DOSE:

oral

Pharms - Tramadol

(pill / tablet)

BODY WEIGHT:

158 lb

I don't consider myself a recreational drug user, though in the past I experimented as a teen, like most people. Here is my experience with Tramadol (generic ULTRAM) so far.

I've been treating my RLS with Hydrocodone (Generic 10/325 Vicodin) for just over a year now, and like most users I have developed tolerance to, and issues with managing my monthly supply. Having tried numerous other drugs (Sinemet, Requip, Lorazepam, BUSPAR) and being unsatisfied, I finally sat down with my doctor and got him to give me a script for a small amount of Tramadol for a trial basis.

I've been using the Tramadol for 4 days (2, 1 break, 2 more) now, and the effects have remained pretty consistent over time, though I wonder if they do slightly diminish with long periods of use for days in a row. The first night I took one 50mg tablet and laid down to watch some TV as I do most nights before going to sleep. I noticed some initial light-headedness somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes after ingestion, and I was also prompted to get up and eat something sweet, I believe due to a drop in my blood sugar (note: I am not diagnosed as diebetic, though I do ocassionally experience low blood sugar incidents). I am not sure whether this can be attributed to the Tramadol or not, as I have heard mixed reports about this kind of thing..

Anyhow, I noticed a difference in my perception, so I could tell the drug was affecting me in some way.. In general I felt relatively calm, and my RLS symptoms were not bothering me. I fell alseep with the TV on (like many nights) and when I awoke later at about 3:30am of my own accord (I often keep odd hours), I could still feel the effects and my RLS was not bothering me.. In general I felt very at ease, and calm. I was very content with myself and I had that slight smile on my face, that people usually get when they are in a warm bed or something like that. I didn't feel tired/groggy at all and I went about my business.

Subsequent nights have shown the same consistency in experience, though I did mess with the dosage some. The highest dose I have taken is 200mg. In general I don't feel chemically drugged (for lack of a better term), like the kind of euphoria I would get from Hydrocodone and other similar drugs. I'd definitely call it a state of relaxed pseudo-bliss. It wasn't sudden or harsh, and the coming down is usually very gradual..

My concerns over cross-tolerance between the Tramadol and Hydrocodone so far, seem to be put to rest. I had been on Hydrocodone for a few days prior to starting the Tramadol, and the dosage was often pretty high. When I went back to the Hydrocodone for the 1 night break inbetween, my tolerance was still rather high, but I did feel like it had dropped some..

One of the biggest benefits I feel the Tramadol has given me, other than being an alternative to Hydrocodone every few days, is that when coming off of a Hydrocodone dose that is relatively high, or coming off a binge, the Tramadol seems to really help. I don't feel incredibly hung over, and I didn't experience withdrawl pains at all. It made it much easier to function, and I felt pretty sharp and at ease for a change, compared to past experiences with coming down from high doses.

Hopefully I will have a long and productive relationship with Tramadol, and it will help me straighten out my Hydrocdone usage as well.

Exp Year: 2005	ExpID: 48594
Gender: Male
Age at time of experience: Not Given
Published: Jan 5, 2020	Views: 2,059
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Pharms - Tramadol (149) : Combinations (3), Retrospective / Summary (11), Medical Use (47), Therapeutic Intent or Outcome (49), Not Applicable (38)