Chitownlady
Member
Reged: 10/30/03
Posts: 114
Loc: IL
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Local doc just gave me a script for Ultram, 50 mg. take 1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours for pain. I have to admit I am somewhat skeptical about starting this new med, doc said it would save my liver/kidneys in the long run and to only take my hydro for breakthrough pain. What can I expect from Ultram, should I really be worried about a seizure as everyone says?
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catmom
Board Addict
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 319
Loc: Midwest
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Hi Chitownlady!
At such a low dose, you probably have no worries about seizures. I believe the maximum recommended dose per day is 400 mg. Be sure to see the other thread today about a doc who will fairly freely give hydro but WON'T give ultram because he thinks it's too addictive! Go figure. I personally think hydro is more addictive than ultram by a long shot; but ultram does work for a longer time than hydro for mild to moderate pain. As always, your mileage may vary since everyone's different. Hope this helps. Catmom
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If it's not immediate, it's not gratification.
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mistya
Newbie
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 29
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I agree with catmom. I think you will be okay just taking it for breakthrough pain.
I took Ultram one time for my pain. It didn't make me sleepy nor did it make me wired for sound LOL I took two 50mg and it would barely take the top off my pain. So it didn't do a lot for me, but I can say that I didn't have as many side effects as I would with hydro. I have to agree, too, that it is longer lasting than most pain meds.
Wishing you pain free days!
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spondylolithesis L4-L5 & L5-S1, spondylosis, spondyloarthropathies, buldging discs, sciatica, and endometriosis.
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Chitownlady
Member
Reged: 10/30/03
Posts: 114
Loc: IL
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Thanks, I really appreciate your replies. Makes me feel alot better about starting a new med.
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Amber18
Stranger
Reged: 11/14/03
Posts: 16
Loc: Midwest
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Hello, I just have a question. Ive ordered Ultram (Tramadol) from them (md-pillstore) in the past with no problems, and recently ordered a refill from them on tuesday. I'm still waiting, they keep saying they are waiting(4 days now) for doctors approval. Has anyone ordered from them recently with any problems ? Also just wondering, they had to have the name and number of my PC, and said with new federal regulations they have to contact them also for approval. I dont understand that. If our PC's would give us the pain meds we need we wouldnt be getting them online. When I called though they said they were waiting their doctors approval. How long should this take ? I suffer from cronic back pain and pain from previous cancer surgeries.
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susanO
Newbie
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 28
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Quote:
but I can say that I didn't have as many side effects as I would with hydro.
Wishing you pain free days!
If you don't mind my asking .. what side effects do you have with hydro? I haven't noticed any but then again I don't know what to look for. Thanks 
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Daycamp72
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/29/02
Posts: 283
Loc: Tara
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Ultram, in my opinion, is among one of the weirdest meds I have ever taken. Several years back, I was RXed Ultram in lieu of hydro for my chronic coccyx pain and found that I had to take 3 at once in order for it to work. It made food taste terrible and I had a general sense of unreality (not good). And it didn't "take away" the pain.....I could still FEEL my pain, but the pain felt like a dull lump and no, its effects didn't last very long.
My doc finally told me that enough was not known about Ultram for her to condone my taking 3 tablets at once. I have heard that they are SUPER for narcotic withdrawals, though.
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mistya
Newbie
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 29
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SusanO,
I have a little nausea and headaches with the hydro for some reason. That is just me though.
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spondylolithesis L4-L5 & L5-S1, spondylosis, spondyloarthropathies, buldging discs, sciatica, and endometriosis.
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Chitownlady
Member
Reged: 10/30/03
Posts: 114
Loc: IL
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I haven't taken any of my hydros since Friday at noon and so far today (Monday 1:45 pm) I have felt absolutely NO WD symptoms at all, can you believe that? I was taking upwards of 40-60 mgs of hydrocodone per day for the last 6 months, kinda on/off for all sorts of medical conditions I have. BUT, prior to Friday at noon, I slowly started to wind my usage down to just 2-3 pills per day. Also, I bet its the Ultram that are keeping the real WD symptoms away? I only take the recommended dosage of the Ultram per day, no more than 400 mgs. and only 1-2 pills at a time. My last question is, is it safe to suddenly stop taking the Ultram, or do I need to lower my dosage per like I did with the hydros?
