Ultram

[phorsenuf]

Just saw my Dr prescribed this for me (I get my meds mailed to me and saw it online).
I went to the pain management clinic for my back and what a waste of time and I thought the Dr was a jerk. After I got out of there I called my Dr and she ordered this med for my pain. I've never had it before. She also ordered me some NSAIDS.

Tell me about Ultram.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I took it for a while. I think it made me really loopy for a few days to a week or so until my body adjusted to it. When I adjusted it was helpful.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

What happened at the pain clinic? Why was the doctor a jerk? I work at a pain clinic one day a week, wondering what the problem was.

 

[olwyngdh]

It works better for me than anything else they have tried, although I know some people for whom it doesn't work at all. I think all pain meds are like that though.

 

[phorsenuf]

What happened at the pain clinic? Why was the doctor a jerk? I work at a pain clinic one day a week, wondering what the problem was.

Well, he came and got me out of the waiting room and we walked to the office. He never introduced himself or even spoke for that matter. I sat down and for 10 minutes, yes 10 (I looked) he sat at his computer and typed. Never said a word. Then he spoke with his wife on the phone and went back to typing. Then he finally started asking me questions but would never let me finish or explain. I had to many times interject the issues I was having.

Then he had me stand up and twist this way, then twist that, do a couple other stupid things and went back to typing for close to another 10 minutes. Finally he says 'we'll set you up for an epidural steroid shot." So we walk back to the waiting area and he walks away. The soonest I can have this shot is 2 months from now. Great. So what do I do in the meantime for the incredible pain I am having? By this time he is long gone. I was so disgusted. I called my pcp when I got out to see if she could help me out. I had waited 5 months for this appointment!

 

[SandrA9810]

Ultram is supposed to be a bit easier on the system than say vicodin.

Isn't there a way to get your PCP to give you the steroid shot??

 

[pls5286]

Ultram works well for lots of people but should NEVER be taken if you have a condition that has increased intracranial pressure as ultram could cause your ICP to rise further if you already have an underlying condition.

 

[phorsenuf]

Ultram works well for lots of people but should NEVER be taken if you have a condition that has increased intracranial pressure as ultram could cause your ICP to rise further if you already have an underlying condition.

It's for my back which is causing me terrible pain in the leg.

 

[lsyorke]

Ultram works well for lots of people but should NEVER be taken if you have a condition that has increased intracranial pressure as ultram could cause your ICP to rise further if you already have an underlying condition.

The other warning is it shouldn't be taken with any of the ssri antidepressants, since it alters serotonin and the two in combination can cause serotonin syndrome.

 

[DLB]

I have been taking tramadol for years for back and shoulder pain. Ultram is the same only 24 hr. TramAdol I can take every 4 hrs It really helps me with the pain because you can function in the world instead of being looped up.

 

[minkydog]

My sister swears by it. She's been taking Ultram for several years for "fibromyalgia." I put that in quotes because she was actually misdiagnosed--she just found she has rheumatoid arthritis, probably had it for the last 7-10 years. Ultram was the only thing that ever helped her. (Now, of course, she's being treated with drugs more appropriate for her condition.) DH takes Ultram every day for osteoarthritis (so does the dog, for that matter ) and it works very well.

OTOH, I was given Ultram when I ruptured 2 discs. Bleah! It made me sick as a dog. I couldn't even lift my head off the pillow without puking. One pill was enough for me. I decided to just tough it out with Tylenol after that experience.

 

[phorsenuf]

The other warning is it shouldn't be taken with any of the ssri antidepressants, since it alters serotonin and the two in combination can cause serotonin syndrome.

That's interesting because I take sertraline (zoloft), which my pcp is aware of.

Minky-I'm hoping it will help with my fibro too.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Well, he came and got me out of the waiting room and we walked to the office. He never introduced himself or even spoke for that matter. I sat down and for 10 minutes, yes 10 (I looked) he sat at his computer and typed. Never said a word. Then he spoke with his wife on the phone and went back to typing. Then he finally started asking me questions but would never let me finish or explain. I had to many times interject the issues I was having.

