Tramadol withdrawal and insomnia

hi I think I am having withdrawal from 5 years of tramadol being told to go cold turkey

I have had a facet joint condition of L4 ,L5 , S1 for over 5 years which causes terrible sciatica and pain including muscle spasms . I had to be signed off work this last 2 weeks in the third now as the spasms and pain has flared into a crisis

Obviously I went to the Doctor and asked for in a scan such as a CT to see the bone rather than MRI which sees more detail such as soft tissue . She simply said I needed to go back to the pain clinic . Date was made with pain clinic but I have to wait 4 weeks now in the meantime in agony and off work I am in a awful state.

The doctor said she wanted to take me off tramadol which I was on 400mg per day plus paracetamol and ibuprofen . This is a massive reduction as I used to be on far more but the Doctor kept pressuring me to reduce..but if your pain how can you?? She said she needed to take me off tramadol as I was obviously addicted and dependant. I panicked as it was the only thing that worked over the last 5 years but it wasn't touching the crisis pain and so I trusted her option.

She said just to come off the tramadol cold turkey , I questioned this as a opioid and her comments about addiction I was worried I would have withdrawal. my partner asked the pharmacist and they said if the doctor told me to cut it out I should. She put me onto codeine 4 tablets 4 times a day , gabapentin which I have now over last few weeks increased to full 1200mg but still in agony.,obviously paracetamol and ibuprofen as well.

The problem is I have not slept since I have come off the tramadol..I mean none / zero wide and awake desperately trying to sleep..in agony with my back .

I then researched the pills I was now on and none cause insomnia...I was worried ..I then read about tramadol withdrawal causing anxiety , palpitations , insomnia , depression..tick for all that ...I can't stop crying , insomnia every day , heart racing.......WHY didn't my doctor tell me to reduce the pills.. I am really depressed crying constantly , cannot sleep and in agony ...being on tramadol for 5 years I simply trusted the doctor and now a total mess

I

Tramadol has three mechanisms of action: the opioid receptor, NDMA and Serotonin, whereas codeine will only act on the opioid receptor.

So, it isn't a suitable alternative.

Further, after so many years on Tramadol, it is dangerous to go cold-turkey. So I think you should be concerned about your doctor's judgment -- not to mention that she stops an effective drug because you are dependent -- of course you are if it is effective!

Regarding your insomnia, it may be caused by the Tramadol withdrawal or by the codeine. Either way, you need, as stray dog noted, to see your doctor asap. Perhaps a few benzodiazepines to help you sleep and bring to her attention the fact that Tramadol has 3 mechanisms of action. If you are to go on to another med, discuss whether more suitable alternatives would be Nucynta.... or Levorphanol as both also have the tri-fold mechanism (opioid, NMDA and Serotonin).

You can also suggest that you return to the Tramadol for now, and wait until you get to the pain clinic to see what they would recommend.

Post Edited (cogito) : 5/9/2012 1:18:33 PM (GMT-6)

If you don't want to take any prescription medicine for sleeping, Eredicane you can only get online.) and Melatonin (the sublinguls from GNC are good.)

I've never heard of the parametacol? or the third drug you said you were on. What is it for and what's the chemical make-up when you take a lot of different drugs especially when they are from different doctors there is always a chance of interaction side effects, especially when you are withdrawing. Also 400mg for 5yrs! I'm on that much but its only been 9months or so and i've already been told I'll have to switch to something else after like 2 years because of tolerance. i can't beleive it worked that long, good for you, i'll take it for 5yrs if i can, but i would never quit any prescription drug cold turkey and if you PM told you that you need to get a new Doctor, fast, and turn her in to your Insurance company, unfortunately that's about all we can do but, if they stop paying her its actually way worse than their own do to them(which is nothing). As the others have said, don't stay in pain, not sleeping or sick because of a stupid doctor, get help, Now.