I was just given tramadol by my doctor for some pain. Has anyone taken this and if so did you find it gave you the same relief as Percocet or Vicodin? I was also confused as to why I wasn't given one of those instead of the tramadol, which I have never heard of before. Thanks
How strong is tramadol 50mg for pain compared to Percocet or Vicodin?
Question posted by BulldogSpook on 26 Oct 2006
Last updated on 22 October 2019
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
95 Answers Page 6
kopec11
25 April 2011
Tramadol has the same effects on pain as moraphine, effects the same pain sensors but it will not give you the uforic relieve of a narcotic pain reliver and doctors are afraid of precribing vicodin or any narcotic because of all the misuse by children getting into there parent pain medications its basically a fade and eventually will change back to normal.
brenda fain
12 April 2011
when i went to my pm this month i saw a different doc ,mine was out sick.and he wouldn't give me tramadol said it isn't a pain pill !i told him it helped my arthritis but he still wouldn't give it to me!carly is gonna be up set when i see her.he changed all my meds lowered my patch from 75mcg to 50 and took my oxy and gave me tabs but he did give me soma's and he gave me nothing for real bad break through pain!i was getting fentanyl citrate 200mcg's x 2 a day 15 minutes apart if needed!sorry to spout off but i'm in some pain and don't know what to do !
Inactive
9 April 2011
I tried Tramadol years ago, but they only prescribed 10 mg. & didn't do squat for my pain. I found out that doctors like to prescribe it because of it's "classification" of being non-narcotic. I've heard that that has changed, but don't know for sure. Tramadol doesn't become a narcotic until your system starts to process it, then it tuns into a narcotic for pain. All you can do is try it.l Everyone is different & react differrntly to each drug. Hope this helps answer your question... Mry632009
tracey333
9 April 2011
I have been taking Tramadol 50 mg 4xday for about 4 years along with my Lortab 10 mg. The Tramadol is a short acting medicine but it seems help me with my pain along with my Lortab. It's sure not like taking Percocet or Vicodin. And when I run out of my Tramadol there are withdrawals. Believe me I have been there and done that. Try not to run out of Tramadol or get your Doctor to give you six of them a day. The withdrawal's are terrible. I hope that answers your question.
sillygoose
24 Feb 2011
first of all NO TRAMADOL IS NOT A NAROCOTIC! GET UR FACTS STRAIGHT! dont believe me go buy u a medical book on meds and c 4 urself. second most doctors prescribe it because its not addicticve and they are aware of the abuse on pain meds fore the simple fact 90% are in recovery their selves. so speak what you know are the facts not what you believe. tramadol works with the same receptors in the brain the same way as a narocotic and thats why it is abused and why people get high off of it. those would be called seritones which your brain makes itself and you go through pshyical withdraws from narcs. narcs put seritones in your systems and your brain stops quit making them. when you stop your brain has to begin to make them once again and untill it makes what is normal for your body because everyones diff. then you you begin to withdraw until.
why tramadol and narcs make you happy is because the seritones your brain makes plays a big role in your well being in happiness and your depression as well. its a chemical the brain makes naturally because your body needs it! when its unnaturally put in your body yoyr brain has no reason to continue to make in turn will make you very sick to abruptly stop using and tramadol is not in that catergory. you can say its like sugar verses sweet & low. ones real and ones a subtitute.
silly goose M.D
kc01
13 Dec 2011
Doctors write this medication because it targets the pain directly..and only acts on your brain just enough so you can't get high if taken correctly. So if your truely in pain getting high shouldn't be a factor and this medicine should be enough. Take two tablets at a time if one doesn't do the job. Also you come as a foolish idiot..;-)
stephen55
18 Jan 2011
I read several of these posts and want to add a couple of things: in its chemistry, ultram certainly is a narcotic, an opiod analgesic. This is because it is not tramadol itself that is active in pain relief; it's the primary metabolite, labeled M-1, that binds directly to the brain's opiate receptors.
However, ultram is something of a "wonder drug": despite that direct binding, ultram for many, certainly including me, does really nothing to your pain level. Furthermore, it absolutely has no opiate "velvet glove" effect.
On the other hand, I detoxed myself from prescribed oxycotin and fentanyl in 2006. At the start, I had nothing, was very sick, heart in atrial tachychardia, and went to ER where I was labeled as in withdrawal and then treated like dirt. The doc knew "nothing" to ease the withdrawal.
