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

[melanie]

Ultram is reported by the drug company  not to be addicting but I personally know people who are abusing it right now.  They comment that it makes them feel relaxed and relieves depression.  One of my closest friends who has never been addicted to anything is going through a rough time in her life.  She admitted  to me of inventing a story of cluster headaches 24 hours a day in order to get a lot of Ultram from her doctor. She has even asked me to invent a story to get some from my doctor and she would pay me for them.  I won't do that and I have already lectured her. However, if you are taking Vicodin(more addicting than Ultram) and are not psychologically addicted to it and can wean yourself off quickly, then Ultram shouldn't be a problem for you. I would NOT go straight from Vicodin to Ultram without giving your body a chance to totally detox from the Vicodin because it may cause some withdrawal symptoms. I think Ultram is definitely a lesser risk than Vicodin for a person who has chronic pain.  Unfortunately, I think Ultram does cause drowsiness but I am not sure how that compares with the  drowsiness caused by Vicodin.

Melanie, R.N.

[William]

Thanks for the info Melanie,

Since I've been taking Vicodin I have noticed darkening around my eyes and eyelids with bags under my eyes, also the whites of my eyes are no longer clear, they have taken on a hazey slightly pink glaze.
The darkening is worse on my left eye, it's darkest in the corner near the tear duct.
It hasn't made any difference how much sleep I get, I usualy get eight hours sleep a night.
Could this be caused by Vicodin or could something else be causing this?

Any information is much appreciated.
Thanks,
William

[Lisa Sparks, MD]

William,Ultram is definitely addicting.  I an a certified addiction specialist and was checking out this site when I saw your question.  There was a patient in our addiction unit last week who was taking 20-30 Ultram a day.  I have a patient in my own practice who was taking 8 Ultram a day when he ran out.  He went into withdrawal that is typical of opiate withdrawas.  Although Ultram is not structured molecularly as an opiate it binds to the same receptor in the brain and thus has the same addictive properties as a typical opiate.  /The other important issue here is the fact that there is nothing wrong with using Ultram or opiates (codeine, Vicodin, Percocet, etc.) if you have a chronic pain problem and are not abusing your medications by taking more than is prescribed, getting it from more than one doctor, etc.  Chronic pain patients sometimes do become physically addicted to their medicines.  This will happen even if you take the prescribed amount for a long enough time on a daily basis.  But this is different from what we call substance dependence or what you might call addiction.  If you are following your doctor's advice and the pain meds are decreasing your pain and improving the quality of your life, they may be an appropriate treatment for you.  I would of course, look into all of the other non-drug treatments like physical exercise, strengthening, blocks, etc. if you haven't already done that.

[melanie]

I have never heard of darkening around the eyes being caused by hydrocodone and Tylenol (Vicodin) but I know that taking a narcotic can disturb your normal sleep stages which may make you look tired and have the dark circles and red eyes. To be on the safe side,  have another person look at your eyes closely and also check under your tongue.  If there is any distinct orange color in the whites of the eyes, under the tongue, or the color of your skin, you could be one of the people who doesn't tolerate an ingredient in the Vicodin (Tylenol).  If you do see a distinct orange color, go see the doc.  

Melanie, R.N.

[William]

Thank you Lisa and Melanie for your information.

It looks like Ultram is not the answer I was looking for to use as a long term medication.
Does anyone know of a medication for chronic pain that is not addicting?

Thank you,
William

[Robert]

I HAVE BEEN TAKING ULTRAM FOR OVER A YEAR AS A BREAK THRU PAIN MED.  IT IS NOT ADDICTING.  I HAVE BEEN ON OXYCONTIN FOR THE SAME PERIOD AND THERE IS NO COMPARISON, FOR BOTH ADDICTION AND PAIN RELIEF.  OXYCONTIN IS A MUCH BETTER PAIN RELEIVING DRUG.
OR ASK YOUR DOC TO PRESCRIBE ORAMORPH.

[jaon]

DON'T TAKE ULTRAM - It is very addicting.  I know. I'm taking it and can't get off it.

