for 9 days , but I will tell you that if you search through this journal you will find hours of reading about many people just like you. We all feel like a prisoner to that stupid *** pill. The problem with tramadol is that the sri properties are so fast acting and have such a short half life that you become enslaved to it. And it also gives a horrible withdrawl. When we get to that point, where the trammadol turns on us, then we usually are just taking it to avoid withdrawls.  Now, I will not lie..as evidence from the many posts on this forum, you can most defiantly quit..but it is not easy, in fact, probably the hardest thing ive ever done. But sooooo worth it at this point. I even at 9 days or so, i dont count pills, keep track of the time, have to always make sure I have my tram everywhere I go. What a blessing. Plenty of people on here to help. My advice to you is to plan it out, give yourself time to do it, you will need time off work. google the thomas recipe for opiate withdrawl. I looked at this forum for a year and a half before I was able to pull the trigger. But i know now I will never go back.Ever. Wishing for peace and inner strength for you and everyone else here....D

@keek36

I was on tram for 4 years, about the same dosage as you.   Like many have said the tramadol started to turn on me and started to need more and more to feel normal.  I became extremely depressed, anxious, and became a person I didn't recognize.  I thought I was going to die or be arrested as I bought some of the pills over the internet.  All the money I wasted !!
I went to an inpatient hospital detox, and even with the meds they gave me it was beyond horrible,  however I was mentally ready to quit.  Hardest thing I've EVER done and I'll never go back, as I couldn't go thru detox again.  I don't want to scare anyone, but for me that is what keeps me from using.  
This forum has helped me immensely.  I can relate to everything written, and gives me hope that I'll be back to normal, or a "new and better" normal soon.  
It's a rough, rocky road, and healing takes place through this journey.  It's so much better being off the tram.

Thought I was doing well at day 19 feel aweful,may aswell go back on the tablets if this is how life is going to be forever !!!!!!

@blockhead123

Life will not be awful forever.  I remember so well the first month of my recovery, and my body hurt all over, zero energy, terrible sleeping issues and feeling I had the constant flu forever.

It DOES get better, I promise.  There are supplements that others have posted in the last couple of weeks that have helped them through this process.  You made it to day 19.....great accomplishment !!!  I don't know if you work or not; you need to baby your body and give it time to heal.  

Keep posting, someone is always here to help.

Hello, everyone.  I just need some advice.  I have been on tramadol for 10 years.  I have been at my current daily dose is between 10-14 pills, (500mg-700mg per day.)  I have a scrip from my doctor for 4 per day but when I couldn't manage my pain with that dosage after a few years I started to supplement by buying from online doctors, which is legal in my state.  Anyway as of 7-2-14 the DEA has classified tramadol as a schedule 4 controlled substance, which will take affect on 8-18-14.  The problem is that now I will no longer be able to buy them online because it will be illegal and so I need to taper from 10-14 per day down to my prescribed amount which is 4 per day, in a very short period of time.  I am stock piling them in order to have enough to hopefully do a 3 month taper which is still relatively fast but I don't have a choice.  Does anyone have a taper schedule for 3 months?  thank you so much.

PS

I am actually more concerned about the psychological affects of tapering due to the SSRI properties more than I am about the physical withdrawal.  Thanks!

@meganann I do hope so, thanks

I've been abusing tramadol for about 8 years (300-500mgs daily). I am trying to see DEA reclass as a blessing in disguise. Been reading many forums such as this one and feel like I can make a tapering off schedule and stick with it. Helpful to know there's others out there facing the same challenge.

@CT1978

I also read where Tramadol is going to be a Class 3 ( I think ) drug on August 18, which means doctors can no longer call in prescription.  They finally realized this drug is very addictive, and not as safe as they once thought.  Duh !!!

Tapering off sounds like a good idea.  Being off tram feels really good, I'm no longer a prisoner, thank you God.  

yes, they are going to schedule it as a class IV.  Same as Percocet.  Thankfully I received this info early enough to stockpile enough meds to do a 6 month taper.  For all of you out there who buy tramadol online, just try to get enough before the 18th to do a comfortable taper.  I know it seems scary but you can do it.

I know the rescheduling is probably scary for some of you.  I knew this day was coming and it is one of the many reasons I had to get off this awful drug.  I had to take advantage of being able to work from home to do this thing.  It was time.  Now is the time for you!

I am hoping this means they will quit prescribing to everyone for every single little thing.  They were handing this out like candy to many people I know.

I knew something was up when I saw this news story: "FedEx indicted for shipping drugs sold online".  So, unless your Dr will continue to meet your dosage needs with this new scheduling, you pretty much have to taper down off these.  Cold Turkey is a little harder to manage. SNRI withdrawal is better with a taper down.  I cannot give anyone a taper schedule.  I just tried to take 1/4 less every couple of weeks until I got down to halving a 50 mb tablet.  Then I just jumped off to 50 mg halved was not really making any difference and just prolonging my discomfort.  I don't know if I did it the right way.  I was just tired of dragging things out.  I was on this drug for over 10 years and I wanted it over.

I am thinking we will see a lot of new folks ending up here.... and many of them will probably be cold turkey.  I will embrace them with open arms

@blockhead

You are 19 days in.  Please keep going.  I know it's hard but you have to hang in there.  This is probably the "windows and waves" pattern seen in withdrawal.  You can look it up.

I was right there with you.  I kept telling myself I should just probably stay on the drug because I was permanently damaged and I was the exception that would never heal.  I really thought I would feel awful for the rest of my life and needed to stay on this med or something like it.  This is one of the lies that tramadol tells you.  It doesn't give up that easy.

I hung in there and slowly things got better.  I remember the days seeming so long.  I didn't want to die but I felt like I didn't want to be alive either.  I was just existing and going through the motions.. trying to make it another day.  Then slowly the days of feeling better came more and more often and lasted longer.  I would have my bad days, but reminded myself to ride it out and things would get better.

I am proof that you can heal from this!  I am me again and I never thought I would be.  Think about people with an inury or a broken limb... they don't heal overnight.  It's painful and it takes time.

May I ask you a question?  If you do decide to stay on the meds, is your Dr going to continue to prescribe the same doses or increase them if needed... esp with this new scheduling?  

I am here if you need me.  You are so far along and I want nothing more than for you to be where I am today.  I am waiting to read your success story.

@allinblack, I was having a bad day, I told mydoctor to take them off my repeat prescription,ive tapered down over about 5 months, it been hell on earth,I did the taper on my own, my psychiatrist rang my doctor to say I had quit them, at my next doctors appointment he asked where I was getting them from, my reply was off you, he early fell off his chair, just proves how they will give them out like sweets, well today is 3 weeks off feels good, I have a daughter who is 6 the love of my life, split with her mom 4 years ago, I just want to be the best dad I can, made me cry writing this, thank you for being there to support me, im from the UK

@ditch6755

How are you doing?  Haven't seen you post in awhile.  Hope all is good.

I am doing ok.  I've been back at work. It has proven more difficult than I thought it would be.  The day usually starts feeling good but turns at some point to not.  Sleeping is sparse. Rls is still active a bit at night   Fatigue is a big one. Forcing myself though very long days with no energy to speak of. But. Two weeks today so that is good. One day at a time is how I take it. Thank you for asking. Makes me feel better knowing there are others out there  ....D

I'm glad to hear you are doing ok.  I understand about the low energy and fatigue, but still better than the pills.  You will feel better every day that passes.  Sleeping will take awhile and I can remember by week 3 I was sleeping at least 6 hours or more a night.  Baby yourself as much as you can.  When you get home from work just relax and try to take it easy.

I went to NA for awhile and it helped me being with others like myself.   We all looked the same, tired and no energy.  However it does get better I promise !!!

@meganann hope your ok im struggling on day 26,seems like its taking forever !!!

Yes I'm doing ok, almost 4 months clean.  The first month was really hard for me, but seems to be getting better each week.  My mornings are so hard.  I was so use to taking pills in the morning to feel good, now I drink a sugar free energy drink or a diet coke.  Not quite the same, but I have hope I will be a better me in a few months.  From what I read many seem much better after 6 months.  I never want to go thru this torture again, so hard on me and my family.  That is what keeps me from not using again, the hell of detoxing almost killed me.  I know others may not have been so bad and recovery may be sooner than me.  I keep playing the tape back in my head, one second, one minute, one day at a time.

Good luck to you almost 1 month off tram.  Keep posting.

Is this thread dead, day 31 feeling ok, come on ineed inspiration

I'm here @blockhead !!!!  You made it one month clean.  As many have said that pill is not the answer to our problems.  It disguises real issues we need to deal with.  But right now your body and mind are healing, and it takes a long time for some and shorter for others,  I guess it has to do with how much and how long you have taken tram.  I took it for 5 years and got up to 500 to 800 mgs.  I know if I just took one pill I would be back in the dredges of hell, and I could not handle detox again.....I'm older 50.
I remember many posts from Emily and others and their advice helped me and that is to baby yourself as much as possible.  Rest, take baths do crossword puzzles that keep your mind active, go for short walks, anything that gets the neurons in your brain to fire up on their own without the help of a narcotic.
You've made it 31 days, a huge accomplishment !!!!

31 days that's amazing I usually get about three days and give up and go right back

Thank its hard but I will beat it, wish more people would post though !!

Me too !

Its just gone dead,when I most need the support, god this is the hardest thing ive ever done !

By far the HARDEST thing EVER !  I'm with you !

I'm still here. Trudgeing through the days. Depression and no energy. But I'm here. Physically as far as withdrawals I'm OK. But the other stuff is hard. Stick with it

I have to post my ticker.....think I'm 120 days ( 4 months clean ).  When I  posted on this thread I was  less than one month off tram.....and NEVER thought I could do it, BUT it does get better I promise.  Energy comes back, and brain zaps go away slowly.  Emily is right, every month is better, much better.  I'm not even going to try to guess when I will be 'normal' again, however I'm happy that I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The ride is bumpy for sure, and for me I can't ever go back on pain killers.
Everyone's journey and detox is different, but hang in there it will get better, so much better than addicted to tram.

