NeuroTalk Support Groups - Just need to vent.

Hi. I have had TBI since 10/31/09. A few weeks ago my insurance ended at my job(could not afford the premiums anymore-still not working) and I had to get on state insurance. I think it saved my life. I went in for my first appointment, and explained my saga to the new Dr. He cared! He asked me how long I was on Tramadol. I said for 7 months. I said it dulls my head pain a bit. He said" You have a head injury, and are having seizures,you can not take this med!" He showed me the sheet on the med that said where it can makes seizures worse, and not to be given to people with head injuries. He put me on Topamax. The bad news is never in my entire life have I ever experienced withdraws like I am from the tramadol. It is a form of opiate. It is not a narcotic as I am told. The Dr that gave it to me said it was like taking a Tylenol. I only took 2 to 4 per day. Her script was for 2-4 every 4 hours. The other thing I noticed is I would go days without sleeping.Lovely tramadol. Now that the fog is lifting, I have been on Topamax for almost 2 weeks, -not 1 seizure and my headaches have gone from a constant 7/8 to a 2/3! I just wonder where I would be recovery wise if I never would have gone to that first Dr.(she told me also to take 2 walks a day and find my happy place if I wanted to go back to work) I just needed to vent.