Weaning from Ultram, am I doing this right?

[fairlight123]

I was presribed Ultram for pelvic pain (fibroids and endomitriosis).  I have been taking it for a little over 2 months and I am honestly addicted.  I have decided to wean myself off.  I have been taking 300-400 mils, and yesterday I cut it down to 100 mils.. I took that amount today, and will tommorow, and then go down to 50 for 4 days, and then stop (I only have 11 pills left).  Am I doing this right?  I have heard horror stories from people who have gone cold turkey from Ultram, and am wondering if I will have the same kind of withdrawl symptoms.  So far it hasn't been too bad for me, a bit of anxiety and irritibility, lack of energy, and I have to admit I feel normal after I take my dose.  Will that change?

Having read all of these stories, I have to say that I am in awe. Congrats to all of you who have been so brave and determined.

Any advice will be appreciated :)

[fairlight123]

Well, I guess this will now become my venting place, and I'll answer my own post :)

Last night was kinda bad. I woke up several times, and once I was sweating and had chills and nausea.  I managed to sleep off and on, and I feel ok this morning.  I am afraid though, because I am not even cold turkey yet and am already having withdrawl sypmtoms just from cutting back.  I cannot wait to get this over with.  I have never had an addiction before, although I did experience withdrawl symptoms when I stopped taking Paxil after 3 months.  Dr. had prescribed it for sleep problems, even though I wasn't depressed.  Hows that for just throwing a bandaid at a person?

[Witchywoman]

Paxil for sleep problems? sheesh!!

Definately taper the ultram slowly, I hear it can be dangerous to go off it cold turkey, but I've not got personal experience with it.

Please...vent, post, and let us know how you are doing.

love,
WW

[fairlight123]

Today has been the absolute worst.  

I guess that about sums it up :)  I hate these pills, I don't want to take any more, but I guess I'll just have to be patient and wean off of them.

Thanks for the answers.  I really don't want to contact a physician, I don't want to be told it's all in my head, I don't want to be put on some other drug, and I really don't want my family to know.  I can sort of maintain normalacy for them, excusing my state by saying I think I'm coming down with something.  Today I forced myself to walk a mile in the snow with my dogs, and cruise the mall finishing up my xmas shopping. I felt like an alien the whole time, but it sure passes time.

Anyway, this is day 3... when will it start to get better?

[fairlight123]

Day 4.... guess today is the day I get to spend in tears.  Tears because they simply fall out of my eyes :)  I am also so jittery and nervous.  Last night was rather restless, and I so do not want to take my pill today. I want this to be done and over with. I guess I'm just impatient.  

I told my husband.  He has no idea what to do to help me but at least he's being nice about it.  I really want to just stay at home for the next week, but I have to go to work tonight.  I'll be ok, because I'll have my measley little 50 mg wean off pill.  But I have decided that today is the last day of any pill.  Tommorow I'm going off totally. I have to get to feeling better before next week, we are traveling to see relatives for xmas and I have a ton of stuff to do.

I read more and more about rehab places and detox, and while it sounds rather nice, I don't know how to to call...What can they do there that I can't do at home?  Is it really better?  How long do they keep you there?  

Please help.  I feel so scattered and down...

[Witchywoman]

Fairlight,
I wish I knew more about ultram withdrawal...but what I do know is that you sound really ready to be done with slavery to a pill, and that is the first step toward freedom.

I know when I was detoxing from opiates, there were a few days there where all I could do was cry...over nothing, over everything.  There was just a  jumble of feelings, and I saw that as a positive thing, as I was at least no longer numb.

I'll be thinking of you and sending you healing energy. Please stay in touch.

love,
WW

[littleguy]

fairlight,

Congrats on how far you have come!!  My thoughts are with you.

littleguy

[MandM]

fairlight?? wondering how you are doing?? are you feeling ok?
hope you resond to this

see ya

M

[fairlight123]

Thanks for all the responses, it means alot to me...

Today was better, physically.  I was able to go out and do some stuff.  But now I've got a nasty cold thats been going through the family, and my mood swings are off the wall.  One minute I feel ok, the next minute I feel very despondent and hopeless,scared that I will never feel normal again.  And to top everything off, my husband, who was going to be here to help me in the next couple of days has to go out of town for 5 days.... that really sent me off the edge.  Haven't slept at all for 4 days, so I'm really beat.

So... I hope I wake up tommorow with a clearer head.  This is the hardest 5 days I have ever spent...

[fairlight123]

Oh, I also wanted to let all of you know that Ultram withdrawl is very similar to the other opiates withdawl symptoms.  I have read that it's the equivelent of coming off of morphine...  I have most of the symptoms that everyone else here is having, the twitchy leg, the shakes, the sweats and chills, stomach problems, and major anxiety and restlessness.

