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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mandybella on January 30, 2004, at 19:31:31
I posted a couple of weeks ago and was in treatment for a very heavy ambien addiction. I am told I cannot take any substance, like narcotics, etc. I have never had a problem with them but I understand they can start the cravings again.
My problem is that I have fibromylagia and osteoarthritis and tylenol is just not cutting it for pain. Does anyone know if Ultram is considered a narcotic or a substance that is abused? Thanks
Posted by Fallen4myT on January 31, 2004, at 0:07:37
In reply to Is Ultram ok for someone with an addiction?, posted by Mandybella on January 30, 2004, at 19:31:31
Sorry but yes it can be addictive...but seems to me being you have REAL pain and all you could maybe call your med addiction doc and see what can be done in this case??
Here is an info link on this med
http://www.orthomcneil.com/healthinfo/painmanagement/products/ultramfaq.html
Good Luck and God Bless
Posted by krazybirdlady on January 31, 2004, at 0:50:38
In reply to Is Ultram ok for someone with an addiction?, posted by Mandybella on January 30, 2004, at 19:31:31
no, it is not...ultram can be very addicting..please seek alternate methods..
Posted by Twainesworld on January 31, 2004, at 23:37:21
In reply to Is Ultram ok for someone with an addiction?, posted by Mandybella on January 30, 2004, at 19:31:31
I was on Ultram for a year or so before docs put me on Methadone for my severe pain. Not ONLY did the Ultram really not cut it for the pain, but it WAS addicting! I know they say it's not a narcotic, but I think Ultram binds to the same receptor sites as a narcotic - which is going to cause you some level of physical (if not psychological) addiction. I DO know there is a lawsuit against Ultram because of the FDA saying it's NOT addictive, when, in reality, many people have indeed become addicted to it!
Hopefully you will find a doctor who realizes that people who are truly in pain are not as likely to become addicted to pain meds, and he or she will TREAT your pain with whatever is necessary to keep you from suffering!!! I know it's hard to find a doctor who is willing to do that if you've had any kind of addiction in the past, but keep looking --- it's worth it to not have to suffer!!!!
Please don't get started with the Ultram!! For a severe pain like osteoarthritis & fibromyalgia you need something that will work -- and (for me, anyway) Ultram wasn't it, and caused me more problems than it was worth in the end!!
Good Luck....... :o)
Posted by Fallen4myT on January 31, 2004, at 23:49:51
In reply to Re: Is Ultram ok for someone with an addiction? » Mandybella, posted by Fallen4myT on January 31, 2004, at 0:07:37
In the site I posted above in my other reply the entire second paragraph is on its addictive and abusive properties..see the site and please talk to your addiction doc and see what you can take
Posted by green hornet on March 18, 2004, at 18:18:22
In reply to Re: Is Ultram ok for someone with an addiction?, posted by Fallen4myT on January 31, 2004, at 23:49:51
Ultram should not be taken with
SSRI's; or so I was told by my doc. GH
Posted by guttersnipe on March 29, 2004, at 2:00:41
In reply to Is Ultram ok for someone with an addiction?, posted by Mandybella on January 30, 2004, at 19:31:31
The upsides of Ultram (tramadol) are that it can alleviate pain, that it can get you high, and that it is not (last time I looked) a controlled substance.
The downside is that it is addictive, even if technically not classified as a narcotic. Other potential downsides (common, but not universal side effects): itchiness (not like the mild codeine itchies -- more like tied to an anthill-type itchies); inability to urinate (unpleasant when one feels like one really, really, must pee).
Mandybella, if you live in a medical marijuana state (or if you don't but you're willing to risk it), you might try the magical herb -- I've heard it can do wonders for fibromyalgia and helps with osetoarthritis too (there are three primry, but interbreedable, species of Cannabis: sativa, indica, and ruderalis. Forget about the ruderalis for any purpose; for pain relief, look for a very high THC-content sativa or perhaps better yet a 50-50 sativa indica hybrid). Also, I suggest that you forget about Tylenol -- that stuff will shred your liver apart. For arthritis, I would use Vioxx or Celebrex -- your doc should have a whole closetfull of samples to let you try it out.
This is the end of the thread.
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