Is tramadol addictive I was told no!!

[Jenny06xx]

Im pretty annoyed right now don't really know where else to post this!!
I'm taking tramadol max dose 400mg a day and ran out yesterday I've been to Ill to put in my script so I won't get it till maybe Wednesday. I've read all sorts of scary stories about it being dangerous to come off and causing seizures so I'm shitting myself!! As you can imagine, I've got the flu or so I think at the mo but could this be withdrawal ?
Has ne 1 here come off tramadol like me safely?
After reading all this I don't even want to get my script but they work so good for me what do I do?

 

[Lisa]

Not to scare you or anything - but this is what I found on Tramadol -

Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

So, stopping suddenly can make you sick.....

 

[Nica]

I think you are going to need to do a taper down off tramadol if you want to stop taking it. I have read some horror stories about tram withdrawals.

If they work well for you perhaps quitting them isnt a great idea. Maybe go have a chat with the doc prescribing them and get their advice?

 

[David in Seattle]

Tramadol is a mixed mu agonist/antagonist opioid, which makes it a bit different from naturally occurring opiates like codeine or morphine, but it is still an opioid and will produce withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation if you've taken it for long enough (and it doesn't take LONG) and a high enough doses. 400mg/day definitely qualifies. Opioid withdrawal is very similar to the flu. Achiness, hot and cold flashes, sneezing, insomnia, goose flesh, tearfulness/emotional lability and diarrhea are all possibilities. In most people, these symptoms are more uncomfortable than dangerous, but there can be exceptions. I would suggest filling the prescription ASAP & resuming dosing until you talk to your doctor. In the meantime, if you have any other opioid medication on hand (codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc.) these will also reduce or eliminate your symptoms. There's no reason to suffer with this. Get back on your established dose, then discuss the advisability of tapering off the medication with your doctor.

 

[Jenny06xx]

Thank u
I got my hubby to get me some paramol which contains a small amount of dihydracodeine to tied me over till Monday but yes I'm definitely having withdrawal symptoms the restless arms/legs last night were awful I've hardly slept lol
I'll definitely get my script and reduce the dose slowly I don't fancy withdrawal over Xmas on top of everything else !!

 

[Nica]

Just so you know, opiate withdrawal peaks at 3 days usually. Then gets better. When I decided to pull myself off vicodin it put me in a flare up. Expect lots of D just from the WD. RLS is bad. nasty stuff. I know I didnt sleep for 3 days when I did it. I also got tachycardia, vomiting, shaking, and just plan ugg.

Is your Crohn's pretty calm right now? If not I really do not suggest stopping. Without a long easy taper.

Its too bad my docs put me back on narcotics, now I have a healthy fear of them though.

 

[Jenny06xx]

Went to my gp this morning and got my tramadol lol
He also gave me extra trams and codeine and everything on my script for over Xmas !
He laughed when he handed over the script saying u don't wanna run out you'll be rattling lmao little did he know I already was !!!
I'm gonna only take them now when really bad and not able to deal with it etc coz I didn't realise there would be wd and it would be so horrible!
Narcotics are fantastic for pain and diarrhoea but cause more coming off them lol what a merry go round!
Nica yes I'm certain I'm in a flare the pain is manageable but the diarrhoea is awful I have to get up 3/4 times a night to go or else! And I've got oral thrush, some kind of cold (getting better) and I was in wd ha ha what a week!!

 

[Nica]

Oh you were having a really rough week. I hope you start to feel better now that you have your meds.