Tramadol is not evil.
Posted , 52 users are following.
Tramadol does not have any malicious intent to get you 'hooked' or 'addicted'.
Tramadol provides a reliable source of relief to many pain sufferers and patients with other medical problems. The VARIABLE in all this ... is the individual patient, everyone's body makeup is different and so will react and produce different side effects with every drug they take. The only way to find out how your body will react is to give the prescribed drug a try, preferably for a couple weeks if this will be a long-term drug and if it doesn't suit you talk to your doctor. They most likely can find an alternative that will suit you. That's one of the reasons why there are so many drugs that do the same thing. 
As for not knowing the possibilities of what might happen - there's only two people you can blame, one - your doctor for not giving you some important facts and two - yourself for not researching your prescription online.
Personally I think doctors even on the NHS should take more time to spell out the common effects and if it can be addictive but I do understand that they don't usually have the time. This isn't going to change anytime soon though, so...
There is a plethora of information online, on any prescription drug and it will tell you everything you need to know before you take it. Some websites, like drugs.com, even have an Interactions Checker which you can input all your medications into and check if they will react badly. It's very cool and I even was able to bring a bad mix up to my doctor who was able to clarify that the short amount of time I was taking the new drug would be ok with my regular prescription.
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Tramadol is a synthetic (man made) opiate. It does not mix well with natural opiates such as cocodamol as one person was complaining about in this forum. Always check with your doctor if you feel uncomfortable and always take prescriptions as advised. If you start mixing things up and not understanding the chemistry behind it then what do you expect?
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS: Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; indigestion; mild itching; nausea; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness. Constipation seems to be the most common and would advise a gentle laxative.
If you have any SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS (see following) then go to A&E or see the doctor the next day depending on how bad it is, stop taking the Tramadol until you can get medical advice:Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); burning, numbness, or tingling; chest pain; confusion; difficult or painful urination; disorientation; excessive sweating; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; loss of coordination; mood or mental changes (eg, depression, agitation); red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; seizures; severe dizziness or light-headedness; severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; severe or persistent headache; slow or shallow breathing; suicidal thoughts or behaviors; tremor; vision problems; wheezing.
I DON'T WANT TO BECOME ADDICTED: Well most people don't. If your condition will be temporary then consider asking for Codeine (a natural opiate) which doesn't work as well but will help relieve some of the pain. Always take paracetamol at the same time you take any opiate, my NHS doctors have always told me this, saying that they both work better together than just the opiate alone and in my experience this is true. Also when you feel the pain is minimal to moderate, try taking just paracetamol and skipping a dose of your opiate when possible. Once you do this more often than not you can either realize that you can live with minimal pain or only take the opiate sporadically as needed.
If you have a long term condition like me, then I'll tell you what my doctor in the US told me when I told her I didn't want to become addicted. First, she said, you're only an addict if you're taking the drug to get a high, otherwise you're just dependent. Then she told me I can either take the drug to alleviate the pain and get some normal things done on a daily basis or don't take it and live with a pain that will most likely prevent me from leaving my bed and become agitated and irritated with everything and everyone because of my relentless pain. She said there is no shame in become dependent and that when the time came to stop there would be a safe period of weaning the drug and a plan for the withdrawal. I added that most NHS doctors are ambivalent towards things like this and she said, then demand it. I did and I was helped, no NHS doctor ever judged me for being dependent and it does seem like they deal with this often. They are not as organised as in the U.S. where you can get a 'kick pack' which contains valium, supplements and many useful tips but my NHS doctor did prescribe me valium for 4 days which was enough to get over the 'hump' and I researched and procured the other supplements and tips I needed online.
WHY YOU BECOME DEPENDENT: In plain speak, Tramadol does the job of making your body feel good and does it so well that it relieves the overabundant amount of pain your going through because of your medical condition. Once your body realizes it doesn't have to do this job anymore, it will stop, that's when your body has become 'dependent'. When you stop taking the Tramadol and your body hasn't yet taken it's 'job' back, you feel withdrawal symptoms because there is nothing making you feel good. The withdrawal will end once your body takes back it's normal job of releasing the chemicals which make you feel good.
