Feedback on Ultram Side Effects and Usage page 6
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: Very physical withdrawal symptioms
Date: 2/26/2005
I was put on Ultram 6 years ago, at age 33. At that time, I had been diagnosed with 2 herniated disks in my back, spinal stenosis, degenerative disk and joint disease. They found bone spurs on my vertebra as well as on my hip joints, in my pelvis and shoulders. Needless to say, I was in A LOT of pain. I was taking between 16-24 advil a day. My doctor told me of this ‘new wonder drug’ Ultram. She went on to say how it was non-addictive, had very few side effects and would be a great therapy for me. So it started. I immediately got hives from it, doc said to ride it out because it would be worth it, so I did. Due to insurance requirements/extra paper work etc. at one point, I ran out. I was on 50mg every 6 hours at that time. It was only 2 days, but I IMMEDIATELY began having withdrawal symptoms. These are very physical symptoms and my body would start screaming for ultram if I was 7-8 hours without, so I never missed a dose. I’m currently on 100mg. every 6 hours along with lortabs. They also have me on 2 lidocaine patches per day and I also take Aleve and ibuprofen to keep the pain at a level I can function at. Due to an emergency at one doctor’s office and a miscommunication at the pain management office, I’ve been out for 3 days. I can’t begin to tell you how miserable the withdrawal symptoms are!!! Insomnia, sweats, chills, tremors, shallow, rapid breathing among others.
I finally got the refill this morning, took 2 in the car and felt somewhat better within 20 minutes. My pain management doc had wanted to wean me off when I started the ultram, but decided against it as he was worried about seizures and such with stopping it. As I had 3 days in, I told a physician friend of mine that I was just going to ride it out and get off the crap. She lives several states away and informed me that she was going to call in a script, stating that I hadn’t begun to suffer yet and had a looooong way to go. So much for the riding it out plan. So, now I’m back on 100mg every 4 hours (supposed to be 6 hours, but you know how that goes) along with all the other meds. Oy vey, never thought I’d be so happy to see little white pills! BTW, I’ve found the generics just don’t cut the mustard, they claim they are the same as the brand name, but they never once gave me hives, the real ones always do. (not as bad as it was at first, but I still get some itchy patches from the real ones) Anyway, this is a medication I would be very cautious about starting. It does work on pain, but your body builds resistance to it and the withdrawals SUCK.
Wendy
Subj: Tapering off too fast
Date: 3/17/2005
I have just went through the last 36 hours of hell in my life I got prescribed tramadol (ultram)3 to 4 years ago for an on going hip pain at first it was great not much pain and a feeling of easiness now I can feel myself taking more and more I have just came back from hospital being told that I should see my doctor (which is what I am doing first thing tomorrow). I prob stopped too fast. I went from 6 to 8 50mg tabs a day to 2 a day for 2 weeks then none which is where I am at now, not knowing where I am at, not being able to concentrate for 1 minute but I am stubborn and am determined. It is going to work. Somebody please tell me how long I am going to feel like this. It seems to ease when your brain is thinking about some thing like typing this letter. I really hope all of you manage to get rid of this horrid painkiller. Thank you,
Rob
AskDocWeb: If this lasts more than a week, see your physician.
Subj: Trying to stop Ultram
Date: 3/26/2005
This is not medical advice but just my experience with tramadol and ultram. I’ve been taking this medication for about 2 years on and off. The last year I have been taking tramadol on a daily basis with a dosage of about 200 mg. This drug is very addictive and habit forming physically and mentally. I’m now trying to stop taking this drug since I’m starting to develop kidney pain. I thought it was the tramadol and now since I have stopped, I know it was!
Here’s how I’ve finally been able to stop taking this drug. I got a prescription for hydrocodine and started taking 2 10/325’s a day and then went to one. This went on for about 2-3 weeks and now I have quit everything cold turkey. I’m experiencing flu like symptoms and I have restless leg syndrome. This is day three and I’m still unable to sleep more than 6 hours or so a day. I’ve found that lots of hot baths help and also taking a natural sleep aid from GNC throughout the night.
I’m hoping that this will end soon but realistically speaking, I’m sure I have at least 7-10 days of this kind of withdrawal. Good luck everyone! The thought on my mind is don’t take any pain meds unless you have no choice.
Keith
Subj: Going to stop cold turkey
Date: 4/3/2005
I am about to stop cold turkey. I take the full 400mg a day for about three years now. I am so frightened! I am afraid to tell my doctor for help because I don’t want to be labeled a substance abuser. I have 2 kids ages 5 and 9. I only hope that this week passes so fast for me. I have 2 pills left. DO NOT START THS DRUG. IT IS SOOO ADDICTIVE. I will take the spinal pain any day.
