Quitting Ultram Tramadol. Ultram withdrawal symptoms.
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Ultram is very addictive
Although a narcotic (synthetic codeine) Ultram is widely touted as a far less addictive alternative to prescription medications such as vicodin, oxycontin or methadone. Yet a browsing of internet forums devoted to overcoming an addiction to Ultram makes you question just how non-addictive it is.
I was addicted to Ultram, and also to vicodin, and in my opinion the withdrawal and addiction to Ultram was worse, and the withdrawal pains lasted longer.
Some common withdrawal symptoms with Ultram detox are:
Anxiety
Depression
Sweating
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Insomnia
Leg restlessness (hard to describe, but very uncomfortable!)
Tremors
Chills
Hallucination
Breathing problems
Additionally, for people dependant on Ultram, a sudden cessation of use carries with it a significant possibility of seizures, and you should never try to quit "cold turkey" without first consulting with your doctor.
The withdrawal symptoms will peak after a day or so, and last for 3-4 days before gradually subsiding over the course of a month or so.
Most doctor's will advise you to gradually reduce your dosage over a period of weeks or months; and unfortunately, it gets harder to reduce the dosage as you get closer to your ultimate goal of abstinence.
Psychological addiction
If you have been using ultram to experience the pleasurable narcotic effects, you likely have a psychological addiction to compliment the physical addiction, and you may require additional drug treatment or counseling to better this desire for intoxication through drugs.
Many people find the 12 steps of NA a good place to start, and other options include finding a good psychologist familiar with addiction, a local prescription drug addiction support group, or in extreme cases, even a period of residential rehab.
Be careful with Ultram
If you are not yet using Ultram (or not yet abusing Ultram) you should consider your use very carefully before possibly passing into dependence and with it the need for very uncomfortable and anxiety filled withdrawal. The detox off of Ultram is severe and long lasting, and if you are using Ultram recreationally, the ultimate price to pay for this intoxication is high indeed.
Don’t use Ultram if you have a history of addiction
If you have any history of addiction to drugs or alcohol, you should inform your doctor before accepting a prescription for this oft prescribed medication, and be very wary of this seductive drug.
If you have any history of seizures or alcohol addiction, you are also at a much greater risk for seizures while using this medication.
Whatever your doctor says, know that this drug has a very strong abuse potential, and should be used with caution, for a short time only, and then only as directed.
Think about whether a couple of ibuprofens might be a safer way to manage pain.
Addiction links
Facts about Ultram (Tramadol)
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Comments
one should know that this medication is in pregnancy category C. This means that the medication may harm an unborn baby, and it may also cause serious side effects in a newborn if it is given to the mother during pregnancy or labor. Note, too, that Tramadol can dissolve in a mother's breast milk and can therefore be harmful to a nursing baby.
I have only taken ultam for a month and have stopped. I am having horrible withdrawls I have been taking tylonal 3 for years and go long periods of time (months) sometimes without taking it with no withdrawls.
i have depended on tramadol for 2 years , at the first time i used it to manage an acute pain in my left leg caused by a wrong injection (my sciatic nerve was partially hitted by the injection) it was very effective at first &100mg of tramadol was enough to subside the pain for 3-4 days , but there after its effectiveness on the pain reduced with time untill i reached to use 1000mg of it/day ,in the last of the second year now iam planing to quit it & beleive me it is harddd but it worths ,
my advise to every one is that (NEVER USE TRAMADOL FOR ANY REASONE)
I have been taking tramadol 50mg for two years, I then switched to ultram 200mg, I have alot of back and neck problem's, and have been to 7 different doctor's, still there is no relief. Only the relief I get for a little while after taking my Ultram, which was an extended release, yet it took forever to start reducing my pain, thanx alot doctor. It's been seven days now, and I didn't have the oppurtunity to step down, Yes, I was takin off of the tramadol cold turkey, and let me tell you..Honestly, I want one more now than I ever have, because the withdrawal has been compared to that of long-term heroin abusers. Ladie's and gentlemen, we should rebel, because I just don't see it as fair. I started out with tramadol, after being diagnosed with osteo-arthritis, and believed to show early signs of rheumetoid arthritis as well. So I am still in disbelief that I am no longer taking it, In my eyes I think I need something stronger, but the doctor I see now just doesn't listen. I am not trying to get high, I am just trying to obtain relief from my arthritis, and flipping a car 18 times. That's all. I am considering going online and trying to get my normal refill of tramadol. Wish me luck, because I don't know if I can do another painfilled day like this.
God Bless Everyone!
I have been using tramadol for a little over a year now and it has really messed up my life. I am still on my first 24 hours of abstinance from this drug and I feel like death, and I know the worst has yet to come. One thing people need to understand that you dont hear alot is that this drug will mess up your short term memory. I was going to start Nursing School this year but I dont see the point anymore. If I cant finish a simple story wtihout forgetting what I was saying half way through, I sure wont be able to pass tests in school. I just hope that when I do finally get off this stuff that my memory will come back to regular again and that its not temporary. I really need to be in a detox center but I am the single Mother to 3 little boys and that is impossible. This is going to be so hard.
