Ultram versus Vicodin

[William]

Has anyone had any experience with Ultram for lower back pain?
I've been trying to find information on Ultram.  
Does anyone know anything about the drup Ultram?
I am suffering from servere lower back pain caused by multiple colasped and bulging disks.
I have had four epedural injections in the past year still without relief.
I've been taking 30 Vicodin HPs a week for a year now, but I am still suffering and I am finding it difficult to concentrate after taking Vicodin. I want to stop taking Vicodin before I become more dependant on it than I already am.
My Dr. has suggested switching to Ultram in the past.
Some pharmacist say that Ultram is addictive while others say it is not.
Before I switch to another medication I would like to know what I am getting myself into.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
William

[SICK25]

I am also addicted to ultram and percs and Ultram is very very addictive and the withdraws are much worse than percs or vics

[tc23]

I have been addicted to narcotics for 7 years now.I take about 15-20 percocet or lortab a day,anywhere from 5mg to 15mg.I started taking them for severe monthly cramps and severe headaches.But nothing could prepare me for the addiction I would soon come to realize I had!It has officially bagan to truin my life!I have tried more than once to get off,but usually only lasting a couple of days.I just cannot handle the severe flu-like symptoms!or the restless leg syndrom you get a night.I did however successfully get off with both of my pregnancies,but after my first born I gat a horrible infection in one of my breast and started all over on my addiction,then after my 2nd born I had a c-section and once again.....so here I am addicted and completely sad and worried!So I finally took action!and the results......Ultram ER 200mg 1 once a day.I know little about this drug,it was prescribed to me to help with the pain of withdrawal,good idea or bad?well hopefully good!I have 15,2 weeks is usually the amount of time I have bad withdrawals.I think I have hitt rock bottom so I am hoping I will have a successfull recovery with this method.But now im reading where people are saying it shouldn't be prescribed to addicts...?????so im a little worried,and im also worried it won't help with the bad bad withdrawal pain.So my ? is...has anyone ever used ultram to get off narcotics...if so,has it worked?and what can I expect from this drug?I donnot seek a high,I only seek something that will allow me to stop cold turkey and take away the withdrawal pain.I am hoping 15 days will not be enough to get me addicted...yet im not sure,like I said,I know nothing about this drug.Any help would be awesome.P.S,I have tried weening off of the narcotics...it never works(for me),I usually only can quit(long and short periods of time)when I do cold turkey.Thanks for any feed back..like I said I know little about this.

[tc23]

just a few things

[lexigirl]

All I can say is don't use Ultram! It is very addicting. If you do use it don't abuse it.It's killer to get off of!! I know personally :\

[scaredgirl902]

Regrading Ultram 50mg. If you have been on any kind of opiates for a long period of time.....Vicodin, percocet...etc.. PLEASE be aware that if you stop you can put yourself at risk for seizures. I have had two friends suffer from seizures because the abruptly switched from Vicodin to Ultram. Ultram lowers you seizure thrushold and can trigger seizures. So PLEASE PLEASE just be careful.

One other thing regarding everyone's comments. I believe ultram can be addicting, but not as much as other actually narcotics. (In my opinion)

[metalmistress]

Oh I forgot one more thing about the ultram....the appetite supression was great!!  I lost 8 lbs in less than 2 weeks.  I think that was the only thing I liked about it.