Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Doctor put me on more meds

For those who read my posts-I did succesfully kick the hydro and vics and had 3 days clean.  The pain in my neck has been escalating ever since I finished the taper (as instructed by doc).  I saw him today and he gave me a new medicine called ultram er.  Is this another drug I am going to get addicted to?  He told me to only have 1 pill every day, gave the script to my husband (who came along) and told him to hold my pills and give me one every day and no more.  He also put me on some anti-dep called Cymbalta because he said my long term chronic pain has me depressed---shoot, I knew that already!  They are appealing the insurance company (bastards) who denied my 2 disc replacement surgery as experimental.  They think I should have a fusion-but 2 doctors both agree the outcome from a double disc replacement will give me a much better quality of life than a fusion.  I'm so frustrated!
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Yes ultram is a lower dose of tramadol . Ur doctor is trying to release u slowly and ur lucky for tht. By Hydro r u talking weed. Good luck and keep going . Cymbalta was great for me it cannot be stopped immediately though. When I got shut off from my dr. I was getting thoose and aftr a yr of not having them my brain zipped rite bak into bipolar depression and axiety freak outs.take as prescribed and u will be ok I think its all a mind battle.GoodLuck
Helpful - 0
684676 tn?1503186663
yes
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I can't tell you how careful you should be when taking Tramadol / Ultram. I am 4 days clean and finally starting to feel semi-normal again. I starting taking tramadol after back surgery. I went from percocet 10s, down to hydrocodone 7s, down to hydrocodone 5, then to Tramadol. I never once took more than the recommended dosage of any of my pain meds, but was on Tramadol for about 6 months at 150 MG per day.  My doctor took me off Tramadol without warning. In the 6 month period, i never missed a dose, because i was still very sore and stiff. Let me tell you !! I was not prepared for what i went through this past weekend. I almost ended my life because i was in such agony. To make it even worse, i left messages with my doctor, and he never returned my calls. I can't begin to understand why a doctor would do this. I had no idea that this would happen, as this drug was prescribed to me as a NON-NARCOTIC NON-ADDICTIVE drug. I want to stress that you do not have to abuse this drug to become PHYSICALLY addicted. Please be very careful and consider talking to your doctor about an alternative. I did not have the same problem with the other pills, but i was not on them as long either. Now i am on nothing and just taking OTC drugs for the pain. This really ***** because they don't work.
Helpful - 0
199177 tn?1490498534
SOME INFO ON TRAMADOL  
I have seen alot of info latley on tramadol some every incorrect .So I thought I would put some infromation together so everyone will have a better understanding of it .

It is addicting
You do have ephoria
It should NOT be used by ANYONE with addiction issues.

What is the most important information I should know about tramadol?
Physical Dependence and Abuse

ULTRAM may induce psychic and physical dependence of the morphine-type (μ-opioid) (see DRUG
ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE). ULTRAM should not be used in opioid-dependent patients. ULTRAM
has been shown to reinitiate physical dependence in some patients that have been previously dependent on
other opioids. Dependence and abuse, including drug-seeking behavior and taking illicit actions to obtain
the drug, are not limited to those patients with prior history of opioid dependence

You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking tramadol. You may be more likely to have a seizure while taking tramadol if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.

Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than 300 milligrams of tramadol in one day.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. A tramadol overdose can be fatal. Overdose symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include drowsiness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma. Tramadol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Tramadol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Do not crush the tramadol tablet. This medicine is for oral (by mouth) use only. Powder from a crushed tablet should not be inhaled or diluted with liquid and injected into the body. Using this medicine by inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death.

What is tramadol?

Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.

Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.

Tramadol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.


What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tramadol?

You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol, if you are currently intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used any of the following drugs:
alcohol;

narcotic pain medicine;

sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);

medicine for depression or anxiety;

medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or

street drugs.

Seizures have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:

a history of drug or alcohol addiction;

a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

a history of head injury;

a metabolic disorder; or

if you are also taking an antidepressant, muscle relaxer, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.

Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure while taking tramadol.

Before taking tramadol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney disease;

liver disease;

a stomach disorder; or

a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take tramadol.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tramadol may also cause serious or fatal side effects in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy or labor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Tramadol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 18 years of age.
Tramadol may be habit-forming. Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is not working as well in relieving your pain. Do not change your dose without talking to your doctor. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Store tramadol at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Tramadol is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription
Seizure Risk
Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol within the recommended dosage range. Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:

•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
Administration of tramadol may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking:

•MAO inhibitors (see also WARNINGS - Use with MAO Inhibitors),
•Neuroleptics, or
•Other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold.
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections). In tramadol overdose, naloxone administration may increase the risk of seizure.

Suicide Risk

•Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
•Prescribe ULTRAM ER with caution for patients taking tranquilizers or antidepressant drugs and patients who use alcohol in excess.
•Tell your patients not to exceed the recommended dose and to limit their intake of alcohol.
Serotonin Syndrome Risk

The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with use of tramadol products, including ULTRAM ER, particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs and triptans, with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAOIs) and with drugs which impair metabolism of tramadol (CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors). This may occur within the recommended dose. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY-Pharmacokinetics).

Serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination) and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do you know if Ultram and Tramadol are the same thing? Im sorry, I dont mean to hijack your thread.
-Dez
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
  Why would ur doctor tell your husband to hold the ultrams and NOT the cymbalta? Hummnnn, b/c it is very very addictive that's why. My doctor gave these to me as well when I was on subs b/c I am a pain patient as well. I told her my concerns about getting addicted and her comment exactly was " I would rather have u addicted to ultram than to oxycontin". This doctor is an addiction specialist. This drug is very dangerous. Wait til Avisg gets on here and she will tell u her story. I did take them for a few weeks. My addict personality chewed them and boy did I feel a kick from them. Not like a hydro/oxy feeling... just a everything is better feeling... and more nrg.  Heard the w/d are horrendous as well, followed by intense depression b/c this drug works on the seratonin levels in ur brain. This is why people say the tramadol (ultram) works great as an antidepressant. Good luck. Chroninc pain is a double edged sword. It plain suc*s.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do your homework on Ultram.  I have never taken it, but many here have become addicted to it.  It was Avisg doc and she can give you some advice.  Also read the journals by emilypost.  I wish you luck and hope you feel better.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.