Feedback on Ultram Side Effects and Usage page 37
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: Addicted to Ultram for 2 years
Date: 4/21/2010
Ultram is a synthetic narcotic – man-made, so it is not technically a narcotic. That is why doctors like to prescribe it – and not because they are worried about getting their patients hooked on something “stronger” and legally classified as narcotic. Doctors prescribe ultram more and more because every time a doctor writes a prescription for anything narcotic (and remember, ultram is not tecnically a narcotic), the DEA tracks it. The DEA keeps a VERY close watch on how many narcotic prescriptions a doctor writes – and they are strict. Doctors are turning to ultram for their patients these days because they are trying to protect THEMSELVES – not their patients. They do not want to be scrutinized by any regulatory agency – especially one that can easily take their liscense if inappropriate prescription writing is suspected. So they prescribe ultram instead – as it is not monitored at all by the DEA because of its non-narcotic classification. However – just because ultram is not a naturally occurring narcotic (technically, opiate), does not mean that it doesn’t have horrible addiction potential. IT DOES – even worse then “stronger” pain relievers, such as vicoden or percocet. Ultram affects the receptors in your brain the EXACT same way as a narcotic medication – effectively triggering addiction. And the addiction and withdrawal from ultram can be severe (I’ve been addicted to it for 2 years, and have also had problems with “real” narcotic pain meds like vicoden in the past – so I definitely have something to compare it to). The withdrawal from ultram is worse than anything I have ever experienced – it is intolerable.
If anyone out there is considering taking it, I HIGHLY advise against it. But if you have to, have your doctor prescribe you the time released ultram – NOT the 50mg tablets that u can buy on the internet. The time released ones are less addictive (as long as u don’t abuse them by crushing them). But like with any addictive drug, you should not use it for a long period of time (I wouldn’t recommend more than several days to a week at most). Also, for those of u who are already hooked like I am, you can have your doctor prescribe u the time released ones to help wean you off. That is what I’m doing – and I’m almost off! I never thought I would see the day either! Just be honest with your doctor – tell him/her that u have been taking ultram and that u want help getting off. That’s what I did – and he explained to me how the 50 mg ones are so addictive (that’s why that’s the only kind u can really buy online – they know u will get “hooked” and have to keep going back for more) and how u can use the time released ones to wean off.
At one point, I literally was taking over 20 ultram a day (and I can tell u for certain that I wasn’t taking them to get high or for a buzz – ultram never did that for me – I started taking them when I broke my wrist, and got hooked fast. I was taking all those pills just to avoid feeling the withdrawal syptoms, which were excruciating for me. I really believed that I would never be able to get off of them)- I weaned myself down to 9 a day, then went to the doctor and he started me on 200 mg time released ultram twice A day (one in the morning, and one at night). Now I’m down to just one at night. Then it will go down to a half then a quarter, then none.
I wish those of u who want off of them luck, and really mean it when I tell those of u who are considering taking them to just don’t. Talk to your doctor about other options, and tell him/her your concerns if he tries to “push” ultram on u to keep his narcotic writing record low. It really pisses me off that so many doctors are advocating this medication because it really is addictive and painful to stop using. And FYI to the person above who said he/she is taking quite a few ultram WITH xanax – that is EXTREMELY dangerous and is likely to cause seizures and even death. I would stop doing that ASAP.
Karen
Subj: Pain management?
Date: 4/28/2010
I just started taking tramadol for tarsal coalition as there are days I can’t walk on my foot and I’m an active mother of 6! I’m confused reading these posts because it does not give me energy or elevate my mood. It just takes the edge off the pain. I am supposed to take 1-2 50mg tablets every 6 hours but only take one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The side effects everyone is mentioning positive and negative I only experienced while taking hydrocodone. I liked the good mood and extra energy and knew that I shouldn’t take them so I threw them away. Everyone got mad at me for throwing out 260 vicodin but I would never give them to anyone knowing I would be responsible for contributing to an addiction possibility. Even though I get only mild pain relief from the tramadol will I possibly have withdrawals? I’m thinking of trying another med as these seem to be not beneficial enough to put myself at risk. My doctor offered me percocets but they make me too sleepy and I have to be alert and productive to be a good mommy. Is there anything anyone can recommend to me for pain management? Thank you for your time.
Heather
Subj: Addicted to Ultram
Date: 4/27/2010
I hope someone can answer a few questions. I have been taking Ultram for over a year and slowly became addicted. I was taking about 15 50mg pills a day when I realized I have to stop. I have been weaning off for about a week now. When I told my doctor she said ultram is not addicting just stop it. When I told her the symptoms I was having she told me to cut down to 4 a day for 3 days and so on. The first few days were bad with the insomnia, chills and sweats. I am down to 2 now but have these brain zaps. I asked a pharmacist and she said that is part of the withdrawals and should be over in about a week after I stop. Can anyone tell me if that is true? I hate them and can’t sleep at night because of them. Thanks for any help.
