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Coming off Tramadol

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fizzysoap
fizzysoap

Hello all,

I am after some friendly advice. 12 Jan I had a riding accident, hurt my shoulder. It was previously injured (dislocation/fracture of humerus) and it's been weak ever since. Doc put me on cocodamol as of 14th, and then on the 17th I was back at docs because they were making me sick. He put me on tramadol. 2x 50mg tablets three times a day.

I wasn't warned about any possible side effects, other than they may cause drowsiness.

11 weeks later, I can't kick it. I no longer require the tramadol for pain. They tried a weaning programme. I was given Tramadol SR tablets. I cut from 300mg a day to 200mg. One tablet morning, one tablet evening for a week. The week after I was cut down to 100mg tablet in the morning, then nothing.

I lasted a day before I used some left over regular tramadol.

The effects were horrific when I initially changed the dosage, but I thought it would be okay with cutting down and then coming off completely. I was ready for some side effects, but not what happened in reality.

Headaches, nosebleeds, sickness, sweats, freezing cold, aggressiveness, exhaustion, tearful, restless, insomnia.

I had some very very dark thoughts that I haven't had in years. I took the tramadol and felt ten times better.

I have a doctor's appointment today, but they tend to be as much use as a chocolate teapot. Any recommendations or information you think will be helpful to take with me is greatfully appreciated.

A nurse over the phone expressed she thought that the time frame for coming off them was too short, and the leap from 100mg to none was too much.

Please help.

I know I have a problem, but I'm scared to come off them and become the horrid, nasty person I was at the weekend. My rational thoughts tell me once I stop for good I'll be back to normal, but I don't have those rational thoughts when I try and come off them. I need them to cope with the most simple of tasks.

18 likes, 387 replies

387 Replies

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  • CarlG
    CarlG fizzysoap

    Posted

    Hi all, I really know how you all feel after taking this horrible drug Tramadol. I too are having problems sleeping and showing most problems you all are experiencing.

    Doctors should be more careful when prescribing this horrible drug. I went back to my surgery and saw a different doctor.She prescribed me 10mg Amitriptyline one to be taken once a day at bedtime. She advised me to slowly cut back the Tramadol and my last one was 4 days ago. I still feel tired, ache, fidgity in bed and feeling fed up but I think its improving. I had a knee replacement and have tried most painkillers. My medication now is 1x 10mg Amitripyline, 2x200mg three times a day. Hope I improve and will keep you updated. All the best, Carl

    • thebird55
      thebird55 CarlG

      Posted

      I think your doctor is on the right track. She seems to be taking into consideration that tramadol has an effect on serotonin levels, as well as its physical effects. From Wikipedia: "Tramadol is an atypical opioid because it is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor..."  This makes it akin to drugs like Paxil, Serzone, and Prozac, to name but a few. I believe most people, doctors included, overlook this aspect of the drug. When one combines mood disturbances with the physical effects of withdrawal... well, it's not good. 
    • CarlG
      CarlG thebird55

      Posted

      Yes my GP is the best in the surgery and seems to have time for me unlike others who have the shrug shoulder syndrome. She told me Amitriptyline does block nerve pain although it is used for more serious issues.
  • CarlG
    CarlG fizzysoap

    Posted

    Sorry I meant to put 2x 200mg Ibuprofen 3 times a day.
    • stephanie89035
      stephanie89035 CarlG

      Posted

      Update time for me. I'm off the trams completely and took my last Butrans patch off on Tuesday. A was going well until the last couple of nights when I've had awful sweats and restless legs. Then today I feel rotten. Can barely get off the sofa. However I'm taking 4hrly paracetamol and long acting brufen. I keep nibbling on crackers and drinking sports drinks plus I'm taking multivits and b6 in high doses. Most importantly I'm keeping active within the limits of my new hip(5wks post op) and staying positive as much as possible. It's hard going but I'm not giving in to it. I AM IN CONTROL NOT THE DRUGS. 

      Be well all 

    • thebird55
      thebird55 stephanie89035

      Posted

      Combining paracetamol with an NSAI drug (like ibuprophen) is counterproductive. It is best to stick to one or the other. An exception is asprin & paracetamol, which seems to work well. Also, be aware that all NSAI's are rough on the stomach. Personally, I stick with paracetamol (acetaminophen, over here).
    • stephanie89035
      stephanie89035 thebird55

      Posted

      Hi bird.  I've never had trouble with paracetamol/ brufen combo. They really help my pain. You're right about the brufen being rough on the stomach but I also take 60mgs of omeprazole to counteract any adverse effects. The combo doesn't work for everybody, but we all will have something that works for us as individuals, it's just a case of finding it. 

