[waismann]

Ultram for me is a misclassified drug. we see patients coming in weekly do to Ultram dependency. It works in the same receptors as opiates and it works in the same manner...The result is that it causes the same dependency with withdrawals as well...

www.opiates.com

[sarbanes]

Yes it is. But to me, thats not in spite of it being a good drug. I think the more addictive a drug, the better (in many ways). The most euphoric drugs will probably be the best opioids to take ones mind off the pain. The price to pay with something which is so good, its hard to leave. Tramadol is one such drug. Very addictive, very effective. VERY EUPHORIC! Nothing comes for free in life. Even ibuprofen will have its side effects in time - some we're probably just beginning to learn now.

[sarbanes]

Originally Posted by endersshadow

HI all, I just joined today, this is my first post.
In 2001 I tore my L5/S1 and have been on tramal daily since then. While I have found it very effective with my pain management, in recent years I have been taking it to stop the withdrawals as much as for the pain. On numerous occasions I have discussed my concerns with my doctor but his continued response is "they are not addictive". Bollocks to that!
Amongst my concerns I am seriously worried about my weight loss (I am at 55Kg-should be 63, not a big fella but 55 is WAY low) and also my ultra low blood pressure. The lowest I've had is 60/40 and average between 80/40 to 90/50.
I have been cold turkey on numerous occasions, usually making it 2-3 days before giving in. I once made it to a week but the living hell of it defeated me. I tried reduced doses, having 3/4 of my usual daily and made it to 3 weeks, all of which was an utter nightmare before finally thowing in the towel. I truly expected that after 3 weeks I would have adjusted to the new dose but instead the severity of the withdrawals increased to the point that I had no choice but to give in.
I have been trying to find a medical profesional who can help me through this but to no avail, I have had a very lackluster response from everyone I have approached. I am however stoked to have found this group though because to date I have not found anyone who can relate to me with my experiance and I feel that I can finally be taken seriously.
Looking forward to getting to know you all,
Endersshadow

My intuition tells me the best way for you to get off tramadol, is to quit the tramadol, and go on a regiment of suboxone and prozac. The buprenorphine will satiate your opioid receptors, and the prozac will satiate your SSRI (living hell) withdrawal, which you are not adjusting to. You can't taper down the tramadol and gradually start replacing it with prozac, because there is no known science behind what might potentially be a safe, concominant dose of each (ie they are contraindicated, due to seizure risk). But yah, I have goeen off tramadol relatively painlessly using suboxone and prozac. If you think about it, it all makes perfect sense. Don't fall for some quick fix methods. They are all money making schemes.

[waismann]

I fully disagree. The withdrawals from Tramadol are a lot lighter and shorter then Suboxone...Regarding the money making schemes , you don't think that giving patients another addictive drug when they want to get off one drug a "money making scheme" from the pharmaceutical companies?
It is just a fact that we are seeing more and more patients weekly that started taking Suboxone thinking it was a way out off their opiates. If the plan is to titrate down then is much easier to do it from Tramadol.

[sarbanes]

Originally Posted by waismann

I fully disagree. The withdrawals from Tramadol are a lot lighter and shorter then Suboxone...Regarding the money making schemes , you don't think that giving patients another addictive drug when they want to get off one drug a "money making scheme" from the pharmaceutical companies?
It is just a fact that we are seeing more and more patients weekly that started taking Suboxone thinking it was a way out off their opiates. If the plan is to titrate down then is much easier to do it from Tramadol.

Didn't you read her post?! She was unable to titrate down. She tried static dose for 3 weeks even, but to no avail. So tramadol taper is apparently not an option for her. Since tramadol is unique in its SSRI properties, among opioids, I postulate that her difficulty in successfully titrating has to do with the SSRI quality of the drug (in addition to its classic opioid activity). That is why I suggested fluoxetine (to take care of this component). But she can not take two SSRI's simultaneously, so another opioid (which can be taken with fluoxetine) is needed. Suboxone is indicated for this. I don't know of any other medicine which is indicated for this. Are you a doctor? If so, I’m finding your postings very peculiar at best, and perhaps, a little disturbing. Is this board an advertising forum for you?

