Need help!

[Polara6ear]

I have been on and off Tramadol since early last year when I had a few back operations done. This is when I was first introduced to the drug. Fast forward nearly 2 years later i am what can be called a functioning drug addict. I take nearly 200mg on a daily basis and can't stop. I don't want to stop. what should I do?

[Hidden]

You say u dont want to stop BUT...sounds like u just want another option and ur pain to lessen or stop!?!?

[Polara6ear in reply to Hidden]

It’s really hard to know what I need and it hurts everyday. One hand I know I’m going down a Rabbits hole of drug addiction and abuse on the other hand I’m in so much pain and become so depressed that I contemplate living or killing myself.

I honestly just want it to all go away, the dependence, the drug, the pain, the insomnia, the restlessness and the cloud.

Today literally for about 2 hours of the day it was like I was hearing from the bottom of a pool. Even my own voice.

[Hidden in reply to Polara6ear]

Pain in all forms can drag u down to the lowest point, BUT..ur here and obviously want help.Do u have people close to u that can help and support u?

[Polara6ear in reply to Hidden]

None that I trust enough to not shun me

[Polara6ear in reply to Polara6ear]

Reason why I talk here, think it’s the reason why we all talk here..

[Hidden in reply to Polara6ear]

Its a safe place and we all have been through similiar.

[Hidden in reply to Polara6ear]

Totally understandable.

[Rosalia1 in reply to Polara6ear]

My family sucks!! Too! No support at all I’m trying to do this all on my own husband passed away four years ago and I have an 18-year-old knows worried about losing me what the fuck! Life

[ZeN01 in reply to Polara6ear]

Hi I take Tramacet Which is Tramadol and Paracetamol .... Like you I have had a back Operation that did not work in fact it did nothing and got worse I only take the Tramacet when I really need it as I am on other Meds for Anxiety Depression and Agoraphobia I have been told that I have a good resistance to the drugs which is not good but I am lucky in the fact I do not get addicted you definitely need help though my friend because of what you are doing and the possible side effects I was once sort of self medicating by drinking but I realised that I was not getting anywhere so I stopped but it does make me angry when I see things on T.V where they say that they are helping with things like Mental illness I am 61yrs Old but feel young still BUT it feels like I am forgotten and because of the Lockdowns even worse I do feel for you and know how easy it is to fall into the meds thing I do like coming on here though as you realise that you are not the only one but try now .... in case we get lock downed again it took me a while with my mental health but once I went and sought the help I felt better I am a long way from cured but once you start the ball rolling it helps ....keep on posting on here people here will always help .... Best Of Luck

[Rosalia1 in reply to ZeN01]

What type of surgery did you have done they want to do surgery on my back and I’m worried and also what kind of antidepressants are you on and what helps your pain what meds?

[Polara6ear in reply to Rosalia1]

Honestly I have no clue. I was asleep about the entire time I was in the hospital, guessing sedation. I have a couple of scars on my back. 7 to be exact and that’s how I came to the number of surgeries.

First time I was in the hospital I stayed for 3 months. I had to drop out of school. I was first year, you guys might call it freshmen. Then second time which was about a few months later and I believe it was because I stopped taking the medication as the pain was gone for a while and I thought I recovered. I was in the trauma bay for about 2 weeks then I finally got out and had this laser surgery set up at this outpatient facility what what.

Then I just said fuck it I never went dodged all the hospitals calls since then and I’ve just been living with the pain since

Hospitals suck the life out of you and I just couldn’t take it anymore. I was literally talking to my grandma about how the pain is back and she said I need to go back to the hospital. I literally said I’d rather be paralysed and have this whole thing come to a conclusion than be in a hospital for one moment again in my life.

[Rosalia1 in reply to Polara6ear]

What back surgery did u have ?

They what me to have back surgery And I’m terrified

[Neckback]

Hi Polar - When you say you had back operations last year, We’re these of a spinal nature, as they don’t sound as though they have been a success?

I know from personal experience the side effects of Tramadol, it put myself through an almost zombie like state for the short period I took them and I soon stopped taking them.

After years of trial and error of taking many different drugs along the way, I’ve come to the decision that they are all mind altering in their own special way, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t try a different drug as you do not sound in a good place with the one you are taking, I would explain it to your doctor and ask for a trial of something else.

[Polara6ear in reply to Neckback]

I had a few spinal surgeries all with no success.I was born with a spinal deformity which only became a problem and now life changing one early last year

Yeah maybe that’s the key cause I can’t just stop taking meds cause that will mean I have to be crawling in the floor to move and have to wake up every night in my sleep and have to be rushed to the hospital to be sedated because of the pain. The doctors don’t know how to fix it

[Neckback in reply to Polara6ear]

I take CBD oil to help me sleep and to do daily activities, that’s along with Gabapentin that I am prescribed. It’s not easy and everything seems like a battle when you are in pain, but it’s trial and error with many drugs, so don’t lose sight Jack.

