Kratom Rookie

[Drifting]

So here's a brief intro as to the who, what, and why.....I'm a former weight lifter who is now paying the price for all of that hard and heavy lifting. Age and injuries ended the training. Everything aches now but especially the elbows. Left elbow is constantly swelling up and the entire forearm just aches 24/7. Diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) Did all of the usual home remedies ice, heat and compression sleeves help some but the pain down my forearm remains regardless, and that is what led me to start researching for another alternative, and Here I am ....After researching until I was completely confused - LMAO - I decided to take the plunge with Kratom. I made a purchase from a local smoke shop in town, but there is one big issue I have even after being assured by the owner that the Kratom is legit. Zero mg information on the package. Everything looks fine as far as I can tell, but like I said I have zero experience with Kratom. When I open the pack it kinda smells like tea. The package is labeled as Bali Kratom, but how much is in each capsule? Can't tell you it doesn't say. Experimented with the step up approach...Took 2 capsules after dinner the first time and thought I might have gotten a little boost, but wasn't sure if that was simply a placebo effect, and anyway a boost is NOT what I'm after. I want to relax and be able to sleep while at the same time relieving the pain...Waited about 3 hours and decided 2 more might be necessary. Nothing no pain relief and definitely didn't get any relaxation benefits ...Next time I took 4 to start and waited to see if I was satisfied...NOPE...How many will be needed? Well if there were some type of dosing on the pack maybe someone could answer that for me, but since there's zero dosage info it's a crapshoot.

So that is basically the back story trying to keep it as short as possible. Now I've gone ahead and I've ordered 250 grams of 2 different varieties - Green Bali and Red Horn from a vendor I have found here, and I was wondering if someone might be able to lead this rookie down the right path....I ordered 2 different varieties because I wanted to experiment with each to see what the results will be, and then maybe I will try mixing them to see how that works for me. I Have experience with "substances" so it's not my first rodeo, and I know it's not gonna be a one size fits all approach, so having said that any advice would be appreciated. I'm thinking 4 or 5grams of one or the other other for starters before moving up from there. Does that sound like a decent start? Obviously we're taking it for granted that the Kratom I will be receiving will be quality, and Going off of the reviews I've read here the vendor sounds like they are GTG so I decided to take the plunge. Thanks for any advice

[herbalhippie]

Welcome to the forum, glad you found us!

Have you tried topical arnica? That might help, you can get arnica products at any health food store. Bonus if it has other herbs in it like calendula, comfrey, St. John's wort (great for topical pain).

First thing I'd do is get yourself a gram scale. I like this one because it measures to .00

https://www.amazon.com/Weigh-Gram-Digit ... NrPXRydWU=

You don't want to eyeball your doses, it's much better to weigh. My dose for my baseline arthritis pain is 1.5 grams and I'll go up to 2 if needed. 2 grams is a good starting point, you don't want to start out taking more than you need and jack up your tolerance unnecessarily.

As far as what works, kratom works different for everyone, you have to keep buying and trying to find which strain and vendor is going to work best for you. People will chime in to give you ideas though, what works good for them. Also, red strains seem to work the best for pain with no excess stimulation. Sometimes a green strain will work well for pain too, but usually you'll want to go for reds.

[BallzDeep9]

I Have experience with "substances" so it's not my first rodeo, and I know it's not gonna be a one size fits all approach, ...

Bingo. Welcome to MM, depends on what "substances" you refer to. IF those include any Rx opioids, hydro's etc then... Possible U may need to detox from those 1st before getting into kratom? Don't wanna assume you're this or that, no details but - Have you taken Rx pain pills? Yes? Most bodybuilders have and do, of course.

So, your receptors in your body are like a bucket. Or a sink. You fill up those receptors with an opioid, Oxycodone - they're full. Now you've developed a resistance, aka Tolerance.. to any further Oxy or similar substance... until you drain the sink out slowly. Or, empty the bucket using a cold turkey or antagonist like Naltrexone (which is really a bad feeling!) Again - I'm only guessing 'cuz you said you took 4 caps and didn't feel anything? Maybe it's just shitty poor quality Head-shop kratom, which is possible too?

