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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Michele on April 15, 2001, at 14:56:50
I have been taking Ultram for about 6 months. For pain. My doc prescribed me this because for a short time I was addicted to hydrocodone, percocet, vicoden, you name it. I got sick of being on "narcotics." Talked to my doctor extensively and back then she gave me the Ultram. Always worked great for me.. she told me it was non-narcotic... It takes away the pain.. wonderfully, but I don't get Euphoric or high! So I felt safe on it. All the sudden.. and reading some of the archives, some people are saying this is now considered an opiate... and ad.... and all kinds of things. Anybody know? Cam.... ? Thanks everyone,
Michele
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 15, 2001, at 23:35:34
In reply to Any insights on Ultram?, posted by Michele on April 15, 2001, at 14:56:50
Ultram will not give you the high; it is related to morphine only slightly. I'm sure that if it made people high, it would probably be labeled a controlled substance.
I took Ultram for a few weeks and it didn't do anything for my depression. I never got the high.
Posted by Michele on April 16, 2001, at 1:02:54
In reply to Ultram and the High » Michele, posted by SalArmy4me on April 15, 2001, at 23:35:34
Ultram isn't supposed to do anything for depression is it? It's not an AD right?
I take it for pain.....I have a hurniated disk that I'm not able to have surgery on for various reasons. It does great for my pain.... but my worries started when I started hearing things like it was a narcotic, and AD... it scared me. I just want something nice and safe that just takes care of the pain.... and nothing else.
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 16, 2001, at 7:19:38
In reply to Re: Ultram and the High » SalArmy4me, posted by Michele on April 16, 2001, at 1:02:54
I was just assuming that you were desiring a high as a way of getting out of depression.
The only thing that Ultram might do is combat Social Phobia, but this is just speculation based on a case-study: http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Tramadol-for-social-phobia.html
Posted by Gracie2 on April 16, 2001, at 17:07:00
In reply to Any insights on Ultram?, posted by Michele on April 15, 2001, at 14:56:50
Ultram is not a narcotic, though it can have an opiate-like effect, so there is some potential for abuse and psychological addiction. It is still safer than narcotics for long-term use. If you are taking it as prescribed, there should be no need to worry about addiction.
Posted by Michele on April 16, 2001, at 21:08:46
In reply to Re: Any insights on Ultram?, posted by Gracie2 on April 16, 2001, at 17:07:00
>
> Hi. Thanx for the info. I am taking it as followed by instructions.... just 50mg 3 times a day.
The only reason hearing this has bothered me so much.... is that last summer.... It took me a month to kill the pain killer habit. Dr. prescribed me everything from percocet to vicoden. It was a rough time getting off these things. Ultram was prescribed to me... so I wouldn't need those types *#*# drugs to kill my pain. Hopefully this doctor knows what she's doing!!!!!! Just looking for a pain killer... and that's all. Ha ha..... thanks again, Michele
Posted by Gracie2 on April 17, 2001, at 16:34:58
In reply to Re: Any insights on Ultram? » Gracie2, posted by Michele on April 16, 2001, at 21:08:46
In my experience, doctors are reluctant to prescribe narcotics. I guess you know why...percocet and vicodin are very addicting. Ultram is another class of drugs altogether. You won't become dependent on it unless you are taking handfuls of it to get high, and even then it is psychologically rather than physically addicting. However, I have heard that Ultram may cause seizures when taken with some antidepressants, so you might want to talk to your doctor about that if you're taking ADs.
-Gracie
Posted by Michele on April 17, 2001, at 16:44:03
In reply to Re: Any insights on Ultram?, posted by Gracie2 on April 17, 2001, at 16:34:58
> Phew......... thanks for the info. I'm not currently on any AD's... and don't plan to.... so I should be fine. I just get so discouraged.. a drug is supposed to do this/that... whatever.. then more info comes out and forces you to look into it more clearly. Thanks again. >
Posted by Elizabeth on May 2, 2001, at 4:42:23
In reply to Re: Any insights on Ultram?, posted by Gracie2 on April 17, 2001, at 16:34:58
> In my experience, doctors are reluctant to prescribe narcotics. I guess you know why...percocet and vicodin are very addicting. Ultram is another class of drugs altogether.
Sort of. It's a mu opioid receptor agonist, and this action is probably responsible for its observed clinical effects. (The manufacturer managed to prevent it from being federally controlled by playing down its opioidergic effects and playing up its monoamine reuptake inhibition effects, even though the latter are quite weak.)
Ultram does probably have some abuse potential, probably on the level of propoxyphene, another weak opioid. Ultram has the same sort of side effects and withdrawal syndrome as other opioids, although milder than most.
> You won't become dependent on it unless you are taking handfuls of it to get high, and even then it is psychologically rather than physically addicting.
I think that the former is much harder to overcome. A lot of the time, junkies can make it through the worst withdrawals (vomiting, diarrhea, shakes, gooseflesh, hot and cold flashes -- the works) only to relapse a few months later due to persistent drug cravings.
> However, I have heard that Ultram may cause seizures when taken with some antidepressants, so you might want to talk to your doctor about that if you're taking ADs.
As with many things, I think the seizure risk is exaggerated. However, Ultram has been known occasionally to induce the serotonin syndrome when used in combination with serotonergic ADs (especially MAOIs). (Demerol is much likelier to cause these reactions, but Ultram can as well.)
Posted by dougb on May 2, 2001, at 10:41:26
In reply to Re: Any insights on Ultram?, posted by Elizabeth on May 2, 2001, at 4:42:23
Although i have had very positive resposnse to the the opiate class of drugs in general Ultram/Tramadol was not tolerated at all.
Extreme melencholy, return of cns pain etc.
Doc keeps trying to get me to give it another try, i only would if he promised to make the house call and hold my hand continously :o)
This is the end of the thread.
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