Hey y'all (I went to treatment in Atalanta - sorry it stuck) - I am new here so if this is old news just ignore. When I was in treatment i learned about this collnew drug "ultram" that was a synthetic opiate and you could take it and not have withdrawal, etc. So i get out of treatment "cured of course" and decide to get on this little machine and order me up a batch ofthese magic pills.\
Well of courseUltram is not demerol so I was not getting the bang that I thought I should have gotten for my buck -gradually took more andmore until I endedup on the floor of mykitchen having no idea how i got there with my four year old screaming "mama don't die". I had had a seizure while going to the refrigerator for him.
When I confessedtomy counselor what I had been doing he said oh - of course - so silent partner - tell me - why are Ultram abusers more prone to seizures. Because believe me guys I had taken enough opiates and never seized
I would have to research the actual mechanism by which Ultram (Tramadol) causes seizures but it is widely known here to be both addictive and seizure provoking.
Ultram is *not* an opiate, it does mimick some of the actions of an opiate but it has a different chemical makeup and has different side effects than an opiate.
Incidentally, many opiates do actually cause seizures if taken at high enough levels. Why some people have seizures while on opiates and others don't is a mystery (perhaps they have a predisposition). My partner had seizures for 18 months due to codeine abuse.
Ultram is overprescribed and poorly understood and is often given to opiate addicts as a non-opiate analegesic, however it is *specifically* contra-indicated for anyone with an addiction history.
Overall though, Ultram is much more likely to produce seizures both while being abused and when stopped abruptly. If you want I can look into this further.
Ultram is *not* an opiate, it does mimick some of the actions of an opiate but it has a different chemical makeup and has different side effects than an opiate.
Incidentally, many opiates do actually cause seizures if taken at high enough levels. Why some people have seizures while on opiates and others don't is a mystery (perhaps they have a predisposition). My partner had seizures for 18 months due to codeine abuse.
Ultram is overprescribed and poorly understood and is often given to opiate addicts as a non-opiate analegesic, however it is *specifically* contra-indicated for anyone with an addiction history.
Overall though, Ultram is much more likely to produce seizures both while being abused and when stopped abruptly. If you want I can look into this further.
Thank you silent partner -if you would look into it that wouldbe great - I do hate the stuff- would love to see it off the market and would love to know more about it.
Scary stuff about your partner - as a former codeine abuser (and anything else handy) I was interested to know if the seizures started during codeine use or after stopping. - your help is always very much appreciated
Scary stuff about your partner - as a former codeine abuser (and anything else handy) I was interested to know if the seizures started during codeine use or after stopping. - your help is always very much appreciated
A couple of questions.....
Silent Partner, you are the brainiac of the group, so they're mainly directed at you, though there are so many smart people on this site that I would love to hear from anyone....
First, why is it that codeine seems to be much worse for you than hydrocodone? I always thought they were pretty much the same thing, but I hear a lot of things about people overdosing on codeine or having seizures on codeine.... things like that..... and you don't really hear that about hydrocodone (except when people have problems related to the Tylenol in the pills).
My opinion is that codeine does not give you the "buzz" that hydrocodone does..... so that one would have to take a lot more of that medicine to get the euphoria that they would get from, say, Vicodin..... and these extra pills is what causes seizures and/or overdoses. I know once I got addicted to vicodin, I tried drinking cough syrup with codeine one time when I ran out of pain pills, and a double dose didn't do anything..... A triple dose, though, took away the withdrawal pain from the vicodin, but didn't get me high. It DID cause dizziness, nausea, and just made me feel so strange......
Second question is about the ultram...... I've taken them one time, though I didn't even know what they were at the time. A friend had some in 2000 and I took 4 of them and didn't feel a thing (I was not addicted to hydrocodone then and didn't even take hydrocodone except maybe a couple of times a year). The ultram also made me dizzy and gave me a "weird" feeling, but did not produce euphoria.
Now I'm glad because I've read the horror stories about ultram.....
My question is: How does one get addicted to ultram if it doesn't produce a high? Why would someone even take it in excess if it isn't an opiate and you don't get a "buzz" from it?
I would never consider taking it, but that's because I have read a lot about it on here..... but, for others, why would they even use it recreationally if it doesn't do anything?