The next day, my wife found her script for tramadol. Like Holy Magic it did just what you would intuitively expect: it cut the symptoms by at least 60%. Two years later I took Lortab 10 for 5 months, stopped and went to ultram and noticed absolutely no physical or psychological craving.
So, a Failed pain reliever, but a Superb withdrawal treatment; there have lately even been studies published on this.
Cathleen186
15 Jan 2011
In readying all these posts it is so interesting what a controversy Tramadol can be. What is the final word, narcotic or not? Addictive or not? Stronger than codeine/aspirin or not? I am so confused. I have a prescription for Tramadol but never use it, because I have to take 4 pills at a time to feel anything.
silverjewell
14 Nov 2012
thats the same that i have to go thru
dstamps1
20 Aug 2016
Tramadol is just about as useful as Teats on a Boar Hog!
It is not worth the package it comes in! If it is all that your Doctor will give you for pain then I suggest you tell him where he can go and find yourself a better Doctor! If he gives you a prescription for this useless junk wad it up and throw it in the Trash Can and watch the look on his Stupid Face! Two or three Aspirin will give you more relief than this worthless Junk!
These type of Doctors have never experienced real pain and could care less about the pain you are in!
Orthopedic Doctors are the world's very worst of all! They will not give you anything that will help you control your pain!
I would like to see them crying in the Dark from unbearable pain! They all will someday, just wish I could be there to Laugh at them!
ozziecx
25 Oct 2016
I have ankylosing spondylitis which causes me constant pain I take hydroacet every 4 hours as needed and 50 mg Tramadol between times as needed. I have taken these for several years now (I am 66 years old) and will until I die... it takes both to control my pain.
tgator11
6 July 2017
dstamps1 has the best comment of all. After reding through countless posts he nailed it better than anybody. I've been taking just 10mg per day after work for terrible chronic thoracic back pain and it's worked great. I'm 53. I took 100mg of tramodol about an hour and half ago and it did nothing. I might as well have taken air.
tgator11
21 July 2017
I've been taking just 10mg of oxycodone per day after work is what I meant, and it works great. Tramadol is a joke.
pakido
29 Oct 2017
Amen. They shd all hv to go thru what we are going thru. Positively cannot function!!!
RubyBegonia1
23 Dec 2018
Tramadol works on some people and not on others. It takes away my 24/7 headache, fast. But only for 4 hours. I take 6 a day. I’ve been taking then since the day the came out. Over 25 years. They don’t help me with pain except headache pain.
I also take 5 Percocet 10. I cut them in half and take every 3 hours. I actually dream I’m in pain and wake up to take. 20 years of this. But it works for me. No need to explain my problem with pain and it’s cause.
I have never wanted Or needed to overdose. My pain management is perfect.
caringsonbj
15 Jan 2011
when my mom was hurt at 93 y/o they gave her an Rx for this it is not any stronger than codeine (as stated) there are other medications that work in different ways and are stronger if this does not relieve your pain then be open with the doctor and tell him this does not take care of the pain, I want the best for you
bjhodg44
2 April 2013
i take trama now 2x3 aday 50mg,ii need something stronger but i cant take vicodin is there anything wlse i can take?
hurtin12345
11 July 2013
why cant u take vicodin?
Angus54
24 July 2013
I am a Redhead and have a very high tolerance to any medication. I told this to the doctor who did my first colonoscophy but he didn't listen. I am sure I left indentations on the metal rails of his chair. Anyway, I am prescribed the 50 mg of Tramadol and I can't tell the difference. My dentist did listen to me when I told him. He was the voice of experience.
joebud5157
11 Oct 2010
Tremadol compared to vicodin and percocet are of no signifacents. I have taken all of the above plus many many more different types of pain meds. So, in my own personal experience, tremadol is mainly for vey minor pain to none at all. In taking anything, it usually takes up to a week for your body to have any kind of effect. But tremadol, from what i've learned and know, is usually taking for inflamation of certian parts of your body. Depending on how bad your pain is or how you desribed it to your doctor depends on what they may give out. I know bc of my own tolerance, i was takeing, more abuseing my tremadol, 8 or 10 50 mg. every 6 to 8 hours. It only lasted about 2 1/2 or 3 weeks before i finally told my doc. it simply was not even touching the surface of my pain. So, use it for now as it says on the bottles, give it just a few weeks and take it from there. Of course if it helps, than naturally you can continue to just take it as needed.
