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

[JSaari]

I tried to start a new thread, but was unable to, I guess the system was full-up.  I posted here because ths is about Ultram.  Whoever said it was a wolf in sheep's clothing is 100% correct.  I have been taking Ultram for several years, first for headaches, then because I liked the fact that it killed my hunger pains and I have been able to take off about 35 pounds.  That was great, but lately I have had two seizures.  Luckily, my husband has been home when I've had them and has gotten me to the hospital quickly.  After all the requisite tests, which all turned out okay, the only thing the doctors can think is causing this is the Ultram and I am to start tapering down slowly, which is fine with me.  I have taken up to 25-30 per day at times, and know I have a long way to go as I am tapering these down out of my system.  Until the seizures I had no problems with the Ultram, but I know I have to get off of them.  To be honest, I probably wouldn't be doing it if I didn't have the seizures, but I know that these are nothing to play around with.  I'm 41 years old and would like to be around long enough to see 42.  I know I'm going to run into some rough times as I do this, I hope it's okay for me to come back here when I feel like climbing the walls, you all sound like a really good group of understanding people.

[passenby]

I've read some of your post sounds like your having a tough time too. I feel for you I wished there was something I could say to help but I am so green at this even though I went through it with my son so often like I said I just thought he should quit.I am a very strong willed person I couldn't understand why he just didn't stop. He said mom you don't understand you have never been addicted to anything. so true until now and he was in much deeper than I am. you would probably understand what he was going through more than I But everytime I try and stop now my heart goes out to all of you and him. about the support group. I have kind of a attitude about them some of it comes from, since this all came about I don't like to leave my home seems like I just stay here and wait for the next 2 pills. the other thing is what are we going to do sit around and cry on each others shoulders that our children are gone and we can't bare that we can never hold them again in this life time? I do so much of that now.I'm not trying to be hateful I don't know why I feel this way I just wished I had a chance to say I'm sorry. I may not understand everything you are going through but I do know how to pray. And I will for you thanks again

[AlexisInTx]

There are a lot of things you're dealing with right now -- the passing of your son, having to deal with coming off of the pills.  For myself, just having this addiction to deal with is hard as hell, and I have two daughters (12 & 13) and can't imagine what it would be like to deal with the death of a child.  I know that your life CAN and WILL be productive again if you allow yourself to grieve and perhaps join a support group for those who have lost a child.  My parents have a good friend who lost their adult (21) child, and I have heard that they go to a support group and this is a TREMENDOUS help.  I just wish I could say something that would help you with this loss.

I will comment on the tapering.  I think you said you dropped your dosage quickly to 6 daily (?)  Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I didn't read how much you're taking daily.  If you want to taper, you can cut your dosage over a longer period of time, i.e. if you're taking 12 daily, you can cut it down by 1-2 pills weekly, or whatever works for you.  I know that what works for one may not necessarily work for another, but I found that switching over to a weaker opoid like codeine and tapering down from that almost completely elminated the withdrawals, except for a general malaise, feeling of tiredness.  

If you can talk openly with your doctor (or even see an addictionologist) about this, he may be able to give you a number of medicines (such as Clonodine, etc.) to help with the withdrawals.  I have also heard from many that cold turkey is the only thing that works for them, so this is something else to keep in mind.

Another thing, once you do come off of the pills, I would suggest posting here OFTEN and finding a support group such as NA (or some type of real life support system) to keep you off of the pills.  I was 4 months clean last summer only to relapse because I didn't seek out the support I needed (I didn't post here as I should to get the help and I also didn't have any friends, still don't, to confide in or a support group) to keep clean.  

You have so much on your plate, my thoughts are with you.  Know that this is NOT insurmountable, but I think finding a support group to help you deal with your son's death is just as important as finding a support group to help you with the addiction.  Please keep posting.

[passenby]

thank you so much for answering. I have so many ??? I noticed when I dropped so fast I could only make the drop for 2 days then had to back to 6 to get calm.does this do any good at all? my husband says I am making myself sick and weak before the big week of CD which is may 10th. I keep thinking if I get down more it will be less painful am I fooling myself? I'm am so nervous.I'm also afraid I'm going to have to deal with grieving since I dealt with it so badly. I know I'll see my son again but I need him now I feel like I'm caught between the living and the dead. I want to be here for the rest of my kids and i"m raising his son now but I want to be with him too.thank you again for the kind words and beleive me when I say I wouldn't bring him back to this for nothing.He was so sad and tried so hard to kick this infact he went to rehab two weeks before and was doing great then he got a terrible tooth ache and the dentist couldn't see him for 9 days he caved got vikes took 36 pills and never woke up again. from what some have said here thats probably just did it going off then going back to what he used to take dailyplease advise I will listen.

[AlexisInTx]

I just wanted to say I'm so sorry for the loss of your son - I don't want to sound trite because this is such a traumatic time for you I know but wanted to offer my condolences, my heart truly goes out to you.

Also, I think it's wonderful that you're going to be quitting the pills - it will give your life back to you and I agree with Golden in that your son wants to see that.  Take care of yourself, and please keep us posted on how you're doing.

[theGolden1]

Dear Friend ... I am so sorry for your loss. I have a son still living at home. He is 24 and has an alcohol problem. I worry alot sometimes. I believe strongly that life continues after death. The spirit is eternal and can never die. People that have near death experiences do not want to return to this life. The hereafter is so glorious that if we had the chance, we wouldn't come back. Those that have passed are very close to us. I know your boy is so happy that you are starting to get better. One last thing. We will be united with our families in the next life. Families are forever .... all my best to you ... Goldie (email is ***@****)