[skychica]

Hi there.....just a quick background. I suffered from a compression fracture in my lower back last May and was put on Tramadol (Ultram) as I did not want a narcotic pain medication. I was reassured by my doc that Ultram was not a narcotic and I would not suffer withdrawals when stopping. Within a few weeks, I became very tolerant to the medication and was taking 10 - 12 50mg tabs per day. In July my back was feeling much better and I decided that Aleve would do the trick and I stopped cold turkey. I had HORRIBLE withdrawals and within a few days became severely depressed. I could not find anyone to buy that all of this was caused from the Tramadol. Finally my family doc decided to put me back on the Tramadol and slowly wean me off. Within 45 minutes of taking the med again, I felt fine!

My fiance started doing research and found out about Suboxone. I decided this seemed like a better option and the new doc reluctantly started me on 8mg daily. Within 2 days, I went to 4mg with not problems. By the end of the week, I was at 2mg with no problems at all.... Out of fear, I stayed at 1mg for a few months and in December I weaned to .5mg and most recently to .5mg every 3-4 days.

I took my last dose 5 days ago and felt find until last night. It was not bad at all in comparison to what I experienced with Tramadol. I felt a bit lethargic yesterday but even after taking 1mg of Clonidine and two 50mg trazadone tabs, I felt too anxious to sleep. Although annoying, it was very tolerable. My fear is that this is just the beginning of experiencing horrible withdrawals again. Today I feel almost fine other than the lack of energy, which makes me hopeful that it isn't going to get much worse. I suppose I am looking for reassurance that this is the case.

I apologize for the long post, but I am very much looking forward to the advice/support of those that can empathize with my fear and concerns.

Thanks in advance!

[musicman48]

Originally Posted by skychica

Hi there.....just a quick background. I suffered from a compression fracture in my lower back last May and was put on Tramadol (Ultram) as I did not want a narcotic pain medication. I was reassured by my doc that Ultram was not a narcotic and I would not suffer withdrawals when stopping. Within a few weeks, I became very tolerant to the medication and was taking 10 - 12 50mg tabs per day. In July my back was feeling much better and I decided that Aleve would do the trick and I stopped cold turkey. I had HORRIBLE withdrawals and within a few days became severely depressed. I could not find anyone to buy that all of this was caused from the Tramadol. Finally my family doc decided to put me back on the Tramadol and slowly wean me off. Within 45 minutes of taking the med again, I felt fine!

My fiance started doing research and found out about Suboxone. I decided this seemed like a better option and the new doc reluctantly started me on 8mg daily. Within 2 days, I went to 4mg with not problems. By the end of the week, I was at 2mg with no problems at all.... Out of fear, I stayed at 1mg for a few months and in December I weaned to .5mg and most recently to .5mg every 3-4 days.

I took my last dose 5 days ago and felt find until last night. It was not bad at all in comparison to what I experienced with Tramadol. I felt a bit lethargic yesterday but even after taking 1mg of Clonidine and two 50mg trazadone tabs, I felt too anxious to sleep. Although annoying, it was very tolerable. My fear is that this is just the beginning of experiencing horrible withdrawals again. Today I feel almost fine other than the lack of energy, which makes me hopeful that it isn't going to get much worse. I suppose I am looking for reassurance that this is the case.

I apologize for the long post, but I am very much looking forward to the advice/support of those that can empathize with my fear and concerns.

Thanks in advance!

You should have weaned off the tramadol.Ultram w/d can be bad but,tapering would have been a better option.Sub is a powerful drug.You have been low dosing on the sub and that is a good thing.You need to tough it out.Your w/d from the sub should not last too long.The reason you did not feel it until day is the long half life of the drug.You probably know that already.Just hang in there and stop the sub now.It may take a while ,but your best option is to just hang in there for now.Valerian root to relax,,immodium ad for your stomach if you have problems.,Walking will help.You probably know the drill.Good luck.God bless.