Otherwise and in most cases, call your doctor to make another appt. if needed, and tell them your current meds. just are not doing enough relief and you could use something stronger. Just remember, the next step up is vicodin or percocets, and they are highly addictive, so take them as needed and nothing more
Aerie
11 Oct 2010
Just remember, that Tramadol, though mistakenly tooken for an NSAID (Non-steroidal Anti-inflamatory) which is perscribed for inflamation, it is not one. Talk to your doctor if you have swelling or warm red skin, both of which indicate inflamation, because taking Tramadol will not treat that symptom. Pain medication that you can suggest to your doctor if you are experiancing inflamation include Naproxen (in Advil), and Ibuprofen. There are also more aggressive treatments for inflammation such as steroids which can be taken both orally or in an injection form.
jonbyik
8 Dec 2010
i am an heroin addict and would like to know if tramadol would be helpfull in my withdrawl symptons.
Nune
7 March 2011
I have been taking about 6. 30 mg roxicodones a day and is having a very hard time coming off of them. I was wondering if taking tremedol would help with the withdrawals of not taking the roxis.
Thank you
joebud5157
7 May 2011
I just wanted to apologize to everyone here... I realize i wrote my comments a very long time ago, i think, and it seems i was way off. I may been to far gone at the time, or in a bad state of mind lets just say. Plz do not refer to my opinion or think it was a right answer. I see u have had many upon many comments on this subject... Most other were def right... Hope all is well and things are still getting better for you. Best of luck and many wishes to you and yours... Take care...
Dawn Heather
27 June 2012
No, do not take Tramadol. It's just as addictive.
Aerie
12 June 2010
I took tramadol 50 mg and I can tell you that it is more effective than three-four ibuprofen but way less effective than morphine. I know that is a big gap but in my experience, the little less pain fighting power is made up for by the side effects. Oxycodone and Morphine cause tinitus (ear ringing) and dizziness that makes (at least me) sick to my stomach. It also has a lower risk of addiction (though if you are in pain, I don't think this should be what makes you consider which medications to take. It is important to relieve yourself of pain)
Now, I take two 100mg hcl time release tramadol and a 50mg tramadol for breakthrough pain. There is an envelope you can push when you are getting the dose amount. Be careful and talk to your doctor but there are always options especially for chronic pain.
I wish you the best. (and word of advice: don't take antideppressants with tramadol -not like you are deppressed but I don't know what you have and people with Fibromyalgia sometimes take antideppressants and that helps with the pain. The problem is that tramadol increses the serotonin in your brain and so do antidepressants and taking them together is dangerous because it can cause serotonin toxicity) Hope this helped! : )
Aerie
12 June 2010
I would just like to add to clear up any misgivings that: Tramadol is an analgesic (pain reliever). The methods at which it functions to relieve pain is not well understood even in animal testing, but what we do know is that it increases the amount of serotonin in the brain and changing the way the body senses pain. Some people mistankely believe tramadol is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) but it is not.
What people believe is that under any circumstances it is NOT addicting, but that is WRONG. Though it isn't so much like 'addicting' as it is physical dependence on the drug. Weaning off the drug needs to be gradual and taking more than the doctor recommends is a spectacularly bad idea. Most people tolerate the drug well and side effects are usually short lived. It is used for moderate to moderately severe pain.
karrigan
16 June 2010
Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
Tramadol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about tramadol
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
https://www.drugs.com/tramadol.html
Most of you are wrong about tramadol & a few of you really know your stuff! Check this site out to be clear about what it is & how it can affect you! :-)
christineATU
1 July 2010
I agree with you. There are many misconceptions about this drug. Does Tramodol change in to a narcotic pain reliever when added with acetaminophen? Because that is what Ultracet is... Tramodol + acetaminophen. Is the above information I copied directly from this site, wrong??
Aerie
3 July 2010
I think the important thing here is 'narcotic-like' pain reliever. It isn't a narcotic but ranks somewhere among them and acts somewhat like them as a pain reliever. I know that Ultracet and Ultram have two different additives, however I think that either additive wouldn't change the drug base in question into a true narcotic.
And I would like to reiterate (my apologies if I annoy you with this but..) that I find that people don't really seperate 'addiction' from 'physical dependency'. Addiction is when you are taking a drug that is either harmful, or not useful and still take it despite the problems it causes. The worst case scenario is a drug that is useful but taken in more doses than perscribed or some other deviation from the doctor's orders that makes a person addicted.
