Posted by Gracie2 on October 5, 2001, at 23:18:50
In reply to Re: ULTRAM for 2 years in high doses, is this BAD???, posted by pussycat on October 5, 2001, at 3:36:30
Cat-
Yes, I've had a terrible time getting off Ultram
because of the length of time (about 3 years)and the high dosage I was taking. After several days without it, I start having anxiety attacks and I quit sleeping. The insomnia is terrible. Last month, I went to my pyschiatrist for help. He is aware of my history of drug abuse and prescribed a low dose of klonapin for me VERY reluctantly.
It helped a little, but not much, and I was afraid to ask for more.
Once the klonapin ran out, I was awake for nearly 72 hours and was almost sick with exhaustion. I went to my GP, who is not aware of my drug history. I was afraid to be honest, because being labeled as a drug user might mean that he could withhold painkillers when I really do need them for an injury. I could just imagine breaking my ankle in twelve places and being given regular Tylenol for the pain.
Anyway, bless him, he gave me a prescription for Seroquel and Xanax. I went home and slept for about 20 hours. I could have wept with gratitude.
Serious insomnia is hell, plain uncut hell.
I have one refill each for the Xanax and Seroquel.
I'm taking them as prescribed and hope that I will ride out my Ultram withdrawal in the meantime, so I can sleep without pills.
Prehaps you can try Seroquel for RLS while tapering from the Ultram. It may seem like you would just be exchanging one medication for the other, but Ultram requires larger and larger doses to be effective (at least for me) while Seroquel does not. I have taken Seroquel for insomnia in the past and never had to up the dose that was therapeutic for me.
Good luck-
Gracie
poster:Gracie2
thread:80209
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010927/msgs/80409.html