Hi, I went to my doc today because I have been having problems with my neck with some pain in my arm as well. I wanted to make sure it wasn't anything serious and she said it was probably just a strained muscle becuse when she pressed on my neck she could feel the spasms. She gave me a shot of cortisone and said she would write a scrip for a muscle relaxant for the spasms. I get home and see that she has given me flexerill and ultram. I have never hear of ultram but when I googled it, it said is was a narcotic. This is the same doc that I have seen for several years, she knows I am an addict and just got out of rehab in Oct. Why would she prescribe me a narcotic, am I missing something? Is it not habit forming or what? Just wantind some feedback, thanks.
If you are a recoverying addict and the pain is bearable then I would NOT take Ultram. That is just my opinion.
It is habit forming. It does cause a horrible withdrawl. If taken in high doses 300 mgs or higher it can cause seizures. If it is mixed with anti-depressants it can cause seizures as well. It happened about a year ago to my ex husband. He had no prior history of seizures. Took a Lexapro and hours later took 2 Ultram. He went into convultions.
If you have to take it for pain, I would have someone else hold them. When the pain is gone ( flush the rest).
Tramadol ( Ultram/Ultracet) like other opioids used in analgesia, can be abused.
A lot of doctor's say it is not a narcotic but it acts like one. The insert should say if you are an addict do not take it. It does control pain but I would stick with motrin.
Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol. The risk of seizure is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range.
Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or other opioids.
Tramadol may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking MAO inhibitors, neuroleptics, or other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold.
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections).
Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
ULTRAM ER should be used with caution and in reduced dosages when administered to patients receiving CNS depressants such as alcohol, opioids, anesthetic agents, narcotics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, antidepressants or sedative hypnotics. ULTRAM ER increases the risk of CNS and respiratory depression in these patients.
Tramadol is an effective pain reliever (analgesic). Its mode of action resembles that of narcotics, but it has significantly less potential for abuse and addiction than the narcotics. Tramadol is as effective as narcotics in relieving pain but does not depress respiration, a side effect of most narcotics. Tramadol is not a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), and does not have the increased risk of stomach ulceration and internal bleeding that can occur with the use of NSAIDs.
You should not take Ultram if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Take Ultram exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than 300 milligrams of Ultram in one day.
Do not stop using this medication suddenly without talking to your doctor. You may need to gradually reduce the dose. Withdrawal symptoms may occur when you stop using Ultram. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these withdrawal symptoms after you stop using Ultram.
What is Ultram?
Ultram is a narcotic-like pain reliever.
Ultram is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Ultram extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
Ultram may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ultram?
You should not take Ultram if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol. Do not take Ultram if you are intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used any of the following drugs:
alcohol;
narcotic pain medicine;
sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);
medicine for depression or anxiety;
medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or
street drugs.
Seizures have occurred in some people taking Ultram. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:
a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of head injury; or
a metabolic disorder.
Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure from this medicine.
Before taking Ultram, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a stomach disorder; or
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Ultram, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Ultram may also cause serious or fatal side effects in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy or labor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Ultram can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of Ultram. If you are over 65, your doctor may recommend a lower dose. Ultram should not be given to a child younger than 16 years of age.
Hope that helps some.
Rae
It is habit forming. It does cause a horrible withdrawl. If taken in high doses 300 mgs or higher it can cause seizures. If it is mixed with anti-depressants it can cause seizures as well. It happened about a year ago to my ex husband. He had no prior history of seizures. Took a Lexapro and hours later took 2 Ultram. He went into convultions.
If you have to take it for pain, I would have someone else hold them. When the pain is gone ( flush the rest).
Tramadol ( Ultram/Ultracet) like other opioids used in analgesia, can be abused.
A lot of doctor's say it is not a narcotic but it acts like one. The insert should say if you are an addict do not take it. It does control pain but I would stick with motrin.
Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol. The risk of seizure is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range.
Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or other opioids.
Tramadol may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking MAO inhibitors, neuroleptics, or other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold.
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections).
Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
ULTRAM ER should be used with caution and in reduced dosages when administered to patients receiving CNS depressants such as alcohol, opioids, anesthetic agents, narcotics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, antidepressants or sedative hypnotics. ULTRAM ER increases the risk of CNS and respiratory depression in these patients.
Tramadol is an effective pain reliever (analgesic). Its mode of action resembles that of narcotics, but it has significantly less potential for abuse and addiction than the narcotics. Tramadol is as effective as narcotics in relieving pain but does not depress respiration, a side effect of most narcotics. Tramadol is not a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), and does not have the increased risk of stomach ulceration and internal bleeding that can occur with the use of NSAIDs.
You should not take Ultram if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Take Ultram exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than 300 milligrams of Ultram in one day.
Do not stop using this medication suddenly without talking to your doctor. You may need to gradually reduce the dose. Withdrawal symptoms may occur when you stop using Ultram. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these withdrawal symptoms after you stop using Ultram.
What is Ultram?
Ultram is a narcotic-like pain reliever.
Ultram is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Ultram extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
Ultram may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ultram?
You should not take Ultram if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol. Do not take Ultram if you are intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used any of the following drugs:
alcohol;
narcotic pain medicine;
sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);
medicine for depression or anxiety;
medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or
street drugs.
Seizures have occurred in some people taking Ultram. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:
a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of head injury; or
a metabolic disorder.
Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure from this medicine.
Before taking Ultram, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a stomach disorder; or
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Ultram, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Ultram may also cause serious or fatal side effects in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy or labor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Ultram can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of Ultram. If you are over 65, your doctor may recommend a lower dose. Ultram should not be given to a child younger than 16 years of age.
Hope that helps some.
Rae