Hang in there everyone.

I know some of you in early withdrawal are having a tough time seeing things getting any better.  You are convinced you are that one person who will never get better or will take longer than anyone else to heal.  You think maybe you are just that person who will have to stay on tram forever because your brain is permanently damaged.  You are afraid you will have to spend the rest of your life having the post drug blahs and if this is as good as it gets.. you don't know how you can go about the rest of your days like this.

i KNOW...because I had all of these thoughts!  I remember sitting and thinking how I was going to spend my life like this and it seemed impossible.  I would have panic about it... and I felt so trapped in my painful little body.  I didn't want to be alive, but I certainly didn't want to die.  I tried to hang on to hope and it was hard.  I would see people's success stories and could not imagine I would even be able to talk about my own.

These are the LIES this drug tries to convince you of when you quit.  It tells you that you can't exist without it and you need  it forever. It tells you that life will be lackluster without it.  It tells you that you will never have energy or a regular life without it.  It sinks its claws pretty deep and doesn't want to let you go.  

But, I did it!  I had a hard time, yeah, but I did it.  It just took me fighting those evil thoughts and living one day at a time.  Time went very, very slow at first... now it seems like it's flying by again.

So. please... listen to me.. I've been where you are and I know that feeling better does happen.  I was kind of on a merry-go-round for a bit... I even thought I had some kind of undiagnosed bipolar disorder... but it all evened out.  It's a weird ride for sure.

@allinblack

Very well said.  You are over a year clean, and your words resonated with me.  Thank you !

Nice 1 allinblack, im day 35 got say im thinking a lot clearer, im glad you posted, I gives me hope thank you, hi meganann

Maybe 34 then

Hi Blockhead,

So nice to see all these posts.  Helps to know we are not alone.

Once in awhile my mind drifts and I think oh I could use a tram to help me get thru the stress of moving to another state next week.   Probably wasn't the best decision to move right now, but by next Saturday we will be in our dream house and I'm excited about living there.  It's the process that I think will kill me.  Tomorrow we are having a huge garage sale, and whatever is left is going to be thrown away or donated, I know longer care about stuff.  I care about me, and not becoming addicted again.

Hi Guys!

I am glad my post resonated with you.  That is the reason I posted it.  I really needed to see posts from other "survivors" to keep going.  I needed to have one shred of hope.  I needed to know this would end.  I just sit back and think how different things were for me last year... and it makes me cry to think about this great accomplishment.  Before I quit, I never thought I would be free.  There was never enough time.  I always had something that needed to be done and I didn't have time for withdrawals or lack of energy.  I just needed to stay on the meds a little longer etc etc etc.

Well, after I was laid off from my job, I knew it had to be done.  It was time.  I didn't want to get a "surprise" someday when i could no longer order the medicine online and had no chance to taper.  I knew that day would come.. and it has.

Anyway, I just felt like I wanted to help.  I know how hard it is.  

I cannot wait to see your success stories.

Yes a great accomplishment.  I don't know what I would have done back then if I couldn't get tram on-line.    Each month does get easier, thank God, and it helps treading everyone's struggle is the same or similar to mine, and I know I will get much better.

I want to hit the 'like' button to your post like when someone posts on Facebook

Hi everyone. Ive been reading through these posts for acouple days now. I was 6 days sober from these horrible pills until I found two, thinking I could be stronger than them, I left them where I found them.. needless to say, I ended up taking one when I had to go back to work. I completely let myself down and even worse my husband. He had suspicions so I came clean, got kicked out, etc etc. Well he asked me to come back, said hed help me through this, but feels completely betrayed and heartbroken, mainly due to the lies surrounding my horrible habit, and he says I havent been myself in a long time. I told him when I backslid, and gave him the last one, but his reaction was not what Id hoped.. 2 days have passed since and were not sleeping in the same bed and he feels he will never be able to trust me :( I feel like such a terible person, and I want his support more than anything, and Ive tried to ask him to help me through this, but hes taking it so personal. :( I dont know what to do..I want to be clean more than anything, no temptation left here, hated myself more than I ever have when I backslid, just want my marriage back..

Mrshopeful, we all feel guilty its part of what the drug does to us, the guilt I feel is immense, all you can do is take it 1 day at a time, how long were you on them and how many were you taking?

About a year and a half. But have had pretty serious addictions to hydrocodone and methadone in the past.. Dosage depended on what kinda day I was having.. Anywhere from at least 40 mg to 160 mgs a day. Always varied depending on how many I had/if I had to work/ etc.. Got so tired of having to have them to even feel the urge to get outta bed. I believed all the lies about them.. Didn't think I was addicted til I had to go without for a day omg it was horrible. Had to leave my job because I was throwing up.. But of course I told everyone it was a bug and I got more and now months later I can't believe I didn't stop then. I somewhat tapered for the past month hoping I would some day get enough courage to stop completely.. Well the hubby finding out was definitely enough to make me finally have to face it. And face the pain I've caused.. That's been the hardest. He doesn't understand. Tried to explain I didn't do it to hurt him that it's a serious addiction but who can help him from feeling betrayed :( he's better tonight.. Kinda, insists I let him take me out for a day away on the boat.. No questions about where or anything. Says it will help me and I need to get out of the box I've been living in and I know he's right but I'm just so scared IMA let him down BC my energy level is next to none and I'm so sick right now :( but I'll give it a shot.. I have to...

Oh and here's my ticker with so very few days on it. :(

hang in there mrs hopeful, you can do it..., it is not easy and no one can tell you you can. I am over the physical withdraws but have daily bouts with depression and hopelessness. weakness and fatigue. But I tell myself its just the next part of recovery and will get better. As far as quitting, I had to plan it out where I had 9 days off work cause I knew i wouldnt be able to do it otherwise. Lots of help here and good ideas, if you can get anything to help you sleep that will help alot.

"no one can tell you its easy" is what that should have said

Mrshopeful,

Welcome !!!!  Detoxing from tramadol is the hardest thing I've ever done.  I'm still a work in progress, but I feel better than I did on that evil drug.  I still have days ( mornings especially ) with low energy, however I'm feeling so much better.  There is light at the end of the tunnel I promise.  I thought I was the one that would never get better, but I have gotten better, a little every day. I'm not going to lie, for me the first 3 months were very difficult then there was some sort of break through and I have better days.
I became good friends with someone in AA, who has been clean for a year, and she has helped me through this process along with the support of the people on this thread.  

Hi meganann, I had a few good days them bam felt like **** yesterday, thought I was back at day 1, sweating in the night last night insomnia doing my head in, got psychiatrist tomorrow lets se what he has to say, hope your ok x

Blockhead,  
Psychiatrist might put you on Prozac.  I went on 10 mgs for about a month or so as it really helped with anxiety and stress.  I tapered myself off Prozac as I was so afraid of being dependent on another drug.  One doctor told me you can become addicted to any drug.  I took it during my second month, probably my most difficult month as I was dealing with PAWS, low energy, depression, headaches, and feeling like I had a bad case of the flu.  I take Tylenol or Advil which helps with body aches, and I watch my dosage as well.  
I walk my dog a couple times a day, and that helps me too.  This is so freakin hard to say the least.  
Good luck to you and you will feel better.

@meganann
Congrats! You are really doing this!  So happy for you!

@blockhead123
Let us know how the psyche goes.  I hope that if you tell him about the withdrawal process they believe you.  I got the old "doesn't  last that long and tramadol is just a mild pain reliever. You are just returning to your old issues etc etc".  Then they try to put me on more antidepressants or pills.  They don't get that tramadol IS an antidepressant and has similar antidepressant withdrawals. I just wanted off the mind altering chemicals altogether. With that being said, I definitely think talking to someone about these and other issues is good and very helpful. I need to make myself an appointment soon.  I just hate it when I feel ignored and they just want to see what med they can get me on as quick as they can.... before they even start to listen to my internal issues.

I have seen some folks go on ADs during withdrawal and its helped them, but I wanted to see if I could return to some form of who I used to be before this drug... and I have.. it took a while, but I did. I told myself that if after a year I still had some of those issues they say weren't withdrawal, that I would consider it.  But those things are gone... It WAS withdrawal and it lasted a while.  I don't care what they say.  They don't know crap about this drug.

I am sorry you had a bad day... that's what I meant about the merry-go-round!  It's just your brain rewiring itself.  It's normal.  It's healing. It will get better.  Just lay low when you feel bad.  You have permission

@allinblack

I wish I would have known that Tramadol is an antidepressant too.  That explains why I felt better the second month of withdrawals, but something inside me said I'm going to become addicted again, so I got off Prozac.  Agree with you that after a year of being clean, and I need help maybe then get AD.  I didn't need AD before tramadol though.  Yes, it's a vicious merry-go-round.

Like everyone has said we are all different in our recovery.  I don't like coffee, but every morning I have a sugar free energy drink so I can wake up......I use to wake up to taking pills.  I know energy drinks aren't good for you, but I need a jump start in the morning.

I was on 500 to 800 mgs of Tramadol a day for 5 years.  The mgs increased each year as my body needed more.  If I'm being honest and I had pills around I would be VERY tempted to go back on.  I had a brain tumor 5 years ago, it was benign and my neurologist told me tramadol was save to use on a daily basis for mild headaches.  He gave me all the tramadol I wanted.  
Thank you for your encouragement

Will let you know what psychiatrist says, had another crap night sleep,hope everyone is well x

Hope your sleep returns soon

Go to say psychiatrist totally understood the withdrawal of tramadol, said it could take months if not longer, he was cool, then went to doctor who asked if I wanted to know if I wanted to go back on them, I nearly said yes but had to be strong and refuse, , doctor gave me some amitriptyline to sleep, I forgt to take it and slept anyway, im already on mitazipine, think its called remeron in the states, im on buspirone as well, and 8mg of diazipam, got to taper off the diazipam !!

