weaning off tramadol

[LanaCSR]

Can anybody advise me on the best way to wean off of tramadol? I am currently taking two 50 mg tablets twice a day. I want to do it in a way that I will hopefully not have too much of an increase in my RLS symptoms. Also, do you know how long it should take for me to rid the tramadol from my body and how long it will take till I am no longer suffering the ill effects of weaning off the tramadol?

[Heatherlss]

I would like to ask why you want to wean yourself off of it ?

[LanaCSR]

Because my husband lost his job Monday and I can't afford the medicine much less the monthly dr appts in order to get the tramadol because we no longer have health insurance. 😥

[Heatherlss in reply to LanaCSR]

That sucks. I hope you get it sorted out soon.

[Joolsg in reply to LanaCSR]

So sorry that you live somewhere that doesn’t provide universal healthcare.

If you stop tasking tramadol you will still have RLS. Presumably you’re in the USA?

If you have no option but to reduce tramadol, it seems that the slower you reduce, the easier it will be.

I know methadone is prescribed in the USA for RLS and that it’s the cheapest opioid. Is that a possibility?

[LanaCSR in reply to Joolsg]

Oh, I am fully aware that I will still have RLS after stopping tramadol. I know I will ALWAYS have it no matter what for the rest of my life. Even if I switch to another medicine, I will still have to pay for dr visits in order to have someone prescribe the methadone for me, and any pain med requires a pain dr to prescribe it and the dr has to see you every month to get a new Rx each month...no refills on opioids. So that puts me in the same situation I'm in right now. If I can get off the tramadol and only take the kratom, then I won't have the cost of both the medicine and the dr's office visit to pay for every month.

[Joolsg in reply to LanaCSR]

I’m sorry that you are in this dreadful situation. It’s awful that you can’t get medical assistance and medications without insurance and wealth.

I know Kratom helps many people and is useful to reduce Tramadol without withdrawal symptoms. I hope you get relief.

[LanaCSR in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you! Yeah, medicine is way more expensive than I imagined!

[Shumbah in reply to LanaCSR]

That is criminal !

If you are in America

I found a compassionate doctor in NYC

He made my prescription look like I was taking 8 tables a day I think even though I only taking half a one . So one visit and I got enough for a year he would write me extra scripts if I live there .

If you are in USA the doctor I know might send you scripts he is very caring .

I would email your doctors clinic explain your situation that you cannot afford to visit monthly for your scripts , and barely afford your meds .

I am praying that your circumstances change for the better soon .

😔

[LanaCSR in reply to Shumbah]

Oh, Shumbah, thank you for the kind words. I live in South Carolina. So I don't know if I could afford to travel to NYC right now. Your dr sounds like such a great person! You are very lucky to have found him. I have been taking the tramadol for about a year without any side effects, but every time I have tried to reduce the dosage my RLS starts acting up really bad. I have tried three times with the same result. So I dread trying to attempt it again. Do you think you could tell him about me and see if he has any advice? I would be eternally grateful. 🤗

[Shumbah in reply to LanaCSR]

[e-mail]

Send him an email tell him your situation and what works for you he truly is compassionate. I truly hope he can help you .

Really outline what you said in your message.

and even you have to get a price for a phone Consult if he is happy to mail you scripts after that am sure we wok that cost out .

You would be surprised how the universe works things out .

I will also email him tomorrow on your behalf

Use my name Kester from Australia

He will email you back personally

Please let me know how you get on

I will heading to North Carolina in May 🙂

[LanaCSR in reply to Shumbah]

Thank you sooooo much! That's very cool that you will be in NC in May! I appreciate you sending me his email address. I will reach out to him and see what he says. *fingers crossed*

[WideBody in reply to Shumbah]

Yep, in America we are forced to find “compassionate” doctors.

More importantly “compassionate “ Doctors who are willing to bend the law and risk their own licenses to actually help their patients.

Shakespeare was wrong, first we shoot the politicians.

Low-dose opioids has been the most effect treatment for RLS for the last 300 years, only politicians can screw that up.

[Jumpey]

I am.so sorry that you are in this terrible situation. Sending love and prayets that you will be able to afford medication again soon.x

[LanaCSR in reply to Jumpey]

Gosh, what a sweet and thoughtful note! I needed that...🙂

[lorrinet]

Sending warm thoughts to you; as someone who has been taking opoids for the best part of 20 years I know their value, and have politely refused offers from GPs to change my meds to ropinerole and others. Good luck in your search for a compassionate doctor.

[LanaCSR in reply to lorrinet]

Y'all are the best!! I feel so blessed to be a member of this forum! ❤

[Sara_2611]

My apologies Ive never used it so unfortunately can't help you

[Arkangel]

What a terrible situation to be in, I am so sorry for you. It makes me appreciate living in the UK. The NHS may not be perfect, but at least everyone is entitled to treatment. I hope and pray you get the help you need.

[LanaCSR in reply to Arkangel]

Definitely count your blessings! I am trying to...

[Hidden]

Oh man, so much for the shining beacon of America! I pity those living in areas where they are forced into illicit drugs or to do without because of drug and medical costs.

Thank God the UK hasn't been taken over by drug companies to the extent of the US health service, lets hope Brexit doesn't f**k that up (but Boris has already been offering this to Trump it seems).

Anyway - TRAMADOL WITHDRAWAL.

For the best results slow is better, but that is only really if you are going to have continued access. Finance will stop your access so you do not need to worry if a detox will work and keep you off the opioids, you just need to worry about stopping and getting through the withdrawal.

OK you have Kratom so you are blessed. No need to panic. If you are in a state that allows medical cannabis you can also use that ( I would have no fear of advising using it even if illegal if you lived in a country that wasn't as prison happy as the US and where you could lose your whole life on Mickey Mouse crimes.). Desperate times can call for desperate measures.

You are not on a crazy big dose so you could do a really short drop of 50mg over the space of two days - Days 1&2 drop 50mg in morning. Days 3&4 the other morning 50mg (best to save what you can for the evening). Days 5&6 50mg and then finish. Its quick and will take you off in short order.

The increase in RLS symptoms will take some time to abate but it is a case of using Kratom and whatever non-drug methods you can - hot baths/showers, stretching, exercise, gentle iron in the evening. Avoid sugar, caffeine, alcohol, gluten and dairy for added help.

Have as much distraction as you can manage available - hobbies, movies, books (audio for when you have to move), etc. Plenty of sex also. Try keeping your bladder and bowels empty as that helps too.

Also double check you are on no drugs that are exacerbating things as many antihistamines and antidepressants do.

Hope that helps and very best of luck.

[LanaCSR in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much Raffs!! So helpful, so informative, and so caring!

[Hidden in reply to LanaCSR]

That's why we're here. If you need to bitch or complain feel free to PM me.

[kallae]

Klonapin 0.5 cut in half and 1, 100 gabapectin does well for me to sleep and easier to get for RLS .

[Marmaset]

Hi LanaCSR. I was on Tramadol for many years before weaning myself off them. I was taking the same dose as you. It takes time to wean yourself off these tablets without suffering any ill effects, so it is the long game rather than the short game. I dropped one tablet off over a two week period, then a second tablet over the same period of time, then a third and, finally, a fourth. Doing it this way caused me no problems. However, we are all different and it may be you need to drop the tablets off over a slightly longer time. Don't despair, it can be done, just do it the best way for you. I didn't experience any RLS difficulties stopping Tramadol. I hope you find this information helpful. Good Luck.