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Ultram Lawsuit

I was wondering if anyone had any information on the lawsuit against the makers of Ultram? I have had a few problems associated with this horrible drug and I know theres a lawsuit somwhere out there against the company.  I was wondering the status of that.   I am a 5 days out of detox from this thing and I am angry it can be so freely prescribed to people in recovery from "informed" physicians.

Susan
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This discussion is several years old and the original participants don't seem to be participating in it any longer, so we'll close it now.  If you have a question or want to start a new discussion, please do so by clicking the "Post a Question" button at the top of the forum page.  Thank you!

Claire

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You're posting in a thread that's 12 years old
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Guys this post is 11 years old. Start a new one if you have a question or need help.
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My son WAS 38 years old when he died of a tramadol drug interaction.  
BEWARE....
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Tramadol was prescribed by my doctor. The PA stated that it was a non addictive non narcotic painkiller. I proceeded to have suicidal and homicidal thoughts. The only way out was to use Kratom. I am also speaking with an attorney in the near future. I believe I lost my job as a result of the psychotic state of mind this drug caused. I now am suffering a sort of PTSD syndrome from the horrible things I said while in the state of mind I was in while taking tramadol. And I was only taking 2 50mg tabs a day. The reason it is so awful is a result of its effect on 3 specific brain chemicals, not just the opioid receptors. Do not take this medication. I repeat. Do not take this medication. That is, if you value your personal psyche.
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I'm 28 and was diagnosed with Neuropathy I was given Tramadol and I took it one day and that same day ended up in the er and had a seizure, I was only in the er for a totally of an hour.My mom told me I stop breathing for 28 mins. This is the worst drug I have ever taken in my life and hopes someone will put a stop to doc giving it to people.
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Hi,

Just wanted to say that I was up to 3 tramadol (Ultram) a day and went cold turkey last Friday. So today is day 7. I gave my remaining prescription to some friends to take out of the house.

Then I just kept as busy and I could, walked my dogs, took hot baths, went to church, and work, and it was a horibble week. But the worst is over.

I'd much rather deal with the osteoarthritis pain than the feeling of knowing that you're addicted to a drug.

And I never want to go through this kind of withdrawal again.

My church has NA meetings which I'm going to go to, I think.

Hope everyone can find what works for them, but in my experience, there is no good solution to chronic pain. You just have to persevere somehow.

Lauren
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Certainly frivolous lawsuits just clog up the system for all of us. Ultram is a good med when used properly but remember that Mcneill introduced this drug officially as non-habit forming and stood by that premise until court ordered to relabel. I agree also that nsaids like ibuprofen are very effective but consider that many people cannot use nsaids due to allergy and previous gastro type surgeries. This drug is complex, causes seizures even below recommended dosages and has pronounced withdrawal symptoms, consider also that the DEA has yet to class this drug. Very complicated drug, too easily prescribed and more to come.
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This drug has to become illegal. I took vicodin, oxycodone, morphine you name it for PAIN.  I took tramadol for pain. Only tramadol has these types of withdrawal.  I never had withdrawal from vicodin and I took six pills for six months.  I can barely stop taking four trams a day! I am so disappointed with myself that something can beat my integrity.  I feel like Bradley Cooper in the movie limitless.....wonder if that's where the producer got his idea from.  I feel awesome on this med but one 16 hour period without it is torture.  Pain I can handle it's the hot flashes and fatigue I can't.  I have 8 days to get odd them.... Jesus help me.
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Sorry, I know this is off topic but I just want to let every one know after many unsuccesfull attempts to post a
NEW thread to this Forum I have decided to set up one. http://deadserious.planethosting.com/discuss
Please spread the word. I know we can continue to help and encourage one another.
If there is a forum topic any one would like covered just let me know.
Experiences with Oxycontin , Vicodin , etc..
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Thanks for the input and advice....will you keep posting here?  We would love to hear more from you...this is a great place to share alot of different things...Love to all                 cin
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Hi,

I have battled depression since the age of 12 and I am now 35. Last year I tried Ultram for a headache and unexpectedly felt my depression at the time lift and disappear completely for the rest of the day. A year later and many more Ultram tabs later I firmly believe in it's anti-depressant properties ( research show's that it also works to inhibit the reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin as well as stimulating the opiate receptors) .I am also aware of it's addictive potential being a doctor myself and underwent a trial withdrawal  3 months ago reducing the dose from 6 a day to 4  a day for 2 weeks then  2 a day for 2 weeks then 1 a day for 2 weeks before stopping altogether. This slow withdrawal is needed because this drug similar to many other drug types leading to a withdrawal syndrome if stopped in a cold-turkey fashion. SLOW withdrawal is the key if you really want to stop.

