Aa
Dr. wants to put me on Ultram, I have been off Vicodin for 11 days now
few questions, I don't want to go through the withdrawals anymore.
What is Ultram
Is it a narcotic
Is it addictive
Does it give you a Euphoria state of mind
How does it compare to Hydrocodine.
What is Ultram
Is it a narcotic
Is it addictive
Does it give you a Euphoria state of mind
How does it compare to Hydrocodine.
Ultram is a pain killer and IS addictive, although a lot of doctors will say it's not. IT IS!!! It is not as strong as Hydros but just as addictive.
Keep away from the Ultram/Tramadol.
Keep away from the Ultram/Tramadol.
ultram is tramadol...it is very addictive and some even say the w/ds are worse than hydros. they have an anti depressant quality, they ppl seem to really like. i have never taken it, but it was avisgs' doc...check out her journals she has good info on them there...also you can not stop them c/t you have to ween off them due to the risk of seizure...be careful and do your homework before taking them.
I went thru the same deal. Came off Vicodin thinking i was hooked on them which i was not. Asked the DOC. if there is something else out there as far as painmeds. he put me on Ultram. I was on it for about 8months and ran out. I was sick for 1month solid the worst thing i have been thru. My DOC. did not think it was the Tramadol causing the symtoms i had so he ran a bunch of tests but everything came back normal. He sent me to a internal med. DOC. and she pegged it in 10 min. I was going thru whitdrawls from Tramadol. This is a terrible drug like cathy5841 says you get double whammed from this drug with antidep.and opioid type whitdrawls. They never worked for my pain very good either compared to the Vicodin i was on. It never gave me a high more of a detached feeling that i did not like. I will never take this drug again for pain. My advise would be to stay away from it. There are lots of posts in here on Tramadol/Ultram. Hope it works out good for you. f1swede
It is addicting
You do have ephoria
It should NOT be used by ANYONE with addiction issues.
What is the most important information I should know about tramadol?
Physical Dependence and Abuse
ULTRAM may induce psychic and physical dependence of the morphine-type (μ-opioid) (see DRUG
ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE). ULTRAM should not be used in opioid-dependent patients. ULTRAM
has been shown to reinitiate physical dependence in some patients that have been previously dependent on
other opioids. Dependence and abuse, including drug-seeking behavior and taking illicit actions to obtain
the drug, are not limited to those patients with prior history of opioid dependence
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking tramadol. You may be more likely to have a seizure while taking tramadol if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than 300 milligrams of tramadol in one day.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. A tramadol overdose can be fatal. Overdose symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include drowsiness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma. Tramadol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Tramadol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Do not crush the tramadol tablet. This medicine is for oral (by mouth) use only. Powder from a crushed tablet should not be inhaled or diluted with liquid and injected into the body. Using this medicine by inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death.
What is tramadol?
Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
Tramadol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tramadol?
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol, if you are currently intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used any of the following drugs:
alcohol;
narcotic pain medicine;
sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);
medicine for depression or anxiety;
medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or
street drugs.
Seizures have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:
a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of head injury;
a metabolic disorder; or
if you are also taking an antidepressant, muscle relaxer, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure while taking tramadol.
Before taking tramadol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a stomach disorder; or
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take tramadol.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tramadol may also cause serious or fatal side effects in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy or labor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Tramadol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 18 years of age.
Tramadol may be habit-forming. Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is not working as well in relieving your pain. Do not change your dose without talking to your doctor. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Store tramadol at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Tramadol is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription
Seizure Risk
Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol within the recommended dosage range. Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:
•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
Administration of tramadol may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking:
•MAO inhibitors (see also WARNINGS - Use with MAO Inhibitors),
•Neuroleptics, or
•Other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold.
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections). In tramadol overdose, naloxone administration may increase the risk of seizure.
Suicide Risk
•Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
•Prescribe ULTRAM ER with caution for patients taking tranquilizers or antidepressant drugs and patients who use alcohol in excess.
•Tell your patients not to exceed the recommended dose and to limit their intake of alcohol.
Serotonin Syndrome Risk
The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with use of tramadol products, including ULTRAM ER, particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs and triptans, with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAOIs) and with drugs which impair metabolism of tramadol (CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors). This may occur within the recommended dose. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY-Pharmacokinetics).
Serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination) and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
You do have ephoria
It should NOT be used by ANYONE with addiction issues.
What is the most important information I should know about tramadol?
Physical Dependence and Abuse
ULTRAM may induce psychic and physical dependence of the morphine-type (μ-opioid) (see DRUG
ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE). ULTRAM should not be used in opioid-dependent patients. ULTRAM
has been shown to reinitiate physical dependence in some patients that have been previously dependent on
other opioids. Dependence and abuse, including drug-seeking behavior and taking illicit actions to obtain
the drug, are not limited to those patients with prior history of opioid dependence
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking tramadol. You may be more likely to have a seizure while taking tramadol if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than 300 milligrams of tramadol in one day.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. A tramadol overdose can be fatal. Overdose symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include drowsiness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma. Tramadol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Tramadol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Do not crush the tramadol tablet. This medicine is for oral (by mouth) use only. Powder from a crushed tablet should not be inhaled or diluted with liquid and injected into the body. Using this medicine by inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death.
