In this article, I’m going to teach you everything you need to know about using tramadol for opiate withdrawal. Tramadol is by no means one of my top choices for easing opiate withdrawal symptoms, however, tramadol is still a good option for some, though not all people. I was even prescribed tramadol for opiate withdrawal several years ago after I went to the ER for acute heroin withdrawal.
I’m going to share my experience using tramadol for opiate withdrawal with you shortly. First, I believe it’s important to explain how tramadol works in the body, that way you will gain a better understanding of how it can help ease opiate withdrawal symptoms.
How Tramadol For Opiate Withdrawal Works in Your Body
Tramadol is a prescription medication used to treat mild to severe pain. Contrary to popular belief, tramadol is NOT a narcotic drug. Tramadol does not come from the opium poppy plant. Furthermore, tramadol will not show up as an opiate on a drug-test. So how exactly does tramadol work? Tramadol is a centrally acting synthetic analgesic agent with opiate activity due to a low affinity binding to the parent compound and higher affinity binding of the O-demethylated metabolite M1 to mu opioid receptors.
So basically, tramadol is a synthetic (man-made) drug that has opiate effects (pain relief, constipation, euphoria, respiratory depression, etc.) due to it binding to the same opioid receptors in the body that opioid analgesic drugs like Morphine and hydrocodone bind to. However, unlike opioid analgesics, Tramadol is not currently scheduled as a controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Tramadol For Opiate Withdrawal Benefits
Since tramadol has opiate effects in the body, it can be useful for relieving withdrawal symptoms such as: anxiety, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress, sweating, hot and cold flashes, insomnia, depression, nausea, achy muscles and limbs, and fatigue. Based on severity of addiction and biochemical uniqueness, using tramadol for opiate withdrawal symptoms can work very well for some, and offer minimal benefit for others.
Another thing I find interesting is that tramadol inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. This means that it could potentially also be useful for boosting mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain during opiate withdrawal. Serotonin is an inhibitory (relaxing) neurotransmitter that makes you feel emotionally chilled-out and happy. Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) is an excitatory (stimulating) neurotransmitter that can give you more energy and lift mood.
My Experience Using Tramadol For Opiate Withdrawal
Several years ago, I went to the emergency room for acute heroin withdrawal. I had been using a half gram to a gram of heroin daily for a few months, and less than 24 hours after my last hit I couldn’t bare the cold-turkey withdrawal symptoms. The ER doctor prescribed me clonidine, Librium and tramadol for opiate withdrawal. The medications helped get rid of the most severe symptoms, though I still had no energy and some depression and anxiety. In an effort to get high, I decided to take much more tramadol for opiate withdrawal than I was prescribed.
It was so long ago I honestly can’t remember, but I think I was only prescribed between three and six 50 mg tramadol within 24 hours. I can’t remember how many there were in the bottle, but I ended up taking ALL OF THEM within 24 hours. My withdrawal symptoms were reduced considerably, but I didn’t even come close to getting “high”, and then my pills were all gone and I was off to get another bag of heroin immediately. I obviously wasn’t ready to quit. Either that or I was possessed by Satan (evil laugh)!
Precautions Using Tramadol For Opiate Withdrawal
Don’t use tramadol for opiate withdrawal in the foolish and irresponsible way that I did. Tramadol can be a useful medication if you use it properly.
If you decide to use tramadol for opiate withdrawal, be aware of the following risks:
- Tramadol can be habit-forming and addictive (many people have become severely addicted after using tramadol for opiate withdrawal).
- If you use tramadol consistently, tramadol withdrawal can be just as bad as opiate withdrawal.
- Taking too much Tramadol can result in overdose.
- Depending on severity of addiction and biochemical uniqueness, tramadol may not work well for everyone.
Tramadol For Opiate Withdrawal Studies
In a study from 2012, tramadol was compared to Methadone for the treatment of opiate withdrawal:
- Patients were put into two groups: methadone group (60 mg per day) and tramadol group (600 mg per day).
- No significant differences existed in overall Objective Opioid Withdrawal Scale (OOWS) scores between the two groups (P = 0.11).
- Dropout rates were similar in both groups.
- Side effects in the tramadol group were as or less common than in the methadone group, with the exception of perspiration.
- Results stated tramadol may be as effective as methadone in the control of withdrawal.
In a study from 2006, tramadol was compared to buprenorphine for the treatment of withdrawal:
- 115 patients were put into two groups (45 in the buprenorphine group, 70 in the tramadol group).
- 56% of the buprenorphine group and 71% of the tramadol group completed detoxification.
- Tramadol patients had significantly higher average withdrawal symptoms when compared to the buprenorphine group and a greater reduction in withdrawal symptoms over time.
- The number of side effects was minimal and didn’t differ between the two groups.
- Results of the study stated that tramadol shows some promise as an opioid withdrawal management medication.
How to Use Tramadol For Opiate Withdrawal
If you’ve decided you want to use tramadol for opiate withdrawal symptoms, make sure to use it responsibly.
The following key concepts should help you determine how to use tramadol for opiate withdrawal:
- Always use the least amount of tramadol possible to reduce opiate withdrawal symptoms.
- Never use tramadol for longer than absolutely needed (3-7 days maximum should get you past the most severe part of withdrawal).
- Tramadol comes in an extended-release form; this could be more beneficial to use than regular tramadol due to it’s long half-life.
- Depending on addiction severity, some people will benefit from taking 50-100 mg 3-4 times per day, others will need much more than this.
Example: Someone who is coming off a 60 mg daily oxycodone habit might get decent benefits from using tramadol for opiate withdrawal. However, if you’ve been shooting up three grams of heroin per day for the past five years, tramadol might be like putting a band aid on a broken leg.
Tramadol For Opiate Withdrawal Natural Alternative
Suppose you can’t get a doctor to prescribe you tramadol for opiate withdrawal. Buying it on the street would be an option, though I never recommend breaking the law. If you want my expert opinion, you’d probably be better off using kratom as a natural alternative.
Kratom is a plant (member of the coffee family) that is not regulated by the DEA in the United States (making it’s use legal), that binds to the same opioid receptors that tramadol binds to (so it eases opiate withdrawal symptoms). Kratom is available for purchase online and at select retail locations.
If you want to learn more, simply click on the link below to read my detailed article on using kratom for opiate withdrawal:
How To Use Kratom For Opiate Withdrawal>>
Click here now to view my best home detox program. If you have any questions on using Tramadol for opiate withdrawal, please feel free to leave them in the comment box below.
Switching to Tramadol is NOT really opioid withdrawal, since tramadol IS an opioid, albeit an atypical one. One should still expect some withdrawal discomfort when one stops the tramadol, even though it usually won’t be as bad as withdrawal from substantial doses of more typical opioids. A non-opioid, in my view, is often preferable when possible, such as baclofen or gabagentin or even pregabalin, because tapering off of one of these is usually not as difficult.
I feel you pain brother I am also suffering this terrible addiction and was also athletic and now i find myself thinking about the pills 24 7 and worrying about running out all the time and daily I’m going through withdrawls then take a pill feel better then 4 hours later withdrawls take another oxycodone 40 and so on I can’t sleep the whole night. And to make things worse I’m in dominican republic and about to get married to a wonderful woman who knows nothing of addiction and I cannot get help like methadone or suboxone here only can buy tramadol and 50mg codine. I do have a question if I’m taking 4 oxycodone 40mg per day internasily would I be able to switch to codine or tramadol or both to stop withdrawls and how much codine is equal to 40mg oxy? I have also thought about suicide but I have a son and a family that loves me it is just the pills have me being a slave and I cant take much more. I also can never find a good time to quit or cut down and this is due to a wedding coming and there always seems to be some reason why I need to take the pills and it is always tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow and it never comes. O have a doctor here who gives me 60 oxycodone 40mg tablets per month and I am supposed to take only 2 a day but 2 a day never seem to last me and I always end up trying to go back to the doctor early and where I am there is only one doctor who prescribes oxys or any opiods for that matter and they are very strict but you can buy codine 50mg tablets at any pharmacy and or 50mg tramadol tablets. I have been on and off opiates since I was 18 and I’m 38 now and been on methadone and suboxone and kratom and just about every opiod and opiate there is quite literally. My problem is I cannot let anyone see me sick or they will ask questions and also I am coming close to losing my fiancee due to this and I am already 7 day over my 1 month prescription that i got on the 11th of June and I don’t know what to do. I have enough kratom to last me maybe 2 days but I need 8 teaspoons per dose to not feel sick and I have a package coming in the mail from the US being sent by ups of 20 oxy 20s and 20 dilaudid #4s but I am not sure it will make it. Every day that goes by I am getting closer to running out and do not know what I will do because I cannot see the Dr. Until the 5th and that is even 6 days early but I plan to use the wedding as an excuse. I cannot get kratom shipped here to dominican also. And as of right now I only have enough pills to last until the 3rd and that is only if I take the prescribed 2 per day which I can never seem to do and I am always doing the math to talk myself into one more dose to feel well and then I will use the kratom for the 2 days tomorrow for 2 days and start back on the oxys at 1/2pill 4 times a day but it never comes and I keep taking 4 per day and even at that dose I don’t feel well enough to go out and get things done even the little things like going to the store is a problem for me and I’m sure you could imagine what my fiancee is thinking of my behaviour. For me this is literally hell on earth and I have a constant fear of being sick and a feeling I will lose this wonderful girl. Anyway I know my message is very long but I saw your and just want you to know you are not alone brother. And if anyone can tell me about using the codine in place of the oxys and how much to take and if I’ll get withdrawl symptoms I would appreciate any help because I am starting to give up on life and I can’t take this anymore. When I go back to canada I plan to get back on the methadone and wean off like I have in the past but I’m not going back for at least another 3 months and until then I need an emergency plan. Any type of codine or tramadol plan or way to extend my 2 day supply of kratom or way to make the oxys last longer maybe if I take them by mouth they might last longer then 4 hours. I dont know please help me
Thank you
I hope this helps. There is a big difference between Tramadol ER (retard) and regular Tramadol in fact that is what’s recommended for opioid withdrawl. It can take away withdrawal symptoms and still take away pain.
