Tramadol

[Thenextthing1]

I've been on this for around 5 years. Taking between 300 to 400mg a day. I never knew how damaging and addictive this stuff was. I have tried tapering 3 times and failed miserably i just cant do it. I have a demanding job and im always scared durong the tapering down that I'm losing productivity due to withdrawals.

I've now booked a week's annual leave, during this time I'll be going cold turkey. Ive told my GP that this is a last resort. There's no point trying to taper as when it gets bad I can get more from friends. I just need to stop. DH is onboard and supportive. I've no DC at home. All grown up so no issues with caring responsibility.

Has anyone ever done this? I can't believe I'm in this situation being so dependant. Clock watching to take my next hit so to speak. I'm awaiting my leave to be approved. I'll be stopping the tramadol 2 days before it starts so I have a full 7 days in bed trying to get passed this. I eoll update this thread in the hope it helps soleone iny position one day. I feel like it's my last chance to get off this awful drug. I wish I had the finances to go into rehab.

I've read that taking promethazine and having an early night really helps for that twisting around in the sheets insomnia.

How's it going ? If you managed till now, well done ! Stopping with no taper sounds really, really hard.

Haven't started yet. Just waiting or my time of to be approved. Its difficult during school holidays as everyone needs time off. My children are all grown and flexible the nest so I don't like to book up the summer holidays. I will be updating this thread when I start. I want to give people a realistic view of what it's like and hopefully inspire others to do the same. I know its going to be awful

I've experience watching someone I love do this and it's not easy and can be longer than you think. I really advise that you do it with the support of a dr. who specialises in addiction otherwise it can be very hard and stressful for your family and you. There is no shame in addiction and letting go of that is a part of recovery. I wish you all the best in your recovery.

I managed 2 days n couldn't stand the feeling and ended up taking 2, including today.

Going to look into the 5htp

Worst thing for me if I don't take is at night too my legs are so restless and have a horrid kind of ache that does not shift.
Daytime is like I have the flu and no energy.

You'd think it was about a woman. But it isn't. It's about drugs. And addiction. Hits home a bit. We can do this 😮‍💨

Op I’m sorry you are going through this.
NA will definitely help you.

How / why does it keep being prescribed? That's the bit I"m confused with.

I was given Tramodol for a torn meniscus - it made me feel dizzy and weird so I just stopped taking it, but I can't see how I could have just kept saying my knee is beyond painful.

Seems very negligent of doctors to do this if this drug is so bad.

I have been prescribed mitrazapine for restless legs. It's brilliant. I understand people's views around cold turkey but I've tapered twice before. The previous times there were issues around the prescription that adequate it difficult to maintain. I am going to do it and see how I get on. I'm down to 4 a day now anyway so that's something

I'm the same as you. However haven't come off them yet. I notice the withdrawals around day 2 onwards. How are you feeling?

Unfortunately my holiday request has been declined. So I'm going to taper as quickly as possible. So from 8 or 6 a day now down to 4 for the next 2 days. Then it's 3 for 2 weeks. Then 2 for 1 week, 1 for the final week then none. Whilst the physical withdrawal is horrible it's mindset for me. I need to get away from the first 2 of the day that I think "get me going"

I work from home so that could help in taking it easy. I've got 5htp which I'll start in a few days, just let the levels drop from the tramadol before i replace. DP in charge of my prescription so will be handing them out to me. Pharmacist calling me weekly for updates. He is aware of my plan, whilst he isn't totally on board with mu route he understands why because I've tapered slowly previously as was unsuccessful.

I'll document each day

Good luck, you can do this x

Day 1 - down to 4 a day.

Avoided the first thing in the morning route and took 2 at 11:30am.

I am planning on taking the final 2 at 6pm. I need to move away from the 2 at a time as soon it will be 1 taken three times a day. I struggle with taking 1 on its own. Subconsciously think that I will not get that boost from 1. Brains can be the most horrendous things at times.