[raptor182]

I, as a 6 year perscription pill abuser would like to report an unexpected success in the area of self-treatment.  I have found success in recovery with the use of clonidine.  I have found that after a relapse one can actually forgoe 95% of the pain of withdrawl by careful use of clonidine.  I usually will take two 0.1mg tablets before bed, leaving two additional tablets by the bedside.  When withdrawl is in full effect a patient/abuser can rarely expect more than 4-5 hours of uninterupted sleep.  When I wake, I quickly take the two other  clonidine tablets and wait to fall back to sleep.  In addition my doctor has me using the Anti-depressent/Sleep medication Trazadone.  Using this method one can expect to get 6-8 hours of sleep or more.  Also, by maintaining clonidine in the blood supply one tablet every 6 hours while awake will have the effects of keeping muscle spasms to almost nothing.  I have found that by keeping the physical symptoms to a minimum, the focus becomes the inherent depression one feels during withdrawl.  I keep my mood up by watching fun entertaining movies and eating "comfort foods".  NOTE TO EVERYONE: If an patient/abuser is taking powerful doses of dangerous narcotics in large quantities this method does not help.  This method is useful to pain-management patients and pill abusers that use between 1 darvocet (very weak) per day to 2 percocet (very strong) four times a day for long periods of time.  This method has the best effect for patients/abusers using hydrocodone 5/500mg three times per day.  

Many doctors I have spoken with feel that an abuser should feel the pain of withdrawl so they are relunctent to make the same mistake twice.  I understand the logic in this, but I can't help but feel this information would benefit doctors that have patients that become addicted through no fault of there own.  

***@****

[fairlight123]

I thought this was supposed to get better!  I felt better yesterday but last night was the worst night I have ever spent. I have not slept for 5 nights straight, and last night was the kicker... I spent all night pacing my house, or lying in bed with "restless body syndrome". Not just my leg but everything was moving.  How long can a person go without sleep?  I am so sad, I cannot stop crying, my husband left this morning and I have to take care of the kids... someone, please say it's going to get better, right now I am utterly and completley hopeless and lost... nothing could be worse than this...how am I going to make it?

[littleguy]

fairlight,

Are you on any nutritional supplements?  There are a lot of things out there that can help with w/d's and with sleep.  When the brain reaches the deeper stages of sleep, the immune system is properly cued to do its business.  So.... going without sleep for a long time can wreak havoc by itself, on top off w/d's I can imagine that you are very uncomfortable.  Staying busy can help too....  

littleguy

[jule1]

I have been where you are right now I used to post here quite often but haven't been doing so lately.  I came here after calling quite a few places and noone knew about Ultram.  I promise it will bet better and do exactly what you are doing "The Thomas Recipie" might help with the withdrawl symptoms you can find it on the EZ board forum.  The withdrawl symptoms are just as bad if not worse than opiate withdrawl.  Good luck and be proud of yourself for how far you have come - Jules

[fairlight123]

Well, I caved in and went to my dr.... my b/p was pretty high, I was shaking like a leaf.  He prescribed Valium to take the edge off, and Wellbutrin for depression????? I yelled at him, I said I don't like taking pills, what if I have to withdraw from these two, I yelled at him about the Paxil that was prescribed years ago (by a different doc)and how that also had withdrawl effects. He admitted that Paxil does have horrible withdrawl (I'd never heard a doctor admit that before). He promised me that Wellbutrin does not, that he will also wean me off of that and I won't have any problems...

I am so mistrustful of doctors, but then I think well they can't be all that bad?  Does anyone have any experience with either Valium or Wellbutrin?  I am sittin here, staring at the bottles not knowing what to do.....

[Witchywoman]

The valium is addictive if you take it for more than a week or so, you'll need to wean off it. But, if you take it for only a few days, it can be a godsend in getting through withdrawals, if nothing else, it will let you get some very needed sleep.

The Wellbutrin is a wierd med. Helps a lot of people, don't get me wrong, but when I tried it, my system didn't react well to it. I know lots of people who have done very well with it.

If you'd rather try a non prescription med anti depressant, go to a health food store and get some 5 HTP.  It an amino acid and is the direct precursor to seratonin. Taking it really helped me a lot, it is gentle and I noticed no side effects. I took 50 mgs three times a day at first, now I take 100mg once a day.

So, my suggestion, if you trust yourself to not abuse the valium is to go for it. The Wellbutrin may help as well, I don't know how your system will react to it. It made me feel extremely agitated. Most people don't react that way to it though.

please let us know how you are doing!
love,
WW

[fairlight123]

Thanks you guys.... I know you've all probably heard it before, but you are all a Godsend.  It amazes me that people have so much love and heart on the internet, and make the extra effort to support and encourage others.  

Well, at 10 today I took 1 valium.  While it didn't help me sleep, it did stop the shaking.   Per dr's instruction, I will take 2 before bed.  I pray tonight is different than last night.

I picked a crappy time to go off meds.  On top of withdrawal, I have a horrid cold thats going around the family, and this whole time I've been withdrawing during peak PMS time for me.  That ended today though, and I actually feel much calmer.  I just keep thinking I'm going to get worse and worse withdrawal symptoms; I know it can only get better but I'm so afraid it will get worse.

As for the valium, I am only going to use it at bedtime, and only until I can get through the day without shaking.  Hopefully that will be only one more day, then down the toilet they go.  I have no desire to take ANYTHING that the words "can be addictive" are attributed to.