Hi Matt,
I’ve been taking 90 mg of oxycodone for about 10 years. I’ve been in a pain management clinic and I’ve been sort of disgusted with it for three or more years. It’s depressing and seems more like a pill mill than any sort of caring place. Over the holidays, I had very bad breakthrough pain and my friend told me about kratom. I used some and found it worked. Unfortunately, it did show up in my pain clinic urine screen and they were unable to renew my prescription, leaving me with the only thing to do which is: just stop. I’ve been wanting to stop for a while but I’ve been afraid of the withdrawal. I have kratom and I also have some 50 mg tramadol. I’m wanting advice on the best way to proceed. Kratom does help but right now I’m at 24 hours without the oxycodone in my system. I feel okay, hopeful, etc. I don’t want to substitute kratom for the opiates so I’m wondering what I’m looking at.
Hi Matt, me and my wife have been up and down on methadone, heroin and dyhydrocodeine. We’ve been clean of all pills a d heroin many weeks but we have been on and off methadone for the past 8 months. We are moving in 4 weeks from Ireland to Spain and we really need to finish up within that time scale as we can’t get methadone over there. We currently dropped from 30-15-8 for me and 30-17.5-12 for my wife. I have 200xultram ordered and due In wednesday-friday. Today is Monday and I’ll be dropping to 7 or 6 but will this even out for us? The big drops are fine, we dropped from 30 to like an average of 10 in 3 days then when the methadone half life started to wear off we were in pretty heavy withdrawals. Will this continue to 1ml do you think or should I just jump on tramadol as soon as it arrives.. We done this same detox in Spain a few months ago, trams are legal there and we were on heavy mls at the time but codeine helped too. When I came home and I was down to 1 tram at night it was so unbearable. I don’t want to get sick from tramadol too.. Also if I take tramadol for say 3-4 days then switch to codeine for 3-4 days will I avoid feeling sick from either. Our heroin habits were kind of low but we could quit heroin with 4-5 days of methadone but it did not give my brain time to think and I relapsed. So should I taper the Meth and suffer daily or jump on the tram train when they arrive? Should I wait 3 days to take the tram? What dosage would you say would be unnoticible to the public and will keep me functioning? I need to look clean not doped up for my new career and life and we both just want rid of this disease. We are both 27 my girlfriend was addicted to mild codeine pills for 10 years and when my landlord sold back in 2013 we became homeless, lost our child to social services and started dabbling in heroin briefly. We both went to rehab, stopped, my partner relapsed on codeine every day and we eventually moved into a small town full of h and tried again and we’ve been on and off h the past year almost. I smoked my first bag last November 20th and gave up like 20 times by substituting but now we are really serious. We conceived another child and we have our other beautiful daughter in our care. I guess they seen we aren’t bad people, it took us 6 months and it was more so mental health related than drugs. My wife has mental illness. WE REALLY NEED HELP I NEED TO SAVE MY POOR WIFE AND FAMILY. Well that’s my background I’ll donate for help promptly brother we are ready and determined. Last chance, no breaks Lets do it. I think your advice will really make this experience better, and also my life. This is my chance to make it to my dream destination and clean before I even get there please help!!! We have like 20 10mg diazepam, about .5 mg xanax with vitamin b complex, lyrica, well we are on lyrica but we have enough to up our doses. I take 2-300 my daily, she takes 450-600mg daily. I am only on them a month or so she’s on them years. We take benzos but I got lots to ease withdrawals How should I go at this?
The best way I can help you is to provide links to a few free detox plans I’ve created that will show you how to minimize symptoms as much as possible. Here are the articles I recommend reading:
How To Use Kratom For Opiate Withdrawal>>
How To Mega-Dose Vitamin C To Stop Opiate Withdrawal>>
How To Use Loperamide For Opiate Withdrawal>>
Hi,
Over the past three years I have worked with my doctors to reduce my oxy intake for pain management. For twenty three years I took 160mg of oxycontin three times daily while using the 30mg oxycodone every four hours. Fast forward to today, I am now on 20 mg oxycontin twice daily while I can use 10mg Percocet four times daily. I would like to just finish this nightmare of a taper off. I have run out of patience and I would just like to be off of the pharmaceutical junk . This is going to be a two prong question, for starters I was able to get 15 of the 50mg tramadol tablets. I took two in the morning and two in the evening. Can you advise dosing for the next three days?
Second question…I still have issues with pain management and I’m interested in meat on. I tried it before working with my Dr to reduce my dosage of oxy over time, the meat on I got was not helpful in any level with anything. Can you recommend a source that I can trust please?
Thank you for you time, your candid sharing and taking a genuine interest in helping others.
Sincerely,
Marci
There was a typo I was trying to say kratom not meat on
Hi Marci,
Here is an article that shows you dosing protocols for using tramadol to get off opiates:
How To Use Tramadol For Opiate Withdrawal>>
And here is an article on the type of kratom that I’ve liked the most out of the ones I’ve tried:
Top Extracts Kratom Review>>
I’m wishing you the best!! 🙂
I am without my gabapentine until fri. I take 3200mgs a day for past 4 yrs. Will tramadol help with the withdrawals until friday when i get my gabapentine?
Hey how s it going Matt or anyone per say I have been shooting up hearing for two years but with in one year I went to getting high on cottons to having to do a half gram shot with only 50 unit to 80 unit shots just to get well every morning and at night and maybe half that during afternoons so 2-3 times a day I shot up a .25 to a 1.5 a day so a dub and mostly a half to a gram a day would get sick alot especially in the morning and BTW I am only 20 years old today would like to quit cold Turkey but my question is would 50mg tramadol would help my withdrawls with heroin and how many should I start out with ?
Hi Nate,
When I was going through heroin withdrawal, tramadol helped a lot. I was an idiot and took the whole bottle in a few days though, trying to get high, which didn’t work. Used responsibly it can work very well. Please ask your doctor how much you should use for withdrawal symptoms. Best of luck to you.
Hi there. I have been taking 10-15 mg of lortab/Norco for about a year now. Addiction runs in my family, both parent are addicts, & I swore that would never be me… now I’m almost 33 years old & while I feel like my addiction isn’t as severe as others bc of the low dose I take, it’s still an addiction & im incredibly disappointed in myself. I have 2 kids, 11 & 7, and I decided a few weeks ago that enough is enough. My husband & I spend way too much money on pills. Then, I found out I was pregnant. I am shocked bc I’ve been on birth control for 8 years now. Clearly the Lord gave me this baby so I would get off the pills once & for all. I know I’m better than this. With only taking 15mg a day, how long w the withdrawals last? I do have some tramadol, about 20 50mg, but I fear those would harm the baby as well. I’m just wondering if I’ll still be able to function, work, take kids to ball practice, while going through these withdrawals. I find that if I keep myself busy, it makes the anxiety easier to handle. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hi matt
Thank you for sharing…i have been looking for the efffect of tramadol when i stumble on this page. sorry my english is not good. I have been taking tramadol 100mg since 10 days ago. For your information i am in the process of kratom withdrawal. I was a heavy dosage user for almost 13 years. I took 0.75 litre of kratom made from 1 kg of fresh leaves every day. I decided to quit drinking kratom because there was no more feeling energetic or pleasure as at the beginning. It was only to cover the withdrawal symptoms therefore much and much higher doses needed everyday. My doctor prescribed me tramadol 100mg to be taken twice daily with one tablet 300mg of gabapentin, 2 tablets of 5mg diazepam and vitamin b forte. To share my experience, gabapentin works well in reducing nerve pain which every kratom addicted will suffer. If you quit cold turkey you might cut off your legs when the pain came. The suffer of kratom withdrawals are terrible. You will feel so fatigue, imsomnia, nerve pain, coughing, running nose, awful pain in you stomach and many more. Right now my nerve pain almost gone so as imsomnia. But i couldnt feel the relaxation that tramadol can provide. I still feel tired, no motivation and of course no feeling pleasure as before. But it much better than turning back to kratom where the feeling of relaxing and pleasure only last for few hours than you have to take another dose. Once you are addicted than you will become dependant. So i would like to say here every drugs either natural or man made are dangerous. Use with precaution, if you are only want to play music chairs on drugs i suggest do not change the drugs you are using right now. Because it is only waste of time and money.