[mpvt]

What people don't understand about drugs like buprenorphene(subutex,suboxone) and methadone is that they are not just switching one addictive opiate to another.These drugs stop the addictive behaviour such as drug seeking,stealing,taking handfuls of opiates ect.
Once a patient is stabilized then they stop all the addictive behaviour,no withdrawls and no cravings.This allows them to work on getting their lives back on track while at the same time educating themselves on their addiction.Once they and the doctor decide that they are ready to wean off the drug then a very slow taper is started.This usually takes up to a year as coming off to quickly almost always leads to relapse.
This method is the proven gold standard and is the way of the future as more and more meds are being developed with less side effects.......Dave

[steve sponaugle]

Ultram is reported to produce addiction or dependency, in approximately 3 percent of patients using it. Many patients and practictioners believe 3 percent underestimates Ultram dependency.

Please participate in our Ultram addiction poll at http://www.floridadetox.com/forum/vi...hp?p=1091#1091

Some Ultram patients report an almost effortless Ultram withdrawal, while others report Ultram is more difficult to withdraw from than Oxycontin, Vicodin, Lortab or Percocet.

Some patients have reported seizures, while using Ultram.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has not classified Ultram as a Controlled Substance, although Ultram appears far more addictive than Lyrica, or Lunesta which are classified as Schedule 5 and Schedule 4 Controlled Substances.

With The National Center for Health Statistics reporting 3,849 poisoning deaths, involving methadone, in 2,004, and the DEA reporting 1,000 deaths from Fentanyl in 2006, Ultram addiction dangers might be overlooked by regulators and physicians.
_________________
Steven Sponaugle
Research Director, Florida Detox
www.floridadetox.com

[steve sponaugle]

[quote=steve sponaugle;195129]Ultram is reported to produce addiction or dependency, in approximately 3 percent of patients using it. Many patients and practictioners believe 3 percent underestimates Ultram dependency.

Please consider reporting your Ultram or Ultracet addiction to the FDA, so a more accurate estimate of Tramadol addictiveness can be obtained. You can maintain your confidentiality, when you report and your identity is protected by strict federal confidentiality law, including the HIPPAA.

As you may be aware the FDA is underfunded and unlikely to begin an investigation of Tramadol addiction, while methadone kills about 4000 patients annually and Fentanyl kills 1000 patients annually.

You can find the reporting form at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scrip...tch-online.htm

[gronholm]

I also am on Tramadol and asked my Doc once about getting off of it if the other Neurologists said it would compete with anti-convulsants or something.

I am currently on 400 mg a day. 2 pills every four hours although like you said, a depressed mood can be stopped with a little extra since Tramadol (Ultram) is a mood elevating drug.

Even though they clsss it as non-addictive, my Doc says they are wrong and to only cutdown one 50 mg tablet every two weeks. She said depressionwould
be the worse of the withdrawaland rebound pain.

[TKeith]

Hello,
I was addicted to Ultram for seven years. The withdrawls were miserable. I tried going "cold turkey" and traditional rehab. Neither worked. I finally went to a place called Florida Detox in Tarpon Springs. That was the only thing that worked for me. I have spoken with many Ultram dependent people as well as others who were dependent on Vicodin, Lortab, and Percocet. It appeared that Ultram withdrawls were more severe and people had a much harder time detoxing from Ultram.

I am throughly confused on why Ultram has not become a controlled substance. I am also puzzled as to why some doctors still view this medication as non-addictive.

On another note, Ultram is a very good medication and works well for some people. It just needs to be more controlled.

My suggestion would be to call Florida Detox and discuss your situation with them. That is your best chance at kicking this dependency.

Feel free to ask me about my withdrawls and recovery.

Thanks.

[steve sponaugle]

Combining Tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet) with Tricyclic or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants is Dangerous

These combinations can increase serotonin to dangerous levels producing potentially deadly serotonin syndrome. Overdoses of the illegal club drug, Ectasy, are caused by serotonin syndrome. Sadly, most fatal Ectasy overdoses could have been avoided, if friends had transported the overdosed friend to the hospital, instead of letting them sleep it off.

DISCLAIMER

The purpose of this article is to educate. This article does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for examination, testing, diagnosis and treatment, by a qualified, licensed health care professional.

PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE SOMEONE ALONE TO SLEEP IT OFF, IF YOU SUSPECT SEROTONIN SYNDROME. The high temperature is especially deadly, but the convulsions are also dangerous. If their temperature is over 100 degrees Farenheit or they are convulsing, they need medical help.

