heatherlo...Hi. I'm a 35 yr old mom of 3 small children who got addicted to a legal, narcotic-like herbal substance and abused it for about 18 months. I ended up blowing around $10,000 in 18 months on this crap. My question is this: After I came clean to my husband last Sunday, I went to my MD on w/d day #3, and he put me on Tramadol 50mg, 2 pills 4 x a day. I have weined down, and today is my LAST day and I only have 1 pill for today. I AM STILL IN PAIN! My back is sooo achy, and my legs still ache a little too... it's mainly back pain. Is this normal? It's been 11 days since I got of the MAJOR meds... I thought w/d pain went away much sooner! Do you think it would be something else that's causing this pain? I don't want to stay on the Tramadol any longer than necessary, but tylenol/ibuprofin and aleve arent' taking the pain away. Emotionally and phychologically, I am FINE... just this lingering pain thing. I can't properly do my job as a mom of 3 with a husband that travels 2-3 days per week with this chronic, nagging back pain. It's not HORRIBLE, but enough that I want it to go away, because it's effecting my mood and personality. PLEASE HELP. Is this normal withdrawal? Would you call the dr back? I don't want him to think I'm drug seeking again! I'm NOT... just want to feel good physically again, or at least better than I am now! THANKS!!!
BTW... I purposely am NOT telling the name of the drug for fear that it could give some abusers another drug to try.
How long does withdrawal pain from narcotics last?
- Posted:
- 17 Nov 2009 by heatherlove722
- Topics:
- pain, withdrawal
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Answers (5)
mpvt17 Nov 2009
You should be very proud of yourself as what you are going through is not an easy thing to endure.
The problem that I see is the TRAMADOL which is not classified as a opiate but it should be. It's addictive and you get terrible withdrawls when you stop it after taking it chronically.
What you have on your side is you were only doing this drug you talk about for 18 months which isn't long enough to cause the severe chemical changes that happen to the brain and body with long term chronic addicts.
Once you are off the tramadol then I would bet that within 2 weeks or sooner you will notice a huge improvement.
Buddy197117 Nov 2009
I've been on schedule 2 narcotics for over four years and there have been a few times that I lost or my meds were stolen. I know with Morphine it takes over two weeks to get it out of your system. All pain you have will be exagerated while in the process. I don't know why you don't just stay on the Tramadol? It's not an opiate,and if it gets rid of the pain I don't see a problem. Me on the other hand when I wake up in the morning I'm feeling withdrawl symtoms after only 4 or 5 hrs. It only happens when I sleep but until I take my dilaudid in the morning I'm in a state much like you describe,but since I've been on them so long and they are so strong. It sounds like your pain is real because you said opiate,actully you said narcotic,but if what you took wasn't an opiate I don't understand why you would have withdrawl at all.
heatherlove722
17 Nov 2009
Thank you both for your comments and suggestions. I just had a major breakdown... primarily because of this pain issue, but I know deep down it's still the drugs coming out of my system. My husband (who is out of town) is calling the doctor back, and catching the next flight back in town. It's very hard to explain an addiction to a non-addict. My problem is... I was STRONGLY addicted, taking approx. 5x the usual dosage of this herb, 3-4 times per day, and took it daily for 18 months. Is it just me, or does weining off in 7 days sound like to fast??? I realize I said narcotic, not opiate... but this IS a LEGAL opiate in the US, although it isn't made here. It is already being investigated by the FDA, and should become illegal in the next yr or so. HOPEFULLY, it's NOT the tramadol... it has literally saved my life! My hope, is that I just weined toooooo fast. Thanks for all the support and info, guys!! Best wishes to all.
Buddy1971
17 Nov 2009
Thank you for the advice,unfortunetly I have two vertabre fussed (c-1 c-2) and the bone graph isn't taking. I've had two operations to try and fix it now it's wait and see. I'm still on dilaudid for the pain but I'm going to try acupunture. I already go for electro-stimulation and ultra sound also. I used to bike everywhere but my bike was stolen. I just got a new Cannondale & I love being able to ride. I have my dog & a nice apt all I need is my neck to fuse & I shouldn't be in the pain I'm in. That's intersting about tramadol,I knew it was supposed to be an opiate strenth,non opiate. I have other issues to with anxiety & have been on klonopin(a benzo) both for the anxiety and I have seizures,I have tried non benzodiazapines but just didn't get relief. Again thanks for the response and I hope it goes well for you. I'm just not at a place with my health that I can get off the opiates and I just turned 38.
