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Can I Have Tramadol For Leg Pain?
Question: I’ve been taking 150mg of tramadol HCL a day for leg and chest pain. I was prescribed this medicine on the 9th of this month. I noticed that when I don’t take it or towards the end of the dose (after it wears off) I get extremely anxious, have mild akathisia, and pretty bad insomnia. These are withdrawal symptoms, I’m 100% positive of it.
I’ve been through many drug withdrawal experiences with oxycodone, benzos and alcohol…I know what drug withdrawals feel like.
2 years ago I was prescribed 90 tramadol which I took over a period of about a month and a half and when I discontinued taking the tramadol I experienced the same thing. Akathisia, extreme anxiety bordering on panic attacks and insomnia. I’m extremely suppressed that I would experience these symptoms after only 10 days of use.
Prior to starting the Tramadol on the 9th I discontinued taking 15mg of mirtazapine nightly because of possible interactions with the Tramadol.
I went to the ER today for chest pain and the blood work, chest X-ray and everything came back fine and they said it was probably skeletal or muscular pain. They gave me some morphine in the hospital which should prevent any of the opiate like withdrawal symptoms from the tramadol but now that it’s worn off again I’m starting to feel very anxious.
I need the Tramadol for pain but I really, really, really don’t want to go through withdrawals for several days…… I have enough to taper the daily dose down and I’m considering doing this so I won’t be on it for too long.
I was wondering your thoughts on this? How long of a taper should I do after only 10 days of 150mg?
Is it possible to die from Tramadol withdrawals? I know it’s not a strong opiate but it has many effects similar to SSRIs…..
I know you can’t die from opiate withdrawals, methadone being the one major exception I can think of…but I’m worried because tramadol isn’t your typical opiate.
Any advice or help would be much appreciated
I’ve been through many drug withdrawal experiences with oxycodone, benzos and alcohol…I know what drug withdrawals feel like.
2 years ago I was prescribed 90 tramadol which I took over a period of about a month and a half and when I discontinued taking the tramadol I experienced the same thing. Akathisia, extreme anxiety bordering on panic attacks and insomnia. I’m extremely suppressed that I would experience these symptoms after only 10 days of use.
Prior to starting the Tramadol on the 9th I discontinued taking 15mg of mirtazapine nightly because of possible interactions with the Tramadol.
I went to the ER today for chest pain and the blood work, chest X-ray and everything came back fine and they said it was probably skeletal or muscular pain. They gave me some morphine in the hospital which should prevent any of the opiate like withdrawal symptoms from the tramadol but now that it’s worn off again I’m starting to feel very anxious.
I need the Tramadol for pain but I really, really, really don’t want to go through withdrawals for several days…… I have enough to taper the daily dose down and I’m considering doing this so I won’t be on it for too long.
I was wondering your thoughts on this? How long of a taper should I do after only 10 days of 150mg?
Is it possible to die from Tramadol withdrawals? I know it’s not a strong opiate but it has many effects similar to SSRIs…..
I know you can’t die from opiate withdrawals, methadone being the one major exception I can think of…but I’m worried because tramadol isn’t your typical opiate.
Any advice or help would be much appreciated
Brief Answer:
Taper it down in a month
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you for your query.
First of all as you have past experienced with tramadol withdrawal, you should take other analgesic medication for muscular pain.
tramadol is potent atypical opioid and also inhibit the re uptake of serotonin and nor epinephrine and used for severe pain. it has very high potency to addiction.
Yes your all symptoms are suggestive of tramadol (opioid) withdrawal so best way to get rid of it is gradual decrease the amount of tramadol or stop it and start other medication like Tab Quidict (combination of bupronorphine, opioid partial agonist and naloxone, opioid antagonist ).
As you are on 150 mg of tramadol since only10 to 15 days you can gradually decrease the 50 mg amount weekly and completely quit in a month.
with in 10 days of taking tramadol and shows withdrawal symptoms due to having past experience of withdrawal with the same molecule as it reactivates the previous cycle.
So i am suggest you to avoid tramadol if possible for pain.
yes there is no possibility of dying due to opiod withdrawal except in extreme cases where person who is on high dose and quit it suddenly so not to worry regarding death.
Why are you on mirtazepine and since when?
Awaiting your response.
Thank you
Taper it down in a month
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you for your query.
First of all as you have past experienced with tramadol withdrawal, you should take other analgesic medication for muscular pain.
tramadol is potent atypical opioid and also inhibit the re uptake of serotonin and nor epinephrine and used for severe pain. it has very high potency to addiction.
Yes your all symptoms are suggestive of tramadol (opioid) withdrawal so best way to get rid of it is gradual decrease the amount of tramadol or stop it and start other medication like Tab Quidict (combination of bupronorphine, opioid partial agonist and naloxone, opioid antagonist ).
As you are on 150 mg of tramadol since only10 to 15 days you can gradually decrease the 50 mg amount weekly and completely quit in a month.
with in 10 days of taking tramadol and shows withdrawal symptoms due to having past experience of withdrawal with the same molecule as it reactivates the previous cycle.
So i am suggest you to avoid tramadol if possible for pain.
yes there is no possibility of dying due to opiod withdrawal except in extreme cases where person who is on high dose and quit it suddenly so not to worry regarding death.
Why are you on mirtazepine and since when?
Awaiting your response.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I've been taking Mirtazepine for help with sleep and OCD. I don't think I'll be able to get another prescription for tramadol and only have 17 50mg pills left. What would be a good taper plan with only 17 left? I have a regular physiatrist but I won't be able to see him for a couple weeks. I think I would really only need 75 - 100 mg a day at this current time to keep withdrawal symptoms away.
Brief Answer:
No Need of more tramadol
Detailed Answer:
hi dear,
If better with mirtazepine in OCD and sleep, then continue same for it. if not better then there are many molecules which has good effect in OCD like Fluoxetine, fluoxamine, clomipramine, etc.. also take benzodiazepins SOS for sleep disturbance.
You can easily taper it down with !7 tablets of Tramadol.
Start with half tablet of 50 mg of tramadol three times a day as you are not having withdrawal with 75 mg of tramadol.
Continue it for 4 to 5 days then decrease it for twice a day.
Then with in 5 days once a day till you have tablet.
If you have any pain you can take any other pain killer.
Wish you healthy health.
Thank you
No Need of more tramadol
Detailed Answer:
hi dear,
If better with mirtazepine in OCD and sleep, then continue same for it. if not better then there are many molecules which has good effect in OCD like Fluoxetine, fluoxamine, clomipramine, etc.. also take benzodiazepins SOS for sleep disturbance.
You can easily taper it down with !7 tablets of Tramadol.
Start with half tablet of 50 mg of tramadol three times a day as you are not having withdrawal with 75 mg of tramadol.
Continue it for 4 to 5 days then decrease it for twice a day.
Then with in 5 days once a day till you have tablet.
If you have any pain you can take any other pain killer.
Wish you healthy health.
Thank you
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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