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Tramadol: withdrawal??? help for stopping it temporarily???

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Posted 7/22/2014 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
I took oxycontin for about 10 years straight for chronic back pain, decided a few years ago that i could manage without it if i made some lifestyle changes, etc. Anyway, while on oxy, if i missed a dose, i would have not only the increased pain, but felt things like sweating/being clammy, flu-like symptoms, and very much irritability. Now I'm on Tramadol, just 300mg/day, doesn't really work wonders, but i can get by. Been on it for well over a year. I know there has been debate about what class that med belongs in. I take many meds in the a.m., including my 300 mgs of the long acting Tramadol. On days when I take meds later, i get that flu-like feeling and very irritable. Just curious if the Tramadol is causing that or is it more likely another med?

Also, when I go to Mayo clinic in a few weeks, I have to stop pain meds for 3 days for a certain test. Not looking forward to the 5 hour drive there and the 3 days with no pain meds. I do see my pain doc tomorrow for some test injections in my low back (prior to being approved for RFA), so of course, i will ask him about my situation, but wondering if anyone has thoughts/suggestions for stopping it for the 3 days. Any helpful hints to make it less awful? Absolutely has to be done, and I will not be at home, so I'll have less access to things like my usual ice packs and my own comfy bed, etc.

Thanks for listening. As always, any thoughts or suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated!!
Posted 7/23/2014 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunny.

I presume you're on the extended release, or you'd be my candidate for serotonin syndrome. It's supposed to work for 24 hours, but when I tried it I had to take a lower dose twice a day, and that didn't work as well as the instant release - for me. It takes 12 hours to hit its peak, then it's downhill. Maybe it would work better if you took it at night. You'd hit peak in daytime.

I only get half as much, 50 mg regular instant release, 3 times a day. I can tell when the serotonin elevates as the med is metabolized over about 45 minutes. It's pretty good as a mood elevator. I can also tell when the pain relief wears off. At least I'm allowed a Norco to get me through part of the night. I really need one more tramadol. It's supposed to work 6 hours, but it's about gone in 4.

Tramadol can give nausea, sleepiness and such for some people.

I don't tolerate cold, much less ice. Heat helps a lot. Maybe take a heating pad with you.
Posted 7/23/2014 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Alcie,

Thanks for the info. I think in the future I may switch and take my Tramadol at night. I will be sure to ask my pain doc for his thoughts tomorrow!

And I will try bringing a heating pad. I usually avoid using heat just because I end up getting too warm! But I think it would be helpful.

Thanks again for the input.
Posted 7/23/2014 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Not everyone gets withdrawal from tramadol, but I wouldn't recommend trying cold turkey. Since you're only taking it once a day, how do you feel after 24 hours? I've gone off several times without any problems other than the pain returning, but always have had something else to take, although not always opioids. Of course I only take half of what you get.

If you don't have any lower doses can you get your doctor to prescribe some to get off slowly?
Posted 7/24/2014 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
If and when you get of the Tramadol, always make sure you're well hydrated as vomiting might very well come up, alas.

Apart from this, I'm afraid there isn't much one can do.

Good luck.
Posted 7/24/2014 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Talked to PM doc and he said stopping it for 3 days most likely won't be a problem, other than having more pain. He said that a few people do have a bit of a withdrawal thing happen, but it's not very common. Fingers crossed.

I guess I have to ask Mayo about that before I go to see how to handle it. I am going there for a week of fun filled GI testing. So, if stopping the tramadol will affect my GI system, the tests will not be as accurate as they need to be.

Thanks for all the responses. Guess I'll be calling Mayo this afternoon to get things figured out.
Posted 7/24/2014 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
My dosages vary as understood by my doctor from 50-200mg, according to my activities and pain that come with it.
I cannot say I have had any complications such as yours.
When I am not hurting too bad, I try to put up with the pain, but as a construction worker it has been a way of life even without meds since my mid 20's.
I have only needed them since injuries from last year, after oxycodone; but no complications with scant dosage days. Before my injuries I would only take ibuprophen for days of over-exertion, and that was not very often.

Perhaps it is more of an interaction problem with something else ?

I personally don't foresee ever being allowed 300mg per day, due to the media-war on Tramadol, since it is not even a controlled substance in many states.

It's cheap and it works...and pharmacies don't like that...neither do the pot lobbyists, therefore it has many enemies.

Post Edited (JackLegofAllTrades) : 7/24/2014 3:59:57 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/24/2014 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
I'd suggest taking fish oil with omega 3 when you're going off the tramadol, not only does it help the muscle soreness or spasms associated with any opioid withdrawl but it also especially helps with the serotonin aspects of tramadol. I've known several people who used it when they went off Paxil and were dealing with serious serotonin syndrome issues, and they all said it really helped alleviate the confusion and brain zaps.

Hopefully you don't experience any/much of this stuff but fish oil w/omega 3 couldn't do any harm, you can get a bottle of capsules at any grocery or drug store.
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