"The serotonin syndrome is a hypersotonergic state which is a very dangerous and a potentially fatal side effect of serotonergic enhancing drugs which can have multiple psychiatric and non-psychiatric symptoms. It is a condition which has been on the rise since the 1960's when we began using more and more drugs which directly affect serotonin. This is a toxic condition which requires heightened clinical awareness in order to prevent, recognize, and treat the condition promptly. Promptness is vital because, as we just mentioned, the serotonin syndrome can be fatal and death from this side effect can come very rapidly. This syndrome is a toxic hyperserotonergic state whose rate of incidence is unknown, but is on the rise. The suspected cause of that increase is the introduction of the new selective serotonergic enhancing agents in clinical practice - the SSRIs. This disorder, brought on by excessive levels of serotonin, is difficult to distinguish from the neuroleptic malignant syndrome because the symptoms are so similar. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a serious condition brought on by the use of the neuroleptic drugs.

"The symptoms of the serotonin syndrome are: euphoria, drowsiness, sustained rapid eye movement, overreaction of the reflexes, rapid muscle contraction and relaxation in the ankle causing abnormal movements of the foot, clumsiness, restlessness, feeling drunk and dizzy, muscle contraction and relaxation in the jaw, sweating, intoxication, muscle twitching, rigidity, high body temperature, mental status changes were frequent (including confusion and hypomania - a "happy drunk" state), shivering, diarrhea, loss of consciousness and death. (The Serotonin Syndrome, AM J PSYCHIATRY, June 1991)

"The serotonin syndrome is generally caused by a combination of two or more drugs, one of which is often a selective sertonergic medication. The drugs which we know most frequently contribute to this condition are the combining of MAOIs with Prozac (this should also include the other SSRIs) or other drugs that have a powerful effect upon serotonin, ie, clomipramine (Anafranil), trazadone (Deseryl), etc. The combination of lithium with these selective serotonergic agents has been implicated in enhancing the serotonin syndrome. The tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, MAOIs, SSRIs, ECT (electric shock treatment), tryptophan, and the serotonin agonists (fenfluramine) all enhance serotonin neurotransmission and can contribute to this syndrome. Anything which will raise the level of serotonin can bring on this hyperserotonergic condition. The optimal treatment for the serotonin syndrome is discontinuation of the offending medication or medications, offer supportive measures, and wait for the symptoms to resolve. If the offending medication is discontinued, the condition will often resolve on its own within a 24 hour period. If the medication is not discontinued the condition can progress rapidly to a more serious state and become fatal. It should be apparent that the greater the enhancement of serotonin levels, the greater the chances of producing the serotonin syndrome. Therefore it is recommended that Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, Serzone, etc. not be used concurrently with each other or any other serotonergic drugs and that these serious adverse reactions should be expected with these combinations (Callahan, 1993). (PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA?, p. 88)"

Steve Sponaugle
Research Director, Florida Detox
www.floridadetox.com

[Ms P]

Originally Posted by sarbanes

Didn't you read her post?! She was unable to titrate down. She tried static dose for 3 weeks even, but to no avail. So tramadol taper is apparently not an option for her. Since tramadol is unique in its SSRI properties, among opioids, I postulate that her difficulty in successfully titrating has to do with the SSRI quality of the drug (in addition to its classic opioid activity). That is why I suggested fluoxetine (to take care of this component). But she can not take two SSRI's simultaneously, so another opioid (which can be taken with fluoxetine) is needed. Suboxone is indicated for this. I don't know of any other medicine which is indicated for this. Are you a doctor? If so, I’m finding your postings very peculiar at best, and perhaps, a little disturbing. Is this board an advertising forum for you?

First, to answer your question aimed as Waismann - yes, 'Waismann' is a detox treatment center. Coincidentally I just came upon their website tonight.

And I agree with you - he/she is mistaken. I have been taking Ultram for 2 years now, only taking 50mg every 4-6 hours. But I recently tried to stop taking it because of side affects, and found that the physical withdrawal is terrible - aches, confusion, tremors, sweating, etc.

I was dependent on Vicodin before (started using it for non-migraine headaches), and used Subutex successfully to get off it. My doctor switched me to Ultram, stating that it wasn't as addictive. I'd say I had both psychological and physical addiction to the Vicodin, but it's purely physical with the Ultram.

Is it true what I've read - can I take Subutex to get off Ultram? If so, I'd be thrilled, because it worked for me before.

