Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by spriggy on May 1, 2007, at 14:57:27
I am trying to get off of this stuff; my doctor assured me it was not addictive ( HMMPH!) but when I try to stop it, I get cold sweats, sick to my stomach, diarrhea, anxiety, and shakes.
I am right now taking it every other day; still experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
From reading online, it sounds like this stuff is not FUN to come off of- some folks are comparing it to heroine!
The main reason I wanted to stop is because I have been having trouble sleeping the longer I stayed on it, and it stopped helping my pain anyway in the 3rd month.
Anyone know how i can get off this stuff for good???
Posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2007, at 15:02:21
In reply to Ultram Er and withdrawal-, posted by spriggy on May 1, 2007, at 14:57:27
Ahh I'm sorry Spriggy thought it was helping so much. Lymes tx done too? Maybe withdrawal board but your friends are here. Love Phillipa. ps smaller pieces each day til down to none?
Posted by med_empowered on May 1, 2007, at 15:15:01
In reply to Re: Ultram Er and withdrawal- » spriggy, posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2007, at 15:02:21
maybe try the IR tabs? Here in the us, that's all we have--50mgs IR and the Ultracet (37.5ultram/some aceptaminophen). Anyway...its an opiate, so there may be some withdrawal symptoms...clonidine?
Posted by kaleidoscope on May 1, 2007, at 15:22:41
In reply to Ultram Er and withdrawal-, posted by spriggy on May 1, 2007, at 14:57:27
>Anyone know how i can get off this stuff
By slowly and sensibly reducing the dose over a period of a few weeks. Do not attempt to stop Ultram abruptly, this strategy has no benefits whatsoever.
Ed
Posted by rjlockhart on May 1, 2007, at 15:51:46
In reply to Re: Ultram Er and withdrawal- » spriggy, posted by kaleidoscope on May 1, 2007, at 15:22:41
spriggy,
can you tell your doctor is there anything else that you can take to get off it, like another, well Ultram is an antidepressant, and a pain killer, well soem antidepressant properties.
Its like withdrawling from effexor, i dont know if you have heard how bad the withdrawl from that is.
But seriously talk to your doctor, make an appointment and tell him all these symptoms your experiencing.
Please take care.
God bless you, and i hope god will lead you to being healed.
((pray))
or go pray hard with someone.
Thats what i do.
Like with pastors, or people on the prayer telephone lines.
Watch the 700 club! there are people, i have been healed one time on that show while they where praying over people randomly.
Anyways sorry not getting to a point.
But you take care.
Matt
Posted by Dianne Hammond on May 1, 2007, at 16:05:56
In reply to Ultram Er and withdrawal-, posted by spriggy on May 1, 2007, at 14:57:27
I am so sorry that you have having to go through withdrawals. They are the pits. I was taking 100 mg 4 times a day for about 4 years. One day I just STOPPED and didn't need them any more. The withdrawals are just as you said. Except for I went through horrible anxiety attacks also.
Your doctor is WRONG when he says that they are not addictive. They really are. Ultram (tramadol) is really scarey stuff.
I have no advice other than I did it cold turkey and it took about a week for me to get past it. My heart goes out to you. Write it you need someone to rant at.
Posted by Quintal on May 1, 2007, at 16:36:07
In reply to Ultram Er and withdrawal-, posted by spriggy on May 1, 2007, at 14:57:27
I once quit tramadol from 800mg/day cold turkey, and yes it was as awful as you say. I think comparing it to Heroin might be an exaggeration though. There also seems to be some confusion between addiction and dependence. From what you say it sounds more like tolerance and dependence, which happens with many meds that are taken long term. Apparently Lamictal can reduce or even prevent opiate tolerance, which might be worth looking into if you still need an opiate?
The best way to come off tramadol would be to reduce the dose in small steps over a month or two. The size of the decrements and the length of the taper depends on the dose you've been taking. It's entirely possible to withdraw from tramadol comfortably (unless of course it's actually still helping your pain to some extent and this is unmasked as the dose is reduced).
Q
Posted by crenshaw387 on May 2, 2007, at 14:22:09
In reply to Ultram Er and withdrawal-, posted by spriggy on May 1, 2007, at 14:57:27
i fint that ultram (tramadol) is one of the worst of the opioid alangesics.... it has some of the lowest efficacy and some of the worst side effects... i will not take it at all... i only take oxycodone or dilaudid usually.
Posted by spriggy on May 3, 2007, at 23:21:58
In reply to Re: Ultram Er and withdrawal-, posted by crenshaw387 on May 2, 2007, at 14:22:09
The problem with weaning off is that they have me on a time release type (200 ER).
I wonder if I just try to "get through it" with other opiods, if that will work. I do have hydrocodone around that I could try to take when the withdrawals get unbearable.I can only go 2 days right now without it before I end up being so miserable that I take one.
I had NO idea I would go through this.
Posted by kaleidoscope on May 4, 2007, at 15:29:32
In reply to thanks everyone.., posted by spriggy on May 3, 2007, at 23:21:58
Hi
>The problem with weaning off is that they have me on a time release type (200 ER)
You need a new prescription for a lower strength.
>I wonder if I just try to "get through it" with other opiods, if that will work.
This is not a good method. Tramadol is not a standard opioid and is not interchangeable with the others. You should only taper off tramadol with tramadol ;)
Ed
This is the end of the thread.
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