chellbshell18 Nov 2009
i am a addict and i just want to say hang in there i know how hard it is but it will get better i promise it takes along time for the body to repair itself it took you 18 months to do the damage it will get better though ive been addicted to pills and herion and methadone and the back pain is normal but i do understand what your saying about not being able to function properly with the household the tylenol pm does work wonders for the night i no the night time is the worst sometimes and no sleep makes it worse whenever you can rest and try to eat healthy and drink lots of juice and gatorade and with the medication the doc gave you ,you can make it just dont ever forget this feeling ,good luck
heatherlove722
18 Nov 2009
Thank you for the encouragement, chellbshell. My firstborn, 8 yr old daughter's name is Shelby... :)
GOOD LUCK TO YOU TOO!!! Heather
Lizzy'smom19 Nov 2009
Hi, I'm Lizzy'smom, you can find my story elsewhere in this forum, it's too long to write again. But, I'm so glad you're off of Tramadol. That's my withdrawal hell right now. Was on 800 mg. for 6 years., This is my 11th day of cold turkey, well not quite, but close. I only had enough to work down 2 days, cut in half and then in half again, way too fast. Then the 11 days. I guess I'm just impatient, one day at a time I guess. My sis gave me a few Nervam, I'd cut them in 4ths, and took about 1 pill a day for the central nervous system jerks and shakes, (horrible things). I'm grateful I had something, but took a1/4th this afternoon, and realize it is that that is knocking me out everyday. How on earth to people take more than 1/4th of a small dose. I have no idea. So no more, I'd rather tough it out than spend several hours feeling so druged I can't wake up. Just be glad you haven't gone down the road as far as me.
heatherlove722
19 Nov 2009
Thanks Lizzy's mom. Today, day 13 is much better... and every day is getting a little easier. I went to the health food store today and asked what they suggested for mood stabilization,(kind of told them my story to a point): as I know that coming off opiates completely depletes your dopamine levels. They suggested a supplement of Vit B12, Vit D3 and a product called "SharpMind" by Solaray. It's made up of Ginkgo, L-Dopa, and a few other ALL natural products. The owner's wife told me she took them and was completely convinced after only 2 days that they were awesome for mental health and depression. I'm also taking a daily multi-vitamin. I started them this morning, and, it may all be in my head (seriously, I wouldn't doubt it), but emotionally, I feel a ton better. Yesterday, I was still SOOOOO bluesy. I usually don't mind winter, but was dreading it coming on yesterday and was wishing I was back in the Carribean.
Lizzy'smom
20 Nov 2009
We've been in the 60's too, but I haven't been able to get out, I didn't much before this, so I'm not too surprised. A storm is coming tomorrow. so snow for us. Oh well. I'm going to keep in mind those things you mentioned (both for me and my daughter). I haven't been blue, but maybe I have, I was, what I'd say hyper emotional about things. Tender things yes, but I don't usually get weepy? Then, memories of my dear mom, and what she went though, and hyper defensive about her. (All in my head of course, well, I may have bauled (sp) out a sister verbally, once or twice) she's 1,000 miles away, so all here in my little emotional head. I just kind of laugh at myself and realize I am what I would call, 'a little fragile emotionally right now. This would not be a good time for someone to try to deal with an issue right now. I'm sure it's all part of this process.
Miricle b...21 Dec 2009
I know its hard im only 16 and i was on loratabs and my parents thought i was taking 3 a day which was my recommended dose when i was really takin 15 a day... i was goin in my mothers purse and takin hers :( but they found out and they let me weine down... my dad thought i was taking up to 5 a day so he started givin me 4' so i went from 15 a day all the way to 4 a day( i was on 10 mgs so 10 times 15 dats 150 a day to 40 a day) my mom knew i was takin 15 a day though... then afta 1 week i went to 2 loratabs for 2 days and today is my 1st day off and my doctor prescribed me ultram er and its been over 16 hours without a loratab and i feel great...
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Thanks for the advice, Dave. After talking to my husband, and my dr. , He decided to try me on Restalin 2x a day, and Flexeril as needed. HOPEFULLY, that's it!!! Can't wait to finally be pain free and OFF ALL NARCS! Thank GOD in Heaven for saving me from this addiction!
Sorry, I meant to say RELAFEN, not restalin... hahahahaaaaa. Although I'm sure restalin couldn't hurt my crows feet and make my mood better! :)