Feedback on Ultram Side Effects and Usage page 3

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: What ya think?
Date: 5/22/2004
Ultram, I am going to go out on a limb and say it is a blessing for me. I literally had days that I couldn’t get my bowling ball head to roll outta the bed. The pain from Frybro. osteo(sp) and chronic pain is just no fun. I have had no life for over 10 years. I finally gave this ultram a chance to get into my system and I can really tell the difference. I actually (and I hate to compare the two but when you have been as sedentary as I have for 10 years I guess it’s okay. I actually feel that I am taking some type of hype (or some would call it speed)

I am so scared what the long run affects may do to me but you know I had a Maw Maw who passed away with rheumatoid of the worst kind. fingers turned, toes going opposite direction and she died hooked on Tylenol. (everyone that came in the room she would beg for Tylenol) (I’m thinking to myself please give her stronger, My God she was 80 years old but she didn’t won’t stronger)

Sorry this is so long but I am as someone wrote earlier. Somedays I take 4 – 100 tabs each (the real name brand it does different for some reason for me, sometimes I have to take 6 100tab’s each and some 8 100tab’s each…..It scares me about the seizures but the pain is so unbearable at times. (I am also on xanax 3 times a day so I worry with it also)

I can honestly say as long as I take the ultram I have no more pain and I seem to rest better and do more around my house. I guess it’s just like anything else. When I was taking lortab 7.5 3 and 4 times per day every month for all those years so my doc slowly told me to take every other 4 hours and change up. Now I am totally on the ultram and I feel wonderful. I imagine I would have to have some kind of treatment of the longtime usage of lortab as well so I guess as long as it’s helping the pain and quality of life…..Once again so sorry so long. I have been really worried about this med.

God Bless! My Doctor is really proud of the change in the ultram and lortab?but you know I don’t want to be addicted to herion if it compares to anything such as that.

Cindi

(P.S. Another thing, I used to never talk and this med makes me so outgoing. So what ya’ll think?)

Subj: Think twice
Date: 6/10/2004
I started on Ultram about a year and a half ago for chronic pain due to Ulcerative Colitis. I started out by taking 1-2 50 mg. pills per day as needed. I needed at least 1 each day. I noticed that after several months on it, when I didn’t take it one day, I was having withdrawal symptoms. I would have restless leg syndrome at night and couldn’t sleep at all. I was also having a problem with irritability when I hadn’t taken any. I started doing research on the Internet and found that a lot of people had the same side effects as I did. Right now, I’m trying to wean myself off of them. I have a daughter who is almost 2. I had breast fed her for over a year on it, because my doctor said it would be okay for a nursing mother. She didn’t seem to have any problems on it, so I guess it was okay.

I HATE Ultram! I would advise anyone considering taking it to think twice. The doctors are mis-informed on the addictiveness of this drug. They think because it is not a narcotic that it isn’t addictive, but they are wrong. I don’t get a “druggy” feeling on it like I would a narcotic, but non-the-less, my body is used to it and I am struggling to wean from it. I’ve had headaches for the past 4 days and I think it may be due to me decreasing the dosage. I just hope I can get off of this stuff for good, and soon!

Kristi

Subj: Quitting
Date: 6/16/2004
I just finished 4 months of dental work. they completely restored my mouth. During that time I had more than a few prescriptions of vicodin. I got scared of the vicodin withdrawals and found ultram on the Internet. I feel like such a baby. I mean I am down to half an ultram a day and I’m freaked out to quit. I’ve even split the halfs and have made them into 1/4 size. I guess I just needed to email this and ask for some support. Someone to tell me I can do it. I’m not on the vicodin anymore. Thanks

Lisa

AskDocWeb: Yes, Lisa, you can do it. Just remember that others have gone through the weaning off process successfully and so can you.

Subj: Addiction potential?
Date: 6/22/2004
I was recently diagnosed with 2 herniated disks and have a prescription for ultram. It was presented to me as a nonsteriodal non-narcartic. Thanks to all of your comments this script will never be filled. What the heck is in it? Is anybody studying addiction potential? Again, my heartfelt thanks!

