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479459 tn?1246742019

Tramadol/Ultram

Is it just me or does it seem like there's an epidemic of tramadol addiction these days?
I can't believe doctors STILL have no clue how addictive it is.
It's sly, because it doesn't have the major "high" that the hydros and oxy's have, but dang, it's far more dangerous from an addiction viewpoint.
Does suboxone even work for it? I don't want to try it but just curious if anyone has ever tried it for getting off tram.
--d
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Avatar universal
Yea, and I don't think I should have been put on Methadone in Aug 2004, because of hydrocodone.  Had to get back on hydrocodone to get off the Methadone.  Don't figure.  Anyone with a hydrocodone problem, has no business getting on Methadone.  They would be better off just going cold turkey off hydros.  And after being on Tramadol for years, hydrocodone withdrawals in my mind are mild at best.  And I liked that Methadone too, it was good s***.  Almost made a conscious choice to get a second job and just stay on it for good.  I felt so good all day.  But then that second passed and I got my senses back.
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479459 tn?1246742019
I definitely wouldn't consider taking sub for wd from ultram...was just curious if it'd work.
I am thankful for this site that I have learned so much about sub. A friend just started taking it and had no clue how addictive it is.
I think it has it's place in recovery as does methadone, but maybe as more of a last resort.
my 2 cents,
d
Helpful - 0
611067 tn?1458591483
Yes, it's amazing that doctors still don't realize Tramadol is addictive.  My doctor prescribed that for me last year.  I took two and it did NOTHING for my pain.  So, I called and asked if I could take three and she said yes.  So, I took 3 and OMG, I got such a euphoric feeling.  I never felt that on Lortab.  I was surprised by it.  So, yes, it can be highly addictive for that very reason.  A friend of mind took one and it knocked him out - he slept for hours!!!  
Helpful - 0
479459 tn?1246742019
I didn't actually say what my dose is so I'm not sure what you meant that mine is EXTREMELY HIGH lol. I take btwn 3-5 per day of 50 mgs. This is below the rec'd dose. I'm tapering down. This is my third go-round. This time was because I got myself hooked on hydros and couldn't face that WD so got the dang trams cuz they are so easy to get as someone mentioned. Also, I am on celexa and I cut that dose in 1/2 until I get off the trams. I have never had seratonin syndrome from combining the two but I understand it can happen quite easily.
Anyway...just wanted to clear that up. I hope the best for anyone getting off this drug. I agree the biggest issue, for me, is the resulting depression from tapering and withdrawal.
It's horrible.
d
Helpful - 0
176495 tn?1301280412
I'm on ultrex (ultram with tylenol) 2 50mgs 2-4 times a day..I limit myself to 2x day...I don't get a high, I don't get a buzz and get only slight relief from it.  I'm dreading having to go to the dentist tomorrow for a couple of withdrawls (in prep for dentures) and him saying "oh..you have ultram at home..you don't need anything else because they just don't help much..but my PCP's practice (a large one) will not prescribe opitates any longer  and they send you to a pain clinic.

Jim
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have detoxed off both sub. and ultram
sub detox was pure hell, felt the same as methadone detox
ultram detox was bad, nothing compared to sub
i had a good bit of anxiety, trouble sleeping
but when i ct off sub, my wd symptoms multiplied
trading in a iltram addiciton for a sub addiction
is like leaving darvocet for herion
good luck
feel better soon
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't think Sub is necessary for tapering off of tramadol.  Sub would be alot stronger.  What they don't tell you about tramadol is it's anti-depressant properties, this is what makes you feel so messed up when TAPERING! Do not go off of tramadol/ultram cold turkey you absolutely can seize.  Also FYI, tramadol when prescribed with an anti depressant such as celexa can and does cause serotonin syndrome.  DO NOT take these together!  Doctor's were hoping pain pts and addicts would thankfully accept this ultram (to protect their licenses) and are finding out pretty quickly that it is both useless and worse to detox from.  I'm sorry you let them put you on it.  Your dose is EXTREMELY high.  On a positive note, it attaches to kappa and is a weak mu so at least the length of time for your w/d's will be less.  All I can stress is TAPER SLOWLY form tram and if you need an anti-depressant ( which you probably will after ultram) wait until most or all is gone from your system.  Research "serotonin syndrome"  Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
the medical community just doesn't see it as harmful at true narcotics and it is easy to get and I think the high can be just as intense as the other narcotics.  In alot of ways it is more pleasant because it lasts longer.  I imagine ther will be a HUGE epidemic of tram abuse there are tons of websites selling it all over the net.  They must have alot of clients to stay in business, they also sell musle relaxers and I hear Soma can be pretty addicitve too altho I never tried it. But it is easily available to.
Helpful - 0
477746 tn?1254784547
I think a lot of it just has to do with the logistics of getting Tramadol/Ultram... it's just easier to get than scheduled drugs AND it's relatively inexpensive.

It's a central opioid agonist even though it isn't technically called a narcotic. Buprenorphine is also an opioid agonist (as well as an antagonist) - so it can be used to the same effect.

Also interesting to note that naloxone (and other opioid antagonists) will block the effect of tramadol.

Why it's not scheduled... don't know. But I'm sure it's just a matter of time before it's as tightly controlled as any other opioid.
Helpful - 0
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