HOW TO OVERCOME THE WITHDRAWAL PERIOD: If you have become dependent Tramadol and you most likely have if you've been taking it for a long time, it's almost always best to consult with your doctor about a withdrawal plan. They can help give you a plan to wean the drug and also be there for when you need muscle relaxers if you need them once you stop the drug. If they are not helpful, see another doctor, rinse and repeat (especially if you're on NHS!).
Even better - What you can do is research all this on the internet but I will include this one link because I felt it was the one who helped me the most when I went through it. Not just the info but the people who commented and gave support. There are many forums that will do the same thing, find one which has active supportive members (and a plan you feel comfortable with) and I promise you will feel better about being able to get feedback from people who have felt what you are going through. Actually I'm going to link the process I used for withdrawal, it's from the same site and you can explore that further if you want or just Google 'opiate withdrawal forum' for support and plans.
http://www.vicodinwithdrawal.org/alternative-medicine/thomas-recipe-opiate-detox
Oh and I should also warn that you will come across a lot of people who don't know what they are talking about, but you should be able to spot them pretty quick,. Just ignore them, find good info and support, that's the best thing to do. 
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I hope this is more helpful than not. I'm not sure why people come here to complain about a drug. The drug has been well tested and it's not dangerous. However being ill-informed about a drug, how you take it and the possibilities ...well that certainly can be.
Best of wishes to everyone struggling with their conditions, keep looking towards the future! Ronni <3>
22 likes, 179 replies
carli57437 Still
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vetswidow Still
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Most people I know with chronic pain take drugs like Vicodin or Lortab or some other narcotic on a daily basis. In the US, where I live, Tramadol is not considered a narcotic. So what if I'm dependent on it? As long as I can function, do my work, take care of my home and my disabled daughter, what difference does it make? This medication helps me do that despite relentless daily pain.
If you don't wish to take it, don't. But posting horror stories to frighten others who might benefit from this inexpensive and effective medication is unkind and unhelpful.
Have any of you developed an addiction to Norco or Lortab or Codeine? How fun was that to wean yourselves from? Those drugs have epidemic addiction rates in the US. Not so with Tramadol....
I don't panic when I don't have it with me either, even after eight years. That sounds psychological to me.
Have a good day.
Keely_1235 vetswidow
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For you to say this and I quote
“posting horror stories to frighten others who might benefit from this inexpensive and effective medication is unkind and unhelpful.
“Have any of you developed an addiction to Norco or Lortab or Codeine? How fun was that to wean yourselves from? Those drugs have epidemic addiction rates in the US. Not so with Tramadol....
I don't panic when I don't have it with me either, even after eight years. That sounds psychological to me. “ is what’s not not helpful here ... at all . I think people are sharing their experiences with just how horrible the withdrawals from Tramadol can be as a cautionary tale for others & it is helpful to know just how bad the withdrawals can be because it might just help someone make the decision to whether they want to take take it or not . I’ve detoxed from everything from Vicodin to Fentanyl and for me personally, withdrawals from Tramadol have been far worse than withdrawaling from the others combined! You are highly misinformed and uneducated about just how potentially addicting Tramadol can be . So ,before you go spouting off a fountain of misinformation, know what you’re talking about . I’m an RN and still got hooked because of my chronic pain issues . With the help of a 12 step program & a wonderful sponsor , I’ve been clean for 5 years from everything . So , good for you that you weren’t hooked a year ago when you posted this but I wonder if you still think it’s as harmless now as you did a year ago (that is if you’re still taking it ) . If you haven’t walked in someone else’s shoes , don’t be so quick to shame ,criticize , & take on a know it all , superior attitude just because you hadn’t gotten hooked ... YET ! That’s what’s not helpful here , lady . Anyways , God bless and I truly hope you didn’t develop a dependency on this drug or any other drugs for that matter . Take care !
