Florida Detox Ultram Detox patients tell us our Rapid Ultram Detox eliminates 90 to 95 percent of the pain, insomnia and discomfort of unmedicated Ultram detox. Ultram,Tramadol, is a synthetic painkiller medication. Ultram is active at the mu opiate receptor, elevates serotonin and norepinephrine and partially blocks the NMDA glutamate receptor, actions also performed by Methadone, a very addictive drug. In published literature, about three percent of Ultram patients become addicted to Ultram, although many practitioners and patients suspect the Ultram addiction rate is much higher than three percent. The Drug Enforcement Administration has not classified Ultram as a Controlled Substance, although Ultram appears far more addictive than Lyrica, or Lunesta which are classified as Schedule 5 and Schedule 4 Controlled Substances. Some Ultram patients report repeated seizures, while using Ultram.
Ultram Withdrawl Can be More Difficult Than Oxycontin, Duragesic, Vicodin or Lortab Anna
annabanana
Graduate
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Location: long island, ny
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject: ultram
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I would love to educate people about ultram. I began using ultram after being prescribed vidodin for a vascular problem with a toe that was throbbing in pain. Pain so severe I begged for them to take my toe. I was switched to ultram because it wasn't addictive and was not considerd a narcotic. In the beginning I actually found it stronger than Vicodin. The feeling of relief from pain lasted much longer. I then began to increase the dosages and really liked the feeling. After a period of 5 years I was taking up to 30 ultram just to feel normal as the pain from my toe had eventually decreased. I've read other testimonials where people were switchd to ultram as the 'non-narcotic' drug. One person was even given it all through a pregnancy. I was so happy and relieved to hear the pregnancy turned out fine. It was so easy to switch from Vicodin to Ultram but very difficult to curtail the Ultram. I find it very addicting. I tried several times to wean myself down, but could never let go as the withdrawl symptoms began immediately and left me dibilitated. Something I was not willing to be as I have 3 children, a household to run and teach full time. It had grabbed me in a big way. The reaction of many other patients at FD when I told my DOC (drug of choice) to be ultram was shock. They actually told me - 'you can't get addicted to that'. I think that makes this drug even more dangerous as people are led into it under false information. EMPHASIS ADDED
I would love to help educate and do anything in my power to help change the labeling and information on this drug.
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Anna
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CaraB
Graduate
Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 57
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:37 pm Post subject: Ultram may even be worse . . .
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Long before coming to Florida Detox, I told my physician that I wanted to get off of pain pills so that my husband and I could consider having another child. My physician planned out a taper schedule for me and, to help with the chronic pain, prescribed Ultram.
Obviously, neither of us knew that Ultram was addictive at the time. Further, neither of us knew that taking the Ultram would dimish the experience of withdrawal symptoms, but only temporarily. As you can imagine, this plan did not work out so well.
Although I only took Ultram for less than 6 months, the withdrawal symptoms were significantly worse than quitting Vicodin, not to mention that while I was going through withdrawal from the Ultram I was being prescribed a very small amount of vicodin. One would think that the small amount of vicodin might diminish the withdrawal symptoms from the Ultram. Yet, I can tell you that it was still the worst withdrawal I ever experienced. EMPHASIS ADDED
I just wanted to validate your thoughts, Keith, and let you know that you're not alone. Ultram is definitely being misrepresented by the pharmaceutical companies, but hey, Ultram is only one of hundreds being misrepresented. I wish there were more we could do about this unfortunate reality.
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Sherry, Deltona, FL - Ultram
Previously Addicted to: Ultram
Dearest Florida Detox,
I am a 35-year-old working, middle class mother and wife. About 4 years ago I borrowed an Ultram (which I had never even heard of before) from my Grandfather for a toothache. That Ultram not only helped my toothache, but it gave me a great energy buzz and put me in a wonderful mood. Prior to this I had never really ever taken any painkillers other than the standard after dental or childbearing occasions.
Soon after that first Ultram, I decided to help myself to a few more here and there, even though there was not medical reason for it. Well, one thing lead to another and before you knew it, I decided to find a doctor and get my own Ultram because "they really helped my headaches" (which I didn't have)
I would have never done anything like this before.