my body is living trainwreck, I have done competitive fighting for decades and that combind with auto crashes and other injuries…I need four surgeries already; knee, hip, nec, low back. anyway, I began Percocet under my doctor two yrs ago and it has gotten out of control, I now do ten to fifteen 30mg pills dailiy, it is costing me all my savings and my life in my opinion too. I just want to be normal and rugfree I was always a natural drug free athelete and now Im an addict, I hate myself for being so weak and letting it happen. I am trying to quit, I stopped going to my doc, I have two 30s left, five 20mg oxcontin and 12 50mg tramadol. I also have calm support, dl phynelalanine and a few other natural remedies. I went for a ten mile bike ride today despite my physical injuries and limitations, I came home and took a 30, I intend to beat this, I want my life and myt independence back. I want to be like everyone elese and live life not dependent on pills and drugs. I hope this works, I know it isn’t going to be easy with as much ive been using but ive no choice. at least its not cold turkey. so, I figure I wont use the other 30 until I have to d/t withdrawal, then I will do the oxycontins slowly and then to tramadol and all the while doing the natural stuff, exercise as I can daily and diet will be very strict, glutenfree raw diet. I sure hope this works, im at the end of my options anymore and I have already considered suicide but I don’t want to be seen as a quitter plus I have a wonderful wife and I love my family dearly so I have to win for them. damn drugs, I hate them, I wish this would have never started. I will not go to another pain doctor as long as I live
Hi Rick
Congratulations on your decision to get off the pills. If I may add my experience for getting off a year and a half of Oxy. I used Kratom powder Red Maeng Da powder for one week with no withdrawal. Then changed to the white Maeng Da for 2 more weeks with gives you energy while you go through the last of it. NO WITHDRAWALS. It was like a miracle. I got it from Kratom trading online. Just wheen off the white after 2 weeks. Let me know if this helps you.
thnx tom, past few weeks ive cut back gradually to now just a few pills daily, already over fift5y percent less than usuall. not much withdrawal to talk of. just mild tiredness and low energy. anyway, I ordered red bali kratom and will start it Monday, I was told to do 3grams daily but I don’t for how many days/weeks and what method of administration? also, you then suggest gong to white after a week or two, ok will do, TY
Hey Rick thanks for letting me know how your doing. Congratulations on your progress. I did 5 grams for the first 2 days then started decreasing but what ever works for you. I also used passionflower extract at night for sleep. Works great. I get the Herb Pharm brand. Easy to get online. When you switch to the Borneo white 3-4 grams is all you need. It will give you your energy back. Good luck and let me know how you do.
Oh Rick by the way. I put the Kratom in the blender with Chocolate milk or grapefruit juice. Goes down easier.
well, i began monday 080816. i am still doing oxycodone as well and cutting backdaily, monday i did nine 30mg plus a 20 oxy plus natural , yesterday i did eight 30mg plus the natural stuff, felt good, slept pretty good which is rare for me opiates or not. today so far only three 30mg and natural products, feeling good still. i plan tocontinue dropping lessand less daily on the oxy/drug side as i continue the natural side. i am doing about 20g of kratom daily with clam support and a couple other vitamin/mineral products i determined to be beneficial in this matter, so, today i hope to go no more than six oxy and tomororw goal is four or less. one day at a time, right
Congrats Rick. Sounds like a good plan. Please keep in touch with your progress.
so, moving forward. monday did nine 30s plus a 20mg oxy, tuesday did 8 30s, wednesday did 7 thirties and today only did 3 sofar, day not over tho.
ive been doing 10grams of the kratom twice daily and i gotta say,its amazing, i feel great. to behonest with myself, i beleive i dont even need to do the opiates its just habit so tomorow i promised myself im going to try just the kratomas its weekend and i have nothign i need to do so i canjust veg at the house for the weekend. this stuff is impressive, plus i finally slept good, wow what a pleasure it was to sleep well. im looking forward to successfully completing this program and putting three yearsof lifestyle behind me forever
i am cutting back one (30mg) pill daily. i was doing great until today, was down to four pills and today i screwed up and ive done eight. but i am not gonna freak out about it, just pick up where i left off, tomorrow is supposed to be only three pills and im sticking to the schedule. i am not failing because of one day of stupidity. otherwise doing well, the product, kratom, is amazing, i feel pretty damn good with it. i am doing ten grams morning before breakfast and ten grams before bed and it seems to be doing the job. i am pissed at myself for today but i cant take it back i can only do my best tonot repeat it again. my personal goal is pill free by start of next week and im going to do it. i have to
Good to hear from you Rick. Trust in the Kratom. Even if you completely stopped the pills you will be fine. Keep in touch and congratulations.
for me, also the toughest part isn’t imo the withdrawal or dependency its the time required to do the program, I have to do this while still maintaining a functional professional life and job scene daily so that is why im worried about difficulty. withdrawls I could handle if I could be alone for a week but I don’t have that luxury I have a full time job and family and multiple businesses to keep running properly while I do this. I know I wont fail and itrs a matter of days now before I am once again drug free like I was before I began this journey a couple yrs ago. I will just naturally deal with the pain and my conditions, I never again want to have anything ever control or attempt to control me, ever.
Hey brother thank you for sharing that i know all to well what you are going threw.and it helps to know that im not The only one keep your head up man we have to do it for our loved ones as well i have been using for 22 years and its completely takin over my life i had quit for almost a year after 17 years and i got diagnosed with two kinds of cancer in a 3 month period so you can just imagine how much I’ve had to use just to be able to get out of the bed and its to the point of wanting to end it all but that wouldn’t be fare to the people that i care about so i cant let that even be thought of and my luck i wouldn’t die anyway i would wind up surviving and in worse shape as i was in the beginning lol but thank you man idk if you will receive this but i really needed to hear that im not the only one in this eftup situation god bless you bro i hope you reach your goals
I feel you pain brother I am also suffering this terrible addiction and was also athletic and now i find myself thinking about the pills 24 7 and worrying about running out all the time and daily I’m going through withdrawls then take a pill feel better then 4 hours later withdrawls take another oxycodone 40 and so on I can’t sleep the whole night. And to make things worse I’m in dominican republic and about to get married to a wonderful woman who knows nothing of addiction and I cannot get help like methadone or suboxone here only can buy tramadol and 50mg codine. I do have a question if I’m taking 4 oxycodone 40mg per day internasily would I be able to switch to codine or tramadol or both to stop withdrawls and how much codine is equal to 40mg oxy? I have also thought about suicide but I have a son and a family that loves me it is just the pills have me being a slave and I cant take much more but suicide is not something I would do. I also can never find a good time to quit or cut down and this is due to a wedding coming and there always seems to be some reason why I need to take the pills and it is always tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow and it never comes. I have a doctor here who gives me 60 oxycodone 40mg tablets per month and I am supposed to take only 2 a day but 2 a day never seem to last me and I always end up trying to go back to the doctor early and where I am there is only one doctor who prescribes oxys or any opiods for that matter and they are very strict but you can buy codine 50mg tablets at any pharmacy and or 50mg tramadol tablets. I have been on and off opiates since I was 18 and I’m 38 now and been on methadone and suboxone and kratom and just about every opiod and opiate there is quite literally. My problem is I cannot let anyone see me sick or they will ask questions and also I am coming close to losing my fiancee due to this and I am already 7 day over my 1 month prescription that i got on the 11th of June and I don’t know what to do. I have enough kratom to last me maybe 2 days but I need 8 teaspoons per dose to not feel sick and I have a package coming in the mail from the US being sent by ups of 20 oxy 20s and 20 dilaudid #4s but I am not sure it will make it. Every day that goes by I am getting closer to running out and do not know what I will do because I cannot see the Dr. Until the 5th and that is even 6 days early but I plan to use the wedding as an excuse. I cannot get kratom shipped here to dominican also. And as of right now I only have enough pills to last until the 3rd and that is only if I take the prescribed 2 per day which I can never seem to do and I am always doing the math to talk myself into one more dose to feel well and then I will use the kratom for the 2 days tomorrow for 2 days and start back on the oxys at 1/2pill 4 times a day but it never comes and I keep taking 4 per day and even at that dose I don’t feel well enough to go out and get things done even the little things like going to the store is a problem for me and I’m sure you could imagine what my fiancee is thinking of my behaviour. For me this is literally hell on earth and I have a constant fear of being sick and a feeling I will lose this wonderful girl. Anyway I know my message is very long but I saw your and just want you to know you are not alone brother. And if anyone can tell me about using the codine in place of the oxys and how much to take and if I’ll get withdrawl symptoms I would appreciate any help because I am starting to give up on life and I can’t take this anymore. When I go back to canada I plan to get back on the methadone and wean off like I have in the past but I’m not going back for at least another 3 months and until then I need an emergency plan. Any type of codine or tramadol plan or way to extend my 2 day supply of kratom or way to make the oxys last longer maybe if I take them by mouth they might last longer then 4 hours. I dont know please help me and please don’t suggest a physicist or getting medical help or returning to Canada and tell me that I have to figure out what is more important as these are not options for me.
