Tramadol for Hydro W/D

I just recently stopped Hydrocodone cold turkey but have a friend that is struggling very hard to stop. He does have a **** load of Tramadol. Does anyone know if they can be used to help/taper in any way?  

[HelpinUtah]

Congrats on stopping Hydros cold turkey.  NO!!!  Do not substitute Tramadol for hydros.  Tramadol is extremely addictive and some here have said they are more difficult to withdrawal from than some other drugs.  You can find many threads about the Tram withdrawals.  I would just stay the course the way you are now.  It will be difficult for awhile, but SO WORTH IT!!!

Good luck and you are in my prayers!!!!

[needguidance49]

Thanks for your feedback. I'm trying to get him to just stick it out and it IS worth it. I still can't believe I pulled it off. If I could do it anyone can. You just have to really want to and not give in. I had no idea about Tramadol thus the question. I'll let him know but I have a feeling he's going to take them anyway. He's in a very bad place. Thank you for your prayers!!!!

[avisg]

NO I hope he listens to you because the wd he is going to go threw when he stops the tramadol is going to make the hydro wd seem like a picnic.It is very addicting

[HelpinUtah]

Need:

CONGRATS!!!! I'm glad you are sticking it out and you are right it is WORTH it!!!!  Good luck!!!

[HelpinUtah]

Avisg is right, you should make sure your friend understands what he's getting himself into if he switches to Tramadol.  

[needguidance49]

Wow, I never knew that about Tramadol. Worse than Vicodin? Dr's give it away and say it's not addicting. That is crazy!!! I remember I took some (several) once and remember a slight euphoric feeling but not as good as Hydro. It doesn't seem Dr's know what is and wthat isn't addicting.

[avisg]

Here is the thing with tramadol its not that its stronger then hydro but tram raises your serotonin levels it works as pain killer and an anti depressant at once .So the wd is miserable .Trust me when I say I know its my DOC.

[needguidance49]

I have to say that is really interesting about the serotonin. I do remember how good it made me feel for a couple of days but I do also remember feeling terrible afterward. You see, I'm one of those that takes a nice handful at once....
How long does it take for addiction if someone took it like a normal person or as prescribed? That blows me away that Dr's aren't more educated on Tramadol. When I used to Dr. shop for Vicodin there were always those Dr.s that gave me Tramadol if they were suspicious.

[avisg]

The first time I went into WD I had only take 30 pills .ohhhh also taking like a handful at a time of tramadol can cause sezuires .If you abuse tramadol you can sezuires you also want to be sure never to take it while on an SSRI AD honestly I would not want to mix tramadol with and AD .Not only does it increase your seizure risk it also raises the risk of serotonin syndrome which can be fatal.

[needguidance49]

So someone on Celexa should not take Tramadol? This Dr. actually prescribed Tramadol to him and knows he takes Celexa.

[avisg]

NO he should not He I will grab you some info on it

[avisg]

The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with use of tramadol products, including ULTRAM , particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs and triptans, with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAOIs) and with drugs which impair metabolism of tramadol (CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors). This may occur within the recommended dose. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY-Pharmacokinetics).

Serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination) and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.Watch this Health Page


  

[needguidance49]

Unbelievable! How scary. I can't believe a Dr. would prescribe both to a patient!!!!
Thanks for the info. I checked it on drug interaction lists and it is very clear and the warnings/risks are extremely dangerous. This is good thing in my friends case. Now he can't touch it.