want to switch form vicodin to ultram for chronic back pain
i have been on vicodin for 3 years for chronic back pain and would like to switch to a non narcoctic and ultram keeps coming up is that good for pain or others have a suggestion
According to spine-health.com (http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-medication/ultram-pain-reliever) ultram or tramadol is frequently used for chronic back pain. Ultram is technically a narcotic but it is a different kind of narcotic which has a very low incidence of addiction or the problem of increasing tolerance to the drug. It's also not as strong as Vicodin.
For more information on ultram (http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/find-drug-25432-25.html)
Good luck with your back pain.
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I am on both for my lower back pain, a low dose of Ultram ER twice a day and vicodin as needed but I am going to the doctor tomorrow because the vicodin is not doing anything for my pain so I just don't take it anymore. I don't know how much the ultram works because they have tried a lot of different things but have always left me on the ultram, I don't have any negative side effects from it. Utram was one of the first meds they put me on in July when the pain hit, they have tried to many other things and I have gone from being in too much pain to stand or walk to going back to work short days. My pain is still constant but I am trying to deal with it. I know you can be on both meds at the same time so maybe they can have you try it while easing you off the vicodin. Good luck
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I used the pain patches for four years and my body became very dependent on those patches to function. After my Rheumatologist took me off the patches I began to take Ultram. My doctor started me off on a relatively low dose and has worked me up to 100 mg. four times a day. While it has not taken away 100% of the pain it has changed my life for the better in more ways than I can name. I take my first dose upon rising each day and sit down to my computer to wait for it to kick in. I am then able to begin my day and every four hours I take another dose. The Ultram allows me to accomplish things I would never be able to without it and I am so thankful my doctor put me on it. Good Luck and God Bless.
Terrie 
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I spent three years on Ultram. It worked fine for the first then the following two were interspersed with increasing dosages and dealing with side effects such as hot and cold constant sweats.
You will build a tolerance like any other pain med. It was horrible to come off a year ago ( I replaced it with Burprenorphine and Panadeine forte).
If it works, then take it slowly and once you find yourself going up in dosage you may want to look elsewhere as it's not a pleasant med to get out of your system.
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juls
Monday, August 24, 2009 at 11:40 AM
backpain78
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 11:28 AM
A blanket statement suggesting that an opiod analgesic has no withdrawal symptoms upon ceasing use is not accurate. My symptoms were not related to menopause as I was in my late 20's at the time of stopping Tramadol, nor were my smptoms resultant of other medication use. Here is some info I dug up which correlates with my own experience:
Physical dependence and withdrawal
Tramadol is associated with the development of a physical dependence and a severe withdrawal syndrome.[31] Tramadol causes typical opiate-like withdrawal symptoms as well as atypical withdrawal symptoms including seizures. The atypical withdrawal effects are probably related to tramadol's effect on serotonin and norepinephrin reuptake. Symptoms may include anxiety, depression, anguish, severe mood swings, brain "zapps", electric-shock sensations throughout body, pins and needles, sweating, palpitations, restless legs syndrome, sneezing, insomnia, tremors, among others. In most cases, tramadol withdrawal will set in 12 to 20 hours after the last dose, but this can vary. Tramadol withdrawal lasts longer than that of other opioids. It is recommended that patients physically dependent on pain killers take their medication regularly to prevent onset of withdrawal symptoms and this is particularly relevent to tramadol because of its SSRI and SNRI properties, and, when the time comes to discontinue their tramadol, to do so gradually over a period of time that will vary according to the individual patient and dose and length of time on the drug
I have been on ultram for 1 year for 3 ruptured disc in my neck some times it works sometimes it doesn't lots of times i have to go get a shot of pain med. when it gets to bad. I have even tried epidurals to no avail.
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Hi! I also have chronic back pain among hurting everywhere else! I use both depending on the pain and the situation. I try to depend more on the tramadol (ultram) and use vicodin for breakthrough pain. Right now my pain load is heavy and I am not working so I find I need both, alternating them to keep my pain at a tolerable level as I define it.
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Safe Medication Use
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i dont agree...there is no side affect to going off tramadol/ultram.
it isnt a powerful narcotic. If you can live with it alone, you DO NOT need vicodin.
vicodin is much stronger and addictive. I would guess from mine and families experiences that you were reacting to something else, not from withdrawl from ultram.
maybe menopause or other drugs.....
i have been on both for over 6 years and only take the vic's when i cant take it.
be careful with those my friend.