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Tramadol S/R

Posted , 4 users are following.

velma01
velma01

Hi , ive been on slow releasing tramadol for nearly 18 years now  as i have Kienbock disease, and my body is now dependent on it. I missed taking it for a couple of days last year as the chemist didnt have any, and i became depressed, suicidal very sick. Ive been trying to make an appointment to see a GP that i trust but its near on impossible as i can never get through or theyve already been given out. Im very nervous about being weaned off them because of the withdrawl. But these meds arent really working and for me to get decent pain relief i need to come off these, I am quite peeved my old GP didnt warn me these were highly addictive when she gave them to me all those years ago.Any advice on making the waening process easier would be greatly appreciated.

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • brandi18045
    brandi18045 velma01

    Posted

    Hi! I feel for you...can I ask how much you are taking? 18 years is a very long time. I was on tramadol about 200 mg a day for about a year. I stopped taking it one day and realized I was starting to go through withdrawals. It's a horrible drug when you stop taking it and your dependent. I would not stop it cold turkey.. Tapering is best although I stopped cold turkey I am actually on day 10 of no tramadol... But you were on it much longer. I Switched to a real opiate immediatly after stopping tramadol. I still had withdraw from the ssri effects of tramadol but it eased it . I am now weaning myself off the opiate which is much more easier. I would definitely reach out to a pain management facility or a drug rehab. Although there is a difference between being dependent and being addicted they will understand and may be able to give you meds to come off it easier.. Why suffer? Life goes on after tramadol it does.. When your own it you become unaware of how it is effecting your brain. It sure does make everything better and for me it gave me energy to do more things. But now that I have stopped I am laughing more and feeling emotions.. Only to realize I was like a robot on it. It does wanders for pain too but you have to decide if it's the right drug for you. Good luck to you.. Just remember every day your tapering or going off cold turkey is another day closer to being free of tramadol and it gets better smile
    • velma01
      velma01 brandi18045

      Posted

      Hi brandi18045, i take 200mg a day. 100mg twice a day. Beacause i am in constant pain with the disease i have, it needs to be high but its not working. Sadly trying to get a GP's appointment with a GP i trust is like getting blood out of a stone, so am hanging on til i get the right GP.Thankfully, when i saw my pain nurse today she said it was the right thing to do and to do it with the Drs help, as cold turkey would cause more harm than good. I really wish i was told they were highly addictive before they prescribed it to me.x

       

  • pmcg21
    pmcg21 velma01

    Posted

    HI Velma01, forget about a GP, you need to see someone who is an addiction specialist- most GP's have no idea about the effects of Tramadol or the severity of the withdrawls - it is a horendous drug to get off, i quit it last september, i was given it for back pain - because it is supposedly non-addictive- i'm a recovering alcoholic and have had an issue with opiate addiction previously following surgery- knowing all this i was prescribed Tramadol, i have been de-toxed numerous times from alcohol and have quit opiates cold turkey - it was nothing like as bad as coming off Tramadol- the physical WD's were ok but the mental WD's were unlike anything i have ever experienced- go to an addiction clinic or someone who knows what they are doing- do not do this cold turkey, not worth it- i wish you the best of luck-
    • velma01
      velma01 pmcg21

      Posted

      Hi pmcg21, thank you for your advice. Thankfully my GP is also a specialist on addictions to do with this type of drug. but ive just to wait til i can get an appointment with them. I know what its withdrawal is like as i ran out for 3 days last year and the effects was terrible. i felt i was dying.so am really hopeful they can help me.

       

  • Tabstoyou
    Tabstoyou velma01

    Posted

    Hi Velma01!  - Im no expert and can only tell you from my own experience, but I think you really have to go all out and get advice from your GP.  Go down to the surgery and tell the receptionist that you need help and advice.  Its a daunting prospect after 18 years to do this and I would imagine you will need some help in the support of another drug (again no expert) and plenty of support.  I was on Tramadol on and off for a few years and the slow release for a year.  It has taken me since Christmas to wean myself off of them and I didnt do it slowly enough.  Its been really hard.  Im glad Ive done it because it wasnt really working from a pain relief point of view and I couldnt sleep towards the end, whereas in the beginning they helped me sleep which was a godsend.  Please dont do it on your own.  Even if all the appointments have been given out, speak to a receptionist or a nurse or something and say you really need help with this. 
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