Ultram/Tramadol is ReallyDangerous. Its slowly killing me!

[catfishjohn]

To: All it may concern. Beware of Ultram/Tramadol! This is old News but a little of personal experience.
I've been taking them for several years due to bad back/neck pain. I also take lorcet for the actual pain. The ultram is just to feed the addiction. I can stay off the lorcets if I need to and withdrawals are not very bad as i've developed a way to ween myself off lorcets/percocets/vicodins whatever I was prescribed. I'm down to about 2-4 ultram a day now and ithink its really killing my mental state. Depression and anxiety are killing me. I'm now taking clonopin .5mg for anxiety and soon to take effexor 75mg for depression. I've noticed for the past 6-7 years i've been taking this drug that i've been spiraling out of control. I wish I could find a good doc to get me off them instead of feeding them to me. I miss my old self...I really feel this drug may have screwed up my past 7 years or so.
Thanks for this thread,this may have opened up a new life for me!
Feel free to ask or comment back,I have many questions but no answers..........

[catfishjohn]

Thank You!!! It feels great to be free of the ultram. The anxiety meds and depression meds are seeming to start helping me out. It'll be great to feel good again!!!

[GoingToMakeIt]

The Tramadol website now claims it can be addictive. It is a synthetic opiate. They also warn about taking it if you had a previous problem with opiates.

Kudos to you John for getting and staying clean! I am so happy for you. It must be nice now to rediscover who you are.

[catfishjohn]

Not exactly sure what it is classified as now. My Dr told me it was non narcotic and non habit forming. Not so!!!  I'm sure someone that knows that answer will chime in and answer for you on that. I'm curious to that answer as well.
It doesn't even compare to the Lorcet for easing the pain!!! The last few years I took it was just so I wouldn't get sick and feel partially normal.
Whatever it is, its very dangerous and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone!!!!!

[3grlz'mom]

Congratulations to you on your victory!  Question for you:  is ultram an opium derivative/narcotic or is it a non-narcotic?  I have heard conflicting explanations.  Is it as effective in easing your back pain as your lorcet is?

[catfishjohn]

Thanks so much for the kind words!!!
Thank You, I am happy also! Got that monkey off my back now.
I hope things are going as well for you as can be!!!

Lotsa Hugs right back at you!!!!!
       John

[mshell62]

Catfish,

I am crying right now.  These are bittersweet/happy tears.  

I had wondered how you were doing.  I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!  

I am the one who's sister passed away just over a month ago from Tramadol.  

You are doing SO great!  I am incredibly happy for you!!  You stepped up to the plate and did it!  As hard as it has been, you have held on and are such an encouragement to us!  

Thank you for getting clean.  I can only hope that my sister's experience has helped others from sharing in the same terrible ending.

Lotsa hugs to you!
Michele

[catfishjohn]

Good Luck! Hope all is well! Keep us updated!
       John

[anjel75]

Doctors evidently do not take these meds! New law: Doctor has to take a new medicine for a while before he can prescribe! Well, I am off to the dr. to see what is going with my head, well, besides the obvious!...lol

[catfishjohn]

I plan on updating this thread often and hoping that people will read it and take our advice. I also started a blog on myspace page for all my friends to read and learn about this and hopefully pass it along.
I still take Lorcets for the pain when It gets too bad for Ibuprofen. Over the years I've learned to control myself with them and am very careful when I do take them.
I've detoxed in the past off of Percocets & Lorcets and they were nothing compared to the detox off Ultram!
Thanks for the kind words and info. I wish you nothing but the best!!! You'll find out if you read my posts or blog that I'm not a sarcastic person but truly want to help get this message out to the world!  99% of Dr's still say Ultram is safe and non habit forming...We know better than that!!!

[anjel75]

I just didn't know as I don't think I have ever talked with you. I didn't know how to take it, but you bring up some very important points that I hate will end up at the bottom, with no one seeing them. I think that you need to post this everyday for a while. The dangers are too much for the public not to know. It is too bad that most people find shame in an addiction which is a disease in itself, enough to not go on here for fear of someone finding out. I don't want to see one more story about Ultram and the dangers that it holds until it is too late. I am SO PROUD of you for going off and staying off. My neuro said that any other opiate is safe, well, you know, neuro wise. So, if you have to take something for pain that OTC's don't touch, don't be scared of having to turn to one. Start with something like Tylenol 3 and see if that helps. Move up until your pain is gone and then just do away with them. If you go through another episode where you need them, the doc will prescribe them. But the Ultram and Demerol, no way! And if that is all that doc will prescribe, you find another doc. There are too many out there to get stuck with one that prescribes meds he knows not enough about. AMEN!....lol

[catfishjohn]

Don't know if what was sarcasm or sincere? I didn't mean any sarcasm at all in my posts! I'm Sorry if you took any that way!
My main reason for this thread is to help people out. So far I've got through to 3-4 people that are in the process of getting off of them.
They are nothing but poison and you're right, they don't help near enough to compensate for all the side effects and addiction.
Hope you have a great day!!!
        John

[anjel75]

You are very welcome. I don't know if that was sarcasm or sincere, but in any case, maybe someone will read it and decide to NOT take them. I don't think they even work! Goody Powders do a much better job! I hope they pull it or at least get info out there so we will know. If the docs don't, how are we supposed to? I would much rather read about this than seeing Britney's crotch or Mr. Phil's face plastered everywhere! But we are not the famous! However, we should be. I hardly think that any of these peeps have gone through the **** we have. We should be the famous and rise up against the rights and wrongs. If we could steer ONE person, would it not be worth it? Britney Spears vs. Junkies. Who do you think that the public wants to read about? Sad....Until it hits home...

