First of all, I apologize for spelling errors. I am a 37-year-old Hungarian man. I use more than 700mg tramadol / day. I had testicular cancer and Sudeck syndrome, the doctors were unable to help. 320mg morphine they gave me, because I sometimes screamed in pain. When I got better, they were replaced the morphine to tramadol I gave first time 1200mg after 1000mg. I'm using 750 or up to 900 mg / day. Unfortunately, the doctor told me that maybe I can not put down the tramadol never because i have regional pain syndrome, and many another pain. I live in England a year ago and happens to run out of my medications. I just go everywhere, walkin center, hospital, pharmacy and I see the terrified glances everywhere. I am ashamed that I have to use this pain killer, I am ashamed that I am an addict. Sometimes I think about a lot of bad things. I tried to stop, but came to the withdrawal symptoms and the pain and I'm a strong man but I cry like a child. I do not know that I really need this drug. And if I need it who can give,If I would like to reduce who can help me cause I have GP but the doctors dont like to help about tramadol. I am confused. I would like to die. I feel people here are very strong and I admire theirs struggle. I failed. I just hope you understand me...Im sorry about my english.
Hi Krisztian. Im so sorry about this horrible situation you are in. If you have read all the Tramadol related posts then you will know that the main thing is to withdraw really really slowly. Unfortunately even if you do this you are still going to get the withdrawal symptoms. Its a tricky med! If you do this successfully will your original pain not come back though? Hopefully some of thebother people who have had similar problems to you will be able to advise more than me because I had more support I guess. You sound like you desperately need help and support to manage your pain and to sort out the Tramadol problem. I wonder if going to a& e would help initially and say you are desperate and no one will help. Please dont feel ashamed. It is scary to think that your body is so dependent on these meds I know. What area in the UK are you in. Keep your spirits up. You can do this. But you need help too. X
Please don't feel ashamed. You have had some very difficult health problems to deal with. I hope your cancer is now gone. Tapering down slowly is the only way but you need help to manage your pain. Your doctor can refer you to the Pain Clinic for your Regional Pain Syndrome. At the Pain Clinic they will help you to look at options for managing your pain. Don't feel ashamed and don't give up. Ask your GP for help. Ask about a referal to the Pain Clinic.
Yes I was referred to the Chronic Pain Clinic via my GP and they are very helpful. If your current GP is less than helpful try changing. They must help you though. I found it useful to take someone with me for backup. When my son was not being treated very well by his GP I went with him and they were a damn sight more respectful towards him when I was there! Let us know how you get on. X
I agree, very good idea to have someone with you.
Hi Kris,
That's about the dosage I was on for about 3-4 years. As other's say it's best to taper slow. Tramadol withdrawal seems to come with a lot of added anxiety & emotional discomfort which makes the opiate withdrawal symptoms almost impossible to handle. What worked best for me was to get on an SSRI antidepressant as I taperred down the Tramadol. Taking Kratom also helped but that can become addictive in itself. I'm not sure if it's legal there as it is in the US. With Kratom, at least you're not having to deal with doctors who most times want nothing to do addicts.
Other than those suggestions, what helped me with withdrawal was:
Stay hydrated
Hot baths
Comfortable chairs
Someone to help me taper
People to talk to
Movies for those long nights
Stay as active as you can
Keep your mind someone other than your discomfort
Vitamin supplements, potassium, magnesium, B6
God & prayer
Remember the search for an easier solution just keeps you stuck
Face the pain
Don't do it alone
One minute at a time, one day at a time
Sex
Massage
Be patient with yourself
Don't trust your feelings
A comfortable bed
This too shall pass
I can do all things thru God who strengthens me
A good doctor
Kleenex
Don't eat anything that's hard to digest
Ativan
Friends & family
Honesty
Hydration, pottasium, hot baths, massage help with RLS
Give someone else control over your supply
get a pill cutter
stretching & yoga
A medical detox if it's available. Keep in mind the struggle is not over after a medical detow. You will still have any insane sleepless nights.
Excecise
Also keep in mind that drugs intended to make you sleep, will most likely only make the sleepless night MORE INSANE. It's just makes the need to sleep stronger, and the inability to sleep more insane.
No one ever died from lack of sleep, so I've been told.
Get some sun, don't hide in a cave.
Again, most of all, BE PATIENT
People do care, & youre not alone, we understand.
Know those negative thoughts & feelings are not real. You're body screams out like a spoiled child, and your mind is acting the same.
look at the Tramadol like a poison & not your best friend
It's a grieving process & it has the same stages. It is like the loss of a best friend, but you're going t be better off on the other side after having been through it. You'll have an increased capacity to love others as you can relate to their pain. Let the pain hit and don't run from it. Pain seems to carve out a place in your heart that ends up increasing your capacity to love others.
You can do it, just be patient, and don't try to do it all alone.
Carl
Fantastic advice!