I just want to be drug-free and deal with my headaches in holistic manner.

[deadfaithful]

please help me,my dad has been taken soma for his back problems and muscle spazzems and he takes way to many and gets all like loopy and falls all the time and every time he tries to quit he cant....its making me and my sister really sad so i thought i would ask people here if anyone could please help me and my sister and mother help my daddy get over this horrid addiction...please help in any way possible

[mpvt]

You need to get him into a rehab or at least talk to his doctor(s) and get them to stop any prescriptions that he's abusing........Good luck....Dave

[Ms P]

Originally Posted by deadfaithful

please help me,my dad has been taken soma for his back problems and muscle spazzems and he takes way to many and gets all like loopy and falls all the time and every time he tries to quit he cant....its making me and my sister really sad so i thought i would ask people here if anyone could please help me and my sister and mother help my daddy get over this horrid addiction...please help in any way possible

Yes, but I would also add that you as a child should not have to deal with this kind of thing. Therefore, I would urge you to talk to you mom or other adult who is close to your dad and have them talk with him, or possibly set up an intervention with the help of a treatment center counselor.

[oldhippie]

I first tried Ultracet about a year ago. My wife got some. To me it felt something like Vicodin. I told my wife be careful, she said she didn't feel it at all.

Well, I have some broken vertebrae in my back and my doctor gave me a script for Vicodin. Didn't help my back problems at all but it sure made me feel good. I was abusing it, not taking it as I was supposed to just for the high. Then I read up on it and heard about people going through withdrawl and such. I got kind of scarred but I still took it.

What got me to back off was reading about how bad acetaminophen was on your liver. I still take it but not that often. I've never felt any withdrawl but I'm getting more reluctant to take it because when I take it now I don't feel good the next day. Plus for me I had a real tough time sleeping when I took it. If I took it after 2:00 in the afternoon it would keep me up late.

I do believe it affects different people in different ways. When my sript ran out this time I stopped asking for refills. I still have some and actually took some a couple of days ago but I have gone like 10 days without using it and I wasn't craving for it or anything.

[MamaSherri]

Originally Posted by aphlab

Hi, was wondering if anyone with more familiarity regarding Ultram can offer an opinion, as I am at my wits end. A few months ago a doctor gave me a prescription for Ultram. I had a severe headache (which is unusual for me) to go along with my fever, and I needed something to allow me to sleep, as it had been nearly three days of intense pain that prevented me from getting any rest while the flu went through my system. I'm not the least bit accustomed to taking prescription medication, I'll even hesitate to take a single aspirin or ibuprofen for regular headaches. Not knowing much about medications I just assumed it was a little stronger than OTC painkillers, but I didn't go over the recommended dosage (I'm always cautious with pills-I value my body chemistry). I got over the flu and attempted to return to work a little earlier than usual, but my first night back to work I was still not in very good condition, still recovering from being sick. I collapsed at work, struck my head when I fell, and was taken to the hospital, completely disoriented and confused (I can't even remember any of it). They say I had a couple of seizures within a couple of hours, and the doctor diagnosed me as an epileptic even though I'd never had a seizure or any epilepsy-related symptoms at all. The anti-convulsants he put me on have shattered my brain chemistry, all in the name of preventing another seizure. I'm in the middle of trying to get his diagnosis disproved, and so far I've got these facts to go by:
1. no history of seizures, family or otherwise
2. low tolerance to medications
3. low blood sugar (both metabolic and due to the physical nature of my job and the flu

I know this isn't an epilepsy forum, but I'd like to know if anyone with some knowledge of Ultram's side effects has an opinion on this. The neurologist seems completely resistant to the idea that my seizure was anything other than straight-forward epilepsy, and I'm trying to get a 2nd opinion. I have no experience with the medical profession, as I'm a pretty healthy person and grew up in the house of an alternative-medicine practitioner, and talking to doctors who don't seem to want to listen just frustrates me to no end. These anti-convulsants I'm on make me want to trade the daily mind-rape of Keppra and Depakote for having seizures (which occure, ON AVERAGE, of once every twenty-nine years). Even the dang neurologist doesn't think I'll have another seizure, with or without the meds, but he won't let me drive anymore either. I think now, reading some of the posts on here as well, the first doctor shouldn't have prescribed Ultram for an acute headache combined with the flu, but hindsight is what it is.