Thank you
On suboxone past 3 years. Screwed up dosing last month and ran out few days before appointment. I took a Tramadol and it showed up on my test so got booted. What can I do to get through this? Thomas recipe? I can get enough Tramadol if it will lessen symptoms and severity. Most worried about blood pressure….I run high quite a bit (have meds) and I know this will be difficult due to age, I am late 50s. Any/all help appreciated.
Holly, Have you tried Imodium or vitamin C.. Matt Finch has so many different remedies to help with withdrawals.. He has great classes you can buy that are not expensive..
But remember every person is different so different remedies work different on each of us..
I’m still struggling with this vicious evil cycle of pills all so.
Wish you the best of luck.
Hi Matt,
Your article has been most helpful. Im at the 42 Hr mark with no Oxy. I was taking about 100-150 mg a day. I have been taking Trams (1-50mg) every 6-10 hours as needed and it seems to be working wonders. I was going to only do the trams from 3-5 days…. However, I am concerned that once I stop the Trams I will be back at day #1 and have horrible withdraws again. I have read that it just prolongs the inevitable. Is this true?
Hey neb. You will be fine. You might want to still take the trams at night after the 3 to 5 days you mentioned. But start exercising right away. 2 to 3 miles walks at first. The trams will work don’t worry. Let me know how you are doing. Tom
I trying to quit heroin but it’s going really hard. What should I use for relief of my sickness, tramadol or methadone ??
Plz help me with it. Reply soon !!
Hey ironic I would use the trams. Just like the poster above. He is taking good 1 every 4 to 6 hours. Don’t wait until it bad. Stay on top of it. Good luck. If you can get Kratom it works great to.
I was diagnosed with degenerate disc disease in my neck and back & I moved away from my home state & pain clinic, now I’m closer to my daughter but It has been 2 months and I’m out of my meds I take daily, I take 3-30mg ER morphine A day and 4-10/325 Vicodins a day I tried tapering off but half is still 15 & 5 but now I need to get into a pain clinic but there not being helpful, so I feel like death and my family here has no idea what I’m going through I tried telling them it’s like the flu X4 the shaking and normal back pain I have is unbearably, I’m just thinking about when I’ll see my daughter again and how I gotta be strong for her.
shroom is right! Ultram(Tramadol) has been the WORST withdrawals ive ever experienced when it comes to getting off of something. its harder to get off of than H when you take it for over a year 200 or more mg a day. it Binds to a similar receptor in the brain (ku opiod receptor i believe)as methadone, therefore is similar to w/d of methadone, plus SNRI-which is an awful w/d in itself, and the rest part opiod. taking over 400mg a day if you have not built a tolerance will only make you puke your guts out til you pass out and could lead to seizure and death. It is great for s short time between doses if you run out of stuff…most ppl wont experience w/d symptoms from opiates if you take a few trams before you start to get sick. but I highly advise not taking ten at once or taking over 4 per day for a long period of time .I literally had to taper off tramadol with perc 30s.
Hello Everyone, I’m so happy to see people having success with kicking their habit. I’m still fighting the worst enemy I’ve every had. These little blue pills and the fleshy matter between my ears that tells me to get more of those… and it doesn’t have to be the blue ones… yellow, green, pink, peach, white… any will do. just as long as I have them. I’ve been battling for about 3/4 years now. On average 90mgs to 120mgs of whatever I can find. I’m so sick of my life revolving around my dependancy. Do I have enough for this trip, when will my supplier have more, how will I explain this withdrawal from checking to my wife (whom has been very supportive, but her patience is waring thin, and I can’t blame her)??? I hope to be free someday. Of everything. I’ve tried methadone, NA, and a few others, but I don’t want a new addition to replace the old. I send as much positive energy as I can to all battling with this addiction the world over. It’s a life stealer. I pray to have mine back sometime soon.
Chris I sincerely honor the courage it takes to do what you’re going through. You can win this battle, and you can take back your life. Best of luck to you friend. Take care.
trying gram 1st time today for op withdrawal pax 120 mg day guy..so I have high hopes..but I must tell people..gabbapenton is a god send an easy to get from doctors so get some it really helps with withdrawl..d
I was thinking of trying Gabapinten, I know my doctor will prescribe this for me.. Did it totally take away all your withdrawals? Or did you still have some? It’s just that I’m going to be a grandma for the 7th time and seriously my daughter is truly going to need my help, I can’t be laying around or sleeping all day.. I would truly love your feedback on Gaba.
I tried to get it from my doctor and she said, we would discuss on my next visit in a month. So honestly for some people it’s not that easy.
But I do have a question, does it truly help with all withdrawal symptoms?
Sadness Me for one did not have any luck with gabs. Trams work great. Just take one at a time as needed which will probably be 2 times a day. As I always say exercise will be your number 1 treatment.
Hi Tom, how long where you addicted to opiates? Also how long did it take for you to stop taking the tramadol? I slowing started taking less opiates, but now I’m having horrible drug dreams which are so bad they wake me and I’m scared to go back to sleep. I’m serious I been having these dreams for the past two weeks now. I so hate my life right now..
Well sadness if that is all your having is bad dreams you are doing fantastic. As far as the trams I took 2 a day for a week and the 1 at night for anther week. No problem from the trams after that. Just mental WD’S for a while. Bike riding really helped for me. A good hard 4 hour bike ride a day. Good luck to you and try to stay away from the sadness thing.
Sadness to answer your other question. I used H for over 6 years along with Vals. Then Methadone for 3 years before I tapered. It was tough the first 2 years from the emotional aspect of quitting. The other hard part is learning how to live and grow in the real world drug free. Everything is different, people are different and you have to learn how to fit in. Just get clean right now and know it will be tough. You won’t come out of it 100% symptom free. You will have to go through some hard time . Get yourself into a program with positive people. People that are winners. Get involve in a good Bible based Church. Get to know your hire power and talk to him everyday. Ask him for help. You can do it. I hope I answered all your questions this time. Good luck to you and post how your doing along the way.
Hello Sadness I hope you managed to taper and get clean and are doing well. When I got clean before I had intense using dreams that scared me too. I found that I felt better if I tried to laugh at them and think to myself phew I only used in my dream and not in real life. If you’re trying to be clean, the best place to use is in your dreams.
What withdrawals symptoms do you have with the gab? Or does the gab take away all your opiate withdrawals? My problem with not stopping this horrible addiction in my life is energy and so much depression. I have tried the Vitamin C remedy and the Amoduim AD with Grapefruit juice. They Vitamin C didn’t truly work. The Amoduim took alot of my symptoms away but kept me in bed with such depression and no energy to do anything. I truly can’t be in bed I take care of my Grandkids on a daily bases plus my daughter just had my 7th grandbaby and I’m helping her also right now. If there was just a cheap way to get off these pills that make my life a living hell. I truly know I could quit. But having no energy is what depresses me so much
Wish you the best of luck on your journey to recovery.
Keep on keeping on….i know that im the easiest, cool dude wen im hi..i started using do to depression and it worked, but being this way is just as bad….look bro its one day at a time,keep bissy and try staying active. It dose get better. THE BEST FELLING is wen its over!!…..just you wate..much love..good luck…im on day 5,and hate my life..can’t stop crying, but i did kik methe years ago..and that was harder then this….lol..i think…you will be fine.just have fath…
I totally understand the money coin feom the bank. My wife Knows about my addiction, but I often lie a out the amount I take out of our checking account to get these pills. I hate them, but I can’t function without them.
Stay strong brother.
Ash
Hi Chris
When I read your post it was like reading my exact thoughts. Change wife to husband and we are one in the same. I see this is from a couple months ago, are you better now? Is there an end to this madness?