To make a very long story short, there I was, 3 years later needing ten Ultrams a day or I couldn't function. I could last until 10 am, at best, before I started to withdraw so badly, I'd have to leave work and find a doctor or a walk-in clinic to get a prescription.
As I was waking up from a foot surgery one day, my mother was leaning over my bed. She said, "Your Doctor said it took enough anesthesia to knock out a horse and she thinks you have a drug problem." With tears in my eyes and a weight lifted off of my heart, I said, "Yes, I do."
One week later I was checked into an inpatient rehab for 7 of the longest days of my life. Although they say they try to keep you comfortable, I was in such pain. I felt like I was coming out of my skin. My body ached so bad, I felt like I was literally carrying around a 300-pound person on my back. I would walk a few steps and then I had to sit down to rest. My blood pressure at one time was 70 over 40. I didn't sleep more than six hours the first four days. I was in bad shape. I did get a little better, my 300-pound person slowly dropped down to 50-75 pounds. Even feeling so poorly, I had to sit in classes from 9-5 in metal chairs all day, every day, and if I may be frank with you, "It really sucked.
Seven days later they told me my body was detoxed and that naturally, it would take a while to get back to 100%. They sent me home with only 10 clonidine, and they might as well have just given me a pack of Life Savers.
I think I lasted 18 very long days in total withdrawal when I finally gave up and picked up the phone to get myself some Ultram. EMPHASIS ADDED
I confessed to my family that I was back on them a few months later. (I'm pretty sure my mother knew. You don't go from not being able to walk the entire length of the house and sitting there crying because my body ached so bad, to being back to my natural energy level all of the sudden.) Even though they were very disappointed, they saw first hand how bad my withdrawal was.
While in rehab, I learned how to call in my own scripts, which allowed me to take more because I could get more.
Now, August 2001, one year after my first rehab, 4 years of taking Ultram and now I'm up to 30+ a day just to feel ok, there was no more extra energy or euphoria at all. My husband and mother said I should go back to the inpatient rehab program again, and I said, "I'd rather die than suffer like that again."
I knew that I had 4 options:
I'm either going to jail for prescription fraud (not only the fact that I'll have a Police record, but from what I've read in the paper, you're lucky to get anything for withdrawal in jail. Recently two girls died in the Orlando County jail for that very reason).
Die from overdosing on Ulrams (it's incredible that I didn't have Grand Mal Seizures at the rate I was taking them).
Go on to stronger drugs i.e.: Oxycontin, Oxycondone, Morphine, Heroin, Methadone, Etc.
Or commit suicide because I was so tired of chasing the drugs everyday - I saw no end in sight - I went so far as to check our insurance policies to make sure my husband and son would get the money if I did.
Then my mother told me about Florida Detox, she found on the Internet. After reading a few testimonies, I started to get very hopeful. I spoke to my husband and he said let's do it as soon as possible.
I called Rose (what a wonderful, kind and generous person) on Monday, she explained a lot to me. I told her I'd talk to my husband and call her on Tuesday. I called her back on Tuesday and asked if I could have it done that Friday? She arranged appointments (what a doll) to fit me in on Thursday: for pre-op, paperwork, my consultation with Dr. Sponaugle and my physiological evaluation with Dr. Butts.
