Feedback on Ultram Side Effects and Usage page 26
About Ultram
If you have used Ultram, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about using this pain medication?
Subj: Strange issues
Date: 9/13/2008
I have been using Ultram and lately have been experiencing some strange issues right after I take my 4 pills…whenever I eat, the bottom of my esophagus closes up to where I have to constantly try and throw up whatever food I ate that’s lodged. I drink water and my throat wills up. Has anyone else experienced this?
Robert
AskDocWeb: Any difficulty in swallowing may indicate a developing problem and should be reported to your doctor immediately.
Subj: If I were to do it over again
Date: 9/15/2008
I was prescribed ultram about a month ago for a severe case of chondromalatia patella…I have a very high tolerance for pain medication. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about four years ago, and I have been able to manage my pain without medication, and when I am prescribed medicine for pain, I tend to have a very difficult time getting off of them…Now, the Ultram works for my pain, but I am so fatigued, have no motivation and all I do is sleep. And now, I want to get off of it, but it is sooooooooooooo hard. The one night I tried to stop, I slept for about one hour total. My legs were cramping and all I could do was cry. My pain was worse, so now I am taking it again each night. If I were to do it all over again, as unpleasant as it is, I would deal with my pain in another way, but now I am stuck…If you are thinking about taking this drug….DON’T.
Lauren
Subj: I feel terrible
Date: 9/27/2008
I started taking Ultram about 6 months ago for severe migraines. I knew nothing about the drug and was willing to try anything to make the migraines go away. At first my doctor told me to take half of my 50mg dose because I am very sensitive to any type of medicine (I get sick from any form of medicine). Well the Ultram did not make me sick and the half a pill would last me the whole day at first but then my body wanted more so then I needed 2 50mg pills in the morning at 2 more in the afternoon just to function. The Ultram gave me energy which I loved because I could do all my housework in no time and then go to work and also take care of my children.
My migraines were gone unless I left my pills at home when 3pm came around and then I would start shaking and being mean to my kids and my husband, but as soon as I hurried home and took my pills I was great again. I was NEVER told by my doctor that Ultram was addictive. I started reading articles on the internet and I read that Ultram should not be prescribed to someone with a history of addiction which I have. I was addicted to cigarettes for 15 years. And in my eyes that is a drug addiction. And I just have to say that quitting cigarettes was 100 times easier to do!
I haven’t taken Ultram in 2 days and I feel terrible. I have chills so severe that I have to have 2 pairs of pants and 2 sweaters on with my robe and blankets to try and stay warm. Then I have to hurry and strip all that off because I start to sweat in a moments notice. I am SO moody because my mind and body want the Ultram back and I know I have to detox my body of the drug but it is SO hard to do this. I can’t stop shaking and I really really hate my doctor right now for putting me through this and I wish I would have Never ever taken the drug. I would prefer to have my migraines back! PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ULTRAM!!!!
Ultram Hater
Subj: Ultram withdrawal symptoms
Date: 10/4/2008
Been using this drug for a couple years now (1-3 50 mg pills/day)for lower back/disc pain. I found it was amazing for my mood and confidence. I do encounter moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms when I stop taking it including restless legs, sleeplessness, flu like cold and ache symptoms, and runny nose like some others have experienced.
Mark
Subj: Ultram ruined my life
Date: 10/9/2008
I have been taking ultram for about 8 years now and it has freaking ruined my life. I too started taking it because I was legitimately in pain from an auto accident and was taking way to much hydrocodone. I was told that ultram was a wonderful alternative and that it was not addictive. I took it for the first time and it worked for the pain and I completely stopped taking any other medication. I thought it was a god send. The reality was that it was just as addictive if not more than the hydroco. About a year later I experienced my first seizure. I had been taking 8 of the 50mg tabs usually 3 times a day. Yes I was abusing it. When I upped my dose once again to 10 tabs 3 times a day I started having seizures. I have since lost my wife, my home, many jobs and I do not have enough space to list all of the material possessions. I am now dealing with memory loss, night sweats and other things a 35 year old man should not be dealing with. I am scared and I do not know what the hell to do. This crap ruined my damn life! Do not ever take it!
Idiot
Subj: Ultram withdrawal (crazy dreams)
Date: 10/13/2008
Hopefully you are much smarter than I was and you are researching ultram before taking it. If so, stay far away. I was taking 4-6 a day for neck pain for three months. I am now on day 3 of withdrawal. My muscles feel like I was in a car wreck over the weekend which is heaven compared to what I felt like the first 36 hours. I widdled my way to one a day before stopping. I thought this would prevent any withdrawal symptoms. Not so. I’ve never withdrawn from other meds but I will never take this drug again and will stay far away from hydro’s et all.
