OKAY WHAT IS UP WITH TRAMADOL...I DONT GET THE ADDICTION PART?

[K Todd]

Good morning to all.

I just have one simple question...I take 50mg of Tramadol 3-4 times a day max, for my knee pain, instead of 20 Hydro's a day.

I have read people taking 30 a day...WHY?

They are non-narcotic, they give me absoulty NO buzz whatsoever, they do not alter my mind...why are some people so addicted to a non mind altering drug? I dont understand where the addiction is in tramadol..

Well anyway, got almost 5 hours of sleep today (well woke up at 3am and PM a good friend) then got another hour. So I am happy and good to go today.

Hope everyone is well, and has a ver blessed and happy day today!

God Bless,
Love,
Todd

[TimmyVD]

I am wondering the same thing....

My doctor offered them to me for some pelvic pain but I turned them down from the horror stories I've read on the forum.

[Mandapanda17]

one of lifes little mysteries. I know my brother took it for 5 days and said he went through worse withdrawal than vicodin. now, why people take so many? I don't know, never taken it, they must get something out of it, otherwise I don't think they'd take a bunch of pills that did nothing.. hopefully you'll get a better answer. I know doctors sure don't get it, they keep trying to give it to my brother and he won't take it again. ttys!

[avisg]

Todd,
its a partial synthetic opiate works on the same receptors as opiate's . It highly addictive and for many of us it is mind altering I would  be very careful . Have you ever gone off of the tramadol when you haven't been taking hydro at the same time ?

[surn]

If you are an addict you kep taking something trying to feel different.There is a subtle feeling with them and not so ubtle when you stop.
One is too many , a thousand never enough.

[hopinforhappy]

Thank goodness you don't get it and stay away from it.  I have taken a lot of hard drugs and never got anything from tramadol until my system was clean from the harsher drugs.  But now I get a euphoria feeling off of it.  They say it is Narcotic Like.  I personally like how it makes me feel which is how I became an addict.  I guess what my point is, be glad you don't have an issue with it.  For me, dilaudid was not an issue and I didn't get how people could get hooked on that.  To each their own I guess.  

[K Todd]

I have taken tramadol in the past when off the vicoden...and no withdrawls.

They are nothing new to me, I just really only took them when I was either low or out of hyrdo's....but they never did anything other than helped with my pain.

I have never taken more than 3-4 a day, and have never had a problem stopping them at all.

Even 2 days ago, I had to remind myself to take my 2nd one before I ate...

I dont know...Your talking with a man who God has delivered me from:

-Chronic Alcoholism
-Phenobarbitol
-Valium
-Xanax
-Lunesta
-Ambein
-and now 18-20 hydros a day...

Maybe my body is so used to hard hitting drugs, that this is so mild that it does not even phase me....it really does work great with pain, but I still am currently going through the normal hydro w/d's.

I could walk away right now, and it would not phase me one bit, execpt I would have more pain in my knees.

I even called my Pain Management Doc, yesterday and asked him...and he will not even dare presribe me hydro's...it almost impossible to get a narcotic from him, but he tells the truth...and the Doc said  "Someone has to work really hard at it to get addicted"....

I asked him what do you mean? My doc said  "What I am saying is that it would require people not caring about how many they take, and taking more than persribed and for longer periods than they are supposed to...but at 3-4 a day, the addictive part is merely non-existent.."

Maybe is just depends on the individual I guess, because if I was getting anytype of "high" from these, my natrual reaction would be to chug them down...but they to exactly what they are designed to do for me, without altering my mind.

Maybe it's just me, in taking so much other severe addictive things...I dont know..

Thanks,
Todd

[avisg]

todd,
It does have something to do with your body ,some people it works great other it does nothing it a very odd drug . I am glad to hear you don't get withdrawal when you go off then cuz wd from tram made norco withdrawal seem like a picnic .
It is /was my doc it always did sooooo much more for me then both oxys and hydro

[K Todd]

I even know older people that have taken 2-4 a day for 5 years, and never ever increased their amount...

That is why I am so confused as to why some people get a buzz of some type of high off tramadol...because I definitly do not...and I am glad that I have a non-mind altering, non-addictive medicine for my knee pain...

To me 3-4 tramadol a day, seems to waaaaaay more better and safer that 18-20 hydros a day....that were taking my life away from me!

Tramadol does not strip my life away, nor do I even desire to take more..there is no need, I have no pain.

Guess it really depends on the individual.
Thanks for your help,
Love,
Todd

[avisg]

See but for some i does strip there whole lives away. Its no diffrent for them then hydro is for you . I am gald that it has not been negative for you .... Lets hope it stays that way :)
avis

[GoingToMakeIt]

Well, it didn't do anything for me either. Go to their site and read up on it. It says to not use if you have a prior history of opiate abuse. It also says to taper off of them as to minimize w/d and seizures. It is no surprise that you had no w/d off vics when you subbed Trams for it. Have you ever tried to get off of the Trams? That means NO opiates and no Trams? You might be surprised.