My husband drove my three hours to the hotel in Tarpon Springs on Wednesday night, and went back the next morning to go to work. I was so afraid I'd leave there feeling bad and go right back to an even worse situation. Rose actually picked me up at my hotel (I couldn't believe that). We went over to her office at the hospital and went over the paper work she had sent me, she took me to get my pre-op testing and then she took me to meet Dr. Sponaugle. Dr. Sponaugle had lost a family member due to an OD and was no stranger to the situation. He was kind, understanding, caring, listened, talked and explained what was going on (and as an added bonus, he was very good looking). He told me it takes three things to make this work: Mental (that is where Dr. Butts comes in), Physical- you have to eat right, get plenty of sleep, and just take care of yourself in general and Spiritual-you have to have God in your life. He assured me he wouldn't just discharge me and say "Good Luck!" When I left his office, I was feeling pretty positive. Then Dr. Butts came to get me (I had been given a questionaire Thursday morning that he would take home that night and get an overall feel of what I was like.) We talked in his office for 45 minutes to an hour about general things, he is a great guy, very easy to get along with and he has a great sense of humor, he made the process easier for me. That was it for the evaluation. We said "Good Night" and I went back to my hotel room just waiting for the next day. The first day of my new life!!!!!!! I got there at 11:30 am and met with Dr. Sponaugle for 15 minutes, he explaineds how the brain works, and in which way my opiate use has altered my brain. I went into a room with a nurse. i put on a gown and she assured me she would be there the entire 3-4 hours sitting in the room with me and that I'd wake up sometime tomorrow in a room on the Cardiac Telemetry Unit. When I woke up I was groggy, but I felt fine. I had diarrhea and was weak and unsteady. That all lasted just a few hours, and I was ready for some food! As I walked to the front desk to see if I could walk to the courtyard for a minute, Dr. Butts (the Psychologist) walked in and I was very glad to see him (just because he is such a great guy). We talked a while, had a laugh or two, he told me I sounded really good, and I told him I felt really good. The worse part was the way my voice sounded (slurred) because of a drug I was given during the procedure, but it was back to normal the next day. I asked him what he thought of me in a "professional aspect." He told me that I was raised not to show my feelings. My father was a man that did not show his feelings, he was very impatient and it has made me expect nothing but the best from myself. Dr. Butts suggested I learn to relax a little, and accept the fact that I am not perfect, nor do I need to be. He also brought up the fact that seven years ago I had a son who was born with a bad heart and 3 1/2 years after that I had a misscarriage at three months (which, I am ashamed to say), I never cried about. I told him I didn't cry because I knew it was better than losing a 2 1/2 year old son, whom I watched die very slowly and painfully. Three days before my son died I had prayed that his suffering would end. Three days later, my beautiful baby boy died. To say the very least, I was devastated! That day, believe it or not, was the day I started to believe in God. The reason was, I knew my son was in heaven with God, he was not buried six feet deep in dirt. Knowing that truly kept me from killing myself; because, my heart was hurting so badly, without that spiritual knowledge it would have been all over for me, I would have taken the easy way out. I truly believe that my sweet baby boy was sent to save my soul and make me believe in God and Christ so I could be with him again for eternity. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes something so severe to open your eyes and your heart to God. We will be together again one day. I went back to work four days after the rapid detox. My leg bones ached a little but not bad enough to hinder my performance at all (Dr. Sponaugle gave me a script for that). I was a little anxious every now and then, I had a lot of work piled up (Dr. Sponaugle gave me a script for anxiety). I knew I would not be able to sleep (Dr. Sponaugle gave me a script for that.) I take all of my vitamins as instructed, as well as some others deemed necessary. I am waiting for a list of Psychologists in my area and I will make an appointment with one of them and advise Dr. Butts and Dr. Sponaugle. I feel better now than I have in years (that is the God's honest truth) and it has only been nine days total since I've detoxed. I truly knew that I was going to die young because of this. I might have already done it if it had not been for my six-year old son. I am so grateful to all of you. I can honestly say, "I owe you my life!" Thank you Florida Detox Team. Sherry, Deltona, FL ----------------------------------------------
Ultram Detox Testimonies Keith
Graduate
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 20
Location: Georgia
Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: Still off of Ultram
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Hello Everyone,
I detoxed form Ultram on June 5th of 2007. I am still clean and feeling great. If anyone says this process doesn't work, they really need to get the facts. I was so addicted to Ultram that I couldn't even live a normal life without it. I would literally stay awake for up to 3 days waiting on a prescribtion refill. I thought I would die without it. Oxycontin and Lortab never had a grip on me like Ultram. EMPHASIS ADDED
I am living proof that this procedure is effective as long as you do your part. This is what worked for me:
1. Included God in my recovery. (Asked him to take control)
2. Don't look at yourself as a worthless addict. I stopped calling myself an addict a long time ago.
3. Be honest with yourself, family, and the FD staff.
4. I took it easy for a few weeks. I focused on myself and kept in touch with the FD staff.
5. I stayed active.
6. When I felt depressed, I called FD.
7. I counted the days that I stayed clean. That seemed to help.
8. I wrote in a journal to monitor my progress.
9. Score your days from one to ten. One being a bad day and ten being a great day. You will probably see your days start in the 7 to 8 range and drop to three or four. Then you will see them change to 5 then 6 then 7 then 8 and even 9's.