Then he had me stand up and twist this way, then twist that, do a couple other stupid things and went back to typing for close to another 10 minutes. Finally he says 'we'll set you up for an epidural steroid shot." So we walk back to the waiting area and he walks away. The soonest I can have this shot is 2 months from now. Great. So what do I do in the meantime for the incredible pain I am having? By this time he is long gone. I was so disgusted. I called my pcp when I got out to see if she could help me out. I had waited 5 months for this appointment!

I think I would lodge a complaint with whoever the head of the clinic is. That's rediculous that you wait that long for the appointment to begin with then they tell you, what he thinks will help you, you can't get for another 2 months!

FWIW my DH went to a pain clinic several years ago for back pain. He had been in a car accident and while they couldn't pinpoint his exact injury, he was in terrible pain. His lower back still gives him problems 12 years later. They finally decided after doing an MRI that it must be some kind of soft tissue damage. The pain clinic (which is supposed to be one of the best in the North West) looked at him and basically told him to live with it.

 

[Jennasis]

Tramadol did nothing for my back pain w/radiculopathy (leg pain). It just made me feel out-of-it. I went to an orthopedic surgeon on the insistence of a friend who is a pain management specialist and runs a large pain clinic after he ordered an MRI an dfound a massive herniated disc.

6 months post-surgery as of last week, and the surgeon released me from his care! I am pain free and HAPPY as a CLAM!

 

[phorsenuf]

Tramadol did nothing for my back pain w/radiculopathy (leg pain). It just made me feel out-of-it. I went to an orthopedic surgeon on the insistence of a friend who is a pain management specialist and runs a large pain clinic after he ordered an MRI an dfound a massive herniated disc.

6 months post-surgery as of last week, and the surgeon released me from his care! I am pain free and HAPPY as a CLAM!

My leg is getting much worse and I'm afraid I'll end up with permanent nerve damage. Mine is the worse in the thigh just above the knee. It burns so bad and feels like it's being stabbed. I already have a numb area. Last week after walking around Animal Kingdom all day you could have cut it open and I wouldn't have felt a thing.
I do see my pcp in a week and a half so maybe we'll revisit the nuero-surgeon option again.

 

[Disneylover79]

I was prescribed it (Ultram ER) for my back pain and I loved it. It worked so well. But like PP said be careful with using it with your zoloft and give your PCP a call Monday and ask her if it will be OK. I hope you get some relief soon, as a chronic pain person I know what you are feeling.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I think you are going to need to be very careful with this Phorse. These drugs can make you do very strange things and bring on odd behavior and infatuations. Could make you post very disturbing pictures online.

WE WOULDN'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN, WOULD WE????

 

[lsyorke]

That's interesting because I take sertraline (zoloft), which my pcp is aware of.

Minky-I'm hoping it will help with my fibro too.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/Safety-RelatedDrugLabelingChanges/ucm113813.htm

I can't tell you how many docs that I work with are not aware of this risk.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Well, he came and got me out of the waiting room and we walked to the office. He never introduced himself or even spoke for that matter. I sat down and for 10 minutes, yes 10 (I looked) he sat at his computer and typed. Never said a word. Then he spoke with his wife on the phone and went back to typing. Then he finally started asking me questions but would never let me finish or explain. I had to many times interject the issues I was having.

Then he had me stand up and twist this way, then twist that, do a couple other stupid things and went back to typing for close to another 10 minutes. Finally he says 'we'll set you up for an epidural steroid shot." So we walk back to the waiting area and he walks away. The soonest I can have this shot is 2 months from now. Great. So what do I do in the meantime for the incredible pain I am having? By this time he is long gone. I was so disgusted. I called my pcp when I got out to see if she could help me out. I had waited 5 months for this appointment!

Ok yep he's a jerk.

Are there no other pain docs in your area? Ultram works OK for some, but do you want to be on pain meds and /or muscle relaxants your whole life?

I would try to locate another pain doc. But just so you know sometimes even the epidural shots aren't a cure all. Some they work for, some not. But I would try instead of popping pills every few hours. Good Luck and sorry about your experience.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

What happened at the pain clinic? Why was the doctor a jerk? I work at a pain clinic one day a week, wondering what the problem was.

I think people have to be very wary of pain clinics. My humble opinion is their licensed pill pushers.
I was very ill & in pain 50% of the time. I was amazed at the amount of prescriptions I left with.

Back to Ultram, it's a good drug for your problem. Feel better.