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No withdrawal after stopping hydrocodone - did tramadol do that?

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Posted 1/26/2020 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
So I stopped taking hydrocodone (Norco 7.5 TID) Monday night, and now it's Sunday night and nothing is different. No extra pain, no cravings, no reaction, nothing. I lowered my tramadol from 3 to 2 a day but didn't stop it because I mostly take it to raise serotonin. Did that do it?

I do have pain. It was just not horrible at the moment, and I felt that the Norco wasn't doing anything, so why take it? I hurt some after helping shovel a ton of gravel into a pothole a couple of days ago, but nothing that drove me back to the hydro. I'm pretty beat up after breaking neck, ankle, knee, etc., and having many surgeries, also 3/4 century old.

I've stopped oxy in the past, also with no withdrawal, also because it didn't work. I have never had any pain relief from morphine or codeine. Neither had my mother or my son.

I'd love to find some sort of testing that would predict what pain meds DO work for me. I do get relief from dilaudid, but only at 2 mg, which is why I reuse to go to one local hospital - because they have a policy against using it, because they've lost a couple of patients from it. I had 2 surgeries there and was ignored screaming in pain. I used to get some relief from Norco, but some of that is processed into dilaudid.

So why didn't I have withdrawal?
Does anyone know of genetic of other testing to help find what meds might work? I need surgery on knee and anterior compartment.
Posted 1/30/2020 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi i feel it's more individualistic on pain tolerance and in reaching optimal efficacy. Lile ya say with one med 2 mg....

It's kinda like nutrients...whats not needed is just a waste. Maybe also no withdrawal for ya still in detox from saturation...and yes maybe genetuc factors...efficacy levels and time factors come into play. Am sure the snswer will be known oneday.

Keep 💪. HT
Posted 1/30/2020 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
Some people do not experience withdrawals. There is a DNA test that indicates which opiates work best for a patient. It can also indicate the likely hood of a patient becoming addicted to opiates. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of it right now. But I am sure Susie will know.

Post Edited (Mercy&Grace) : 1/30/2020 2:15:51 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/30/2020 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
I have tried using google to see of there is such a test & could not find anything. In the past I sort of remember something about a test, but it's just been too long ago.

I do not think your Tramadol had anything to do with not having withdrawal effects. Tramadol is considered a partial opioid agonist unlike hydrocodone. Efficiency of pain meds in an individual depends on a lot of different things, it's not a one size fits all for sure.

*** After more digging around I found an article dated 2017, the test is called Pharmacogenetics! This test can determine what a person's reaction will be to opiates, what will or will not work. By the way, the source I read at is very reliable not some Wikipedia nonsense. It also stated that it was originally geared towards pcp's to know what to rx to a patient depending on the cause of their pain. This test can also be used to help determine the proper dosage of the medication. Also, it's not a well known test with drs.

Both LabCorp & Quest Diagnostics offer this test. In your case I would ask either my pcp or pm dr to order the test. I don't know if insurance will pay or not, but if you have to pay out of pocket it would be worth it, as long as it doesn't cost an arm or a leg.
Posted 1/30/2020 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm new to this so please have patience with me. I became paralyzed from the waist down, from a spinal injury (L2-4) in a car crash. I was 35 years old. I have been with chronic pain in my right thigh for like 40 years, The pain clinic doctors just can't help to eliminate the pain. They don't want to go into the live nerves I have left. I was on opiates & I had to get off & had a terrible time with withdrawals that I was taken to the ER.
Anyway, up to date, Wisconsin hasn't legal medical cannabis. I don't smoke! So, I would have to take it other ways.
Does anyone out there know if the CBD OIL or CAPSULES do any good for pain?
I am so untrusting of these. Jams82
Posted 1/30/2020 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Jams 82, this is a good question for a post of your own as a "New Topic." If you do that I will post my experience. Also try the search box at the top of the page.
I didn't get anything from CBD. My pain doc has been trying to get me to use MJ, but I don't want to. I saw what that did to people when I was in college.

Post Edited (Alcie) : 1/30/2020 2:55:10 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/2/2020 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie, I am bumping this thread up, hoping to get a comment from you about this test. Let us know if you decide to do the testing.
Posted 2/3/2020 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
I've searched and searched and can't find a DNA or other test for sensitivity to opioids. I know there are tests because I have read about the results.
I was awake most of last night with pain. I took 3 ibuprofen and a Valium to dull it a little. I don't get to see my pain doc until next month, although I can send a message. But over several years he's tried me on just about everything besides opioids with either no relief or bad reactions.

I will continue to read reports on testing because there has to be something out there, some research going on at a university maybe. Testing won't cure pain, but a reason for not getting relief would be welcome.
Posted 2/3/2020 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie, I gave you the name of the genetic testing, Pharmacogenetics. This is the test you should have done. It's offered at LabCorp & Quest Diagnostics.

All you have to do is google "Pharmacogenetics testing" to read about it!
Posted 2/4/2020 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks!
Googling just pharmacogenetics gives many sites about what it is. Adding LabCorp finally does give information in a section for pain specialists and the names of tests they do, which I have printed to take to my pain doc. I may try to send him the site address https://www.labcorp.com/tests/related-documents/l14582

I could not find a test actually done by Quest Diagnostics, just info that tests exist.

Thanks again!
Posted 2/7/2020 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
I answered my own original question: Does tramadol stop withdrawal symptoms? Yes, it's better than buprenorphine and other drugs usually used, according to studies.
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/tramadol-may-reduce-opioid-withdrawal-symptoms
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/potentially-viable-detox-alternative

From my own experience simply stopping Norco and before that, oxycontin, cold, although continuing to stay on tramadol, I'd say the studies are right. I had no change in symptoms at all, although the pain that was not being relieved, which was why I stopped taking them, didn't go away either.
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