Jenna

AskDocWeb: There is plenty of speculation but we haven’t found any research on this yet.

Subj: Severe withdrawal
Date: 6/23/2004
I abuse alcohol, but have quit and wasn’t drinking for 20 days. Zero withdrawal symptoms. At the same time I was taking Ultram for two herniated discs and severe back and leg pain as I asked for a non-narcotic pain med.

I ran out of Ultram and after only two days I rushed myself to an emergence care center with tremors, shakiness, nausea, digestive issue and anxiety. In other words, severe withdrawal symptoms. The doctor at the emergency care thought my symptoms were due to the drug and gave me 12 ultracrets to stop any severe problems from occurring and recommended I perhaps seek help where they can moderate me and look after my safety. I then see my ortho doctor 2 days later, whom I told the emergency care Dr. about and that he knew of my addiction to alcohol. I gave him permission to phone my ortho doctor as I wanted the best info. and way out of my dilemma.

Today, my ortho doctor, after speaking with the emergency care physician and my issue with Ultram wanted to prescribe darvocet??? How can anyone prescribe a more addictive drug than what I am already experiencing withdrawal symptoms from? I told him a will not take the darvocet and he gave me more Ultram, as I wanted it until I get into a program next week to rid myself of any addiction I might have.

I got great advice from the Betty Ford counselors. That is how I should handle the situation until I get help. They said they would not allow me to take Ultram when entering their program as they felt is an addictive drug. The last words I heard from my ortho doc today was this, you have DT’s from alcohol, and Ultram isn’t addictive. The asshole didn’t even know I hadn’t had a drink in 15 days.

Be careful all of you with Ultram. Our bodies all react different to drugs as I had no problem quitting vicodin after 6 weeks of taking that. Ultram is not an innocent medication and just be safe everyone. I wish for the best for all of you and know how brutal it is when quitting Ultram.

Bret

Subj: Itching
Date: 6/27/2004
I have been taking Ultram (generic) for over 2 years now for chronic back pain. I would not take it every day. I noticed if I took more than 3 a day, I would be itching at night with parts of my skin red and itchy. Then I wanted to do some spring-cleaning and needed a ‘boost’ to be able to do it. So I began taking 2 in the morning (50 mg each tab) and then began taking 1 more than the 4 hour limit. It seemed to really give me ENERGY….I could get things DONE. But, I have been noticing the last couple of days that it feels like I have fleas or something…little red bumps that itch. Could this be from the Ultram?? I hate to NOT have this…but this itching and the bumps concern me. OR could it be from the mixture my doctor has me on? I take Relafen and Baclofen also. Thank you.

Shirley

AskDocWeb: Sounds like you are overdoing the Ultram. According to the directions, if you experience skin rash or itching you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Subj: Chronic back pain
Date: 7/3/2004
If ultram is a non-narcotic how do you become addicted? My sister is 49yr has severe copd, chronic back pain from smashed vertebras. She has been prescribed Vicodin, Teridol, Ultram, and analgesic patches. I believe she is totally addicted to the pain pills, but her doctor keeps prescribing them and she keeps taking them. She is in total denial! I don’t know what to do. Any suggestion?

Corrie

AskDocWeb: Speaking from first hand experience, back pain can be incredibly painful. It may be limiting her ability to think and make rational decisions. It is hard to be concerned about consequences when the here and now is overwhelming. Be as supportive as you can.

Subj: Pros and cons
Date: 7/8/2004
I’ve been taking ultram (the generic, tramadol) now for 1 year for fibromyalgia. I take 2 doses of 3 per day and it works perfect. It also takes away my depression completely, however, this could be related to the fact that I am no longer in pain but I don’t think so. It messes w/ the seratonin in your brain and that has something to do w/ depression. anyway, the pro for me is the fact that I can totally live my life again, where before I could barely get out of bed in the morning. The cons are the “hangover” headaches the next day (10-16 hours straight), the withdrawals (cold sweats, depression, enhanced pain, irritation etc.), and of course not knowing what long term effects this drug will have. If the company didn’t even tell us that it is physically addictive, I’m sure they wouldn’t tell us about long term damage to our minds or bodies. That is, if they even know.

