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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cisco on February 15, 2002, at 17:48:45
Ok. After this, I'll let it rest. Ultram may be a mild drug. But anyone downplaying it's addictive nature, severe withdrawals, and seizure risk, is seriously mis-informed. But don't take my word on it. Type 'Ultram withdrawal' into any decent search engine. See what comes up.
Tramadol is a highly addictive Neo-Opioid, that offers marginal Psychoactive/Pain Killing properties.
Unfortunately, patients that discontinue this drug after long term use, often face severe withdrawal symptoms that rival, or exceed true opioid analgesics such as Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Morphine.Here are some Ultram testimonials, presented for the edification of interested Psycho Babbler's:
“Well, I've been 7 days without Ultram after taking 10-18 pills per day for about 2 years. It was not fun. Sweats, bad stomach problems, depression, pain and insomnia. My question, when will I start sleeping again? I dread night cause I toss and turn all night. I'm exhausted so I don't want to just stay up all night, yet I can't sleep. This is making my disposition during the day not very good. I've tried Tylenol PM, dimetapp, benydryl, hot baths...nothing seems to help. When will this let up?” Lori
“I've been taking ultram for about 4 years for back pain. 100 mg. per day (4 half pills a day). I know I'm addicted because I've made the mistake of letting the prescription run out before (big mistake). Now, my pain mgmt. dr. won't see me since it's been over a year since I went in for a check up, so I'm faced with the prospect of going cold turkey in about 2 weeks and I'm scared to death. My husband thinks I can just do it at home, but I'm very afraid since I've been without the pills for 2 days before. I couldn't work. Just laid in bed, shaking, hurting and crying. I really and truly felt like I was going crazy. And my heart would palpitate and skip. I thought I was dying. I can't even describe it. I never knew this stuff was addictive or I would have NEVER started taking it”. Dee A.
“Ultram is evil as hell -- i took vic's for 2 years off and on without getting hooked on them -- I started taking ultrams and got hooked in a very short period of time -- withdrawals were freaken awfull !! They have a peculiar WD pattern. They mess especially with your head! They are bad news. And you don’t get any pain relief unless you take a large amount!”.—jen
"I have suffered from JRA(Juvenielle Rhuematoid Arthritis) since I was 2 years old. I began having serious pain in my left hip when I was 19 and it carried on after I gave birth to my son at age 20. My doctor prescribed ULTRAM for my pain and assured me that it was non-addictive. That was comforting so I began taking it. Within a week everything changed. My pain was lessened to the point that I could enjoy physical activites again and my mood! My mood was the best it has ever been. I was so happy and freindly while on the ULTRAM. Just after my 21rst birthday I was to go in for surgery to replace my hip. My surgeon told me I needed to stop taking all of my medications a week or 2 before the surgery. Piece of cake I thought. WRONG. Starting the very first night I quit taking ULTRAM my body was a mess. I was shivering and shaking. I was sweating and tingling. I was freezing cold and couldn't seem to get warm enough. I could not sleep. Not one bit. I went 2 nights like that before I pretty much cracked and called my surgeon and told him what was happening. He told me not to worry. If I had to take the pills, I should and I would just go off them in the hospital. So thats what I did. With the help of morphine and the other meds the dr.s and nurses gave me after my surgery I was off ULTRAM. So that where the story ends? NO. After my surgery I started having pain in other places so my doctor put me back on ULTRAM. Here is the kicker. I explained to him that I had problems with withdrawal the first time and that I felt like it was addicting. The doctor practically laughed in my face. He said he had never heard of anything like that and surely it was all in my head. I gave in and went back on it. I was even more addicited to it this time. Whenever I refilled my script I would get in my car, take out the ULTRAM and proceed to sing and cheer. Again I was happier than ever and had little to no pain. But again I had to get off of it this time for personal reasons. This withdrawl made the first one look like a picnic. The sweats, the tremors, the inability to regulate body temperature, the inability to sleep they were all back with a vengance. After 10 sleepless nights and agonizing days I was all clear. Life on ULTRAM is like a little taste of ecstasy. It truly is magical and wonderful the way it makes you feel so good. Life getting off ULTRAM is HELL. Pure and simple. It is hell on earth. In closing, I do not care what any doctor tells you or what any drug manufacturers labels may say......ULTRAM IS addicting. It IS habit forming. It IS mood altering. And it IS agony to get off of. Search online for ULTRAM withdrawal and you will see that there are thousands of other stories just like mine. Use your best judgement if you are ever prescribed ULTRAM." JenBeware of Ultram, It just ain't safe! Unlike Tylenol...LOL.
Enough said.
Cisco
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on February 19, 2002, at 2:29:47
In reply to Ultram: Whats not to hate?, posted by cisco on February 15, 2002, at 17:48:45
I had a few questions/comments for you:
If you have chronic pain, you are going to have to take pain meds probably for the rest of your life, just like Bipolar I patients have to take Lithium or Depakote for the rest of their life. Remember dependence & abuse are not the same- dependence is taking a drug at the prescribed amount to help have a normal functional life, while abuse is drug escalation. A slow taper usually solves a dependency on any drug.If you hate Ultram so much why not just take Vicodin or Codeine? I took Vicodin when I had my wisdom teeth taken out & I had no euphoria, addiction, or withdrawl whatsoever (although anyone who takes high doses of opiates can get addicted).
Also, if the withdrawl is hell, many morphine/heroin/opiate addicts have found that over the counter Immodium AD (loperamide) which is a partial opoid agonist alleviates much of the withdrawl symptoms & is much cheaper than methadone.
Also, you said something about Tylenol being safe-Tylenol is probably the most dangerous OTC pain killer on the market today. From what i've read, unless you have problems with bleeding (internally or otherwise) or gastrointestinal problems, then Aleve, motrin IB, or even Bayer Aspirin are much safer. Tylenol (acetominaphen) is a toxin to your liver & at high doses, or combined with alcohol can result in liver failure.
I think they have recently come out with Vicuprofen (Vicoden + Ibuprofen).
Posted by kpo 2002 on May 29, 2002, at 0:28:59
In reply to Ultram: Whats not to hate?, posted by cisco on February 15, 2002, at 17:48:45
I took Ultram for a year and a half. I knew right away that I was allergic to it--hayfever type symptoms. I was forced to take it because it got me out of blinding pain, and I had been in blinding pain for a year and a half. I took 4 pills a day and I did not become tolerant or addicted, however there was a pain relief limit. 5-6 pills a day did not give any more relief than 4 pills a day 2-1-1, plus my doctor warned me of seizures. I did wean myself off them, though unintentional, I couldn't stand the side effects so I took less and less. Possibly I got pain relief because I have neuropathic pain and Ultram has antideprssant qualities. I still have the allergies two years after being off Ultram, although less severe.
This is the end of the thread.
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