Addicted to tramadol already - Possible addiction now to a benzo too? Please help

[Anoymator]

I had promised myself to finish my tramadol addiction once I was done with what I am currently doing (professional stuff). Tramadol helps me immensely in my work, and I could not just cut it out of my life as I have done that before, and it would mean no ability to produce work. I had already come to terms that I cannot continue living my life with this monkey on my back (aka tramadol).

Unfortunately, I have started using clonazepam (rivotril, a benzo) as I have escalated the dose of tramadol to potentially seizure-inducing doses (+400mgs). I have been hitting up to 600mgs of tramadol per day, though I've been consistent at 450mgs for the last month. Once I push up to 400mgs, I always play it safe and take 0.5 mgs of clonazepam as I have detected seizure activity once I go over 400mgs of tramadol per day.

As it goes, I have been taking 0.5mgs clonazepam per day for the last 30 days. Some days, dose was 1 mg, and I have managed to skip a few days in this 30-day period not using clonazepam.

I know I am already physically addicted to tramadol as I get some epic nausea when I wake up (it's terrible, like being on a boat x10 plus anxiety), and it only goes away when I take tramadol. I also have the whole lot of physical effects.

Yesterday, I only used 350 mgs of tramadol and tried to convince myself that I could sleep without taking clonazepam. Then, I was hit with a full train, I started withdrawing at night: nausea, anxiety, feeling of hopelessness, and I was getting some hardcore myoclonus (body twitching, my arms and chest would lift up), and I had some constant tremor in my legs. It was scary. This made me wonder if I could have gotten myself addicted to clonazepam too! Last thing I need is a benzo addiction, especially because I always use clonazepam to WD from tramadol, and I need high doses of clonazepam to help.

I tried to make myself asleep but I got to 9AM, I was extremely tired but unable to fall asleep (anyone who's being through tramadol WD knows this feeling), and I took a 0.5mgs dose of clonazepam, and I managed to sleep for 4 hours.

Here is what I am thinking are the possibilities:

1) I am indeed addicted to clonazepam at this stage. Mind you, my use has been 0.5mgs for the last 30 days with very rare days of 1mgs (days where I hit 600mgs of tramadol). I have also used pregabalin at high doses 600mgs twice a week instead of clonazepam as a sleeping aid. I managed to sleep one day some 10 days ago without any sleep aids, but I had used 400mgs of tramadol that day (as opposed to 350mgs from yesterday, can 50mgs of tramadol once addicted make that much of a difference?).

2) I'm still in the safe zone with regards to clonazepam addiction but walking a very thin line. I've read that you need more than one full month of dosing 1mg a day of clonazepam to become physically addicted to it. I pray to God that I am not addicted to clonazepam yet.

Please, someone help me out or perhaps add a new possibility. I have used clonazepam to successfully wean me off tramadol in the past, but I need about 2mgs a day for at least 1 week to be able to be over the worst of tramadol WD. I have decided to quit tramadol for once and all tomorrow, but only if I can do one week of clonazepam at 2mgs/day to help out the week of hell that I am to face.

Thank you

 

[Seanjay]

Taper off trams, up kpin dose, taper off kpins when done with trams.

 

[Anoymator]

Taper off trams, up kpin dose, taper off kpins when done with trams.

Thanks for your help. I was considering this option too, but that would have me exposed longer to clonazepam, hereby ensuring that I get physically addicted to it, right? Legitimate question (not rhetoric). I've read different camps on how long it takes to become physically addicted to clonazepam.

I have successfully used clonazepam + pregabalin + concerta (yes you read that right, methylphenidate) + l-tyrosine + some codeine (for 2 first days) to get over everything without making it hell. Unfortunately, this would be the first time using such WD approach from such a high dose of tramadol.

Like I say, my main concern is addiction to clonazepam. I already know I'm addicted to tramadol and would hate to trade addictions, especially because tramadol helps me be a productive member of society whereas clonazepam makes me a sloth.

Please, comment on this option or the options in the initial post. Thank you.

 

[Seanjay]

You're on both right now, so priority one is getting you off the tramadol. If you're worried about coming off the kpins I'd ask your doc for a script for neurontin, aka gabapentin a relatively safe gaba agonist with minimal potential for addiction.

edit: pregabalin may even be suitable for coming off the benzos though I am unsure.

 

[1q2w3e4r5t6y]

^^^^
Excellent advice on the toxicology aspect of your situation. I have nothing more i would add except that you also have a metal battle that you should be prepared for. for the history of use that you've described along with the symptoms you have been experiencing tells me this: if you don't decide what rout your going take IMMEDIATELY, and also find it within yourself to stick with whatever plan you decide on, it is very likely you WILL have a potentialy fatal seizure.

 

[RobotRipping]

if you quit clonazepam now it shouldn't be that bad but you need to keep your dose of tramadol way down so that you don't have a seizure. I'd also recommend gabapentin, or lyrica. A month is long enough to experience some withdrawal effects, though they will be mild compared to what you will experience if you keep taking clonazepam daily.

 

[turbonegro]

i know its been a few days, but wat u experienced is the tramadol lowering your seizure threshold, coupled with mild benzo withdrawal that would normally lower the seizure threshold but not to the point it would cause a seizure on its own.

keep in mind clonazepam has a very long half-life and therefore daily dosing will allow it to build up in your system, increasing the chance of withdrawal. this can apply to your pregabalin as well, due to the fact that it also acts on GABA.

in my opinion unless using pregabalin or gabapentin to taper, you would be simply replacing the clonazepam. but now is not the time to worry about the benzos, the tramadol WD is more severe than minor benzo withdrawal, but WD from both at the same time WILL give u a seizure

 

[Anoymator]

Thank you all.

Just updating, got a hold of some antihistamine to knock me out and haven't touched the clonazepam ever since (10 days).

The first 2 nights were bad and didn't sleep well, but I have been lowering the tramadol dose to 200mgs per day, and using antihistamines to knock me out. It's working so far!

I am so glad I skipped the clonazepam addiction. Clonazepam is a great drug for specific occasions, but no way I want to dig myself into that hole. I'm slowly dropping the tramadol too and like I say, haven't touched the clonazepam and feel fine.