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Fiver
Member
Reged: 10/02/03
Posts: 103
Loc: Michigan
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60mgs of hydrocodone per day is not a lot (comparatively) and you had breaks where you didn't take any...and then you tapered down to less than half of that so you already on very safe ground. My educated guess is that you could stop taking Ultram without any noticeable withdrawal symptoms, but since you were able to taper off the hydro, why not taper down from the Ultram as well to be as good to your body as you can possibly be? I envy and admire your ability to taper as I and many others aren't very good at it.
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Chitownlady
Member
Reged: 10/30/03
Posts: 114
Loc: IL
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Thanks, my educated guess is right along with yours, I will taper my Ultram usage down to nothing. Tapering really isnt that hard for me, I think it is a mind over matter thing, plus when I start taking way too many hyrdos in a day just to feel "normal", I know it is time to start weaning and gradually stop for awhile. I get really scared of becoming too dependent on them. Maybe its a combination of things that helps me taper, fear and self control!
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kcmom
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/19/03
Posts: 227
Loc: Missouri
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I have used Ultram several times when I have ran out of the Hydro and I take more than 70 mg a day of hydro and Ultram completely takes the w/d away. I do have to take 6-8 daily of Ultram, cause when I don't, I do start to feel the w/d. I did take Ultram straight for about 7-8 days once and I did feel w/d from that. It was like the flu, but much worse. Different than hydro w/d, I felt really weird, and really, really achey. Don't want to go there again..so I am about to take a hydro holiday and am going to be really careful about the Ultram usage. It seems to give me alot of energy and good for moodiness. But I think a taper is a must on Ultram, in my case anyways.
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PrivateRealm
Threadhead
Reged: 03/18/03
Posts: 879
Loc: usa
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Ultram helped me out alot with my breaks from hydro, but I could only take it during the early day as I have trouble sleeping and it tends to keep me awake. My doctor has not been prescribing it lately though, just Indocin and flexeril or other muscle relaxers until my CAT scan and MRI results come back.
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KeriAnne~~~
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take - but by the moments that take our breath away."
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Disciple
Member
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 113
Loc: Deep South-GA
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Everyone's different and common responses to the same drug does not make it "engraved in stone." How I wish this to be true! You will have to try it (slowly at first) for yourself. I've tried them several years ago and it would take four to five to get any relief. A few months ago I tried them again and I felt "kind of out-of-space". Not a high, euphoria, a buzz or anything of the sort. And that was with just one to two! After a few days of being out of touch, unable to sleep, and little pain relief, I gave them up. I do hope I haven't alarmed you. It's possible that your experience will be totally different than mine. I had no side effects years ago so I'm clueless as to why now. If ultram don't agree with you, just tell your doctor or find another one!  Blessings 2 U...Disciple
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The kindest words ever spoken are harsh words left "unsaid". A SOFT ANSWER TURNETH AWAY WRATH: BUT GRIEVIOUS WORDS STIR UP ANGER. PROVERBS 15:1
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mpcagh
Member
Reged: 12/27/03
Posts: 130
Loc: California
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I have recently started using Ultram for back pain, and I think it is working pretty well for me. It doesn't help too much when the pain is really bad, but during the mild/moderate pain times it is good. It doesn't make me as tired and out of it as hydro did.
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"There's a fine line between love and hate, and a mile full of lessons in between." William M. Siegel, Jr.
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carrigaline
Journeyman
Reged: 01/22/03
Posts: 82
Loc: So Cal
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I've taken ultram for back pain for the last couple of years. It doesn't seem to be working as well for me as it once did. Probably tolerance. Also, I don't want to increase my dosage over 300mg/day because this med lowers seizure threshold. As others have commented, Ultram is a strange drug. Works for some, has absolutely no effect on others. I hope it continues to bring you relief.
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