[Jim]

I FIND THAT ULTRAM WILL WORK AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF NARCOTIC PAIN RELIEVERS,IF.......YOU TAKE TWO OF THE FIFTY ML. PILLS EVERY FOUR TO SIX HOURS.DOCTORS ARE JUST TO PARANOID TO PRESCRIBE IT STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.....GOOD LUCK

[lisa]

I WOULD LIKE TO GET PREGNANT.I HAVE ONLY ONE PROBLEM,TMJ,CHRONIC...PAIN.I TAKE 1-2ULTRAM DAILY FOR PAIN MNGT.WHAT CAN I TAKE WHEN I GET PREGNANT?I CANT LIVE WITH THE SEVERE PAIN FOR 9 MONTHS,PLEASE ANY ADVISE????WHAT CAN I TAKE?    THANK YOU ......

[lisa]

I WOULD LIKE TO GET PREGNANT.I HAVE ONLY ONE PROBLEM,TMJ,CHRONIC...PAIN.I TAKE 1-2ULTRAM DAILY FOR PAIN MNGT.WHAT CAN I TAKE WHEN I GET PREGNANT?I CANT LIVE WITH THE SEVERE PAIN FOR 9 MONTHS,PLEASE ANY ADVISE????WHAT CAN I TAKE?    THANK YOU ......

[??]

I was put on Ultram fo neck pain, it did nothing, I took it for about a week, 4 pills a day at first, then called the doc and said it dident do anything, so they gave me 8 a day, I finily called the doc and told him to give me some REAL pain meds, I stoped taking them the same day and now take percocet witch works very well, Ultram is a joke!

[Donna]

I think I'm going thru withdrawal? I thought this drug was non narcotic! HEADACHE, MUSCLE SPASMS/CRAMPS,ANXIETY AND REAL PHYSICAL PAIN.AM I ALONE?

[brian]

Donna, you are not alone.  Many Ultram users have reported withdrawal symptoms which are the same as narcotic withdrawal.  Although Ultram in not a narcotic, it binds to the opiate receptors which is why it causes withdrawal.  You need to be treated by an addiction specialist who will give you meds to aid with the withdrawal.

[Carol]

I was taking vicodin es for five years and finally got sick of the dependency. I wanted to endure the pain without the constant need for the narcotic drugs. I switched to ultram, 3-4 times a day at 100mg (50mg is just not enough). When I switched, I had absolutely no withdrawal symptoms. However, when I attempted to go two days without ultram, got chills, etc..flu-like symptoms. I think its more addictive that originally thought. However, its better than the vicodins..never tired, never irritable.

[melinda]

I have been taking Vicodin for about a year and 1/2.  I take
three to four a day.  There are some days that I try not to
take it and feel real fatigued.  I am scheduled for back surgery
in a couple of weeks.  After the surgery, I want to quit taking
this medication.  How long can I expect to feel fatigued?  I
want to know what to expect.  Should I go to a rehab facility?
Should I go to a pain management center?  I want to get off this
medication!!!!  Even though I do not take as much as some
people, I can feel the dependence.  You help is sincerely
appreciated.

[Brian to Melinda]

At the level you are taking the Vicodin you are not likely to need a rehab facility (certainly not inpatient) to get off them.  An outpatient program wouldn't be a bad idea because they can give you detox meds (making detox easier) and MUCH more importantly they can give you the tools to stay off the drugs which is the hardest part.  However, since many people do not want to go through a program for a variety of reasons, there are other options.  You can locate an addiction specialist in your area (look in Yellow Pages or call treatment centers and ask if they can give you names of doctors doing outpatient addiction treatment) and have the doctor treat you individually on an outpatient basis.  You also could taper off the meds (I've done it numerous times) by cutting down your dosage by about 10% every few days until you are off the pills.  This reduces but does not eliminate withdrawal symptoms.  Another option which is not always a good one is to tell your doctor and ask for his/her help in getting off the meds.  It is vital to tell the doc at some point, otherwise you will be likely to relapse due to the availability of the meds.  However, I would consider the other options first because some docs will cut you off totally and not want to help you (i.e. "go find a treatment center, I can't treat you anymore.")  This leaves you in a bad spot as you can imagine.  With respect to the fatigue, it differs in everyone.  No matter what type of detox or taper you do, there will be some fatigue/depression.  I doubt yours will last more than a few weeks to a month due to your relatively low level and duration of use.  Finally and most importantly, although it seems like the hardest part of painkiller addiction is getting off the meds, that is really the easier part.  The hardest part is STAYING off once you get off them.  For that you really need a program and to learn to change the way you live.  Good luck and please post with any additional questions.

