Ultram

[jazpoppy]

Hi;

I have been on Ultram for my herniated disk and spinal stenosis for over 7 months now. I never thought of Ultram as a narcotic because I was told over and over again by several doctors that it is not and it is not addictive. Well I was recently in another accident and tore a ligament in my ankle as well as a possible fracture that my dr is going to look for later this week (we think it was missed in the first x-ray), I was given Tylenol 3. Luckily (for me as an addict anyways) I am quite allergic to T3, and cannot take more than a few a day without swelling and itching really bad. I finished the prescription as prescribed and didn't want anymore of it(had thoughts of asking for hydro but I KNOW BETTER). I decided to get back on Ultram (i had stopped it for about 2 weeks at that point), but this time I started to take 2x as much as prescribed. I started out doing that because the pain was unbearable and it seems to be getting worse, then I noticed that Ultram gets me high if I take more than prescribed! So I started taking handfuls at a time. Yesterday was the last time I did this, because I started swelling like I did from the codeine. I don't feel really well either, so I am assuming there is a W/D from Ultram too, I have read some threads that confirm this. I have 2 more scripts for 100 ultram... What should I do? I am in a lot of pain still, don't really want to try abusing it again, but I am an addict and just as well could say F*it and start taking handfuls again. My right mind says to call the pharmacy and cancel the 2 refills. Can I do this or does my DR have to call? Can anyone tell me what Ultram is and why it acts like a narcotic in higher doses? I am confused and kind of feel misinformed by the DRs. Thanks.

Jazpoppy

[Phinneas]

Ultram (Tramedol) CAN BE ABUSED. I am a pill person and I used to abuse it when I couldn't get any hydro. Please, please, please do not fill those Rx. Talk to your Dr. or do whatever it takes to cancel those pills. A drug is a drug is a drug, Jaz, and having those pills in your house can propel you down an awfully slippery slope. I ask you today, how important is your recovery? Are you willing to do whatever it takes? I pray that you will be strong and do the right thing because I don't want to see another person struggle with the overwhelming defeat and despair that almost took my life. I'll be praying for you, dear.

jojo

[Dawn10]

:lumpy
Jojo is right, Ultram can be abused, is addictive and can be dangerous taken in doses other than perscribed. Trust your inner voice, which it sounds like has been talking to you! Call your doctor and make an appointment. Talk face to face and tell him you are an addict, ( just in case he forgot) and need to be monitored closely on anything you take. If you are put off, find another doctor ASAP. Unfortunately, there are doctors who don't understand the addictive personality and you need one who does.
You may want to ask to see a pain specialist who can help with non-narcotic forms of meds and therapy to help you through this latest injury.
God Bless!
Dawn :8a:

[jazpoppy]

Thanks JoJo and Dawn. I really just thought Ultram was benign (that's how one doctor described it). Guess its not. There is nothing special about my addiction, I am not immune to being addicted to anything. Thanks again.

Jaz

[fearlessliving]

Yes ultram can be abused and does have serious possible side effects when taken in higher doses. I know I had a first time siezure which the doctors could only relate to the ultram I was taking. I had never had a siezure and had no idea I could be prone to one. The worst part about it was that there was absolutely no warning for it. Thankfully I was in a place where the worst damage done was me hitting my head on shelving behind me. Thank god I was not driving a car when it happened but I definately could have been. I just never even thought that particular side effect could happen to me. And I am a pharmacist so I know the possible side effects. Please don't be afraid to talk to your doctor you are worth it and the possible consequences of not speaking up are devestating.

[godsonmyside]

I went through detox for opiates, when I was released my doctor gave me ultram, and in pain I took some, well for 8 hours I fought the desire to go and get something more. Needless to say that was the last time I took anythin other than tylonol or aleave.
To be honest my additude towards how I deal with pain has changed over time, I know I may feel extreme pain at times, but I do know and understand IT WILL PASS!! When I blew my back out in 2000 and needed surgery I progessed through every med known to man until I got to oxycontin because nothing really took the pain away, only made it feel better than it did, but the pain was still there, and than When the pain wasn't so bad the drugs helped withdrawl, so I learnded that it was a visous cycle of hell I was in.
We are ultimately responsable for our recovery, not our doctors.
Hang in there and I hope it gets better for you.
Todd J.

[Ready2Change]

jazzpoppy, I completely understand what you are going through. Dealing with pain and addiction at the same time is very difficult. I became addicted to painkillers when taking them for a medical condition, so did my husband.

My husbands story is more similar to yours. He has had many back injuries, right now has 9 herniated discs and other problems. When he first herniated discs, his Dr. gave him Ultram telling him that it was not addictive and non-narcotic. He became very addicted to it even without taking huge quantities. Once it started making him feel good, he took it more, but never anywhere near handfulls. He realized he was addicted to Ultram and tried to stop, he was taking about 3 pills a day, and he couldn't do it. I started to notice and get concerned.
I didn't know anything about Ultram, so I decided to research it. I found that WebMD clearly states that it is addictive.

After 3 years of Ultram addiction, he did finally quit. On a long road trip, he was running out of pills. We got stuck in a huge snow storm for 3 days. He never took it again. Luckily the withdrawel wasn't that bad, so you shouldn't have too much trouble stopping.

I would reccomend not taking Ultram at all, especially if you have trouble controlling your dose.

I do understand the pain dilemma, that is a big issue for me too. It is very hard to deal with pain without being addicted to pills. Narcotics are addictive, and non-narcotic pain meds can actually be worse. Look at Vioxx and everything going on with those type of meds right now.

My husband still takes some meds, but he is pretty good at controlling it. He is also trying other ways to help his pain. He has recently found that sleeping on the floor actually helps him a lot. He wakes up with little to no pain. And there are many things worth trying, I have heard a lot of good things about acupunture, and I know yoga and the breathing habits developed with it can be a big help. An alternative method of pain relief may be a good idea for you if the pain isn't that bad.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to always do your own research on all medications, treatments, surgeries, and diagnosis. I have learned this first hand, many times.

Good luck, and I hope all goes well.