Misc Can you use an SSRI to combat Tramadol's mental withdrawls?

[brdobu]

I've wondered this for awhile, and excuse me if this just sounds stupid. I'm uninformed on how the drugs work differently in the brain. I've seen many people addicted to Tramadol since it is so freely distributed. The physical withdrawls are very mild, lasting a couple days and then done. However, since Tramadol also acts on serotonin the mental withdrawl seems to cause devastating depression and anxiety for many users.

So what I'm asking, is could someone simply start taking a low dose SSRI medication 24hours after their last tramadol dose and avoid the withdrawl effects all together? I know SSRIs take "2-4 weeks to build up in your system". However, if someone has been on tramadol for months wouldn't the increased serotonin ALREADY be built up in your system? So that you could just switch over to an SSRI immediatley and benefit from the effects to avoid the mental withdrawl?

Or does it just not work like that?

Again, sorry if this is a foolish question, just something I've wondered for quite some time. Thanks all

 

[MikeRWK]

I think its possible now as to which one or what dose i dont know.

 

[Oxy8_8]

It certainly sounds possible.
Now that I think about it, I once took Tramadol for several weeks (100mg, four times a day) for back pain last year and when the pain went I just stopped taking it. I didn't even consider withdrawal at the time because I had never abused it.
I have been taking 100mg Sertraline (Zoloft) a day for the past 3 years. I guess that could have counteracted any of the psychological WDs.

 

[Morphling]

Better to taper off the tramadol, than risk major interactions by using this method, IMO.

 

[brdobu]

Thanks for the replies guys, and yea I totally agree that that's the safer route Morphling. Serotonin Syndrome is the real deal. But I really am just curious as to whether or not this would work? Of course with special care given to insure the avoidance of toxicity.

 

[rickolasnice]

Yeah.. no.

Tramadol + SSRI = Bad news.. possible serotonin syndrome..

Still got either one in your blood? Then don't take the other.

 

[kronedog]

From prior experience earlier this year, I quit Tramadol cold turkey after using about 200-300mg a day. I was put on celexa around the same time and it didn't help at all. It wasn't prescribed for my wd's but it certainly didn't help anything in that regard. Just my two cents though.

 

[Oxy8_8]

Yeah.. no.

Tramadol + SSRI = Bad news.. possible serotonin syndrome..

Still got either one in your blood? Then don't take the other.

My doctor has had me on both a few time, and I've never had Serotonin Syndrome...that I know of, anyhow.

 

[timsul999]

I might be wrong, but from personal experience serotonin syndrome has always sounded like a warning to merely avoid litigation on the company's part. I've used DXM and tramadol recreationally numerous times on normal doses of ssris. I've never had problems, and have never heard of this happening to anyone. i recall official data/statistics reporting on a handful of people, and if i'm not an outlier than it probably takes ridiculous amounts of either substance or high doses concomitantly to induce a drug reaction leading to serotonin syndrome.

I'm not saying saying you should go ahead with the ssri. it's better safe than sorry, and I was mostly just challenging that assertion that this is some sort of epidemic that everyone needs to be aware of.

 

[brdobu]

Yeah.. no.

Tramadol + SSRI = Bad news.. possible serotonin syndrome..

Still got either one in your blood? Then don't take the other.

Thank you, but I think you misunderstood my question. I'm not talking about combining the two in anyway. Basically for most people tramadol has walk in the park physical withdrawls compared to stronger drugs. However, because of the SSRI properties it's PAWS are severely worse than from any other drug. Typically last a couple weeks to even months depending on the person and severity of usage. It is similar to the effects of "discontinuation sydrome" (which is a fancy name for anti-depressant withdrawl). What I was questioning was if someone could start taking a SSRI AFTER the tramadol has completely left your system in order to get relief from the overwhelming anxiety and depression that lasts for quite sometime. My bro-science fueled question is due to SSRIs taking several weeks to "build up" in ones system. But if someone already has very high serotonin due to the tramadol use could they take a SSRI or SNRI to "level" out the depression from tramadol's withdrawl?

 

[shreddedlettuce]

If you weren't depressed before you started taking Tramadol (which is how I am reading your post), then as hard as it might sound, it would be best just to "tough" it out.

By thinking of taking anti-depressents for a short term would keep you thinking of anxiety and depression, thus, psychologically causing it (to a certain degree).
By "riding out" the post tramadol "blues" and not thinking as above, would be of much greater benefit.

It also depends on how long you were on Tramadol.

But try get through it as the "trial and error" that comes with SSRI's is definitely not worth it if it isn't a debilitating case (which in your case it doesn't sound like one).

 

[CaveBear]

Yeah.. no.

Tramadol + SSRI = Bad news.. possible serotonin syndrome..

Still got either one in your blood? Then don't take the other.

THIS.....even my pharmitist(sp) wouldnt give me Tramadol after I told him I was on Paxil...dont do it. I was given Vicodin instead.

 

[Oxy8_8]

If you weren't depressed before you started taking Tramadol (which is how I am reading your post), then as hard as it might sound, it would be best just to "tough" it out.

By thinking of taking anti-depressents for a short term would keep you thinking of anxiety and depression, thus, psychologically causing it (to a certain degree).
By "riding out" the post tramadol "blues" and not thinking as above, would be of much greater benefit.

It also depends on how long you were on Tramadol.

But try get through it as the "trial and error" that comes with SSRI's is definitely not worth it if it isn't a debilitating case (which in your case it doesn't sound like one).

This, actually. SSRIs are not to be taken if you don't need them. They also have no abuse potential whatsoever. When I said I was on Sertraline (Zoloft/ Lustral) and it stopped me suffering psychological withdrawals after discontinuing Tramadol...I was on sertraline for 2 years before I ever took Tramadol and I take it because I have Major Depressive Disorder plus Borderline Personality Disorder.

So yes, SSRI's help with Tramadol withdrawal; but only if you already take them. Taking them to stop WD effects, you are just replacing a Tramadol dependency with an SSRI dependency.