Hello! I’ve been taking Tramadol for the last 6 months w the highest dose being 400 mg. I have 4 left, and I have halved them, in order to have 25 mg for the next 8 days. I figure that is better than nothing. I also, have Gabapentin and Xanax to help w the w/d. Any suggestions on dosages of these meds and a schedule. Keep in mind I can only take 25 mg a day of the Tramadol in order for it to last the next 8 days. I work full time and need this to be as painless as possible. Honestly, will the 25 mg help or is that too low of a dose? I will also be taking the Gabapentin and Xanax. Any suggestions ate much appreciated!! ?
Hi Lily please check out the following articles then talk to your doctor about dosages:
How To Use Gabapentin For Opiate Withdrawal
How To Use Xanax For Opiate Withdrawal
Hello! I am coming off Tramadol, up to 400 mg a day for about 6 months now. I have 4 50 mg tabs left, and have decided to half them vs going cold turkey. I also have Gabapentin and Xanax. Any suggestions on dosages and schedule for these meds to help ease the Tram w/d. Keep in mind I can only take 25 mg a day of Tramadol in order for it to last the next 8 days. Also, Do you think 25 mg will help at all, or is too low of a dose to do anything? Thanks!?
I have been clean off heroin multiple times but i dont shoot i snorted it for 2 yrs an this time im done but ive been taking trams for withdraw ease an try help me sleep so after everything is said an done do you ever get normal sleep
Yes but it can take a year sometimes more to get to a normal sleeping habit
Yes Eddie most people start to get normal sleep after a few weeks to months.
Yes you will get normal sleep. It will happen sooner if you exercise. Walk, bike ride. Do what ever exercises you can and for as long as you can do them.
Tom
That’s exactly what everyone needs kicking their habit. Exercise. I just kicked a 4 year MMP(Methadone Maintence Program) not too much of s program when all they want is money). To get back to my point, I’ dropped all the way down to 5mg from, at one point 50mg, all in 4 years. Stayed on the 5mg for about three weeks before I said it was enough. I got myself physically and mentally ready to prepare for the worst. I have a month or more supply of benzo’s for the mental WD, I have Kratom extract gold capsules that come in 5’s for around 40-50$. Somewhat steep but only using for the RLS (restless leg syndrome) which hit me for the first time last night, mind you this is two weeks in. I found it really bizarre that I’ve only dealt with one sleepless night so far. Also over the counter Loperamide HCL (Imodium) for severe WD. With Imodium, if you take around 6-10 of them it will rid your physical WD. Don’t take more than you need though. People say it doesn’t break the blood brain barrier but the loperamide must hit the opiate receptors in the stomach. I have at one point taken about 20-30 at once which was stupid but desperate because I was on a trip and ran out of my methadone a few years back, plus it will constipated you for a week or two with that many, so don’t do that. If you’re truly truly trying to get better take the least amount of whatever you need to get comfortable. I work a solid job at 40 hours a week and can’t miss days on account of my addiction and the WD’s. Ultimately the very little benzo’s I take when needed, Kratom extract, and Imodium ( only when needed) I feel like I will continue on beating this evil that has ruined plenty of my friends lives to where they’re not with us anymore or I stray away from them because you need SUPPORT when you go through PAWS (post acute withdrawal syndrome). The one thing I need to do is start exercising again. Even just walking a couple miles when you can will help way more than you think, especially with the RLS (restless leg syndrome) which is why I’m commenting on this in the first place and to give some insight from my own personal experiences. And honestly I was snorting up to 120mg daily of OxyContin which when i finally came to my senses and quit, I was on suboxone for about 4 years then moved and didn’t know anyone so I tried kicking subs on my own before switching to methadone for another 4 years so all in all I feel pretty comfortable considering my past and can only hope, pray and find the love I needed in my higher power to get me through this one day at a time. I pray for all going through addiction and the ones we’ve lost from it and even with all this evil we experience and ask why me? I believe the suffering we endure is for a good reason and will only make us stronger.
Right on Bryan. You have a good mind set so you will make it. Good luck to you and please let me know how your doing from time to time.
Tom
I did the subs. moved. tried to quit. couldn’t. went to a clinic to get back on them for a while longer and they would only put me on methadone. Said I could dose down and then go on suboxone. I’ve been there for 4 years now as well. They are kicking me out because I lost a bottle of my take homes. 5mgs a day. 21 days. I think that’s just insane. I have a week until I see my new sub doctor. I plan to take them just a couple months. Just to get down to a safe level. I am so sick and tired of the dependency thing. The secrecy. It’s all such a racket. I cannot believe the injustices we have in our country now a days. You can only truly understand if you’ve been through it. Your story gives me hope though. Thanks
Hello. Well i have been abusing of heroin for the past 6 months. I am a 26 years old male residing Mauritius. To be honest, without this article, i think i was doomed. I know 6 months might seem nothing compared to other people abusing for years but thats enough for me. it is time to get off it.. Well right now i just went through my 68 hours without anything but 400 mg Tram XL. 400 mg in total since day 1. i feel tired. Did not have much sleep. 2 hours max. But still, i do feel pretty normal. Well i have a question, im afraid i might switch my addiction to tram if i take it for too long. i was planning on taking it for only the first 3 days. I would like to know how many more days i can risk taking it without creating another addiction. Thank you in advance for your help.
I hope you cut it off after the 3 days. How did you do?
First 24 hours without an opiate. Feeling really restless and anxious. Just want to get off them and be the man I once was for my family.
You can do this Robert! Short-term pain gets you to the other side, which can become long-term happiness and freedom from addiction. I honor you for your courage.
No liying,it sucks just straight piss u off,pain in the ass type of felling. But trust wen i say it will get better. A nother person wrote ,that if you can walk,walk,walk,walk then try some muscle relaxers….and then more walking. Anything it takes. Just not to use is the point, one day at a time…for real it gets better. Much lov
Sorry I didn’t update for a couple of days don’t worry I didn’t fall off the plan and go back to opiates I’ve stuck with it.
It hasn’t been too bad up to now when I say this don’t get me wrong I have very bad fatigue and last night after having a day with only 2 50mg tram I had to give in and take one more to help settle my body to sleep. It worked a treat but I would rather have been able to reduce as today I only have 2 left, however I did calculate my days well knowing that I am on day 4 and going into day 5 which means the pains in my legs will hopfully begin to ease. I have every faith that I will not take tramadol in place of codine as I have not had enough to effect or feel ephoria, yet enough to take away the pain and the edge.
When comparing this W/D to my other one I can honestly say it is 50x easier. Please be aware when I say this you need to be strict in your mind set about the amount of trams as addiction is now in your head so it’s very easy to switch.
Speak soon….
Hope you’re still fighting…
So going just about 48 hours without any opiates in my system but taking tramadol to curve the W/D so far so good I took an extra one before bed so that 3 50mg tram yest on at night to help me sleep didn’t fancy the night sweats or lack of sleep since I do have to also work still had a great nights sleep and would you believe I woke up fresher than I have in months, slight bad back but nothing I couldn’t cope with.
Took my first tram at about 10am went on a dinner lunch and felt fine all the way threw tummy was abit dodgy at about 2-3pm went to the toilet more than usual but stool’s were still normal sorry for tmi but this may help someone else, grabbed some Imodium which has helped my tummy and I must say I feel normal right now it’s amazing if anything I can think more clear than I have in month. I will take another team before bed.
Please be aware I only intend on taking Tram for another 3 days after. And after that will only be taking one of completely necessary. Will keep you all posted and up dated on day 3 tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!
X
Thanks for the update, and GOOD LUCK!!!!
I am on subutex and took a tramadol they give me a 7 panel drug test I am worried I’m going to fail. Do you think I will should I just tell my dr I took it!? I fell on the ice and my sub wasn’t helping the pain as well as over the counter meds I no I shouldn’t of takin it but I did and now I’m worried please help! Thank you
Tramadol doesn’t come from the opium poppy, so it doesn’t show up on a drug test looking for opiates.
Does tramadol set up withdrawals back to day 1. I am on day 7 coming off 120mg oxycodone a day. I just took 2 tramadol. I’m scared I just interrupted my wd’s and tomorrow I am gonna feel like crap again.
Many doctors prescribe tramadol for withdrawal, as low doses of it may reduce symptoms, but also may help in that these short term low doses likely do not reset the withdrawal process all over. Perhaps it prolongs the duration a little, but with much added relief for some users. I am not a doctor, so please ask your doctor what to do about this.
yep.
yes, it will show up depending on the type of drug test. sometimes the doc only uses opiate panel test which specifies each opiod/opiate in detail.
Emma I hope you are doing well. How are you doing now?
Well my first 24 hours of no codine or dyhidrocodine (England) so yeah the English opiate tablets for pain. No huge withdrawls yet other than tired. And when I ate earlier I felt slightly sick. I took 1 50mg tramadol this morning and 1 50mg tea time.
