![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on March 1, 2013, at 7:49:30
I'm taking Trileptal, but it's not getting the depression.
As a crutch, I've been using Tramadol for a lift. SSRIs make me manic, as does Wellbutrin.
Not sure using Tramadol is really a good thing to "use" for depression.
Is there an antidepressant most like Tramadol? I thought someone said Effexor is?
I typically take 25mg - 50mg of Tramadol. Would that be equal to 75mg of Effexor?
If these 2 meds are alike, what brain chemicals do they work on? Must not be too much serotonin, I'm guessing just a touch.
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2013, at 9:56:36
In reply to SLS- Anyone? Effexor most like Tramadol?, posted by Sheilac on March 1, 2013, at 7:49:30
Sheila not SLS but from what I read effexor is a lot of serotonin with some norepinephrine. As for tramadol there is a warning that taking with SSRI's can cause serotonin syndrome. Not this is reading only. Hopefully SLS will soon answer your question. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on March 1, 2013, at 21:18:33
In reply to SLS- Anyone? Effexor most like Tramadol?, posted by Sheilac on March 1, 2013, at 7:49:30
Tramadol has the effects of an opioid (narcotic) as well as being an SNRI
I think if SSRI's make you manic, Effexor probably would as well.
You might want to try nortriptyline, it inhibits noradrenalin and seretonin reuptake and has other effects that also help lift depresion and control anxiety.
Start with 25mg at bedtime, and build upto 75mg at beedtime over 7 days
After a couple of weeks, have a blood test to make sure that your blood levels are in "the zone"
Posted by phidippus on March 2, 2013, at 14:53:10
In reply to SLS- Anyone? Effexor most like Tramadol?, posted by Sheilac on March 1, 2013, at 7:49:30
>Not sure using Tramadol is really a good thing to "use" for depression.
Tramadol makes a fine AD. Good for anxiety too. The only issue is dependance.
>Is there an antidepressant most like Tramadol?
No. Tramadol is very unique.
>I typically take 25mg - 50mg of Tramadol. Would that be equal to 75mg of Effexor?
I'd say 100 mg of Tramadol would be equivalent to 75 mg of Effexor.
>what brain chemicals do they work on?
Both medicines are SNRIs-seratonin norepenepherine reuptake inhibitors-but Tramadol differs in a couple ways. Tramadol agonizes opioid receptors as well and is also an NMDA antagonist.
Eric
Posted by bleauberry on March 3, 2013, at 11:46:24
In reply to SLS- Anyone? Effexor most like Tramadol?, posted by Sheilac on March 1, 2013, at 7:49:30
Effexor is the closest to Tramadol. They are not however the same. Similar.
No one knows exactly how any of our meds work. But basically, tramadol is hitting serotonin primarily, norepinephrine secondarily, and the opioids to a lesser degree, but it is somehow the complicated maze connecting them all that makes tramadol what it is.
Effexor is 30 parts serotonin to 1 part norepinephrine. It also has some other unknown indirect link to the opioid system, and there are theories that is why the withdrawals are so harsh.
Posted by Sheilac on March 3, 2013, at 14:09:57
In reply to Re: SLS- Anyone? Effexor most like Tramadol?, posted by bleauberry on March 3, 2013, at 11:46:24
Is there another med I should be looking at?
Prozac, Zoloft, pristiq, lexapro -they all maybe hit too much serotonin and cause all kinds of bladder problems.
For some reason, Tramadol hits my serotonin, but doesn't hurt my bladder. Weird.
Not sure what the answer is. Maybe lowering my dose of Trileptal and trying some buspar?
Not sure. I like Trileptal, but can't take the depression. But, it keeps me stable.
Posted by phidippus on March 3, 2013, at 15:35:03
In reply to Lower Trileptal/busar?, posted by Sheilac on March 3, 2013, at 14:09:57
Lowering the Trileptal isn't going to help much. I would take 100 mg of Tramadol a day.
Eric
Posted by Sheilac on March 3, 2013, at 15:58:12
In reply to Re: Lower Trileptal/busar? » Sheilac, posted by phidippus on March 3, 2013, at 15:35:03
I wonder if I should discuss this with my psych doc?
It's too bad they can't market Tramadol under a different name for depression.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.