07-21-2017, 04:53 PM
Thank you Ghost and Charon.
I am keeping a diary. For me, tramadol is/was used to treat an injury that included neurological pain, therefore the antidepressant qualities have been useful in acting as a neural pain blocker (unlike your average opiate). Due to the neurological element I am also on gabapentin so suspect I am reasonably protected against seizures - that is one of the things that would worry me most because I know the dangers and long term effects.
Ghost, that's a good point about grinding up pills and weighing them. I could get some of those scales quite cheaply from ebay or somewhere. Since all my pills are 50mg, crushing would give lots more flexibility for a smoother taper. I think this is perhaps the point I need to make to the new doc, I'll play ball and reduce my tramadol use, but cold turkey is utterly incompatible with holding down a job, and other responsibilities I have in life.
Does anyone know if there is a widely accepted/respected method of tapering tramadol? Ghost suggested 10% every other day, but I assume that is a fast taper in case of running out of medication...? I'm thinking if I can propose a reasonable schedule to a new doctor then they might be prepared to support that.
Thanks to everyone who has helped. I appreciate hearing from you. Even just knowing other people think the doc's cold turkey plan is stupid makes me feel a bit better!
I am keeping a diary. For me, tramadol is/was used to treat an injury that included neurological pain, therefore the antidepressant qualities have been useful in acting as a neural pain blocker (unlike your average opiate). Due to the neurological element I am also on gabapentin so suspect I am reasonably protected against seizures - that is one of the things that would worry me most because I know the dangers and long term effects.
Ghost, that's a good point about grinding up pills and weighing them. I could get some of those scales quite cheaply from ebay or somewhere. Since all my pills are 50mg, crushing would give lots more flexibility for a smoother taper. I think this is perhaps the point I need to make to the new doc, I'll play ball and reduce my tramadol use, but cold turkey is utterly incompatible with holding down a job, and other responsibilities I have in life.
Does anyone know if there is a widely accepted/respected method of tapering tramadol? Ghost suggested 10% every other day, but I assume that is a fast taper in case of running out of medication...? I'm thinking if I can propose a reasonable schedule to a new doctor then they might be prepared to support that.
Thanks to everyone who has helped. I appreciate hearing from you. Even just knowing other people think the doc's cold turkey plan is stupid makes me feel a bit better!