Did you know that the rapper Old Dirty b****** (ODB) died from mixing ultram and cocaine?
Danni
Silent Partner, you are the brainiac of the group, so they're mainly directed at you, though there are so many smart people on this site that I would love to hear from anyone....
First, why is it that codeine seems to be much worse for you than hydrocodone? I always thought they were pretty much the same thing, but I hear a lot of things about people overdosing on codeine or having seizures on codeine.... things like that..... and you don't really hear that about hydrocodone (except when people have problems related to the Tylenol in the pills).
My opinion is that codeine does not give you the "buzz" that hydrocodone does..... so that one would have to take a lot more of that medicine to get the euphoria that they would get from, say, Vicodin..... and these extra pills is what causes seizures and/or overdoses. I know once I got addicted to vicodin, I tried drinking cough syrup with codeine one time when I ran out of pain pills, and a double dose didn't do anything..... A triple dose, though, took away the withdrawal pain from the vicodin, but didn't get me high. It DID cause dizziness, nausea, and just made me feel so strange......
Second question is about the ultram...... I've taken them one time, though I didn't even know what they were at the time. A friend had some in 2000 and I took 4 of them and didn't feel a thing (I was not addicted to hydrocodone then and didn't even take hydrocodone except maybe a couple of times a year). The ultram also made me dizzy and gave me a "weird" feeling, but did not produce euphoria.
Now I'm glad because I've read the horror stories about ultram.....
My question is: How does one get addicted to ultram if it doesn't produce a high? Why would someone even take it in excess if it isn't an opiate and you don't get a "buzz" from it?
I would never consider taking it, but that's because I have read a lot about it on here..... but, for others, why would they even use it recreationally if it doesn't do anything?
Did you know that the rapper Old Dirty b****** (ODB) died from mixing ultram and cocaine?
Danni
Danni - I did not know that ODB died from ultram - I thought it was just coke - I do not posess a quarter of the brain power of those as mighty as Silent Partner - I can just share my personal anecdotes - I got started on Ultram because I had just left treatment and in my perennial denial I convinced myself that you couldn't become addicted to Ultram. It is now my opinion that we addicts can become to addicted (or this addict) to toilet paper if it has the potential to take us to that ephemeral "high" we are always seeking. Think about it - the bottom line is we have never been able to recapture that one or two highs that we continue to chase even with our DOC.
I had not yet gotten back to my DOC when I went for the ULTRAM and so when I did not get the high that I thought i was supposed to have I just steadily took more and more even though I never got any where near the opiate high I was chasing. The result for me was my first seizure.
With regard to codeine - once again just anecdotal - Hydrocodone never gave me the buzz that codeine did - specifically Fiornal w/ codeine - I would trade a big ol bottle of cough syrup over lortab any day - isn't that wierd - silent partner we need your expertise!
I had not yet gotten back to my DOC when I went for the ULTRAM and so when I did not get the high that I thought i was supposed to have I just steadily took more and more even though I never got any where near the opiate high I was chasing. The result for me was my first seizure.
With regard to codeine - once again just anecdotal - Hydrocodone never gave me the buzz that codeine did - specifically Fiornal w/ codeine - I would trade a big ol bottle of cough syrup over lortab any day - isn't that wierd - silent partner we need your expertise!
going ct and being in wd this week i had access to ultram however with all the talk of siezures and addiction on this strange drug, i forfeited and just went ct, dr's just hand this stuff out like its nothing and going thru the ct this week i didnt want to risk another problem.
carol
carol
Reagding Ultram (or Tramadol)
I have been looking for some information on withdrawal symptoms from this drug.Having recently hurt my back at work.(Herniated Discs).My doctor first put me on Vicodin.I took these for a while,but after a month or so I started to be leery of staying on it.I am a former Cocaine addict so this kind of high was totally new to me.Anyway,after coming off the Vicodin,my doctor put me on ultram.Since I never suffered through withdrawal from cocaine.I was quite naive about this "pain killer".I stopped this medication abruptly three days ago.Wow!! While I can gladly say I have not had a seizure,I have gone through literal hell these last three days.Could someone please help me and explain what withdrawal is suppossed to feel like.I have been unsuccessful on the web finding info on withdrawal symtoms from ultram.
