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Coming Off Meds

Posted , 8 users are following.

kat1e
kat1e

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

27 Replies

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  • pmcg21
    pmcg21 kat1e

    Posted

    hi kat 1e well done-its a hard road you chose to take- i was taking 20x50mg Tramadol and 20x30mg codiene a day i quit last september-it was rough- ihave de-toxed from alcohol many times and from codiene before-but this was far worse-after 10 days i had to see my doc about something else but told her i had quit the pills and how many i was taking-she hit the roof-tore me a new one-wow it was painful ha- she put me on librium for a week to cover the last of the wds- this certainly helped- i stopped taking them after 5 days- i wouldnt take Tramadol again no matter how much pain i was in ( i have two prolapsed discs). The Dr's dont know enough about this drug-it has just been re-classified in the US-it used to be sold over the counter-wtf- anyway at last they are realising how many people are getting hooked on this drug and how hard it is to quit-well done - after 5 days- dont go back on this crap- you dont want to have to do this again- all the best- stay strong-
    • kat1e
      kat1e pmcg21

      Posted

      Thanks pmcg21. That's whopping doses. My God! Your withdrawal symptoms must have been horrendous. I agree that I never want tramadol again but then I go back to how much pain I was in and the tramadol kind of helped and I would have done or taken absolutely anything to get rid of that pain. I don't think it was ever available over the counter here but don't hold me to that. I hope things get better for you x
  • jr10060
    jr10060 kat1e

    Posted

    Tried the cold turkey. Thought I would die. I started again, but this time was different. I cut back one-half tab every three weeks. Sometimes maybe 4 weeks. Had no side effects. The half tab would have been the one before bed.

    It has been almost three months since I finally stopped. I still have the crazy dreams, sweats. Itchyness. Etc. It could take up to a year for your body to readjust. It is challenging at times, but the alternative is not good. I also attend a substance abuse program which teaches you a new w ads y of thinking.

    I was on it for 18 years. It did no t begin over night, and will not end overnight, but atleast

    Im almost 1/2 way there.

    Don't give up hope. I know it is hard, but d I g down deep and you will win. Good luck.

    • kat1e
      kat1e jr10060

      Posted

      Hi jr10060,

      Thank you for sharing your story. If I had known at the beginning what I know now I wouldl never have gone cold turkey. Though a lot of the issues I originally had are under control, two weeks later I still feel very sick with an upset stomach. I'm going to try and see my GP today.

  • kat1e
    kat1e

    Posted

    Hello Everyone,

    I thought I'd give you all a follow up on what's happening as you had all been so kind and helpful.

    I saw my GP yesterday morning who said to stop the Naproxin immediately as he thought my stomach had become inflamed and thats what was causing the nausea and sore stomach. I have to take 2 x Omeprazole a day for a week and then 1 x a day for the following next four weeks. I have to say I do actually feel slightly better this morning. Though I do still feel slightly sick I didn't find myself gagging first thing . I'm hoping tomorrow will be even better.

    I'm starting, after a week and a half of stopping tramadol to actually feel human. My head belongs to me again and the nightmares have stopped. No more tears either. I actually found myself smiling at something today. Woohoo!

    I'd just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who posted advice and supported me through this. For those still fighting to get free I wish you all the very best xxx

    • pmcg21
      pmcg21 kat1e

      Posted

      well done Kat1e - you should be really proud of yourself- hell of a job- good luck with a clean life - 
    • ann03972
      ann03972 kat1e

      Posted

      Hi, just to say well done. Just take one day at a time as you know

      it gets better everyday.

      stay strong keep us updated I'm sure your news helps a lot of people.

      take care Ann

  • amanda40624
    amanda40624 kat1e

    Posted

    Hi I'm going slowly but shortly dropping my dose of Tramadol just want to ask everyone I'm feeling really tied all the time has anyone had this side effect when you have dropped you Tramadol dose? 
    • tony15730
      tony15730 amanda40624

      Posted

      It could well be. I found tramadol quite stimulating and when I come off it I feel crap for a few days and tiredness is part of it for me.

      What does were you on and where are you now dose wise?

    • amanda40624
      amanda40624 tony15730

      Posted

      Hi Tony,I was on 2x 50mg 4 x a day,I went straight from that to 1x50gm 4 x a day with no problem what so ever,but was ill over xmas & forgot to take any of my meds I'm on 100mg a night Amitriptalin,2 parecitmol 4 x a day plus bowel meds! I had a major reaction shakes,nightmares,dry mouth,feeling sick,breathing problems,just couldn't sit still & really bad hallucinations I am now taking 50mg 3 times a day ( Tramadol ) I'm only just starting my 2nd week but so far so good 😊👍 so I think it will take a long time to get off them completely but as long as I do that's all good!!
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