      Be well 

      S

  • CarlG
    CarlG fizzysoap

    Posted

    I'm fine all day even laid in bed watching tv. The trouble starts when I switch tv off and try and sleep. I don't recommend having an epidural for operations too I'm sure they have played a part with my nerves in the lower back. My knee is getting a lot better but the nerve in the thigh is burning.

    Hope everyone will be ok I'm sure we will all get there.

    • stephanie89035
      stephanie89035 CarlG

      Posted

      I had a spinal for my hip and it was the best decision I made. I do get back ache but that's down to all the drilling and hammering during hip replacement surgery. If yours is sore it'll probably settle after a while. Bodies have a way of sorting themselves out if we let them get on with it.

      I'm 6th day off all opiates and boy do I know about it. Very little sleep due to aches in my legs and restless legs. My appetite is bad because I feel nauseous and now I've got diarrhoea with really bad cramps. However I am not as depressed as I was yesterday. The sun is shining so I should be able to take short walks between visits to the loo🙊

      Be well 

      S

    • CarlG
      CarlG stephanie89035

      Posted

      My knee is numb at the moment have I have just managed to walk properly up and downstairs. I am still having physio to get the bend back to normal.My op was the start of March so everything is taking time to get back to normal. The nerve has improved just getting little sunburnt type tingles.

      I too have lost appetite and been a massive food fanatic it baffled me.

      It is now 4 days without Tramadol and I had a decent night after taking my 6 Ibuprofen 200mg and the 1 Amitripylene. Fingers crossed I maybe weaning off the Tramadol.

      All the very best.

    • stephanie89035
      stephanie89035 CarlG

      Posted

      Well done CarlG

      its not easy all this on top of recovering from surgery is it. Keep up the good work. 

      Be well 

      S

    • CarlG
      CarlG stephanie89035

      Posted

      Thank you Stephanie. If I have to have my other knee done it can wait until I am retired that's for sure.

       

    • stephanie89035
      stephanie89035 CarlG

      Posted

      A friend of mine had his knee done and he got on so well his other didn't need doing for 6 years. He was well happy. Hope it's the same for you. 

      Be well 

    • CarlG
      CarlG stephanie89035

      Posted

      My knee was that bad the surgeon told me there was nothing they could do anymore. There was no cartliage left and a piece of bone came off. I then got gout in the knee so after several washouts, injections and painkillers I decided to get a new knee. The only problem is I am only 52 and they say that you really need this op in your 70's. I couldn't be doing limping for another 20 years so hopefully it will do the trick. The knee was damaged through playing rugby league, should of picked an hobby like stamp collecting instead.

      Sorry I have derailed the thread going on about my knee everyone.

  • tim38937
    tim38937 fizzysoap

    Posted

    Hi, I was sat here this morning wondering why I was tired, more paranoid than usual and sweating profusely and had been during my lack of sleep last night, then it dawned on me, maybe it was because I'd missed my dose of tramadol, so I looked this up and found you guys, can I say thank you to all the contributors as you have made things much easier to understand.

    I've only been on tramadol for some four months following severe pain from a slipped disc, it was very painful but aware nothing like a hip or knee replacement. The pain has subsided greatly and wanted to know wether this was soley down to tramadol so decided yesterday to stop them, what an eye opener that has been in respect of side effects. Like others no one has told me of any side effects, my gp continually has prescribed them without mentioning a word and only reading the 50 or so posts on here did I get any answers to how I was feeling. No mention had been given of trying to ween myself off them, indeed I felt I could have them as long as I wanted.

    Its now 24 hrs since stopping them and decided I am going to go 'cold turkey' the pain certainly isn't unbareable and will try to deal with paracetomol or even iboprufen, I know it will affect us all individually and in different ways. (I'll let you know)

    Thanks once again to everyone and good luck in whichever road you choose in the way of tramadol, a drug I will be keeping well clear off.

    • stephanie89035
      stephanie89035 tim38937

      Posted

      Good luck Tim. I've been off trams for nearly 3 wks. I weaned gradually over 5 days. Now I'm 7 days off buprenorphine patches again 2 wks weaning. It's been very very hard. In fact the patches are harder than the trams and that was hard enough. I vow never to take any drugs again without a thorough and extensive amount of personal research. I'd rather have pain than go thru this withdrawal again. 

      Try hot baths for the pains and I find powerade or other energy drinks help with the lethargy. Do your best to go for a walk or two they really help with the depression. 

      Positive mental attitude 👍

      it shouldn't take too long as you haven't been on them long. I was 18 months on trams and Butrans patches. If only I had known. Still getting better now. 

      Be well 

      S

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