I have been looking for some information on withdrawal symptoms from this drug.Having recently hurt my back at work.(Herniated Discs).My doctor first put me on Vicodin.I took these for a while,but after a month or so I started to be leery of staying on it.I am a former Cocaine addict so this kind of high was totally new to me.Anyway,after coming off the Vicodin,my doctor put me on ultram.Since I never suffered through withdrawal from cocaine.I was quite naive about this "pain killer".I stopped this medication abruptly three days ago.Wow!! While I can gladly say I have not had a seizure,I have gone through literal hell these last three days.Could someone please help me and explain what withdrawal is suppossed to feel like.I have been unsuccessful on the web finding info on withdrawal symtoms from ultram.
Keith, it is funny. No one knows much about this. I had a PHARMACIST tell me that it is in the same class as asprin, so you shouldn't have any withdrawl at all...
Anyway, I felt tired, and electricity running up my legs, and just really yucky. I didn't go through a full withdrawl associated with it, but did feel horrible when I didn't take it...
Good luck...
Kerry
Anyway, I felt tired, and electricity running up my legs, and just really yucky. I didn't go through a full withdrawl associated with it, but did feel horrible when I didn't take it...
Good luck...
Kerry
Tallgirl.... It's funny that we are all so different when it comes to this, yet we are all the same. You said you would take codeine over hydrocodone any day (especially the fiorinal w/codiene)..... and I'm just the opposite..... I was prescribed fiorinal years ago for tension headaches and migraines and I never got any kind of buzz from them. In fact, I (incorrectly) told someone on here that I didn't think they were addictive.... this was due to the fact that my doctor had no problem prescribing these like he did vicodin (but this was about 12 years ago..way before my pain pill addiction) and he told me that they were not habit forming.
Maybe if I took them now, things would be different..... After all, I'm an addict now and I think a lot differently than I did back then (before my addiction, I wouldn't have ever even thought about taking MORE than the prescribed dose... I had done LOTS of illegal drugs, but I was never addicted to anything... and I never had to take a lot of anything to get a buzz from it - the joys of being tiny).... so maybe if I were prescribed fiorinal now, I might get addicted to them.
Keith, I have no experience with ultram whatsoever..... but many people on this site that have gone through withdrawals from the drug say that it's a lot like opiate withdrawal, only more intense (and more dangerous, because of the seizures). Therefore, your best option would probably be to taper down off of the drug for a few days or weeks before going cold turkey. If you need help with the actual withdrawal, let me know and I'll give you advice on that, too (I'm not sure what you actually need advice on).
Danielle
PS - yes, the autopsy report for ODB said overdose on cocaine and ultram
Maybe if I took them now, things would be different..... After all, I'm an addict now and I think a lot differently than I did back then (before my addiction, I wouldn't have ever even thought about taking MORE than the prescribed dose... I had done LOTS of illegal drugs, but I was never addicted to anything... and I never had to take a lot of anything to get a buzz from it - the joys of being tiny).... so maybe if I were prescribed fiorinal now, I might get addicted to them.
Keith, I have no experience with ultram whatsoever..... but many people on this site that have gone through withdrawals from the drug say that it's a lot like opiate withdrawal, only more intense (and more dangerous, because of the seizures). Therefore, your best option would probably be to taper down off of the drug for a few days or weeks before going cold turkey. If you need help with the actual withdrawal, let me know and I'll give you advice on that, too (I'm not sure what you actually need advice on).
Danielle
PS - yes, the autopsy report for ODB said overdose on cocaine and ultram
the Ultram debate.. ( the white devil pill).. this drug came out about 8 years ago as a non addictive alternative to [pain killers. well let me be the first to tell you it is very addictive. now if this is the only pain pill you kniow or drug that you have ever know you WILL get a high from it. and that is exactually what i did. i had taken vicoden and loracet recationally to party with. but on day i had a toe nail removeed and took 3 ultram and got this feeling that was like no other. the warm relaxed itchy face smile on my face feeling and boom i was hooked. so i guess it really will depend on your drug past as how you will react to ultram. now as far as coming off that is a whole nother story. i had sezieures on and while comming off. and still to this day the only reason know for them while i was takeing them was i took to many. but as far as why it happen coming off no idea. i agree Ultram is not good and should be removed from the market. McNeil pharam. cash cow needs to be slaughtered. and yes it is very over prescribed. but that is due to a market that gives doctors trips and kick backs for prescribing there med. but once again this is just one mans thouights.