[worried878]

I have taken them and do not get a buzz off of them either...i have taken 2 at a time before when urting and all they do is make me feel yucky...so i wouldnt ever want to take 10 or 30 or something...but it does affect the same receptors as opiates..altho originally advertised as non-narcotic...and many doctors still believe this...but they are very habit forming for some people...i am not sure about people who take 2-4 pills a day but have heard some say they had wds...most people who abuse it take a bunch..over 10 a day it seems and perhaps for many this is how much it takes to get a buzz...not sure..but the drug also has an antidepressant quality that gives people a hard time when withdrawing..depression is supposed to be really bad after quitting for a while...so be safe

[K Todd]

Avisg..lets hope it does, and thank you.


GoingToMakeIt:  I am going thru hydro w/d's...if you read above I have been off them both at the same time...no hydro's and no tramadol the last time I quit 5 months ago..

The doc just gave these to me a couple months ago to try to replace my addcition to hydrocone...I tried it, it did absoutly nothing, I still could not function on the tramadol, and off the hydro...so I went back to the hydro.

I have already done all the research, and read about side effects, and withdrawls etc...

But MAKE NO MISTAKE...I AM SUFFERING THRU THE 5TH DAY FROM 18-20 HYDRO'S A DAY!!!  I still have all the normal hydro w/d's even taking 3-4 tramadol a day....that is why I posted and was confused...because I can not even go back to work yet!!!!

Thank you dearly for you input

[Mikeinthesouth]

I assure you it is not nice I have experienced that as well a few years ago. Non narcotic my a ss......

[K Todd]

They make me feel like aauugghh also..thats why I cant even see taking more than 4 a day.

But I did read up on it...and just like almost any other drug, it is recommended that you to not stop this medicine abrubtly without seeing a physician....but even hydro's say the same thing.

So, when I dont need them anymore, I will either walk or taper down from 4...to me the are a great alternative to pain...without stripping my life away!

Lots of love to ya,
Todd

[nursegirl6572]

**I have already done all the research, and read about side effects, and withdrawls etc... **

PLEASE tread verrrrrry carefully.  While you have asked a very important question...you seem to be glossing over the answers.  I'm not being smart here, really.

It may be "classified" as a non-narcotic (right NOW anyway, that may soon change).....HOWEVER they are as close to BEING a narcotic without being labelled as so.  And, you keep saying "non addicting"...they ARE addicting.  There are countless people who would tell you so.

I DO feel everyone is different, and maybe thus far you haven't had any problems with it...but PLEASE do be careful.  Personally...I feel that Ultram should be the last thing you should be taking with an addiction history.

Many people have reported a "high" just like a narcotic.  Maybe you haven't experienced that due to your tolerance....and that's great...but it is possible.  They work JUST like an opiate, binding to the same recpetors.  You said you have done all the research, and I'm sorry to be cynical...but I would think you would know all of the above if you really had.

And, also...MANY docs are still not on top of this Ultram problem and still Rx them as if they were tylenol, so don't put too much weight behind that.  I've seen those same lil old ladies go thru HELL out of the blue....b/c they were told it was completely "safe" and "non-addicting".  If they had known different, they could have made the decision to take them or not having ALL of the info they needed.  I'm not talking about people that ABUSE them necessarily either.  Long term use can lead to w/d's without having to abuse them.  High or no high, abuse or not.

Basically, in a nut shell, again.....PLEASE be very careful.  You've already convinced yourself that you will be perfectly fine taking these...and you may be 100% right, but what will the cost be if you are wrong?  IMO...with the addiction history...I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole if I were you.

I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to hear...only being totally honest with you here...this drug has been the devil for sooo many people.  I mean all of this with all due respect.  Again, just being totally straightforward.

Take good care, and congrats on starting to kick your Hydro habit...way to go!

[Mikeinthesouth]

I can remember taking ten at a time in the am to start the day to hold off withdrawal from oxycontin and it worked and I actually thought to use that as a tool to get off the oxycontin and i went through a strange but all the real withdrawal that made me feel I was losing my mind. That bad yes! I may have been way over doing them but they did the job from the withdrwal from the "narcotics". Yeah but what about cold turkey them hell no never again if I have anything to say about it... just my two cents.....

[GoingToMakeIt]

Sorry Todd, muddled brain. It looked like maybe you had taken the Trams right after having no Hyrdros. I misunderstood. Some people do fine on Trams. We were just warning you and others reading that Trams can bite really bad. I didn't get any relief or feelings from trams. Probably a good thing as I tend to abuse things.
It is however, very good to see you posting again! I hope all goes well in your recovery. And take care of that knee! I have dealt with that and it is no fun.