I'm sorry to see so many having such chronic pain that's messing up their lives. I'm pain free, but my mind feels just as shattered.

You, My dear have had a classic Ultram/Tramadol overdose seizure!!! Maybe you were prescribed a dose too high for your body weight or maybe, in your conditition, your body couldn't handle the strength of the drug. OR.... maybe you took them too close together. (the drug does make you forgetful!!). I have had these seizures myself and have also bee diagnosed with Epilepsy & I KNOW I overdosed because I WAS addicted to Ultram! This drug is EVIL and should be controlled WAY more than it is! STAY VERY CLEAR OF THIS PILL If you have an addictive personality!! This goes to all!! It was the WORST detox ! I didn't think I would live thru it!!! Good luck to you! I'd say get re-evaluated. Maybe tell them you might have took the Ultram too close together?......... MamaSherri

[alkisses]

Originally Posted by MamaSherri

You, My dear have had a classic Ultram/Tramadol overdose seizure!!! Maybe you were prescribed a dose too high for your body weight or maybe, in your conditition, your body couldn't handle the strength of the drug. OR.... maybe you took them too close together. (the drug does make you forgetful!!). I have had these seizures myself and have also bee diagnosed with Epilepsy & I KNOW I overdosed because I WAS addicted to Ultram! This drug is EVIL and should be controlled WAY more than it is! STAY VERY CLEAR OF THIS PILL If you have an addictive personality!! This goes to all!! It was the WORST detox ! I didn't think I would live thru it!!! Good luck to you! I'd say get re-evaluated. Maybe tell them you might have took the Ultram too close together?......... MamaSherri

ultram is that bad? what is the lowest dose? like a low thearaputic level? 50mgs?
like who shouldnt take tramadol hcl. that is the same ultram is the name right tramadol hcl is the ingredient or whatever right?

[Ms P]

Originally Posted by MamaSherri

You, My dear have had a classic Ultram/Tramadol overdose seizure!!! Maybe you were prescribed a dose too high for your body weight or maybe, in your conditition, your body couldn't handle the strength of the drug. OR.... maybe you took them too close together. (the drug does make you forgetful!!). I have had these seizures myself and have also bee diagnosed with Epilepsy & I KNOW I overdosed because I WAS addicted to Ultram! This drug is EVIL and should be controlled WAY more than it is! STAY VERY CLEAR OF THIS PILL If you have an addictive personality!! This goes to all!! It was the WORST detox ! I didn't think I would live thru it!!! Good luck to you! I'd say get re-evaluated. Maybe tell them you might have took the Ultram too close together?......... MamaSherri

If you read the information that comes with your prescription from the pharmacy (and EVERYONE should ALWAYS do so!!), you would see very clearly that "seizures" is listed in the side affects section! I find it unbelievably irresponsible and unacceptable that any doctor would NOT KNOW this, and diagnose someone who had just had this side affect as having EPILEPSY! You should report any doctor who does this.

[Ms P]

Originally Posted by MamaSherri

You, My dear have had a classic Ultram/Tramadol overdose seizure!!! Maybe you were prescribed a dose too high for your body weight or maybe, in your conditition, your body couldn't handle the strength of the drug. OR.... maybe you took them too close together. (the drug does make you forgetful!!). I have had these seizures myself and have also bee diagnosed with Epilepsy & I KNOW I overdosed because I WAS addicted to Ultram! This drug is EVIL and should be controlled WAY more than it is! STAY VERY CLEAR OF THIS PILL If you have an addictive personality!! This goes to all!! It was the WORST detox ! I didn't think I would live thru it!!! Good luck to you! I'd say get re-evaluated. Maybe tell them you might have took the Ultram too close together?......... MamaSherri

MamaSherri - how did you go about detoxing from Ultram? I'm about to do Subutex, and I sure hope that it still isn't difficult! I could never do it without any help, I know that just from not taking any for about 8 hrs. Excruciating!!

[rxqueen]

I think this drug is garbage. It does nothing for pain, and is addictive. I am not surprised anyone would suffer w/d symptoms from it. I learned this lesson many times, the hard way, don't listen to the drug companies or the Doctors when they tell you something isn't addictive. The drug companies have no interest in having you not addicted, cause they lose profits. The Doctors are nothing but their little drug pushers, and I will bet you if you ask your Doctor what meds they are on, or if they'd prescribe the drug to their wife/husband/kids most likely the answer is no, and for good reason They know more about side effects then they will tell you. Before accepting any prescription from a Doctor, come to a place like this and get the real answers.

