Tramadol can help for severe pain by taking once-daily tramadol. Tramadol is taken orally once a day and works within a couple of hours. Tramadol works for up to 24 hours and is pretty reliable. Although tramadol works wonders, tramadol is to be used for short periods at a time. Tramadol is recommenced to be used in 5 day periods to avoid addiction. Some patients that use tramadol don’t follow doctor’s orders and get addicted to tramadol. Tramadol is addictive like any other pain medication if taken for too long or taking too much tramadol at once.

Question by T. S.

Q: Hi. I am definitely addicted to tramadol (Ultram). I have tried to stop using tramadol several times, but the withdrawal symptoms of tramadol are so unbearable (depression; diarrhea; lethargy; sweats; aching body much more worse than ever before taking the drug, especially upon waking up in the morning; irritability; increase in tremor), that I get through a day or two and then I know that just "one" tramadol will take the withdrawal symptoms away, so back on tramadol again!!!

I know I am addicted to tramadol (been buying the drug over the net from Thailand). I started taking tramadol for aches and pains because tramadol was "non-narcotic" and "non-habit forming - yeah right!!!!! (I have no medical insurance at this time). Well, for me, tramadol also produces a "euphoric" type of feeling, like I can get more accomplished when I take it.

However, I had no problem getting things done before I ever took tramadol!!! I guess I used tramadol as an excuse. I noticed you have tramadol "Ultram" listed under the "Treatment" heading (first paragraph), and so now I know I am not abnormal (I guess this must be addictive for many people!!!). At any rate, I really do want to quit taking tramadol. I also have essential tremor (familial - mother had it) and am taking diazepam for the tremor (about 10 mg/day, no more than 20 mg/day, and that's only if I am going to be in a very uncomfortable social situation). I can even go without the diazepam. When I have tried to stop using the tramadol (Ultram), my head tremor gets worse. If I could, I would just hide at home for a week or so and detox; I would have no problem doing that, but I have to function for work, day-to-day LIFE, etcetera (no vacation time, and Monday comes around pretty quickly, hence me only getting through two days of trying to detox). Many people who I talk to say that using tramadol is all in my head.

Please............Do you have any suggestions on herbs, etcetera to help ease withdrawal from tramadol?.......just so I can function somewhat during the detox/withdrawal period. Also, do you have any experience with other cases of withdrawal from this drug, and if so.........how long do the extreme symptoms last? Thank you so much for your time. T.S.

Answer:

While browsing online, I was pretty amazed by how many addictive prescription drugs you could buy illegally. The websites said, "comes in a discrete package," and "nobody needs to know!" I understand that sometimes people are recommended drugs that are embarassing to be on… but the dangers here are misuse, addiction, and overdose.

If I can beat an old drum for a minute, drugs should be prescribed by doctors, and chinese herbs by acupuncturist/herbalists. As you know from your experience, it's dangerous to treat yourself- even doctors shouldn't do that.

However, there are some legitimate websites that allow you to buy your prescriptions online. They require a doctor's prescription, as they should. The main advantage of using an online pharmacy is much lower prices than your local drugstore.

It's not my place to recommend what to do with meds that are already being taken... even though it's a little different when you're taking self-prescribed, illegally-purchased meds. It's best to work with an MD and an acupuncturist/herbalist. What the literature suggests is:

QUITTING ULTRAM (tramadol)

One should TAPER off the Ultram (tramadol) rather than just suddenly stopping. That means reducing the dosage of tramadol gradually over a number of days or weeks.

Herbs and Acupuncture for Withdrawal from Addictive Drugs NADA (the proven ear acupuncture detox protocol - more about that in my article on Acupuncture and Addiction) could make the withdrawal period easier. So would the formulas:

Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Bupleurum Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell) and Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum)

The first one (Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li Tang) would be better for someone with a tremor disorder. Neither formula should be taken longer than a couple of months.

Instead of Painkilling Drugs... Your prospects in the future for treating the aches and pains and tremor would be great with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. I would suggest you find an acupuncturist in your area and see them for at least a few months.

To learn more visit http://4-tramadol.biz