Coming off Tramadol

SO I stopped for about 10 days and I could not get the pain under control and so I restarted.  Instead of 300/day I was able to get by with 200 for the most part.  My conclusion is that somehow this drug is working for the neuropathic component of the pain.  Its possible to stop this med, but if you still have pathology causing pain its a better choice than say strong narcotics etc..  One feels like crap stopping the drug, but it is possible,   The thing is in many cases chronic pain is not in ones head in many cases and if your function decreases you have to do something to control it.

I'm tramadol user for 4 years and too many time I did the withdrawal and after few months I keep coming back and taking again and when I'm thinking for the reason why I'm taking the tramadol I don't know also the answer,now I withdraw again and its my 6 days and just I felt some withdrawal effect.. My question is how I will completely not be back with tramadol craving

To fizzysoap.

I am so sorry to read about your accident, and your arm being poor in the first place. Yes I'm reading your words and it's like I'm there with you, having been through the withdrawall wars of Tramadol a few times myself, oh my gosh it's a real hell, I've been through two caesarians, flu, and a major tattoo and they don't touch this at all. I don't think anybody can know what it's like and unless they have been through it themselves, no matter how well it's described, and I don't think many doctors know the seriousness of Tramadol and its effects either, unfortunately for us.

I'm not a medical doctor so don't have any official advice like that but from all of the stories are read from people like ourselves, you are actually going through this too quickly, I read few times that Tramadol has got so many DIFFERENT ingredients that they affect several parts of the brain and the body independently, it's not just the one hit to get rid of, so it looks like you may have to hold your horses for a while and slow it down, and I wish you the best of luck to get it sorted as nicely as possible and get off the Tramadol forever.

Hi this is for everyone struggling with coming off this drug.  This is my personal experience and not to be taken as medical advice. 

Having read horror stories for months and awful experiences trying , I have finally had the courage to do this. My best freind is a drug service lead & my sister a gp, I too am a HCP.  Previously overwhelmed and terrified of the awful withdrawals and keeping it to myself, I was not able to work out a plan.  I'm now half way through reducing from a 400mg/ day slow release dose , ( been on this maybe 5 yrs) and it's been a really good experience.

Tramadol also works as an SSRI ( antidepressant) as well as a synthetic opiate. This means that the reduction must be no more than 5% of the total daily dose to prevent dreadful side effects. I picked a Saturday to reduce so that I wasn't in work & could check my reaction was ok.  I have an L5 disc prolapse , osteoarthritis in my shoulder and severe calf pain , so using regular chamomile tea, and supplements such as magnesium, multivitamin, omega 3 capsules,& calcium, & early to bed, and no alcohol or cigarettes, and gentle swims , sauna, hydrotherapy all helps physically and psychologically.

Other than being tearful at a sad film or mildly ratty an hr before my dose is due this time is a liberating experience. Il be off them before my 50 th bday in the summer and planning a big celebration! If my pain is difficult again in future il use the non smoking non drinking money to pay for therapy i.e. Acupuncture / physio regularly.

My advice is don't be afraid, it just needs knowledge & managing correctly. If your gp doesn't have current knowledge try the drug service or find someone who does - to support you.

I would also like to say for those who really benefit from tramadol and it gives them quality of life where all else has failed,  it's a personal choice, and don't feel pressured to come off.   Always take medical advice and if your provider isn't current enough ... find someone who is.

Enjoy your lives all xx

Hi Im hoping that as this post is 4 years old you have finally come off tramadol. I am in a similar situation and I could do with some advice.

