Ultram addiction

jam338

hi Midair, I experienced Ultram/Tramadol dependency. For me,the withdrawals were worse than Vicodin withdrawals. Through the actual experiences of patients doctors are learning that Ultram/Tramadol has dependency risks that were originally not known. Some doctors are still unaware of risks and prescribe based on much of the printed medical literature that either minimizes risks or still says there none. Ultram/Tramadol is a synthetic compound that successfully masquerades as an opiate~like drug and binds itself to related receptors---it masquerades so well in fact that it is now being learned that in some people it actually triggers the body into dependency with addiction risks. The number of cases are growing creating medical controversy among many medical professionals, but many others seem to remain unaware of risks so proceed with caution. You can type the words Ultram Withdrawals or Tramadol Withdrawals into Google and read personal experiences and related information.

medair73

I don't think I'll ever be normal again. I've been off of it after going through weeks of pure hell with pain worse than I had before I ever started taking it (5 years ago), hot & cold sweats, skin tingling, muscle jerking, depression so severe I don't want to wake up, inability to function, weakness, you name it. I tapered like I was told but that didn't help. I still had every withdrawal symptom. I made 3 attempts before I finally stopped all together but I'm still not normal. I'm afraid I never will be. It's ruining my life with my family and everything around me. I've read in several of the forums where pregnant people are taking it and I just want to SCREAM and tell them to stop. What a nightmare to bring a child into the world addicted to this awful, deceptive drug.

jam338

Medair, I am so very sorry to hear you have had such difficulty. I have read similar horror stories on other Boards. You stated that you do not currently feel normal since your taper. Can you please clarify more with the following:

1. At what level were taking it?
2. What taper process did you follow?
3. When did you complete your last taper?
4. What are your current symptoms?

Blasterboy

medair73, did you have a history of depression before Ultram?

VickieLynn

My Name is Vickie.I Just read this post.I was JUST put on Ultram/Tramadol Monday Feb 27. I have Diabetes and have been having Very bad headaches because my sugar levels are running 350-585.This is One med they put me on along with Metformin 2000MG a day and Glucotrol...What is this everyone is saying about Ultram/Tramadol?The Dr. Put me on it every 6 hours for pain.How addictive is this?and What are some sign or side effects? I take it BUT so far it isnt helping my headaches.Shoud I STOP taking this med? Any info appreciated...........

jam338

Vickie, many have experienced addiction though many doctors aren't yet aware and still prescribe it w/o warnings. The withdrawals can be horrible. From personal experience, I wouldn't take it, especially if it is not helping you. To read about the personal experiences of others with it, type the following into Google:
Ultram Withdrawals

VickieLynn

THANK YOU so Very Much.I will go check it out right now. Vickie Lynn

slipperyslope

I have been on Ultram for years and its not helping my pain. I have really bad back problems, sciatic, pinched nerves and DDD. I am now going to Pain managment for my pain and he abruptly had me stop Ultram. I don't know why but I have no withdrawls it is so weird. I can stop and start and nothing. very weird but I am not the norm for this drug as everyone says it is addictive but for me it isn't but its not helping my pain anymore either.

Blasterboy

Vickie, I've come of Ultram twice on taper without any remarkable side effects. It doesn't do everyone in. I also find mixing it with Codiene makes it a much more effective pain killer. My PM doc backs this up for me to my GP.

lwood0828

I have been taking tramadol for years. I know that I am addicted as I am physically ill when I don't take it. My sister, on the other hand, has no problem with them and does not get "sick" when she discontinues them.

Sarandipity

M- I took tramodol IT IS VERY addicting- and it was worse than vicodin to get off of. The withdrawls are worse!

__________________
"I believe that friends lift us up when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."
-Sara

Blasterboy

physical depedence is not addiction. Be careful how you brand yourself.

jam338

Excellent point Blaster. Very important to realize the difference so I am glad you pointed it out. That is one of the confusing and sometimes worrisome things I have observed with occassional responses where the poster is very well-intended, but doesn't realize the person they are responding to may not be an addict. I am sure an addiction specialist can articulate this better; but, for what it is worth, here's my take on it based on both my professional and personal experience.

The confusion seems to stem from 2 shared murky areas; i.e., dependency and WDs. Both initially have dependency as a common factor. However, thereafter there is a fork in the road where they travel differently. Dependency folks go one way and addiction folks go the other. Dependency folks remain within prescribed rx and addiction folks operate outside of rx with chasing "extra supply sources" and/or begin as recreational users. Both share the battle with WDs. There are 2 types of WDs; tolerance dependency WDs (Mini WDs) and detox WDs(WDs from Hell).

It adds confusion when it is assumed and responded to as though all dependency and WD posts are the same; they aren't though they share some common areas. It isn't a problem until addiction folks assume everyone posting is an addict. Only addicts need AA/NA; tolerance dependency folks do not. It scares the hell of dependency folks and some even begin to believe they are addicted only because someone who doesn't understand the difference told them they are an addict or have an addiction. Some may then wrongfully assume they have a bigger problem than they have. Trust me, tolerance dependency is a big enough problem by itself!!!

That said, dependency absolutely has risks of escalating into addiction, hopefully dependency folks reading the posts of addicts can navigate the differences. And more importantly, will see more clearly than ever why they need to effectively manage dependency risks and where they are headed if they don't.

medair73

I started out taking one tablet 3-4 times a day. It worked great but eventually, it took more and more. I ended up taking it almost every 2 hours two tablets at a time. It got to a point that I wasn't taking it because I hurt any more but just because I started to feel so bad if I DIDN'T take it. My doctor told me to take it for "maintenance" whether I hurt or not because it would also prevent pain. These days, I'm just so depressed I don't want to get out of bed. I hurt constantly, everywhere, feel like I'm crawling out of my skin, have no motivation, just completely messed up. I NEVER had depression before taking this stuff. I was a healthy, beautiful, 120-pound 5-foot 8-inch, proud wife and mother of two. Now it's all I can do to get up. I gained 70 pounds and I don't care if tomorrow never comes.