[Debpurpletiger]

Before I even ask these things, I am NOT drug seeking or looking for a new drug to try to "get high" or anything like that. After reading so many posts about Ultram, etc...I have a few questions:

1. Is Ultram a Narcotic? Or NOT? Seems a lot say no, but then I also read so many W/D stories.......If it is NOT an Opiate/Narcotic, what exactly, would you get "addicted" to?

2. And why does a "high/euphoric" feeling happen to about 50% of Patients......if it's not an Opiate....

3. Lastly, I heard somewhere that you can't take Opiates while on Ultram, I heard that puts you into immediate W/D. ? ?

I just wanted to know this so that I can better understand what people are posting about...because as far as this Medication goes...I am clueless.

Thanks.

[MaisieC]

Hi Deb,

It's really all a question of vocabulary. Ultram is not a narcotic, it's not an opiate, but it IS an opioid. What's the difference? I don't think it matters at all from the point of view of the user. It's a synthetic drug that acts on the same parts of the brain that vicodin, oxy, and all the opiods act on. It has the additional feature of being an SSRI, which contributes to its ability to relieve pain and also boosts your mood. The combination of the opioid and the SSRI can make you feel really good, but it also makes this drug BEASTLY to get off once you start.

The drug company that developed Ultram has studies that show it causes addiction about half as often as vicodin does, so they use that as the basis for selling it as "safe." Something half as addictive as vicodin is still pretty addictive. And we have to remember that a lot of people who use opiates never get high and therefore never get addicted. That's easy for people like us to forget.

I never heard that combining Ultram with another opioid would put you in withdrawal. Basically you'd just be using two different opioids. You'd probably feel lousy and mega-drugged, but I've never heard that business about withdrawal.

Ultram is not a good alternative if you're looking to avoid addiction. Even the manufacturer says it should not be prescribed to patients with a history of drug abuse. Speaking as an experienced addict, I would rather detox from vicodin five times than have to detox from Ultram again. It's a miserable detox. I've read posts from many other experienced users who say it's the worst withdrawal they're ever gone through. I'm pretty resilient, and I was not right physically for MONTHS after I got clean.

Not good news, but the truth will set you free.

Take care,
Maisie

[Debpurpletiger]

Thank you so much for the information!!

Before my Hysterectomy in July 2001, I was given Ultram for Pain (Endometriosis) and I got no relief from the pain nor did I get a "high" feeling of any kind.

After the Hysterectomy is when my Addiction started: Percocet then Vicodin etc......

I was just curious due to all the stories from people on here.....

Thanks again!!!

[Debpurpletiger]

(bumping post for more replies) Again, I am just curios because this seems like such a "different" medication....... seems like it's 50/50 with addiction or not -- just curious.

[Mallai]

Originally Posted by Debpurpletiger

(bumping post for more replies) Again, I am just curios because this seems like such a "different" medication....... seems like it's 50/50 with addiction or not -- just curious.

As someone who has been through the tramadol "family" ( Ultram, Ultracet, Tramadol etc; ) it's not even worth finding out if it's 50/50 or not..The addiction /withdrawal process is from hell..It's just not worth it..Please stay away from it.

[MaisieC]

Hi Deb,

How much reading on the Web have you done about tramadol? You could start with the Wikipedia page, which contains a link to the study I mentioned about addiction rates. The chance of addiction is NOT 50/50; the article contains real numbers. Again, bear in mind that most people who use opiates do not become addicted. Once you have been addicted, you know something about yourself that you should always remember. As I mentioned above, doctors are instructed NOT to prescribe tramadol to patients with a history of addiction. The manufacturer states that, and I think there was also a DEA letter to doctors about that once it became evident that there was a real risk of addiction. If you've been addicted to opiates in the past, I would think your risk of becoming addicted to tramadol is pretty close to 100%. It's not such a "different" drug: it's an opioid.

Take care,
Maisie

[Debpurpletiger]

Thanks 4 the info - I was just curious about it.

I HAVE been given it for pain a long time ago but didn't help with pain NOR made me feel weird/high. etc.... (That was right be4 my Hyterectomy, when addiction started) Thats why I was just curious. I heard people got addicted and didnt know why.....NO intent on re- trying it. Only wanted info.

Thanks

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by Debpurpletiger

Thanks 4 the info - I was just curious about it.

I HAVE been given it for pain a long time ago but didn't help with pain NOR made me feel weird/high. etc.... (That was right be4 my Hyterectomy, when addiction started) Thats why I was just curious. I heard people got addicted and didnt know why.....NO intent on re- trying it. Only wanted info.

Thanks

Drs tried giving me ultram years ago too. When I got a script I literally took the entire thing in two days and never felt a thing. I thought it was a JOKE! But I had been taking 900mg of oxycodone a day though so nothing really made me high at that point. Plus I assumed that anything that wasn't supposed to be addictive (a real narcotic) couldn't possibly be any good for me. LOL I was kind of stupid. The real stuff barely worked for me.

There are so many horror stories with ultram addiction there is NO WAY that I would ever suggest it. That is my opinion and others feel differently. In addition to getting addicted to the opioid people usually suffer from the SSRI dependency that Maisie talked about when they stop too. So you get a double whammy when you try to quit. It's totally playing with fire. DON'T DO IT! God bless.