Hello, I'm new and looking for people that I can talk to that can relate

[Delmaria111]

I habe been struggling with horrific anxiety for years and formed a dependence on the opiod medicine tramadol. I am now weaning off that med and I am terrified. I am on seroquel XR and that helps the depression/thoughts of suicide but dealing with such severe anxiety while waiting for a new med is almost impossible. It feels like there are butterflies made of metal cutting up my heart. I just started busiprone (spelling?) and am praying that it will work. I have valium to help me wean off the tramadol but even that only helps for a moment. I just started trying to exercise every day and I play video games to keep myself occupied. The chest pain and mental anguish is so much though and I think I need others to talk to who are going through something similar. I know there is hope but it doesn't feel like it. My life is a mess, too, which doesn't help. It feels like I'm having a panic attack 24/7 and I'm barely hanging in there. If anyone wants to be friends and talk about this kind of disorder, please, PLEASE reach out to me. I'm desperate and terrified! I'm wondering if there are skills or coping mechanisms that I have not tried yet. Anything... Thank you all...i look forward to hearing from someone

[Hidden]

My friend takes tramadol every day for her back-ache, I had a few off her, but after the second day I knew not to take another one, they made me feel sick and tired mid day the day after. I can see how they can become addictive due to the way they take your pain away and give you a good sleep but the nausea and tiredness the next day were awful.

Was you taking them for pain or for sleep ?

[Delmaria111 in reply to Hidden]

I was put on them for pain but I found that they cured my anxiety so kept taking for years. Now I have to wean off and am trying new meds. The anxiety is crippling and it hurts so much. Do u suffer from anxiety?

[Hidden in reply to Delmaria111]

Is there no way they can just wean you off the tramadol ? Surely putting you on seroquel is just replacing one drug with another ? Or even why don't they just give you anxiety meds whilst weaning you off the tramadol ? The panic that your feeling now could be withdrawals, seroquel is an awful drug which can also cause depression, I couldn't stop crying when I was on it. It's crazy that they are weaning you off something and putting you on another drug. That's like telling someone giving up crack but start drinking gin. Have you come off the tramadol already or are they titrating you down

[Delmaria111 in reply to Hidden]

The seroquel does help me actually because I have schizophrenic tendencies...i dont hallucinate but I get in terrible mental loops and have strange, out-of-my-mind insanity battles. So ive got that going on, as well. I think that time may be past me now...i hope...the seroquel seems to be helping the "insanity" ....a week or so ago I was pacing the house, muttering, rocking back and forth...i absolutely wanted to die. Even went to the er. So I'm greatful for the seroquel for that

[Rainbow8]

Hi Delmaria111. I just went online and googled depression support groups and ran into your post quickly. I can offer prayer or positive energy sent your way, however you see it. Sounds like you have a lot of chemical solutions that have been offered. Tramadol is usually given for pain, do you have pain, or did you? I like that you are trying to exercise every day. Today I was going to go for my walk and then just caved. After the stretching and stabilization exercises I do first - I just suddenly could not find a reason to go, which is unusual. If you get this message write me back - I don't know a lot to say the first time. I sympathize with the way you feel. There is a lot of fear there. Do you think it would help if you could clarify to yourself what it is you fear? I don't have as much fear as just depression. I would like to communicate some more. Let me know, ok?

[Delmaria111 in reply to Rainbow8]

Do you have facebook? My name is Katie Niedbalski...please add me and we can message?? <3

[Delmaria111 in reply to Rainbow8]

And I took it for pain at first but then it cured my anxiety for a while. Now no doctor will give it to me because it's an opioid and I am addicted. I'm weaning off now...currently on seroquel xr...which helps the depression but not the panic disorder. It feels like I'm having a panic attack constantly and I'm just terrified of the feeling because it hurts so bad mentally, emotionally, and physically

[Hidden in reply to Delmaria111]

The panic attacks are the withdrawals, surely they would have been better to give you anti anxiety meds than an anti psychotic, to help with the panic attacks

[Delmaria111 in reply to Hidden]

I had the same EXACT panic issue before I even started tramadol :/ I'm sure it's making it worse but still, the condition was there before. And the seroquel does help the "insanity" that comes with being in the schizophrenic spectrum

[Hidden in reply to Delmaria111]

That's probably why they gave you seroquel then for the schizophrenic tendencies. I hope your panic eases for you

[Hidden]

Hi,

I'm here for a different illness than yours, though I have taken tramadol before. I just wanted to say hi and wish you well.

Greta

[Delmaria111 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you sweetheart <3 I took it for pain at first but then it cured my anxiety for a while. Now no doctor will give it to me because it's an opioid and I am addicted. I'm weaning off now...currently on seroquel xr...which helps the depression but not the panic disorder. It feels like I'm having a panic attack constantly and I'm just terrified of the feeling because it hurts so bad mentally, emotionally, and physically

[jkl5500]

Try watching Dr. Claire Weekes' videos on youTube for anxiety. Her books are great, too.

[JAYnLA in reply to jkl5500]

Her audiobooks marked the beginning of my healing. She is / was brilliant.