I have decided to keep people updated as we all see a lot about the beggining of the process the first days and the questions or the getting ready to withdraw date, but we don’t often enough see the whole process days in which adds inspiration for others.
Not that people will be too bothered but my addiction came from the loss of someone close I have been taking 10-16 30mg codine or dyhidrocodine tablets per day, at first it was to help with bad hips after child birth and in low doses but then changed to high doses to help numb the pain of the death of someone close I have been addicted fully again since January. This will be my second withdraw as 6 year back I was addicted to the same medication due to being a teenager and looking for a high, but I went completely cold turkey that time and it was terribly hard, this time I cannot do it that way as I have kids and also need to try to work too. So giving the tramadol a go in small doses for 5 days.
my addiction was made worse by the loss of the love of my life!! im now on 3 days of taking no oxicodone using 6 10mg hydrocodone that a friend gave me to dose down then have a few trams to help !! good luck!! you can make it!!
Hi, Ive been taking 30-40 mg of Percocet a day or 30mg a day of norco, which ever I can get my hands on. I know it doesn’t sound like much but it has taken over the last two years of my life. I have a bottle of 40 tramadols and hoping it will help. Any suggestions?
My suggestion would be to talk to your doctor, and perhaps re-read this article as well.
Thanks I guess
dont do it!…..i know this is an old thread..but easier to taper the percs down before using trams. trams have very bad w/d’s… i dunno why this thread is promoting them so highly. maybe some have not gotten to the w/d’s from long term tramadol use, idk. but it SUCKS! worse than anything.
The article and Matts comments clearly state that tramadol should only be used for a few days to combat the most severe withdrawal symptoms. I can’t see anywhere that’s advocating longterm use.
HI Matt, im addicted to opiates i use the 30 mg blue pills about 150-180mgs a day and want to get off and put it in my past more than anything. Ive been extentivly researching tramadol some say it only prolongs symptoms I’m looking for an accurate answer so i can finally begin my awaited detox, if you can please help me with the proper info which is whether tramadol is just a temporary solution that prolongs w/d or can i actually use it to detox off and if so if you could help me with a taper method from trams i would be greatly appreciative
thankyou Oli
Hi Oli,
The vast majority of people use tramadol in low doses to combat the most severe withdrawal symptoms. However, some individuals end up getting hooked on tramadol, though my guess is the amount of people is extremely low. Please ask your doctor to provide you with a tramadol taper method.
I am currently taking 65 mg of methadone daily and can no longer go to the clinic. I was thinking about using Tramadol to get through the withdrawal as I have a 3 year old and work six days a week. In the past I only took 4 50 mg Tramadol a day and it kept me from using heroin. Do you think it will help with the methadone?
Hi Stacy,
Many doctors have prescribed tramadol for methadone withdrawal. I believe it might offer you benefit, but you would need to ask your doctor what to do. I encourage you to study this website as there are many valuable articles you can learn from. Take care, and I’m here to assist you along the way should you need any more questions answered.
Matt not to step on your toes but I have words for Stacy. Stacy if you can I would taper from the methadone first under Doctors supervision first. Please let me know how you do. Good luck.
Hi. I’ve been a heroin addict for over 3 years…I got some trams from a friend cuz I’m so done. I’ve gone almost two days without it and I’ve taken about 8 trams total and they’ve kept my withdrawals at bay for the most part.. Just no energy… Thanks for the info…interesting.
Thanks for sharing your experience…and congrats on quitting heroin. That’s just amazing. The no energy side effect is no fun, but the body heals over time. You’re doing awesome!
Hello matt. I’m a heroin addict i.v . I use two to three dimes a day. I have tramadol. 50mg I really want to quit i wanna take them at least fir five days to get through the hardest part. But, i don’t know how much to take daily? I saw a girl on this site that said that 25mg in the day and 25mg at night which means half and half of the 50mg pill eases it makes it bearable? What’s your opinion on how much should i take? Please and thank you so much please reply i really wanna quit for me and my family. </3 :'(
Hi Abraham,
I am not a doctor, thus I cannot tell you how much medication to use. Please ask your doctor to provide you with proper dosing for you. Take care.
I have been on Tylenol 3 and tramadol for chronic pevic pain my doctor gave me a drug test and it showed I had methadone in my system but I have never ever taken that before can tramadol come up as methadone on a drug test now she won’t allow me to get refills because of this
I’ve never heard of that. Tylenol 3 contains codeine, which should come up as “opiates,” since it comes from the opium poppy plant. Although there are many different types of test so I can’t tell you with certainty. Tramadol does not come from the opium poppy plant, and thus it does not show up as opiates on any drug test. It should never come as up methadone either. If I were you I would search the internet for possible “false positives” regarding tramadol and methadone.
I normally never reply but this caught me eye…
Long story short I had been on suboxone which I hated and tramadol for a year. Decided to go to the methadone clinic to get off suboxone and they told me don’t take any subs for at least 3 or 4 days before the methadone. So I found some Norcos and took those and the tramadol for the 3 days before I went to the clinic. They drug tested me at the clinic and there was no suboxone in my system and only a little norco…..Howvere I tested slightly positive for methadone!!
I had not taken methadone in years and of course had no reason to lie bc they don’t really care what is in your system when you come in…
I thought about this awhile and did a little research and read another man had this happen to him. When they drug test u from what I have read they are not testing for the drug nessecariy but the metabolites your body uses to break down the drug. So clearly methadone and tramadol use some of the same metabolites to break the drug down (probably to a lesser degree).
You could always have the dr possible send the test off. Tramadol was hard for me to come off of bc it interacts with serotonin. However it clearly has its usages….
Hi Matt. I’m trying to come off of hydrocodone. I’ve been taking 40 to 80mgs per day since April. Keep in mind that I had a previous addiction to fentanyl 15yrs ago. On hand I have 70 tramadol, xanax, gabapentin, and baclofen. I only have 30 Norco left. I am terrified by the thought of withdrawal. I experienced such extreme symptoms when I came off of the fentanyl but I was taking extreme doses IV. What is a good plan for m? Thanks
Oh wow I really wouldn’t worry about withdrawal symptoms with those medications. As for a plan, please refer to the following articles:
How To Use Xanax For Opiate Withdrawal
How To Use Gabapentin For Opiate Withdrawal
How To Use Baclofen For Opiate Withdrawal
Please read the comments other readers left at the end of the gabapentin article, as many of them seemed to have very good results!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
Hello,
Just wanted to leave a comment. I have been using Tramadol for withdrawl for 10+ yrs.. I guess I need to explain. I have kidney stones at least twice a month, they will sometimes bang around in my bladder for a week or so.. very hard pain. instead of going to the hospital every time I am prescribed 30mg oxy and 10mg percs. 8 per day each..(320mg per day) so I have to endure withdrawls all the time. I take it when I am in pain with the stone. Once the stone passes, I have to start tapering off. So I start using Tramadol for the w/d’s.. I have just accepted this as my life.. I am glad this website is here. It does work.
I’m shocked that it hasn’t been brought up more often about how tramadol can cause severe seizures. I am trying it myself to get off of a 100 mg oxycodone addiction per day but just in low doses. Anything above 300 per day can cause seizures. Then there is the problem with people attempting to get “high” off of it. I’m sorry, but that will never happen (in my opinion)…..you will just end up dead and not by your drug of choice but rather by trying to get off of it which saddens me. I myself would love to try Kratom but is it as expensive as I’ve heard and where can you buy it? I’ve searched online and haven’t found any legitimate sounding websites. Thanks in advise for any replies. I hope everyone has a good day. I probably won’t be sadly:(
Kratom is not very expensive when you buy it in bulk. Here is a legitimate website with high quality kratom:
Super Red Vein Borneo
Hi, I’ve recently fallen off the wagon for the first time in 6 years and have been using for about 4 months. I’ve recently confessed all to my partner and swore I will get clean, I’ve got myself enough tramadol to get clean, it’s now 24 hours since my last hit and I woke up at 5am sweating and shaking so I took two tramadol and the symptoms have lessened conciderably but how often would you suggest I take the tramadol and how long before I stop taking them so that I don’t get another habit
Tramadol is generally used to just reduce the most severe symptoms, and it’s not a magic bullet. Also, most people only use it for 4-7 days to get past the hardest part. If you continue to use it after that for much longer, it just delays the inevitable. Everyone is different, so I don’t know what the perfect dosing protocol would be for you, especially since I don’t know you history. Anyways, listen to your body and err on the side of being conservative. I encourage you to study this website as there are many tips you can learn that will help you along your journey. Take care.