Janine
AskDocWeb: Those who have suddenly stopped using Ultram have reported some nasty experiences. Afterward, those same people recommended tapering off.
Subj: Need help with quitting Ultram
Date: 4/3/2005
Help! I have been taking ultram now for about two years. I knew I was addicted to it because I had withdrawal symptoms when I awoke in the morning. So I tried to taper off. I got down to two a day. But the pain!! It was much worse than before I started ultram. And it is all over, whereas before it was only my neck. And this pain went on for about a month. Finally, unable to take the constant pain, I went back up to eight ultram a day. My question is: Is this rebound pain normal when cutting down? And how long does it last? I really want to quit, but not if I’m going to be in constant pain. I’m wondering if this ultram has done something to my pain receptors–rendered them useless. Any advice would be helpful.
Margaret
AskDocWeb Talk to your doctor about how to handle changing your medication to something else for pain management.
Subj: Like a junkie
Date: 4/12/2005
I am a nurse, injured my back on the job which led to severe flare up of fibromyalgia. I was prescribed Ultram which was great pain relief and gave me a boost of energy. I as well, experienced “flu-like” symptoms if I missed a dose (taking only two tabs a day), along with pretty severe anxiety. Now I’m planing on becoming pregnant and I have reduced my dosage to half a tab twice daily then on to none. Good God, I’m like a junkie! Sweats, nausea, muscle spasms, shakiness, anxiety, inability to sleep, etc. It is well documented that Ultram works by attaching to opiate sensors in the brain, although it’s true mechanism is not understood, now that’s scary! I have worked with many patients with chronic pain and addictions, these symptom are undoubtedly related to withdrawal and very similar to those of heroine. If I had really known, or hadn’t been in so much pain that I didn’t care, I would not have gone on Ultram. I think, as a nurse, I would not recommend long term use, maybe just for a week or two. I think there are better alternatives, though narcotics that do not elicit such severe withdrawal symptoms. Good luck to all of you chronic pain sufferers out there. If you are withdrawing from Ultram now, know I am there with you. I am now 24 hours without Ultram, feel like crap but, I know tomorrow will be better and the next day even better. Bless you all.
CJD
AskDocWeb Thank you for sharing your story, we’ve heard the same from many other people.
Subj: Frightened by Ultram
Date: 4/12/2005
I’m frightened and not sure what to do. My husband started taking Ultram approximately three years ago. He said it’s been the worst in the past year. I think he’s up to 12 pills a day. I was about to leave him so he admitted his problem and wants to get off. I do think that he wants to get off of them for himself, not just me and our child. Anyway, my main concern right now is for his health. Can he get off of them on his own and if so, what guidelines should he follow? I’m frightened for him. What should I do?
Sharon
AskDocWeb After being on Ultram so long and at a high dose, he should seek the help of your doctor and a pain specialist. They will help him considerably by giving him alternative methods to deal with his pain.
Subj: Withdrawal
Date: 4/12/2005
Is ultracet for withdrawal?
Ann
AskDocWeb No, ultracet is not used for withdrawal symptoms.
Subj: Addicted to Ultram
Date: 4/13/2005
I hate ultram!! I’m addicted and can’t stop. Rehab won’t help cuz it’s not a narcotic. Doctor says it’s all in my head because he takes them to. I’m trying to stop because now I’m pregnant. Stopping cold turkey may be what I’ll have to do. If your thinking of taking this pls be careful. Over doing your dosage can lead to habit forming.
Ultram hater
Subj: Ultram and pregnancy
Date: 4/21/2005
I have been taking about 3 50mg ultrams a day for a bulging disk in my lower back. I am currently 32 weeks pregnant. My doctor said it was ok to take this medication, but I was just wondering if there was anyone else who has taking this medicine while pregnant and if everything was ok. I’m just worried about my baby being addicted to it or something. I wasn’t worried until I read this web site and seen that almost everyone has experienced addiction to ultram.
Katie
AskDocWeb Yes, this is especially a problem when doctors don’t know about the addictive qualities reported by so many users of Ultram. They are not aware of the possible withdrawal symptoms an infant may have to go through right after birth.
Subj: Greatful for relief
Date: 4/30/2005
I was in the most unbearable pain and nothing helped. It was nerve damage from mastectomy surgery. I started on ultram and neurontin and after four months of not being able to leave the house, I finally felt relief. I have not tried to quit, but am grateful for the relief this has given me.
Donna
Subj: Ultram and blood sugar
Date: 5/7/2005
Can Ultram raise blood sugar levels on a blood test? Thanks in advance.
Barb
AskDocWeb: No. Read more feedback on Ultram. Ultram report – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – Page 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – Last Page 46
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