[Delmaria111 in reply to JAYnLA]

Thank you guys so much Ill look her up

[Agora1]

Hi Delmaria111, I've been where you are in getting off Benzos after having been

left on them by my doctor. Even though it was a low dose, it was the number of years

that made me dependent. My psychiatrist did use Valium in weaning off the med.

There's nothing easy about it except knowing that you are going in the right direction

and will soon have this behind you. Having support and keeping a positive attitude

are all important. You will get through this, one day at a time. I'm glad you found us. xx

[Delmaria111 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much. Im looking for people i can contact on the regular for support. My name is Katie Niedbalski if you would want to pm on facebook?

[Agora1 in reply to Delmaria111]

Hi Katie, I'm afraid I'm the wrong person for Facebook.

I don't have any social media accounts. But I am here

7 days a week along with a group of men and women alike

who really care and support each other. I wish you success

in going forward. I hope you keep in touch on this site. xx

[Delmaria111 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you honey I will

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Valium would make more sense for weaning than an anti psychotic. I wonder if there is a method in the madness for using an anti psychotic ? I'm thinking seroquel seems to be the new big profit pill

[Delmaria111 in reply to Hidden]

The seroquel does help me actually because I have schizophrenic tendencies...i dont hallucinate but I get in terrible mental loops and have strange, out-of-my-mind insanity battles. So ive got that going on, as well. I think that time may be past me now...i hope...the seroquel seems to be helping the "insanity" ....a week or so ago I was pacing the house, muttering, rocking back and forth...i absolutely wanted to die. Even went to the er. So I'm greatful for the seroquel for that

[Hidden in reply to Delmaria111]

But an anti anxiety tablet would be more beneficial for the withdrawal than seroquel, you could form then tomgive you anti anxiety as well just Fontaine the panic/anxiety away .How was you managing your schizophrenic tendencies before the seroquel ? The rocking back and forth, pacing and muttering is most likely anxiety and withdrawal effects. I do that with my anxiety when it's high and that's without withdrawals

[Delmaria111 in reply to Hidden]

I am on anti-anxiety meds I just started busiprone (spelling?) And take valuim if I REALLY need it. But I was on seroquel xr before like a year ago and it really did help me and it's helping again so I'm not fighting that one

[Hidden in reply to Delmaria111]

Oh that makes sense, have they said how long you will have withdrawals for

[Delmaria111 in reply to Hidden]

Not sure how long withdrawals are...iv quit it before with no withdrawal symptoms and I'm weaning very carefully

[Hidden in reply to Delmaria111]

I just copied this for you, it might help you make sense of what your going through

Tramadol has a relatively short half-life. WHO reports that immediate-release forms of tramadol products are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, with their effectiveness peaking in 1-4 hours. The effects of extended-release tramadol products may last a little longer, peaking in 4-6 hours.

In general, opioid withdrawal symptoms are thought to start within about 12 hours of the last dose. The DEA publishes that 90 percent of people experiencing tramadol withdrawal suffer traditional opioid withdrawal symptoms while the other 10 percent may experience severe confusion, extreme paranoia, anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, and tingling or numbness in their extremities.

[Hidden in reply to Delmaria111]

You could try upping your valium for whilst you do really need it in the hope it takes the edge off the panic attacks. It sounds like your going through a lot right now

[Delmaria111 in reply to Hidden]

They refuse to give me any more valuim or any benzos :/ Drs are really cracking down on them unfortunately

[Hidden in reply to Delmaria111]

Oh dear, good luck, Im sure it will all be for the best in the long run

[Delmaria111 in reply to Hidden]

That's what I'm hoping for <3

[Hidden in reply to Delmaria111]

It will, your doing the right thing ,

[Righteoustakeme]

I’m on buspirone too. I have really horrific anxiety as well.

[Delmaria111 in reply to Righteoustakeme]

Does it help you? I'm only on day 3 of it and I know it can take weeks to work

[Righteoustakeme in reply to Delmaria111]

It doesn’t help me unfortunately. I’ve been taking it for probably a year now

[Delmaria111 in reply to Righteoustakeme]

I know this is really forward but do you have facebook? I'm trying to get a network of ppl who have the same issues I do on a platform that's easier to use than this site... My name is Katie Niedbalski...please add me? I'm not a creeper I'm good ppl I promise lol

[Righteoustakeme in reply to Delmaria111]

Hey! Yeah, I have Facebook. But I’m off of social media right now for my mental health so I can’t. Otherwise I would! Nothing creepy about that, at all! If I weren’t taking a long break from social media I’d add you...but for the sake of my mental health I’m staying off of social media for 6 months. Just went through a breakup

[Hidden]

Hello,

Related with your rebel depression, the FDA just approved a new antidepresant based on ketamine. It is effective in just few hours and it is a nasal spay. For the anxiety, I take rivotril for a week or two and is ok after that. Anyway, we never will be cured, depression, anxiety they are cronic problems. Try to listen meditation music, sometime help.

[TTmeme]

I am there with you. Stay strong. You are not alone. I have struggled for decades. Cold showers, deep breathing plus magnesium and strong St. John’s wort will help you.

