Tramadol Advice!

First of all so sorry your in pain. I know where your coming from. I have 2 herniated discs an degenerative disc disease in Lumbar region. My advice is let your back heal before you become pregnant.  The strain on the back is significant an more than likely you will have a significant amount of pain if your muscles in back are not in prime condition for the pregnancy. Iv had 2 sons. I had to wear a special belt around my belly to hold up the baby so it wouldn't strain as much as possible. I had to be very careful what I did like no bending or twisting etc.. Now the Tramadol part I have alot of experience on that! I'm a recovering Tramadol addict.  Took for 7 yrs at normal doses until last two an was up to 15-20 a day. The longer I took it the more I needed it. Everyone is different.  Some can stick to 4-6 a day or less but not me. See Tramadol also has antidepressant/anti-anxiety properties to it along with opiate properties.  I was using it as an antidepressant an anti-anxiety there at the end. In May of this yr. I got sick an started having palpitations an skipped heart beat.  Went ER an it was humiliating to admit to how much I was taking. Two days later I went on my own to a detox hospital for 5 days. Couldn't detox on my own. To high a dose an dangerous.  Its been 6 &1/2 mnths off Tramadol.  Im sooo glad I got off. I had tried in past but withdrawals were hell on earth. Here is a list of w.d. symptoms that pretty much are gonna happen but all depends on how long an how dosage....runny nose, diaherra, restless leg syndrome, coughing, gaging, sometimes vomiting, depressed, anxiety, scratchy throat, flu like aches all over, insomnia.  Only way I see to get off at dosage you are on is very slowly reduce dosage. I mean SLOW. To fast an you'll have w.d. symptoms. Drop down to 5 a day like for 2 wks. Then drop a pill every 2-3 wks. If symptoms arise can half the pills an go down by half a pill every 2 wks instead of a whole pill. Like for 2 wks take 5 & 1/2 pills an then drop to 5 pills for 2wks then 4&1/2 pills for 2-3 wks an so on. Yes it will couple mnths but you will be off them so whats the rush if you dont want to suffer. If you do want to suffer go faster. Every drop you might have a little resistance fr ur body not liking the drop but wait till symptoms go away then until you drop again. Some do it cold turkey but its hell. Tramadol is very addicting. Dr's are wrong. Some have depression an Anxiety for mnths or a yr after stopping.  I do. Im on Lexapro now an Klonapine(1/4 of a .5mg pill) as needed. Lexapro is 5mg @ night. I thought I was ok until 4 mnths later an mood swings started an then depressed all time. Also I believe Tramadol through me into menopause which I found out in Nov Im n menopause!  Im 46!. The high doses of Tramadol caused me to not have a period for a yr or so. I didn't care as long as I had my pills. Was getting off internet.  Horrible an expensive.  Iv finally forgiven myself over it an just want to feel normal. Some things to help with symptoms of w.d. are anti-diaherra drugs (over the counter), electrolyte solutions, hot baths for restless legs an walking alot. Eat well balanced diet. Take magnesium, iron an Omegas, calcium.  Back off caffeine, it can make anxiety worse. If you can tell your Dr you are slowly tapering off Tramadol an make sure you wont run out before your done! If he's a good Dr he could prescribe xanax or atavan or valium for the restlessness (legs to). They will also help you to get sleep. But keep in mind they to need tapering off also if taken even for couple mnths. I went to NA meetings an a therapist for my addiction. I realize you dont have an addiction. Your body has just become dependant on them. Big diff. You can do it. An just let your back heal. Lidocaine patches can help also. They require an rx. I live in US. Tx actually.

Goodluck. You can do it. Stick with slow tapering an let your dr know. He could help you.

God bless, Zio

HI Katie676.  Yes, the withdrawls can be very frustrating and the effects from with withdrawls can make you feel pretty bad.  I went from 4 a day to 1 a day right now.  Talk to your doctor for a schedule on how to reduce your tramadol slowly.  If you don't you will be just misserable.  If you go cold turkey you could have seizuers, etc.  You don't want that.  Again, seek assistance from your doctor or a pain rehab.  Good luck Katie

HI ok my reply to you is why you are so concern about stopping tramadol if they do the job for you. I am taking tramadol myself now for more that 4 year and I was thinking the same because they are say it is a addictive table but if you think about all tablet are the same if you take then to long like for exempla I take tablet for my cholesterol 5or 6 year now and I have to take them for the rest of my life so my conclusion is if they make me field better all round why stop them and try different one if they don’t work on me believe me you  I try so many different one and nothing works like the tramodol so I disease to stay with them this is my opining because they relief my pains make my field more active and more?   

Hi Katie I totally agree with you get off this drug as safely and quickly as possible. I have been on tramadol for 3years now January of 2014 massively increased my dose I now take on average 16 to 20 trams a day . I was never told of the addictive issues with this drug my G.P won,t even recognise the drug for its addictive capabilities. It was my spinal consultant that informed me after 6months of tramadol use 400mg a day at that time I was taking the prescribed dose, anyway my consultant said you do realise your addictive to trams and will have to go into a detox programme to get off them...Shocked to say the least, and now I abuse the drug and take more my tolerance to this drug is high and anykind of detox will be slow and long. Good Luck on your journey without tramadol..jx

Hi i dont i greed with that because i been on tramadol for more that 4 year and i all ways take the same amount and they still take the pain away and make me fill good and active and i only take 2x50 mg at day any way good lake on avrythink you,