Detox from Ultram

[Em33]

I have decided to try and get off of Ultram after 8 yrs of use. I am scared and I'm not sure the best way to do this. My insurance said I could go to a detox place at the hospital. But then I've heard tapering off is better. Any suggestions on how I should do this. I know I need to quit, but like i said i'm so scared and I don't know what to do first.

[Tim2H]

I know you are scared and although I don't no anything about Ultram, I think it w/d can be done without going into a facility. How much do you take?
Welcome

[shelby74]

Hi em...welcome!

Tapering is hard - didn't work for me.  I would always take more then I was supposed to.  Some people here have had success with it though!  I had to go cold turkey and that was brutal.  If I had my choice, I would rather have had a doc involved.  There are privacy issues and things like that - no one but the people here know about my addiction - so going to a doc would have been tough.  Let me know what you decide - the thing that helps me the most is posting here.  Support from others is critical.

All my best,

Shelby

[Em33]

Ultram is an opiate but not at the narcodic level if taken regular dosage. But I take about 400mg a day, about 8pills, sometimes 7. I have run out of pills for almost 24 hours before and I have muscle contractions or twitching like I have the heebie jeebies, can't get comfortable, can't sleep, I get nausea, light headed or spinning feeling and diarrhea.

Thanks for any help you can give me.
emily

[Tim2H]

I have read on this forum they are just as bad as vikes or percs. I also read that they are hard to get off. I know that some people on here are very successful. I think most of them taper off.

[FLaddict]

If you have access to go to a detox I would do it....  they will let you down slow and with comfort, most do not have that resource. I would take it...

[FLaddict]

IF you are gonna attempt this at home.. go to your doc and get some clonidine.. its a blood pressure med that helps with the restlessness, hibbie jebbies.. racing heart, etc.. it will help alot. If you go to detox they will give it to you there.

[Tim2H]

I learn so much on this board. I never knew that ultram/tramadol could do that to you until I read about it.

[Marce4]

There is a woman here who was on Ultram. It really does sound like a nasty drug to w/d from. I believe she went c/t and she had a rough time. I'm not a fan of tapering but that may be the best course!  Can you talk to your Dr about this and get some help or do you think rehab is an option.  Good luckwhatever you decide. I took Ultram years ago and I don't remember feeling alot but I was only on if for about two weeks.  Sounds like a pretty scary drug!
Peace,
Marcie

[Lizrox]

I got into BIG, BIG trouble with Ultram.  I went into detox to get off of it along with Valium and Vicodin.

Ultram withdrarwal can cause seizures.  Please be careful.

Best of luck to you.

Liz

[Em33]

Hi Liz,
Yes I'm going to be careful. I am planning on doing a an inpatient detox. Did you do an inpatient one? Do they make you comfortable or just watch and make sure you don't have a seizure?  How long did it take afterwards for you to not WANT to take the ultram anymore?

[deptford]

I have been addicted to ultram from about 5 years. I belive that I had stopped for maybe two diffrent times for 10 days each during that time. I remember feeling fine after I got through the withdrawls which I cant remember how I did it. I remember makeing the decision to refill my prescription because I was not ready to quit. Now I am. I am newly married and want to begin a family free from the hell of Ultram. I feel that this time will be much harder, maybe because I am a few years older. My Last dose of ultram was 150 mg on 6/19/07 at 2200. I know the next few days will be hell. I have seven 50 mg pills left. I intend to go as long as I can without and then take one pill to begin a slow and short taper off. I will try and post everyday and tell what I am feeling and seek everyones healing power. Please keep me in your prayers.

[JDJC]

I have beenon Ultram for way too many years.  A total of 12 but it has only been really bad within the last 3 or 4 years.  I lost everything, my husband and almost my daughter.  I was ordering it on-lineplus getting it from the doc. I have never seen anything so easy to get but it nearly broke me.  Iam still on it but I am now determined to get off. I have to, to live.  I cannot cannot do it anymore! I am divorced and I do not have the money not to mention feeling bad. I am so embarrased to say how many I take a day but it is getting up there. You need mopre to get the feeling. So anyway, I am wondering if anyone knows the best way to taper...such as maybe starting with 2 every 6 hrs. day one and so on.  I have about 150 left and don't want to blow this chance.  I am going to do it.  But the support and advice would be a God send.  I am so afraid but I must do it otherwise I am not going to make it.  I feel like my life is falling apart.  I have not intrest in anything and I must change this.  I know I can. I have done it in-patient before 3 times.  I went cold turkey and it was tough. This drug is so horrible.My hope is that I one day can help someone else.  Any advice, support or help is wanted and appreciated. God Bless and THANK YOU

[FLaddict]

Welcome... I find the best way to taper is to start by taking them on a strict schedule for a few days first.. whether that is one every 4 hours or every 6 hours whatever... I would suggest not taking 3-4 at a time... this spikes the level of the drug in your body. after you have established your schedule.. start spreading the doses our further each day by 30mins.. so for instance on day 1 you take 1 every 4 hours.. on day 2 you would take 1 every 4.5hours, then day 3 every 5 hours.. as you spread them out and closer together your doses will "drop out" as they get closer to the next dose time.. this allows the body to adjust slowly to the lower doses..
Others have dropped half or whole pills each week or every 4 days or so depending on how fast they wanted off..
HOpe this helps.. its getting late and if you don't get many responses tonight re post in the morning so others will see it...

Good night