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
i too am using Tramadol to stop the horrendous withdrawal symptoms. My arm and legs won’t stay still and I feel like I could scratch someone’s eyes out, if not my own. I’m trying so hard to regain my life. I have been taking 10mg nor is for at least 4 years now. I’m praying to God that this will work for me. I am not strong enough to go cold turkey and will only end up relapsing. I have considerably cut down the dosage of Norco by 85%, but 12 hrs later I am back at square one. I take the Tramadol to stop those and hope hat I can wean down off of those. Any suggestions on that process would be helpful and I would grateful. Thank you!
I have a question, any help would be greatly appreciated! I had a failed back surgery in oct. 2014. Doctor had me taking percocet 10/325 3-4 times a day for pain. I took percocet from oct. 2014-June 2015.(8months) never took more than prescribed. My doc. Switched me to loratab 10 in June 2015, 3-4 times daily. Loratab seems to not help as much, so I quite taking them 62 hours ago. I’m just dealing with the pain. I have been having awful withdrawls. I have been taking 25mg of tramadol in the morning and 25mg at night.(12 to 14 hours apart) It dosent help all the symptoms, but makes it bearable. Just wondering if that sounds reasonable or will it make withdrawls worse in the end. Plan only on taking them through day 5 in which I have read the worst symptoms will be over. I’m leaving for a cruise in 8 days and really want to be over this. My heart is pounding and I feel overall bad with diarrhea, but the tramadol helps with the skin crawling feeling and agitation mildly.
Your tramadol protocol sounds like a good one to me Ashley. You might also review some herbal remedies that could help you get your body ready for the cruise:
Best Herbs For Opiate Withdrawal, Tapering, and PAWS
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
I forgot to add that I have Clonidine and Vistaril as well
Clonidine has been shown in numerous studies to relieve withdrawal symptoms.
It’s been 9hrs since my last dose. I took hydrocodone 120mg a day only by mouth for the past 2 yrs. I was prescribed Suboxone 8mg twice a day but I’m afraid to take this stuff after reading the reviews especially that high of a dose to begin with. I do have Tramadol 50mg. Which should I take? Is Suboxone really as bad as people say?
That certainly sounds like a very high dose of Suboxone!!! Wow, I don’t know what you should take. It’s your life, and it’s your decision. Suboxone works really well, but if people stay on it too long, it can be very difficult to taper off. On the flip side, it has helped many individuals get their lives back on track. I’m wishing you the absolute best. Read the articles on this blog as there is plenty of info to help you along your journey. Take care.
I just want to add the helpful hint of using immodium ad for opiate withdrawal. Immodium has an opiate in it-but it doesn’t cross the blood brain barrier so won’t make you high or feel less pain, just helps with withdrawal-not to mention the diarrhea!!
Great tip, and here is a link to an informative article on this:
How To Use Imodium AD For Opiate Withdrawal
I was searching online for Tramadol for opiate withdrawal and came across this very helpful web site. I just wanted some reassurance that what has always worked for me will work again. Thanks! I have used Tramadol to withdraw from all imaginable opiates many times over the past dozen years, and it has worked incredibly well every time. I discovered the use of Tramadol after going through one of those “Rapid Opiate Detox” rip-offs in LA in 2003. For $10,000, they put me under general anesthesia for six hours and gave me naltrexone. Of course, the advertisement was that I would wake up “completely withdrawn” with only minimal lingering discomfort. Hah. I had to fly home two days later and most of the flight was spent in the on-board restroom with severe diarrhea. Two weeks later, I was still in the midst of it, anxiety, insomnia, depression, night sweats. I called my doctor, who prescribed Tramadol, and within an hour of the first dose, my symptoms were gone. I then tapered off Tramadol slowly over several weeks. I have not illegally used since then, but when I have had medical procedures that involved opiates, I have always had Tramadol on hand. Two-and-a-half weeks ago I had a cancerous prostate gland removed, and after all of the heavy duty narcotics given at the hospital, I was taking 80 mg of oxycodone per day at home for the last couple of weeks. This morning I stopped, holding 100 mg back “just in case,” and started my Tramadol withdrawal routine. Boom! Absolutely no withdrawals at all. I take 100 mg every four hours while awake, and will then slowly taper over the next couple of weeks. Anyway, I wanted to share this in case anyone else is looking for some relief. This stuff has ALWAYS worked for me.
Thanks for sharing your experience using tramadol for opiate withdrawal Rick. I’m so glad this medication has worked well for you, and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to write such a detailed and helpful comment, as it will really benefit the other readers. Take care.
I have a question for the members on this sight.. I am really struggling and would love some opinions on what to do. I was on opiates from my doctor for my back pain for almost a year then when I ran out I took suboxone and subutex on and off the longest was a week straight on those now I am on day 8 of just my tramadols I don’t take them that often I tapered myself off of the subs but I am still feeling very sick I didn’t take a tramadol yesterday and didn’t feel very well so I just took 1 50 mg of tramadol should I still be sick or is this all in my head please help I appreciate your advice thank you
Opioid withdrawal can last much longer than a week, and the post-acute symptoms can last from weeks, months, to even years in the most extreme cases.
OK – surprise to me, here I am. Somehow, after all the physcodelic days, and all the type of days I survived…I felt I was immune to what befalled others. Now at 61, I’m in pretty good shape till back problems a few years ago. In the past month and a half, I finally had two operations. I travel quite a bit, so between doctors limited supply, I took anything I could get. I didn’t know much and relied on an addits advice! Now I am down to 25 – 35 mg of Percocet. Part of the problem is I still have some back pain that flairs up. I am tapering off and trying to stay on the edge of sick, using just 50 mg oft ramadoss at night. This is important because I already have a low heart beat. This is a traveling effort as I travel between major cities, SF, Miami, Phoenix, etc. THIS IS SOMETHING I’VE FOUND – I could not tolerate tramadol, BUT with 40 mg of a hybrid canabis strain at bed time, wait 1/2 hr, then the tramadol…I’m waking up, no pain and somewhat refreshed. Only at night! Overdoing it or looking to party is a loser. Of course, to be legal, or even to discuss this with a MD, you have to be in a legal pot state. Many doctors are aware of this but cannot come out and speak about it because of fear. It is changing. A few months ago: States with medical pot experienced, on average, a 23% drop in opiate deaths. Well, I don’t check in much, but as I get tapered down and go cold turkey, I’ll let you know how it is for an older guy. I’m thinking of finding a place to be alone
Dave I’ve witnessed firsthand the great benefits of cannabis for pain relief. Glad you found something that works for you!
Thank you so much for all the detailed info.tramadol is helping me kick a vicodin habit.did not know it was addicting until I read your post.thanks Matt, Adriana
So glad this article was valuable to you. Take care Adriana.
Please understand that I say this with multiple ctd’s and lupus sle and sjogrens and fibromyalgia and migraines. I was cursed with bad genes and one gene is also addiction so I have always been careful to not become addicted to alcohol and drugs. Ha! Let me say being sick does not offer protection from addiction. Within 6 years of pain medication, it would take Wonder Woman herself to not become fused to her bottles of pills. It’s true I have real pain but doesn’t an addict without diseases also have real pain? I mean if pain comes from the brain, all pain is real pain no matter what causes it.
Please do not be afraid of tramadol. It’s true that it helps withdrawals very well. It will feel different which will make you wonder if it fits helping. But try not taking one and you will quickly see that it’s is indeed helping more than you know. If you ever went from oxicodone to Norco (hydrocodone), you probably noticed it felt different too. That’s the best comparison I have for what tramadol feels like. You will not withdrawal, but it may not feel exactly like what you are used to. But. You may also notice that “hey, my pain is feeling a bit better.” A feeling many of us forgot as the others lose effectiveness on pain. Do not be afraid.
Eat with it as the first few days it can upset them stomach but it goes away. I just wanted others to know that it is helpful. I would’ve tried sooner if someone told me this. Blessings. You are never alone in addiction. Never give up. Brighter days are ahead. ♡
Hi lupus what dosage did u find effective with the tramadol. Where u using large dosage.
Hi, I am a 40 year old single dad have been on methadone 10 milligrams 8 times a day, oxycodone 30 milligrams 3 times a day for 15 years. I currently am on day 2 of not having Any medication with the exception of klonopin, tramadol, medical marijuana I don’t seem to be experiencing withdrawals I have noticed a few things like sweats sneezing the normal I am hoping to rid myself from opiates. I honestly AM surprised that I am NOT going through any type of severe withdrawal I will not whine very nervous I just hope that everything continues to get better if anyone has any knowledge or help I would really appreciate it I am dead set on getting off of this crap.
