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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dmanT on November 27, 2006, at 14:51:42
Hi, I have been abusing Tramadol for 3 months now. I did take it almost every day for 2 months, and 3 to 4 times a week for another month. I usually take 200-300mg (4-6 50mg tabs) in a single dose once a day, followed by a marijuana cigarette to enhance the euphoria. I am gradually getting off of it, but I am very worried about any long term damage I may have caused my mind or my body during the long binge. I feel fine (although somewhat depressed, anxious, and lethargic, but nothing I can't handle) when I stop taking it. My concerns started recently when my head would feel "funny" and I would get random twitches (my arm moving 4 inches fairly quickly and involunatry) while I was on the Tramadol. I am a pre-med student, so please don't be shy in responding with some depth. Any help would be much appriciated. Thank you for your time.
Posted by Quintal on November 27, 2006, at 16:49:12
In reply to Tramadol Abuse, posted by dmanT on November 27, 2006, at 14:51:42
I abused tramadol at up to 400mg a day for a while. I don't see any reason why it should cause lasting damage and haven't noticed any in myself. Do you think the funny feeling in the head and twitches could be a symptom of anxiety and nervous tension? I find a twitch in my eyelid and down the side of my face recurs whenever I stop an anxiolytic.
When you consider that with tramadol you are likely to suffer both opiate and SSNRI-like withdrawal syndromes many of the symptoms you mention fit into place.
Good luck with the withdrawal.
Q
Posted by med_empowered on November 28, 2006, at 1:54:06
In reply to Re: Tramadol Abuse » dmanT, posted by Quintal on November 27, 2006, at 16:49:12
your dosage wasn't really that high, so I wouldn't worry..I've read case studies where people were using several **GRAMS** of tramadol daily (enough to induce pretty severe seizures).
Like the previous poster said, tramadol has opiate and SNRI effects, so its kind of like withdrawaing from Effexor, plus a little bit of pain killer action (keep in mind that tramadol is not a controlled substance, and this is b/c the opiate action seems fairly minimal--in fact, no one really knows *exactly* how tramadol relives pain and can improve mood).
Its worth noting that tramadol has been used in cases of OCD, so its not without any benefits for those with psychiatric issues.
That said...keep tapering if you want to, but keep in mind that its going to be kind of like an Effexor taper, which can be pretty rough.
Posted by linkadge on November 28, 2006, at 10:11:41
In reply to Re: Tramadol Abuse, posted by med_empowered on November 28, 2006, at 1:54:06
There is always the risk of syngergistic toxicity between substances.
Marajuanna might be more neurotoxic when combined with tramadol, or it might be less neurotoxic.
For instance, prozac appears to make ecstacy less neurotoxic.
Anyhow, you might get help withdrawing from tramadol with chlorpheniriamine (an OTC antihistamine with affinitiy for noradrenaline and serotonin uptake pumps).
Chlorpheniramine is sometimes marekted as chlortrimeton, but is cheaper as generic chlorpheniramine.
Linkadge
Posted by dmanT on November 29, 2006, at 17:10:08
In reply to Tramadol Abuse, posted by dmanT on November 27, 2006, at 14:51:42
Last night I took 300mg of tramadol followed by some marijuana. For some reason, I almost stopped breathing and almost passed out, when I asked my friends to bring me to the hospital. They concluded that I overdosed, but I did not think that OD on 300mg of tramadol was possible. I was released after 6 hours of care and am now fine. Has anyone every experienced this respitory depression and fatigue from such dosages of Tramadol?
Posted by Quintal on November 29, 2006, at 17:47:13
In reply to Re: Tramadol Abuse, posted by dmanT on November 29, 2006, at 17:10:08
The diagnosis of overdose seems dubious. What information exactly did you supply the doctors with? It seems more likely there was an interaction between Marijuana and tramadol since you have taken them both separately without this problem? Marijuana rarely causes respiratory depression to a fatal degree in any case. It can cause panic attacks that may mimic the shortness of breath and shallow breathing of respiratory depression, but if this happened it should have been fairly obvious to the people treating you.
Marijuana can interact dangerously with TCAs to produce similar effects, and since tramadol has vaguely similar effects on noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake this *may* be a possible explanation for what happened?
I've taken both together in addition to large doses of clonazepam myself and did pass out at one point now you mention it.
Q
Posted by ace on November 29, 2006, at 20:40:31
In reply to Tramadol Abuse, posted by dmanT on November 27, 2006, at 14:51:42
> Hi, I have been abusing Tramadol for 3 months now. I did take it almost every day for 2 months, and 3 to 4 times a week for another month. I usually take 200-300mg (4-6 50mg tabs) in a single dose once a day, followed by a marijuana cigarette to enhance the euphoria.
This is dangerous stuff. The Mu-opiod stimulation of Tramadol is getting you euphoric. Tolerance and depence developes quickly. Rebound depression is serious. Furthermore, marijuana will not help anything.
Can I ask your dx?I am gradually getting off of it, but I am very worried about any long term damage I may have caused my mind or my body during the long binge. I feel fine (although somewhat depressed, anxious, and lethargic, but nothing I can't handle) when I stop taking it. My concerns started recently when my head would feel "funny" and I would get random twitches (my arm moving 4 inches fairly quickly and involunatry) while I was on the Tramadol. I am a pre-med student, so please don't be shy in responding with some depth. Any help would be much appriciated. Thank you for your time.
All I can say is get off it slowly. I was in the same position, within 3 days a huge rebound depression usually comes.
Being a pre-med student you should, IMHO, also know the dangers of marijiuna, and it's deleterious effect on so many somatic and psychic variables. I am suprised you use this substance.
Posted by linkadge on December 1, 2006, at 14:52:16
In reply to Re: Tramadol Abuse » dmanT, posted by ace on November 29, 2006, at 20:40:31
I agree and disagree. Marajuanna can be a very useufull substance if used appropriately. It is only dangerous when it is used to get high.
Marajuanna can occasionally cause mild psychosis but so can tricylic antidepressants.
On the other hand, I totally agree that I would not combine these two drugs.
Linkadge
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