ULTRAM/ULTRACET/TRAMADOL: The Truth about this 'non narcotic' please

[percsnomas]

Hey Goldie, this new thread is for you!!!

There is a great deal of confusion with respect to this drug.

Why is it, that if this a non narcotic and non addicting med., i continue to read(or hear) about, horror story after horror story getting off of it???????

Seems many would say the withdrawal from tramadol is far worse than many opiates.

A wise friend of mine even mentioned a front page article in their local newspaper(recently), siting what a great "alternative" Ultam is, in that it is "non-addicting".

Any help would be appreciated.

percs

[daisy76]

Hi, I'm new to this forum...I have chronic back/disc problems in my neck and lower back...I am scheduled to have surgery in the next month..Alittle background:  I am a recovering alchololic/7years sober, and I have been taking 800ml of Ibuprofen plus flexeril for a couple of years..Recently, the pain became unbearable, and I was prescribed hydrocodone in the ER..My physician continued to prescribe this for the last couple of weeks..I asked for something different today because I was so scared that I would get hooked...He prescribed Tramadol for me...Now, I am really scared after reading the comments in this forum.

Does anyone have anything GOOD to say about this med?  I have NOT started taking it yet..I just picked it up tonight...I am worried..Any feedback would be appreciated..

[Mrs. JLo]

This is for whomever.  I am a 45 year old woman and I've been addicted to Tramedol for 8 years now.  I have been blessed to have found this website and thread.  I have been through, and am going through exactly the same thing you are.  I was up to 8 tabs a day, and slowly I've tapered off until 9 days ago I took my last 1/4 tab.  All the while I had to take No-Doze to counter the sleepiness the Tramedol gave me.  Yes, this is the most excrusiating and challenging thing I've ever gone through, with all of the classic detox symptoms (still currently experiencing).  

Depression is certainly a part of this withdrawal.  I am now taking Lamictal, which helps.  I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and perhaps I have these dreaded diseases as a result of taking Tramedol over the years.  As I've gotten off Tramedol, I've had constant pain in my back and neck--almost a burning sensation.

This type of addiction is isolating.  It is a lonely experience.  No one was there to share my "victory" or milestone when I took my last one.  Who can you complain to?  Life still goes on and we still have to put our masks on everyday and pretend we are alright.  Even our spouses and children can't understand and so mood swings put a strain on our families.  I am horrified at some of the screaming fits I've given to my children.  After my "fits" I go into my room and cry because it wasn't really me doing it.

One of the other horrible effects that I've experienced is that my brain isn't the same as before.  My abilities to organize, and remember things have sharply diminished.  Sometimes my kids ask me a question--simple things like state capitals--and I know I know the answer, but I can't seem to be able to retrieve it from my brain.  

I HATE IT.  I HATE IT, AND I HATE THE DOCTOR WHO PERSCRIBED IT TO ME!!!!!  LIES!  ALL LIES ABOUT HOW IT'S NOT ADDICTING!!

The only soothing thing is my faith in God, a 12-step recovery group, a loving doctor, and people like you who I can actually purge my feelings to.  Plus, no matter how it hurts, I've started walking on a treadmill, imagining that the blood flowing is flushing the poison from my body.  Lots of vitamins too.

Thank you one and all for your experiences, and your victories.  This will truly help in my quest for recovery.

Mrs. JLo

[Buttmunker]

my foot doctor prescribed Ultram for the pain I was having in the arch and heal of my right foot.  On top of an anti-depressant.  He said, "Ultram is a non-narcotic," meanwhile I knew better and had a big smile on the inside.

The first prescription worked great for the pain and for everything else.  I got a refill, and dah.  Nothing like what was in the first bottle.  I'm thinking: this has to be the biggest case of a body adjusting to medicine I've ever seen.  I felt no relief from the pain, and none of the pleasant side-effects.  I more than doubled my dose, and achieved a seizure for my trouble.  Threw the rest away, back to seeing my neurologist.  

[FLaddict]

Hey there... You posted on a old post from 2003.. If you don't mind go to the main page and post a new question about this... we would love to help but in this old post it will get lost.. many people do not have their settings where they can see old posts... only new ones made...
oh yeah...ULTRAM IS ADDICTING AND RELATED TO CODEINE...tell him I said so... he needs treatment or a addiction specialist ASAP

[loveland]

I just got on here to do some research about Ultram. My fiance has been on it for years and is taking 6 pills eery 2.5 hours. He has had a few seizures including one last night. He is in denial over this drug and says it is non narcotic so it's ok. Years ago - when I didn't know him he was addicted to another narcotic pain reliever after some surgery. I don't know what do to. I am worried and so scared for him. if he does try to cut down he gets the withdrawl symptoms and that makes him take his usual dose again just beccuase he doesn't want to deal with it.
Myself and several of his friends want to help him but we don't know where to go or what to do first. He is in denial about this drug.

Loveland

[jbrian7]

Thanks Goldie,  Thanks for your response, you are very helpful!Well, I am currently searching for the best taper schedule.  I will let you know when I find one.  Also, mine seems to be working, but I wake up in the morning feeling depressed.  That goes away when I get up and at it.  I think cutting the pills is an excellent idea.  I feel really stupid for not trying that.  Going down 1 whole pill on a taper really does not work for me.  Thanks again, and you take care, I will be praying for you.