Tramadol Shortage (Page 30)

Does anyone know of a pharmacy with tramadol available? I tried ordering it but everyine keeps telling me its out of stock and not available until after the holidays. I run out of my rx today and can't wait until after the holidays so any help is appreciate it.

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I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but: I work in a hospital and today I spoke with the doc that runs the pharmacy. I asked him about the Tramadol situation. He told me that pretty soon ALL states will list Tramadol as a schedule III drug. He said that it is because "unscrupulous people" (his words) are buying Tramadol in large quantites and have discovered a way to cook down the ingredients to form a very potent synthetic narcotic for street sale. I was surprised somewhat to hear this as I have read and heard nothing about this at all before today. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. This doc is a very educated man and I trust him, so I have to believe what he said.

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This is just another case of when the druggie scum ruin things for those of us who are in chronic pain, through no fault of our own. I am sick of hearing about all the people who are hassled when they need meds for their pain because of all those people who abuse drugs.

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Huh? Tramadol can't be "cooked down" to create a more potent narcotic. It doesn't share chemistry with any narcotics. You can only "cook down" a drug with a modified opiate base. The doctor you talked to must be thinking of another drug. I'm a med student and biochemist and don't know if a possible way this could be done. I've also researched tramadol in particular to death and can't think of a conceivable way this could be achieved.

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Well, it sounded weird to me also, but since I have a good relationship w/this doc I'll ask him where he got his info from. About the death thing, think of it from a neuropulmonary standpoint: high does of Tramadol or sudden stoppage of it can cause seizures. During a seizure, a person does not breathe and one's blood oxygen levels rapidly decrease. Occasionally, after the seizure subsides and during the post-ictal state, spontaneous respiration may not happen. The person first goes into respiratory arrest then cardiac arrest, which can result in death. So in a roundabout way, yes, Tramadol can cause death.

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Oh absolutely, it can, but the thing is, only 25 tramadol deaths have been recorded, and 20 of them involved combination with another drug(s), mostly benzos. The five recorded without the addition of other drugs involved doses upwards of 60 50mg tabs. This is outrageously high, and just about any drug can cause death in massive doses. Seizures can certainly lead to death, mainly due to accidents that occur during the seizure itself. But deaths due to normal to even high doses of tramadol? First time for everything, but that hasn't happened yet. I've been looking for that information about cooking down tramadol, and really the only thing it can be cooked down to is a purer form of tramadol- meaning the fillers can be cooked down, which is true of most drugs, but does not change the molecular structure. Tramadol isn't a modified opiate- its a completely synthetic opioid that only contains itself. Its kind of like trying to change an orange into an apple- there just isn't a link there.

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Brim- you seem to be very knowledgeable about tramadol (unlike my doctor) so maybe you can help me. Somewhere I read that tramadol works like an ssri, but very rapid- not like typical ssris that take a few weeks to work. Do you think getting on an ssri antidepressant a month before going off the tramadol would ease withdrawal symptoms? Also, do you know of any articles on tramadol withdrawal ? There are thousands of people with advice, but I really want to get off (painlessly), and I had to educate my new doctor on why I can't go from 8 pills per day to 4 pills per day in a week.
I have fibromyalgia and have not been able to tolerate lyrica or cymbalta. It's a really difficult situation. When I take it regularly, it works well. The problem comes when I try to use it as a prn- the withdrawal symptoms are similar to the symptoms I took it for in the first place. I just want to be off everything so I can be evaluated for my current symptoms- not on tramadol, and not in tramadol withdrawal. My last resort is to taper down quickly and take a week off work to suffer in private. Any info, ideas, suggestions would be greatly appreciated . I have taken this for about 7 years, have had times when I take WAY over the daily limit, but for the past 2-3 years, I am on a strict 8 qd regimen. Medical issues- htn- on lisinopril 20 po qd, FMS- started savella 5 weeks ago- taking 50mg bid (and totally not digging the side effects) handfuls of antiinflammatories and glucosamine chondroitin. I would also love to hear anyone and everyones stories or suggestions:)

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Brim- I saw the same stuff you did and came to the same conclusion. Then I googled Tramadol potentiators and good Lord, you should see some of the crazy stuff people are trying. Stupid and potentially hazardous. I still plan on asking the pahrmacy doc I work with where he got his information, I'm hoping he was misinformed as you said. Thanks for the info, it's interesting.