Cheers Tom
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Ultram-
I was prescribed Ultram for a migraine headache in 1999. It was the only medication my doctor would prescribe for me due to the addition problems and rebound headaches caused by such drugs as Vicodin or Tyl.#3. I didn't care as long as I got rid of the headache. I was graduating the following day and needed help. I took two and the headache was gone in two hours after almost eight hours of pain. Now, they did leave me feeling bad but the headache was gone. I moved several months later and another doctor continued to prescribe them for me to keep for my headaches. I take them when I have a headache, sometimes they work and other times they don't. I have taken them off and on for the past two years. I have never taken more than two in one day, however, I have taken one several days in a row for several weeks. Usually with no problems after stopping. I do realize that I don't take a large dose, but I do feel some withdrawal from them when I stop. I feel Ultram is a good medication, just like many of them on the market. We shouldn't blame the doctors or the manufactures...we have only ourselves to blame for abuse. I know when I get a prescription for any drug that there is a potential risk of addition. I have never had problems with drugs or alcohol but I know personally I could have problems. Any medication over the counter or prescription can become addictive or dependent.
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Avatar universal
Ultram-
I was prescribed Ultram for a migraine headache in 1999. It was the only medication my doctor would prescribe for me due to the addition problems and rebound headaches caused by such drugs as Vicodin or Tyl.#3. I didn't care as long as I got rid of the headache. I was graduating the following day and needed help. I took two and the headache was gone in two hours after almost eight hours of pain. Now, they did leave me feeling bad but the headache was gone. I moved several months later and another doctor continued to prescribe them for me to keep for my headaches. I take them when I have a headache, sometimes they work and other times they don't. I have taken them off and on for the past two years. I have never taken more than two in one day, however, I have taken one several days in a row for several weeks. Usually with no problems after stopping. I do realize that I don't take a large dose, but I do feel some withdrawal from them when I stop. I feel Ultram is a good medication, just like many of them on the market. We shouldn't blame the doctors or the manufactures...we have only ourselves to blame for abuse. I know when I get a prescription for any drug that there is a potential risk of addition. I have never had problems with drugs or alcohol but I know personally I could have problems. Any medication over the counter or prescription can become addictive or dependent.
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Avatar universal
As a recovering addict and now addicted to hydrocodone, I found that ultram was equally as addicting.  It is opiate based and anything opiate based, is addicting for me.  That appears to be what my "drug of choice" consists of.  While I like the relief of other painkillers, there are certain ones, such as ultram that provide that Opiate sensation and given that it's not classified as a narcotic, it is more freely given, so I had a lot and had to taper off.  It wasn't easy.  A lot of people I know in AA and NA take it because their Dr.'s think it's OK too, since it's not a narcotic (yet). I can see why there is a lawsuit.

Good luck; For anyone who hasn't tried it, my advice would be not to if you have any tendencies toward addictions of any kind.

Please feel free to contact me at ***@****
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I and a few others I know have suffered through ultram addiction   sometimes if you have access to something else like Vicodin, darvocet etc. this will help yiu get off the ultram but then you have to be careful to not become addicted to the other stuff..taper the dosage..a friend of mine taking 15 or more a day did have siezures when coming off of ultram cold turkey..my sister felt is was the worse thing she has ever felt in her life......good luck   cin
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I would definately NOT expect any permanent damage etc,so do not worry. Not enough knowledge yet to offer helpfull detox drugs, maybe try a slow!! taper, my only complaint is it is ADDICTIVE and causes withdrawals.Through other mechanisms other that "mu" receptors.
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i have been addicted to Ultram for over a year now.  My dosage and tolerance is up to 10-14 50 mg tabs a day, spread throughout day and night.  i feel that this drug has really lowered the quality of my life and i no longer feel happy and healthy.  i would like some advice on how to safely get off the drug without facing horrible withdrawal.  how steadily should i decrease my dosage, etc...?

also, what sort of permanant (if any) physical problems and/or damage am i facing after over a year's addiction to Ultram?
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8000 times less affinity for the "mu" receptor than morphine, what about kappa and delta receptors,also cocaine and amphetamine are effective analgesics,so the drug we are discussing,does it have No effect on Dopamine Neurons.If people are getting withdrawals I think they left out kappa,delta and Dopaminergic effects.
How about this one"Parnate is a non-hydrazine MAOI"is that descriptive?,like saying apples are a non-orange fruit,why the deception?because the Germans invented Tranycypromine(Parnate)as one of a series of Amphetamine analogues.
What about the brilliant Scientist who though that Heroin was a non addicting substitute(cure in those days)for morphine dependence.Or have TRIALS of drugs improved somewhat since then?.
Besides it is not Opioid receptors that make Opioids addictive and Euphoric>it is their effect (indirect)upon dopaminergic neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area of the mesencephalon(midbrain),even Xanax exerts effects their.
Kappa receptors in the CA3 field of the hippocampus contribute to reward seeking,etc,etc.
If the drug companies think they can pull the wool over my eyes,I will fight to the death,take me on,I did not study 8 hours a day for 23 years for nothing,if I leave a mark upon this earth that in anyway helps humanity,it will be by exposing such unscrupulous behaviour.I mean do they really think that by avoiding the "mu" receptor they have made a non-Opioid,non-Addictive drug?.No sorry ULTRAM is addictive and causes Euphoria.
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Pharmacology of tramadol
by
Dayer P, Desmeules J, Collart L
Service de Pharmacologie Clinique
et Consultation de la Douleur,
Hopital Cantonal Universitaire, Geneve, Suisse.
Drugs 1997; 53 Suppl 2:18-24

