Fabrashamx
12-07-2007, 04:30 PM
Hi All,
I have been taking Ultram (Tramadol) for about 15 years, I take 2-50 mg pills 4 times a day, I also take 7.5 hydrocodone 3 times a day.
My new doctor says I can go off what I'm on cold turkey and switch to methadone, he said he will start me off on a higher dose since I am considered opiate tolerent.
I am not afraid to drop the hydrocodone, I know methadone is close enough I will have little to no withdrawal symtoms.
But I always thought you had to go off Ultram slowly and I am scared to stop it cold. Has anyone else done this? I have in the past gone several days without ultram and it was horrible. I'm really scared, but my pain is not being managed, I need to make the switch.
Has anyone done this? how did it work for you? please let me know.
Thanks!
~Fabby
I have been taking Ultram (Tramadol) for about 15 years, I take 2-50 mg pills 4 times a day, I also take 7.5 hydrocodone 3 times a day.
My new doctor says I can go off what I'm on cold turkey and switch to methadone, he said he will start me off on a higher dose since I am considered opiate tolerent.
I am not afraid to drop the hydrocodone, I know methadone is close enough I will have little to no withdrawal symtoms.
But I always thought you had to go off Ultram slowly and I am scared to stop it cold. Has anyone else done this? I have in the past gone several days without ultram and it was horrible. I'm really scared, but my pain is not being managed, I need to make the switch.
Has anyone done this? how did it work for you? please let me know.
Thanks!
~Fabby
Sponsor
brianpain33
12-07-2007, 05:40 PM
Fabby,
I don't think that I would ever go cold turkey again off of Ultram. That was a very bad idea for me trying to go form 150mg/day off cold turkey and missed 3 days of work, could not drive, very sick. You have to remember that Ultram affects serotonin and norepinephrine so it is really a narcotic and an anti-depressant combined. Unless methadone has some qualities that affect those neurotransmitters as well I would not go cold turkey. Maybe he could start you out on a low dose of methdone while you gradually go off the Ultram. I am interested to hear others comments on this one.
Brian
I don't think that I would ever go cold turkey again off of Ultram. That was a very bad idea for me trying to go form 150mg/day off cold turkey and missed 3 days of work, could not drive, very sick. You have to remember that Ultram affects serotonin and norepinephrine so it is really a narcotic and an anti-depressant combined. Unless methadone has some qualities that affect those neurotransmitters as well I would not go cold turkey. Maybe he could start you out on a low dose of methdone while you gradually go off the Ultram. I am interested to hear others comments on this one.
Brian
BrittleBones
12-07-2007, 08:22 PM
Hi Fabby - I'm really glad that you are going to go on the methadone. I think that you will really see a huge difference in the pain relief that you get. As far as stopping the Ultram cold turkey - I've done it 3 times without any severe side effects. Have you had a chance to research the guidelines for stopping the med after being on it for such a long time? I would ask the pharmacist his or her opinion on the cold turkey approach. I'm absolutely sure that you won't experience any narcotic-type withdrawal from switching to the methadone, as long as the doc starts you at a decent dosage. Please let us know how it goes for you....I'm sure you must be anxious about this switch as you've been on the same drugs for such a long time. Hang in there my dear!! Memere (Kath'Mac):cool:
badoldback
12-08-2007, 08:56 AM
Hey Fabby,
I have to agree with memere that you will be better off in the long run by changing from Tramadol to Opioids. I don't have personal experience with stopping that much Tramadol suddenly, but everything I have read says it should be done more slowly to prevent the possibility of seizures.
I have to agree with memere that you will be better off in the long run by changing from Tramadol to Opioids. I don't have personal experience with stopping that much Tramadol suddenly, but everything I have read says it should be done more slowly to prevent the possibility of seizures.
Fabrashamx
12-08-2007, 02:32 PM
Hi Thanks for all the replies, I agree with you that I need to make the switch, but I am still at a loss as to what to do about the ultram. I think my only choice at this point is to start cutting back on the tramadol on my own, and when I get down to a few a day, make the leap.