I am in my 6th day of no ultram after using it for 6 years to treat arthritis of my spine. It has not been easy,but I do not want to cloud my brain with chemicals any longer. Ibuprofen/tylenol are helpful. I knew I was in trouble when I took the ultram even when I was not in pain...just to get the energy to get through my day. I want to live a clean and sober life. Wish me luck
Some advice please dont take this drug I took it and only took what i was supposed to and when i was done i found myself feeling like bolts of electricity were going thru my body and could not sleep for a week. Worst week of my life this stuff should be taken off the market. I did find that taking another pain killer while going off Ultram helps. Do not take other meds while on ultram what i am saying is wean yourself off with vicodin or something like that the widrawls from vicodin are wat eaiser than ultram and if you use normal doses of vics you wont have withdrawls. thanks
i am on ultram now for chronic back pain i have 3 slipped disks. physical therapy seems to have made the pain worse. i think ultram stops working after a while
Hey guys- not sure if this blog is still active but I'll post and check back tomorrow. Here's my story- started taking tramadol about 7 months ago ironically to help me w/d from an oxy habit. I usually take between 500-1000mg/day (10-20 pills)- I had stopped for a day or so a few months back and was surprised that I felt okay- I remeber how sick I was w/d'n from oxy...but all of a sudden things have changed. Fedex man didn't show up yesterday and I'm in bad shape...it's hitting me much stronger physically than emotionally which is weird. Anyway, I'm going to quit this- I'm a big fan of cold turkey'n it (not really but rather go thru hell for a short time)- but the point of this post is i'm slightly worried about having a seizure if up and quit? Is that info right? I've heard some stuff on both sides of that. Also, any general info about this w/d would be helpful- it appears from other posts to be longer lasting than oxy/ heroin which sucks- but is it as bad? I'm in horrible shape right now, but I don't think it's as bad as coming off of oxy's....YET. I'm scared though, sweating n shivering pretty bad trying to google up some info. Any help/advice much appreicated- i don't know much about this med.
THX
I worked in a doctor's office for 12 years and drug reps came in and out all the time. We rec'd samples of Ultram and I was told over and over that it was non-addictive so I tried it for some problems I was having with my hip. It worked really well and I also noticed I had extra energy which was great considering I was on my feet all day and in the evening cleaning the house, taking care of the kids, etc....I asked my Dr. about it and was assured it was harmless so I have been on it for a few years now. I gradually started taking more and more and it developed into a full blown addiction. Now I'm learning in order to get off this stuff I will have to go through pure HELL>>>>>>(Already am actually) After being laid off from work (nothing to do with the Ultram, though, just went out of business) I have to take time off before looking for another job just to get off this stuff. I'm having night sweats, restless leg and arms!! It is painful misery. NEVER TRY THIS STUFF LONG TERM!!! Just because the doctor says its harmless doesn't mean it is...
J_C, from what i am seeing right now from my husband, coming off of ultram is worst than coming off of oxy. 8 mos ago, my husband was prescribed this ultram to help him get off of oxy and percoset which is a very wrong thing to do ( never take ultram if you are addicted to oxy or aother narcotic). Now , after he realized that his memory is messing up and takes 180 tabs in a week, being grouchy and stuff, he wanted to quit it. He plans to taper it off tohelp him get out of this stuff but unfortunately, his order on-line will not come here till monday and he was in pure hell since friday. The effects of withrawals to him is pretty bad that i had to take him to the ER because he couldn't stand up without falling and he was so dizzy. Doctors should know better than prescribing this medicine especially to vulnerable people or to just anybody in general. I will realy mess you up. Best advice i got from a nurse practitioner was to taper your self off ot it before you finally quit.
i am using tramadol now for more than 4 years and i cant stop it i'm taking 400 to 600mg daily and i tried to stop but the withdrawal was like heroin one and even worse now i dont know what to do to stop it and my doctor's advice is to take depakine and brufen400 for 10 days to avoid the withdrawal simptoms but i still cant decide when to stop it cos it makes me high a lil bit .:(
I was using Tramadol for almost a year. I started taking it for a buldging disk and started taking 300mg a day. I had to gradually get myself off it. Then 2 months ago I was diagnosed with endometriosis and had to start taking it again with the begining of my menstral cycle for cramps. I am now gradually getting off of it again. I have never been adicted to anything before. I can hang on to a bottle of vicodin and perkocet for months, but docs dont hand that out anymore. A word of advice that has helped me...try taking Excederine PM at night while getting off. It helped me with the sleep disorder and restless legs and arms. During the day I started drinking 5 hour energy to get me through the day. It doesnt give you jitters or make you crash like other energy drinks. Then a freind told me to try Flu medicine to help with the chills, so I am going to try that next. I think this stuff needs to be taken off the market, its horrible and I dont think the doctors understand it. Good luck to all of you, you do have the will power to get over it. It can be done.
