Tramadol targets the same receptors in the brain that activate the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s endogenous substance that relieves pain. The main difference between is it’s pain relieving abilities have been confirmed to come from noradrenic activity, which is more peripheral in activity.

Another advantage Tramadol has over Vicodin, is it’s unique anti-depressant properties. Tramadol is a Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor, (SNRI). Serotonin is associated with mood, and has been called the happiness hormone. Norepinephrine is the precursor to epinephrine; basically the same as adrenaline in its pain’s relieving properties, and simultaneously elevating mood to a positive attitude.

Increased levels of serotonin also have been shown to relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and phobias. When the body’s muscle and skeleton system is tense and wound like a rubber band from excessive and unwanted stress, it causes a hypertensive systemic reaction placing undue stress on the nerves connecting the sympathetic pathways to the nervous system. If you are in pain, and are intelligent enough to gauge your need for pain medications you can buy cheap tramadol online from some stores.

It is unique connection between the nervous system and releasing the body’s natural pain killing chemicals that make Tramadol an attractive alternative over Vicodin. The combination of opiate-like endorphins, Norepinephrine acting as an adjunct pain reliever, and Serotonin supplying the user an action typically similar SSRI’s typically used today.

Vicodin does in fact have stronger pain killing properties, and is a widely used medication for moderate to moderately severe induced pain. Vicodin is used in conjunction with Tylenol for it’s synergistic effect. A common adverse side effect of high doses of Vicodin is liver dysfunction as evidenced by jaundice, bloating, malaise, and nausea. The latter side effects do not deter physicians from prescribing them at dosages that indeed do nearly meet, or exceed the maximum recommended dosage. Tylenol, or otherwise known as acetaminophen, has an anti-pyretic working activity on the prostaglandins, and consequently reducing signs of fever. Tylenol’s anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory qualities, along with it’s superior anasthetic ability over tramadol clearly make it a choice patients with severe injuries.

Vicodin was widely abused in the past few decades, causing dependency and severe addiction. Doctors saw this as an opportunity to promote Tramadol as an equivalent or lesser degree to Vicodin. Tramadol has addiction potential too, but is classified as a Schedule IV drug, while Vicodin is classified as a schedule III drug – increased potential for addiction. Tramadol is a good choice for those who respond to it well. Tramadol has a low inclination for dependency and is almost as effective as Vicodin’s analgesic properties, making it an attractive alternative.

Phentermine works by releasing norepinephrine in the brain, a neurotransmitter which reduces hunger by signaling a “fight of flight” response. The FDA recommends taking phentermine for up to twelve weeks.

Patients with certain conditions should consult a doctor before using phentermine: women who are breast-feeding, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant; anyone with an allergy to ingredients used in phentermine or other sympathomimetics, like pseudoephedrine; those with glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or an overactive thyroid; and those with a history of substance abuse. Americans are able to buy phentermine online from select websites that are permitted to resale the diet pill.

Side effects associated with phentermine are generally understood to be relatively mild and tolerable. The most common side effects include the possibility of insomnia, hypertension, nervousness, irritability, euphoria, clumsiness, increased libido in women, confusion, headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.

Meridia is a brand name for sibutramine; like phentermine, it was also, until recently, an appetite suppressant used in conjunction with exercise and diet for over-weight patients. The FDA approved Sibutramine as a treatment for obesity in 1997 but it has since been linked with strokes and increased cardiovascular events. Sibutramine has been removed from the market in the US, the EU, the UK, Canada, and Australia.

While phentermine is an oral anorexiant of the amphetamine class, sibutramine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Structurally, sibutramine is related to amphetamines, but its mechanism of action is different. While amphetamines, such as phentermine, force the release of neurotransmitters, as indicated above, sibutramine works by affecting the neurotransmitter’s reuptake. Sibutramine reduces the reuptake of dopamine by 16%, serotonin by 53%, and norepinephrine by 54%.

Sibutramine was sold under a variety of brand names; along with Meridia, it was sold as Sibutrex and Reductil. Abbott Laboratories was the sibutramine manufacturer at the point of its market withdrawal but, originally, sibutramine was marketed by Knoll Pharmaceuticals.

The most frequently observed side effects of sibutramine include dry mouth, increased appetite, nausea, constipation, joint and/or muscle pain, headache, and menstrual cramps. Sibutramine may also trigger more serious side effects, though these have been noted less commonly: these include a substantial increase in blood pressure and pulse, serious mood changes including depression and thoughts of suicide, and seizures.

Sibutramine has also been found to contraindicate in certain patients, including patients with serious depression or manias, patients with bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa, patients with a history of drug or alcohol abuse, patients who exhibit an insufficiently controlled hypertension, patients who have had or are at risk of seizures, patients with a history of coronary artery disease, pregnant or breast-feeding women, patients below 18 years old, and patients older than 65.

CRS JOINS AFFILIATION SCHEME WITH PEOPLESOUND

There is now a link on the CRS OTHER LINKS page to the website of Peoplesound, a major MP3 distributor. Anyone registering with Peoplesound and ordering music from them will help provide funding for the CRS, but only if accessed via the CRS link each visit. We would obviously appreciate you investigating this company and possibly registering with them, even if you do not make any purchases.

Special Award for 30 Years Service – Dave Cousins (Strawbs)

Award for Service to the Industry – Cover Artist – Mark Wilkinson

CRS CAN NOW TAKE CREDIT CARDS

You can now use your Visa/Switch/Delta/Solo/Eurocard/Mastercard to pay for CRS subscriptions, Gig Tickets and CD sales through the editorial office on 01709 702575. Also look out for a full secure e-commerce facility on the CRS website in the next few months.

