ON tramadol 50mg for over 22 years now augmenting and i went from 2 -50mg pills a day to over 8 a day and its still not working.

[btthemd]

SOOOO I am visiting a doctor in CA who is working with me to get off the Tramadol and trying to find another way to contain my RLS. (NOT GAMAPENTINES) I slowly tapered down from 8 a day to today my first day without any tramadol. This took over 2 week to taper down but I have reached a point where I can go without the tramadol. ITs been a difficult 2 weeks..Some days no sleep at all and my system kept switching from legs to arms and hands. Trying to get me to give it some tramadol IT was full withdrawl and it was awful. Just wanted the RLS community to know what can happen over time with these drugs. This was no different than getting off opiates, and after 22 years having it every day my body screamed for more. Yet it wasn't giving the relief it used to give even with 8 pills. TIME to quit and try something else. Not sure what. They will be giving me something new to try and I will keep the RLS community informed. For now, keep the faith the cure is coming. (even if we never see it in our lives)

[Madlegs1]

Congratulations on what you've achieved. It must have been quite a shock to realise that you were augmenting on the Tram-- very unusual.

I would still look at your lifestyle, diet and other medications which may be triggering the rls.

I have just been reading of the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet- which is basically a Paleao diet . It is extremely difficult to achieve in our economy, but one has to be constantly vigilant until it just becomes a habit.

Look at your ferritin level (75-100) and supplement if needed.

Otherwise Gabapentin may be your next best step- but be aware that it takes at least three weeks to build up control, and 900 should be the max dose for rls.

It may be possible, after a year or so, to try Oxycontin, but given your experience with Tram, it may not last for long.

I hope you get relief.

Good luck.

[Parminter]

Tramadol causes augmentation in many sufferers, and after 22 years it is not surprising.

I would ask if you could try a switch to an opioid like methadone or oxycontin. Low-dose methadone seems to be the first choice of WED specialists who are well-versed in the (very ancient) use of opioids for this condition.

Can you not get to see Doctor Mark Buchfuhrer in Southern California? He is one of the world leaders in opioid use.

[Hidden]

Its quite rare to have augmentation from Tramadol, so sorry its happened to you.

[btthemd in reply to Hidden]

I think you may not be completely informed with tramadol. Yes it is normal to have augmentation with tramadol. I am not talking taking tramadol for a year or 2 but I have been on tramadol for over 20 years. Talking to the best Dr's from CA regarding this they said that everyone who has been on this type of drug goes through this after being on the drug for a long time. Not sure where you are getting your info. ELsse2 but beware of taking this med for a long time and thinking your can just quit without any effects. I know many who have augmented on tramadol and I can tell you first had (also the reports from others.) its not fun Wish you the best.

[lbrosa]

Congratulations getting off the Tramadol...I went thru the withdrawal with dopamines so can relate somewhat to what you went thru!

[Tennwalker1]

You achieved a milestone. Good job!!

It's hard to do what you've done. Nice accomplishment. I feel your pain though... I'm weaning off Pramipexrole (dopamine). I took it for 18 yrs on and off. On 14 pills a week. I have omitted 6 with 8 to go. I started 10/23 and will complete 2/3/19. Slow going for sure. Good luck with finding your drug cocktail of choice.

[btthemd in reply to Tennwalker1]

I have been off tramadol for 2 days now, the doctors have given me some sleeping aids along with some anxiety drugs but ......thing got so bad the doctor felt I should go back on tramadol and we should look for another drug to help. Not sure what it is but don't let anyone tell you that you can quit tramadol without severe side effects. Funny how the body works, after not taking tramadol for a few days my RLS went from my legs to my arms and hands. Worse feeling I have ever had. At least with my legs i could get up and walk now there was nothing I could do, even rubbing the arms didn't help in fact it seemed to make matters worse. This sure is a strange disease. Those in their early stages may not completely understand this, but this is a disease that gets much worse with time. Keep your self informed and stay close to the RlS community.

[marci6]

Thanks. I've taken Tramadol off and on for several years for back pain and noticed it help my RL. So now I take 1 or 2 50mg

a day for the past month but didn't know if there would be any withdrawal symptoms. I don't like to be dependent on any type of medication . Waiting to see my primary care doctor now.

[btthemd]

Thanks to all for your comments. With RLS what works for one doesn't work for another. I can't take any Gabapentin type drug as it make me so sick I vomit always the drug out and am sick for a day after. Some people have good response to these drugs but EVERYONE augments off them. My friend (Jenny) was on Mirapax for 3 months and stated to augment . now her RLS is 3 times worse and she is looking for a doctor to help her get relief. I know there are some good DR.'s in California, Boston Med. and Cleveland clinic but not everyone can afford to go and stay there . Not to mention if they are working taking off work. But sometimes You just have do what you can. Sure would be nice if our Gov. and Doctors were up on the severity of this disease. And for all you people who have RLS for just a few short years,.....just wait it gets much worse.........In the beginning I could go some times without meds and be ok.....Then with time it kept getting worse. Those of us who have had this disease for over 15-20 years can attest to the severity of this terrible condition. Do what you can now to help find a cure. Work with the RLS org. font to research and by all means tell everyone your story...We need people to know this is as real as cancer, heart disease etc...... There have been many of our fellow RLS people who could not get the help needed and said good-bye to this world. Let's not let this happen anyone else. Wishing you all the best in your quest.