tramadol

[bluewaterlover]

I've heard a lot of talk about tramadol. Is it or isn't it a narcotic?  How can it be addictive if it doesn't cause euphoria? Can it be useful to ease norco wd?

[FourJays]

Ya, sorry don't want to freak you out or anything, and again hopefully you will got some more responses; I'm speaking from my personal background. You may want to check out the Emily Post Tramadol and Ultram Recovery Rooms/Journals right here on Med Help.  Lots of stories from people that have experience with this medication.  
Julie

[bluewaterlover]

Yikes. Thanks.

[FourJays]

Hello - tramadol is a synthetic opiate that also has anti-depressant properties as well.  When it first came on the market (about 15+ year ago) it was prescribed as non-narcotic and non-addictive (in the U.S).  I was put on it at that time for back pain (it was Ultram then, before the generic Tramadol came out a few years later).  For me it was not such a great pain reliever per se, but after using in (at prescribed doses then), I found it just made me "feel better", like I could pretty much do anything.  Had the Super Mom syndrome going for a few years.  But my tolerance built real fast and I found myself dependent on it pretty quickly; realizing this when myAf script ran out early and I had to wait for a refill.  The w/d stuff immediately set in (at the time I didn't realize this is what was happening).  My story with tram is long and kind of ugly, using at heavy doses for 15 years; and it built a tolerance to other opiates which proved to be a real problem when I had to have spinal fusion surgery last summer.  I was on some really "heavy" opiates (in addition to the tram, never could quite let that one go); and they just did not really work.  After my surgery I was on a fentanyl patch with a Dilaudid IV and oxycodone by pills every 8 hours (along with the tram I snuck in the hospital w/me), and STILL felt every movement in my neck for days.

So It's a med that on its own may not seem strong at first, but it bulds tolerance fast and the anti-depressant additive makes it like 2 meds in one; thus creating additional w/d symptoms when trying to get off it.  There are some states in the U.S. that already consider it a controlled med and the FDA is currently considering designating it as such.  You may want to see what other members have to say.  I personally would avoid using this for withdrawal, because the w/d from it can be even harder than the Norco - again with the tram you are essentially dealing with 2 separate meds.  Hopefully some others will come along and can give you some more imput.  In any case, please proceed with extreme caution using this medication; would hate to see you end up trading one addiction for another and end up having to deal with more physical AND emotional discomfort than you need to.  Good luck :))