Karen

This is really strange! Until I get tot read this whole discussion before I realize the mess I'm! Recently I started feeling a bit off, like fever and all that kind of illness, but I never thought it will be a withdrawal effect! so what happened was that I take 100MG on a daily basis and also some times 200 - 250MG but one thing I am use to is stopping any thing I want to stop at any times I want! this is an habit for me, like I stoped smoking and also drinking suddenly with out any much noticed withdrawal effect! but unfortunately for me I thought that could be done to Tramadol also! so I suddenly stop using tramadol just for few days like 2days and I find out I am getting sick! and did not know it might be the cause! it just occurs to me this morning that I should check for the withdrawal of tramadol and I find out it's simply the cause I guess!!! but talking about the withdrawal, I am not sure how that can be easily stopped not even with what I'm going through in just two days! I feel like it's not me! I rarely get sick and if I will it will only be for headaches, so this is a big challenge for me right now! and hopefully with all of the methods mentioned here and backed up with my stopping attitude, I guess I should be able to stop in no time, my plan is to start taking another branch of pain relief probably will simply replace tramadol and my target is simply Paracetamol any MG! I will get back to you all if this worked out for me, thank you all.

i have spent last couple months gradually weaning myself off Tramadol was taking 2 tablets 3 /4 times a day now have taken none for 3 days side effects are bad but you can do it i had been on tramadol for years im lucky im older so no children at home thank god would have been awful im having flu like symptoms am agitated poor sleep very weepy crying at stupid things but am determined not to go back good luck and be kind to yourself

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I think I have found a solution.

I have been on Tramadol for 7 years. I have an autoimmune disorder with a diagnosed Mayofascial Pain Disorder as well as bursitis of the hips. I was started at 2x 50mg QID (4 times daily). If I missed a dose, OMG, I would feel MISERABLE. When my doctor suggested tapering, I was a nervous wreck. I didnt want to feel the withdrawals. He suggested a taper of 1 whole pill/ week. Unfortunately, that did not go over well. I felt awful. I spoke to my doctor about tapering by HALF a pill and he was on board. For some reason, tapering by 25mg (50 mg split in half) is the key. You will feel tired and slightly irritable, but its doable. Cut down 25mg/week. Its SO doable that I have successfully tapered down to 125 mg./day! That's only 2.5 pills as compared to 8 pills/day. You're going to feel some discomfort...its not 100% foolproof. I mainly feel very tired, melancholy and somewhat irritable, but it's nothing compared to those horrible withdrawals. I suggest speaking openly to your doctor to safely taper. Ask if you can taper by 25mg/week. Your doctor should be open to helping you safely taper. I wish you all the very best. This drug is no joke..If I knew how addictive it was from the beginning, I would have never started it. I've been a slave to this drug for 7, almost 8 years. I will never take anything with addictive properties ever again. Except coffee.

hi i was on tramodol for about 10yrs taling up to 15 tablets aday aprox, i ve come off them about 5-6weeks ago, the first 2 weeks were hell but honest stick with it and it will get better i promis you, its so hard and i mean SOOO hard at moment im stuck with restless legs and insomnia but eating well and drinking water really dose help also magnisium helps a lot too, doctors are a joke spoke to 4 and totaly useless just think that your going through this hell because you are coming off them and not waiting for your next tablet

it really dose ease honestly my wife has been a star too as would probs have relapsed the first week also look up HEANTOS 4 they helped me big time

Hello,

Im sorry to hear about your accident. So much talk about addiction to opioids.

Almost makes ya feel like an addict when you medically need it. . But the fact is taking this medication for pain or chronic pain leads to the bodies dependence on it.

I agree with your nurse. weaning off at a slower pace is better on the withdrawls

I have been taking 200 mg for 6 years for a permanent work injury and cant stand the side effects. I started weaning at the beginning of March. I am managing pain with natural products and therapeutics.

This experience is absolutely horrific. I am down to 1/4 of 50 mg, 2x a day, my body still knows when there isnt any of this tramadol beast in my system.

The hardest part for me has been the anti depressant that is in tramadol. You actually wean off of an opioid and an anti depressant. Which is what I am struggling with the most.

The fatigue, low moods, anxiety, weight gain, is a battle.

But, I refuse to go backwards.

Exercising, staying busy, is key for me.

I wish you luck stay the course no matter how long.