Anyway, thanks again, wish me luck tonight, and I'm sure I'll be back tommorow....

[SHOTSY]

I just wanted to add a little support. No, I haven't withdrawn from ultram, but from my reading from this forum, you should be about to turn the corner. I think your thru the worst. Did you get the supplements? I could be wrong, and please someone jump in any time, but this sounds like it's partialy due to the nuerotransmitters. Thomas recipe suppose to help with that. I know the mental part can be so difficult. One minute feeling like your okay the next not so okay. Try to hang in there. You've come along way already.

[fairlight123]

Hi Shotsy,

Yes, matter of fact I have been taking the supplements in Thomas's recipe, I went and bought all the stuff on Sunday and have taken it every morning..... I don't know if it's working or not because I don't know if when I feel ok its just a mood swing?  

During the day, I'm not so bad.  Its the night when I comletely break down...

[Witchywoman]

Fairlight,
I think you just have to keep hanging in there and trusting that your body can and will return to normal, it just takes time. Lots of it.  While the worst of the wds were over for me in a week, it took me a full 6 weeks before I was feeling completely back to normal. Having my sleep cycle get back to normal took the longest.  But it does get better, just not as fast as we need it to.

Please consider talking to a counselor to get through the despair and depression. You sound like your mind is just going over and over things that you feel guilty about, and it may be very helpful to have someone to help you sort all that out and clarify.

Remember that no matter what, you've done the best you could with what you had in you at the time. We all screw up....none of us are imune to mistakes. When we beat ourselves up for past mistakes, that is the Dragon trying to lure you back into the lair of self hate, that will drag you down.  Instead, try to have compassion for yourself, understanding for yourself. It is self love that leads to recovery. Honestly.  When I was in the throes of WDs, feeling the same self hate that you might be feeling, I intentionally hugged myself, rocked myself, and cried and cried and I told myself that I loved and forgave myself for all my bad choices..and made a commitment to keep loving myself and trying to make better choices.

That helped.  Prayer helped to.  This addiction was more powerful than I was..I needed lots of help to beat it.

I'll be sending you love and healing energy fairlight. You are not alone.
love,
WW

[jule1]

Please just keep going I promise it will get better and just remember if you don't do it now you will have to go through all this pain again maybe worse.  I have been where you are so I know what I am talking about. Unfortunately there is no quick withdrawl from Ultram but you have been through so much already that it will get better maybe you should take one more valium than you did last night or try Benadryl thats what I used it really helped me sleep.  I just want you to know I am here for you - Your friend Jules

[jennyfla]

Hey girlie!
Hope you're doing well, i've been thinking about you!
NJ must be pretty chilly these days, it's even come down as far as south florida, so it must be mighty Christmassy up there!
I'm looking forward to Christmas, I can't wait to see the kids' eyes light up when they wake up xmas morning.  I don't know about Cole, but Kayla is in awe of the tree, especially the candy canes.  We put them high, but the little stinker finds a way to reach them and walks around with a bunch in each hand.  I even managed to convince my 9-year old that there really is a Santa Clause.  She has her doubts, but i think we're gonna get one more xmas out of her!! :)
Have a great holiday, I know you're gonna love watching Cole enjoy his gifts from Santa!
Lv Jenny

[Abbie]

Hi there,
I read your posts. I know the pain you feel. I went cold turkey once and getting prepared to quit again. I've been cutting back on my amounts and I feel like a complete zombie. I also have children to take care of. You are sooo strong and determined from the what I read in your posts. Keep it up sweetie. I started the 5 htp and decided to increase the amount so I can get a grip on my emotions and mental clarity. L-tyrosine too.
I will be thinking of you and will check in to hear from you.
It will be over soon. Hang in there.  Abbie

[fairlight123]

its not going to get any better, is it?

I did sleep from 9-12, then was up until 5 walking, crying, going over things I've done in the past that were bad, mistakes I've made, skeletons in my closet until my head was whirling and I seriously wanted to die... I called my husband at 3 am and told him I can't do this anymore.  He talked to me for a while until I got more stable.  After we hung up, I sat in bed and sang until I passed out until 7 this morning.

You guys, I don't think I can do this anymore.  Its not getting any better.  The wd's just break right through the valium, I don't even know if it's the drugs or the wds that are making me feel this way.  How can I go on anymore?  Yesterday, I had some hope.  Today I know there is none...

[GingerLee]

jbear it is good to see you are still doing well. I am having quite the difficult time. God I need help.

[fairlight123]

I think I did it. At least I HOPE I did :)

Last night I went to bed, no meds at all, and slept ALL NIGHT! This morning I am still a bit jittery, mentally exausted, but much happier.

I know I'll still have a ways more to go until I feel 100%, but keep your fingers crossed I've passed the worst of it. Hope I don't fall into any bad depression; I am going to run down and get the supplement suggested for that.

