JessicaMa...I have tried everything but the Tramadol withdrawals are so unbarable I cant do it. I am a single mother of four and have wanted off of this for ten years... I am probably one of the worst cases of Ultram dependance.
I was put on Ultram at the age of 15, that was 12 years ago; how do I get off of this drug?
- Posted:
- 11 Jan 2012 by JessicaMarietta
- Topics:
- ultram, anxiety, pain, restless legs syndrome, fibromyalgia, tramadol, withdrawal
Details:
Responses (2)
Mary63200911 Jan 2012
Hi Jessica, & welcome to the site. The usual way of getting off of ultram or tramadol is a slow taper method. PLEASE don't ever just quit them as it can causeseizures. The drug reps presented this drug to doctors as a non narcotic drug that relieves pain & the doctors ate it up! They have prescribed it over everything on the market today! What the drug reps didn't tell the doctors is once it mixes with our bodys chemistry is becomes oppite lie in natures & becomes quite addiction in nature.A slow taper is the best way to get off of ultram. When I say slow I am talmking 5mg a week at the very least. You did not mention how much you are taking or the dosage, but 10 to12 years is a long time. You also didn't mention why you are on them. Do you have a chrontic pain condition? At any rate, a slow taper of 5mg a week is the usual reccommened taper plan. that doesn't mean you have to stick with it.
rockgal8111 Mar 2012
Hi Jessica! I know it's been a while since you posted this question, but I wanted to share my story because it's very similar to yours. I started taking it 7 years ago, harmlessly enough. I quickly spiraled outta control, taking 25-30 a day just to function. I too, was a single mom, and It gave me the endless energy I always wanted. But, it does come at a high price! I've now tried 4 times to come off of it. The last time was a week ago. I'd been off it for 6 days, when my doctor handed me another prescription.
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Great answer as usual Mary. Ruth
Yes ma'am... Okay, I got on ultram when I was a teen because I have a ray of different health problems, but mainly Fibromyalgia is the reason I was put on it. I went from 100mg a day to now I roughly take 600-800mg a day. It is hard for me to disciplin myself enough to cut down... I am a single mother of four and never ever get a min to rest... I tend to take it to make up for lack of sleep and fatigue by taking pills.
Not many people even know I take any meds period... Not something I am actually proud of. I feel like I am utterly trapped in this drug. I have been on it so long and since I was so young that I have no idea what life is without it. My mother takes it, my sister takes it, and my father did as well... he even passed away while going through withdrawals from Ultram amongst several other health problems... none of us can stay off of it.
Hi Jessica,
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I understand honey. I've been addicted to a whole lot worse than Ultram. Not minimizing you're problem at all!! I'm saying I understand. You are young and you shouldn't feel bad at all about writing to us and telling us you'r e problem. That's what we are here for. That's what we're suppose to be here for. I hear the frusturation in your voice. I want to help you soo badly. There's a girl on here named Laurie.. well several that have taper plans that I hope read this and will write back to you if you are wanting to slowly taper off of the Ultram. Any, and I repeat any drug that you have taken for as long as you have is hard to come off of, and you shouldn't be ashamed at all. I am trying to taper down from Klonopin and it's no walk in the park. I am frusturated every minute right now, but know it will get better. It's the hardest thing I've had to do, but I was on way too much of it, and wanted and needed to lower my dose. I've been shaky and irritable, but I am doing it slowly so it isn't awful. I'm hoping you can find a way to do this that won't be awful for you either. I will pray that it won't. I hope that I have helped a little bit anyway. We are here for you. And we care. God bless. Ruth
Not to make light of your situation, but I'll bet your family get togethers are a lot oe fun! Does everyone just sit & stare at one another? I cannot believe your whole family is on it! What did your dad die from. I hope it was not a seizure, or it could have been the ultram... Mary
Okay to the woman that posted four days ago ( Mary) cracking a joke about my family and than actually having the nerve to ask about my deceased father? I came on here for support, understanding, and a ray of help... Not some random insensitive woman to laugh at pain you clearly have not a clue about.
I know there's better people on this site whom care so I will dismiss your distasteful comment.
Jessica, I apologize if you think I was making fun of your family situation, but you are the one that stated your whole family is & was on Ultram . This is a very serious & addcitive drug. The reason I said what I did about your Father, & in no way was I making light of it, is because stopping Ultram can cause seizures. If a person has other health problems on top of that it could cause death also. I refer you to an aritcle about tramadol (Ultram), & again apologize about any remarks that may have offended you... Mary632009
http://www.drugs.com/monograph/tramadol-hydrochloride.html
I have researched every tiny thing about Ultram... If I didn't already know the drugs affect I wouldn't be interested in this site. And please, do not apologize because I saw the comment for exactly what it meant. You may not have thought it through before typing, all I ask is that in the future you just consider how to use your words wisely in such a sensitive and personal matter. Thank you.
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Babyr... Honey, thank you for your comment and advice. I do believe I need to ween myself off of it. I honestly have tried dozens of times yet tend to fail when I'm exhausted, depressed, and tired.