Lynette
AskDocWeb: In most cases the withdrawal sets in 12-20 hours after the last dose, but this can vary. Tramadol withdrawal may last for 7 days or more. It is recommended that patients physically dependent on pain killers take their medication regularly to prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms. This is particularly relevant to tramadol because of its SSRI and SNRI properties, and, when the time comes to discontinue their tramadol, to do so gradually over a period of time that will vary according to the individual patient, dose, and length of time the drug has been used.
Subj: Addicted to tramadol
Date: 5/1/2010
I’m very scared… I know I’m addicted to this drug, I’m only 23 & have already just recovered from a 7 yr marijuana addiction, with tramadol’s help.
Sarah
Subj: Pain in right side
Date: 5/5/2010
Hi – I have taken Ultram for 10 years now and YES it is highly addictive and you WILL have withdrawel symptoms when you stop taking it. You need to seek an addiction therapist and they can put you on suboxone which will help you get off of it safely – it can make you depressed b/c it is messing with chemicals in your brain. I too have a really bad pain in my right side behind my ribs and after reading the last post from Judy on 3/29/10 I am wondering if taking Ultram for so long has caused this. I have done an ultrasound, EDG, MRI/MRCP and they say nothing is wrong? Any suggestions?
Amy
AskDocWeb: You may want to ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist. Generally, the longer a patient is on continuous therapy with Ultram, more likely they are to develop a tolerance and/or have withdrawal symptoms when quitting.
Subj: Cough and cold symptoms
Date: 5/6/2010
I have four herniated discs and some anular tears in my lower back. Over the past few years, I’d been given sporadic Vicodin prescriptions. It worked, and I only used 4 to 6 pills a month. Since January, the docs I’ve seen have insisted on prescribing Ultram. At first, it seemed OK, but I found I needed TWO pills to get the relief I got from ONE Vicodin. Still, I don’t take it that often. Awhile back, I began to notice having a runny nose the day after taking Ultram. I chalked it up to allergies, since I have them year round. THEN came one occasion wherein my back pain got super bad and I took 2 doses a day for 3 days straight. Next day, I woke with very sore throat and hoarseness. By that night, I was coughing and my nose was running miserably. I skipped the Ultram for a day, then continued with one or 2 doses a day for a few days. Miraculously the “flu” symptomes were GREATLY reduced until the dose wore off. I’d been having those symptoms for 4 days when I found this forum and the light bulb came on. MAN!!! Isn’t there ANYTHING chronic pain sufferers can take? Now I’ve STOPPED taking it, but the “cough and cold’ symptoms remain. Hate this!!!
Lis
Subj: Upset stomach
Date: 5/9/2010
It’s all true, I can only go a few days with out then, I have all problems that ppl say. restless legs, cant sleep cause of that, nerves get bad, body ache all over, I’m tired all the time if I dont take it… I got on it cause of my job, my body was hurting and I did not want to take hydro, I had some from a broke arm and I felt I would get hooked on it, so I ask doc for something that I wont get hooked on. I did not know if I was hooked or not till I tried to quit, did not know if what I was feeling was just the body aches of work or if it was withdraws. But after reading this, I feel the same as a lot of ppl.. I guess I will try to slowly get off it, I take 2 a day. I’m afraid I will need help getting off. or take a med leave from work, its hard to do anything when ur body aches non stop day in and day out. I also think the med helps my stomach? I get upset stomach a lot, but when I take it I dont… but after a day of not taking it my stomach will be messed up all day…any one else have that?
bdt
Subj: Scared of Tramadol
Date: 5/14/2010
I am taking tramadol, 50mg, 4xa day, I hate myself for it. I have always suffered from panic attacks, this pill helped that, plus it helped the cronic back pain & siatica. I am literly scared to death to go off the pills. sometimes I don’t feel like my normal cheerful self, I get angry & upset easy. I have been on them 2 years. Just reading these other comments has me really scared. you see, I am also panicy from alot of pills. I also get itchy alot, but I never take more than 4 a day I have alot of stress in my life. I am sort of the glue that holds our family together, but I feel as if I am losing some of that glue.
My niece first told me about these pills, she has been on them for about 8 years, will do anything to get more, she will take what she needs to get a good feeling. this is a feel good pill at first. Later it does nothing as far as its purpose, my niece is just bonkers, goes around, talking to herself, it really scares the hell out of me, I can’t even make a choice to stay on or go off. I feel like I am going bonkers. please, please help.
Judy
AskDocWeb: Why not put the choice in your doctor’s hands? There are other medications that can help you cope with panic attacks. Have you checked with a pain management clinic? If not, that may be something to discuss with your doctor and get a referral. Read more feedback on Ultram. Ultram report – 34 – 35 – 36 – Page 37 – 38 – 39 – 40 – Last Page 46
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