CRS DISCUSSIONS MESSAGE BOARD

A message based discussion area has now been added to the CRS web-site allowing people to discuss topics of interest. Please feel free to use this facility to discuss issues of relevance to our community. The area will be monitored by the CRS, but the CRS accepts no liability for any individual’s comments. Please use the board to ask questions which other people may be able to answer or to offer comment. Questions directly to the CRS should still come through normal e-mail channels.

Best Male Vocalist – John Dexter Jones
Best Female Vocalist – Heather Findlay
Best Band – Spock’s Beard
Best Album – Day For Night
Best CRS Gig – Spock’s Beard
Best Bass Player – Dave Meros
Best Guitarist – Roine Stolt
Best Drummer – Nick D’virgilio
Best Keyboards – Martin Orford
CRS Musician of the Year – Neal Morse
Best New Band – Mostly Autumn

Album of the 2nd Millenium – Dark Side of the Moon

Best Male Vocalist – Damian Wilson (Aryeon, Les Miserables)
Best Female Vocalist – Tracy Hitchings (Landmarq)
Best Guitarist – Gary Chandler (Jadis)
Best Bass Player – John Jowitt (IQ, Arena)
Best Drummer – Mick Pointer (Arena)
Best Keyboard Player – Clive Nolan (Pendragon, Arena)
Best Band – Arena
Best New Band – Flamborough Head
Best Overseas Band – Spocks Beard
Best CRS Gig – Jadis
Best Album – The Visitor (Arena)
Best Multi-instrumentalist – Troy Donaghue (Iona)
Best Songwriter – Neal Morse (Spock’s Beard)

With the success last year for IQ based on their Subterranea album and tour, this year most of the success went to Arena on the back of their latest album The Visitor. It’s always interesting to see who wins best new band award, as this avoids the bias towards the major well known bands as seen in the other awards. This year it was Dutch band Flamborough Head who took the honours with German band Darius in second place. Two special awards were presented this year to Rick Wakeman and John Wetton for 30 years service to the music industry. The awards ceremony was presided over by CRS Chairman Martin Hudson with Dave Greenslade handling the actual presentations. Subscribers to Wondrous Stories will get to see a more detailed analyis of the results in next month’s magazine.

CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY GIGS AT THE VOODOO LOUNGE, TUT ‘N SHIVE, ROTHERHAM

Another experiment we are trying is a series of gigs at the Voodoo Lounge, Tut ‘N Shive club on Wellgate, near Rotherham town centre. These gigs will be run by the venue in conjunction with the CRS and will focus on gigs aimed at getting the local residents used to going out on a Saturday night to hear live music, but obviously people will be welcome from wherever. The venue is near centre of Rotherham and more likely to get passing trade. The brewery will pay the bands a small fixed rate which will be topped up by door takings. The aim is to get a regular series of gigs every Saturday night in an attempt to get people used to the fact that there is always something going on. The series will feature R&B, Rock & Prog music in an attempt to get a cross-over of audience.

See the CRS GIGS page for schedule and ticket information.

CRS “UNPROGGED” CD

After two years in the planning, CRS’s “UNPROGGED” CD was released at Rotherham Rocks. The packaging is superb with full details and pictures of every band. The CD is over 70 minutes long and includes new material from Jadis, Ezra, John Wetton, Adam Wakeman, Wishbone Ash, Steve Rothery (The Wishing Tree), Ian Mosely (Iris), Clive Nolan, Damian Wilson, Iona, Dawson-Moody Project, Dancing on Stones (Tracy Hitchings), Faith (Groom/Riley/West), Barbara Cartland (John Jowitt), Mike Stobbie and The Flower Kings. It’s available now from the CRS CD Sales list.

CRS CD RELEASES

The “Galahad Classic Rock Live” CD is NOW AVAILABLE and copies have been sent out to all members who placed advanced orders. The first pressing of the CD will only be available through the CRS and the Galahad fan club. Tracks comprise Sleepers * Aqaba * Live & Learn * The Chase * Ghost of Durtal * The Automaton * Richilieus Prayer * Room 101. Copies are now available at £10 (£11 Overseas) including postage

CRS annual subscription is for 12 issues of “Rock Society” (formerly “Wondrous Stories”), our monthly magazine, and also allows £2 off of advanced booking of most CRS gigs.

From 1st September 2001 subscription rates are:-

Single UK subscription —————————£26

Single European subscription ———————£34

Single Worldwide subscription ——————-£39

Couples/Families should add £10/£14 (only 1 copy of magazine but allows advance booking benefits)

For inclusion in The Friends Of Classic Rock monthly CD draw at £10 pounds to your subscription. To join in at any other time the cost is £15 per annum.

Payments should be in pounds sterling, if necessary by use of an International Money Order. Cheques should be made payable to Classic Rock (UK) Ltd. As an exception, we are willing to accept dollars (but cash only, no US bank cheques,etc.) at the current exchange rate at the time.

For payment by standing order, our bank account details are: Yorkshire Bank – Account No. 65982883 – Sort Code 05-06-66

Martin Hudson, 47 Brecks Lane, Rotherham, S.Yorks, England S65 3JQ

Telephone 01709 702575 (Main office – answering machine available)

E-mail: MHudsonrok@aol.com

The following CD sales list covers sale items first, then UK bands, followed by International bands by country.

Website Director:- Paul Allwood. 15 West Carr Road, Retford, Notts., DN22 7NN, England(all web site correspondence)