Another thing about this drug, is it's prescribed in lieu of narcotics, cause Doctors are fearful of prescribing them anymore. However addicting narcotics may be, they are one of the best treatments for long term, REAL pain. If your Doctor is blowing you off with prescriptions for Ultram or NSAIDS, and they are not treating your pain effectively, and btw have way more side effects then good ole narcotics, find a new Doctor too. Just my 2 cents.

[Ms P]

Yes, I have to say the physical withdrawals from Ultram are 10 times worse than from Vicodin. I curse the day I ever started taking it.

[Ms P]

Yes, I have to say the physical withdrawals from Ultram are 10 times worse than from Vicodin. I curse the day I ever started taking it.

[KiGhost]

If you search through some of my other posts, you can see I had a BAD opiate problem. I started off taking Ultram that was prescribed for a bad fall in an ice storm. I stayed on it for a while. I've taken every opiate under the sun and the only pure-opiate withdrawal to hospitalize (and almost kill me, thanks to dehydration, was ULTRAM withdrawal).

So, yes I've been where you are, and I will pray for you. BTW I can't remember where but a couple of years ago I read an article saying that Ultram was about 1/10th the strength of morphine in 99% of the population - meaning that one 50mg dose equals a 5mg dose of morphine, but that there is 1% of the population that gets the same benefit from 50mg of Ultram as 50mg of Morphine ..... can anyone verify this?

My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

KI

[straddlethat]

I am a 25 yr old Recovering opioid addict as well. Im sure im not nearly as bad off as most people are, But I do understand what you're going through. I had a hard time, very hard time. I had to have opioids to be able to make it through the day. When I stopped taking them, I had to be not working or anything. My uncle is a hospital administrator and he told me that the 3rd, 7th and 9th day of withdraw is the worst. I did my time withdrawing and it wasnt too bad because I weined myself down to 2 pills per day (one in the morning and 1 in the afternoon) then stopped altogether. yea I had mild body aches and all that fun stuff, but the worst for me was the restless legs. I couldnt sleep for 4 nights, 4 nights with about a total of 45 minutes of sleep altogether, I couldnt stand it, I tried tylenol PM, Naproxen, clonidine, nyquil, advil etc and nothing worked, so I told the ER doctor everything I tried and it didnt work, they put my on Ultram. now I think im in the same position as before. I have alot of books on medication and effects and all that, and what I read is that Ultram is pretty much an opioid, just manmade, its not from an opioid plant, but its man made to do the same thing that vikodine, lortab, oxycodone and the other hydrocodones do. im not sure why they say its not a controlled substance, and why they say its not addictive because it works with the brains opioid receptors. So now that im probibly on ultram for life because of my leg problems, I guess its something I have to live with. But for those of you who are on Ultram to get off of opioids... I think thats not the way to go. I think its best to just wein yourselves off gradually, give yourselves plenty of time to rest and eventually as the days pass, life will seem to get better and better especially after the 10th day. I wish you all the best of luck and be strong and just tell yourselves that there is more to life than medication, and remember how life was and how you felt before you were even on medication to begin with. Much Luv~Russ from NY!

[Minnieme]

Not dependent on Ultracet after taking it for a month-but I only take it when the pain gets out of hand.
Been through a really bad SSRI withdrawal earlier, so I treat this drug with respect.
Take care

[vduda]

You guys are blowing my mind. Is Ultram/Ultracet and Tramodol really that bad? I was a heavy opiate user for a decade and have been clean for 8 months. In the past my family doctor would give me handful of samples of Ultram, Ultracet, Tramodol. I took them before I became addicted to opiates and they basically had no effect on me. It didn't help with the pain and I sure didn't get high on them. And no withdrawals.

Now the opiates are a different story. I was hooked and withdrawals was hell. When I hear that withdrawals are worse than hydrocodone it's just hard to believe. But Hydrocodone was like taking aspirin for me. I was on heavy duty opiates like Fentanyl, Morphine, Methadone, Demerol, Oxycodone and what I consider the weaker of the opiates Hydrocodone and Propoxyphene. I was taking 3,500 mg of these opiates a day. Plus I was shooting 30 to 40 cc's of Dilaudid and Hydromorphine. And taking 40 to 50 mg of Xanax. I went through detox 3 yrs ago and went cold turkey off the benzos. I lasted about 4 days off the benzos and after a grandma seizure I started taking them again. In a month I had bounced back from the opiate withdrawals.

