Help! I'm Addicted to the
Painkillers I Bought Online!
Q: Hi. I am definitely addicted
to tramadol (Ultram). I have
tried to stop the drug several
times, but the withdrawal
symptoms are so unbearable
(depression; diarrhea; lethargy;
sweats; aching body much more
worse than ever before taking
the drug, especially upon
wakng up in the morning; irritability;
increase in tremor), that
I get through a day or two
and then I know that just
"one" will take the withdrawal
symptoms away, so back on
the drug again!!! I know I
am addicted (been buying the
drug over the net from Thailand).
I started taking the drug
for aches and pains because
it was "non-narcotic" and
"non-habit forming - yeah
right!!!!! (I have no medical
insurance at this time).
Well, for me, it also produces
a "euphoric" type of feeling,
like I can get more accomplished
when I take it. However, I
had no problem getting things
done before I ever took the
drug!!! I noticed you have
"Ultram" listed under the
"Treatment" heading (first
paragraph), and so now I know
I am not abnormal (I guess
this must be addictive for
many people!!!). At any rate,
I really do want to quit taking
this drug. I also have essential
tremor (familial - mother
had it) and am taking diazepam
for the tremor (about 10 mg/day,
no more than 20 mg/day, and
that's only if I am going
to be in a very uncomfortable
social situation). I can even
go without the diazepam. When
I have tried to stop using
the tramadol (Ultram), my
head tremor gets worse. If
I could, I would just hide
at home for a week or so and
detox; I would have no problem
doing that, but I have to
function for work, day-to-day
LIFE, etcetera (no vacation
time, and Monday comes around
pretty quickly, hence me only
getting through two days of
trying to detox). Please............Do
you have any suggestions on
herbs, etcetera to help ease
withdrawal from tramadol?.......just
so I can function somewhat
during the detox/withdrawal
period. Also, do you have
any experience with other
cases of withdrawal from this
drug, and if so.........how
long do the extreme symptoms
last? Thank you so much for
your time. T.S.
A: Right on, T.S.. It's great
that you can admit you have
a problem with it.
While browsing online, I was
pretty amazed by how many
addictive prescription drugs
you could buy illegally. The
websites said, "comes in a
discrete package," and "nobody
needs to know!" I understand
that sometimes people are
recommended drugs that are
embarassing to be on. but
the dangers here are misuse,
addiction, and overdose.
If I can beat an old drum
for a minute, drugs should
be prescribed by doctors,
and chinese herbs by acupuncturist/herbalists.
As you know from your experience,
it's dangerous to treat yourself-
even doctors shouldn't do
that.
However, there are some legitimate
websites that allow you to
buy your prescriptions online.
They require a doctor's prescription,
as they should. The main advantage
of using an online pharmacy
is much lower prices than
your local drugstore. Check
out Imported Drugs.com.
It's not my place to recommend
what to do with meds that
are already being taken...
even though it's a little
different when you're taking
self-prescribed, illegally-purchased
meds. It's best to work with
an MD and an acupuncturist/herbalist.
What the literature suggests
is:
Quitting Ultram
One should TAPER off the Ultram
rather than just suddenly
stopping. That means reducing
the dosage gradually over
a number of days or weeks.
Herbs and Acupuncture for
Withdrawal from Addictive
Drugs
NADA (the proven ear acupuncture
detox protocol - more about
that in my article on Acupuncture
and Addiction) could make
the withdrawal period easier.
So would the formulas:
Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li Tang
(Bupleurum Dragon Bone and
Oyster Shell) and
Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum)
The first one (Chai Hu Long
Gu Mu Li Tang) would be better
for someone with a tremor
disorder. Neither formula
should be taken longer than
a couple of months.
Instead of Painkilling Drugs...
Your prospects in the future
for treating the aches and
pains and tremor would be
great with acupuncture and
chinese herbs. I would suggest
you find an acupuncturist
in your area and see them
for at least a few months.
Anything else you need, please
let me know!
All the best,
Brian
About the Author
Acupuncturist, herbalist,
and medical professor Brian
B. Carter founded the alternative
health megasite The Pulse
of Oriental Medicine (http://www.PulseMed.org/).
He is the author of the book
"Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind:
How to Heal Yourself with
Foods, Herbs, and Acupressure"
(November, 2004). Brian speaks
on radio across the country,
and has been quoted and interviewed
by Real Simple, Glamour, and
ESPN magazines.
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