Why do doctors seem to know so little about Tramadol

[UnnarUK]

I keep hearing doctors say that Tramadol is non addictive and that it's not an opiate.  Who are these friggin doctors!!!!???  People from all over the world are going through pure hell trying to stop taking Tramadol but the withdrawals are so intense that most people continue using the drug just to keep their sanity.

Tramadol is an opiate with serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibiting actions.  This means that when someone decides to kick the stuff, they go through multiple withdrawal syndromes.  It¨s pretty much like kicking benzodiazepines, morphine and anti depressants ... ALL AT ONCE!  Why aren't the doctors telling people about this? Are they really that much in the dark about this medication?

[doxiemommy2]

I am on week 6 tapering off Trams - i got to a point where i was doing anywhere from 12-20 per day (50 mg tabs) for the last yr or so but am now down to 6 a day. I've had some depression and a lot less energy/motivation but nothing horrid yet - however- i know it's coming. I went cold turkey a year ago bc i ran out for a week and it was pure hell. I was so miserable i hopped right back on the wagon when the chance came around to get more again. I have a wonderfully supportive husband who is in this w/me this time around and we decided upon a taper that works for me and will give me the least w/d's and discomfort as possible bc i have got to keep my job up and going and the rest of my lifes' responsibilities running as normally as possible during this time. It's a longer length of time to taper (doing the way we've chosen) but what's another few wks as compared so what i've been doing the last year and a half. If i can walk away in the end w/out these stupid little pills - it will all be worth it i know. Anyone that wants to give me any advice or info on what's to come from where i am now, to the end - please feel free. And yes, it was prescribed for a shoulder injury and surgery  - all legit. But then that's how we all started i guess! :(   .

[Inkgirl76]

For me they are VERY different. I didn't get anywhere NEAR the pain relief (or the high) on Tramadol that I got on Oxy. For me, Tramadol may as well have been Tylenol! But like i said. Everyone is different. I liked Hydro, but I loved Oxy. Some people just prefer one drug over another. To be completely honest, I was only taking the Tramadol to enhance the high I got from Oxy. Just glad all that is behind me! Have you looked into the Thomas Recipe? I hear it works for Tram too.

[pitbullmom]

i honestly always found tram w/d way easier then oxy. it is a completely diff feeling tho  btween the two. i was cross addicted taking 1500 mgs of tram a day (30 pills) and bout 100 mgs of oxy. but tram was my doc. bucuz for me it was easier when i ran out. i was on a bad road. im now in therepy and on the suboxone program with intentions of being off everything in the next 6 months. im just letting u kno i agree tram is very addictive. still building up courage to go to my first n/a meeting i think it will b this week. congrats on kicjing the tram. i kno it was hard

[dominosarah]

We have alot of members here who have come off tramadol and have said how brutal it is.  Glad you made it~

[mary577]

My husband had knee surgery a few weeks ago...both knees.   The doctor put him on Tramadol because he said it was non addictive.   My husband only took it a couple of times....he is not one to take any kind of pill, and I read on here how difficult it can be to quit, if you get addicted to it, so I was glad to see that he didn't take it, and it got tossed when I quit hydrocodone.

[UnnarUK]

already kicked it :)  haven''t felt this good in 4 years.  It's amazing how Tramadol seems to trick your brain into thinking that you feel good, when you actually just don't feel anything at all.

[UnnarUK]

yes I had a bad injury and was prescribed the drug.

[UnnarUK]

I've never tried oxy or vicodin but people tell me that they are completely different to Tramadol in terms of how they make you feel and operate.

How is oxy and vic different from Tramadol?  Did you feel better on Tramadol than the other two?

[dominosarah]

Were you on them for a legit reason?

[Inkgirl76]

I kicked Tram almost a year ago (about 150mgs daily)  & the wd's for me were very mild compared to kicking Oxy. I guess everyone is just different :/

[UnnarUK]

I was taking about 100 to 600 mg. daily.  Usually I stuck with 200 mg.

[UnnarUK]

I've already detoxed.  It's now been 15 days since my last two tablets of Tramadol and I'm just now starting to feel like my old self again.  Happy, interested in life and just happy :)  But the first 7 days were hell.  I wish I could describe it with words... I've been through many things in my life, but nothing comes close to the first 5 to 7 days of Tramadol withdrawal.

[dominosarah]

How much tramadol were you taking?

[IBKleen]

Are you detoxing from Tramadol?