I took 1 mg of Xanax for awhile to sleep and got off of it quickly.  I didn't need another drug to detox from.  Xanax didn't give me a high, but really helped with sleeping.  I take 3 mgs of melatonin at night and that helps a lot.

Good for you #blockhead for staying strong! and refusing the tram from your doctor.  Can't believe these doctors who want to give you more tram while you are detoxing from it.

I take 5-HTP for energy, and I read that some people on this thread took it for up to 3 months.  It really helps with appetite suppression as I gained 10 lbs when I got off tram.   I've lost all the weight, only been on it 1 month.  Maybe it's more of a mental thing but my appetite isn't out of control anymore,

Stay strong, hugs !

@blockhead

I am so happy that your psychiatrist acknowledged your withdrawal and that it could last a bit.  I had no such luck with anyone....   I can't believe they offered you more tram.  Weird.  How long have you been taking the diazepam?  I have some Xanax around, but only take it once every few months or for emergency.  I was scared of becoming dependent on anything after tram.

@meganann

I gained weight when I quit too.  I was so thin before.  Really need to get this excess off

Ive been on diazepam a few months, was on them for ten years till 2010, then I got off them, it was a piece of cake compared to this poison,got to say im feeling better everyday, just moved from a beautiful place to a dog hole, so lots of work to be done so its keeping me busy, only moved to nearer my daughter, so it was worth the move, anyone giving this poison up keep at it, it does get better, didn't think that the first month but it does

@blockhead
Diazepam is the same as Valium, right ?  I was on Valium years ago, and I easily got off them too.

My family just moved too, Prescott AZ.  Our furniture arrives Wednesday then the fun begins.  I'm really not looking forward to all the boxes and work ahead of me.  I love this area, very peaceful and beautiful.

@allinblack
I've lost the 10lbs I gained, however muscle tone really bad, need to do weights, but too tired

Yes it valium, where has everyone gone on this site  ?

@blockhead

I agree, haven't heard from many people in awhile.

@ditch- how are you doing ?

@mrshopeful - how are you feeling ?

Well still having good days and crap days but feeling better a little everyday,glad I decided to give this poison up,hope your ok meganann,and evryone else,come on lets get this thread going again

Hi @blockhead,

You are almost 2 months clean from tramadol, good job.  I know about the crap days for sure, low energy, then all of a sudden you feel good for awhile, then it's crappy again.

I'm having better days, more energy, however I still need to rest my body and mind throughout the day.  From everything I've read it's at least a 6 month to 1 year recovery period.  So I keep that in mind and not beat myself up that I'm not ALL better yet.  One thing I do know is that I cannot ever go back on this drug, as it will kill me.

Seem theres only me and you on here meganann,wish id never started taking the poison,had to after a hip resurfacing operation that didnt work, but it my fault that I was taking so many, didnt know they were so addictive, was told they were non addictive, the biggest lie ive ever heard !!!!!!!

I had a brain tumor and was put on all sorts or pain meds and doctor said tramadol was safe and I believed him.  I knew that oxy, Vicodin and Percocet are addictive and was careful and came off of them easily, no addiction.  But tramadol....my goodness it took away my headache pain and made me feel good, and I thought "great" it's not an addictive drug.  Well, here I am, almost 5 months clean.  Not an easy journey as you know very well @blockhead and everyone else.  Hanging in there !

@blockhead and @meganann

I know how you guys feel.  I am so mad that I was told these were safe and non-addictive.  I didn't understand why I felt nad when I would quit taking them.  I was told by my Dr that it was just my fibro returning and if the tramadol helped to keep taking it.  Gees.  I actually started causing some weird symptoms after a while.  It was definitely the drug... because after acute withdrawal ended, these things ended.  I had weird tremors and back pains... and would ear and mouth sensations, ringing ears etc.  I seriously thought i was getting Parkinson's or something.  The Dr even asked about the hand tremors when he saw my hand shaking.  I don't have it any more.  Ugh! So angry I had to take a year out of my life to recover from this mess they told me did not exist.


I remember seeing the side effects pamphlet grow and grow over the years.  New warnings etc... then one day they added in the clause about discontinuation.  I was so mad!

Glad I did this!  I am upset that it ever happened, but I have to move on.  Can't change the past.

Hope you are both doing ok

felt bad!  not "nad"!  Omg... sooooo funny!

Hi all,
Just wanted to say hello and to say I will be reading through as many posts as I can.
I have been on the trams for 8 years now. I have maintained a dose of 50mg 3 x day for years. Not that my dr prescribed me that amount. After the recent changes in scheduling, I am in the same boat that many are. Time to taper off. Scared yet hopeful.

I am hoping to go very slowly to reduce the misery associated with w/d. Reduced to 50 mg 2 x day last week. A few days ago I got sick with a virus (fever, coughing up junk, stuffy and runny nose, etc.) so went back up to three a day for about 3 days. back down to 50 mg 2 x day for two days now.

Anyone have an opinion on whether a jump from 3 a day to 2 a day is too much? Any input will be greatly appreciated.
I will post more later but just wanted to introduce myself briefly. Thank you for this journal to let us help and get help.

I have been on tramadol for about 8 years.  I was taking anywhere from 10 to 12 to 15 a day.  Honestly I'm not even sure how many since I never really counted unless I was running out.  Then it was a struggle to not take more then 10.  There were a couple of times that I had to limit my doses because of the time before a refill was ready.  I have thought about stopping several times when I have been at that point but as soon as the refill came I was sucked back in.   This time I am truly ready to be done.  Now I'm trying to figure out how to make it happen.  I've set myself up a taper plan.  I'm going to put together a shopping list of what to keep on hand to help with WD symptoms.   In the past the hardest part for me has been the anxious/uncomfortable/restless feeling and the cravings.  Does anyone have suggestions on how to help cope with those?  

I'm currently on a max of 12 pills a day at 50mg and I know that is still a lot.  Considering it has been a challenge to stick to it, I may have been taking more then I thought.  I started to taper on Monday and today was the easiest day to stick to 12.   I don't know why I am even writing this.  I guess I just need someone to know that I am going to do it.   I've been so proud of myself the last 4 days because despite the temptation and desire I haven't caved.   It would be nice for someone out there to understand what an accomplishment that is when you have been using so much for so long.  

@missy and @pixielv,

You came to the right thread for support.  Some people withdraw from taper schedule and others go to detox.  I went to detox, and was clueless as to the nightmare that was ahead of me.  Detoxing takes about a week ( tram is out of your system), however the PAWS ( post acute withdrawal syndrome) hits hard.  I don't mean to scare you but want to be honest, at least for me.  Insomnia, anxiety, zero energy, leg pain, brain zaps are just some of the PAWS people experience.  There are many over the counter supplements you can take to help you through this torture.  At least it was torture for me.

I was on tram for 5 years, 10 to 12 pills a day.  By the grace of God I've stayed clean, almost 5 months.  I feel crappy, low energy sometimes.  I take a 30 minute walk every day, which helps me so much.

You can do this !!!  I thought I would be the one that failed, as I felt like hell, however each day was a tiny bit better.

Pixielv,  I think jumping from 3 tram a day to 2 a day is fine.  But stay on 2 for 4 or 5 says then go down to 1.5, for the same time period and see how you do.

Missy,

Great job you are down to 12 pills.  Cutting back from this evil drug is not easy, that for sure.

@PixelLv

I was on the same dose as you for about 10 years.  I took 4 a day in the very early days... but that amped me up too much so I lowered to three a day.  Used to be one three times a day... then I switch to two in the morning and 1 later in the day.  Then the meds started turning on me and I didn't like the side effects and needing the two pills just to get out of bed.... so I began to taper.

I switched to one and half AM... then one later... for a while.  Then switched to one and a quarter and one later.  Stayed that way for a few months then switched to one in the AM and one later in the day.  I never realized all that fatigue I felt later at night was probably mild withdrawal starting.  I would usually have a couple of drinks before bed and didn't notice until I woke up in the middle of the night or morning, needing my pill to get going.

Anyway, I did the one and one for a while and I really wanted off this medicine.  so got down to 3/4ths AM and one later for a few weeks. 1/2 AM and one later for a few weeks.  1/2 and then 1/2... and that's when it just wasn't working.  I think I was having constant withdrawals.  I didn't even feel the medicine when I took it.  I don't know,... maybe I tapered too quickly.  The lowest I was able to get down to and function was 1 and 1.

I just quit when I got lower than that. Felt like i was prolonging my agony.  4-5 days of acute withdrawal.  Months of PAWS.  Please don't let it scare you.  It wasn't all bad.  I definitely had my bad days for months, but slowly things got better.  Took about a year to be almost fully normal.  I've learned a lot with this experience!

It's so crazy.... I never took large amounts of these pills but it still affected my brain all the same.  

@Missy12311984-  you are doing awesome to have kept your lowered dose so far. I am here to cheer you on!!
I know you are using a lot of self-restraint to keep yourself from taking more pills. I know how hard it must be but you are doing it!!
I know what you mean about posting so someone knows you are going to do it. That is kind of where I am too. No one else in the world knows about my issue except my long term bf. He's been with me since before I started the damn trams.

So it really does help to have people to talk to and to update your progress with. Keep going and hope you're having a good day today!!

@Meganann123-  Thanks so much for your response!  I have had w/d from various substances st different times in my life and one of the worst was from going off of an anti-depressant. Oh my gosh the brain zap feelings and restless legs, etc. were so awful.
When I have had mini withdrawals from trams over the years, it is the same way. My legs actually kick and I feel like I will jump out of my skin. I guess that's why I am willing to drag my taper out for longer than most do. I have read some people who have done really slow tapers and have minimized those nasty w/ds. Who knows if I will be that lucky, but I am going to try.
Thanks so much again for responding! It is very much appreciated!!

@allinblack-

Thank you for responding, it sounds like we have a similar history with tram usage. Huge congrats to you for getting off and staying off!! That is an awesome accomplishment.

