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fed up of taking tramadol

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david05968
david05968

hello can any one help i have been on 8 tramadol a day a cant get of them i also have to take a sleeping tablet to get sleep. when i try to come of them even two i feel sick fed up im nasty to people ive stopped drinking going out. the doctors are no use at all, is there any thing i can take to get of them HELP PLEASE

1 like, 30 replies

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  • happyjoy
    happyjoy david05968

    Posted

    Thanks for that, Nichole. You sound like you had an easier taper than most people. I certainly had no luck with tapering. At the first increment down (.0.5mg) I was sobbing with anguish and up all night with restless legs, and panic attacks and jaw breaking yawning. I had to just go cold turkey as it was just about the same, but for less time. It took me two weeks of agony before I felt like life had any sliver of sun, although day 6 was better in the day. This was my second time stopping, and the first time was easier and more similar to you. The first time I stopped it was because I was better and did not need it as a pain med. The second time was because I had been put back on it for retless legs and my body suddenly grabbed it and I got worse and worse and the docs kept increasing the dose, until they realised my body was dependent and I needed to stop and get a different treatment for the restless legs. I take from that that stopping if addicted or dependent is worse than just stopping because you don't need or like to take it any more.

    I must say this though - people, do not flush your tramadol or bin it or bury it. Take it to your pharmacy. It is a terrible thing to add medicines to the sewage system, or the ground. You may have been using flush poetically, but I thought I would say on here that the NHS asks us to return all unused meds for safe disposal.

     

    • thebird55
      thebird55 happyjoy

      Posted

      I think most people would be very surprised at all the drugs that turn up in wastewater.

      It's strange how some people can be much more resistant to addiction than others. I was on 6 milligrams of alprazolam (Xanax) a day for two years. That's six 1mg doses every day. And sometimes taking other benzodiazapines at night, for sleep. (Not to mention that I had a prescription for 180 10mg hydrocodone every month [about 6 @ day]. But I wasn't taking all of those.) Then my doctor went to jail for overprescribing pain meds, and I just stopped. Yes, I missed it, but I did not have a hard time. I didn't go looking for another doctor. That was over 10 years ago.

    • happyjoy
      happyjoy thebird55

      Posted

      Yes, some people are more sensitive to chemicals. We utilize them and store them and flush them at different rates. Also the reasons for taking differ. For pain, tramadol is great, but I wonder if it is safe for someone who has a low mood, as it would be an anti-dep for them and lead them to needing it for mood? Also, the side effects of tramadol effect people differently. My theory is, if it takes some time to tolerate tramadol, it will be hard to come off when the body has become used to it. there is a lot to be learned. It is not the non-addictive drug they said it was 15 years ago. I hope this forum is looked at by a doctor and experiences noted and used in research.

      I am quite sad that the doctors who put us on tramadol have no ability to take us off. My doc said he is not allowed to supervise or prescribe to help me off tramadol - but he put me on it all those years ago. (He did send me to the rehab folk, but they did not help as I was not addicted, just dependent, and I did not need/want to go into rehab for three months.) So patients are having to figure out themselves how to stop. I am sure there are many who simply stay on past needing tramadol because there is no help to stop - and tramadol for many is as hard or harder to stop than heroin. Seriously, they offer help to stop smoking...... 

    • thebird55
      thebird55 happyjoy

      Posted

      When I first took tramadol it did absolutely nothing for pain. The only thing it did was make it hard to sleep, and itch a little during the many hours it took to wear off. Seriously, like 12 hours from one 50mg dose. Because of that, I seldom take it. Only as a last resort, and only one dose on any given day (usually 75mg). But over time it has become more effective at relieving pain, and wears off just a little faster. I think my body had to "learn" how to metabolize it. (It is the metabolites that kill pain.) It still ruins my sleep.
  • happyjoy
    happyjoy david05968

    Posted

    Glad to hear you are strong. You will need to be strong those nights when you are coming off and can't sleep and feel as bad as possible in body mind and soul. There is always a part of your brain that is aware that the symptoms are temporary. Listen to yourself telling yourself you can get through. As Nichole said - the light at the end of the tunnel is there. It is not very far off either. 

