Ultram help

[TLA]

Hi everyone!  I've been taking ultram 50 mg for about two months now for foot problems.  My feet are feeling better but I seem to really need the ultram still.  I had a vicoden addiction about seven years ago and went through hell getting off of them.  I didn't tell my doctor about this I just told him that I am allergic to vicoden so he'll never prescribe them to me.  He assured me that Ultram is not addictive but I'm finding out otherwise.  I didn't think to research this drug initially just trusted him.  I thought I'd found the answer to everything since the ultram made me feel better and it wasn't addictive.  I've not taken more than five a day but since i've tried to quit I feel anxious and depressed.  Does anyone think it will be as hard to quit these as it was to quit the vicoden?  I don't think I can do that again.  Good luck to all of you that are getting off of these drugs.   My heart goes out to you.

[penelopepnut]

The patch was sp? catapress????  or something like that.  I also do remember taking something else when I was in the hospital detoxing,but not sure what that was.

I have decided to go through withdrawals and wean myself off of this drug.  I also am quitting smoking at the same time.  I am only taking 75mg per day and hopefully next week will be able to only take 50mg.

The days are a little better, but I am soooo fatigued at night.  I go to bed now sometimes at 8:00p.m. even after napping for 2-3 hours per day.

Thanks,

P

[vicaddict]

HI;
What patch are you speaking of? I have never heard of one for detoxing. Could you share your information?

I really would appreciate it.

Thank you
Tracy

[vicaddict]

It is NOT suppose to be addictive, and the Dr's say it is not.
However after I did some research it tells me that it is "less likely" for addiction. It is not a narcotic but has "some traits" as one.

If you go back through the posts MANy others have the same problem with it.

I would assume it will probably be "easier" to get off than the vicodin..but then again given the length of time one is on it plays a huge role in that as well.

I would talk to your Dr and or find another Dr that practices soley in addiction.

If my dr told me it was not w/ds I would have a fit!

[boogaloo]

Tramadol or Ultram is physically addicting no matter what your dr told you.  I don't think it's as mentally addicting as the opiates though.  I was on tramadol for about a year, taking almost 30/day because the reccomended dose was not stopping the headaches.  The withdrawls were just as you said and lasted around 5 days.  I was run down for about two weeks.  Based off what I've heard about opiate withdrawls, it's not as long and doesn't seem to be as severe but definately there.  I really don't have a desire to take the tramadol again so that's different then what happens with the opiates as well.  I do currently take percocet on an as needed basis (about twice/month) and have not had issue with withdrawls from it so I can't really compare the two.  I just know that I never want to experience what I did with the tramadol again.  Tapering did work for me when I still had pills.  I was able to take a 50 mg and it would get rid of the sweats and anxiety for a period of time.  Quite honestly, I think it's unfortunate that they prescribe this to people who are trying to come off narcotics.  I am guessing those physicians have never taken the drug for an extended period of time.

Good luck to you.  I hope you are able to find some relief soon.

[penelopepnut]

I started taking Ultram 50mg in 2000 as I was in a car accident and had a severe neck injury.  I had been addicted to Vicodin and was off of it completely for 9 years by then.  I told my doctor that I didn't want to take anything narcotic.  He told me that Ultram wasn't narcotic so I started taking it.  I did do some research but believed my doctor.

It is now 2007 and I am trying to get off of the Ultram.  I have been reducing my dose for 6 weeks.  My original dose in 2000 was 1/2 every 4-6 hours as needed. I went from that to sometimes 15-20 per day.  I am now only taking three 1/2 pills per day(75mg)and having problems sleeping, sweating, chills, anxiety, fatigue, coughing, sneezing, etc...  

I went to the doctor yesterday and finally fessed up about the Ultram.  He told me it isn't addictive and that the symptoms I was having were due to having a cold.  I told him that he is wrong as I know what withdrawal symptoms were.  He wouldn't give me anything for the withdrawal symptoms because he said that it isn't withdrawals I was having.  Instead he suggested I take Ultram ER (extended release) at 100mg per day and try to wean myself off. I don't think I want to go from 75mg to 100mg but need to do this slowly as it is awful for me.

I guess I expected a quick fix as it only took me 13 days with the patch to detox off of Vicodin.

I will keep you posted on my success.