[Elad0511]

Hello Delmaria111,

I was going through severe anxiety myself and my doctor tried a couple different meds that I had bad reactions to, mainly my blood pressure going through the roof. Worst case was Lexapro and my blood pressure was 178/116. Nearly ended up in the ER. I started Buspirone recently and it is the first one that has worked for me. No side effects and it is taking care of my anxiety. I am starting to feel somewhat normal for the first time in years. Before that, every day was a struggle just to get through the day. Horrible anxiety, pounding heartbeat, I know the Buspirone took a few weeks to start to show any positive change but since, I have felt a lot better. Hope it helps you also!

[Lals01]

Hello, I Just want to say hi and my heart goes out to you. I have RA & an extremely painful eye disease called scleritis. I started taking tramadol nearly 18 years ago. When it wasn't considered an opioid. I also suffer from anxiety attacks & depression. Tramadol was like a life saver for me. It helped with the pain AND the anxiety. When I first told my doctor it seemed to help my anxiety, he didn't believe it. Yes, my body is completely dependent on it now. I take 6 a day. I remember there were times that I thought I was deathly sick, but I periodically stopped taking tramadol but I was going through withdrawal & didn't know it because I was never dependent on any drugs before. Also, I was drinking too much wine after discovering how alcohol took away my fears of being social. I changed me in a good way, until I was becoming dependent. So,when I began tramadol I quit drinking and smoking. Except now I'm hooked on another drug. But to be honest, I truly couldn't deal with my pain without something like this. I tried otc pain medications, but they were never near enough and they were damaging my liver. I'm certainly not suggesting you continue the tramadol, because it is an addictive drug and I honor & admire you for doing this!!!

The point I want you to remember while your body cleans itself from this powerful drug, is that what you are experiencing is NOT only because of your illness. Tramadol is one of THE hardest drugs to withdraw from. EXTREMELY hard. And when there's a time when I have to finally do the same, I'm going to need medical & psychological help doing so. I've tried to do it on my own and couldn't get past two days. It was pure hell. I rocked back & forth, shivered, sweated, even screamed out loud from the anxiety. I'm not trying to scare you, but just reassure you that you're not going crazy and these symptoms are completely expected with your withdrawal. I also, truly hope you can do this without taking just another highly addictive drug. You are going to be OK. Just keep your mind on the fact that you are going to be ok, and in a month or two you'll be over with the pain & trauma. And on your way to freedom. And when it's over, never forget how hard it was so you NEVER become dependent on anything again.

BTW- I learned something extremely helpful with my anxiety. Years ago I was food shopping with my ex-husband. I had a tendency to have my anxiety attacks while standing in long lines of people, in large open spaces. (Agoraphobia) He knew this and would let me go to the car while he took care of the rest. I've actually abandoned carts full of groceries before, because I had to get out. Anyway, one time he got mad at me for making him stand there alone, and said something like this is all bs, and I was taking advantage of him. Can't say I blamed him either, but suddenly I was furious. And guess what... I replaced a horrible anxiety attack with anger. And my attack was gone!! It didn't last because it still recurred, but for that one time, that one wonderful day, I learned that it was possible to control it. It wasn't a cure, but from then on, whenever I felt it coming on, I tried replacing that emotion with another more powerful emotion. Try to think of things you're passionate about, or love, or even something you're really pissed off (politics😊) about. Something more powerful than fear. I actually thanked my husband that day.

Sorry so long, but just know that you're not alone and that you WILL BE OK!! And reach out for help if you need it.

I hope you let us know how you're doing. Especially when you've kicked the tramadol completely. I for one, need to hear as many success stories as possible.

My thoughts and heart is with you. Stay strong 💪 and positive. And healthy! You've got this! 😙❤❤

[Delmaria111 in reply to Lals01]

Thank you so much darling I really appreciate it

[GardenLove]

I am so sorry to hear of the anguish you are going through. It is good that you are turning to exercise - keep that up daily, and make sure you are raising your heart rate. Also try meditation and deep breathing throughout the day. Those are things that have helped me a lot! Pay attention to your gut as well - there is a strong brain-gut link, and foods like pickles and kombucha will help with inflammation. For me my faith is an absolute must in my life - please give your troubles to the Lord and believe that he can help you! Good luck.

[Serenity2010]

Hello Delmaria. How are you doing today? I did a Tramadol wean. You can reach back n I’ll listen to your story. Hang in there. It does pass

[Loveskydiving]

Been going through alot of anxiety and depression and I did counseling which was in a group setting and is called DBT. I got alot out of it and never even knew it existed. It gives you techniques to do at changing your thoughts and to ask yourself is this a fact or am I telling myself false thoughts and also about staying in the moment (mindfulness) and everyone participated and you have to work at it but I find the more you practice and do the hard work I feel better at it. Takes time and effort but you really need to want to change. I was so desperate that I would get on my knees and ask my higher power to help me and then i went to a church that has noontime mass which is not very long and just sat and felt safe and felt comfort. Also I found quotes and prayers that I printed out and I say them when I first get up in the morning and I can say I feel much better and I am not going to stop as I feel so much better and finally having better days and I am so so grateful. If you need more info on DBT let me know. Hope this helps.