Tramadol

[jschooly]

To All Who Have Responded To My Message - Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I have been in 12 Step programs for many years and find that the people struggling with addiction, whether alcohol/drugs or both, are some of the smartest, funniest, most colorful people I have EVER known.

I am looking at my motives here about the Sub. I am wondering if I think it would be another way to "zone out" for several months and get addicted to yet another drug. If it's mood altering I get addicted - period. I am going to try to talk to some "program people" about this too and see if I can get clear on what path to take. I will very clearly express my concerns about the Sub to the drug counselor and the MD involved and see what they have to say for sure!!

[kellibear]

detoxing off 50 ultram a day was horrible, but for me, the worst part was the anxiety. if you could ask your dr. for a few benzo's and some clonidine, you will be ok. you're really not taking enough to where the physical part will be that awful. but that anxiety is awful! have you considered going to na/aa? i strongly urge you to try--it is a huge help to talk to people (face-to-face) that are going thru the same thing as you. you'll get alot of support and advice. it just makes me ill to think someone would go on a powerful opiate to get off ultram!! a good, knowledgeable dr. will tell you the same. you would just start a much much worse addiction!! and also, have you considered going in-patient? you would probably only need a week to detox, and it would really be worth the money. please keep in mind, sub is basically the same as methadone--a powerful opiate with a very long half-life--it can take weeks or months to get off it and feel half way human again. tramadol also raises serotonin levels, so maybe a ssri anti-depressant would help--i'd ask the dr.

[jschooly]

Hi kellibear,

I really think you are right and I really have myself in a ringer. I have this 6 x a day habit which sounds like it's less addicting than Sub yet I have had a hell of a time tapering on my own and yes I go to AA all the time - been a member for years. Guess it's time to swim or drown here - I either taper on my own or go on Sub. I think I want to do it on my own because it actually sounds like taking Sub is going on a stronger opiate and that would really be a mess. What a ridiculous dilemma!! I am so mad at myself for getting here especially when I had 10 years clean and sober. Ok, for today I am just staying where I am. I am supposed to be talking to the doctors this week and I will take whatever they say under advisement. However, it has been my experience over the years that, in general, addicts know more about the drug use and side effects than most doctors.

Have a great day and thanks again for sharing your information with me.

J

[kellibear]

unfortunately, addicts do know alot more about addiction than most doctors! some are just clueless, especially when it comes to sub. they take the 8 hour on-line course to be "certified" to prescribe sub, and they only know what the drug co. (reckitt) has told them. the big pharm co."s will lie thru their teeth to sell their dope--even if it's dangerous--they just don't care. oxycontin was supposed to be "less addictive"--now purdue pharm is paying out 600 million in law suits. back in the 60's valium was marketed as non-addictive. and then ultram, "a non-addictive, non-opiate" pain med. yea, right! treatment centers are full of ultram addicts. now they want to market sub as this new "wonder drug/miracle" when all it is-is a very powerful opiate that will make the people who use it--become addicted to it. my guess is--that's what they want--because the money keeps rolling in! and most of these sub doctors want cash--no insurance accepted. hhmmmm-kind of sounds like a drug dealer to me. if it quacks like a duck....

[jschooly]

Hello Everyone,

I have a Tramadol habit of 6 + a day at 50 mg for about the last 5 months. Before that I was addicted to Vicodin at about 6 a day and thought I would wean myself off of Vic with the Tramadol - HA!! I have tried tapering the Tram and start to get that black depression and of course, I bring my dose back up! I now have a Kaiser drug professional who is willing to put me on a short Suboxone Detox but I have read SO MANY scary things about the Sub that it makes me just as afraid as the Tramadol. I am thinking I should just try tapering on my own again while attending NA. I go to AA 4-5 times a week and have not had a drink or other drugs (beside Vic & Tram) in over 10 years.

Any thoughts or suggestions about the Suboxone would be appreciated. I am in a mell of a hess. PS. I work, am married - my husband knows and is supportive but my school age daughter has no idea and I don't want to worry her with this - she has "never seen me drunk" so I am trying to maintain my daily life while detoxing.

Thanks for anyone reading this and for letting me ramble on so long