Phil

Subj: Avoiding withdrawals
Date: 7/10/2004
I have been on and off of pain pills for almost 2 years now, I’ve stopped cold turkey once or twice on ultracet..it was awful. Even after you stop taking the pills you still find yourself urging for more. I then started taking loratab 10 for abdominal pain and got hooked. I either took them or any other kind of pain pill I could get my hands on to avoid the awful withdrawals! I got on the net and started reading feedback from others who had taken and gotten addicted to such pills. I read one article that this girl wrote about her dad going to rehab for addiction to pain pills. His Dr gave him small doses of a pill called methadone…I found it weird b/c methadone is a pain pill and is usually used for heroin addicts. I managed to find about 10 methadone pills and broke them in half and took them for about a week. The night I had finished my last half I was scared to death. I just knew I would still have withdrawals and I was just substituting pain pill for pain pill. To my surprise it worked I was clean and felt no withdrawal symptoms what so ever! I got in a car wreck about 2 weeks ago and was given about 30 ulracet for my pain I could’ve just taken tylenol I wasn’t that bad but I didn’t and I knew I shouldn’t have when I took them. I just took my last 3 and I have no methadone, and because of my addiction I will have a horrible 3 days or so and will probably get in this predicament again. You can take Methadone or about a week to wean yourself off some pain pills but if you continue to take them their just as addictive as any pill, so I have to stop cold turkey this time. Hopefully, I’ll be strong enough not to take any pain pill anymore unless it’s a dire emergency!

Michelle

Subj: Trying to withdraw
Date: 7/27/2004
I am also trying to withdraw from a fairly short-term use of Ultram, about 2 months. My physician has substituted Neurontin and I wondered if anyone else has tried this drug – I have chronic joint pain from arthritis and the Ultram only provided limited relief with a great deal of accompanying fatigue. However, the withdrawal has been very difficult with great fatigue and ennui. Thank you for your site, it is the first one to so accurately describe the range of reactions.

Rebecca

Subj: Flu-like symptoms
Date: 7/29/2004
I have used Ultram for 2 months after surgery. I wanted a non-addictive painkiller. When I stopped taking it I had terrible flu-like symptoms, and anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, etc. Doctors should be more informed about this drug to prevent usage in someone like me. I will attempt to taper.

Vanna

Subj: Weight gain with Ultram
Date: 8/1/2004
Anyone else had weight gain as a side effect of ultram? I have been on Ultram for a year now, all the weight gain began when I began the Ultram. I also experienced horrible insomnia, tossing and turning, what I call the “heebie Jeebies” when I went without the Ultram.
There is no doubt in my mind that my body is addicted to Ultram. Withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. In order to get through the withdrawal I am taking minimum doses of Vicodin and using xanax or valium at night to sleep. Also increasing my intake of B 50 complex to assist my nervous system through the withdrawal. I have gained 25 lbs. in one year. I have NEVER weighed this much, not even at 9 months pregnant.

As the Ultram slowly releases its grip on my system the constipation is decreasing and bowel movements are easier and the built up toxins are being removed faster. Soon I will be free from this so called “non addictive, non narcotic pain reliever”. I also have fibromyalgia and the pain relief was welcomed but not at the cost of my overall health. If you must take Ultram, do not be deceived…IT IS PHYSICALLY ADDICTIVE!!! Your body will need help to get through the withdrawal.

Pandora
Read more feedback on Ultram. Ultram report2Page 345678910Last Page 46


If you find this page useful share it with others. If you have used Ultram, use the form below to add your review of Ultram, feedback or suggestions that may help others. Please note that all addresses are held confidential.