Not too worried about tomorrow. I work for local authority, still at home and majority of my work is reporting and data, not people facing, so there is that to help if I am not feeling well.

Feeling tired but not unbearably so.

I forgot to add, I have told my manager about my addiction. She has been amazing and has put me on a different department until I feel stronger to go back to my usual duties.

I just thought to add that so if anyone is in a similar position, try not to worry about speaking to your manager. My temporary role has reduced the pressure a huge amount.

@Thenextthing1 you can do this.
I've twice had to get off tramadol, I was prescribed it without really being made aware of the addiction and side effects and became addicted for about 2 years, I was on a similar amount daily and went cold turkey. It wasn't easy but it was over quicker than I thought and it was the mental anguish over it that was worse than physical side effects really.

I stayed off it for 6 years until I was prescribed it again, which I should have refused but was in a bad place and just didn't, because I went cold turkey the doctors didn't know I'd had an addiction before. Second time around after about 1.5 years I broke down to the doctor who was so incredibly supportive and helped me taper off, she really let me guide the process and in all it took around 8 months.

You can do this

Good luck OP, we’re all with you.

Thank you for your supportive words. I'm adamant this won't define me any longer. It is about to get very difficult but I'm ready

I just wanted to add my support and encouragement. I came off Klonopin 12 years ago with the help of my GP. Ghastly drugs! Best wishes! 💐

Thank you that's very kind 🤗

I hope I'm saying the same in 12 years

Day 2 - still on 4 (50mg each)

Woke at 6:30 am.
First 2 at 10am.
Final 2 at 6pm.

Not felt bad at all today. Kept myself busy and tried not to think about it. I'm pretty certain there is an element of mind over matter so that's why I am trying not to focus on it too much during the day.

No supplements included yet. Tomorrow I'll be down to 3. 1 taken three times. This will be a hurdle as I've never taken 1 alone before. Its that mental block needing to take 2. No need for mitrazapine yet. Trying to manage without as I'm so sluggish the next day even off 3mg!!! I have to cut up a 15mg tablet, they are so strong.

You are amazing for doing this

I was addictive to another strong opioid, dihydrocodiene. I did a short sharp taper (due to running out) and then cold turkey, it was genuinely hell for a few days, like the worst flu virus, stomach virus, hangover and depression all in one and I basically lived between my duvet and the toilet for 3 or 4 days. By day 5 it was much better and then the mental clarity and pride that comes in the forthcoming days is totally worth it.

my addiction was secret from everyone and I’d been ordering online so I couldn’t even reach out for medical, family or work support. I think I just had to say it was a bad virus.

I’m so proud of myself for doing it but in your position I’d be taking advantage of any support you can get - if you can’t get the annual leave can you take sick leave - you most likely WILL be unwell for at least 2-3 days

agree re Imodium and also magnesium salts for the joint pain, baths were a lifesaver.

YOU CAN DO THIS! will check back on this thread regularly to support you

I wish you well OP.

I had tramadol after an op almost ten years ago. Only on it for a few days but I still think about it and how much I enjoyed the “hit”.

It’s an incredibly powerful drug. I hope you manage to beat this.

Wishing you the best of luck! You can do this. 💪

Hi op how're you today

You are doing so well, tramadol is an evil drug. I wish I had known more about it before I was prescribed it for excruciating sciatica caused by a herniated disc. I was on 50mg 3 times a day for almost a year and although it eased the pain and gave me that spaced out feeling, which in turn made life and its traumas so much easier to deal with, the side effects whilst on them were awful.
I tried numerous times to slowly withdraw but the mood swings, restless legs and feeling I couldn't function together with the increased pain always sent me back.
After a successful operation on my back last august I was advised by my consultant to stop taking them, no cutting down, just stop.
In some ways I was fortunate as being out of pain and recovering from the surgery took my mind off of it and I am now free of all medication.
My advice is to stick with it....as horrendous as the withdrawal symptoms are the side effects and brain fog from being on tramadol are far worse. Just take it a day at a time, let people know so they understand, can help and keep busy. Best of luck OP