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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by samplemethod on May 26, 2003, at 11:59:07
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has tried tramadol (brand names tramal, ultram). What has it done for you, why was it good or bad?
Cheers,
Posted by SLS on May 26, 2003, at 15:12:09
In reply to TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by samplemethod on May 26, 2003, at 11:59:07
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering if anyone has tried tramadol (brand names tramal, ultram). What has it done for you, why was it good or bad?
>
> Cheers,
I'd like to hear some personal accounts too. I do remember a few people on PB who tried it a few years ago describe a positive experience. One person liked it better than buprenorphine.
- Scott
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 26, 2003, at 16:10:22
In reply to TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by samplemethod on May 26, 2003, at 11:59:07
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering if anyone has tried tramadol (brand names tramal, ultram). What has it done for you, why was it good or bad?
>
> Cheers,Based solely on anecdote, including my own experience, tramadol can have a quick and comfortably upbeat effect on mood. However, I have never heard anyone say that they could get the effect to last, something I attribute to the rapid physiological change in opioid-receptor sensitivity. If you're looking for something that you might use very intermittently for a mood-boost, tramadol might do the trick for you, but you can't use it for very long before the effect completely disappears.
Lar
Posted by Caleb462 on May 26, 2003, at 16:28:32
In reply to Re: TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by Larry Hoover on May 26, 2003, at 16:10:22
> > Hi,
> >
> > I was wondering if anyone has tried tramadol (brand names tramal, ultram). What has it done for you, why was it good or bad?
> >
> > Cheers,
>
> Based solely on anecdote, including my own experience, tramadol can have a quick and comfortably upbeat effect on mood. However, I have never heard anyone say that they could get the effect to last, something I attribute to the rapid physiological change in opioid-receptor sensitivity. If you're looking for something that you might use very intermittently for a mood-boost, tramadol might do the trick for you, but you can't use it for very long before the effect completely disappears.
>
> Lar
>
>Not to mention that those with depression/anxiety are likely to fall more easily into the trap of addiction. Being somewhat of an opiod addict myself (though I've never gone through physical dependency), I can certainly attest to that.
Posted by Stardazed on May 27, 2003, at 11:42:52
In reply to Re: TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by Caleb462 on May 26, 2003, at 16:28:32
The Evils of Ultram!!
No ever let any doctor tell you these are not addicting. They are and should be a scheduled drug. I have taken all kinds of painkillers for chronic pain and have also experienced withdrawal from these. The first time I ran out of these, BY FAR the withdrawal was worse than codeine or anything else (even worse than heroin or methadone I have heard) I have ever had withdrawal from. It got so bad I had to order overnight from the Internet till I could see my doctor for a refill.
Right now I am taking 8 a day (not all at once) just to not go into withdrawal and to cope with everyday life. I did start out slow and you do get a certain high from them, but then the tolerance kicks in and you're taking more and more. I'm also on all kinds of other meds: Blood Pressure, Depression, Anxiety and a diagnosed Tremor disorder. I want to get off these dam Ultrams but I am going to have to do a SLOW wean off of them.
One more thing: Taking Ultram changes your brain chemistry so that any other painkillers you take, for pain or for pleasure, they are utterly useless. Here is a quote from another message board:
"Also, because it binds to many of the same opiate receptors, it will effectively raise your tolerance for ANY opiates WAY up if it is abused. This is NOT a good thing, as you may need effective pain killers in an emergency situation such as a car wreck or any of the unfortunate accidents that may happen that lead you to the ER. (when the morphine drip isn't doing the job, something is WRONG!)"Now isn't THAT scary!?????!!! So Please don't ever let a Doctor talk you into taking these Monsters.......
Good Luck All!
P.S. Am not a doctor this is my opinion and the shared opinions of other Ultram addicts.
Posted by Stardazed on May 27, 2003, at 11:47:00
In reply to Re: TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports? » Caleb462, posted by Stardazed on May 27, 2003, at 11:42:52
P.S. I got a script for Lortab 10 last Thursday from my PC doc. I took 3 at one time. That would knock out or even kill another person......not me. I got NADA from it.
