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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by phurrballe on December 16, 2011, at 11:08:01
Hi - I have not been here for a while since I was able to successfully use the tips for weaning off of Effexor. That was at least 7 years ago. I had 2 back surgeries this past summer after a back injury in Fall of 2010. I was prescribed tramadol for pain. It worked well for me. I was on a lower dose 37.5 mg X 1 or 2 depending on pain, twice a day. I was told this medication did not have addicitive qualities. That is WRONG! So now, there are times when my back is feeling OK and I do not need that dose of tramabol but I start having withdrawal symptoms - achy body, sweats, jittery, skin feels like creepy crawly, brain zaps...similar to the Effexor withdrawal actually. I do not have the addition where I get the "high" from it and need it, it is physical only but it is rough! I was able to stop the effexor over a few weeks using antihistimines as stated here. It worked GREAT! Is there any rememdy similar to this that I can use for tramadol withdrawal symptoms? Should I try antihistimines? I am struggling with this. What angers me is that many people using tramadol were told the same thing - it is non-narcotic and not addicting. Many are on much higher doses than I but if I can feel this crappy on my low dose, I can just imagine how others are feeling. Any thoughts anyone? Thank in advance.
Posted by Phillipa on December 16, 2011, at 11:38:09
In reply to tramadol withdrawal, posted by phurrballe on December 16, 2011, at 11:08:01
Do you have a pain management doctor? And welcome back sorry you did have to return but glad you successfully weaned off effexor. Does this mean no more depression? As for Tramadol I don't know. What was done to your back? Are you fully mobile, can you do daily activities as before? A pain patch? Phillipa
Posted by phurrballe on December 16, 2011, at 12:06:01
In reply to Re: tramadol withdrawal » phurrballe, posted by Phillipa on December 16, 2011, at 11:38:09
Thanks Phillipa. I have a PM doctor but my first surgeon was the one who prescribed the tramadol. There is a legal issue with him so I no longer contact him. I had lumbar fusion surgery beginning of June and then it was discovered that a complication from that surgery, a dural nerve tear, occured. So 3 weeks later I had surgery to repair the tear. I will have epidural injections and possibly nerve ablation early next year - just need to get through the Holidays - but I want to be off the tramadol and am going through some nasty withdrawal but am tapering down and not just stopping.
Posted by sigismund on December 16, 2011, at 12:36:02
In reply to Re: tramadol withdrawal, posted by phurrballe on December 16, 2011, at 12:06:01
>but am tapering down and not just stopping.
That's the thing to do.
It has a definite withdrawal syndrome, but it's not TOO bad if you take it at your own pace.
Posted by phurrballe on December 16, 2011, at 13:08:29
In reply to Re: tramadol withdrawal, posted by sigismund on December 16, 2011, at 12:36:02
Oh man, you got that right! There is a definite withdrawal. I took the next scheduled reduced dose and within 45 minutes I those symptoms were gone. But it show also how little I can take and still get pain relief. This is as bad as my effexor withdrawal !!!
Posted by sigismund on December 16, 2011, at 16:20:10
In reply to Re: tramadol withdrawal, posted by phurrballe on December 16, 2011, at 13:08:29
Use delay. You can take it, but just delay it a bit.
Posted by sigismund on December 16, 2011, at 16:45:38
In reply to Re: tramadol withdrawal, posted by phurrballe on December 16, 2011, at 13:08:29
My withdrawal lasted a few days. By day 4 I was OK.
Posted by emmanuel98 on December 16, 2011, at 18:52:15
In reply to Re: tramadol withdrawal, posted by phurrballe on December 16, 2011, at 13:08:29
I don't know who told you tramadol isn't addicting. It's a weak opiate that causes less euphoria than other opiates, but still binds with opioid receptors and creates serious dependency. You have to taper off it, as you would with any opiate.
Posted by phurrballe on December 17, 2011, at 8:06:10
In reply to Re: tramadol withdrawal, posted by emmanuel98 on December 16, 2011, at 18:52:15
Thank you. My doctor told me not to worry about it being addicting. Through my researching the last few days on tram, I see that most people's doctors have told them the same thing. Doctors really should be more upfront about it if possible. I think your body can become used to anything you take long term.
I do not experience a high from tram. I only was taking 150 mg total a day pain and my only side effect was constipation. I am not happy about the physcial withdrawal symptoms I see now. I cut back yesterday and it was roiugh but my back pain was also very high yesterday so I realize I need a back up pain plan too. I am just not a happy camper about this at all. Thanks for all the inout though.
Posted by bleauberry on December 18, 2011, at 7:18:48
In reply to tramadol withdrawal, posted by phurrballe on December 16, 2011, at 11:08:01
I would definitely try the antihistamine strategy again. Effexor and tramadol are similar enough that the trick could work again.
Naturals that could be helpful since they play a role in the opioid circuits as well as the serotonin/NE circuits include Rhodiola Rosea or DLPA.
Posted by phurrballe on December 18, 2011, at 21:21:47
In reply to Re: tramadol withdrawal, posted by bleauberry on December 18, 2011, at 7:18:48
Thanks Bleauberry. I will try the anithistimine. It did work very well for the effexor. It is worth a try and honestly would not want to go on prozac to help this. Thank you .
This is the end of the thread.
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