Ultram withdrawals?

Ultram withdrawal is said to be longer and worse than other opiate type withdrawals and it can last for upwards of a week or more, depending on the amount taken and for how long. Davey, you might want to contact your pharmacist and ask him about reports of withdrawal in Ultram. Then you may be able to take that information from him to your doctor.

http://www.ultram-er.com/ultram-er/isi.html

Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if ULTRAM ER is discontinued abruptly. These symptoms may include: anxiety,

sweating, insomnia, rigors, pain, nausea, tremors, diarrhea, upper respiratory symptoms, piloerection, and rarely

hallucinations. Clinical experience suggests that withdrawal symptoms may be reduced by tapering ULTRAM ER.

This comes directly from the UltramER website. It does indeed sound like Davey is experiencing some withdrawal, It could be the flu, but in the absence of fever and the rest of the symptoms, it might not be either. Whatever you do Davey, I am with PA and the rest in that you should not take any more Ultram unless your doctor tells you to.

I hope that you are feeling better by Monday.

Sandi

I know back when I first started having back problems, it was touted as the latest, greatest med, and not addictive, but my PM, very shortly after he had put me on it, took me back off it, number one because it didn't help me, and secondly because he said that there were already reports on it causing withdrawal in patients, despite what the drug reps were saying.
I think that they really believed because it works on the same receptors as SSRI's, that there wouldn't be withdrawal issues, not taking into account, that it also works on the same opiate receptors, and therefore would have a similar effect if withdrawn suddenly.
It's a darn shame because there are obviously many doctors who still are operating under the it doesn't cause withdrawal blanket.
Sandi

Davey, I totally understand you wanting to be tapered off the ultram.

I highly doubt that it's the flu. There is a page with pages of posts of horror stories. This doctor should never have taken you off the ultram like that. Most of these docs are uneducated. You cant' just switch from one drug to another. Actually your idea makes more sense than asking him. Some people really think that these doctors know and we, the people taking the pills and researching know more. I don't know if I'm allowed to give you the site, but I would never just say these things. I still take them but am trying to take less and less after I read what this drug does to you mentally and physically. And yes, it takes longer than other opiates and the best way to get off is very slowly. If he gave you such bad advise and had you just stop, why would you ask him anything, seeing that he didn't even know, you can't do that. You can try talking to him and explaining and there are plenty of material on the internet to bring to back you. I had to tell one of my doctors about a bad drug and others how you can't mix certain drugs. You would think, they are doctors and would know, but they don't alway know and I am sorry you found that out. I actually think you thought of tapering from where you left off is not a bad idea. Going cold turkey, which many do, suffer like you. They have said it feels like the worst flu imaginable, that's why I don't believe you have the flu, esp. after you took 2 and the symptoms went away--big hint right there. I wish you well. 

Hi - I am new here - just discovered the site and saw your post about Ultram.  I am taking Tramadol (the same stuff - I am UK based) and have been for six months for back and leg pain due to bulging discs.  It is definitely addictive.  My doc was unaware of this.  I only take one or two a day but if I have been taking two for a while and want to go back to one I have to break soluable ones so I can take three quarters and then half and so on over a few days.  The first time I tried to stop (wrongly thinking tramadol was causing another problem) I just stopped and could not sleep or relax, felt very weird and hyper and was starving hungry!!  Hope this helps - I got a bit freaked initially because it says nothing on the packet about withdrawals etc etc

Tabithacat said...
Hi - I am new here - just discovered the site and saw your post about Ultram.  I am taking Tramadol (the same stuff - I am UK based) and have been for six months for back and leg pain due to bulging discs.  It is definitely addictive.  My doc was unaware of this.  I only take one or two a day but if I have been taking two for a while and want to go back to one I have to break soluable ones so I can take three quarters and then half and so on over a few days.  The first time I tried to stop (wrongly thinking tramadol was causing another problem) I just stopped and could not sleep or relax, felt very weird and hyper and was starving hungry!!  Hope this helps - I got a bit freaked initially because it says nothing on the packet about withdrawals etc etc

Wow, I was taking 2 50mg pills every 6 hours as prescribed. The generic name for Ultram is called Tramadol here in America also. Funny thing is that I didn't even give this drug that much attension. It never helped my back pain. It did nothing, but I still took it anyway hoping to get some relief.

Some people get a sense of "well being" while on this drug. That's why people usually abuse it. Taking too much causes seizures.

What a wonderful drug, eh?

I only got 2 hours of sleep last night thanks to a crappy movie that was on. I feel like complete bleh. Very depressed. What's making my blood boiling right now is that my doctor didn't seem to believe me that I'm going through withdrawals.

I get more sympathy on an Internet forum with complete strangers (no offense anyone) then I do with my own doctor.

PAlady said...
Ok, Davy, but calm down a bit. Your doctor took you on, and gave you the vicodin you wanted. As I recall you said that's what helped your pain. I think we're getting off on too much negativity here, and a little too much of trying to play doctor.

And please don't consider breaking these tablet. I didn't realize ultram came in ER (extended release) versions, and that could make a big difference in withdrawal issues, as well as the ability to break a tablet. Breaking extended release tablets can be dangerous. If you were on ultram ER it probably would take longer to withdraw, but it still should be under medical supervision, not advice from this or any forum.

If you try to play your own doctor too much Davy, you're going to find it impossible to get anyone to prescribe pain meds to you. Please remember that.

I know this sounds harsh, but I think we need to remember the forum is not designed to give medical advice.

PaLady

I'm sorry PALady if I sounded harsh in my last post. The Ultram I took wasn't Extended Release. I was just taking plain ole Ultram.

The Vicodin does help my pain, but alas, it doesn't help what I'm feeling now. And like I said, I would gladly give up the Vicodin my PCP gave me for the option to let me taper off the Ultram for a few weeks. That's how badly I feel now.

I've been around enough doctors in my life time to know some don't know their butts from their elbows. I don't care what medical school they went to. To have a doctor tell me that I shouldn't be experiencing withdrawals...the Ultram isn't addicting when it clearly is, just boggles my mind. But I will give this doctor the benefit of the doubt. I believe she doesn't trust me as for as she can throw me right now, and she put me on Vicodin as a favor to me. And for that I am grateful.

I just feel like I'm going out of my mind.  My message doesn't seem to be getting across to the people that I want to hear it, I.E the medicial community.

Have a good night...

David

Davy - the withdrawals will pass but I agree your doc should be listening.  My GP (family doctor) is great but wasn't aware of tramadol withdrawals or of the slightly 'upper' effect it has.  I realised the 'upper' effect as soon as I took one and asked him about it (thought he was giving me something to cheer me up!).  When I spoke about the withdrawals he was happy to prescribe a soluable form so I could break them to help me go from two to one and so on.  They don't help my back pain greatly (if I took two together I just felt out of it) but took the edge off so that my back felt more mobile - basically it enables me to do a bit more.  Did try the ER version - didn't like them at all.  In the UK they don't prescribe tramadol as first choice but only cos it is expensive.  I want to stop it all together because I think I will then see where I am at with pain once I have been off it a few weeks.  Good luck. PS  Presumably if it has a bit of a 'well being' element when you come off it you are going to miss that and feel more crap!