Posted by Caleb462 on May 27, 2003, at 12:55:16
In reply to Re: TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by Stardazed on May 27, 2003, at 11:47:00
> P.S. I got a script for Lortab 10 last Thursday from my PC doc. I took 3 at one time. That would knock out or even kill another person......not me. I got NADA from it.
30 mg of hydrocodone is not enough to kill anyone. Might put some folks to sleep, sure.
As far Ultram, I don't think it's an "evil" drug by any stretch. But it IS an opiod, and should be treated as one, that is all.
Posted by fanni on May 27, 2003, at 17:01:36
In reply to TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by samplemethod on May 26, 2003, at 11:59:07
i was given it for really bad period pains,i thought it was just a painkiller!thats why i got such a good buzz off it haha!
Posted by Caleb462 on May 27, 2003, at 22:16:50
In reply to Re: TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by fanni on May 27, 2003, at 17:01:36
> i was given it for really bad period pains,i thought it was just a painkiller!thats why i got such a good buzz off it haha!
Well - tramadol itself is a weak drug, with only minor affinity for the mu-opiod receptors. I guess this is how some doctors get away with calling it "non-addictive" or a "non-opiod analgesic".
However, tramadol's metabolite, M1, does have a signifigant affinity for mu, and is the primary cause of Ultram's effects.
Posted by jerrympls on May 27, 2003, at 23:36:10
In reply to Re: TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by Caleb462 on May 27, 2003, at 22:16:50
HYDROCODONE - the active opioid in Vicodin - has been the best antidepressant I've ever taken. Of course, I've never been prescribed it for depression. There have been many times when I have been severely depressed, unable to get out of bed for days, filled with terrible apathy, anxiety, bone-crushing fatigue, zero motivation, extreme hopelessness and within one hour of taking one dose of Vicodin (from a prescription from a recent surgery) all of those symptoms are erased. I get out of bed, turn on music, clean my apt. go to movies with friends, etc. etc.
Of course, the effect doesn't last all day. NO other medication - including SSRIs, Wellbutrin, Remeron, Ritalin, etc etc. have ever come close. Dexedrne has had the most beneficial effect as far as getting me out of bed - however, it does nothing for my apathy.
I even told my research pdoc about my reaction to Vicodin
hydrocodone and he admitted that in "severe" cases opioids are used.Anyway - it's somewhat unfortunate my doctors will give me buckets of amphetamines month after month, but are resistant to even a trial of an opioid. Amphetamines have basically the same "abuse" potential as opioids do. I dunno...someday perhaps I'll understand.
These are my experiences....sorry for standing on my soapbox for so long..
Posted by Caleb462 on May 28, 2003, at 0:55:22
In reply to Re: TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by jerrympls on May 27, 2003, at 23:36:10
> HYDROCODONE - the active opioid in Vicodin - has been the best antidepressant I've ever taken. Of course, I've never been prescribed it for depression. There have been many times when I have been severely depressed, unable to get out of bed for days, filled with terrible apathy, anxiety, bone-crushing fatigue, zero motivation, extreme hopelessness and within one hour of taking one dose of Vicodin (from a prescription from a recent surgery) all of those symptoms are erased. I get out of bed, turn on music, clean my apt. go to movies with friends, etc. etc.
>I can totally relate to that one. I've gone through a period in the last year where I've been a bit experimental with drug use... but discovered I don't like many drugs too much. But hydrocodone.. now THAT is another story. By far the best anti-depressant around. Also a great anxiotylic, though at times it will induce irritability and/or social anxiety.
Anyway, I had no idea it was possible to feel THAT great before I tried it. Of course, when you like a drug THAT much... you're probably going to have problems. Luckily I've stayed away from physical dependency, but I've come pretty close.
Posted by stjames on May 28, 2003, at 3:00:37
In reply to Re: TRAMADOL Tramal Ultram reports?, posted by Stardazed on May 27, 2003, at 11:47:00
> P.S. I got a script for Lortab 10 last Thursday from my PC doc. I took 3 at one time. That would knock out or even kill another person
Not 30 mgs, you are no where near the LD50
This is the end of the thread.
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