Coming Off Meds
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi,
Before and following surgery for a disc replacement I have been taking a cocktail of drugs for aprox 5 months
2 x 50mg Tramadol every four hours
2 x 30mg Nefopam three times a day
1 x 500mg Naproxin twice a day
1 x 50mg Cyclizine three times a day
2 x 500mg Paracetamol every fours hours
Now I think I've done something really stupid by going cold turkey without medical advice and stopping them all in one go. I know I've done wrong so please don't tell me off :-(
I've suffered tirdness, sickness, stomach cramps, upset stomach, nightmares, tearfulness and other problems. I'm now on day five and most of the side effects are well on their way out but I just cannot stop feeling sick and gagging (not actually being sick) and my stomach is very sore. Does anyone know if that is typical?
Has anyone else tried to stop their meds this way? I'm too far along to go back onto the drugs and I really don't want to but I'd be glad and greatful to hear from others who went cold turkey.
Thank you to anyone that replies
Kate
0 likes, 27 replies
amanda40624 kat1e
Posted
kat1e amanda40624
Posted
Thank you for taking the time to reply. You have eased my worries. I would so love to start the Tramadol again now. To feel better again in 20 minutes wow but I won't. I must nearly be there surely. If no better by Monday I will as you suggest go see my doc. Good luck with your plan I hope it goes well. I certainly wouldn't go cold turkey again x
ann03972 kat1e
Posted
you have done five days usually first week is worst I know some people say about
seizuers but I think it's when people take really high doses. It seems a shame to go backwards and start them again as they are the addictive ones. Maybe your GP or
pharmasist could help with the symptoms you are suffering with. I myself went cold
turkey from DH which was hard but after first week everyday got better.
i don't blame you for wanting to stop these as reading other people's stories the
longer you take them the harder it is to stop.
good luck hope you get some more good advice Ann
kat1e ann03972
Posted
tony15730 kat1e
Posted
Tramadol: Opiod and SNRI pain killer. This will give the worst withdrawels, just search tramadol withdrawel and you will find lots of people having trouble with this. Best to taper off this one slowly.
Nefopam: Pain killer. I dont know much about this one, sorry.
Naproxin: NSAID pain killer similler ti Ibuprofen. You should be ok stopping this cold. You may get breakthrough pain though.
Cyclizine: Antihistamine. Probably given this to stop you being sick from the cocktail of drugs your've been on. You may get nausea from just stopping this one but it shouldn't last more than a few days.
Paracetamol: You should be able to just stop this one.
OK all this said. For the sake of pain management maybe only want stop one pain med at a time so that you can keep your pain controlled while you withdraw.
As another user has said though after 5 months on that dose Tramadol will give you the most problems. This is the main one you should taper off from as you will feel rough coming off it. That said, some people can cope with it and after a while are fine others really struggle.
How long have you been off the meds now?
tony15730
Posted
kat1e tony15730
Posted
jo61533 kat1e
Posted
first of all you brave girl and well done I know what you have gone through and unless you've been through it no one could understand. I was on the same tramadol as you plus amytripaline, pregabalin, zopiclone and diazepam, for a year for 2 prolapsed discs. Did as you did and quit everything cold Turkey apart from the diazepam. For me the restless leg was the worst along with a very unsympathetic husband!! The worst is over, you've done it, couple more days tops!! be proud, it is hell!! I quit tramadol about 3 weeks ago and still have almost daily nausea. I am living on bran flakes (which I don't even like!) because for some reason that's all I can stomach!! Some days are better than others but remember that to will pass. My nausea may be lasting longer because I am still trying to taper the diazepam. I am now on 20mg a day from 40 so have dropped 20mg in 2 weeks, probably way to fast and I am slowing down now because it is getting harder. Everyone is telling me go slow but I just want off the stuff!! However I don't think I could go,through restless leg again just yet. The nausea will go, your body has been through so much. How are you mentally, I was very depressed at first. What made me laugh was when my doctor said who Put you on this lot, ummmm you did!!! Keep in touch and if anyone has any advice with the diazepam please let me know. Just want to be drug free as I feel I've lost the real me somewhere along the way..
ann03972 jo61533
Posted
one to come off so I'm sure your right to taper from that.
i think this site helps a lot of people going through all different types of
drug withdrawal, don't really think doctors understand how difficult it is.
keep strong good luck Ann
kat1e jo61533
Posted
Thank you for your lovely reply. Me a brave girl? I don't think I can even be compare to the bravery you're showing. I think you are amazing and to also on top of everything else to be quitting diazepam too. Phew! well done you. I was on diazepam for a while but didn't like it so was came off it pretty quick.
I also didn't want to prolong coming off the drugs by going slow but in hindsight I would if there was (God forbid) ever a next time.
Mentally like you I feel very down at the moment. My daughter came over the other night and I just sat there and sobbed. She said we'll laugh about this one day mum and she's probaly right. Tears are more under control as each day passes though.
Are you pain free now?
jo61533 kat1e
Posted
jo61533 ann03972
Posted
kat1e
Posted
It seems to me that the docs are very quick to prescribe all these drugs but there is very little talked about coming off them. At the height of my pain I would have taken anything they told me to. I had my surgery nearly two weeks ago but coming off the meds has never been discussed at any time. I think if I'm really honest the nightmares and palpitations have been the worst. I can't believe I even had the mental knowledge to dream the vile and scary dreams I have dreamt over the past couple of nights. Makes me shudder.
I'd like to wish you all, all the very best. My goodness it's not easy is it xxx
ruth86511 kat1e
Posted
kat1e ruth86511
Posted
Can I ask how long you had been on them? I'm really hoping I can stick this out. xx