I was in a gut wrenching marriage with nothing but abuse and pain for ten years. I remember grabbing four or five ultram and pooping em after my ex would freak out on me and I was overly in pain.. Physically, mentally and emotionally ... I just filed for divorce one week ago. And part of why I came on here was because all I want to do is have a normal life. I have never ever known anything other than how to barely survive through trauma my entire life. And I want my precious children to have a healthy and happy mother. Yet I am utterly broken inside. A new life awaits ... It's just a matter of all the mountains to climb to get there.
Jessica, IIyou do not have to acept an apology from me if you don't want too, but I think if you would read my bio you would find out that I suffer from chrontic pain & hae for 44 years. I put up with it to raise my chirldren, & now am in treament for it. I would never make fun of anyone with chrontic pain or their family members. I believe if you read or check out others responses to me I am not the evil ogre you think I am. I very much feel for your problem & would be more than happy to help you with a resolution... Mary632009
Dear Jessica,
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I know and understand. I was in an abusive marriage with two little boys years ago, and was in your shoes too. All I had before that marriage was what I would call a disfunctional past. An alcoholic father, boyfriends... ect... I didn't know anything about normal or anything close to it. But I knew I wanted it for me and for my children. So I braved up and prayed and got the courage to get out of the abusive marriage and start a new life. It wasn't easy. I was single with two children for a few years before I met my husband. But while I was in that marriage I was put on Xanax for anxiety, and due to the abuse I overused it at times. I'm being honest. I'm not bragging about it, or saying it is right. I'm saying I know the power of addiction and did become an alcoholic too. I am sober now and have been for over five years, but it was no easy task hon. Being an alcoholic with two children was something I wasn't proud of, but I didn't set out to become that way. I cry now to think about it. I never abused my kids in any way. Ever. I just hurt myself. I allowed alcohol to control me, and it caused allot of problems in my life. We always say if we could go back and change things..well if I could go back I would have quit drinking way before I did. But I can't change my past. I can only look to my future. I pray that you have the strength and the courage to do what you have to do Jessica. I pray you don't have to live with any more regrets like I do. My children are grown and happy and forgive me for my drinking days. I am lucky. And I know this has nothing to do with Alcohol on your part. I'm just sharing a little about me. I want you to know that you are not alone. I will keep you in my prayer's every day that you will be the very best mommy you can be, and I know you will. I can hear determination in your voice. As far as the Ultram..you grab that bull by the horns and you tackle him to the ground where he belongs and show him who's boss. If I can do it..Anybody can do it. Believe me. Big hugs, luvs, and prayers. Ruth
Ruth, you brought tears to my eyes. The fact you are even taking time to let me know I am not alone is beautiful to me and after I overcome this devils drug I will make it one of my life goals to support and be a rock for those in my shoes. And I completely appreciate your words and do hold onto them. God is my strength and my hope and I am seeking help because I know that God is asking me to. He has for twelve years yet I have been more afraid of this than any other horrible traumatic thing that's happened to me.
Again. I thank you.
Mary of course I except your apology.
I am vey sensitive especially about my dad because his anniversary was a few days ago that he passed 7 years ago and lately I had already been missing him more than usual. I am sorry for my reaction.
I completely understand, & feel badly for you & your situation.If I can be of any help, please let me know. I had to come off of methadone that I was put on for 10 yearsfor my chrontic pain for a cetain reason, & it was probably the harest thing I have ever done, but I did do it. I have to & will alwasy have to take meds for chrontic pain, but thru years of experience & the knowledge of some of these drugs hope I can help others. My hand is always out to you if you need it. Mary
Hi Jessica,
I have been on Ultram since 1999 and I wish I would have never been introduced to this medication. I am on 3 tabs a day and rarely exceed that amount. However, it is extremely difficult to get off of it. am on here right now looking for people's suggestions. Several years ago I just stopped taking it and I had a seizure after the second day of not taking it. Last year I tried to taper off and I had another seizure. As you may know the withdraws are horrible. I don't know what is worse, the depression or the physical feeling of fatigue and major anxiety. I know one thing for sure, cold turkey is not the solution. This is very dangerous.
I like the recommendation Mary left about tapering off 5mg per day per week because I think your body will not even notice the depletion of tramodol and then there will be no withdrawals. I have never tried to taper that gradual.
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As you know, each tab is 50 mg. If you are taking 800 mg and taper off 5 mg per day per week, it is going to take you 159 weeks or just over 3 years. That seems to me to be an excessive amount of time to come off this stuff but if you plan to do nothing else, go a head and start dosing down the 5mg per day per week. If you need help in figuring out the best way to cut the tablet to eliminate 5 mg, just let me know and I will figure it out.
If you can tolerate dosing down 25 mg per day per week which is only a total of 1/2 tab per day per week, you will be off this crap this year, about 33 weeks from now. Also, I think it will be easier to cut the pill in 25 mg cuts than trying to figure out how to cut it in 5 mg cuts. Also, if you are on 800 mg per day, I really don't think your body is going to notice a 25 mg depletion. I think it will be more physiological than anything. I make this statement from someone who has been taking this crap for the past 13 years.
Good luck to you Jessica and feel free to contact me if you want to chat or share experiences that we both may be going through getting off this. You can text me your email address at 951-837-3885 or call if you want.
Good luck!
Mark
Good answer Mark. I did not know her dosage when I gave her a taper plan, but you are right on with 25mg a week. Poor girl having to suffer 3 more years of this is awful. I congratulate you on your answer... Mary