(usually there are side effects: throwing up, trembling, irritability-kind of like withdrawl symptoms) Physical depedency starts when an individual needs a certain drug at a certain dose to maintain function and help with pain, stiffness, or what have you. These people don't want to stop the drug, guess why? They are afraid the pain or whatever will come back. A reasonable fear in my opinion, because I've had it, I still have it. I have a physical dependency on my drugs to help me sleep, to help the pain, to help the fatigue, to help the fainting. I need those drugsto help me and so I take them everyday according to the doctor's wishes. That doesn't mean that I don't feel uneasy using them, it just means that these drugs help me and I am dependent on them to make it through the day.
whitney1986
15 July 2010
i have been given tramadol for endometriosis & adenomiosis several times. it does not work 4 me. The doc. Has switched me from that to hydrovodone than percocet. The secret to pain meds are that once your body has been introduced to a stronger drug and than switched down to something weaker it's not gonna work. tramadol is not a narcotic. It works the same way in your brain and spinal cord just w/o the narcotic. You can become dependent to tramadol but not addicted. many people dont know the difference. stopping tramadol can make u feel shitty and depressed. Stopping a narcotic after being on it for sometime will make u physically sick. If u r dependent upon a drug u will only have physical withdrawls. If u r addicted u also get very depressed and your pain becomes more in ur head than actually located. if u find yourself taking to many meds or lying to get meds u need help. its out there. they have meds to help if u should ever need them.
Aerie
17 July 2010
You've made some important points, and one in particular that I would like to touch on as well. Drug tolerance and drug maintenance are the two I would like to talk about. You said that switching down from a stronger drug to a weaker drug is difficult and the weaker drug does very little to releave the pain. (I might be paraphrasing quite a bit here, my apologies!) I also want to say that this is the reason the doctors watch their pain patients very closely and start out with the utmost minimum dosage that has enough relief. They want to minimize the use of powerful drugs that could hurt the body and in some cases keep people from doing anything but lying on the couch with side effects taking over. This is also a reason why rapport between doctor and patient are crucial. If the drug isn't enough, say so! Your doctor doesn't want you to hurt, but also doesn't want the drug to hurt you.
MelvinDM
6 July 2011
I have taken tramadol before and find it to be effective for what it is. Feels like a narcotic comparable to codeine phosphate. However, in my situation, I have severe chronic pain and require meds that are stronger unfortunately. With a lot of back, disc problems as well as peripheral neuropathy which is a very painful nerve disorder caused by as well as HIV(undetectable and normal T-cells-993) and have undetectable HCV(hepatitis C) after extensive and long term treatment with the chemo drug Interferon. Had to take for a total of over 3 years. My doctors(after asking for my usual Lorcet or Vicodin), gave me a script(in 1998) for OxyContin. I had no idea what it was, figured it was an NSAID. I was started out of 40mg 4 times a day. This went on until I started the Interferon. Gradually, titrated my dose, my neurologist got me up to four 80mg OxyContin tablets (320mg twice a day) plus Percocet 10/325. By now, I had tried epidurals, physical therapy and it was the year 2005.
With no warning, my insurance company took OxyContin off their formulary. Well, I knew the withdrawal would be hell, so I called my doctor and he prescribed Duragesic(fentanyl) 100mcg and Percocet 10/325. In 2008, I was struck by a car while on my bicycle and was in the trauma unit, then ICU and finally in a regular room. I was on IV morphine, fentanyl and began to wean me off those with Percocet. I was already in Pain Management for over 12 years. When things got a little better, I was placed on 80mg OxyContin (b.i.d) every 12 hours and oxycodone 30mg every 4 hours ( 6 a day). All I can say is, tramodol does help with minor pain or you need some help until you can get to the doctor to get the "big guns." I am also on tons of other medications but the only controlled medications are the two opiates, Xanax, Ambien or Restoril, Adderall, Marinol and Lyrica. Over the years, my body had become dependent on these medications especially oxycodone. Did I mention chronic constipation? I am gearing up for my 4th hernia repair which (I read) can be caused by chronic constipation, Right now, since I am seeing a new doctor and have had one epidural supplemented by an injection of fentanyl 100mcg. After a long time, the pain meds do not seem to work anymore. So I get switched to other ones, like Dilaudid, morphine, etc. Today I wear a fentanyl patch 100mcg(strongest available) and 15mg oxycodone q.i.d(4 times a day or every 6 hours). Going from 30mg 6 times a day to 15mg, i.e, from 180mg a day to 60mg. I have an appointment this week with my doctor. I wished I had sought a different Pain Management clinic. Florida has a reputation now as a "pill mill" state and a lot of clinics have been shut down, so at one point, my old clinic was not giving out oxycodone tablets because there was a major shortage and that's when I was on Dilaudid which doesn't work as well as IV Dilaudid(hydromorphone). As for Heroin withdrawal, tramodol should help to a degree. I think Suboxone would be better, but I have't been addicted to Heroin but I know that OxyContin(oxycodone) is extremely uncomfortable as far as withdrawal. The company that makes OxyContin has had to pay billions of $$$ for lying and training their staff to lie to doctors about how OxyContin has low addictive potential to saying it has no addictive properties at all. When I looked up Oxy in the PDR when it was first prescribed to me, I realized that one tablet is equal to 8 Percodan or Percocet. Times four equals 32 Percodan/Percocet a day. When I was
on eight 80mg tablets a day, that comes to 128 "Percs" a day. But, going through the
Interferon treatment caused more pain and I needed the medicine. So good luck to everybody on your goal. I found that Ultracet is pretty helpful if you do not have access to proper withdrawal medications. Usually, Vistaril, clonidine and a benzo help. I have heard that Suboxone or Subutex work very well for withdrawal as to what I have heard. Methadone is addictive and dangerous when mixed with certain meds like Valium which can be deadly. There have been several overdoses in the complex where I live methadone being the most recent. So be very careful what you take, listen to your doctor! Good luck everybody!!
