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.

Really proud of you OP

😀😀😀😀 amazing!!! xxx

Thank you so much. I will admit, I am a little apprehensive about the coming months. In that I am at risk of forgetting how bad they were and relapsing. I am going to keep coming back to this thread and rereading what I posted.

Again, everyone has been so amazing. To have a space to share has been so therapeutic 🤗

Incredible !! 👏💐

Well done

Hope you're feeling ok OP, you're doing so well!

Good job op

@Thenextthing1 I'm onto 3 a day from 5
Gonna start doing 2
Then 1
Then none

This thread has gave me some positive thoughts that it can be done :)

Good for you, you can do it!

Thenextthing1 how are you doing? Been thinking about you. Hope you are well.

Well done op.
Have you been to NA meetings?

I have been doing well. I have struggled with cravings but I did expect to feel that.

I have dialled in to NA meetings but its been difficult to keep us as I gave been caring for my aunt who is elderly. So there have been time constraints but I am trying when I have time. It has been easier than I thought but anyone who is considering coming off them, it's not the withdrawal that's the hard part. It's remembering why you came off them.

I feel better off them now. I continue to stay active and walk my family members dog. I am considering getting a rescue now as I do enjoy getting out

That's fantastic, you did amazingly well.

So happy for you

Well done op, you’ve done amazing to go from so many to none! Glad you are feeling better.

ive been on them since may non stop, around 2-6 a day depending on pain levels. My gp is reluctant to keep prescribing them but when I don’t take them, everything hurts, I have pain in my back, my knees, my feet and my hips when I don’t take them, although I have no diagnosed problem. The gp tried to switch me onto amlytriptalin but I had a bad reaction to them, they were horrendous and I couldn’t take them. I take the bulk of mine weekdays whilst I’m at work as that’s when I’m in the most pain, I try to limit them at weekends because they keep only prescribing 30 at a time so to try and make them last but I’ve noticed if I don’t take them I get horrible night sweats. Did you notice night sweats coming off them? I have less enthusiasm to get stuff done at weekends when I don’t take them as I’m in pain and feel like doing nothing. I hate this though, the anxiety of not knowing if they’ll approve the next prescription. The gp has requested an appt but it’s difficult as I work nights so I’m asleep in the daytimes.

@makingmiracles

Still struggling myself with the same thing. The feelings you get when you don't take them.

Feel so dependent on them. Get more done when I take them. Less when I don't.
Ahh thought it'd be easy and it's really not. I managed to get to two a day then one. Ended up back on 4 at least a day

Just been prescribed these so have read this thread with interest. Certainly don't want an addiction on top of everything else. Does anyone know how long you can safely take it without risk of addiction?

To be honest I've taken two day and they've had zero effect? I was expecting to feel something but I may as well have popped a Smartie. Didn't help the pain and I didn't feel any other effects at all.

3 weeks for me then I had to cut down slowly.

Sorry, 2 weeks in hospital and 3 weeks at home. It was a long time ago, so 5 weeks in total.

Before the two weeks on tramadol in hospital I was on she'd loads of morphine, I don't know if that made things worse as it's an opiate as well?

I don't think you can prevent an addiction if I'm brutally honest. The body becomes accustomed to even 2 50mg a day so you will still experience some form of withdrawal. They really are the most awful prescription drug. If you can manage pain with an alternative I urge you to do so.

Yes, I did sweat a huge amount. I likened it to something out of trainspotting when the actor is withdrawing from heroin. Sounds extreme to anyone who has never taken them, believe me its similar to a Class A drug withdrawal.

Anyone wanting to stop, don't be afraid of the withdrawal, that's the easy part. The mindset is another battle. But YOU CAN DO IT. I promise you'll feel better on the other side of this

Sorry I am unsure why but I have two usernames! 🤦‍♀️ I have no idea why I have two but the message is the same

Op well done I came back here to see how you were doing!
Is tramadol not a class A drug? It's a synthetic opiate isn't it so the withdrawals would be the same?
Well done though it takes some people years!

Keep going op.
You've bloody gone and done it.
Write down a list of all the things it took from you.all the things it made you feel.theb a list of how much you can now do free.
Also maybe do some mental health work?
There is a reason people get addicted and it's not just chemically. It's emotional and it gives you something in times of need.to feel safe,or numb,to feel calm or like you need the feeling of something helping you carry on.even if it's some sort of placebo effect in the end because does it actually help you carry on with the day.or is the act of taking the tablet and waiting for it to help also a reason for the addiction. And in this case addicts needs support to mentally find other ways.find the strength in themselves.in others.in talking or or techniques.
Because addiction is a mental illness of sorts.it provides something for someone struggling.which is why it's so hard to come off it.not only for the physical symptoms but also for the unsafe mental issues at not having your crutch.
I always found with addiction and the reasons there was always something deeper at play.and that part needs care.
You've done so well ok.i hope you can see that and be proud.
Don't forget to come back here too if you need us.
There is always going to be bumps or times in life that you struggle or get hit with a life event.so make sure your mind doesntvtrick you into thinking that "feeling" of a tramadol will help.it doesn't.and it's never one either.its one mote always.