The first night I had the shakes cold and hot flashes, insane sweating, paranoid delusions, all the good stuff. Second day, I slept in some kind of daze for 15 hours. Took night time cold medicine containing tylenol which actually helped, but felt like a truck had ran over me. Also took advil in addition to cold meds which did help. The good news is that it peaked about 30 hours in. I considered taking half pill to survive but did not for fear of starting back at the shakes. The good news is that from 30 hours on ANYTHING is better than what I felt like before. So I actually feel pretty amazing after what I went through. This attitude has kept me far away. I would not go cold turkey off of 4+ … this would probably kill you.
This morning my throat was swollen and it hurt to swallow for the first few hours. I have read that you can get convulsions which I did not get. I would suggest saving maybe ten and throwing the rest out, this will force you to slowly ween your way off. Vaporub on the muscles also helps, and I also listened to books on tape while numb for 36 hours. I never got “the whispers”. I think it only naturally to want to take more after coming off an addictive drug, so yeah I had that, no suprise. But I didn’t hear voices or anything psycho but I did have crazy dreams and felt like I had a 110 fever for the first day and a half.
I hope this helps somebody. If you are one of the people who claim ultram is this amazing drug for fill in the blank. Try not taking it for 2 days and report back. Don’t mislead people into the hell that awaits you when you stop which will have to happen at some point as your tolerance peaks. Good luck
Greg
Subj: 8 weeks pregnant
Date: 10/15/2008
I have fibromyalgia and I am almost 8 weeks pregnant. I was taking 8 pills of ultram a day and this baby was a surprise. I’m in agony and the withdrawal is hell! How do I find out more about the risks of taking 1 tablet a day of this medicine at bed time?
Shara
AskDocWeb: Please talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. Unfortunately Ultram is listed in the risk category “C” meaning there is a possible danger to your unborn child. The drugs in category “C” have not been tested in pregnant women. Those drugs in category “C” that have had animal testing done have shown a chance of harm to the developing child.
Subj: How long do withdrawals last?
Date: 10/15/2008
Hi my name is Bcky and I have been on tramadol for about 4 years. It all started back when I lived with my ex and his mother who had them. Everytime I had a crap she would feed em to me and tell me they’ll make me feel better. Let me tell you they did, for the first 3 years of taking them I took maybe 10 a day. But this past year I have been taking about 30 in a day. HIGHLY addictive, I’ve had 2 seizures. One of them I had at home with my 5 year old right beside me and she thought her mommy had died she ran to the neighbors and called for help. I’ve came clean to my doctor about my addiction and I DON’T want to take it anymore, its just sooo hard to stay away from. I feel sick to my stomache, nausiated, diarreha, cold swets, and insomnia. I dont want to feel this way anymore. How can I flush my system out quick and how long with these withdrawals last?
Rebecca
AskDocWeb: About the only thing you can do is to drink plenty of water. According to the feedback the first five days after discontinuing are the worst. After that things calm down and start improving.
Subj: Terrible stuff
Date: 10/17/2008
I have been on Ultram for ten years and now am trying to get myself off this terrible stuff. I was taking 400 mg per day and cut myself back because I knew that this was starting to go to far. All the withdrawal symptoms came on, and I couldn’t understand what was going on. I thought that this was to have no side effects when coming off. I have moved to another state so I am out of touch with my old physician. I know he would not have issued me this drug had he also not been duped by the drug companies. Has anyone contacted the FDA or filed a class action lawsuit? The withdrawals are the most awful thing I have ever been through. Does taking an antidepressant (Efexsor) help? With God’s help and the info that I have found on this site I will grit my teeth and make it through.
Pam
AskDocWeb: You may want to get your doctor to prescribe some other temporary pain and/or sleep medication to help you through the withdrawals. One reader reported that Ultram causes a seratonin overload if used with certain antidepressants or other reuptake meds.
Subj: I get very tearful and worried
Date: 10/24/2008
I have been taking 150mg tramadol time release for a few months and have noticed if I dont take a dose I get very tearful and worried, is this a side effect of tramadol, also I have been taking seroxat for 5 weeks, thanks.
Julie
AskDocWeb: Ir it happens only when you don’t take a dose, that is called a withdrawal symptom and many people have reported similar experiences.
Subj: Weaning off of Ultram
Date: 10/27/2008
I am taking up to 8 50 mg. tabs a day…Ultram makes me feel energetic and I am always in a great mood, however I realize that I am addicted to this drug…I am a recovering alchoholic as well. My doctor does not want to prescribe this to me, but I have tendonitis and waitress for a living…Steroids made me feel psycho, and motrin ibuprofen just does not work for me. I am afraid though that I am addicted. I am buying it from online drug stores. It is also very costly. I actually came here looking for a good recipe for weaning off of it…I do not want my doctor to know or anyone else!
Deborah
AskDocWeb: If you read through the posts of others here it may give you an idea of what to expect. There are two main methods to wean off of any drug. The first is to gradually reduce the dosage over time. The second is to gradually increase the amount of time between taking each dose. Read more feedback on Ultram. Ultram report – 23 – 24 – 25 – Page 26 – 27 – 28 – 29 – Last Page 46
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