Stusha24
21 March 2012
Tramadol or Ultram ONLY works on 50% of the population. I am not one of those people, some people I know say it helps with their pain.Tynelnol #3 is a step down.
Yes, it's addicting more so then percoent because it has a helf life.
how long
9 June 2010
First off, Tramadol is a NARCOTIC!
Second, Tramadol is VERY ADDICTIVE!
Third, Don't let ANYONE tell you no different. Good Luck!
christineATU
9 June 2010
How long, you are right!. I copied this info to back you up.
"Ultracet is used to treat moderate to severe pain for a period of five days or less. It contains two pain-relieving agents. Tramadol, known technically as an opioid analgesic, is a narcotic pain reliever. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter pain remedy Tylenol."
Read more: https://www.drugs.com/ultracet.html
how long
10 June 2010
Thanks for backing me up Christine! I will ALWAYS have your back! I finally get to see my Dr. tomorrow. Hopefully she will be there this time. Wish me luck and if you don't care, PM me to give me some advice on what to say. Thanks Dear!
Aerie
12 June 2010
Ultracet is not the same as tramadol, it is the same as tramadol hydrochloride. Very different. Just regular tramadol is categorized as a non-narcotic.
Aerie
12 June 2010
Ultram- ibuprophen Ultracet- acetamenophen (very different) still categorized as a non-narcotic, though there have been 'addiction' stories. Without knowing their certain circumstances, I think that it is fair game between: physical dependency and addiction.
christineATU
1 July 2010
Do the chemical compounds in Ultracet change the tramodol? Because it clearly states that tramodol is a narcotic.
christineATU
1 July 2010
I'm speaking only of Ultracet.
christineATU
1 July 2010
Please explain the above info I copied directly from the Drugs A to Z on this site.
tragland
1 Oct 2010
The quote provided to "prove" that tramadol is a narcotic has not been repeated word for word and is therefore dishonest in what it claims. The author wrote "it is a narcotic analgesic". What the author should have mentioned but failed to do so... (Narcotic like analgesic)... the like part referring to the fact that the medication does not contain naturally occurring portions of opioid in it's chemical make up. It does however bind with opioid receptors. Tramadol is meant for use with moderate to moderately severe pain. It is said to be non-addictive or have less addictive qualities but consumers have many different physical reactions to medications. While my brother is a valium addict, he says it makes him high and is a drug seeker, I occasionally (once every three weeks or so) take it for anxiety panic attacks associated with PTSD and I have no feeling of being high or stoned.
When people talk about the ability to have an addiction to vallium i laugh in my head and think these people are only repeating what medical school tells them. If I took more of this medication than I'm suppose to, I assure you that I would not feel high, I would simply become very drowsy and fall asleep for a while. If anyone like my brother does get high I want to know about your experience because I hear it all the time and have no clue what everyone is talking about. Nothing fun about this medication for me. If i'm completely panicked, the medication makes the heartattack feeling and the vomit and hot flash feelings to go away. thats it. and like i said, over doing it makes me go to sleep which is why it can be used for night tares with people who have ptsd.
Remember, it is in the tramadol description, "an opioid like" that "binds to opioid receptors but does not contain any naturally occuring opioid substances in it's chemical composition.
lovesrob1976
9 April 2011
Ultracet is a completely different drug than Ultram. Ultram's generic name is tramadol...
