If you are tapering too quickly... you will feel it.

Are you out of tablets completely? Your dose is moderate, not really high. There is a poster on PN who take 400mg a day of it.

L-tryptophan (amino acid-- not cheap) is used for some people trying to get off SSRIs. I wouldn't take it WITH any tramadol however. And if you try this, start at low 500mg dose at bedtime and see if you get any relief. I used to get sleepy with it, so I take it at bedtime. I have noticed with daily use my pain levels are lower. I have been using it every day since my vacation, as I was having nightmares too. I am much better now.

I find l-tryptophan helps me at night for night type pain. I have nagging pain sometimes and that is why I tried the tramadol.
If I take ONE Tylenol w/codeine #3....it will last me into the next day! I am very sensitive and may in fact be a slow metabolizer.

If you do NOT have serious withdrawal symptoms, like on the list...you may be able to stop more quickly.
Alot of pain perception is central in the brain, and the l-tryptophan works there IMO. (it makes serotonin).

Having the pain come "back" is to be expected. But if you had vomiting, cramping etc...that would be "withdrawal" above just the return of pain.

I sure wish we had better pain relievers. Why can't Big Pharma do that?