Danni - God its hard to believe that a doc would say Fiornal #3 is like aspirin - even years ago for god's sake it has codeine - and a barbituate in it on top of caffeine - which is of course why I loved it - it was like my own little lab experiment in one pill - caffeine and codeine gave me a great buzz but if I needed to come down the barbituate would assist.
Keith - If anyone can tell us anything about the devil pill ultram its silent partner - my guess is he is researching it right now. All I can tell you is BE CAREFUL - I abused pills of every kind color and combination for 30 years and I had never had a seizure - and it was Ultram that brought me to the floor - literally. And if you have never had a seizure- don't - besides having no memory whatsoever of how you landed on the floor the next morning I felt as if every fiber of my being had been strapped behing a pickup and hauled over a mountain road - even under my fingernails - I think that is because your whole body convulses but having never had one and not having gone to the doc for fear of being discovered it is just conjecture.
If you can't go to a doc and be honest then I would try to taper veeeeeeeeeeery slowly - my thoughts are with you
Keith - If anyone can tell us anything about the devil pill ultram its silent partner - my guess is he is researching it right now. All I can tell you is BE CAREFUL - I abused pills of every kind color and combination for 30 years and I had never had a seizure - and it was Ultram that brought me to the floor - literally. And if you have never had a seizure- don't - besides having no memory whatsoever of how you landed on the floor the next morning I felt as if every fiber of my being had been strapped behing a pickup and hauled over a mountain road - even under my fingernails - I think that is because your whole body convulses but having never had one and not having gone to the doc for fear of being discovered it is just conjecture.
If you can't go to a doc and be honest then I would try to taper veeeeeeeeeeery slowly - my thoughts are with you
a little short on time, but you get opiate like withdrawals from ultram because it mimicks opiates in many ways.
Seizures are more common for ultram, while you take it and when you detox.
For codeine, seizures are more common during use than during detox
For hydro, it is almost the same except that there is a slightly higher risk of seizure on detox when compared with codeine (mg for mg).
In all these things, dose, duration, underlying health status etc all play a part.
Addiction to ultram is common for opiate addicts but relatively rare otherwise.
Seizures are more common for ultram, while you take it and when you detox.
For codeine, seizures are more common during use than during detox
For hydro, it is almost the same except that there is a slightly higher risk of seizure on detox when compared with codeine (mg for mg).
In all these things, dose, duration, underlying health status etc all play a part.
Addiction to ultram is common for opiate addicts but relatively rare otherwise.
Just speaking from my own hell.I was when I quit up to taking 15-16+ a day of the 50mgs of Ultram.The ONLY way I have (so far) been able to stay away from them is by being on the sub since January.I am taking 16 mg of sub,it helps with my chrons pain & Im not poppin 15 + pills aday.I really dont know what is written about this drug only because there are so many different thoughts on it.Im just saying I went through hell when I tried to CT from them & tapering for me WAS NOT an option.
Just wanted to add my thoughts..mj
Just wanted to add my thoughts..mj
great topic-
SP is right. it is *not* a narcotic, and is not an opiate in an of itself.
However, the World Health Organization states, it does *atach* itself to our opiate receptors, so therefore tricks our brain into thinking it is receiving just that.
And the WHO also cautions that individuals, taking it, not even abusively, will need to be withdrawn off of it properly, as it does cause opiate like withdrawals.
Kate
SP is right. it is *not* a narcotic, and is not an opiate in an of itself.
However, the World Health Organization states, it does *atach* itself to our opiate receptors, so therefore tricks our brain into thinking it is receiving just that.
And the WHO also cautions that individuals, taking it, not even abusively, will need to be withdrawn off of it properly, as it does cause opiate like withdrawals.
