Ultram/Tramadol | Arthritis Information

 

Hi all.  I just got a call from my sister.  She's the one with RA for nine years, being treated with low dose prednisone, Plaquenil and Ultram.  She has had a few seizures lately and wanted to tell me the doctors have determined that the Ultram is the cause.  She had a minor accident a few months back with a mild concussion and that may be why the Ultram is causing problems now, or it may be that the Ultram is what caused the accident in the first place.  Anyway, they took her off it and she had a hellish week of withdrawal but is now fine.  The thing is, she now realizes she didn't even really need the Ultram for so long.  It was prescribed, so she took it.  She's angry at herself for not questioning her therapy more, just going along with the flow all these years.  She wanted to warn me of the addictive nature of Ultram and its other side effects.  I don't take it, but I know many here do.  I'm not posting this to scare anyone.  I just appreciated my sister giving me this heads-up and I wanted to pass along the information.  It's just another example of how we have to be proactive in our health care and question, question, question the doctors about the drugs we take, and to do it periodically.  The status quo can be dangerous.  Very interesting.  I on occasion take one tramadol at night for my frozen shoulder/torn rotator cuff.  When the pain is really bad I take another one in the middle of the night.  I've never felt the need for one during the day.  I guess it just depends on your individual chemistry.Increased risk of seizure and potential for abuse are always emphasized in the patient literature I receive from the pharmacy when I pick up my tramadol prescription.  I don't take it all the time, but I am grateful for the relief it brings when I need it.

And I've gotta emphasize again... your PHARMACIST is often better able to discuss side effects, interactions and alternatives than your physician.  Pharmacists spend 5 to 6 years in college studying drugs and their effects on the body.  Your pharmacist is an invaluable member of your healthcare team.  You often see him/her more than your own physician.  Find a good one and develop a relationship.  It could save your life.
Jas,

Our former pharmacist was a Godsend when my husband had his heart attack.  He took time to go over all the new medications with both of us and made sure to explain things to my husband in terms a non-science-geek could understand.  In fact, he insisted on it.

I was aware of the risks with using Ultram.  I've taken it with no problems, other than it doesn't help much with the pain.   It is less addictive than many of the other pain meds.  I'm sure there is a physical addiction to it when it's been used longterm.  I agree totally with Jas and Deborah about the pharmacist relationship.  They've helped me out more than once. 

Jess, I'm glad your sister is doing better and that she stopped the meds.  Thanks for sharing.  Lindy

LinB2008-03-31 17:39:26I wouldn't say that the Ultram is very addicting, you just need to wean off of it. You shouldn't just suddenly stop taking prescriptions of many types, or you can have some kind of withdrawal...doesn't mean you are addicted. I take it everyday and I find it helps take the edge off. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that Ultram does help. I'd much rather take Ultram than any kind of narcotic, unless I really had to. ^ Ultram is a narcotic.  It is what is called an atypical opioid. Tramadol is sometimes mistakenly classified as a non-opioid analgesic, because its abuse liability is lower than that of other opioids and because it has multiple mechanisms of action (including, but not limited to mu-opioid activity). Basically what they have done is made a synthetic opioid without the parts that generally cause addiction. Nevertheless, the prescribing information for Ultram warns that tramadol "may induce psychological and physical dependence of the morphine-type." So please be careful. While it is definitely safer than taking something like oxycontin, a small percent of ppl (less than 10%) do become addicted. Anything with codeine in it has the power to become addictive, but as someone with a chronic disease, your quality of life should probably be the focus.

_popupControl(); _popupControl(); paperdoll2008-04-01 02:34:50I have been on Tramodol for  4 years. If I dont need it I dont take my midday dose.. I have found it is wonderful, in that the pain goes away, but theres no "high" you just dont hurt (as much)My sister always said that it gave her energy and made her feel better emotionally.  That could be because it was controlling pain.  But now she feels she can do very well without it.  She was taken off the Ultram cold turkey, which is probably why she had such a rough time at first.  It seems most of you take it only occasionally, when you feel you need it, but my sister was taking it every day, regardless.  That's the way it was prescribed and she just got into the habit of doing that.   She's taking a more careful look at her medical regimine now, you can be sure.  I have a great relationship with my pharmacist. I totally agree that someone with as many regualr medications as we have it's the best thing you can do. How many time shave you called your RD's office with med questions and wait hours for someone to call you back? You can call your pharmacist and get an answer right away.  It's best to use the same one every time so you'll get use to them. If they aren't friendly and you don't like them right away.....so to another store. Search until you find the one that fits.
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