j68551 Still
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Tramadol is not Evil. But OxyContin is the devil. Thanks to Tramadol I manage to function. 50 mg per day. Some days half a capsule (25 mg) some days just two tablets of Aspirin. My case: TKR operation 2014 in Sweden with post operative infection with tons of pain. Two 'deep cleanings' in Stockholm one here in Bangkok, Thailand where I live. Infection persists. Bandage change twice a day. Ortopedic surgical option the big two-stage operation. Out with the infected implant in with a new inplant. One year procedure. Pain lots of it guranteed. I am 67 and still enjoying my work as automotive editor/travel editor here in the tropical Thai kingdom. Operation is not an option right now. Thanks to Tramadol I can work, I can function. Without Tramadol - the pain, the stiffness in the mornings would be unbearable. BTW in Sweden TKR patients are generously prescribed Oxycodon, OxyContin which more addictive than Tramadol. In Thaland 'no-have' OxyContin "Hillbilly-Heroin" not even the black-market in Bangkok. There's no demand in here. But Viagra 'no-problem' I can buy wholesale, a truckload in case I would need it. So again. If in moderate to severe pain Tramadol might be the answer. In my case it certainly is. Best regards,
AddictionCoach Still
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Smoking is not evil, heroin is not evil, alcohol is not evil, bullets are not evil, but addiction is evil.
Nobody decided that when they grow up they want to be an addict, they woke up one day and found that evil entered their mind, was chemically altered by a drug, substance, or activity activating the condition of addiction by hijacking the brain's areas responsible for learning and reasoning. This causes behaviours that are considered to be evil or sinful with a demonic relationship with the addict and the lives of those close to addict are also infected with tragic results, heartbreak, fear, hate, mental illnesses, pain, abuse, and all things considered evil inevitable.
Tramadol is an opiate closely related to morphine, opium and heroin which is highly addictive and can and does trigger addiction in many unsuspecting patients looking for pain relief for a minor back pain or post op procedure, and then who is responsible for what happens next?
Google recent USA heroin overdoses, currently mass murdering addicts because it contains Fentanyl which is 50 times more powerful than heroin, and it does not take a genius to figure out where Fentanyl is produced and wonder how it got into the streets in such large shipments from a corporate giant run by profit and greed.
Denial of impact, awareness and responsibility is the bodyguard and advocate of evil and what addiction's foundations are built... if people are becoming unknowingly / unintentionally addicted to Tramadol in the masses like they are now, denial and downplaying it just allows it one step closer to have its way with you and your family, and your lives will never be the same again.
AddictionCoach Still
Posted
Smoking is not evil, heroin is not evil, alcohol is not evil, bullets are not evil, but addiction is evil.
Nobody decided that when they grow up they want to be an addict, they woke up one day and found that evil entered their mind, was chemically altered by a drug, substance, or activity activating the condition of addiction by hijacking the brain's areas responsible for learning and reasoning. This causes behaviours that are considered to be evil or sinful with a demonic relationship with the addict and the lives of those close to addict are also infected with tragic results, heartbreak, fear, hate, mental illnesses, pain, abuse, and all things considered evil inevitable.
Tramadol is an opiate closely related to morphine, opium and heroin which is highly addictive and can and does trigger addiction in many unsuspecting patients looking for pain relief for a minor back pain or post op procedure, and then who is responsible for what happens next?
Google recent USA heroin overdoses, currently mass murdering addicts because it contains Fentanyl which is 50 times more powerful than heroin, and it does not take a genius to figure out where Fentanyl is produced and wonder how it got into the streets in such large shipments from a corporate giant run by profit and greed.
Denial of impact, awareness and responsibility is the bodyguard and advocate of evil and what addiction's foundations are built... if people are becoming unknowingly / unintentionally addicted to Tramadol in the masses like they are now, denial and downplaying it just allows it one step closer to have its way with you and your family, and your lives will never be the same again.