You guys have been life savers, literally. It's amazing what the mind thinks of while going through withdrawal.  I have a new found respect and admiration for people who are hooked on these nasties, and believe me, there are millions, at least from what I've seen searching the web.  Personally, I am NEVER taking any drug (except maybe for aspirin:) without researching the hell out of it online, and the first thing I'll type in will be *drugname* and ADDICTION.  

I'll still be posting, especially if I take a turn for the worse, and to cheer you all on. Again, thank you all, you saved my life.

I will pray for all of you to stay strong.  Your prayers surely helped me :)

[jule1]

Jenny, I have been thinking about you so much and I know you are being put through the ringer in many different ways.  Get through Christmas and then We will work on us OK!!  Cole loves the tree we told him how it could fall and he is very careful around it.  Its a huge tree, 12 feet, so it could really hurt if it fell. He loves to go up close and smell it.  I really do not understand a little of what is going on on the other board some posts were deleted I thought that was never supposed to happen.  I have written to people only to have no response and that hurts especially from WW.  I dont get it!! Write me on my email if you need me ok!!

Ginger - My prayers are going out to you I think of you often and please try to email if you need me ok again my addy is ***@****.  I will help you in any way possible!!

Abbie - Always good to ready your posts!!  Hope you and yours are having a good holdiday season!!  What a different and wonderful year to have our first child start to understand it (he is 21 months).

Firelight -  CONGRATS and keep it up I am really proud of you!!!  

I am happy to see this board still thriving and doing what it is meant to do - HELP PEOPLE!!!  Happy Holidays

[Witchywoman]

Jules, I just checked and double checked my several email accounts, and found no email from you at all.  What address did you use? I am not very good at checking my aol addy (the ***@****), so I don't get back fast enough to folks who write me there..but I just checked that one and didn't see any email from you.

I hope you don't think I've ignored your email..I just haven't seen it! Would you resend it, and I'll answer.  

lots of love,
WW

ps email to ***@**** should get to me.
My earthlink account did crash last week, so I may have lost some emails in there.

[kstuebin]

There has been an effort to keep the two forums, this one and the EZ Board, and their issues separate.  Maybe we can all post our concerns on the boards they're related to.  I'm sure Phil and Cindy don't want EZ Board discussions continued on their board. Especially when it's controversial and distracting.

That being said, I would like to respond to Jbear's post.  Nothing has been deleted...some posts were moved. Frankie voluntarily deleted two of his posts - no one did it to him.  Explanations were given and announcements were made when the posts were moved.

I will not go into this further here as this is not the appropriate place.  All the administrators and moderators email addresses are available on the EZ Board if anyone has any further questions.

[Telby]

Fairlight, you are doing so great - I am inspired by your courage and strength.  You might want to increase the L-Tyrosine (remeber to take with B-complex) and use it throughout the day - maybe every four-six hours right up to bedtime.  I have been taking it along with a multivitamin/mineral supplement, and others to prepare myself for detox.  I don' know how my brain is doing but my hair and skin are much healthier.   That Ultram is sneaky stuff, I guarantee most Dr.'s don't think of it as addictive and have no idea what people go through with it.  I have learned from the postings of others to stay away from it, i have enough problems with Oxycontin.  Anyway, keep doing what your doing and stay well.   Ginger Lee, what is going on?  You haven't posted for awhile and you sound like you are really suffering.  I always loved reading your words and if there is anything we can do to help please post - your in my heart and on my mind.   Don't be alone during the holidays, remember you are loved.   love, Telby

[jaysbean]

I have been trying to post a question to DR Steve about Clonidine. I am trying really trying to get of these DAM VIC'S. Doing a little better but can't seem to put them down. Iam going through HELL with my addiction. I just want to stop but keep going back for enough to not feel like ****. I am in need of help. Really WISH I COULD BE ON THE WAY TO FREEDOM FOR CHRISTMAS!!! Any help or advice would really be appreciated. Kind of new to posting here. But reading all your stories and experiences has helped alot!! I am really trying to stop but the D/T'S are terrible. But i guess you all know that.May GOD BLESS YOU ALL.THANX FOR LISTENING OR SHOULD I SAY READING MY VENTING

[jaysbean]

My prayers go to all of you out there. May you all have continued succes in whatever stage of getting clean you may be in.

[mandy n]

I too am trying to come off ultram (called Tramadol or Zydol in the UK).  I had a major spinal op a year ago -at the time i was on MST -huge amounts (700mg daily). I managed to come off this by taking ultram. At the worse i was taking around 30 x 50mg daily -i was hopelessly addicted and felt terrible.  With my GP's help i am now on 2 x 50mg daily -its been horrible and very hard but im managing -just.  I tried to wean myself off alone but i couldnt do it --i would just take more when my body said it needed more. My husband now "looks after them " for me -he gives me my tablets twice a day -yes i feel like a little kid but it works for me. Its been so hard for him -at times i would scream at him and beg him to let me take more so i could feel "normal" -but he knows it wouldnt really be helping me. Finding the right Gp was also hard - some just didnt have a clue and said it was all in the head. The GP i have now sees me weekly -he knows that if he gives me a months supply i would try to take them in a week! Awful but true!  I was even at Spain on a holiday and found that it was possible to buy Ultram without a prescription like we need here in the UK! (no -i didnt buy in bulk but i was tempted!).  I wish i didnt feel like this -i never used to -addiction is an awful thing -unless youve been there you simply dont understand.  I hope to be off Ultram soon - for how long this will last i dont know.