How long did you try to taper? It sounds like about a month total of cutting doses down each week?
That  must have been hard at the end. I know it will be for me too especially since it is already not the easiest at this small reduction.

My energy level has plummeted and my brain feels half dead at times. I need to prepare more before I take that inevitable last jump and have to feel too sick. I know it is probably avoidant behavior on my part, but I just can't go too quickly or I will end up in the psych ward or something.

Anyway, thanks so much again for posting. It means a lot to hear from all of you who are on the other side and doing better!!

It's so nice reading everyone's posts

Oh my gosh, I wrote a long post and the only thing posted was my last sentence above.  Lol

Thank you so much for cheering me on pixielv.  I really needed that right now.  I took my max of 12 pills today and was getting ready to take another but before I did, I decided to check in here first.  Instead reaching for the tramadol I am going to give Benadryl a try.  I've been dealing with what I think is a cold but who knows since it started when I started my taper.   Normally I would've have I used trams to help with the symptoms of a cold.  I used them to help with everything.  Now I am going to give benedryl and cold medicine a chance.   I'm trying to find new ways to deal with everything so I don't go reaching for tramadol.

Hi new commers you are doing the right thing coming off this poison,im on day 60,still having good and bad days,low energy at night,the insomnia was aweful at first but it does get better,you will feel better a little everyday,good luck,I took inspiration from finding this site

Was wrong its day 58,glad to see people posting again,I found getting off the last 50mg the hardest

I found taking tramadol became a habit for me.  I was so use to popping pills in my mouth even when I didn't need them.  I had bad headaches in the morning early on, so I drank an energy drink and took Tylenol.  The low energy was the hardest for me to get through.  I can't emphasis enough taking a 15 to 30 minute walk everyday. Some form of cardio everyday helps wake up the endorphins in your head and you feel better for a period of time.  It doesn't last all day, but really helps.

I've read posts on here from the last 3 to 4 years, and almost all say after a year being off tramadol they feel better than before taking it.  Don't be discouraged as a year sounds so long, every day it's a tiny bit better, or none of us could be where we are today.  My ticker is 141 days, and I never thought I would make it this long.  I'm 50 years old and have had much heartache and share of stress in my life.  Detoxing and going through PAWS, staying clean all this time, and doing it pretty secretively by far is my biggest accomplishment.  I'm not trying to pat myself on my back, but to encourage the new people on the board that life gets much better off tramadol,  it's a bumpy road, and you will grow and learn through this process.

You should pat yourself on the back you have done amazing,I cant wait to be where you are,theres a woman by lives by me shes on 25 aday has been for 5 years,you now have to sign for them at the chemist,government have made them a controlled substance !!!!

One of that hardest parts for me doing a taper is that I think about the pills all of the time.  I keep looking at the clock.  I am going to try and get into a good book today and see if it helps me "escape" for a little while.  I want to be off of these so bad.  I can't believe I'm having a hard time sticking to 12.  That is so many.  It makes me so sad.  

Missy1231984-

Glad you came here and checked in instead! Hugs to you hon. I hope you got some relief with the Benadryl.
Please keep coming back and posting and I will do the same.

I had a great day yesterday but today I am feeling weird. Don't know how else to describe it. It is day four of continuous lowered dose for me (1/3 less overall mg per day). Things aren't too bad when I stay occupied so I will continue to try to stay busy.

@blockhead123-

58 days is awesome! I hope to get there, it seems like an impossible dream right now. Just been on them like clockwork for close to a decade. Hard habit to break I guess.
But so far sticking to my taper, and so glad to see the posts here, they really help!!

@Meganann123

Same here with what you said about a habit. I just took it three times a day, every day- no matter what. I am so glad I kept the amount the same instead of going higher- never took more than 4 a day and that was really rare.
I am going to try to make myself walk every single day. I agree exercise does help to make you feel better and also helps me to be able to rest at night.
Thank you for posting!!

Missy1231984,

Hey don't feel bad, it's not the amount you were on etc. that matters! You are here and doing what you can to improve your life.
Books are wonderful. I love reading and it is a great escape.

I made it through the day and only took my 12 allotted pills.  Hopefully tonight goes ok.  I started a good book this afternoon and it really helped.   I'm going to take some Benadryl and hope that this cold I have is better by tomorrow.  Having a virus at the same time as tapering makes things even more difficult.  

Felt better the rest of the day yesterday after I started to do some things around the house. Physical activity seems to help me.
Hope today is a good day for everyone. I will check in later.

Good job Missy1231984 !! I feel your pain as I am still blowing my nose constantly and coughing a lot. Hope you feel better soon!!

I thought I was losing my mind at 1 point,the suicidal thoughts were horrible,this is a nasty drug,I was warned by a psychiatrist a few years ago but still took them,you will feel better everyday even if its just a little,you are doing the right thing coming off tramadol,I went from 12 to 3 50mg,and didnt realise I was in constant withdrawal for 3 months,never thought id be able to get off them,went down to 2 for a week then to 1 for another week,then split thd capsules in half so did 25mg for last week then quit,hardest drug ive ever come off

I woke up with pretty bad symptoms this morning.  I take my last dose around 8pm and try to go until 8am before my morning dose.  Prior to my taper I would take a few during the night if I woke up.   It's was just out of habit.  It's hard for me to stop myself from reaching for something, but I'm doing it.   I held out until 6am, but then was able to sleep until 1030 which helped a lot.  Tonight I am going to a kick boxing class even though I still feel like I have a cold.  During the day my WD isn't so bad but the cravings are bad.  During the evening and night the symptoms are worse.  I'm hoping the kickboxing class tonight will help with my sleep.  

@missy
I ate 1 box of cereal a day, for at least a week as I craved carbs and sugar.  I use to be very slim, however after 8 boxes of cereal over 10 days my stomach started to bulge out ☺️  It was still better than popping pills.  I gained 10 lbs the first month off tram, and my muscle tone went to hell too.  None of my clothes fit, as I was probably up 15 pounds.  I've finally lost all the weight by walking every day for 30 minutes, and really watching my carbs.  I don't have the cravings anymore, thank God.  Melatonin helps with sleep, as I still take one 30 minutes before bedtime.

@pixiele
Working out helped me the most during detox and PAWS, especially since there is a tendency to gain weight coming off of this drug.  You will get through this I promise !  Keep posting sweetie !

@blockhead

If I remember you are 2 months off tramadol ?  I was still feeling pretty bad then.  I was frustrated that I wasn't "all" better.
By month 3, I had more good hours of the day than bad, and it does get better.  You are off this horrible, despicable drug.  It's very, very hard to stop, and not use again.  I've thought about it many times during the last 5 months, however I couldn't go thru the detox again.  I'm so happy you are off this drug !!  Great job sweetie.

@PixelV

I don't remember exactly how long each taper was.  I will try and do my best.
Probably about 6 months before late December two years ago, I was down to taking 2 a day and held at that.  Then after Xmas, when retail died out and I didn't need to pick up any more freelance makeup shifts, I went down 1/4th of  a pill and stayed there maybe one or two weeks. then half in the morning and one in afternoon for a couple of weeks. sometime in between February and March 10, I had it down to half and half... and was trying to whittle down slowly from that... but it was just not working.  March 10th was my last dose.  I remember being out for my mom's birthday.  I felt so weird. Major anxiety, dizziness,  weird neurological stuff, felt like I was going to jump out of my skin, panic attacks... all these were withdrawal.. even with taking some of the pills.  thought i whittled down slowly enough.  I remember having to drink a glass of wine quickly in order to not totally freak out during her birthday meal.  I could not sit still. I could not handle noise or stimulation of any kind.

I decided right there at that moment that I was not going to let this drug ruin another family or friend function ever again.  I decided the next day to see how long I could go without it.  The first day I was able to work a little from home.. but that heavy withdrawal feeling set in.  Then, the next day was the worst.  Immodium overnight and a couple of drinks in the evening helped stabilize me. Def did not want to drink a lot and get a hangover.  Hate those! Half of day 3 sucked.  I was laying in bed and then all of the sudden in the afternoon, I felt like getting up.  I was over the worst of it.

Then, of course the PAWS long term set in.  Walking was the best thing EVER for this!

@allinblack

I wish my ticker was the same as yours.  You explained the withdrawals and long term PAWS well.  I hate PAWS.  

Agree with the walking, I use to go morning and evening, helped with sleeping too.

@Misssy1231984- hope your symptoms are better. Had an ok day, tired from work and had some weird anxiety/stress feelings after work which are just now starting to subside. I have those sometimes even (and especially) with trams too so it's nothing new! I just get so tense and can't relax. Even when I am at home and should be able to. Hopefully one day when I am done with this I will be a more relaxed person again. I am so "intense" sometimes/often. Don't even know how to exactly explain it, but I think the tramadol has caused it to some degree along w/ borderline high blood pressure.

Anyway, thank so much Meganann, Blockhead and Allinblack- it is so great to read all of your posts and to know I can come out of this and be ok. Thanks for giving me hope and inspiration!!

Hopefully I will be walking for a little bit this evening so maybe I can get rid of this overtired/stressed/ brain fog feeling.

I just got in from my regular doc.  I was beginning to think that I had strep, but I ended up being positive for the flu.  My throat feels the worst and the doc said my lungs sound crackly(I'm not sure what that means).   He prescribed me zofran in case I start vomiting.   My pulse and BP were a little high which I'm sure is from my taper.  I have continued to stick to my 12 allotted amount so far, but I'm beyond tempted to take a day off of my taper plan just so I can feel better from the flu.  I'm sure it's the drugs talking but I'm so miserable.   I went to kickboxing yesterday hoping it would help with the withdrawal but because of being sick it made me feel worse.  