     

  • Steve1953
    Steve1953 david05968

    Posted

    I go cold turkey to get it out the way, not much fun at all but just do it, on 8 caps a day even if youve been on them a few years you will start to feel a bit better day 6 then its onwards and upwards and you won't be enslaved anymore. You have to want it enough and many can't hack it. Coming off slowley takes too much messing about, take a week out and get it done in one go that's my advise. If youve been on a large dose over severlal years look up post acute withdrawal syndrome because once over the accute withdrawal you will need to get knowledgeable on (PAWS) not only will it help you stay clean but explain the more suptle symtoms that can carry on for several months or years after getting off it. Kratom will make a huge diffierence to your withdrawal if you want to try it.
  • happyjoy
    happyjoy david05968

    Posted

    Yes, going cold turkey is a valid route. There are some warnings of seizures, but it is hard to know if they are just obligitory or factual warnings. If you can lower your dose 50mg weekly until the experience of being on less is starting to be rough, and then drop off fully from there, you will do fine. As others have said - it is wanting to stop that makes it possible. I can attest to cold turkey being as bad as anyone could describe, but I told myself that I could prove myself strong by doing it, and that mattered to me, as finding myself dependent on a drug made me feel weak. 
    • Steve1953
      Steve1953 happyjoy

      Posted

      Totally agree it reminds you what its like too so makes it less likely you will go back. I have heard about the seizures like you say its mixed oppinions but seizures can happen if your on them anyway. Its up to the individual but I prefer to get it out of the way in a week like you but its not easy. Good luck
    • happyjoy
      happyjoy Steve1953

      Posted

      I am through and done. I have restless legs and some anxiety at night. But my days are clearer thinking and I am fine. I went cold turkey at the end of July. I was sent by my GP to a rehab place for help, and my appointment just came through for the 18th Sept! HA! I laugh. When you need help, you need it right now. Anyway, I am proud of doing without them! I am going to the appointment to have a chat with them about giving people help when they need it and about tramadol in particular. It seeems very wrong to me that a GP can prescribe tramadol but cannot prescibe to help us off tramadol. Wish me luck.
    • Steve1953
      Steve1953 happyjoy

      Posted

      Hi Joy pleased to hear you got off them iam at about the same time clean as you but still feel a bit flat most days, toying with getting an anti- depresent for a couple of months, but at least not having to take Tramadol every day to function. The government in their wisdom after allowing many years of irrisponsible prescribing of Tramadol have in June of this year put Tramadol in shedule 3 under the controled drugs act which puts more restiriction on  prescribing etc. about time too. Keep up the good work.
    • happyjoy
      happyjoy Steve1953

      Posted

      Best not to take anything else, as your brain needs to start using it's own chemicals. It will balance if you give it a chance. I know what you mean about feeling flat. You can effect your brain by attitude and by posture. Standing up straight and walking with confidence can actually increase the good happy chemicals. I know all these little things some days do not cut it, but if you can hold off on taking soemthing else, you will be doing yourself a favour. 
    • Steve1953
      Steve1953 happyjoy

      Posted

      You are probably right but I have suffered from mild to moderate depression for most of my life that is why I found tramadol ticked every box "an opiate and an SSRI in one package. what could be better than that? I was not prescribed Tramadol for any pain; I am what you might term an abuser of drugs. I have self-medicated on all kinds of drugs both prescription and street for years. So at this stage to go on Cytalapram is not such a big deal for me as I do need treatment for my mood. I have downloaded a book from Amazon it’s on  the latest Mindfulness craze based on Buddhist teachings without all the reincarnation nonsense so I’m hoping that will work also going on an eight week mindfulness course.
  • cathy17098
    cathy17098 david05968

    Posted

    Hi David .... SNAP Im the same, been taking Tramadol 400mg for 7 yrs and sick fed up of being reiant on this to function.  I am now half way through tapering off using advice that people on here have given me.  The first day i took on less at lunchtime, the next day one less at bed time, thenext day one less at dinner time and then this morning one less.  So today was my first day of just taking 1 tablet four times a day and compared to previous failed attempts Im finding it reletavely easy although not feeling too good today but nothing unbearable.  Before I started the tapering I began taking 2 x 500mg of Calcium and Magnesium as advised and I think that has really helped.  I am planning to stay at 1 four times a day for another week and then do the last bit.  Nit sure if ill taper the last bit or do the cold turkey.  Ive also found planning my tablets and puttingbthem in a dispenser box has helped as it svoids the tempation of taking an extra one.  Also i have kept a diary as it helps to remind urself how well your doing.  Like you Im at the stage of wanting rid of them...My post was 5 days ago... Have a read as i recieved some great advice Good Luck and stay focused xx
    • thebird55
      thebird55 cathy17098

      Posted

      Leveling off for a week is an excellent idea. I was about to suggest it, and then I saw that was your plan. I'd keep tapering when the week is over, as opposed to cold turkey, and do it very gradually. Consider another plateau after getting down to a very low dose. Be patient.
  • marshall71
    marshall71 david05968

    Posted

    im on 4-6 per day since August and I've find it not strong enough too take the pain away I'm also taking amitriptyline every night to have a good night sleep when they wear off I take the tramadol after a day of 6 pills I'm still in agony with lower back pain 
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