FYI
I am a Health Care professional, and had been this drug for chronic pain for a number of years. Tramadol itself did its job as far as a leg up from otc drugs, but the kick back was acute.
The detox mimics the flu. Aches and pain, profuse sweating, and the list goes on. The good news is that I stuck with it staying off of the drug, and am at the end of it; although I am expecting some symptoms to creep back in from time to time.
Have anyone one else had a similar experience with Ultram?
I copied this info for you directly from the medication site. I thought you might find it interesting. And yes, it is very addicting.
Ultracet is used to treat moderate to severe pain for a period of five days or less. It contains two pain-relieving agents. Tramadol, known technically as an opioid analgesic, is a narcotic pain reliever. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter pain remedy Tylenol.
Read more: https://www.drugs.com/cdi/ultracet.html
Yes I did, I'm a retired Pharmacy Tech. I tried it myself with no results. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone. I've known others who have used it with the same results. In the pharmacy it was definalty not a fast mover. We only kept one bottle in stock. An RX would come in once in a blue moon.
Simkal, things have certainly changed then. Tramodol used to be prescribed as the new "non narcotic wonder drug" for pain. Do you think because of its addicting nature and that it is actually an Opioid, that the FDA is pulling back on this med?
That could be a very good part of it. Like I said before it was never popular. When it first came out dr. were writing for quit a bit. Now not much.
I was put on Tramadol almost 11yrs ago when I was diagnosed with RSD aka Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. My pain doctor told me at the time he could only use it for a short time until he could figure out what type of pain medication would help me more as RSD has no cure, spreads, and the pain is constant and disabling.
I remember he stated this was only for short term use and could be dangerous if kept on longer than a few weeks. He then went through several different opiates only to find that I was/am allergic to most of them becoming violently sick or in the ER over the side effects.
He found a long lasting narcotic that does work. Due to the fact that I was injured/disabled at age 31, I have chosen to remain on the same dose for almost 9 of 11yrs even though doctors have offered me increases many times over.
Please excuse my ignorance, what is RSD? And if you need a medication to lead a productive life, then you do what you need to. No one should have to live with debilitating pain, ever! Good luck to you on staying as pain free as possible.
My best wishes,
Chris
RSD is something that has been known since the Civil War. In old western movies you may hear; "His leg just went bad" and back then and even up into the 1980's they would amputate which doesn't help.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is also called CRPS aka Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome but that just doesn't fit it.
It occurs usually when you have a very minor injury that would normally heal just fine. For me I sprained my right ankle putting on the "imaginary brakes" as a passenger in an auto accident.
For 3 months I kept telling the doctors that it had to be fractured or cracked somewhere as they kept doing X rays and finding nothing.
Finally a doctor did tests on my nerves to find I have RSD.
I have been on several opiate based medications in my life time and I have to say it shocks me that Tramadol (Ultram) isn't a controlled drug, at least not here in the UK. For those that actually fully benefit from the use of this drug it works wonders, but it's just plain wrong how Doctors hand it out like candy. A clear and emphasized warning should be given to any patient that is recommended this drug by both Doctor and Pharmacist. The drug "isn't" considered addictive by the "Professionals" and although from personal experience I didn't experience any psychological withdrawal symptoms I can confidently say they have addictive potential. The euphoric feeling is very similar to that of Vicodin (Hydrocodone) or lower doses of stronger drugs such as Morphine and Oxycontin (Oxycodone) and as most of you are aware, or hopefully now are, these drugs are very addictive.
For this medication to be considered "non-narcotic" it is highly deceiving!! I have been on Ultram for 16 years now. Yes, I started when it was barely on the market. I am currently at 2 pills 4 x a day. 400 mg. per day. If I go without Ultram/Tramadol for ANY length of time I suffer severe withdrawls. Fever, chills, body aches, poor concentration, ect. It is awful!! Try to make it through a day of work coming off Ultram. Almost impossible. It feels as if you have a very severe case of the flu. I truly think I will have to have professional help to kick this drug. Don't be fooled. This is not an "asprin" or "tylenol". It is something WAY beyond and I have all the sympathy in the world for anyone trying to come off this drug. Best of luck to you!!
If you are a healthcare professional you need to read this that I am posting below about Tramadol. Good luck to you... Mary
https://www.drugs.com/monograph/tramadol-hydrochloride.html
Hi, i was prescribed tramadol for a back injury a few years ago and over time i became badly addicted to it. I was up to 20 x 50mg capsules a day at my worst. I managed to get off it during a hellish 2 weeks so i am more than aware of what a dangerous medication this is! It's good that you are bringing this to peoples attention, as many people aren't well informed about it. Unfortunately i got back to taking it and am on it at the moment but at much lower doses. I just feel like i can't function without it. Drs are scarily ignorant of how dangerous this medication can be!
Newbie here & I am completely confused & quite frankly a little ticked @ my doc!! I went to a new PCP for a severe pain in my neck & right arm. For the pain she prescribed Tramadol and specifically told me, it was NOT a narcotic. Now as I read Drugs.com I'm learning something completely different . . . I think. I was 1st given the med about 2 months ago and was taking 2-4 per day. For the past week I've not been using the med & am struggling through the pain. But along w/ dealing w/ the continued pain, I've also had among other things, fatigue & body/ muscle aches that are excruciating . . . Now I'm learning I'm not coming down w/ the flu but that these are probably w/d symptoms.
Yes. I am a nurse and yes. I would rather have hot tar poured up my nose than go through that again. Three weeks, it was better, but it takes a good month to six weeks to fully recover. No fun.
So what is a good alternative for long term, indefinite, chronic pain needed for quality of life? All info very welcome?
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If this is not a typo, what part of "narcotic pain reliever" am I missing? Not trying to be rude, but there is much confusion over this medication. I would like to hear your take on this...
Thanks much,
Chris
Well that's what happens when you don't do your homework, and trust a colleague to do the right thing.I can almost guarantee that you will hear the name Tramadol on the street, in fact not most professionals prescribing it, present it almost as a aspirin.
Preach it sister, good research! As a newbie to this site, finding a rhetorical question to activate my account took taking a chance and being open to criticism. Thanks for the feedback. I of course had the answer, that's why I threw it out there. I am a living example old news. On to other things.
Welcome to Drugs.com. You will find that Tramodol is a topic of much debate. However, it seems to be (almost) unanimous decision that it is addicting and if stopped suddenly, may cause seizures.
I apologize for not congratulating you on kicking this BS medication! Good job!
Thanks, and same to you. Glad we're both here!
Great job on kicking evil opiod!!!
My mother in law took this stuff for years, and I know she went through W/D's when she stopped.
Welcome to our group! sweetlemon
It's considered an opiod because it mimiks an opiod by the way it works on
opiod recepters in the cells
I really don't care if it's a narcotic or not - it sure acts like one! I was on it for 12 years at 10 of the 50-mg tablets per day. The withdrawal was pure hell, and I even stepped down for 2 weeks before from 10 pills a day to 8 to 6 to 4 to 2 to none. I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed for several days for the fatigue, aches, muscle shaking, sweats, chills, depression, anxiety, diarrhea, etc.
I heard many states are now having it labeled as a controlled substance with some potential for abuse. I also think the FDA is doing a study on it. I would loved to have been a fly on the wall when this med was discussed between Big Pharma and the FDA.
thankyou for your info guys ,been off it for 8 days now still struggling especially at night sleep very scarce but after reading at least i know im not going crazy.