Tramadol

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Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.

Anyone have experience with tramadol?

I'm fascinated by how it helped me yet ALL of my doctors just shrugged when I brought up the topic.

Back story...

Tried to stop smoking many times....nothing was helpful...fast forward ...after many failed attempts I just gave up.

Then...

Had bowel perforation due to diverticulosis...emergency surgery performed laproscopically by very skilled surgeon...wanted to send me home on Norco 7.5 which is way too strong for me... I asked for something else and was given tramadol 50 q 6 prn...it worked great.

My urge to smoke was GONE...of course, I was praying because I knew smoking was no longer an option BUT have remained very curious about the role of tramadol in dopamine production. Was it prayer alone or tramadol or combination?

Any thoughts appreciated. BTW the I took one 50 mg tab twice daily x 14 days and then stopped with no apparent side effects.

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I take it for tension headaches when they get very bad. Because it is a "synthetic opioid" it can have addicting effects. I work at a addiction treatment center and it is considered to be part of the narcotic category even though it is not labeled one. It has questionable recreational use. I use it because it not only helps with pain but it helps relax me, but I could see the possible effects that people can get addicted to. It is different for everyone I know that has taken it. Some people it doesn't work at all and then some people are on the opposite end of the spectrum where they feel like they have taken morphine. I think it really depends on your body chemistry. I think doctors don't like to give it out because of the recreational effects it can give some people.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.

Are protocol in LTC is same as narcotics. It was very effective without making me feel drugged and completely stopped by nicotine carvings. I stopped and never looked back. Have been thinking about its uses lately after chatting with others who are trying to stop.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.

Oops ...Our

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Tramadol/opioids and nicotine both act on the VTA system (the so-called "pleasure center" of the brain) and create similar euphoric effects.

In essence it is replacing one addiction with another.

Sent from my iPhone.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.

Makes sense...interesting how addictive cigarettes were for me but not the tramadol.

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Specializes in family practice and school nursing.

Really happy it worked for you! Congrats!

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