Kate
hello my name is chrissy, i just read your post. I think you are very confused about ultram and it's effects. Although it's not a narcotic, it's still a dirivitive of the morphine class. I tired to get off of my opiate addiction by taking ultram and ultracet, until i took too many trying to reach that high ( always felt like i was just 1 more pill away from it), so i would take more and more, never got high but sure did flop around on the floor alot!!! ULTRAM CAUSES SEIZURES!!!!!!! I've had 4 seizures from ultram, finally learned my lesson and stopped taking hand fulls at a time. U know if you keep having seizures they take your license from you! It just wasnt worth it! Last time i had one i was holding my friends 12 month old baby! She wasnt hurt but my feelings were! Although I'm still an addict, i dont take ultram. People like it b/c it increases the seritonin in your brain, that makes you feel happy, and stops withdrawl symtoms from opiates. You will still have a hell of a withdrawl off of these, dont let anyone tell you any different! We are all the same in a sense and i strongly encourage you to find other ways of dealing with this withdrawl, ultram WILL NOT help in any way, just prolonge your sickness from withdrawling....i promise!~~~
Chrissy
Chrissy
Chrissy
How are you doing. Welcome to the board. I don't know about you. Are you off pills ? Are you trying to taper down ? Anyway I just wanted to say hi and welcome you.
Frank
Hope this helps ya' a little......Tramadol = Ultram
Drug Uses
Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. It also may be used to treat pain caused by surgery and chronic conditions such as cancer or joint pain. Tramadol works by decreasing the brain's perception and response to pain. It also reduces the size or magnitude of the pain signal passed from one nerve to another. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How Taken
Tramadol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 4-6 hours as needed. It may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Tramadol exactly as directed. Tramadol can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.
Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Tramadol, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; liver disease; or a history of alcohol or drug dependence. You may not be able to take Tramadol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Bob
Drug Uses
Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. It also may be used to treat pain caused by surgery and chronic conditions such as cancer or joint pain. Tramadol works by decreasing the brain's perception and response to pain. It also reduces the size or magnitude of the pain signal passed from one nerve to another. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How Taken
Tramadol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 4-6 hours as needed. It may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Tramadol exactly as directed. Tramadol can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.
Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Tramadol, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; liver disease; or a history of alcohol or drug dependence. You may not be able to take Tramadol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Bob
Elbrisa, I think everyone agrees with you. Ultram is addictive, has nasty side effects (particularly if taken in doses higher than recommended) including seizures, and produces opiate-like withdrawals.
This is because Ultram (Tramadol) acts a lot like an opiate does, but in fact it is not an opiate. Ultram is not a derivative of morphine and is not derived from natural substances. Chemically it bares no resemblance to morphine or any other opiates.
For the technically minded, Ultram is a centrally-acting synthetic analgesic of the aminocyclohexanol group.
This is because Ultram (Tramadol) acts a lot like an opiate does, but in fact it is not an opiate. Ultram is not a derivative of morphine and is not derived from natural substances. Chemically it bares no resemblance to morphine or any other opiates.
For the technically minded, Ultram is a centrally-acting synthetic analgesic of the aminocyclohexanol group.
Hi,
I don't know if it has been done yet but I know a few years ago the AMA was trying to get Ultram reclassified as a narcotic. It's a synthetic opiate, and for me,
I was able to get the same effect from ultram as Percocet etc. I had to take a much larger dose, and it also caused me to have a seziure. The withdrawls from it are nothing short of hell, at least from what I've experienced. Bob
I don't know if it has been done yet but I know a few years ago the AMA was trying to get Ultram reclassified as a narcotic. It's a synthetic opiate, and for me,
I was able to get the same effect from ultram as Percocet etc. I had to take a much larger dose, and it also caused me to have a seziure. The withdrawls from it are nothing short of hell, at least from what I've experienced. Bob
silent partner~
maybe ultram isnt a derivitive of morphine, i dont know,but theres something it's deriving from that makes opiate addicts take this med. Been there too many times to say i didnt like what it did to me. Whatever it's used for, it's no good to people who are additced to narcotic pain pills. It even says that ( in my own words), " people who have problem with substance abuse should not take this med." My only advise is to find another way to deal with your addiction. You would be better off just taking the narcotics than taking this med. You'll still withdrawl either way!
maybe ultram isnt a derivitive of morphine, i dont know,but theres something it's deriving from that makes opiate addicts take this med. Been there too many times to say i didnt like what it did to me. Whatever it's used for, it's no good to people who are additced to narcotic pain pills. It even says that ( in my own words), " people who have problem with substance abuse should not take this med." My only advise is to find another way to deal with your addiction. You would be better off just taking the narcotics than taking this med. You'll still withdrawl either way!