Dawn Heather
27 June 2012
You are so right!!! I confronted my doctor and he admitted that the medical profession were duped.
spazitude80
14 July 2012
Not legally its not a narcotic. First lets define what a narcotic is. A narcotic is (in legal terms) defined as "a drug or other substance affecting mood or behavior and sold for nonmedical purposes," narcotic actually means a drug or other compound that creates a stupor effect. By that definition Alcohol is a narcotic. So is Tramadol a narcotic... legally no but in technical terms yes it is.
hurtin12345
11 July 2013
bullsh*#
montana2298
16 July 2013
Please don't comment if you don't know the correct answer. Tramadol in NOT a narcotic !! Call your local pharmacy
Sequoiasmith
19 Oct 2016
You are not lying! That is definitely the truth
Jillybean1
16 June 2017
This helped me thank u..
lired02
15 April 2018
Regarding everything that I have read about tramadol, it is not a narcotic! It is a quasi narcotic. This means that the molecular structure of Tramadol looks like a narcotic. However, it is not one! This drug was introduced from Germany I believe in 1961. It was also used to treat mental conditions??? I have taken it and it took my body 3 hours before I got the minutest of pain relief!
justgothome2031
20 May 2010
tramadol is comparable to tylenol 3, most md's give tramadol thinking it is less addictive, which in reality in most cases it IS less addictive. although, it all depends on your body chemistry and how you use it. as prescribed, it is far less habit forming than other opiates. again, depending on your chemistry, you may feel a euphoric type feeling... but that isnt why you are taking the medication is it! take it responsibly, when you are ready to get off it, do it with the help of your prescribing physician.
bren1985
29 March 2010
I agree w/ everyone. tramadol is addictive and it's only good for me if and when i run out of my percocets. If it helps you, great. But, really it is addictive.
corinacantu1
13 Aug 2013
I've never taken these meds therefor Iam scared to take it I've been having lotts off bck pain so I was prescribe this med but not sher if I should take it :/
terrichristian
16 Aug 2013
I too only take tramadol when I run out of percocet but I'm getting ready for a job interview and I can only show my script for percocet so my question is... will the tramadol show up on a drug screen???
Fine lady 60
19 Sep 2016
Hi I was recently prescribed transform for some serious pain from my workers comp doctor and hearing from all of you I don't want to take them because I am already taking 800 Motrin for lower back and abdomen on my right side which I'm not getting properly diagnose. Please help me if anyone know or have had this experience.
millmo
13 March 2010
Both Vicodin and Percocet are controlled schedule 2 which means that there is more potential for misuse/abuse the lower the number. Tramadol is controlled schedule 4 but does have a strong potential for abuse... there is discussion of this med being changed to a scheduled drug in the near future. Doctors feel more comfortable prescribing this since it is not considered a narcotic but fail to recognize its high potential for abuse, especially since it is more readily available (this med can be purchased on the internet). As an addict speaking, a euphoric feeling can be achieved but with larger doses. It takes about an hour to take affect and lasts much longer than the standard 4-6hrs. The other thing about this med is that if one is experiencing withdrawal symptoms from narcotics and you're in a pinch, this drug can be taken to prevent one from becoming sick. I know a lot of people who are now currently on Suboxone in order to kick tramadol.
Don't let a doctor tell you that this med is not addictive and it should especially be avoided if one is in recovery. Doctors have very limited education on addiction while in school so you must be educated and knowledgeable about what is and what is not addicting.
LiaMcCoo
31 March 2013
This post was the most helpful, for me. I was prescribed this, after a drug interaction left me with no skin from my knee to my toes... it was extremely effective for controlling the pain, but I was concerned about long-lasting effects of using an opiate. Going on two months, I feel better informed re: what is and what is not addictive and the levels, there-of. Although I am on a low dose, and have cut myself back, incrementally, from 4 doses per day to 1 does every other day; I have DEFINITELY experienced the signal to take a dose, when I no longer "feel normal"... overwhelmed, pain, maybe even anxiety... I experience a solid base of operations, after that dose. No pain. No worry about pain. All good... I will suspect this in the future, lol. I was also released with Vicodin, as a swap choice for break-through pain. After reading your post, I will skip this altogether, lol. Thanks for posting.
