Oxycontin to Tramadol

[Madlegs1]

Has anyone changed from Oxycontin to Tramadol ER ?

What was your experience?

Thanks in advance.

[Bananas5]

Morning Madlegs1

As Oxycontin is stronger than Trranadol may I ask why you need to change?

Oxycontin is addictive and coming off it is a long slow process. Even then there are often side effects.

x

[Madlegs1 in reply to Bananas5]

Thanks- that's what I'm trying to find out!

I'm on Oxy 10 twice a day - which is pretty low- but it is not lasting the 12 hrs.

I'm wondering if I can move toTramadol seamlessly- they are both opiates.

I need to find out from someone who has tried this , how they got on , and whether the Tram lasts as long as it claims?

As to the relative strengths- there will be a coequivalent chart to match strengths.

Cheers

[Bananas5 in reply to Madlegs1]

Well I take Tramadol 100 x twice a day and they don't last 12 hrs. David was taking Oxycontin 70 x twice a day and #they don't last either! (he has been reducing to come off completely?

Oxynorm is an excellent addition

But surely if the stronger Oxycontin isn't working you would need a top up rather than lower dosed drug?

x

[Madlegs1 in reply to Bananas5]

Thanks for the info that Tram also doesn't last its claimed life.

On the strengh- Oxy 10 would be similar strength to Tram 100.

I may well have to supplement with Oxynorm - or perhaps something like Gabapentin.

I'm seeing a Pain Consultant on Oct 5th - so would like to be well prepared for that!😄

[Bananas5 in reply to Madlegs1]

from what I have learned over many years none of them last their course. Fentanyl 72 hrs are excellent but stop after about 60. Pharmaceutical companies being over cautious.for safety. They say.

Think we all take top up or break through meds.

Good Luck for 5th.

x

[Madlegs1 in reply to Bananas5]

Fentanyl is very good- I was on it for a few years post op.

I had the same experience with it lasting only 48 hrs-- but solved that by dividing the dose into three equal parts and putting a new patch on each day. This meant that the halflife was spread out more equally over the timespan.

I could well go back to Fentanyl if I can get a small enough dose and the Pain man agrees to it.

Butrans patch is another possibilty- but I have no experience of it or whether there are lasting issues or if it can be divided.

And before a load of people come on to say Patches can't /shouldn't be divided- Duragesic can. I've proved it over six months of getting off it- the only way to tackle the lasting issue and to lower the dose safely.

Pharma companies make no allowance for patients trying to get off their products and minimise withdrawal effects by making mini doses for tapering .

Cheers.

[Bananas5 in reply to Madlegs1]

Fentanyl do make 12.5 patch. David came off the 100 after 12 years. Boy was he ill. Had a month then went on to the Oxy

x

[tannie in reply to Bananas5]

I have been taking tramadol for many years , along with the tramadol I take paracetamol, as prescribed, which works far better than tramadol on its own

[Bananas5 in reply to tannie]

I was on Tramadol 50 tannie plus paracetamol but when my GP increased Tramadol tto 100 he stopped paracetamol. Said too much paracetamol otherwise.

x

[tannie in reply to Bananas5]

I take 2- 50 tramadol and 1 paracetamol 3-4 times daily, cannot use gabapentin as knocks me out but find the T & P work not too bad. although sometimes could do with stronger, do not like morphine so have refused it, too many side effects for me. The best thing I ever had was accipuncture had session weekly and was really good. but too expensive where I live now

[Madlegs1 in reply to tannie]

Thanks Tannie ,

Is that a total dose of 100 tramadol and 2000 of paracetamol per day?

And do you find the Tramadol lasts for long?

I know the Paracetamol potentiates the opiate.

Cheers.

[tannie in reply to Madlegs1]

Not any more, as I have been on it for quite a few years, nothing else suited me, either sent me loco or sick. operation not an option as consultants have advised me too dangerous, so I just plod along with what I am taking along with odd trip to see consultants for update

[Bananas5 in reply to tannie]

That's what I was on til GP upped Tramadol strength. I still need something as they don't last 12 hrs but not sure what. New hip ans sij will do for starters!

x

[PhilipH]

I was on tramadol for many months. My doctor was able to prescribe a slow release tablet that lasted 12 hours that enabled a pain free night.

I came off them without problems after my back op.

[Madlegs1 in reply to PhilipH]

Thanks for the info Philip.

How long were you on the Tramadol and did it last the full 12 hrs? Any experience of tolerence?

I had terrible itching and insomnia when I tried it before- but would be willing to have another try if it really lasts.

Cheers.

[PhilipH in reply to Madlegs1]

I was on Tramadol for about 6 months and prescribed the slow release tablets for only the last month or so when I had problems sleeping.

The side effect I experienced was that I became very emotional towards the end and was glad to get off them.

I didn't build a tolerance to them but in the end I had a micro-discectomy that stopped the sciatica.

[Zelda007]

Report from surgeon. Trammadol kills more people in Northern Ireland than cocain and heroin put together. Pretty brutal. I find trammadol awful. O you not bad and your doc can give you some immediate release ones to top up during the day. I find the side effect (personally) of trammadol to be much worse. Previously I was on 60mg a day of oxy. We moved abroad and heat was wonderful, so I cut back over 4 weeks and was then off them. Unfortunately we returned to the cold weather so back on. I had difficulty getting oxy as the docs are all pushing trammadol whether it suits you or not. It is a very old fashioned drug but some company must being offering incentives to get it pushed. You will have to come off one completely before you can give start the other is my understanding,

[Madlegs1 in reply to Zelda007]

Thanks- doesn't sound like a good prognosis. I should stay with the Oxy and supplement so , by the look of that.

Cheers.

[Corrianne in reply to Zelda007]

I agree with you there, Zelda007. Tramadol is very heavy on the liver. I think that's why paracetamol is reluctantly given with it.

All the oxy range of drugs make me hallucinate, so I was put on 12 hour slow release morphine - morphgesic. It lasts well. I take mine at 9am and 9pm, which is the best balance for me. My only side effect is constipation, but upping my greens and fibres helps a great deal with that.

[Manditts]

Im on the fentanyl patch,15mg,every 3 days.Im on gabapentin also.I have tranadol as a backup both slow release and quick release.Oxycontin and oxynorm are a better medication for breakthrough pain but very hard to get in Australia now.Good luck with pain Drs..Im not a fan.

[GarryAS]

I've been on codeine and tramadol for years as i was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 12 years ago. I can't speak to OxyContin as I've never tried it. But codeine will definitely make you itch and you can become immune to it this is because it's a pure opiate. Where is tramadol is actually a synthesised opiate and while you can become addicted you can't become immune. If you're going to use tramadol to come off of oxycontin I would advise slow release tablets. Expects some problems as you change your dose as it affects the stomach. But it's doable they're all opiates just bring yourself down slowly to lighter and lighter doses. Good luck

[Madlegs1 in reply to GarryAS]

Thanks Garry- good advice and very helpful and practical.

Cheers.