That is awful that you have the flu :(  As if you didn't already have enough going on..ugghh.
I am so sorry hon. I hope you feel better very soon. Make sure you are drinking lots of fluids to help you get rid of the sickness and to help if any of your symptoms are w/d related.I wonder if some nyquil or Tylenol PM would help you? Not sure if they can be taken w/Trams though.
Proud of you, you are working so hard to get through this.
Just wanted you to know I am still cheering you on.
Get well soon <3

@pixelv

I know what you mean about being high strung!  I was, and to a small extent, still am.  I think withdrawal really opened my eyes to anxiety and depression.... and I can honestly say I am much better equipped to deal with it now. I learned a lot about myself and I really made an effort to deal with this for real this time.  My anxiety is much better after withdrawal.  I am better at fighting that and depression too!!  Also, I think the trams were causing high blood pressure in me.  As soon as I quit, my high blood pressure (and hand tremors!) went away.  I have mostly normal blood pressure these days.

@Missy123

So sorry you have the flu!  How awful!  I remember having the flu once during my early days of taking tram.  I was on 3 or 4 a day.... had no clue about the withdrawal thing.  Still under the impression it was not addictive.  So anyway, I woke up and took one tram and then didn't take anymore because I needed to take the cold and flu medicine.  Worst flu ever! Everytime the cold meds wore off I could hardly move.  My boyfriend at the time had the flu too... but he was nowhere near in the shape I was.  I know now that this was probably withdrawal for a few days, in combination with the flu.  Ugh!!!

I did get the flu a few months after I quit trams.... and the cold meds seemed to take away some of the bad feelings.

Also, wanted to let all of you know, do everything you can to keep your immune system up during withdrawal.  I think withdrawal jacks it up.  I got the flu, strep throat and a case of shingles all within a few months after I quit.  I hardly ever got sick before that.  I seem to be back to normal again.

My flu symptoms are still in full force today.  The worst of it is my sore throat.  It looks like strep with the swelling and spots at the back of my throat.   Yesterday it was so hard for me to stick to my 12 pills, but I did it.  It was hard and I kept waking up but I didn't cave.   I took Tylenol cold medicine night time and it really helped.   One of the crappy things is that the flu is keeping stuck in bed but being in bed is keeping my mind on pills all day.  Once the flu is gone I can get back do the gym and eating better.   Today is day 7 on 12 pills and I'm right on schedule with my dose.  I did 3 at 630am and 3 at 12.   I'm going to wait another couple of days before going to 11.   When I go down I'm going to only take 2 1/2 pills for my 12pm and 5pm doses instead of 3.   On Friday I'm going to go out and buy some supplements and vitamins.  

Awesome job, Missy! That is great that you stuck it out and kept at your lowered dose. I am sure it has been rough.

I had a pretty good day other than feeling more tired than usual. I have brief moments of feeling weird/anxious several times a day that I am sure are probably from my brain chemistry re-adjusting or whatever. I just feel strange and want to go home and hide in bed when the feelings hit. I can usually distract myself by thinking of something I am looking forward to.

Thinking about making the next drop in my dosage very soon. Hope any w/d symptoms will continue to be tolerable.

Hope you feel better soon, hon!!

Hi allinblack,

I really do think the years of tram usage have affected me in a bad way. I am hardly ever able to relax. I am always anxious and thinking about the next thing that will happen, etc. I have anxiety and depression anyway so I think it has just been increased with the daily tram use.

Hopefully I will feel more like myself after getting off the trams. I look forward to that and look forward to feeling again. I feel like I am numbed somewhat. Like my senses are dulled but my brain is on constant overload!!

I hope the high bp will go away for me too. I also have some tremors as well as weird muscle twitches from the trams.

Thanks for the advice about keeping the immune system going strong. I too will be buying some vitamins and I think I will get some sublingual B vitamins also. I know they used to help me to feel less tired and helped avoid getting sick as much.

Thanks so much for posting. Every time I check in here to read posts from you all I feel better about this mess I am in.

I get really weird muscle twitches too, especially when I am falling asleep.   Two things I am really looking forward to by getting off these pills is putting the money I use to buy them to better use and I hope that my sex drive comes back.   I never had a problem in that department until the pills started taking over.   I miss desire and all the good feeling that come along with it.  On the pills I mostly want to be left alone to do my own thing.  At first I would use them to give me a boost to get things done and be outgoing but that was short lived and though I get a boost occasionally sometimes the pills make me not want to do anything at all so it's really not worth it.  I'm hoping that by tomorrow my flu will be much improved and that I can get out of the house.  My mind has been on these pills all day.  I have still stuck to my 12 though.  I even went 12 1/2 hours without taking any.   I'm not really having withdrawal symptoms today but the temptation is really kicking in.   I check this page and the substance abuse forum at least 20 times a day and it's really helping me to stay motivated and to pass the time.  

I hope everyone is having a restful night and has a symptom free day tomorrow.  Let me know how it is going.  Hearing from other people really helps.  I have no support but here.   Keep strong!  We will do this:)

Missy it will get better,I thought I needed to be in a psyciatric hospital a few months back,I went a respite care home for 9 days,I had lots of intrusive thoughts,its best thing you can do coming off these tablets,day 61 I think for me its been hard,but I am slowly starting to enjoy the simple things in life,I was like you couldn't stand people around me,completely isolated myself from family and friends,im slowly starting to enjoy being around people again,its the tramadol that makes you antisocial,good luck with getting off,it will be the best thing you ever do x

Missy I am with you on the two things you mentioned- sex drive mostly gone here too- I rarely even want to cuddle or be affectionate with my bf. I am so lucky he puts up with me lol :) We have been together almost 10 years. I am sure he will be happy if I can return to the person I used to be. I know I will be!

I am a nervous, wired shell of a person. Have been for a few years now I guess. I decline all social invitations, I avoid going to any function/party/etc. My brain is always on worry mode. I even wake up worried!!

The last few nights I have been dreaming and remembering dreaming. That is so rare for me. I think I am even wound when I am sleeping usually. I wake up with my jaw clenched and my mind racing. The last few days I haven't felt that way when I wake up :)

I hope coming off the trams will allow me to enjoy life again and to feel things again. Maybe I will even want to be around others sometimes again. Feeling hopeful about that.

But also feeling very scared about cutting my dose again as I continue to taper. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

Hope everyone has a good day!!

Hi all!!

I know what you guys mean about becoming anti-social.  I was always a fairly social and outgoing person before tram... and then I just became a homebody after several years on the meds.  I thought maybe it was age.... and probably some of it was... but I see a lot of people reporting this.  My family even took notice.  they thought I didn't like them because I hardly ever participated in any family activities.  Well, after hiding out for a year in withdrawal, I am happy to say that I do enjoy getting out some these days and participating in family things.  I actual feel bored and want to get out and experience life again!  Of course, I do love my alone time too.. we all need it a little.

I remember when I was on the meds feeling like I lost some of my personality.  My sense of humor seemed to start drying up.  I just felt like I wasn't as creative or flamboyant as I used to be.  Of course I must have maintained some of my good qualities because I met my husband during the tram days. :).  I am surprised too... because I never went out.  He is starting to notice some lightening up of my personality... but overall he says I am the same girl he has always known and loves.  I think a lot of what was going on with me was internal.. with the way I was thinking.  I remember feeling like I could not connect with my old self... there seemed to be some wall up around me. I could not remember certain feelings I used to have.  weird.

My family and friends have taken notice... they are so happy to have me in their lives again.  They said the spark was back in my eyes.  I love it! :)

You are probably going to notice as you get further away from withdrawal that there will be memories and feelings you forgot about.  They just pop up and you go "Oh Yeah... I remember this"  It's pretty cool and can bring you to tears.

Thinking back to those early days, here are some weird things I went through that have went completely away:
Suicide ideation, crippling panic, feeling bipolar because of moods swings, depersonalization, "flashbacks to early withdrawal", weird twitchy pulling sensation in my 3rd eye area, lip twitch, hand tremor, high blood pressure, that painful heavy fatigue feeling, major dizzy spells, numbness of emotions, feeling flat, feeling a metallic, robot feeling all over, weird nerve shooting pains, painful skin, feeling wetness on the skin, basically feeling like you are coming off LSD.  All I can think of right now.

I still have some brain zaps... but they seem to be less often now.

I never had a sex drive problem... but I would definitely say they climax feeling is much more intense than ever.  Love this part ;)

Hi,
I am getting ready to do a cold turkey from the evening of September 5 until morning September 15; I have that time off work.  I am at 7.5 50-mgs. a day now.  But I was a long-term (10 years) high daily dose (12-16 pills) user up until July, when I heard about the DEA Scheduling.  I have since tapered to 7.5 pills a day and will knock off 1/2 pill a day until I am down to 4.5 for September 5.  I wanted you to see what I have stocked up on to get me through the de-tox week: kratom, gabapentin, Valerian & Melatonin tablets, L-Tyrosine; epsom salts with magnesium (for hot baths as needed);  Daily supplements I am already taking & will continue to take: multi-vitamin, Omega fish oil, E-400, B6/B12 supplement, Calcium/Magnesium/D3 supplements, taken every morning with 4 - 8 oz. Low sodium V8 & a banana.
I will also have lots of herbal green tea bags around.
Will keep Immodium and regular aspirin/acetiminophen around if needed -- I have already been getting moderate headaches from the taper, but nothing too bad.
I know cold turkey from tram is not recommended but my pharmacist recommended the gabapentin as a partial substitute for the tramadol that should help with nerve problems, restless leg syndrome, and potential for seizure.  I have also already tried some kratom, 5 ounces at a time, once a day for a couple of days, and it did calm me and give me a general sense of well being.  I have a fear of benzos* so opted for valerian/melatonin instead and it does make me sleepy.
*yes I have a typical addict's warped mentality -- I am willing to give hundreds of dollars to complete strangers over the internet to get tramadol pills delivered, with no way of knowing when I take them if they are truly tramadol or just a toxic substitute that could kill me, BUT I won't even go to the local pharmacy fill a script from my own dr. for Xanax because I have heard how hard the withdrawals are.  I also know that gabapentin and kratom can be physically addictive and plan to use them only for the first couple of weeks of tramadol detox.
So, I am sure I'll be on here for the next couple of weeks and posting a lot.  Have been following Ditch, Blockhead, Allinblack, Megan and others here and hope to be one of you in a month or so . . . someone who can be counting how many days I have been tramadol free.
(I quit an opiate addiction way back in 1993 and so I already know it *****, spent 2 -3 days mostly in bed.  I also have been on antidepressants before and after stopping them, felt the weird brain zaps and sense of derealization, etc.  So I know tram de-tox is going to be a wonderful mix of the two.  Fortunately this is the only drug I have taken for years.)

