Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Tramadol (Ultram in the US?) Friend or foe

I've been taking tramadol for 2 years - with it, life is manageable, without it life if not so good. Hate to think of myself being hooked on it, though.
Anyone had a similar experience or able to suggest an alternative? Thanks!

I have been on ultram for over 3 years now. I briefly spoke to a doctor a few years back who was firmly against ultram. However, every other doctor I've spoken to was pro ultram.

I think that the argument against it was that people are taking it as if it's over the counter, since it's technically non narcotic. The truth is it is addictive, and the patient should treat it as such.

Ultram is a daily drug for me. I am to the point where I pretty much max out on my dosage every day. I have built up a tolerance, and my pain has progressed dramatically since a few years ago. I have stopped worrying too much about it. I keep in mind that it is a drug and treat it carefully.

Hope this helps! Aly

Greetings' I have been on tramadol for three years now and I am now on Maximum dosage. I keep telling my Docs that it does not work but they say "well it works for some people." I believe they have replaced the dangerous N Saids. It does nothing for inflammation or joint destruction. I would say "friend," but not a very good one.....charles

I tried it years ago it gave me terrible headaches and made me talk non stop.I only tried it about 5 times it just did not agree with me.

I use it, it has some pain relieving qualities and makes me feel 'good' for about 4 minutes, then that little bit of euphoria dwindles. I think it is ok, it helps a bit, and its apparent addictive elements are considered to be minimal. I take maximum but on good days manage easily without it.

I've taken it for over 5 years. It made my life manageable until the last couple. I liked it because it seemed to last longer than Vicodin. Before Ultram, I'd wake up after four hours in pain, Ultram got me through the night.

Even though its not narcotic, it is metabolized into an opioid so you should be careful using it and talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking it.

Yes! Exactly... ultram seems to last so much longer. If I take enough in the night/evening, I can wake up relatively pain free. Unfortunately, that's dwindling away. The main reason I haven't stepped up to percocet on a regular basis is the time factor.

Now for break through pain I'm on oxycontin, which is nice because of the time release. It gives me a terrible hangover, but I can function well for 8 hours with minimal pain. I'm slowy having to use this more and more since my pain is increasing so rapidly. I'm afraid I'm almost to the end of being able to use Ultram alone. It's not great, but it's better than resorting to narcotics daily.

I'm so glad that this question was posted, I too am on Tramal(Generic for Ultram) and I'm taking large doses...2 pills, twice daily, it just so happens, I picked up a refill today and I asked the pharmacist about dependency issues with long-term use, he said not to worry, there is no physical addiction, if a patient feels withdrawal symptoms, it's purely pyschological and there are no known adverse effects in long-term use.

Thanks!

JeffreyS - thanks for the info about Ultram's opioid qualities - news to me!