Reeree2017
31 Aug 2016
Tramadol is now considered a narcotic, IV.
trholmes
22 Sep 2016
I'm currently taking Tramadol 50 mg., 4-6 pills/day. I've been on this drug for 6 months now, and I consider myself "hooked". I don't know if they are narcotic or not, as I cannot get a straight answer on this question. I DO know that without these pills, I get physically ill, and feel really strange. I also know that I have to take more and more for the pain. Im seriously considering about asking to go back to narcotics for awhile, as these don't seem to work-is there any advice anyone can give me???
bethandfour
13 Jan 2017
Tramadol is a pain medication prescribed to my Dog. I didn't even know that people were prescribed this medication!
cry0217
8 March 2010
Tramadol is VERY addicting trust me I have gone threw it! It made me very sick to my stomach at first but once ur body gets used to it you dont feel like that anymore. It didnt work the greatest for my pain but after ur hooked its not about the pain anymore it's just taking it to feel normal. Be careful! ALOT of Dr's believe it's not addictive but it can make u have drug seeking behavior. If on it for a long time slowly stop this medication. Well... good luck and hope u get better!!
stephen55
18 Jan 2011
Yes, pharmacies swear they have encountered ultram-shoppers, but this can be an effect that occurs to a very small percentage of the population; on the other hand, maybe you are not talking about addiction but physical dependence: any chemical that is ingested for a period of time builds a dependence. My favorite example is menopause. Two doctors have scoffed at my statement that estrogen withdrawal is the ultimate withdrawal, lasting years and years; I've watched my wife with hot and cold flashes, physical pain, and general depression from this Mother of All Withdrawals; That physicians won't acknowledge the example shows how vested in the idea of withdrawal as an addicts phenomenon, with the suffering being some sort of Puritanical punishment/ teaching moment for such weak-willed people.
leahkelsey2
13 Feb 2012
I have just fallen in love with Stephen 55-yes a backache gets drugs -menopause gets a hey -deal -its life-or herbal concoctions that don't work.oxox
in2itheavly
18 Feb 2012
Also, if Tramadol is the first drug given to you for pain... see how it works for you and only take when needed. What doctors don't tell you is how bad you will feel when coming off any of the pain meds mentioned on this page if you take them long enough. ITS THE WORST FLU YOU'VE EVER HAD! You will do almost ANYTHING to make the pain go away that the lack of pain meds causes you!
It should be put into law that doctors who prescripe these meds take them (like cops who go through the torture of the stun guns and pepper sprays) to see how it feels! It should also be a law that they describe these feelings and sensations you will eventually have BEFORE you decide to take them for your pain. One more thing...
(if you are one of the unlucky ones who needs chronic pain management) it should be made law that these same doctors assist you to come off the pain meds at anytime you feel it healthy-using the same doctors to prescribe suboxine to give your body and mind a rest every so often! ... a break, so the pain meds will work better when you start taking them again. Instead of taking more pain meds due to tolerance... you can continue the same relief at lower doses.
Just to give you a background... I have two brain tumors that cause unbelievable pain to the center of my head when they swell. They are wrapped around my facial nerve and ear canal on my left side and around the top of my spinal cord (My tumors are sacs with poison oak attached, and I am the Oak!) I have also had uterine cancer, which ended with a complete hysterectomy. I suffer from head and neck pains, from the tumors. I suffer from depression, because I am stuck in this pain relief vs. financial ruin cycle (costing 800.00 plus/ per month for meds and dr. visits to get them). I NEED the pain medications, but I also need a break from them! So, I don't feel that its very fair for doctors to tell me they won't help me if I take suboxone for a short break from the pain meds.
I feel worthless, because I can't work 8 hours a day and I'm spending all of our money on doctors and pain pills. They cause more problems than they help! Don't be like me - get off the things as soon as you don't need them anymore! Take them only as needed or at best just as prescribed.
Don't let your tolerance build up to have to take more meds to feel the same relief - it's too late then!
stephen55
19 Feb 2012
I agree with all you've written. However, I've discovered a possible way to nullify at least some of these symptoms: ULTRAM! It, just like all opiods, metabolizes into several metabolites; its primary metabolite binds to the opioid receptors throughout the nerves responsible for pain (called nosicepters). If that metabolite is competing against true opiates, it will lose every time; however, in the absence of those opiods, it binds quite well with the now "vacant" pain receptors. It will (for everyone??) absolutely reduce or even nearly completely remove most of the painfull physical withdrawal sequence that has and often is used as a reason not to take any opiate
Its binding "power" is much weaker than that of morphine or oxycodone, but if its the only opoid present it will rush to fill the vacancies. Therefore, though it's not considered to be a scheduled drug, it is still an opiate; however, its capacity to fill any pathological addiction is, for many, not an issue. I know many people may argue this, but atleast in my case it was true: after 6 years of oxyconton and phentanyl it worked for me. When you are well beyond the physical withdrawal, slowly taper off the tramadol (with the guidance of a physician) off if you wish or don't taper: simply reduce the amount you're taking if you are feeling "something" odd or bad. Also, for me, it squashed any psychological urge to take oxy. After 6 years of continual use, I was not left with a desire to find opiates.