[Betsy50]

Hi I'm sorry to hear your in alot of pain. I had surgery in 1999 and still have issues but cant you try different medication? You be surprised how quick you can wean off onto the next. I do understand what your saying living with pain does drag you down but even being on here makes us all realise we are not alone. It's okay to have a bad day and feel like ranting asking why me ? I would speak to your gp about neds

[Polara6ear in reply to Betsy50]

I don’t visit doctors I will never speak to any doctor ever again about my health. They all think they superman and they special and know what’s going on. Fuck them

[Konagirl60]

I don’t believe you’re a functioning drug addict. You’re dependent on the Tramadol for pain relief. Unfortunately, as is often the case, your medicine isn’t controlling the pain.

What is your exact problem? We’re nerves cut? Can you explain a little better.

I live with a very painful chronic neuropathy. Have you tried a nerve pain modulator like Amytriptyline or Nortriptyline?

[Polara6ear in reply to Konagirl60]

Yes yes yes. Honestly I needed that so much because I honestly also didn’t believe I’m a functioning addict, because if I don’t use the medication my life is unbearable and today it’s been excruciating and I’ve even used higher than my normal dose.

I have a spinal deformity that I was born with, it never bothered me until I was 18 bout 2-3 years back. Been in and out of hospitals since then, never been diagnosed, have been operated on about 8 times till today, nothing helped. To the point that I literally just got so exhausted and stopped going to my appointments and have just been living with the pain for about a year now if not more.

What are nerve pain modulator?

[Konagirl60 in reply to Polara6ear]

Amytriptyline or Nortriptyline can calm nerves. You’re likely suffering from ‘Central sensitization’. All your pain has agitated your Sympathetic Nervous system. The flight and fright response is tapped out.

Could you access CBD caplets at Holland and Barrett? I’m assuming you’re British.

The same store has passionflower tablets to calm your nervous system and turmeric which helps with muscle pain.

You might benefit from meditation and deep breathing exercises.

I’m sorry you’re suffering. Can you find some distractions? Keep in touch.

[Polara6ear in reply to Konagirl60]

I’m not British😂😂why would you assume I’m British?😂😅

[Polara6ear in reply to Polara6ear]

I live in Cape Town and have no idea where I’m supposed to find any of the stuff you’ve listed💔🤦‍♂️

[Konagirl60 in reply to Polara6ear]

Can you go to a reputable health food store? I assumed you were British because most people I’ve communicated with are. No offence.

Good luck.

[Curlygal]

Hi,

I managed to get off tramadol by asking the GP for the dispersible tablets, saying it was so I could take a half dose if necessary. Then I gradually cut down from 200mg to zero. The tablets are easy to break and don't need to be dispersed in water.

It took a long time, but it can be done as long as you do it slowly. Wishing you all the best of luck with it. I know how hard it is to come off of! I only reduced when I was feeling strong, if I was stressed I stayed at the same dose for a while.

[Polara6ear in reply to Curlygal]

What are dispersible tablets?

[Curlygal in reply to Polara6ear]

Dispersible tablets are the kind that dissolve in water. But I found that the tramadol ones are ok to take without dissolving in water (they don't have a lot of "fizz" like some pills do)

[Rosalia1]

What back surgery did u have ?

They what me to have back surgery And I’m terrified

[Rosalia1]

What type of surgery did you have done they want to do surgery on my back and I’m worried and also what kind of antidepressants are you on and what helps your pain what meds?

[Polara6ear in reply to Rosalia1]

I self medicate. So I’m on tramadol to help with the pain and I occasionally take Xanax when I’m going through a really low spell.

I wrote about my surgeries on a post above I was reply to Rosalia1 can you please check there cos I’m too lazy to write it again😂😅

[Betsy50]

Hi again I'm so sorry your in extreme pain I totally get it !!! I was on morphine for 6 years and decided I had to get off it as the brain fog was horrendous!!! It was hard going tapering for 6 weeks and there was days I wanted to throw the towel in but I got there and you can do it if you put your mind to it. Yes my pain has risen again but my brain is alot clearer and I feel alive again. I'm trying cbd oil right now and it does dull the pain abit maybe you should think about trying it.

[texasbonnet]

I am always surprised when someone states that they take Tramadol. I was given it once for hip pain. I was waiting to turn 65 to have a replacement. Medicare would then cover most of the cost and provide rehab. It was useless for pain. I knew several other individuals who had the same experience. I read about it and the hope was that since Tramadol traveled a different path in the brain than the other pain medications, it wouldn't be as addictive. If it is working for others that is great because constant pain is god awful.