ABSTRACT
()-Tramadol is a synthetic analogue of codeine. It is a central analgesic with a low affinity for opioid receptors. Its selectivity for mu receptors has recently been demonstrated, and the M1 metabolite of tramadol, produced by liver O-demethylation, shows a higher affinity for opioid receptors than the parent drug. The rate of production of this M1 derivative (O-demethyl tramadol), is influenced by a polymorphic isoenzyme of the debrisoquine-type, cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). Nevertheless, this affinity for mu receptors of the CNS remains low, being 6000 times lower than that of morphine. Moreover, and in contrast to other opioids, the analgesic action of tramadol is only partially inhibited by the opioid antagonist naloxone, which suggests the existence of another mechanism of action. This was demonstrated by the discovery of a monoaminergic activity that inhibits noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake, making a significant contribution to the analgesic action by blocking nociceptive impulses at the spinal level. ()-Tramadol is a racemic mixture of 2 enantiomers, each one displaying differing affinities for various receptors. ()-Tramadol is a selective agonist of mu receptors and preferentially inhibits serotonin reuptake, whereas (-)-tramadol mainly inhibits noradrenaline reuptake. The action of these 2 enantiomers is both complementary and synergistic and results in the analgesic effect of ()-tramadol. After oral administration, tramadol demonstrates 68% bioavailability, with peak serum concentrations reached within 2 hours. The elimination kinetics can be described as 2-compartmental, with a half-life of 5.1 hours for tramadol and 9 hours for the M1 derivative after a single oral dose of 100mg. This explains the approximately 2-fold accumulation of the parent drug and its M1 derivative that is observed during multiple dose treatment with tramadol. The recommended daily dose of tramadol is between 50 and 100mg every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum dose of 400 mg/day; the duration of the analgesic effect after a single oral dose of tramadol 100mg is about 6 hours. Adverse effects, and nausea in particular, are dose-dependent and therefore considerably more likely to appear if the loading dose is high. The reduction of this dose during the first days of treatment is an important factor in improving tolerability. Other adverse effects are generally similar to those of opioids, although they are usually less severe, and can include respiratory depression, dysphoria and constipation. Tramadol can be administered concomitantly with other analgesics, particularly those with peripheral action, while drugs that depress CNS function may enhance the sedative effect of tramadol. Tramadol should not be administered to patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and administration with tricyclic antidepressant drugs should also be avoided. Tramadol has pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties that are highly unlikely to lead to dependence. This was confirmed by various controlled studies and postmarketing surveillance studies, which reported an extremely small number of patients developing tolerance or instances of tramadol abuse. Tramadol is a central acting analgesic which has been shown to be effective and well tolerated, and likely to be of value for treating several pain conditions (step II of the World Health Organization ladder) where treatment with strong opioids is not required
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I'm sorry, I thought you were asking about OTC drugs for help with withdrawals.  I have been given Talwin for back pain and Tordol for broken ribs and both worked well for me.  My wife can't take Lortab either but can handle Tylox.  

Did you ever ask your doctor about this problem yet?  J.B.
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thanx jb .....but i find im trading one evil for another i have pretty much gotten through the withdrawls{still feel it BIG time}
i have nerve damage to my knee and lo and behold it is coming back with a vengence...now im in pain and STILL going through withdrawls wich does not make for a nice person...ive tried tylenol.. tylenol 3 {makes me sleepy} lortab  just plain makes me sick to my stomach ultram as bad as it is ..is really the only thing that work's so what am i supposed to do?live in pain and be miserable or be an addict and be able to go to work and live a somewhat pain free life im still off ultram and it hurt's it sucks i feel so godamn sick ive already missed a day of work
any meds that any one knows about that works and doesnt turn your guts inside out id' love to know thanx....bill
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I'm soory you are having a rough time with Ultram withdrawals.  There have been many sad stories here about this supposedly safe drug.  I have no experience with it and don't intend to.
In the past, I've used OTC meds like Benedryl, Aleve and Dramamine.  If you have the runs, try Immodium or Donnagel.  Some people have found relief using herbal stuff like valerian root and ginger for nausea.  I'd stay away from alcohol because it can make things even worse than they are now.  Dr, Steve recommended a drug called Trazdone in his post up above.  

Personally, I would talk with my doctor first about this problem before continuing with the Ultram.  J.B.
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I hope there is an answer i am currently going through ultram withdrawl's ..AND IT SUCK'S..  im going on 72 hours and im depressed achey i have an uncomfortabl warmth in the pit of my belly and i have no drive how much longer can this last tommorow is  president's day but my doc's office will be open ..then i will have to deal with his b.tch of a secretery treating me like a junkie. my ortho told me ultram is a safe drug and i believed him  until i ran out one day ..i thought i had the flu but when i re newed the script it all went away  and that's the day i knew i was an addict... any one reading this and taking ultram BEWARE it is an addictive drugthis is the first time ive tried to quit... and id' hate to say it but ultram is winning
any one know of any over the counter drugs that will ease this trasition .... any help would be appretiated
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