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.

Wondering how you are, OP?

Day 3 - 4 a day (50mg each tablet)

I thought today was down to 3 but its actually 4 today. Tomorrow I'm down to 3!

I took a quarter mitrazapine last night (it's a 15mg tablet cut) I'm going to ask GP for a lower dose so I'm not needing to cut it. Knocked me out and I did struggle waking. Get my legs becoming restless and I cannot bear that!

Today has gone well again. Nothing major to report. Still a little fatigued. Tomorrow its down to 3. Bear in mind this time last week I was on 6 to 8 tablets a day (300 - 400mg in total) so I feel that's good progress.

Thank you everyone for your advice and sharing experiences, I hope someone can read this one day and feel inspired to do the same. Awful drug.

I was on 8 a day, I tried dropping two at once and I was really poorly. I couldn't imagine going cold turkey and I wouldn't recommend it. It took me 8 months to come off them with tapering. The withdrawals were horrendous but I knew I had to get through it. I've always maintained had I known how awful they were I would never have taken them. They didn't even help with my pain, my GP just kept giving me more painkillers! I was on a right cocktail of 17 tablets a day at one point and still in pain.

Day 4 - down to 3 a day

1 @ 8am
1@ 12:30pm
1 @ 5pm

I am tired today. Forced myself to wash my hair to look more human. Took mitrazapine again last night. Overall I feel like I'm doing really well. I'm definitely pushing a different mindset this time. I am not thinking about it and trying to keep busy. I know I will come off them as the determination to stop is huge right now. Day 5 will be the same dose.

Just popped on to say @Thenextthing1 it's no longer a case of 'can you do it?'... here you are... you are DOING IT. Little by little, day by day. Doing it.

Yes, you're doing brilliantly @Thenextthing1 - so impressive.

Well done OP, you're doing it! x

How are you doing OP?

I haven't posted as i felt fatigued over the last few days.

Day 5 & 6 - 3 a day still

The restlessness in my legs was horrible on Wednesday night and less so Thursday. I've had slight stomach cramps and loose bowel.

Still on 3 until Tuesday then its being dropped down again to 2.

Overall I'm doing really well. I genuinely believe that when you want to stop, that is half the battle. This time next week I'll be looking at the week ahead on 1 a day.

I'm really pleased how it is going.

That's incredible, you're doing so well 💐👏

You're doing so bloody well OP

You're amazing - well done.

If you wanna keep your mood on track try Ashwagandha supplement, it helped me a lot to balance my mood during pmdd.

Another suggestion from me would be try acupuncture and some herbal supplements from them, I went with my back and pmdd and it helped me a lot as well.
Good luck op.🍀🍀

@Thenextthing1 you're doing incredibly well and I hope all is good today. I'm meeting with our local pain service in a couple of weeks to discuss coming off tramadol too. I've been on it for 11yrs and I realise now it's not helping my pain levels anymore and isn't doing me any favours either so the time to stop it is now.
I'm wishing you all the very best

Just want to wish you luck op I was prescribed tramadol but the side effects were too much.

Please be careful with mirtazipine as that can cause problems too. Coming off that nearly sent me crazy the withdrawals are horrific, there's lots of support groups for people coming off it and one man said coming off heroin was easier. Just a heads up for you.
Good luck. The determination you have will get you there.

I have just ordered Ashwagandha, thank you for the recommendation.

I haven't taken the mitrazapine for the last two nights. I couldn't cope with the feeling the next day. I do believe it lowers my mood. The restless legs have eased off last night so i will just stay off them now. They were helpful earlier on.

I am focused on how I will be when fully clean from this drug. I'm no longer watching the clock to take more. No longer worrying about coming off them. I know I will not go back. I am so determined. The words of encouragement have really helped
Thank you all so much. Hopefully next week will remain positive

Yes the low dose mirtazipine did that to me as well, apparently the higher dose is an antidepressant and the low dose sedative. I did ok on the high dose but the constant hunger and weight gain I couldn't deal with.
Every day is a goal achieved, and a step forward so keep up the good work x

I am glad I was off work on Friday. I have been working from home but I was very fatigued yesterday. I'm making sure I have a walk each day, I have even offered to take my brothers dog for his evening walk just to get me out.

Just to reiterate, I was on 400mg a day only 9 days ago. I hope anyone reading this that has had enough, sees that it is achievable. You can do this. I am not a fan of the drawn out taper. It just didn't work for me but each to their own. I did read an article stating that you should drop down 50mg a day once the withdrawals have disappeared from the current dosage.

For example, I had restless legs on Wednesday but last night I was ok. That would be the nod to drop another tablet from tomorrow if i still feel ok tonight. I'm not doing that just yet as i am still fatigued but I think by tomorrow I may be in a better position. That is how I'm doing this now. Wait for the current withdrawal to stop, then drop.

Further updates will follow.

You're doing absolutely incredible. Honestly good for you. Take care. xxx

I was also addicted to Tramadol. Came off it cold turkey only to relapse a year later. I was furious with myself. Got off it again which wasn't easy but managed to stay off it, this was 8 yrs ago and haven't touched it since.

You can do this. It's gonna be tough but once you've got through the withdrawals you won't look back.

Day 9 (I think) 3 today

Feeling fine. No mitrazapine still. Taking 5htp and ashwagandha usually in the afternoon after lunch. It makes me eel sick on an empty stomach as I found out yesterday.

Horrendous nightmares having to wake myself up to calm down. Over than that it's been OK.

Down to 2 tomorrow. Let's see if those restless legs return!

Thank you. That must have been difficult having to do it again. I think what makes it easier is if you are determined. That's half the battle

Another day done OP, a massive well done to you

How're you getting on op? Hope you're ok!

Day 11 - 2 a day so 100mg total

I am on two a day now. I use to have an issue getting away from the 1st two of the day but now I'm not struggling. I take two at whatever time I remember to get them out of the way. First thing in the morning or late on, I no longer feel like I need the boost I use to imagine they gave.

I have a follow up call with the GP tomorrow and I am asking for final prescription of 1 a day from Friday. That will be it if they agree.

No restless legs. Still taking vitamins so all very positive.