Detoxing Dad, how are you feeling today the 28th? I am about to go thru it and am frightened.
your not there yet..you will be.been on methadone 18 years..day 3 is when the real force of the WD begins..tried 4 times to get off ..even tried Rapid Detox which set me back $11,000..it DID get rid of ANY physical WD but the depression and anxiety were so bad as soon as the Vivitrol [Naltrexone] shot wore off [day 28] I gulped down 30 mg[3-10mg] and felt happy with/about life again..the PAWS are the really tough part,as they can easily last 1-2 years..as they sat to expect 1 month of PAWS for every year you were on your narcotic drug of choice..so i was looking at 18 months of unbearable[for me anyway] depression and anxiety and i opted to continue taking methadone [down to 30 mgs per day] now [in Ohio anyway] no doctor will prescribe narcotics for chronic pain any longer,so basically I’m F*****d…
..although i’m going try to switch to Tramadol, but I have my doubts on whether this strategy will work as i’m very familar with trammies too & unfortunately they simply ain’t nothin like the action of methadone as methadone Is …IMHO.. w/o a doubt… the best painkiller there is… bar none…..or i can drive to methadone/subuxone clinic and pay $15 per day and get dosed until i run out of money[ being retired and only small SS income] or the final option.. saying goodbye to everyone I love [as none of us get out of here alive but]…if the U.S, drug industrial complex [who btw.. rule our puppet polticians along with the banksters] wasn’t so F****d up in its nonsensical,ridiculous,ludicrous,insane,mad as a hatter drug policies..schedules..,enforcement..and rules..basically refusing to prescribe narcotics in Ohio now to anyone but cancer patients or those in extreme excruciating pain[but how do they really know how bad your pain is? A: THEY DON’T!]
, or severely injured patients,etc etc etc..
those of us addicted would not have to fight and go to the edge of the cliff and/or fight for our dam lives just to get daily dosed and the ridiculousness of driving 60 miles EVERY DAY to get our doses at clinics! instead of getting enough pain pills for 30-60, or 90 days at a frickin time!!!
the pig farm uh industrial complex medical community got me/you addicted to painkillers then they cut me/you off nice of them ey?..basically severely punishing you for getting addicted to their ADDICTIVE BY DESIGN NARCOTIC OPIUM BASED PAINKILLERS!! AAAHHH the over reaching total hypocrisy by our rulers and their politician puppets in Washington district of criminals in the U.S.S.A. [ communist America ] is beyond the pale on EVERYTHING as Satan and his Zionist children of the “Synagogue of Satan” turn EVERYTHING 180 degrees UPSIDE DOWN! EVERYTHING!..who in Gods name doesn’t get addicted to narcotics after 8 years of daily dosing of opium based painkillers?
A; NO BODY..ALL human beings get addicted to opium based painkillers after 8 years..PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and they darm well know it..duh!
Russians tell me[as well as Germans] that America is going right down the same path as the Soviet Union..a surprise? not in the least
the very same TRILLIONAIRE people/families who own the non-federal reserve and the Bank of England and half the civilized world,are STILL running the show after 300 years..THE ROTHSCHILD’S and Rockefella’s and other secretive trillionaire BANKING/BANKSTER families hiding behind the oz curtain..
So today is day 4 of no opiate an by that i mean no hydrocodone i was taking 5 -10 10mg a day for 2 years i am 22 i have been using kratom the past 4 days today i am down to my last kratom an have no more money to afford it however a friend of mine is willing to give me thier trams to get thru a few more days of wd i plan to not have to take anything by next week do you think the tram will extend my wd as of right now im only feeling stomach pain (on the toliet) mood swings an a little hot.
Hi Amber,
Doctors often prescribe tramadol at low dosages for a few days of withdrawal, and while this slightly delays complete healing, it’s often well worth it to get past a few days of severe symptoms.
Hi Matt, can you use Kratom and tramadol together
Tks
Yes Robert. Many people have used kratom and tramadol together and they can work in unison.
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
Hi Matt, I’ve been taking percocet after ankle surgery in 2011, and have worked my way up from taking 25 mg a day to 35-40 mg a day. And feel some pretty bad withdrawals and leg spasms if I try to quit cold turkey. My question is when using tramadol to help with percocet withdrawals only work if you quit percocet altogether? Or, can you taper off percocet and effectively use tramadol in that taper plan?
I have access to 30 tablets of 50mg tramadol, and have 30 tablets of 5-325 percocet to taper down with, would it be better for me to just taper or use the tramadol too?
Thanks
Mike
They work great for me, months of fentanyl patches and oxy it took all but the slight chills away
Dear Matt, Thank you so very much for the info. I have titrated down from 100mg of hydrocodone. I’m now taking 5mg 5 times a day. Feeling very sketchy. I’m exercising a couple hours 3 to 5 times a week. Only because I’m in physical therapy. I had a bad operation for my neck. Medal, screws the whole shebang. Wish I never did it! It gave me so many more problems, including a wicked addiction. I guess now I’ll drop 5mg a week. I honestly don’t know what I’m doing. I hope it’s the right way. Getting very hard though.
Hey Lisa,
Thanks for sharing your story…and congratulations for titrating down to only 25% of the amount of hydrocodone you were previously taking. You are doing it the right way! I think dropping 5 mg per week from your current dose of 25 mg is a great plan. And the exercise will continue to help you produce endorphins while you’re coming off hydrocone.
I wrote an article that I know will benefit you greatly:
How to Get Off Suboxone Without Withdrawal
The 5 steps in this article can be used to get off hydrocodone. In fact, you’re already tapering and exercising, so that’s 2 out of the 5 steps that you’re already doing. Follow the other 3 steps and you’re sure to have a much easier time coming off hydrocodone. Good luck to you Lisa.
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
I would love to talk with you Matt, both personally and professionally. found your writings more than interesting
I’m so glad you found my writings helpful Barry. You can contact me anytime and I will respond promptly.
My email is finchy444@yahoo.com
Hope to hear from you soon. Take care.
I am currently trying taper down my oxycodone and hydrocodone habit. I have gone in the last week from taking 200mg oxycodone down to about 30 mg hydro and 15-30 mg oxy per day. I have had a very difficult time quitting cold turkey. I can make it about 24-36 hours and just can’t take the extreme anxiety. Is it helping that I am skipping a day and only dosing once a day as opposed to dosing 3-4 times a day?
Hi Roy,
With short-acting opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, dosing once a day or skipping a day can lead to withdrawal symptoms. It might be beneficial to do that dosing protocol once you get to 2.5 – 10 mg per day, but as for now, you might consider dosing 2-3 times per day, with an emphasis on taking your largest dose at night, that way sleep is easier.
Another thing, 200 mg to 45-60 mg in just one week is very fast, which is fine, but you might benefit from slowing your taper down now that you are on such a low dose.
Here is an article that might assist you further:
How To Get Off Hydrocodone at Home
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
Would it be easier to switch back to short acting opiates since that WD is much shorter? I was an idiot and did 120mg oxy went to sub doc. of course they said take 32 mg a day which i ened up being o scared of preciitaded WD bc i couldnt imagine a feeling worse so went cold turket. but laid there the subs and I took for a every weekend etc and sure enough became hooked on those. 4 mg would last 2-3 days before WDs I have weened from 8mg to .50mg right now. but the half life leaves me 1 day in the morning I have RLS. whichis the worst. I recently had wisdom teeth removed and elected to do it without pain killer bc of course i was on subs and that was interesting. So is it better for the length of the WD and the lingering months of subs to just go back to opiates and then taper from those? I can 3 month old and 3 yo and work from home with family that has no idea. She was with me through cold turkey but this would crush her. .50 is making me feel normal. will go to .25 to see if it works. My sub doc closed and I have 3.5 strips left
I am currently in the same situation. I was on sub maintenance for five months and wondering if my bottle of 60 Tramadol ERs will be enough to get me through a month of the sub withdrawal. The question nobody seems to answer (or ask) is, is it really this simple?? To take tramadol while the sub takes its time leaving your body? Sure you will withdraw from tramadol, but that seems like a party compared to the nightmare trying to get off Suboxone has been. Please someone answer this question: Can you take tramadol long enough to not even face Suboxone withdrawal? Please keep in mind I don’t care or worry about tramadol withdrawal or its side effects. I am very familiar with both. Again, can you avoid Suboxone withdrawal totally by taking tramadol for a month or two or three until the Suboxone has been pissed out or pooped out or whatever. Can you completely bypass that horrible process. I don’t know how much clearer I can ask. I just need the answer I’m looking for. Thanks guys.
I was using 5 percs a day and now none. My dr gave me tramadol 50 mg.I also have valuium and an antidepressant is there a way to use these correctly to stop the withdrawl systems? Today is day one with no perks ?
WARNING!!!!!! Tramadol has a very high risk for gran mal seizures!!! My wife had been on 400 mg a day for 2 months. Sat morning she had a severe seizure. Quit breathing and no pulse for about a min.after the seizing stopped. Scared the shit out of me. Er said it is a very common side effect!!! BE CAREFUL WITH THIS POISON!!!! Why is it not been banned?? Extremely dangerous drug!!!!
Thanks for sharing this caution. Haven’t heard of this, but now I will be looking into it.