OH - forgot most important part -- my husband and 3 dogs are in full knowledge and support of my withdrawal plans and they promise that I will get a good morning and evening walk during my de-tox week.  Hoping the current sunny weather continues.

I have been reading these posts for awhile. Started on Tramadol in Dec. 2008 by my rheumatologist when I told him I was taking 8 Advil a day. "try it" he said and let me know if it helps. At first I didn't even fill the prescription but after a bad spell, I tried it. I have to say I didn't feel much different but continued to take 2 a day. Gradually I began to have a sense of well being and I didn't hurt so much. He upped my dose to 3 a day and gave me a prescription with a yr. of refills. Does this sound familiar to anybody? I knew I was in trouble about my 8th month into this and began to research it on the Internet. They cautioned about low possibility of addiction. Something inside me told me this was not a good thing, I was already dependent on them to wake up and get through my day. I kept telling myself I would quit soon. Fast forward to 2014. I have seen all the same things I am reading on this forum. I haved shopped online, bought from a pharmacy in India and wondered if it was a placebo. This is not living and I am ready to have it stop. I can feel the support on this forum and hope with God's help, to beat this thing. Thanks for listening. God Bless you

  

^ to muchforgiven:  yes, I too got a prescription from my dr. for tramadol for moderate endometriosis pain several years ago.  But I chose to continue taking it, and it was easy to get online, and now I am here.  

Haven't  been on here is several years.  I have been taking trams for 15 years.  I have gotten off them twice during that time.  Once for about 6 mos.  My husband is also on them, so when they are around, it is almost impossible to stay off.  Now with the new reschedule of the drug, we will both be coming off this horrible drug.  I have taken up to 250 mg a day, but now I am on 125mg.  Even with that low dose, it is a very difficult journey to be free of these devil pills.  For me it has been the antidepressant properties.

Last time I tapered for 5 days and then off.  The first 7 days is hard, but it does get better with good and bad days after that.  After 30 days you begin to feel your old self.  After 5 mo, when I got off them before, I was doing fairly well, but then winter came and I got a little down.  This is my trigger.  It's the depression relief.  

I wish everyone here a safe and successful journey off these pills that come to control your life.  How nice it will be to go places without worrying if I have my pills!!!!  

Beth

Hi -- has anyone here been put on either Effexor or Cymbalta (I forget their generic names) after coming off tramadol?  They are SNRI antidepressants and that is what is also in tramadol.  Problem is I have heard they have a lot of bad side effects and are hard to come off, just like tramadol.  
Hi bethwillprevail, I will be cutting to 4.5 (225 mg) by Friday, then jumping off (if it's too hard to go cold turkey, one of my relatives has the last bottle of tram I bought and I will take one 50 mg in the mornings until I feel ready to come completely off.)  I just don't want to drag this on for months and would rather have a bad week then be done with them.

Welcome to all the new people that have posted.  It's great to read your stories. Have any of you heard of 5-HTP?  I've been taking it for a couple of months and really helps with energy and  suppressing your appetite.  As we all know weight gain seems to occur when you stop taking tramadol.  5-HTPis sold at health food stores, totally safe and not habit forming

I feel pretty good these days, and when I get the urge to take a pill, I take a Tylenol.

For the newbies, please take a walk every day even the days you feel terrible, it helps you feel better.  

We are here for you, so keep posting.

Welcome to all the newcomers from me too!

I knew we would start seeing some newbies with the rescheduling. The hard part is that I know some of you won't have the "luxury" of a slow taper.  I don't know if my taper made things any easier, though.  I still had a pretty hard time once i quit.  I was always afraid the drug would be rescheduled and that's one of the many reasons why I quit a year and half ago. I was able to work from home and I had to take advantage of that while I could.  I didn't want to be surprised.

My friend has been on tramadol for some time now and had tried to quit at the same time as I did.  She didn't make it and is still on the meds. They are helping her she feels and didn't know that it had been rescheduled until I told her.  She says her Dr has her stocked up for a while, but I guess it's inevitable that day will come that she has to stop.... unless her Dr decides to keep her on them.

I feel I have pretty much recovered after a year or so of the roller coaster.  I know I should probably be putting this past me and try to forget about it, but I remember how much I needed to hear from someone who was long term off of the meds.  I needed hope because it seemed like it would never end.  I will stick around as long as I can. If I can help even one person, then it will be worth it.

I know this past year was very hard on me, but strangely enough, I feel like I have endured a positive spiritual experience.  I can't really explain it in words, but I do know some of you do and will understand this.  I am slightly different person now... and I will definitely say for the better.  I was forced to face things within myself that I was ignoring. I really do have a new perspective on life!

I wanted to let everyone know I did something this past weekend that I never though a year ago I would be able to do ever again.... and that's to be out in a very crowded public place during a holiday.

I used to just stay in my house and turn down plans with everyone.  I was so tired all the time and just had flat feelings.  So, I went with a group of 18 family member and my husband to a waterpark on LABOR DAY WEEKEND.  I was fearing the lines, the people, the lack of control of where I went, what if I felt sick? what if I wanted to leave and couldn't? what if I had a flashback or pain?  Thank goodness I was already off tram.  I couldn't imagine needing to make sure I was close to my pills.  This is a huge waterpark and it takes a while to get to your home base.

Anyway, yes it was crowded and hot... and there were some lines.... BUT... I had a GREAT time.  The noise didn't bother me. The people didn't bother me. I actually had fun! Like laughing fun and joy.  I made it all day long and didn't freak out once.  Just like a normal person for once! I did get a little anxiety on one of the tall rides from the heights thing.... but I made myself stay and it went away.

Goal for me... achieved!  My husband was proud of me.  I want to go do more stuff now.  There are so many things to experience!!!

Hi everyone,

Haven't posted in a bit since I have been busy. Still hanging in at my reduced dose of 2 per day. I know I am being super wimpy for having stayed this long without decreasing more quickly but I did a 30% reduction to start and I just wanted to get stable at that before going on.

So I think this week I will go down to 1.5 per day. Hopefully it won't be too bad. I am so torn between just going quicker and dealing with any bad w/d or continuing the slow taper. Since I have both anxiety and depression issues I think I am just going to continue the slow taper.

Missy1231984- hope you are still doing well too!!!

@Allinblack-  It is great to hear you are getting yourself back!! I identify so much with what you have written about losing parts of your personality, etc. That is exactly how I feel. I too am so lucky that my bf has never turned his back on me despite the fact that I honestly have been an anxious, reclusive shadow of my former self.

I am so thankful to read your posts. It makes me feel like maybe I haven't changed in a way that is permanent! And that maybe I can get back at least some of my more adventurous, outgoing personality. I turned down so many events and invites to do things this summer (as always). The only person I am ever comfortable around is my boyfriend. I am sure he will be happy if I can be a little more social again :)

Congrats to you for going to the waterpark and achieving your goal!!I don't know you personally, but for what it's worth- I am proud of you too!! And as I said, I am very thankful to read your posts!! They are helping me to realize I may not be a miserable lump after I have gone off the trams completely!! Thank you!!

Allinblack- So glad to hear your story!  So happy you are feeling good about life again!  It is very true- when I got off them the last time, I felt myself coming back- laughing more and actually over all less anxiety.  I re-read my diary during that time period to remind myself how much better I would feel.  How is it that I know all that, but I still have such a hard time setting myself free!!   Aarrrhhhhhh.  Makes me mad!!!!   Old habits die hard.  So true.  I am determined to get some new healthy habits.  Starting my exercise class tomorrow with my best friend

As a nurse, I am too proud to go to the doctor and admit my addiction and get more pills- even if they would give them to me.  So I will be getting off these crazy pills.  I will post here and hopefully we can all help each other.  Today I took about 75 mg.  the last time I did this I did a short taper then off.  I am not one to linger out the pain, but everyone should do it however works for them.  Last time I took welbrutrin which helped.  Also drink lots of water, don't get too hungry (eat high protein), get enough rest if possible, baby yourself the first week off.  I am going to plan my first week off around my work schedule.  

May God give us all strength to be strong and free!!!!

Beth

Thank you for posting your thoughts and progress.  I am having a hard time going below 7 pills a day (350 mgs), at least on those days that I have to go in to work.  Have two more days of work this week. I will try to do 6 (300 mgs) on those days.  The Valerian root/melatonin capsules I got are really helping at bedtime, which is when I take only 25 - 50 mgs. of tramadol.

I have to keep telling myself how great it will be: when I can travel without worrying about counting my pills and getting my next refill; when I have a few hundred extra dollars a month that I used to spend on the tram; when I don't feel guilty about overworking my liver; when I don't have to worry about the FDA or DEA seizing my meds (that happened once in 2006); and to get my creativity back; I know I lost some of it over the years I used the tramadol.

Had a crap few days,but no one said it would be easy,hoping for a good weekend,hope everyone reaches there goal,my best friend died of a heart attack yesterday,he was only 51,its made me more determined to never go back on these tablets

^Sorry to hear about your friend.  It is scary, I am 51 years old too,

@indigolris thank you,it wasn't through tramadol,I just keep thinking its a dream and im going to wake up,so sad,his son who is the 13 next month saw his dad die in front of him, my heart is broke

Hi everyone I'm new here, but looking forward to share and help each other, I'm in day 2 without tramadol I'm taking zofran wich helps me with the stomach issues and nausea + makes me sleepy i dont feel too bad but i keep hearing that going cold turkey can give you heart attack, even my dr said that but my question is do you know anyone that have die of a heart attack due to go cold turkey?? I dont want to get discourage ,I'm determined to go thru and never go back on those horrible pills... I want with all my heart to be Pill Free.

