I've been through Tramadol detox. I've never had to detox from anything else before so I have nothing to really compare it to, but I can tell you it was hell and I'll tell you my story anyways. I didn't detox willingly. My prescription ran out early (because I was taking more than prescribed of course) and I went to get my next refill and was denied because the state I live in recently started monitoring Tramadol use and have categorized it in the same class as controlled narcotics. So no more getting a refill a few days early even if insurance will allow it. So even though the FDA doesn't classify it as a controlled substance, some states have begun monitoring because of its addictive properites. So anyways...I was out of my pills, I went to get my refill, and was told I had to wait 8 more days until they would allow me to fill it again. To most people, 8 days doesn't sound like very long. But to someone who is physically dependent on a medication in order to function, then 8 days seems like an eternity. And the worst was that I had to just go cold turkey, I had no other option and no opportunity to try and taper down.
So if you have the choice, I recommend that you taper over a time frame of 2-3 weeks at the very least. If you are taking (for example) - 150mgs per day normally, then cut down to 100mgs per day for a few days, then down to 75mgs for another few days, then 50mg, then 25mg, and so on, and split your pills into even thirRAB and quarters until you are down to the least possible dose per day. Then when its time to stop taking it completely, your withdrawal symptoms should be very minimal. This is the best way to avoid the awful withdrawal symptoms that come with stopping this drug CT.
Ibuprofen became my best friend also for the muscle pain and spasms. Try taking Melatonin at night (5mgs every night helped me) for sleeping, becuase you will find that sleeping, or at least staying asleep, will be near impossible for the first few nights. Take large doses of Vitamin B complex during the day as well which will help with energy, drink lots and lots of water, and there is an over the counter supplement (amino acid) you can buy at the drug store called 5-HTP which can help with feelings of depression. It is pricey but it works.
I found that Day 1 was bad, Days 2, 3, and 4, were the awful, and by day 5 I started having glimpses of hope that I'd ever feel normal again. Hope some of this info helps..