I like my new doctor, but he's really young, he often has to stop and look stuff up or ask other doctors, which of course is preferrable to a know it all, lol, but it doesnt exactly inspire confidence.
He refuses to let me be on ultram and methadone at the same time, since ultram is considered an opiate, he says it puts people at high risk of accidental overdose because of the nature of methadone (I.E. building up in your system)
Part of me thinks, how bad can it be? and for how long? I'm pretty much miserable now because of pain, If only I wasnt jumping off from 400 mgs of ultram, I think I would be less scared.
I thank you all so much for your replies, they really helped.
Hugs, Fabby
I like my new doctor, but he's really young, he often has to stop and look stuff up or ask other doctors, which of course is preferrable to a know it all, lol, but it doesnt exactly inspire confidence.
He refuses to let me be on ultram and methadone at the same time, since ultram is considered an opiate, he says it puts people at high risk of accidental overdose because of the nature of methadone (I.E. building up in your system)
Part of me thinks, how bad can it be? and for how long? I'm pretty much miserable now because of pain, If only I wasnt jumping off from 400 mgs of ultram, I think I would be less scared.
I thank you all so much for your replies, they really helped.
Hugs, Fabby
painaway
12-08-2007, 05:25 PM
I would have to agree with Badoldback on this one...eliminating the risk of seizures is worth tapering down, instead of going cold turkey! That's a scary thought, especially if you plan on driving, etc. We had a wreck when I was little when my mom had a seizure while driving. I can still remember the day like it was yesterday! In my opinion, you should taper...even if it's rather quickly. :)
Fabrashamx
12-08-2007, 06:12 PM
Thanks so much gang,
Thats what I'm gonna do, start tapering today on my own, I want to do it as quickly as possible, since my pain was already bad, But I think If I drop a pill every 3-4 days it will at least be way way better than stopping cold.
I worry about the seritonin levels, I just dont think my doctor has taken that side of it into consideration, he's thinking its just switching one opiate for another, but anyone whos ever taken ultram knows its not the same at all.
Plus I remember in the 70's, doctors didnt think valium was addictive, gave it out like candy, and then cut people off cold when new studies showed it was in fact addictive. a lot of people actually had psychotic episodes from being pushed off a high dose all at once.
The rule in my marriage is only one of gets to be crazy at a time, and its not my turn yet, lol.
Thanks again for all the info and suggestions.
Hugs, Fabby :)
Thats what I'm gonna do, start tapering today on my own, I want to do it as quickly as possible, since my pain was already bad, But I think If I drop a pill every 3-4 days it will at least be way way better than stopping cold.
I worry about the seritonin levels, I just dont think my doctor has taken that side of it into consideration, he's thinking its just switching one opiate for another, but anyone whos ever taken ultram knows its not the same at all.
Plus I remember in the 70's, doctors didnt think valium was addictive, gave it out like candy, and then cut people off cold when new studies showed it was in fact addictive. a lot of people actually had psychotic episodes from being pushed off a high dose all at once.
The rule in my marriage is only one of gets to be crazy at a time, and its not my turn yet, lol.
Thanks again for all the info and suggestions.
Hugs, Fabby :)
badoldback
12-09-2007, 08:02 AM
The rule in my marriage is only one of gets to be crazy at a time, and its not my turn yet, lol.
I like that Fabby, I think I'll be using it!
I like that Fabby, I think I'll be using it!
BrittleBones
12-09-2007, 10:20 PM
Fabby - I really needed a good laugh tonight!! Here's wavin' at ya girlfriend! Memere (K'Mac);)
Fabrashamx
12-09-2007, 11:26 PM
((((((((((KathyMac))))))))))) always so good to see you, glad I made you smile. :)
BabyOwensMama
12-09-2007, 11:52 PM
I think after being on it for over a decade stopping cold turkey shouldn't even be an option. No one can say for sure exactly how your body will react to stopping a medication you have been on for so long. I've had an Ultram seizure myself so I can say that those warnings are very real and there for a reason. You know your body better than anyone so deciding to do a taper on your own is a pretty smart idea. I hope your switch is successful and methadone works well for you.