What is tramadol?
Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
Tramadol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tramadol?
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol, if you are currently intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used any of the following drugs:
alcohol;
narcotic pain medicine;
sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);
medicine for depression or anxiety;
medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or
street drugs.
Seizures have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:
a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of head injury;
a metabolic disorder; or
if you are also taking an antidepressant, muscle relaxer, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure while taking tramadol.
Before taking tramadol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a stomach disorder; or
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take tramadol.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tramadol may also cause serious or fatal side effects in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy or labor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Tramadol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 18 years of age.
Tramadol may be habit-forming. Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is not working as well in relieving your pain. Do not change your dose without talking to your doctor. Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Store tramadol at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Tramadol is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription
Seizure Risk
Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol within the recommended dosage range. Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:
•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
Administration of tramadol may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking:
•MAO inhibitors (see also WARNINGS - Use with MAO Inhibitors),
•Neuroleptics, or
•Other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold.
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections). In tramadol overdose, naloxone administration may increase the risk of seizure.
Suicide Risk
•Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
•Prescribe ULTRAM ER with caution for patients taking tranquilizers or antidepressant drugs and patients who use alcohol in excess.
•Tell your patients not to exceed the recommended dose and to limit their intake of alcohol.
Serotonin Syndrome Risk
The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with use of tramadol products, including ULTRAM ER, particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs and triptans, with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAOIs) and with drugs which impair metabolism of tramadol (CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors). This may occur within the recommended dose. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY-Pharmacokinetics).
Serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination) and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Ultram or Tramadol is a SYNTHETIC opiate and yes it is addicting. Very.
Same scenario for me. I am 3 months clean from Vicodin and 16 days clean from Tramadol. Yes, the w/d from the trams were worse. Trams don't produce the "high" that the vicodin does, so doctors view that as a drug less likely to be abused. But, from my experience and from what I have read on forums such as this, they are more addictive than vicodin. Get out of bed in the morning all achy and creaky, pop a tram, and by the time you are out of the shower you are feeling mighty good. Until you realize that your whol existance now revolves around scheduling the next pill.
Also, if you dig into the literature that comes with the drug, there's a warning that it should not be used by anyone who has an opiate addiction.
In many ways the w/d is worse. In extreme cases of heavy use and going cold tukey, siezures have occurred. I am OK now, but still contend with sleeplessness, agitation, and general funk. Every day is better. In retrospect I now know the trams affected my work habits, how I interacted with my wife and family, my moods, even mny thoughts.
I have been able to treat my chronic pain (collapsed talus bone, arthritis in both knees and ankles) with a strong NSAIDS called etodalac. It's like a super Aleve. Nasty stuff, I have to have my liver checked frequently and woe unto the person who takes a pill on an empty stomach, but for the most part it lets me live a somewhat normal life. No more opiates for me.
You gotta do what you gotta do. If you are in pain and the only way to function is to block the pain, then you need to consider a drug like Tramadol. But you really need to be honest with yourself and your doc. Personally, based on my experience, I'd recommend NOT taking the trams and seeking alternat means of pain control.
Same scenario for me. I am 3 months clean from Vicodin and 16 days clean from Tramadol. Yes, the w/d from the trams were worse. Trams don't produce the "high" that the vicodin does, so doctors view that as a drug less likely to be abused. But, from my experience and from what I have read on forums such as this, they are more addictive than vicodin. Get out of bed in the morning all achy and creaky, pop a tram, and by the time you are out of the shower you are feeling mighty good. Until you realize that your whol existance now revolves around scheduling the next pill.
Also, if you dig into the literature that comes with the drug, there's a warning that it should not be used by anyone who has an opiate addiction.
In many ways the w/d is worse. In extreme cases of heavy use and going cold tukey, siezures have occurred. I am OK now, but still contend with sleeplessness, agitation, and general funk. Every day is better. In retrospect I now know the trams affected my work habits, how I interacted with my wife and family, my moods, even mny thoughts.
I have been able to treat my chronic pain (collapsed talus bone, arthritis in both knees and ankles) with a strong NSAIDS called etodalac. It's like a super Aleve. Nasty stuff, I have to have my liver checked frequently and woe unto the person who takes a pill on an empty stomach, but for the most part it lets me live a somewhat normal life. No more opiates for me.
You gotta do what you gotta do. If you are in pain and the only way to function is to block the pain, then you need to consider a drug like Tramadol. But you really need to be honest with yourself and your doc. Personally, based on my experience, I'd recommend NOT taking the trams and seeking alternat means of pain control.
I have tried Tramadol/ ultram and it did nothing for pain. It just made me feel weird not high feeling weird just yucky. Then after finding out the withdrawals people had from it and the seizures i stopped taking it really fast. I didn't taper because I hadn't taken very much of it but usually a taper is the way to go. Please try and find something else for pain.
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