Advice please

It's horroble stuff to come off - I was only on it for just over a week after a hip replacement, and a low dose at that - but it was absolutely terrible - I can really sympathise.

I just put up with it, and let my wife know that whatever happened, it was me and the Tramadol, not her !

Graham

 

Your husband has done really well to come this far. However, I would guard against him quitting cold turkey as the last 50mg is the hardest to come off. He should ideally wait until he is stable on the 50mg before cutting down further. By stable, I mean free of withdrawal symptoms such as pain and fatigue (I'm presuming he is taking alternative pain medication, or is now free of the condition for which he was prescribed the tramadol). When I was down to my final 50mg and stable, I opened up the capsules and poured some of the powder out before resealing the capsule. I then stabilised on this amount before reducing further. In the end I was taking half a capsule every other day then every 3 days and then came off. It took more timme to do it that way, but it was much easier on my body. Tramadol is an anti-depressant as well as a pain killer, which makes it harder than opiates to withdraw from. A word of warning; I was left with severe rebound depression and was put on anti depressants for four years after withdrawing from tramadol.

Hi maddie. First things first, non of this is you or your husbands fault. Many before you have become trapped on this very addictive and nasty drug  I stopped cold turkey Elleven days ago after taking 8   50  mg tablets for shoulder pain for about 18 months. it sounds to me like he is doing the right thing stopping slowly. Because my experience with cold turkey was brutal.   No sleep for 9 days terrible restless legs were the worst. I'm not trying to frighten you but for some that's the reality.  Cold turkey is not for everyone. Although I now feel a lot better now it was hard. Knowing what I know  now I would seek medical advice and form a plan with your GP. Don't be ashamed  about going to see your doctor  about this problem because most of the time they are not blameless in all this. They dish them out like sweets and bang your hooked. It also helps to talk,family good friends this forum was priceless to me. ( always someone out there willing to help). Remember a lot have already gone through it and come out the other side all the better for doing it .trust me it can be done.at times the light at the end of the tunnel feels like the train coming the other way. But day by day it will get easier. You BOTH must be strong and don't give up if you have the odd setback ,get back up, dust your selves off and go again you will get there l promise. I hope some of what I've put does not put the fear of God in you  but I have to honest about certain things that happen during withdrawl from a powerful drug.  Hope this is helpful. And remember don't give up at any cost.     Steve.

Thanks for your help. He is now sleeping a lot in the day and getting up late in the morning, he seems to be sleeping all the time really. I think Christmas is off this year. He is having a lot of pain in his body. Do you think it's okay for him to take another pain killer over the counter ones?

 

I was on Tramadol for 8 Months, I weened off it slowly cutting dosage 1/2 every week.

The funny thing about Tramadol is that it helps you lose weight and it is an anti depressant. I occaionally take it to drop some weight, 2 50mg tablets a day.

you CAN NOT Cold Turkey this stuff and 300mg is alot to comre down off of, he needs to do 200, 150, 100, 50, 25 in 1 week intervals

Lillie, He needs to know himself that it's the medicine messing with his brain and that you have done nothing wrong. If he continues to be abusive, ask him to check into a facility to aid in his withdrawal. You can only support someone so much, but they need to address their issues and try to get a grip on what's happening. I'm not a professional, but a fellow Tramadol user and I can say from experience that it is not easy but I am so happy now. I love my life and all without Tramadol. But from all the people I've connected with who have gone through withdrawals, I've never known any to experience ANGER. So maybe he has something else he is trying to come off of beside the Tramadol. Find help for yourself too ASAP. Please keep me posted on your actions and progress. I am very concerned for you.

Dear Lolly,

Few people will ever understand the horror of what your husband is doing....No matter what he says to you , you should still feel good because he is dedicated to getting off of this ...Even doctors don't know or understand the withdrawal effects of tramadol. Let the verbal abuse go in one ear and out the other..... it's a small price to pay for the results. .... I am gonna get in trouble to say this but kicking Tramadol is equally painful and maybe a little more in some ways....Just like child birth it's painful, sometimes have post mortem depression, introspection, anger, etc... What your husband is doing is very similar....  Just be there for him... you don't even have to say anything just be there and let everthing go...the results will so wortit  for you.....Now if he is hitting you don't stay...go to your mom's house and after he is through the tough stuff you need to voice your concerns about physical abuse...verbal is natural and not meant, Hitting is not normal and is a separate behavior all together. I sure wish you luck and if in the future you have children you will have the chance to pay him back.....lol ..you can do it!

Emis Moderator comment: I have edited this post due to the swearing. These are open forums so as per the T&Cs please do not use offensive language in posts otherwise they may be deleted.