tramadol addiction can someone help?

[mustangtone2003]

Hello, I am writing because I wanted to know if there is anybody out there that may have been or is presently going through tramadol addiction.About 2 years ago I was prescribed tramadol for lower back pain and elbow arthritis, at first all I noticed was just relief from the pain I was experiencing something not even vicodin 500mg was doing, but then one day I decided to take 2 50 mg pills instead of 1, due to the pain I was experiencing that day and all of a sudden I had this wonderful euphoric feeling all over which I had never experienced before. I also suffer from depression which I had been prescribed 2 different meds in the past which were prozac and wellbutrin which were no help. I thought I finally found something good which helped for everything I need help for, since then I still suffer from back and elbow pain I have had 5 injections in may back with little relief from the pain. I have yet to let my doc know this has helped me with the depression, because I dont want him to stop prescribing this to me, but he is concerned about the length I have been on tramadol because he says using this longterm it could shutdown my kidneys since i am up to 8 pills a day and sometimes more but he dosent know that ,I have built up a good tolerance so my doc also has prescribed my another med to take with the tramadol it is called kadien 20mg he says it should limit the amount of tram. I should need but I still feel the need to take about 8 pills a day or I feel depressed. I am truly feeling addicted at this point. Can anyone give me advice or suggestions thru experience. Thanks and God bless

[mudbone]

Welcome to the board! Just so you are aware of it, Kadien is a time released form of morphine, so be carefull with that also if you are concerned about addiction. But also there is a difference between addiction and dependance. Many people with pain get dependant on medication they use for refief. Its when they start abusing it- taking more than prescribed ect, thats what is addiction. 2 totally different things. Its ok to be dependant so long as you are not abusing. Good luck.

[Fabrashamx]

Hi Mustang,
Welcome to the pain board. First of all, liking a med because it is working well for you is not abusing it, I have been on tramadol for 12 years, and take 6-8 pills a day, and have not had any bad side effects from it. If your prescription says to take 1-2 pills every 4 hours as needed, you arent abusing your meds.

The reason it also works for depression is that it has something in it similar to prozac, If you do need to go off the ultram (tramadol) it might help to simply have your doctor raise your dose on your prozac.

If you do feel strongly that this is in fact an addiction, it is important to let your doctor know, believe me, they would rather hear it from you than find out another way, and he can help you make decisions on how you want to proceed. There is also an addiction board on this site, that may help you as well.

Good luck and please let us know how you are doing, whatever you decide.
Your Friend, Fabby

[madhatter]

You may find many people over at the addiction board going through what you are,but welcome!!!! My belief is tramadol[ultram] lortab vicodin are good pain meds,but for short term use[6-12 wks] if you need to be on pain meds. longer,than you have chronic pain,which should be treated accordingly,maybe long acting meds,along with theropy etc. Even though tramadol is NOT a controlled substance,many people believe you can't become dependant,or worse,addicted.Myself,I think they should re-evulate this pain med. If you are concerned,you should talk with your doc. the best thing is having an honest relationship with your doc. Nip it at the bud,before it grows into a tree!

[bwitht]

The fact that you feel the tramadol has had a possitive effect on your depression is something that you should share with your doctor, not hide. It is not uncommon to have additional side effects with medications, not just bad things are side effects.

Tramadol does have addictive properties and the prescribing information is very clear on that. It also states that it is only intended for short term use because of the possibility of addiction. There are times when a long term prescription is the best option available. You said that you sometimes take more than the 8 per day, this also needs to be shared with your doctor. You don't want to hide things from him, his concern is with your health and well being. That includes if you are having problems with anything he is prescribing for you. I know you would talk to him if you were having an allergic reaction, think of this as a possible reaction of sorts. Good Luck to you.