[fairlight123]

Hi Mandy,

Nice drug, huh?  :)  I know exactly what you mean about feeling "normal".... thats the exact word for what you feel while on Ultram.  I know I had energy, I was a really patient mom, nothing got me upset.  I went about my day like I always wished I could have before, without procrastinating or being lazy.  Never felt "high", per say, but normal.  I did notice that I slept longer while on Ultram than I usually did, and there a few weird side effects, like a rushing sound in my ears, weight loss (10 lbs) due to lack of appetite, and urinary retention.

It's been exactly 1 week since I took my last Ultram pill, and 10 days since I started weaning off them.  I have to say I feel great now, but that was the hardest 10 days of my life.  I'm peeing normally now and the rushing sound is gone.  Hope to keep the 10 lbs off though :)

I wish you the best of luck in your weaning process.  You are lucky to have a dr. that understands and is taking you down slowly.  This board is wonderful, I couldnt have done it without the support of the people here.  Be strong, before you know it you'll be drug free and happy.  This too shall pass :)

[Bijou]

I'v been addicted to ultram for two years,and before that vicoden. I'm running out,and only have one refill,I always seem to get more,but I know one day I'll run out,and I will have to suffer thru all that you have been thru,and it will kill me. I can't take what withdrawls to your mind. Once when I tried to get off xanax,I saw the devil in the corner of my room hunched over, it was freakin me out,I couldnt do it,and so now, that I have heard from everyone,that ultram are just like codeine,I feel helpless about it. Your so lucky to have a nice husband that helped you with it. I live alone,it will be trainspotting,and I don't want to go thru that.

[Jaime]

Hi everyone, I stumbled onto this site today, after believe it or not, looking into buying some pain meds off the internet. I am currently taking tons of ultram a day, and I hate it, but the withrawl is worse than death!( As you already know). I am 23 yrs old and recently had my 2nd major spinal surgery. Ok, I have been addicted to vicodin for about 3yrs off and on, and started taking more ultram because I discovered that it made my vicodin withdrawls go away (BIG MISTAKE!!!!). It is so bad now that I have to jump out of bed in the am and run for my 3 ultrams before the sickness kicks in. I ran out once before I realized that these were even addictive, and I have to say that was the worst night of my life! Fairlight, I pray that you are still doing ok, and I cant believe how brave you are! I have been reading the posts here for over 3 hours and must say that my outlook has changed and I need to do something about this soon. Ultram isnt even a good drug, I have never really gotton high off of it, and the ONLY reason I take it now is to avoid getting sick! I dont know whats in store for me either, because I have spinal problems, dental problems and endometriosis. My doc will hand me all the ultram I want cause he doesnt want me getting hooked on opiates(HA!!!) What a joke! How can it be that they have no idea or just dont care about what this stuff can do?!  I was told when I first got it that it wasnt a narcotic and therefor, wasnt too much concern about it. I think it was first marketed that way too, and my doc told me last week that they are reformulating it to include tylenol, so its supossed to have about the same strenth as darvocet. Anyway if you all dont mind I think I will return here, to share in all the wisdom and support you all provide. I think I will need some support, and I am wayyy too proud to admitt my faults to anyone else. Noone else in my life even knows whats going on at all, not even my bf of 4 yrs!..ok, thanks for letting me vent, and I hope to get to know everyone better!        (((hugs)))

[jule1]

Hi everyone,

Ultram is a terrible drug and Jamie I know what you mean about it not even giving you a high.  I was addicted to it and actually had a seizure from it so I want you all to be very careful about it.  You should do a slow taper to quit if you stop cold turkey you can also have a seizure.  I was also given it by Drs who said it wasnt' addictive and much better to take than opiates. I am not sure why I even took it.  You guys should check out the EZboard too.  

Bijou, Do you remember me?  I have been wondering what happened to you I havent seen you post in a long time but then again I read the other board a lot.  I hope you do ok with your withdrawl and i will help any way I can.  Jules

[Bijou]

Yes I remember you. What other board??? I stopped posting cuz I was still in my love faze with the ultram,now I reallty hate them and want to get off,but I'm thinking of waiting, till I have someone with me just incase anything goes wrong. I don't want to go into convulsions or go insane alone in my house.Your post are always so helpful and supportive,thank you.

[monalisa]

Why not get off the ultram now? I also was addicted to vidadin and was given ultram, years ago. I am withdrawing from ultram and klonopin now. It is the worst hing I have ever expereinced, but I am determined. I have been off the ultram for several weeks, and have weaned off the klonopin. Today is my fifth day completely off. Don't worry about being alone, just wean off the ultram if you are concerned about convulsions. Two weeks ago it was so bad that I drove myself to the hospital. My blood pressure was high and I thought I was having a heart attack. They took me in to a room and gave me an IV. It turned out that my pulse was 115, too high! They said that I was dehydrated. My blood pulse and pulse dropped as I lay there for several hours. The doctor told me how to wean off and sent me on my way. Now if my heart starts racing I eat a banana and drink a lot of water. It does help. Start breaking those terrible ultrams in half and wean yourself off. Waiting for someone to be around will just prolong your agony. Start working towards the rest of your life and be free of the ultram. Hang in there, our bodies do recover, and you will feel longer periods of feeling good until you are yourself again!! Good luck!!!

