Tramadol -a poor option for dope heads or a tweakers fake opiate and anti-D!

[Ethan8]

This question in a million different guises is a regular question on many different boards but coming from a tramadol users who never used any 'real' opiates [ I want to try sure but I know my fate once I am 'in' ] .

Do 'real opiate' users see tramadol simply as a useful if perhap less tweaky stim useful for 'getting stuff done' or a WD tool or perhaps for those of us with past speed [UK] or meth habits a light pharma alternative as a stimulant to keep us focused and for its anti'd properties.

....or perhaps you see it as both.....or perhaps as total dirty crap.

Really interested on your trammy stance.

 

[Libertin]

Disclaimer: I haven't taken it, but I've read extensively about peoples' experiences.

Tramadol is not an opiate but it is an opioid. It is a synthetic analogue of codeine, an opiate. Opiates are at least partially derived from opium, whereas opioids are simply drugs which act on the opioid receptors.​¹

Plenty of people enjoy tramadol, and many say it is effective for depression. Tramadol is some people's favourite opioid; although they would be a small minority in my estimation. Experienced users of opiates tend to regard tramadol as an inferior opioid, many stating that it 'feels dirty' compared with codeine, morphine etc. There is also a seizure risk posed by high doses of tramadol.

If you are opioid naive, you may well benefit from tramadol, I have used codeine to treat chronic pain for years. Codeine is sometimes similarly disparaged by the hard headed opiate users, but once again, you'll find plenty of people who benefit from its effects.

Individual physiology can go a long way to explaining tramadol's 'mixed reviews. It is metabolised in part by CYP2D6 enzymes, the abundance of which can vary widely between individuals. Wikipedia explains it better than I can. In short, some people enjoy it less/more due to genetic variation.

¹This how I understand the distinction, there could well be nuances I'm unaware of, I don't mind being corrected if you know better.

 

[edgewise1]

I have been using tramadol for the past 15+ years, almost exclusively from 2005 to 2012. I actually came to prefer tramadol over "real" opiates simply because they were much easier to get, especially online, and because, for me, they work. Due to a sci in 2012 I now experience chronic pain and use morphine, oxycodone, lyrica, and tramadol daily. Funny though, I always complained how tramadol used to kill any buzz that opiates had given at one time, but now tramadol helps augment the rest of the pain meds I take. Of course I am talking about a daily dose of ~30 pills back then vs the 6 a day I take now.

So I think very highly of tramadol and find that it works well for my pain needs. As an aside, just today I was told that the DEA had scheduled tramadol with an effective date of 8/18/2014. Anyone else heard this?

 

[BlueStar13]

Ethan8, it really depends on the individual. Some people really hate any kind of stim-like effect with their downers and they are the ones that usually find tramadol to give a "dirty" high compared to opioids that hit the opioid receptors more exclusively. However, when it comes to analgesia the additional action that tramadol exerts on serotonin does make it more effective, at least in my opinion. As for withdrawals, once again, it depends on how much of a habit a person has. If a person has a massive habit the amount of tramadol that they would have to take to even out a dent in their sickness could exceed the seizure threshold, making its utility as a comfort drug during WD's limited.

 

[miltecnico]

I've been relatively surprised using it concurrently with low doses of bupe - curious about how this week's when most other opiates<-- are /held at bay by bupe.
Is this because both are semi-synthetics?

As for using tramadol I don't anymore, I take sub daily as maintenance and it is acting as a great low dose chronic pain med. I will continue to lower my sub. I have began researching tram if this is a good opt-in after dropping sub, or to go toward a flexeril instead.

The one thing is I hate the need for opiates and would advise Anyone who can to use with reason.. Including tramadol and kratom.

 

[TheLostBoys]

Tramadol is great as an antidepressant & has a stimulant like kicker to it. It never has done much for my back pain & but if I need a pick me up/energy booster, tramadol is the ticket.

I don't think tramadol would do much for people tryi g to get off harder opiates.

I'm one of the people tramadol doesn't break down well for & is worthless for my back pain while for others, it works great.......

 

[CosmicG]

I like tramadol in doses of 50 to 100 mgs. It helps with my general mood overall on the rare occasion that I do take it. I personally would never try to get messed up on it but I also never was a big fan of opiates. Always has upset my stomach and made me nauseous in large doses. Tramadol does the same thing to me as I once took 200 mgs and felt ill, this is with no tolerance mind you. Having some around for a rainy day is as far as my experience stands. I enjoy tramadol in light moderation.