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MedHelp Member's Question

How long will it take to kick Ultram?

by theGolden1, Nov 15, 2002 12:00AM
I have been reading and reading here .... and I thank you all for your response to my question. I just didn't understand the answer. I want to quit Ultram, but I will have to plan it. With the holidays coming ... it's not a good time. So far I have read that it will take anywhere from 4 days to a month, depending on how much you are taking and how long you have been taking it. I am not taking that much, but have been taking it for 2 years. If I knew exactly how much time I will need to withdraw ... it would help alot. Thanks ... and sorry for the confusion.
Member Comments (8)

by groovygirl, Nov 15, 2002 12:00AM
To: theGolden1
Sorry, but there isn't anyone who can give you that answer.  If you read some of the threads here, you will see that it takes different people different amounts of time.  Some get over it more quickly...some don't.  I know people who have been clean over a month and still don't feel great.  



It isn't something you can plan out in advance.  You can take various things to minimize symptoms - Thomas' recipe for example.



Again, sorry....you'll just have to wing this one...good luck.

by vikequeen, Nov 15, 2002 12:00AM
I am using ultram to detox from vikes yes I know it can be dangerous but I don't take gobs cause it does nothinf for me, as far as all this soap opera stuff I mind my own bizness, if someone wants to make a love connection here I don't care. I only read the relevent stuff anyway to lets all get along we all have a common bond here. Stop beating up on Suze and Mariposa and lets all be peaceful, love to all Badd

by puma, Nov 15, 2002 12:00AM
To: Golden


Golden,



You may consider a slow taper, say take Advil during one of the dosing periods and then in about three to four days two dose periods Advil and then after another week three doses Advil instead, and then after another week, by that time you should be ready to just quit without too much trouble.



I am taking four doses a day as well and plan to quit since I had a seizure last night, the first in two months that I know of, and it is known that Ultram lowers the seizure threshold. It also makes me retain alot of water and therefore I feel lazy or yucky. I will taper, just in case and not get any more. It is good for severe pain and I wouldn't mind taking it only at those times and Advil the remaining times. I'll see how it goes, but I am not worried about withdrawal as I was on it before and went off c/t without anything but the runs. It is very constipating so I didn't mind the good cleaning out so to speak. I hope this helps. take care and good luck.



Chatahan.......wildcat

by idaj, Nov 21, 2002 12:00AM
I had taken Ultram for back pain for about 3 years with no problems except it wasn't that effective.  I took 50mg 2x, then later increased to 3x (low dose as doses can go).  I started having itching spells and went off of Ultram to see if that was the problem.  (It wasn't it turned out.) I went into almost immediate withdrawals.  I couldn't stand it.  It was awful.  I then weaned myself off during 1 week.  It has been almost 3 months and I am still having major problems.  My muscles spasm and are spastic, especially when I move after having been still for a long time, as in the night when I want to roll over or when I get up in the morning.  My doctor said, "What do you want me to do about it?"  I asked for a muscle relaxer, Zanaflex, which helps a lot.  I was only sleeping 1 hour or so at first and Zanaflex increased sleep to 4 hours or so.  I now can sleep about 5 or 6 hours sometime.  My question:  Has anybody else had the muscle problems?  How long will this last? What about the sleep difficulties?  I am a 59 year old female with no prior med problems and no addictions.

by theGolden1, Nov 21, 2002 12:00AM
To: Jani about sleep
My doctor perscribed ambien for sleep. It is used for sleep disorders. I take 2 ten mil tablets before bed and I sleep like a rock. I wonder how it will work when I am completely off ultram. I am doing this ever so slowly. Tommorrow will be day 5 that I have cut back 25 mil of ultram. Next monday, I will cut another 25 mil ... so far so good. I used motrin and another time tylenol, but so far it hasn't been that bad. Let's just see.

I think you should consider seeing a rheumatologist about "restless leg syndrome" . Also ... just another thought. Build up your brain and nervous system with daily dosing of vitamin B. It takes about 3 weeks before you see the difference. I did this before attempting to cut down .... good luck.

by Pinkit, Nov 21, 2002 12:00AM
To: Everyone Question About Ultracet
I am reading all of this stuff about ultram being addictive which I am really surprised because it doesnt say that on my script paphlet. I am addicted to vicodin, but I do still have ultram from befor that my doctor had prescribed me for my endo pain. He wanted me to try ultram instead of vicodin because he said it wasnt addictive. Well, the Ultram didnt work anyways or it may had been because I was addicted to vicodin so that was what I wanted.

Anyways I still have a whole bottle of ultram. I was going to take it for pain once I get off the vicodin, but if it's addictive I am not going to take it. Well I guess it's not ultram, it's ultracet. Is that the same thing though and if not is ultracet addictive?  Thanks for any replies

Pink

by theGolden1, Nov 21, 2002 12:00AM
To: Pink re: Ultracet
There is less ultram and tylenol in ultracet. I don't think a person can get "addicted" to anything by using it once or twice. It takes at least 3 days of heavy use. That would be the physical addiction. The mental "obsession" is a whole other thing. If you are an addict ... then you are more vulnerable. Take care .... and be good to yourself.

by loner, Nov 30, 2002 12:00AM
To: Jani Re: Spasms
I have a neuro disease which by it's nature causes me to have spasms.  I "stack" 3-4 Ultram a night because it makes me feel less lonely.  When I first started taking it I noticed a large increase in my spasms, just as you described, but only when taking the stuff.  I don't seem to have quite the spasms I used to, so I assume I've built up a tolerance to the drug.  I've done some research on the neurotransmitter Seratonin, which is affected by Ultram, and I think part of the "high" of Ultram is a bump in this Seratonin.  Drugs that affect Seratonin levels affect my spasticity, but then again, I am particularly sensitive because of my disease.  It seems to me that your brain chemistry may be a little less typical than mainstream and that is why you are experiencing the spasms; your receptors have changed due to the change in Seratonin levels.  Zanaflex is an excellent drug.  At one point I was taking 32mg a day for my spasms, but I reverted back to Baclofen which seems to be more effective for my spinal injury.  I can't speculate as to whether your spasms will go away, but THANKS so much for posting your problem.  I am going to toss the Ultram.  By the way, I've been abusing this stuff for six months now and can go cold turkey with no negative effects.  I don't even miss it much, so thank you all for your postings so I can get out of this trap before I'm in rehab.  I wish you all the best and I think I'll try the Vitamin B just for my neurological problems.
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