I started taking Tramadol 5 years ago for chronic back pain. I was told it was not addictive. It stopped working at the prescribed dosage and gradually over the years I increased the dosage until I was up to 15-30 pills (50mg) aday. 2 weeks ago I suffered 2 grand mal seizures, a TIA (mild stroke), Q-Wave (heart) abnormalities and miocarditis while trying to gradually reduce my dosage. Spent a total of 2 weeks in both general hospital and detox. This medication is highly addictive and can cause severe complications while taking and/or stoping/withdrawing from. DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL HELP. It does'nt matter if you have taken it only as prescribed, for only a few months, abused it short/long term, etc. I almost died folks.
hi I started taking tramadol to get of taking hydro's I have back problems and this is the best and worst drug I have ever taken !!!!!!!! the withdrawls are way worse than hydro's and I thought I was doing the right thing by taking them instead ernnttt !!! wrong answer this drug should be outlawed and we should all learn mind over matter or self hipnosis I pray for anybody going through what I am trying to stop. good luck and wish me luck !!!
OMG.... I have been reading all morning and it seems that Iam doomed. I have been taking tramadol for 4 years now and it seems that I will never get off of them. The withdrawals are horrible. I am not giving up though. I will find a way to get off of this crap. Wish me luck.
Ive been taking tramadol for 5 years in secret,i finaly admited to my family a couple of months ago and they have been great.I have been to seen a addiction doctor and she put me on a reduction programe week by week.Im now into my 3rd day of detox and its not been easy but much better than when i tried it cold turkey a year ago.Iwont fail this time as i cant let this nasty drug rule my life anymore!!!
I was using Ultram from Sept 08 to May 09. I went through all of those withdrawls symptoms; the worst being the leg restlessness (awful!!!), depression, chills and sweats. I don't know why this drug is approved. Weaning yourself slowly is best. The first 48hrs were one of the most worst experiences of my life; gradually cut down. The most I was on was 8 50mg pills a day, when I wanted to wean myself off, I cut down to 37.5mg and went to 4 day for 3 days, then 3 for 3 and eventually to 1/2. This gave my body a chance to recuperate. I would NEVER EVER recommend anyone ever use this drug! STAY AWAY and warn others!!!!
One last thing, I've been completely off now almost 6 days, it IS possible to stop!!! Don't give up and do it gradually. I can feel my apetite coming back and my body regulating it's sleep pattern. I was told by an MD it should be 2 to 4 weeks before my body is rid of the medication. I'm also sleeping 4-5 hrs a night but gradually improving. The depressive states and irritability continue, but the intensity is decreasing. You can go to my website and email me if you have any other questions. Avoid this drug at all costs and warn others!
i was on percocet for a few months from a car accident ,after they were gone and my back was ok,,, i got some tramadol online just to feel that opiate feeling ,,i thought the tramadol was safe...I WAS WRONG....i took tramadol for 2 months and decided i had had enough ......withdrawl is terrible ,, much worse than the percocet withdrawl ..... for me the worst part of withdrawl is the depression,,, crying all the time for no reason..but it gradually gets better so dont give up ....i will never use tramadol again
I was addicted to Ultram for a year. I was chewing the supposed to be oh so non addicted XR. I would chew a 200mg tab @ 8 am and a 200mg tab @ 2pm like clockwork everyday. Now I was abusing this med from the start, I had absolutely NO reason to be taking any kind of pain med, but Docs gave it out like candy and it made me a totally different person and I liked it. I decided on my own to quit this med.....absolute HELL. I even had Ativan to help the first few days and I felt like I was going off the deep end...I twitched like a crack head and it felt like shocks going throughout my body and esp my face and it also felt like my lips and part of my face were numb. Today is day 6. Other than insomnia and night sweats im ok today. I started on Prozac 40mg dly to help restore my seritonin levels and its helped a lot. I have not abused any other drugs so I cannot compare, but as a nurse..yes I should know better....Large doses of this drug can cause seizures and heart problems..that is why I forced myself to stay in the recommended range of 400mg a day. Soo to all of you cold turkeyn it, you CAN do it. Vitamins, Water, Immodium, Epsom Salt hot baths, thera flu, Excedrin Pm...WHATEVER makes it better...I do recommend an anti-depressant once your symptoms have almost subsided, by all means NEVER take an anti-depressant with this med or any other pain-med, you are asking for death, whether its by your own hand or chemical reactions b/c the two counter-act each other so your poor brain is out of wack. I hoped i helped somebody out there for Tramadol is an evil drug and will get the best of you.....God Bless
Hi I started using this drug a little over a year ago. Its been two days since I had any my heart is pounding im on edge. I want one realllllllllyyyyyyyyy bad. This med makes me feel normal i feel like doing everyday activities i need it to function. I went into detox once for this prob. but it didnt work i keep failing at trying to stop i dont know what to do any suggestions
chakk says:
2 years ago
too much trouble