This time around, I again went through detox, but the buprenorphine shots did absolutely nothing for my withdrawals. They tried a four day tapper with Klonopin to get me off the Xanax. 2mg of Klonopine a day after taking 40 to 50 mg of Xanax a day was a joke. I had a grandma seizure at the detox center and the doctor just loaded me up with Halcion and Haldol. When I got out of that hell hole after 6 days I went cold turkey. I went through withdrawals for 5 months until my doctor was so concerned about the seizures which I suffered from daily and the other many crippling symptoms like diarhhea, chronic insomnia, "electric shock syndrome", stomach cramping, body aches, overall weakness and so on. My doctor gave me a low dose of a long acting benzo diazepam and I was better after a couple of days. I couldn't believe how quickly my symptoms subsided. He referred me to a Psychiatrist and he now prescribes me a medicinal dose of diazepam and I feel great. Sometimes I try to skip doses and the seizures come right back. My Psychiatrist told me I may have to take this long acting benzo the rest of my life because my CNS is completely screwed. Great! I have been prescribed one benzo or another for the last 20 yrs for an Anxiety Disorder. But when I started hitting the opiates hard 10 years ago my intake of benzos dramatically increased. So stupid. I don't crave the benzos, but definitely have become dependent. If I could I would throw them in the trash. So my conclusion is that coming off opiates is tough, but can be done without suboxone or methadone. You just have to go through hell for a couple of weeks and in a month you pretty much bounce back. I base this on my experience and on others who have gone cold turkey off opiates. Like I said the 1st time through detox after I started taking the benzos again after 4 days I felt better almost immediately. In a months time I was back to working out and felt good. But the addict in me relapsed after 2 months and that Gorilla was on my back again. But this time I got that Gorilla chained up in a dark closet. He won't be getting out. By the way, just over 8 months ago I literally on my death bed. Doctors gave me 2 weeks to live. Every organ was failing. My endocrine system shut down and all the the hair on my body fell off. I looked like that guy Powder. I just went through a full physical a couple of months ago and I am in perfect shape. The shape of a marathon runner. My doctors are dumbfounded. They say it is miracle. In other words, they never seen someone recover so fast after being just days away from death. I believe the Master Physician healed me...Jesus Christ!
Nothing is impossible with God. And one day if it is His will I will be able to get off the benzos. If not it is a cross I am willing to carry. Praise God.

As for the Ultram/Ultracet and Tramodol I just find it hard to believe that it is so addicting and the withdrawals are worse than opiates. I mean what is the science behind it? What are the addictive properties? Some of you say that it attaches to the same receptors as the opiates. That would make it an opiate. It just doesn't make sense to me. I got Ultram and Ultracets in my cabinet at home. But I would rather err on the side of caution. I won't be taking any of those. I would just like more info on these medications. Like I said I took them before a became addicted to opiates and they didn't do a thing for me. God Bless

VJ

[Minnieme]

Read about the Mu receptors here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultracet

[charityluv]

Ive taken ultram and it never did jack for me. Normally since insurance didnt cover ultracet i just took the ultram and a tylenol. I didnt know you could withdrawl from such a lowform of pain medication.

[DAM]

I just read your question to the above. I know that Ultram is not an SSRI however if you take it with Ultram, you will increase your chances of getting Seratonin Syndrome which can be deadly. It's rare but deadly.
Ultram acts similarly to an SSRI. It helps my pain but more so by lifting my spirits I guess you'd say. I don't crave it, although at first I realized it gave me more energy.
Ultram withdrawal for me, the first time I used it, was very slow. My blood pressure went up, and it made me very ill. It was not easy, and it was disruptive to my family and my job duties. Taper down slowly if you feel too ill. I also read that studies have proven that coming off too fast may cause seizures.
Somehow the medication works like an SSRI, and it also binds to your pain receptors. That's the best way I can describe it in layman terms.

Originally Posted by Casey55

lwmol,

Who told you Ultram is an SSRI? The SSRI's are Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa and Lexapro. When you look up Ultram it says not to take SSRIs with Ultram.

Also, Seratonin Syndrome is not withdrawl of an SSRI, it is a toxic overdose of Seratonin.

Casey