[catfishjohn]

Thanks for the heads up and info! Best of Luck to you!!!

[anjel75]

I happen to be a sufferer of the seizures Ultram can induce. Now, had it not been for the Adderall, I PROBABLY wouldn't have experienced the seizing. Doctors do NOT know enough about this med for them to prescribe. When it was given to me, it was the introduction to the new Ultram ER. Well, since it was extnded release, I seized until it left my body and then, what do you know, I am Angie again, but a pissed off version because I was in the hospital with tests being run right and left, and the doc was a workers comp doc who gave them to me and they don't think they are at fault. My lawyer is going to explain to them how that is untrue!

In any case, I have noticed that when I would come off of the opiates, I am on them for my lower back, once the WD's have went away, you will notice the pain will also ease. I never knew why. The receptors are located in your spine and most are at the bottom. So, when you come off, it hurts like hell, but once your body is clean from them, the pain can be tolerable. Now, I am all for having some PRN, but some people just can't do that. Sometimes your back hurts anyway. Hard day, slept wrong, strain, etc. That is when you need the PRN, BUT NOT ULTRAM!!!!! My neuro also told me that they are working to try to get this med discontinued and to stay away from Demerol as well do to the neuro effects.

[catfishjohn]

Thanks for the concern. Actually the tooth has been bothering me for over a month. I had to wait till the first of the year to try to get a dentist for insurance reasons. I had an appointment last Monday but had other appts that made me miss it. On top of that I got 2 of the worst fever blisters I've ever had. First time since I was a little kid. That is another reason I haven't been. Also, I have a fear of dentists. All the surgeries I've had a dentist scares me more! I'd rather be cut on than go to the dentist!!!
Monday I'll go for sure. I may try to get an antibiotic called in but not sure since i'll be a new patient.
It sucks, I haven't never had any problems with my teeth until last month. Seems like when it rains it pours! This dang weather is giving my back/neck fits also!!!
Thanks again and I'll keep you all posted on whats happening.
           John
PS~ where in ohio you at? I'm 5 minutes from Ironton,OH in Lawrence Co. right by the Ohio River.

[troubleinohio]

wow 3 weeks now! that is awesome! Im concerned though that you still havent gone to the dentist! you first mentioned your bad tooth on Jan 3rd?? thats a long time to go with a bad tooth! Ive had lots of teeth problems so I know all about them! You need an antibiotic! The infection that is causing the tooth pain is probably causing alot of your other residual problems as well. Is there any way you can call them to see if they can call in an antibiotic for you to start over the weekend? THat way, if the tooth does need pulled, they could do it right away monday since you'd have 3 days of anti B's in you. They dont like to pull an infected tooth, so if you see them Monday, they may start you on ANti'bs then and you will have to wait longer to get it fixed. GOod luck to you and keep us posted on everything!

[catfishjohn]

WTG!!! I'm glad to hear you are off them! If you're at day 4 and feel ok, thats GREAT!!! Day 4 was pretty rough for me. It was almost 2 weeks before I started feeling somewhat normal.
Keep up the good work and don't hesitate to ask any questions on here. There are lots of great people on here that are willing to help you out!!!
Yes, it can change and your quality of life will be better once your system gets clear of the trams.
I'm proud of you, keep us posted on how you're doing! Its great to see another person get off that poison!!!
     John

[northernstar30]

I'm at day 4 with no trams.  I'm so happy to read your post and know it can change.  I feel ok so far today.  Congrats and keep up the good work.

[catfishjohn]

3 Weeks Today and still going strong without the Ultram/Tramadol!!! I'm so glad I found this place, otherwise I'd still be a slave to that poison. I have also started new meds for anxiety and depression and they seem to be helping somewhat. Between that ultram and being disabled at such a young age I was about to go crazy!!!
I'll keep you updated about what they say about the dizziness and lightheadedness. I go to the dentist on Monday and hope to find out something, at least get that tooth fixed or pulled.
Thanks again, you guys/gals are wonderful!!!
        John

[avisg]

You would be surprised what can cause dizziness I have problems alot with it from TMJ. all it takes is a little fluid in the ears to cause dizziness ....

[catfishjohn]

Yep, their all right there together. It may be a little bit of infection or swelling causing the dizziness??? I don't know, the dizziness was there before the tooth started hurting so....?????
I guess I'll find out more Monday, I hope!

[avisg]

What you said about your tooth is what made me wonder teeth ,ears ear canals are all very close so that's is a good idea !!!!!

[catfishjohn]

OK, I hadn't thought of that. I figured it may be that tooth thats been bothering me. I have an appt. next Monday to see a dentist. If that doesn't take care of it I'll go to my Doc and see whats up. I'll keep posted on this.
Thanks for all the help and support! Its greatly appreciated!
        John

[avisg]

Have your ears checked you may have some fluid in them that is causing the dizziness. I am sooooo proud of you ...... you are doing GREAT!!!!!! see a doctor then let me know what he says.
avis