^ Well I took 5 of the 50 mg pills today.  So I could do a quick taper and drop to 3 pills tomorrow then 2 then 1.5, then 1, then one generic Ultracet 37.5 mgs with acetaminophen. I have gabapentin (300 mg) for the night-time RLS, melatonin/valerian for sleep, lots of healthy foods and supplements, and epsom salts for as many hot baths as I need.  Sorry I am being so anal about the taper.  I expect that I'll still feel like crap when I stop completely on Thursday but it's better than going from 250+ mgs one day to nothing the next.  Yes, I am afraid of seizures from withdrawing too fast.

I go back to work on Monday, 9/15, and it's going to be busy so I will need to be somewhat mentally alert.  Well, I'll take it one day at a time.  I got the L-Tyrosine plus B6 to help with energy in the day time.  

^Marinar65, I could not answer a question about going cold turkey & heart attacks without first knowing how much you were using and for how long.  It took me a a few months of weekly tapering to go from abusing this drug -- taking a lot more than the prescribed 8 50-mg pills a day for several years -- to being able to take 6 a day this past week and feel OK at work.  It's not heart attacks that I heard could come from cold turkey from tramadol, it is seizures, which could be deadly.

Well it's time for walking the dogs -- good night all!

@indigoiris
Thank goodness you have the support team you do!  Many people have to suffer in silence.  My husband and family knew I was quitting and were supportive... I just think that they weren't prepared for the length of time I had symptoms.  They would not understand how I could still be in withdrawal after a couple of months.  So, I had to keep quiet about it and just blamed my fibromyalgia... but I knew what it was.

@pixelv
Your story sounds so much like mine!  You haven't changed.. a little numbed maybe but definitely not a permanent change.  I really though I had changed while on the meds.  Not dramatically, but spiritually, humoristically etc.  I didn't like that feeling of not being able t completely connect with that side of myself.  It's always been a huge part of who I am.  But it's back now! A little overwhelmingly so... but it is amazing! :)  I actually feel real joy again and I laugh and smile for REAL.  I am so looking forward to hearing about the light coming back to you. I can't believe I am actually getting bored and seeking out things to do. I am messaging and catching up with friends and trying to find people to go do things with.  The one sad part is the realization that I think people gave up on me.  My friends tried for so long to spend time with me and I said no so many times.  I have some mending to do.  I also want to make some new friends.

@blockhead

So sorry to hear about your friend.  That is devastating.  I lost a friend recently due to suicide and its just heartbreaking.  I  miss him so.  We are here for you.

@Marinar  Welcome and congrats on your step in getting off this!

I've read a lot of withdrawal stories and haven't seen anyone mention a heart attack.  I did see one lady who had a heart attack a few months into withdrawal, but she had some heart problems before.  Of course, I am no Dr and we only see a small portion of withdrawal cases on these forums.  I would think if someone has heart issues that the shock of withdrawal could cause heart issues.  I do know I had high blood pressure on the medication.  I wonder of this medication can aggravate heart issues or cause them.  I don't know.  I just haven't seen any reports of heart attack on the forums... but that's not saying much.  I'm sure if you are healthy otherwise, you should be fine.  Have your Dr check your heart if you have concerns.  Don't mess around with any chest pains.  I had horrible chest and rib pains... but mine is costochondritis.  Thought i was having a heart attack for sure and this withdrawal is stressful on all body systems!!

As far as seizures, I am not sure about withdrawal, but I definitely know this drug can cause seizures while taking it.  Esp in very high doses or taken with Flexeril.  I never had a seizure, but I never took this in extremely high doses.  I have heard of many people on the forums reporting seizures on the med.  I don't remember seeing anyone mentioning them during withdrawal though.  I suppose that someone who went from taking a lot of pills to zero during an abrupt cold turkey could encounter issues from the system going into shock.  I did suffer a bout of shingles from the stress my body endured.  Have you gone back and read the stories over the years on this forum.  I've not seen many reports or seizures or heart attacks.  Don't hesitate to keep bugging your Dr with any concerns you have.  I bothered mine for reassurance.

@bethwillprevail

Welcome back! I'm happy you are doing this again for yourself.  It is so nice to not have to worry about those stupid little pills!!! I really am starting to enjoy life again... even with the ups and downs. It's so much better than the tram days. Just to feel real again! :)

We are all here for you!  

Hi everyone,

In response to questions about seizures and heart attacks, I went to a detox facility to get off tram.  I was on tram for 5 years, and the last year was taking up to 12 pills a day.  Like everyone else I was not the person I use to be; didn't want to socialize, depression hit hard, and didn't want to leave my house.  At detox center had many EKG's and some were irregular and blood pressure went from very high to extremely low.  They were most concerned about seizures, even though I was on anti seizure meds.  Doctor said irregular EKG from coming off tramadol, however he wasn't really concerned.  Nurse told me many people have seizures coming off this drug, and I was I a high dose.  Luckily I never had a seizure.  

PAWS hits pretty hard as well.  Zero energy, headaches, body aches, insomnia and food cravings, sugar and carbs.  HOWEVER saying all this, I was so happy I wasn't popping pills anymore, no more counting or worrying when I would get my next bottle of pills.  I was spending $200 to $300 a month from purchasing pills off internet.  I'm not going to lie, it was hell getting off, but I'm SO much happier and healthier today.  My energy level isn't totally back, but I'm very close, and feel wonderful.  My days are much better.  So hang in there, the horrible hell doesn't last.  I went to this thread everyday, and went back and read posts from years ago.  This site helped me to NEVER go back to this evil drug.

Look forward to reading and encouraging all going thru withdrawal,

^I hope next September 8 I have a ticker that states "clean 365 days."  I take my last 50 mg tramadol pill today.  I am feeling OK, gabapentin is helping with RLS and leg pain; I also see why it (gabapentin) gets prescribed for anxiety because it gives the same exact floaty, lighter-than-air, and carefree feeling that Xanax and other benzos I have taken in the past used to give.  

Well, let me get through a week without tramadol or any other opiate, one day at a time, and then I'll see about getting off the gabapentin; I am not here to just get off one pill and end up addicted to another one.

GRRRRRR -- amending the above . ..  had some rapid-fire brain zaps this afternoon, then a low volume, high pitch buzz/hum in my head that sounded similar to the summer crickets & katydids in the woods. Not a big deal for today, because I could just go lie down for awhile.  But I can't imagine being back at work next week and doing on-line reading, research and editing with my head feeling like this.  If I have to take 25 to 50 mgs of tram daily for awhile to successfully deal with the SNRI withdrawal, so be it.  Still happy -- I was doing 800 mgs a day back in July (16 of the 50 mg pills), and now down to 75 mgs (1.5 pills)  today.  I have wanted to taper then quit for years but it never seemed to be the right time . . . well, the DEA made it the right time when they made it unavailable online as of August 18.

@indigoIris,

If you are only taking one to two tramadols a day you are doing well.  I would stay on that amount until you can take some time off work ( a week or so ), as it will be very difficult to focus and have the energy to work.  Congrats on your tapering.

^thank you, maybe I will have to do something like that.  I won't be able to get a full week off again until February 2015, but I do have enough medicine to last that long if I just take 25 mgs. (1/2 a pill) in the mornings.  

Hey everyone,

Hope you are hanging in there!

I was just thinking about all of you. I am sitting here tonight cooking and it just hit me how happy I was to be cooking again.  I used to love it so much and during the end of my tram years... well I just cooked to eat... not because I loved doing it.

I feel normal and myself right now. I feel good... even though my stupid ribs hurt (not related to withdrawal.. costochondritis)  I was just thinking how thankful I am to be off the meds.. even with this little bit of pain.  I remember by this time of night the tram was wearing off and I was miserable and tired.. and just wanted to drink.  I am thinking back to the early days of withdrawal when I never thought I would have a day again where I didn't have that heavy fatigue weighing down on me.  I thought it was permanent. I would never have energy again.  I would forever feel like I was bipolar. I remember thinking I was broken and I felt like maybe I did need to be permanently medicated because I was broken.  But, I convinced myself to hang in there... to make it just one year and the reevaluate my situation.

I'm glad that I did.  I haven't taken anything for pain, anxiety or energy for a while now... aside from Tylenol and caffeine... and of course my glass of wine! :)

I was also thinking that I couldn't wait to hear when you have stories like mine.  Hang in there is all I can say!

Regards!!

At allinblack...your an inspiration,I feel kind of like im getting better some days,then feel aweful,the depression has been the worst for me,well im keeping at it,good luck everyone

Thanks allinblack for posting, it really helps me.

I can identify with the broken feeling as well and not thinking I will get better.  I think about tramadol when I'm in a stressful situation, as I would take one or two pills to get through it.  Now I have to deal with life, unmedicatated.  What keeps me going is I can tell I'm better every month I stay off tramadol.  I can feel bits of my personality, desires, energy, brain improve as time goes by.  I had no idea it would take this long.  I'm almost 6 months clean, can't wait to see what 1 year brings.

^Yes, I just call it the bleak mood.  It usually hits from 1 or 2 pm in the afternoon until sundown, then I perk up for a few hours for some reason.  Also, the mornings have been good.  

I am now "maintaining" at 37.5 mgs tram before bed.  During the night, I still get the restless legs with the ankle, knee, and hip joints aching unless I move around.  So I did not sleep much last night even though my brain was tired (with the help of the valerian root and melatonin I take around 11 pm -- helps me get sleepy, but does not get rid of restless leg).  I have cut the gabapentin down over the past few days and will be done with it tomorrow.  It did help with the restless legs all last week but it is also addictive and I would rather just deal with tramadol for now.  I was on the gabapentin for 11 days.  