[jule1]

Bijou - You definitely sound like you are ready to quit and that is a huge factor!!!!  Some people from this forum started one on and EZ Board because they threatened to shut this one down and they were deleting peoples posts.  Look under ksteubins posts and you should find the address it has Cindi as a moderator and WW is always there.  Wiz pops in a bit and so does Thomas.  I know you can quit now because you sound ready I do think Thomas recipie would help you you can find that on the EZ board also.  If you want e-mail me and I will somehow get the board to you ok?  Pleas let me help in any way possible.  Your friend, Jules

Monalisa - How lond did it take you to quit and how many were you taking a day?  Its a drug from the devil for sure and from what I hear withdrawls are harder than opiates.

[fairlight123]

Hello :)

Well, it's been 2 weeks Ultram free and I am doing great.  I am back to normal, whatever that it is :)

I had to change my nickname because I couldn't remember my password, they never resent it to me, and I am on a new computer and no way to retrieve my old emails.

I see a couple more people trying to quit Ultram.  I feel for you and I can now say I've been there done that.  It takes lots of willpower, lots of support (I posted alot on this board, it helped more than anything to pass time and get support).  I never thought I could be so strong, but I guess I was or I wouldn't be sitting here today.  Like everyone says, you take it one day, one hour, one minute at a time.  I talked to another person who went through Ultram withdrawal and she said during her withdrawal she would crush the pills into crumbs to wean herself... she said she wasn't sure if that small of a dose was even doing anything, but it helped her mind.  I don't think I weaned properly and got the full cold turkey effect.  What a nightmare it was, but "it is in the past" (Any Lion King fans out there?  Rafiki says that, I try and live by that saying :)

Hope everyone had a good holiday (I personally am glad it's over) and I wish you all a great start to a New Year!

[monalisa]

I'm so happy to read that you are off the ultram and feeling good! Success stories and the angst getting there are what helps people get through the terrible WD. Alchemist posted a comment saying that he was switching from hydrocodone to ultram because it was advertised as being non addictive. How can that be? I think we know first hand how addictive it is. I told him to read the posts regarding your question. Congratulations, it feels great to be back to "normal" thanks to all of the wonderful people here.

[alchemist]

I'm both glad you are feeling better and glad that I read your posts.  Due to a medical procedure my constant pain has decreased to intermitant pain, just enough to get off the oxy's but not enough to put up with the pain.  The doc gave me celebrex to deal with the decreased pain but no luck, so I was thinking of asking for ultram since I thought it was non addictive, guess I was wrong. Hopefully one day they will truely come up with something that deals with pain and is really non addictive.

[monalisa]

I was taking 4 of the 50's per day. It's hard to say how long it took to get off becuase I was taking ultram and klonopin for years. My hair started fallling out and I thought it had to be on or the other. I started cutting them in half and then every other day for a week and then every third day for a week. I stopped the ultram faster and am still having some effects but the WD from both are intermingled. It has been about one month since I have been off of the ultram. Are you stil taking ultram? No one ever hinted to me that ultram, or klonopin was addictive. If you are I hope that you can get off as quickly as possible with minimum problems. I am feeling better every day. Good luck, you can absolutelly do it!!!!

[JAL]

Dear Fairlight1,

Stay away from Paxil.  It is evil.  I took Paxil for three weeks and experienced a variety of side effects, including hallucinations, night sweats, and nausea and vomiting.  I blacked out once and fell down the stairs.  

I stopped taking Paxil cold turkey and that was the worst week in my life.  I have never been so sick.  Later I learned that you need to withdraw from Paxil gradually.  Ultram is the same.

Consult you physician with a plan for withdrawl.  It is the only way to safely withdraw from these antagonistic drugs.

Wishing you the best.

JAL

[ladybug26]