[Kay]

Ultram has provided me with the ability to live a productive and active life for this 55+ woman. The chronic pain of arthritis/ fibromyalgia had made me so fatigued I struggled to get up and accomplish anything.   I have been taking it daily, 2-4 pills/day depending on the level of activity, for two years now.  The major side effect I've noticed is "word recall".  I noticed that it takes a moment or two longer to recall names of people and things for about 2 hours following a dose.  An unstated benefit has been a control of appetite.

[Alex]

HEy Ultram is nopt addictive as long as u don't take it for any other reasons other than ur pain. if u don't have pain and take it u will get addicted to it. but if u take it and auctually have back pain. then ultram is the medicin for u. becuase it auctually concentrates on ur back. I have takin vicodin es and ultram and a bunch of other medicines and i will take ultram over any of them for the pain. I have had cronic back pain since i have been 10 years old. so i have been through a bunch of pain killers. and ultram is not addictive at least to me. i have never had withdrawls so i dunno.. think what u wanna think..

[Amy Thompson]

***@****

Is Ultram stronger than other pain relievers?  I've been taking it for a couple days now and I experience "trippy" periods of time.  Could that be caused by the medication?

[Vicky]

I have been reading all these wonderful comments about how great vicodin is for pain, and the medical community doesn't think the addictive side effects are something to deal with later.  
Well, let me tell you, I am currently in withdrawal from Vicodin.  I have been taking it for 10, yes, ten years.  If you think the withdrawal can't be as bad as heroin, believe me, it is.  Your body aches like the most extreme flu you have ever had.  Your eyes feel so puffy, it feels you are half sleeping.  An overall sick, nervous feeling pervades your mind and soul.  YOu find you can't concentrate, can't go to work and can't get up in the morning.  And all you can think about is where the hell you are going to get more?
I am switching to Ultram, to help the pain of the addiction/slavery, nothing, could possibly hurt as bad as Vicodin and narcotic analgesics.
I was a cocaine addict years ago, and would willingly do it again if I had never taken the first vicodin pill.  If you are considering taking this drug, please don't.  You have no idea.

[Jon]

i've been taking vicodin es for a painful arthritic condition off and on for about six months. recently, my physician switched me to percocet. i fear i'm addicted because i take at least three of these every morning....just to get going. is there another drug that you reccommend i have him switch me to .... to get me off these two drugs?

[jeffrey]

I took (1) 50mg Ultram and my pain was still very evident, however, when I took another 50mg Ultram 2 hours later, it knocked me on my butt for 24 hours.  I was very dizzy and had trouble focusing.  I think when the pill works, it works great, but don't abuse it.

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

I have found that when people think they are addicted to their pain meds, they almost always are.  As you describe it, you take three in the morning "to get going."  Since you have chronic pain and will likely therefore need some sort of medication for a long period, I can recommend a great medication to both ease you off the meds you are on AND treat your pain in the future.  The medication is buprenorphine (brand name Buprenex).  In the US it is only available in injection form.  It is great for detoxing off other narcotics without withdrawal.  It is also very good for pain.  If you want to know more, post again.

[Jane Smith]

I have been taking Ultram since 1996 and I can tell you that though the potential for abuse is a lot lower than other narcotic medications you can become addictive physcially.  I have seriously tried to go off Ultram several times over the past years and I can tell you that it is a worse withdrawal then morphine.  Even weaning does not perpare for what your body will go through.  You will experience extreme edginess, no sleep, extreme fatigue, leg cramps, severe depression and absolutely no energy.  The last time I went off Ultram for five days and had to go back on it because my withdrawl symptoms seemed to be getting worse.  I was becomming suicidal, so I went back on it.  Immediately I started to feel normal again.  I suffer from severe chronic pain brought on by Scoliosis and a degenerative pelvic floor.  I also have scleroderma which affects my joints. I take the maximum amount of Ultram - 2 4X a day.  I have recently added Neurontin too.  The combination undoubtedly gives excellent relieve to some of the painful areas and I have to say that Ultram has allowed me to live a fairly normal life.   So though I read of all the reports on Ultram and have personally experienced the withdrawal of Ultram, I still think it is the best option for me if I want to maintain a limited, yet fairly normal life.  My motto is if you have pain... GET RID OF IT HOWEVER YOU CAN!!!!  Nobody should have to endure pain 24 hours.  It is just not humane.