So I read my latest Lee Child "Jack Reacher" novel for a couple of hours from about 3:30 to 5 am this morning.  I like the whole loner tough guy genre -- can I recommend a movie here?  My pre-teen movie star crush, Robert Redford, has a new movie on Netflix, "All Is Lost," and I watched it last night and really liked it.  Again if you like an all action, no dialogue, Hemingway-esque kind of story, check it out.  No he's not as hot as he was in Jeremiah Johnson but you know what?  I would take an old man who has that much courage and resourcefulness over a young handsome idiot any day.  

So, besides the depression, a few incidents of "brain zaps" daily,  and the restless legs, the only thing that has been going on that concerns me is that I have been eating like a pig with a tapeworm.  While on tramadol, I ate maybe 1400 calories a day to maintain my weight, and 80%+ organic/natural and low carb.  Now I just want to eat everything in the house, especially breads and pastas and rice.  I let myself do it yesterday but want to go back to a stricter diet today so we bought lots of fruit and veggies to fill up on between meals.

I wish I could say I was at zero tram but it is a still wonderful that I went from average of 800 mgs (16 pills) a day back in early summer to 37.5 a day (3/4 of a pill) for the past few days.  I may drop it to 25 mgs every morning just to avoid the brain zaps, then jump off when I get another week off.

One more thing -- earlier this year, I missed my period for a few months and had my first hot flashes (I am 52 years old BTW).  So now I am thinking, well, when I get all hot and sweaty from the tram withdrawal, IS it tram withdrawal, or am I flashing again?  I guess it is a good time to end all medications because over the next few years it may be difficult enough just getting hormone levels balances, I don't need a pill in the mix making everything even more chaotic.

@blockhead123

Yeah, the depression really ***** with this.  I have thought I was depressed in my life, until the depression I experienced in withdrawal.  I feel so sorry for people who must have to deal with this for real.  It's a very tough place.... but I am tough too.. and I fought back.  I just had to make it through each day.  I had to use a "fake it till you make it" mentality.  It does go away, though.  When the depression started to lessen, it would swing back and forth in extremes.  That must be what its like to be bipolar. Now things seemed to be evened out.  I still kind of giggle at myself when I have "depressive" episodes, which is basically the "depression" I had before withdrawal.  It's NOTHING.  I laugh at myself for letting it bother me.  So, in a way... having been to the dark side helped me actually.

@meganann123

Yeah, learning to live life unmedicated was definitely a challenge.  I could usually turn to those pills for energy to get through just about anything.  But. I realize now I can sometimes conjur up that same energy if I try hard enough.  It's still there in my memories... or maybe I always had it.  I swear sometimes I get spells of incredible endurance I didn't know I had. I sometimes get excited when talking to people... and I stop and think "gees did I take a pill or something". It's pretty cool. I love all the stuff that comes back!  It still happens to this day.  I especially seem to be connecting with feelings from my youth.  I feel them... not just think about them.

@Indigo

I don't know what the deal is with the eating, but yeah, it happens! I am 41 and have some hormonal issues beginning.  I sometimes would not know if my symptoms were withdrawal or hormones in the early days.  I now get little inflammation spells right around when I ovulate that are kind of annoying.  Never had that before.  I am not looking forward to dealing with this hormonal stuff.... but... I've been through withdrawal.. I can get through anything.

My appetite increased about a week off tramadol.  I craved sugar, and carbs and gained about 10 lbs, and eventually lost it.  

You are on such a low dosage Indigo ( 25 to 37.5 mgs) a day.  Maybe your body is acting like your off the meds.  I didn't get hot and sweaty from detoxing, however was always cold and clamey, especially my hands and feet.  That went away in a few weeks.  Good luck to you !!

Hello everyone, I am 68 years old live in UK, taking 300mg Tramodol for 7 months after knee replacement. Stopped CT 10 days ago. Rls bad for 1st 3 days cold feet, sweaty and anxious every day since stopping. Luckily have not had other symptoms that have been described by some poor souls but have had no more than 2 hrs of sleep on some nights but none on others. This is one of the others and I am really scared I will crash soon from exhaustion. Not depressed (other than no sleep worries) but am so worried and fed up. Has anyone else had this trouble with sleep and if so when can I expect to have normal sleep pattern again. Sorry if my profile sounds abrupt but almost too tired (6am) to string a sentence together. I hope you are all doing well with whatever you are dealing with. Love to you all Sx

Just to say re above post. I have Zopiclone tabs here but do not want to become reliant on them. Love again to you all  Sx

Emily, I sent you a personal message as panicked when I couldn't find the latest page. So sorry. With love Sx

@alnan you will have the sleep problems for a few weeks,well I did,it does get better,I get a good 7-8 hours a night now,so hang in there it does get better x

Hello blockhead1213  thank you for replying so quickly. I have just woken up after an hour and a half so at least some rest. Did you find that was 2 or more weeks? Love Sx

I found it was around 3 weeks,but I was on  the tablets 2 and half years,it will get better x

Only found this page last night so have only just read some of the posts.
Blockhead123 really sorry to read about your friend. That would be so hard at any time but it seems you were able to still continue off of the Tram. Well done you it takes some strength at the best of times doesn't it?

I am so cheesed off with this w/d, just seen the doctor for help but she looked completely phased when I told her about the w/d resulting from Tram!! Do they read drug info as think it is now controlled and she should have been aware. Offered me a sedative of some sort but refused as soooo scared of another mess up with meds.
Can't wait for tonights round of TV crosswords radio 5 live or A Brief History of Time for the 4th time (never understood it but absorbing!!)
A little tip for RLS......a small pedal machine. If you don't have one you will probably not be able to get one before Tram w/d legs are over but if you suffer with this anyway it has helped me, you can sit and do most things while peddling away and I find it relieves it quite a bit. E.Bay £20
Body so tired but head wide awake, God I hope this is over soon. Love to all Sx

Just bourght some Epsom Salts for the bath as recommended in previous posts. Can anyone tell me the amount I need to put in the bath because I only bourght 1 tub? As it is often used for constipation I felt the chemist might recommend  medical assistance for me if I asked for several tubs!! Love to all Sx

Thanks blockhead123, 3 weeks God that seems an eternity. Hope I can be as strong as you. Really tired now but don't want to turn days into nights so keep reading the posts to stay awake and get the support. Hope Emily knows how much good she has done for everyone by keeping this going. Can't seem to find Finally Fred but he was in in 2009?? Hope all is well with him. Love Sx

Welcome Alnan,

Melatonin helps you fall asleep.  It's not addictive.  It is natural, and I buy it at a vitamin store or Target, Walmart.

I was like you as my brain was awake for at least 2 to 3 weeks, and barely slept.  I wanted to sleep but my brain wouldn't shut down.  It was terrible, but gets better. I take one melatonin 30 minutes before I go to bed and it works.  I still take one before I go to bed.

The good news is you stated you were only on tramadol for 7 months.  I was on it for 5 years, taking up to 800 mgs a day.  You might not have the severe PAWS ( post acute withdrawal symptoms ) like many of us.  Stay strong as you will feel better.  

Alnan,

I was like you and read the former posts from years ago.  It really helped me to read their story and how they dealt with PAWS.  I also wonder how the others are doing, hopefully everyone remains free from this evil drug.

Hello Meganann123, thank you for the welcome. Asked my doctor for script for Melatonin and apparently it is unlicensed in England so no can do. Is there a brand name for this I could try to get? Yes all posts new and old are so great for support. I was taking 300 mgs a day and as I have read of the double whammy of PAWS I am praying this may not happen. The nearer I get to tonight the more my brain seems to be revving up so maybe another night of purgatory in store. Really is the vilest stuff and like you I hope all posts old and new are well or coping.
Blockhead 123 I have a grandson who is 10 years old, he is the light of my life and like you for your little girl I will do this for him. Much love to all and strength for whatever you are dealing with Sx

^. I'm surprised that you need a script to get melatonin in England.  Don't think there is a brand name for it.  Sleeping will get better naturally however will take a bit longer unfortunately.  You may luck out and not get hit with PAWS since you were only on tram for 7 months.

Thanks, fingers crossed. Just about to have a hot epsom salts bath then bed. 9pm here and hoping for a better night but if only a nap will get through the night better. Sx

This thread is closed.

Please come to part #62 ....

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/1205433/Tramadol--Ultram-Recovery-Room-62

Thank u so much for your story it touched my heart ❤️ I went to a sub program wen I found out I was having a baby and at the time was on tram a... I stayed at 2 mg a day refued to go up for a year living in depression the whole time so I said enough but wen i Went to 1 mg I freak from all the horror story's that it be worse then herion withdrawl well I only been through tramdol and Ssri and opiate withdrawl and then both but needless to say I got back on the same thing that put me on sub in the first place tramdol it was there and I had been so depressed for so long I just down like 4 bad move I was gone from then one oh yeah you can still get high on a lil bit of sub I wish I just went off everything wen I got Prego sub isn't always the way to go for everyone but it did help me to know I can stop picking up pills and wen it comes to tramdol please only take if really needed there are people who need it for the right reason as you know from his story but don't listen to anyone!!! its higly addictive and if ur like me go hard wen you like something you will loss ur self in them fast ...till u see they are the problem I lived a year without I can't stand picking up this pill any longer I cry just knowing I'm taking it even if I'm tapering i have tapered down now I went from 10 pill a day to 5 dropping 50 mg a day it's hard you still feel some withdrawl but I have three beautiful kids one who is 1 year old and two 8 and 9 with a good hubby and mom and dad whole r in there 60ies I always try to make sure they are safe I'm so blessed already... It's hard to pray to God knowing he blessed me and I ****** up but I still look to him and I use to think taken tramdol would help me to talk care of family better but now I need them ? funny how thing can change !! Everyone here helping me through this!! I could never put them through this again I'm never going back I did it for a year I want a drug free head and feel life once again I want that glow for Xmas this year that feeling we use to get I remember don't you'll ? I been through it over 4 years now .. I felt like wen dose this end ... Now for me and you will know too !! I have a lot of remdeies that can help other with withdrawl I just want everyone to know ur not alone and u can do it thanks for reading hope this helps someone maybe I'll post again this is my first