10. Be patient.
Once again, this is simply something that helped me. I hope it helps someone else.
Thanks,
Keith
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Hello,
The 5th of July will be exactly one month without any Ultram. I still don't have any cravings or withdrawls. Every once in a while I'll get a little anxious but that's ok. Being free from the "Pill" feels great but being free from fleeing withdrawls feels even better. There's no more counting pills, hiding pills, calling the pharmacy, calling the doctor, checking the internet and misleading my friends and family. My life is less stressful now than it has been in a very long time. Thanks Florida Detox. EMPHASIS ADDED Keith
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Keith
Graduate
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 20
Location: Georgia
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject: Ultram, the non-addictive medication ?
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Hello Everyone,
I'm just like so many others who started taking Ultram or other medications for post surgery pain about seven years ago. It was supposed to be safe and non-addictive. It didn't take long until I found myself needing more and more. It was like it triggered something inside me that made me feel normal. It consumed my thoughts . I wasn't in denial about the addiction, I was simply satisfied with it. It gave me a wonderful feeling for a while. Then suddenly that feeling stopped and I started to run from withdrawls. At this point, my life really started to change. I now needed it to function and I easily obtained it. It was my little secret and shameful life. I am intentionaly using the word "I" and "Me" for a reason. At that time in my life, that's who I put first. I didn't consider my little girl for a very long time. I lived a life of humiliation, lack of self worth, and selfishness. It was all about the Ultram and me.
After a while, things started changing in my life. My marriage started to fail, work performance declined, my daughter became distant, my mother in law (who is one of the most beautiful people I've ever met) became distant as well. The fact was that the addiction was the source of these issues and deep inside I knew it. I'm not sure if those relationships will ever be the same again but I pray they will some day. I was hurting them from the inside out and being mentally numb, I didn't realize it.
Then one day, a prayer was answered ( I'm not sure who's prayer it was but thank you) and I realized that I needed to make some changes. My life wasn't where it needed to be and God had other plans for me. I contacted Paula Grady and we set an appointment to under go treatment at Florida Detox. I have been off of Ultram for a month now with zero cravings for the first time in seven years. I have tried the 28 day "lock down" detox in the past and it caused more problems than it solved. EMPHASIS ADDED
The staff at Florida Detox have a true understanding of addiction and how to help prevent relapse. I would encourage anyone with a prescription dependency to give them a call. They are the true answer.
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Keith
Graduate
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 20
Location: Georgia
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject: Still No Ultram
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annabanana
Graduate
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Location: long island, ny
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:33 am Post subject: Side effects of ultram
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I've recently been detoxed from ultram and have been doing some research about the drug. Something, if I was smarter I would've done prior to using it - duh! But one of the side effects is sores on the skin. Well, in 2005 after 3 years on ultram I developed a sore on my hand that looked like the flesh eating disease. A little scrape turned into a gaping hole. I was hospitalized for 5 days and no one could figure it out. I was on heavy doses of IV antibiotics which didn't do anything. I, of course did not share my "ugly secret of ultram". After 4 days a dermotologist looked at me and immediately diagnosed it as 'pyroderma gangrenosum'. It was treated with a topical steroid and cleared up within 2 weeks. I continued for a year and a half to get these sores on my hands and legs. I woud do the cream and bandadge them daily. They eventually went away. I got the last one in March of 2006. I am so curious now if they were related to the ultram. Anyone have any information or opinions on this. Has anyone else ever had anything like this?
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Anna
annabanana
Graduate
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Location: long island, ny
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:12 pm Post subject: thank you
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I am another person who believd I could not get addicted to ultram, but since I just finished my treatment at FD, that is obviously not the case. I have so much to say, but in this beginning of my treatment plan, I just want to say thank you to all the staff at FD, to Dr. Sponaugle, to the 7th floor, to the other patients who detoxed with me and most importantly to my husband for his support and allowing himself to become so much more educated about this horrible disease called 'addiction'. I am doing great and on the road to recovery. I could not have done it without all of you. For now - THANK YOU!!
Anna
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