bhawk
Stranger
Reged: 07/20/03
Posts: 17
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Hi everyone. I've been prescribed hydrocodone for the last four months for cluster headaches. Fortunately the cycle is starting to diminish. I was wanting to switch to a non-narcotic while the headaches still linger without having to go through any type of withdrawal.
My neurologist at my request switched me to ultram. Will I still have to go through withdrawals from the hydrocodone?
I won't be making the switch until Saturday and I was just curious if anyone had ever tried anything similiar?
Thanks for any information.
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Princeton
Newbie
Reged: 02/03/04
Posts: 45
Loc: Frozen Tundra
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bhawk,
Throughout the years I have spoken to many people that have actually had worse withdrawls from ultram than they did hydro. I've been lucky enough to not have a problem with withdrawls when stopping a medication, including hydro & ultram (with exception of quitting cigarettes which was pure hell - my co-workers were offering to buy me cases, upon hindsight I'd have to say a was a wee bit cranky).
I'm not sure how often or how many hydro you take, but my suggestion would be to not complete the prescription and keep some to "wean" yourself from them. Say for example you take 3 a day, start taking 1/2 every other day for a week or so while starting the ultram.
I'm not a doctor or even in the health profession, but I have had friends stop hydro abruptly and had some ugly reactions ranging from discomfort to major w/d's. I'd say that since you've taken it for such a short amount of time your chances are pretty good of coming through really well with probably a minimal amount of problems.
Do keep in mind that although ultram is not an actual narcotic, it is similar and can definately be an addictive substance.
I'm glad that your headaches have improved and you're feeling better, good luck with your switch and keep us posted as to how you're doing.
Princeton
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so take me as i am this may mean you'll have to be a stronger man rest assured that when
i start to make you nervous and i'm going to extremes tomorrow i will change and today won't mean a thing
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bhawk
Stranger
Reged: 07/20/03
Posts: 17
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I really appreciate your reply and the information. In addition to the hydro I was prescribed zomig nasal spray and that really helped alot. Like I said, the headache cycle is almost (hopefully) gone and I can get back to normal.
Thanks and I appreciate all the info from everyone on this board.
Bob
PS - If there are other cluster headache sufferers here please visit htt://www.clusterheadaches.com - they have alot of helpful information.
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kcmom
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/19/03
Posts: 227
Loc: Missouri
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I use Ultram every time I feel the need to take a hydro break, and it does wonders for withdrawal. It eliminates almost 100% of the symptoms for me. What I do is when I stop the hydro and start feeling bad, take an Ultram. You will need to take it pretty regular the first few days, then you will start to feel much better and can quit taking the Ultram as well. In my experience, I have only suffered w/d from the Ultram after taking it for 2 weeks straight..but if you do it to where you taper off of it, which is much easier than the hydro, and only take it for 3-4 days, you'll be fine. You'll notice the need for the Ultram just goes away, as your w/d subsides. Ultram has been a lifesaver for me. I do know that it can be addictive as well, and the w/d from it can be bad, but not if you only take it, like I said, for less than a week, and only as needed. Trust me, lifesaver!!! I don't need to take anything else when I have this! Good luck!!
-kari 
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Reel_X_4U
Enthusiast
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 255
Loc: Queens, New York City
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I also have to agree with Kmom, Ultram is great if you want to do a "Hydro" Holiday. It pretty much eliminates the craving for "Hydro" and also has an aquedate degree of "Pain Relief" (Just not as strong as Hydro), but there is relief, it does have a different feeling to it. But at the same it also increases levels of serotonin (Some have said and written that it acts as a "Narcotic Pain Reliver" and as a "Anti-depressant"), maybe that way it feels so different. Add in the fact that it is void of "Tylenol" so there's no impact to liver or just a limited impact and it's not scheduled as a "Controlled Substance", so doctors feel comfortable prescribing it. There are also other meds you can use to a "Hydro Holiday" like "Temegesic" or in the past I've tried "Stadol Nasal Spray", but it's not for everyone. Anyway good luck with "Ur" Hydro Holiday, it does the body "GOOD" 
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Some men see things as they are and say "WHY"!!
Some men see things as they are and say "WHY"!!
I've dreamt of things that never were, and say "WHY NOT"!!
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tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 531
Loc: Chicago
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Priceton answered this post well. i would just like to also add that my withdrawl from tramadol (one brand name is "Ultram") was pretty intense. you had mention that tramadol is "non-narcortic". i dont know what 'narcotic' means, but if you mean tramadol is a non opioid agonist, thats not entirely true. tramadol's metabolite is quite an opioid actually, and i remember when i first took tramadol it was stronger than hydrocodone. it also produces cross tolerance with hydrocodone. No need to guess about anything or count on your doctor to know everything though, because you can just read the monograph of tramadol yourself at this webpage:
www.opioids.com/tramadol/prescribe.html
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tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 531
Loc: Chicago
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LOL Of course tramadol relieves hydrocodone withdrawl people, thats because tramadol's metabolite is a considerably strong opioid, no other reason. by the way, when i started taking tramadol, then took 10 mg of hydrocodone one day after not having had it for a long time, the hydrocodone didnt do barely anything, because taking the tramadol caused a cross tolerance to hydrocodone. so if you want to take a break from hydrocodone to lower your tolerance you cant just replace it with another opioid,,, unless it affects you much less because you dont metabolize it well, or unless its a much lower dose. as far as im concerned, and from my personal experience, going off hydrocodone and taking tramadol is like going of hydrocodone and taking oxycodone, even if the oxycodone might be a lower dose
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bhawk
Stranger
Reged: 07/20/03
Posts: 17
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Thanks everyone. My actual goal is not a holiday. Since my pain needs have diminished, I'm getting off the hydro period. I also don't expect to be on the Ultram more than 1-2 weeks.
I've had these cluster headaches for 20 years. Luckily when they leave, I won't have a pain issue again for 2-3 years (hopefully).
Thank you for your responses and all the valuable information.
Bob
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