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Hi Sylvia, I'm sorry to hear about your pain issues. I have degeneration in my knees and take tramadol, and am a full time med student, so the added side effect of memory loss isn't helpful :) anyway, please, whatever you do, do not take an anti depressant or any kind of ssri medication when still taking tramadol. You could suffer from serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal. Instead, I would recommend by cutting your dose by 25 mg (half of a 50mg pill) every 5-7 days, when you get down to zero, for the first three to four days with no tramadol, try taking a very small dose of DXM (in OTC cough medicine) with a largish dose of immodium ad. It sounds odd, but the loperamide (the active ingredient in immodium- generic is just fine and way cheaper) is actually an opiate, but one does not cross the blood brain barrier, which explains the lack of a "high" feeling. What it DOES do it cut withdrawal symptoms drastically. Make sure you take a laxative with it and do not take it for too many days straight (I would not recommend more than 5 days in a row). Also, look into ordering some kratom online. It's legal, great for pain relief and excellent for withdrawal effects. That's another one to take only briefly- no longer than the loperamide- because it can be addictive. Keep in mind the loperamide usually does need to be taken in large doses, but the side effects are limited to constipation until you reach insane amounts, so it's safe in larger doses than most drugs. Good luck to you!

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@FragileGirl,
Yes, I've read some doozies myself! A lot of drug Abusers like to take tramadol with benzos even though the combo can be fatal. I guess there's just nothing some people won't try to get high! It's sad they don't value their health and safety more. I did read on one forum about a user who actually mixed tramadol with a high proof alcohol and injected it. Alcohol! I can't believe the recklessness! Gah! Anyway, I really do what what your pharmacy doc coworker was referring to. Maybe there is some very hush hush underground type of thing going on with tramadol? Definitely not impossible!

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Hi, new here. Found this by looking for a place that will ship to my besides Health Pharm. Online. I am really in need. If anyone can offer suggestions PLEASE let me know. Thanks

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I'm looking for suggestions too... Thanks!

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Whatever you do...DO NOT order from Tramadol 180 RX...Rip off..Told me the pharm was closed because yesterday, today and tomorrow were holidays. When I asked what holidays were this week two people hung up on me. When I spoke to the third person he tried the same thing and stuttered when I questioned him. I asked him to cancel my order and hoping that my reorder with MD Aligne will go through. Horrible little people these people are!

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Does anyone know if HPO is still shipping to NY...thats where I got mine on March 11th???

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Hello, my name is Brian...and I'm a Tramadol user. I use it for Restless Legs Syndrome. The only remedy I've found to help so far. It also seems to enhance my mood...added benefits are good, I suppose.
I just ordered from HPO...awaiting Doc's approval. Thanks.

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Hi! Brian, Just read your thread on prescriptiondrug. What source are you using for Tramadol? What was HPO?

Thanks, curious. I am in need of a good source.

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so im gonna try this again dave rich or steve I would love to find a way to contact them {edited for privacy}
Only the first part is backwards I appreciate any help im in need please <3

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I have all of their emails, but don't know how to get it to you since this site is so tight on giving those out.

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Brim I wish there was a way for us to get in contact I would love the help I'm desperate atm

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Traci, how do I get in touch with Rich? Thanks

I get 240 tramadol every month, I take them, but I don't use the full script each month and have leftovers. I didn't realize there were so many people going thru withdrawal b/c they can't get it.

{edited for policy reasons}

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Hey mike. Here's a little info about me. I have a cat named xxxxx and a husband named xxxxx. They are the loves of my life. I'm pretty nerdy, but sometimes my husband says I talk like a {edited for privacy} is the way to go when sending a letter like that. The oddly capitalized words should tell you something!

Editor's Note: We apologize, but aside from a few (very) rare exceptions we cannot allow personal contact information to show up in the posts. This is to protect the privacy of our visitors.

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