Many will shout that tramadol is addictive, and given its action it might well be considered as such. But most people I know (of course based on a very small sample size), plus myself today, feel in no way "fuzzy" or highly satisfied from the tramadol. Of course, as always, IMHO.
stephen55
19 Feb 2012
I've just read the entirety of your post "intuit", but I don't believe you can just generally put ALL pain meds in your category; if you do build an addiction to tramadol, taper it down and off. Many, and I include my self, do not even get pain-relief with tramadol!
I do agree with the ferocity of physical withdrawal you describe; I've been there and it is hell. I'm just asking you to stop being so GENERAL about these and all "classes" of meds, if for no other reason than the differing individual responses to all meds. Look at the drug as it is, not as to its category. Generalization is right up there with assumtion- often wrong!
Tramadol also does something else: it biochemically has an action in the mechanism of serotonon receptors; in other words, it is not at all bad to take it with other meds for depression. However, it may be removed by your physician because it interracts with other, labeled serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as citalopram.You have to be careful about too much serotonin availability.
cry0217
19 Feb 2012
Tramadol and ultra are not just a physical dependence i would take them to get high and would feel high for longer than vicodin would after taken em so many days i was then physically addicted and if i didnt have any tramadol i would pawn in jewelry or anything to get money to buy some or find a wat to fool a diff dr into giving em to me. It does cause drug seeking behavior. I also know other people who have had the same feelings and problems as me its still under a contoled substance it was a
drug addiction just as bad as other drugs
coondog1874
4 June 2012
yes they are very addictive i know many people who will buy them off the streets, they start out taking four to five a day to effectively kill pain and work there way up to ten aday.They are very hard to get off of.They get flu like symptoms sneezing cough and knee or leg pain and and overall just feel terible trust me I know . very addictive
mspatiant
1 Aug 2012
I am a recovering alcoholic and I also have MS and many other health problems. I do not find them addicting or very powerful. I was given them to re leave pain in my legs I suffer from daily and I take them when needed. I'v had my 50mg. for over a month now and still have the majority left. Now seriously... all drugs affect others differently. You can not go by what other people say. Listen to your Doctor.
anita manley
18 July 2013
Just got Tramadol for neck pain (osteoarthritis). Took one 50 mg last night and now have a hell of a hangover. Didn't do much for the pain either. I'm very sensitive to these drugs. Can't believe how lousy I feel today. Throwing out the rest of the RX! I'll stick to Tylenol!
Lamarf
23 Aug 2016
I have taken four 50mg Tramadol tablets a day for six years for my headaches from Occipital Neuralgia. I have never felt any kind of side effect. It's just like taking two aspirin to me, and they knock the headaches out.
Ammar ll
9 Jan 2017
I agree with you I have same problem with tramadol
Jwarr1968
1 May 2017
I only use it because I have chronic myeloid luekemia and the only over the counter pain reliever I can use is Tylenol. And with my leukemia meds, it's not good for my liver. Honestly I've never had a problem with it. But I don't always take it daily
samsonfm1
22 March 2018
I was given Tramadol, did nothing for pain relief, I gave it to my girlfriend at the time, it put her out in a daze, I asked her to try it as she had a server headache, only gave her paracetamols after that because I didn’t want her to be like that again.
Been on Codeine, Cocodomol, co-proxamol, everything inbetween and nothing works, I found it easier to live with paint than try more drugs that don’t work on me.
I have excess nerve damage, tissue damage (2nd burns, infection damage, lacerations hands and legs) bone damage (fractures, pins, plates) not including diabetes due to mass body trauma and all of it’s autoamune degenerate state, but hey, there’s nothing that works and I’m not willing to exceed what the body can deal with without causing more unecassary stress on internal organs trying to process the drugs.
I found ibuprofen and paracetamol (one 500mg of each) taken together relieves a little, but I use it sparingly as I know continued use will have side affects besides will start to have less effect and I’ll end up with nothing..
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percocet, vicodin, pain, tramadol
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