God, I'm sitting here glad to have found this forum as I try desperately to think of a better way to treat my physical discomfort as I have run out of my ultram, like I do every month because the doc will only prescribe 100 50 mg tablets.  Sometimes I need more than 4 pills a day, never more than 6.  If I don't carefully count them out, I'm in hell. I forgot my pills on a business trip to Chicago, I got so sick, weak, the worst was the night, the sweats, rocking back and forth on the side of the bed, taking HOT HOT baths, several a night trying to relieve the anxiety.  By day 3 I had to do something, so I went to the grocery store and bought the most expensive Kava Kava I could find.  Didn't help.  Took a sleep aid.  Didn't help.  I can get through the days, irritable tho, but the nights are the pits, I didn't realize I was going thru withdrawl because it happens even if I decrease my dose on days when I am physically feeling better.  In 1994 I was in a car accident with a tractor trailer, 5 surgeries later, got myself off all of it, the morphine, percocet, flexiril, SOMA, you name it, I swallowed it.  I have never been in so much pain in my entire life.  Brain Hemmorage, broken ribs, collapsed lungs, compound femur, arms, you name it, it was messed up.  And, after a year of rehab, I could walk again and eventually went back to work.  The ultram actually helped my anxiety about returning to a competitive and fast paced professional job (with an occupational therapist no less).  I not only felt confident, I felt improved mentally...can't explain it, but when I present, teach or even attend parties, the ultram is quite the little helper.  I will tell you quite honestly, that this drug is about as addicting as it can get, I firmly believe after 6 years that it manifests itself in different ways, mentally as well as physically.  If I am off of it for any amount of time, I become "undone", as soon as I get my "fix" I am hyperalert and do my best work/creative and happy.  I am afraid to go cold turkey, don't want to trade this drug for another via a pain management clinic, and I swallow hand fulls of ibuprofin which I was told will kill my kidneys when I don't have ultram.  My husband notices I shake in my sleep, kick spasm, and I have experienced what may very well be a seisure when lowering or trying to come off.  Putting a blanket in the dryer, running the baths, trying to read if the nervous jitters don't wig me out, rocking back and forth, trying to watch TV ANYTHING to get thru the night.  My husband wants me to lay still and try to sleep, I feel like my skin is crawling and have to keep getting up, he thinks I don't want to sleep with him, when in reality I am trying to cope through the night.  This is horrible, I don't know what to do, if I stay on the 4 -6 pills a day, I'm pefectly fine, feel no pain and have a glorious sense of well being.  If I run out, I am in physical pain both from the injuries compounded by the withdrawl symptoms.  I can barely sit here and type.  I've read the other entries and I truly truly understand.  My prayers are with you.

[monalisa]

I'm sorry to hear that you are in such pain. I know exactly how you feel and have felt all of the symptoms that you have described. I also had many surgeries in one stretch and was given percocet. When I started weaning off of that I had the same symptoms that you described. They told me I had fibromyalgia (a sleep/pain disorder). I was given hydrocodone and eventually klonopin. Then I was unknowlingly additced to two medications. The klonopin, which is an anti seizure med, is also used as an anti anxiety med. I really don't know which symptom to attribute to which med. I also have the burning, sweating, heart palpitations, freezing, stretching and the list goes on. I didn't think that these symptoms were related to the ultram, but after reading your post think that they are all intertwined. I have been so anxious and have recently started feeling depressed, which I have never felt before. I have been off the klonopin 16 days and the ultram over one month.
You definitely need to start weaning of the ultram. Obviously this med gets a hold of you and changes your body chemistry. I started cutting them in half and just kept waiting as long as possible to take one. I was also up to 4 of the 50's per day. Hang in there and you will do it. Best wishes!!!

[ssfr]

it is postings like yours that can be of so much benefit to unwitting, trusting patients- i hope you realize that although you are suffering so much- that somewhere, someone has read your post and has learned and benefited-
i recall a visit to an orthopedic doc recently- i will not burden you with the multitudinous injuries that i suffered- suffice it to say that this "specialist" offered to write me ultram- after i declined narcotics- i had explained that i had an addictive personality, and had been struggling with narcotic addiction for some time- he then told me well- no problem- ultram IS NOT addictive- i almost fell out of the chair, coz i had read too many posts similiar to yours in the last couple of years- needless to say- i did not make another appointment with this doc- anyone so clueless should have their medical license lifted as far as i am concerned-
anyway- i hope folks out there have read your experience and learn to JUST SAY NO to supposedly innocuous drugs like ultram- if you must take strong pain meds- and you have to be addicted to something- it may as well be something that really really does work well like narcotics- i wish the medical community would put out more honest info about ultram- i am so sorry you are going through this- it just aint fair in my mind- good luck and thanx for the info that someone, somewhere will no doubt learn and benefit from.

[karizmaflip]

I THINK I AM A PERSCRIPTION DRUG USER.I AM KINDA BAD BECAUSE ULTRAM IS TO WEAK FOR ME I TOOK IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH AT THE STRONGEST DOSE AND IT DID NOT DO NOTHING FOR ME.IM INTO PAXIL NOW,AND ITS CALMED ME DOWN ALOT.THE WORST DRUG FOR ME WAS VICODIN.I WAS BAD ON HTAT.AND XANAX TOO.IM GETTING BETTER NOW AND I LOVE MY DOC.HES THE BEST!WELL GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
                  LOVE YA

[sunny1]

Hi
I am in the grips of one hell of a mess.  I am trying to wean down off of 40 Ultram 50's per (YES 40).  I hear the rushing noise, think I am dying, moody, fussy and do not sleep right.  I am simply taking 1 less pill per week and in a year I should be done.  I have a Neuro friend and he reccomends cutting back 15% per week.  I tried it and almost died.  This too shall pass...Yeah and I will pass too.  I am considering UROD for the evil white footballs.  I did go into to this wanting to be a junkie but I have come out that way.  
sunny