[Sunnyd210]

I think trams are the worst drug out there. No some may disagree but I have a good reason for my belief. U already said it YOUR DR SAID IT WAS SAFE so did most of everyone else's on here. Thats my problem with trams every other narcotic you KNOW there is a risk and so do the drs. Most people dont go to the manufactures website before they take something they TRUST their drs. Anyway sorry Im rambling I took vicoden for years and I dont have the same hate for that drug as I do ultram. I took ultram for a month 1 pill a day and like u it did nothing for me it didnt really help with the pain so I stopped taking it I thought nothing of it WELL I had worse withdrawels from that than anything since I wasnt hooked on it I didnt think anything of it I thought I was just sick with some kind of bug until it HIT me what happened.

[LIZZIE LOU]

"I asked him what do you mean? My doc said  "What I am saying is that it would require people not caring about how many they take, and taking more than persribed and for longer periods than they are supposed to...but at 3-4 a day, the addictive part is merely non-existent.."

YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  isnt that what addicts do?  if everyone was able to control their use...there wouldnt be any addicts in the world, now would there?

you have a history of abuse...and you are setting yourself up for another drug to add to the list you posted above.  you know yourself...that an addict will trade addictions in a heartbeat...searching for that "legitimate" high.  regardless of what the "insert" says...regardless of what the doctor says...you are an addict and you should NOT be taking this drug.

[avisg]

This  is insert info on the tramadol   Tramadol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Tramadol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
  Tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
  Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

[ClaudiaKishi]

It is a big mind altering drug for me..Especially when I take them with meals..I guess everybody works differently. I could never understand someone taking 20 lortabs a day but thats just me.

[K Todd]

WOW,

Lost my internet connection for a while. It was like being disconnected from the world.

I appreciate all of your guys loving support, info and adivise.

This is how I look at it.

I used to be at 30 Valium a day for 5 years, and now I have only take Valium in minimal amounts for a medical conditon, and I have held to that over a year now.

My point....If tramadol does helps my pain...and I can go with or without it...use as directed, and I have no cravings or buzz, nor any desire to increase my dose....then:

You have to remember, if you read my post yesterday, I made a choice to quit 18-20 hydro's a day. This time I quit with 2 full bottles, and not because I ran out. I finally have the right motive.

I do not know some are talking about with tramadol, easing the hydro w/d's. I told you, I am cold, have the sweets, sneezing, sleepless nights, etc...all the same as before. exept my knee pain is better.

I just asked, because I did not know that other people get a buzz or high from this tramadol. For me, I do not..like I said, I can go with or with out. I am sweeting and shaking right now as I type from hydro w/d's, even having taken 1 about 3 hours ago.

Tramadal seems to make my hydro w/d's a little bit worse to be honest with you...but it helps tremendously for my chronic knee pain....

AND I AM NOT GOING BACK TO HYDROS...I AM DONE....If my knee pain gets better in a couple weeks, the I will just take IBU. I am always honest with myself and others, and I do know if I am or am becoming dependant or addicted to something...

Like I stated above, so far nothing. If I ever, ever feel like I need to take it...I will drop the tramadol faster than I can type and tell you, but until then...it does it's job, and I find NO pleasant type of feeling or buzz from the tramadol.

Thanks for all your loving info and support.
May God Bless You all,
Love,
Todd  

[K Todd]

taking 1 tramadol that is  LOL

[K Todd]

THIS IS WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY...

I AM ADDICTED TO TAKING 18-20 HYDRO'S A DAY. I AM ON DAY 5 NOW, AND IT'S ROUGH. AS YOU ALL KNOW, MY STENGTH COMES FOR JESUS CHRIST.

I AM NOT ADDICTED TO TRAMADOL...I JUST ASKED WHY OTHERS TOOK SO MUCH.

FOR ME IT WOULD BE LIKE CHUGGING DOWN 30 ASPRIN...FOR NO REASON.

I AM FIGHTING TO END MY HYDRO ADDICTION...END OF STORY

LOTS OF LOVE TO ALL OF YOU AND GOD BLESS,
TODD

[GoingToMakeIt]

and we are all behind you. You can do this Todd! Way to go. I will be praying that it is with no relapses at all.

[K Todd]

Thanks a million, and I thank you for your prayers.

Now, I have to go force myself to eat...(you know, lack of appetite)..

Stange how when we come of hydro's we literally have to force food into our stomach. I swear these hell bound hydro's...never again!!!

Todd

[Soon2BMrsTurner]

Some can take it and feel nothing , I dont take anymore than my doctor told me to 4 years ago and that is 2 4 times per day. I am tapering off of them with my doctors help because from reading about them it scares the **** out of me and I do not want to take them anymore. Some people can take meds that others cant and Ultram can be very addictive no matter what some say it just is. Just be carefull because they are hell to come off of if you take them long enough and coming off Trams is alot harder than anything else can be they are hell

Good luck

[Soon2BMrsTurner]

I also wanted to state that the insert they give says not to take trams if you have ever  been addicted to any opiate because it works the same way. I would think that your doctor would know better than to give them to you because no matter what high it gives you which you say it doesnt it helps your mood and in the end you are going to feel that . If you take them long enough they will make Hydro WD look like a cake walk