Keep us posted!!

[Drifting]

Welcome to the forum, glad you found us!

Have you tried topical arnica? That might help, you can get arnica products at any health food store. Bonus if it has other herbs in it like calendula, comfrey, St. John's wort (great for topical pain).

First thing I'd do is get yourself a gram scale. I like this one because it measures to .00

https://www.amazon.com/Weigh-Gram-Digit ... NrPXRydWU=

You don't want to eyeball your doses, it's much better to weigh. My dose for my baseline arthritis pain is 1.5 grams and I'll go up to 2 if needed. 2 grams is a good starting point, you don't want to start out taking more than you need and jack up your tolerance unnecessarily.

As far as what works, kratom works different for everyone, you have to keep buying and trying to find which strain and vendor is going to work best for you. People will chime in to give you ideas though, what works good for them. Also, red strains seem to work the best for pain with no excess stimulation. Sometimes a green strain will work well for pain too, but usually you'll want to go for reds.

Thanks for the information I appreciate that, and yes I've grabbed myself a scale figuring the eyeball approach probably wasn't going to be the wisest move .......The different strains was where I was initially confused so that took some researching before I guessed that it probably came down to the classic different strokes for different folks kinda thing, but I appreciate hearing it from someone who's been there and done that....Thanks again

[herbalhippie]

I've gotten good reds this year from Rhino, Mitra Man, Denette and TFH. TFH is members only but they open up for an event for us maybe 4 times a year. They had one recently, so it will be a while.

Did you see the vendor list?

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4643

[Drifting]

[/quote]Bingo. Welcome to MM, depends on what "substances" you refer to. IF those include any Rx opioids, hydro's etc then... Possible U may need to detox from those 1st before getting into kratom? Don't wanna assume you're this or that, no details but - Have you taken Rx pain pills? Yes? Most bodybuilders have and do, of course.

So, your receptors in your body are like a bucket. Or a sink. You fill up those receptors with an opioid, Oxycodone - they're full. Now you've developed a resistance, aka Tolerance.. to any further Oxy or similar substance... until you drain the sink out slowly. Or, empty the bucket using a cold turkey or antagonist like Naltrexone (which is really a bad feeling!) Again - I'm only guessing 'cuz you said you took 4 caps and didn't feel anything? Maybe it's just shitty poor quality Head-shop kratom, which is possible too?

Keep us posted!! [/quote]

I was leaning towards the quality of the Kratom, but obviously without any experience with it I can't be 100% positive, but I figured if I took enough of it I'd eventually feel something. I went up to 8 pills and still didn't get that sedated feeling, nor did I get totally "jacked" either, but whatever I won't be going back for more from them.

As far as the pill thing goes I avoided pills like Oxy and others in that class because that wasn't my thing. Not wanting to get into details if it took someone else X to get that feel great feeling it would never work for me it always took me Y...Didn't matter what it was. When I drank I usually drank a 12 pack or more, and a pint of Doctors, and I'd still be standing there talking to you. My tolerance level has always been absurd. Having said all of that I will definitely start off slow and see where it goes, and I'll be sure to make a thread and keep you posted.

With all of that being said do you feel that it's absorbed the same no matter how you take it? Whether it's mixed with food, or in a drink? Or does that fall into the everyone is different category? Sorry for all the questions like a said I'm a total rookie trying to get as much info as possible.......Thanks again for your advice much appreciated

[Drifting]

I've gotten good reds this year from Rhino, Mitra Man, Denette and TFH. TFH is members only but they open up for an event for us maybe 4 times a year. They had one recently, so it will be a while.

Did you see the vendor list?

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4643

Yes I did I'll be leaving a review of the vendor I went with after my presents land and I've had a chance to give them a whirl...Can't wait

[MycatTimmy]

I've gotten good reds this year from Rhino, Mitra Man, Denette and TFH. TFH is members only but they open up for an event for us maybe 4 times a year. They had one recently, so it will be a while.

Did you see the vendor list?

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4643

I’d like to add Lizas to the list. She is known for her analgesic reds