[tiny dancer]

I've been reading all your post from ultram, and was wanting to know what the "thomas recipe" is, also I dont know where to go to find the EZ board is at. I give congrats to fairlight1 and all who are trying to get off this evil drug. Thanks

[fairlight123]

Hi Sunny1,

Getting off Ultram is very hard.  You will experience some unpleasant, to say the least, WD's.  It took me a week or so to start feeling better.  But, I had to swallow my embarrassment and tell my family and dr. what I was doing.  My dr. gave me valium and sleeping aids which helped immensly with the agitation.  The hard part was the mental anguish; I dredged up every bad thing I've done in my life and absolutely hated myself.  I found that coming to this board helped pass the time and gave me the courage I did not have, and the support I really needed.  It was hard, but I did it, and you can too :)  Stay super strong, and take it one day at a time.  Tell yourself that this too shall pass, because it will, I promise.  You've already taken the first step by realizing you have a problem.  Now take the next step and tell your dr. or a rehab place.  Good luck, stay strong, and this board will be here for you!

[monalisa]

Congratulatins on finding this forum and for your decision and determination to get off the ultram. Getting to where you are now is a huge step on the way to get to where you want to be. You will get off ultram and look back on this phase of your life as another lifetime that was a long time ago. It's great that you have some type of support and really need all that you can get. I also had to tell a family member, who called me every night. I got to waiting for those phone calls and will never forget how much that person meant to me during that time. You are going to feel all kinds of crazy WD sypmtoms, but they will all go away. The ultram changes your body chemistry so you have to let your body readjust and start doing what it's supposed to do. Wishing you the best that life can bring, it will come, just take it one minute at a time and you will prevail!!!!!

[sunny1]

Thanks for the help.  I know from your words you have "been there".   How did you wean off Ultram?  5 a day to 4 a day or what and how?
How long? I am going to be able to go to rapid detox in May.  I will have the time and funds then but I really want to get this stuff down to a more manageable level (like I am really going to manage this) but to a more non-lethal level?  thanks to God for you!!!
Someone did it!!!  There is HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fairlight123]

Hi Sunny :)

The way I weaned down wasn't quite slow enough, I think.  I went from 400-600 mls a day to 200, then to 100 then to 50 in about 4 days.  I had horrible withdrawal, so I am pretty sure it didn't make any difference.

Since you will be doing a rapid detox, I would call the place and ask what they advise you do.  

You will get there, have faith and be strong!!!

[kyle0]

I am 19 and i have quit cold turkey 3 times. When in full swing I take 700 - 900 mg a day. At First when i started taking them they would keep me up and give me lots of energy but then it got to where i wasnt me untill i had taken my pills. I started when i was 17 and quit the first time when i was 18 and that was the hardest thing i have ever done. But i just cant seem to stay off them because the only way i feel the way i felt before the drug is when i am on the drug. will i ever feel "normal" again? i am coming off right now i am 3 days into it and doin good but i know i will relapse again! I am scared that i will never feel normal again

[sax]

If u have chronic pain, which is better, vicodin or ultram?
Am I addicted if I have 3 pills a day max? Is that better than being in pain?  As bad as many people say these drugs are, they
are also lifesavers when used in moderation, right???

[sax]

If u have chronic pain, which is better, vicodin or ultram?
Am I addicted if I have 3 pills a day max? Is that better than being in pain?  As bad as many people say these drugs are, they
are also lifesavers when used in moderation, right???

[suzanne1000]

I have been on Ultram for atleast 5 years. Started off 100-200mgs. a day, and then in the last year jumped to 600mgs. a day. Well a couple of weeks ago my doctor wrote me a script 1-2 every 4-6 hrs. as usual with 5 refills, but this time he informed me that iot would be the last one he was writing for me, and he wants me to wean myself off of them. I have been trying to do so, and have been in a miserable, dark and deep depression for a little over a week. I have gotten down to 300 a day. I am in hell when will I feel happy again. I have never been depressed in my life. It is worse than the physical pain that is there also. Will getting a RX for paxil help me? I don't know.

[serenemiss]

I am a recovering addict and I have been on Tramadol for 3 years this time around for several different physical issues and I know I'm physically addicted.  Prior to this I hadn't had any drugs for 4 solid years after I graduated treatment in 2002.

My biggest obstacle is getting back off these things for good, even though I still have medical issues.  I know I can function in life with the pain and without the help of a pill.  I am up to 800-900 mgs. per day but I've already started the weaning process which was given to me by someone else and so far it seems to be helping.  I feel more like myself than I have in a long time.  

One thing I would suggest to anyone who is trying to wean off or stop completely and to those who are trying to support someone getting off them is to be as supportive as you possibly can because it does make all the difference in the world!  I have started taking 100 mgs. when I wake up and 50 mgs. every hour until bed time, then at bedtime I will take 100 mgs to be able to sleep.  After I feel ok with the physical changes then I am going to reduce the dose by 25 or 50 mgs. until I am ready to reduce more.

As I said above this seems to be making a positive difference so wish me luck!