Hydrocodone to Tramadol?

[billy_in_slo]

So the USA ran out of Hydrocodone 10/325 due to DEA putting limits on annual production. My last fill was 11-6-23. Luckily I had saved up 90 units for emergency (proof I'm not abusing) but that ran out yesterday. I asked my doc to prescribe tramadol hcl 50mg to get by until production resumes. Started on tramadol last night, 1 @50mg. After 90 minutes with not much relief I took another! That one hit me pretty hard, but in my head and gut more than my legs and arms. Not fun but I managed to fall asleep. Usually I'm up after about 4 hrs needing more relief.

With the tramadol, I didn't feel the need for more until almost 10:00am. I had to double check that it wasn't extended relief, it wasn't. I still feel pretty nauseous from the tramadol but it seems to be working better than expected.

After all the blabbing, my question is; is this normal? Is it just an adjustment period after 30 yrs on Hydro? Should I just stick with tramadol long term? Hydrocodone will be more and more difficult to get until they kill us all. A little melodramatic, but you know what I mean.

Blessings all.

[billy_in_slo]

I actually found most of my answers by searching the forum.Lot's ot Tramadol posts, good and bad, very confusing. Everyone is different.

[Madlegs1]

You are what's termed "opiate experienced". Which just means you are used to opioids and don't abuse them and are not addicted.

Tramadol is just another opioid after the hydrocodone , so your body would be ok with the substitution.

However, I think tramadol is a nasty little b***er. I certainly didn't like it when I got it first. Hydrocodone is much kinder ( I'm talking Oxycontin and oxynorm)

To answer your question --- it's really a matter of what suits you. As you say -- everyone is different.

Availability is obviously a major factor.

It takes a few weeks for the body to get used to any new medication. Tramadol comes in a slow release form of 100mg, but for some people it doesn't last the full 24 hrs. But then ,the same goes for all the others.

I'm not much help, but you are obviously a smart cookie, and can figure your own way through all this.

Let us know what you decide, and

Good luck!😝

[Nikos64]

As someone who was once on Tramadol I would avoid it like hell !

First .. it may cause augmentation. It caused me augmentation.

Second .. it is difficult to get off. Many people think it is harder to stop than strong narcotics. It affects not only the opiate receptors but also those of serotonin and norepinephrine. Coming off it is like coming off 3+ drugs at the same time. When I was switched from Tramadol to an equivalent oxycodone it took me 1 month to adjust. Of course everyone is different and it may not be as bad for you but I thought I should mention my bad experience with it

I would ask for oxycodone or buprenorphine.

Good luck !!

[Jumpey]

I took tramadol for several years with no ill effects. I was able to transfer to morphine with no adverse effects because it's also an opioid.

[johannasuar]

hey there. I have been on Tramadol for over 12 years and has worked wonders for me plus I haven’t experienced augmentation in all this time. What you need to know is that Tramadol takes about two hours to kick in, so you instead of waiting took a second one and experienced nauseasness. The trick is to take the pill about two hours before your RLS starts, that’s if you have an idea of the time. I DO take two 50mg pills but spaced out, one at 5:30 pm because my RLS starts around 7:30ish, and the other 50mg pill at 10:30, no problems no RLS no nausea. Good luck. If I’m going to a movie I’ll take one before I go, the same for flights or long car trips. Experiment a little if it worked for the RLS. However, it can cause a bit of insomnia but not all the time, which I rather have than have RLS, I watch movies or read .

[billy_in_slo in reply to johannasuar]

Thank you. It is now working quite well and at a lower comparable dose than the 10/325 Hydrocodone and w/o the acetaminophen.