lori89667 Still
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So far I've seen no one who's taken it for 16 years like I have. 8-50mg tabs for 8 years then 4 for a year and a half while pregnant and breastfeeding( prescribed by reputable obstetrician). Have a beautiful perfect healthy intelligent 5 year old. Then 6 a day now for the remaining years. Liver is perfect...a miracle I suppose. The drug isn't evil but man is and his greed knew it's addictive tendencies all along. I just feel normal and able to function- no "high". The evil people describe is the torture of withdrawals if you don't take it. I've lost years of time, money, and energy seeking doctors to prescibe it and thousands of dollars gettin it or codeine off the street just to keep from suffering. I have a higher level high demand career, in the natural health industry ironically, and two children. I don't see how I can just drop my life for an extended period likely losing my job, unable to care for my very young child and come up with thousands for rehab. I've tried before many times. So horrendous. Will take a long time because of how long I've been on them. Yeah I know what your thinking. Can I afford physically and financially not to. I'm 46. Wise enough to know its gonna have to be dealt with sooner than later. Advice or suggestions please. Criticisms unwelcomed and unhelpful
mrleph Still
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Thank you for telling me to find out online everything that my doctor should have told me when she prescribed Tramadol but didn't. As she said I could happily take it in conjunction with co-codamol I did so and the results were awful. After a couple of weeks I stopped taking Tramadol and the withdrawal symptoms were even more awful but I toughed it out. I am an intelligent and sensible person (I think) and the diarrhoea, stomach cramps, restless legs, muscle pains, nightmares, exhaustion, depression and seriously irrational thoughts were a long time going and absolutely unnecessary had I received the right information at the outset.
I do not come onto this forum to complain about Tramadol but as my experience was so appalling, I want to warn other people.
I find your posting unnecessarily superior.
Serennu mrleph
Posted
It was probably the cocodamol that was giving you the problems, it's not good stuff. Plus, this problem with not discussing side effects is the GPs fault, not the Tramadol. Also, there is always a leaflet in every packet of medication - I always read that when I'm given a new drug, it's well worth doing as GPs are often not good at explaining side effects.
robert33625 Still
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In the USA at least you don't have to read about the side effects since every drug is listed as having any possible side effect you can think of. I guess this covers the drugcompanies a....so the best approach is to try it as you suggest.Plus readingv the list will make you look for those effects and be more likely tothink you have them.
Serennu Still
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Hi, how I agree with you on this! Due to severe arthritis - I've already had two joint replacements and I'm only in my early sixties - I've been on Tramadol for nearly 10 years (I can't take NSAIDs as I get stomach ulcers) and I've NEVER had any trouble with it.It does a good job of relieving my pain, I've never had any side effects, and as I'm a full time carer to my autistic son, I need to be able to function - Tramadol helps me do this, and yet my GP surgery is constantly being difficult about my taking it. They constantly make me go in for medical reviews, and make a fuss about prescribing it, even though they know I can't take anything else, and I've never taken more than I should or asked for a repeat prescription early and I'm just getting so fed up with constantly being harassed and treated like a criminal for trying to get pain relief. I so wish people would stop complaining about it - if they don't like it, don't take it, but please stop going on about it as great many people rely on it and this constant carry on about it is making GPs really nasty about prescribing it!
j68551 Still
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I totally agree with you. What is your dosage? taking 25mg to 50 mg Tramadol combined with Paracetamol per day since 2014-15. After a not so successful TKR operation. Of course, some days I try to make it without. But it’s painful! Walking and standing. Get ‘revision’ new implant. Good idea. Not right now - Thank you very much. Bangkok-Johnny still limping.
andomando Still
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I decided to try and come off them ,i took 2 a day for a few weeks ,then cut the second one in half,so 1 and a 1/2 per day,got on fine with that,then cut down to 1 per day,well.....i started having restless body,just like restless legs but worse,i could not sleep for 2 weeks because of the restlessness, so i started on taking the second tablet again,,everything was fine after that.If i miss the second capsule for a couple of hours i feel awful like having a really bad flu.....so they are very addictive.
ruth86511 andomando
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Im on many support groups due to pharmaceutical drug withdrawal and have been struggling with protractive withdrawal now for 23 months.
Im just hoping and praying that I have not been permanently damaged by this drug
it can take many years for the body/brain to return to a normal function. So don’t be surprised with the symptoms continuing for many years, although you may have ‘windows’ where you feel much better, only to crash ‘waves’ for withdrawal symptoms to return.
This is called PAWS (post accuse withdrawal syndrome)
There is much now being exposed on what a lot of pharmaceutical drugs are doing to us and the long term damage
Good Luck with your withdrawal x
ronanwil Still
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ruth86511 ronanwil
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I would suggest looking into long term use of this drug if you plan on using it