When Aspirin Isn't Enough
It's surprising how clearly we can recall getting hurt. Years later, we can recount our first fall from a too-tempting tree, a bee-sting, the birth of a child. We can even tell humorous stories about those events because the pain was transient ? it passed.
But many illnesses and conditions can make pain a daily visitor, interfering with our jobs, family lives, even sleep. Even ancient people tried to relieve the devastation of chronic pain using surgeries and medicinal herbs. By the 1800s, people started using narcotics (drugs like opium) to reduce pain. Even the narcotic heroin was originally developed as a pain medication! But many narcotics were found to be addictive, to interfere with digestion and mood, and even to slow or stop breathing!
Fortunately for us, modern research has uncovered safer pain-relief drugs for chronic conditions. One of these drugs is Ultram (the generic drug Ultram contains is called tramadol). Ultram's effect on your body is similar to the effect of narcotics and is as effective in relieving pain. But since it isn't a narcotic, it doesn't have as many of the side-effects which have made medical narcotic use so dangerous.
The Wonder Woman of Pain Control?
Ultram can help manage pain from many sources, just like comic-book superheroes can foil thieves, kidnappers, and polluters! Ultram can reduce pain from cancer, spinal problems (kyphosis, scoliosis), arthritis ?even surgery !. Some physicians report using it to help people with severe, chronic headaches and endometriosis.
The Dark Side of Ultram
While Ultram is not a narcotic, both physicians and patients have reported cases of dependence on it. Signs of dependence (addiction) include getting tolerant to the dose (not getting the effect you used to from one pill), a continuing feeling that the dose needs to be increased, and withdrawal symptoms (sleeplessness, jitteriness, mood disorders) if you stop taking the drug. Checking in with your physician regularly while on this medication helps both of you notice any symptoms of addiction so you can stop any problems before they start!
The other effects of Ultram tend to be mild and transient. You might notice dizziness, drowsiness, stomach or intestinal distress (usually constipation). People taking Ultram are discouraged from driving ? driving under it's influence is a bit like driving after having a few drinks. Ultram requires a prescription, so while you're talking with your doctor about using it, schedule a regular time to discuss any side-effects or difficulties you experience while on this medication.
Control the Medication - Don't Let It Control You
How can you benefit from this drug while minimizing its risks? First, when deciding whether to start on Ultram, be candid with your physician about any dependence issues with alcohol or other drugs you've had. People who have struggled with other addictions may be more susceptible to Ultram dependence. Remember - your physician is on your side and telling her about your history will help her tailor pain medications to your needs!
Second, be aware that Ultram is pretty powerful stuff and treat it with respect! Any change in dose should be discussed with your doctor; mild drowsiness at one dose can become a deadly blackout in another. Never "lend" this drug to a friend, even if he's in great pain ? what works for you could be fatal for him.
Thirdly, make sure that you tell your physician about other drugs you're taking: many drugs (including alcohol and over-the-counter medications) can enhance the effect of Ultram, making it act like you're taking a much bigger dose.
These sound like dire warnings, but remember: by working with your physician, this drug can be a powerful tool to help you reach the active, pain-free life you were meant to have.
Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD and Ian Mason, 2004-2005
Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for ultram, drug information and ultram forums.
Ian is a fat-to-fit student of health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.
Resperate is natural and powerful and it puts you in... Read More
1. Seeing a doctor who's not board-certified or a doctor... Read More
There has definitely been a good deal of controversy over... Read More
In 2003, there where more than 890 million doctor visits... Read More
Today there are about 70 million Americans with arthritis?that's one... Read More
In September, 2004, pharmaceutical giant Merck voluntarily withdrew its painkilling... Read More
The American Heart Association estimates that one of three Americans... Read More
Are you spending a fortune on prescription arthritis medicines? Are... Read More
Modern civilization has produced an unusually stressful environment to humans... Read More
With the hum of the election campaign and the debate... Read More
Anxiety is the most frequently occurring mental health disorder in... Read More
The true numbers are probably much higher because many suicides... Read More
I recently had a reader send me this comment:"As a... Read More
This is a true story.Yesterday, I picked up a new... Read More
Pain and Stress. They seem almost to go hand in... Read More
When diversifying an investment portfolio, one needs to consider investing... Read More
Monitoring your CRP level is vitally important because it is... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so I may modify this... Read More
Electronic Medical RecordAn Electronic Medical Record is a secured electronic... Read More
An estimated 85 million Americans have acquired the herpes simplex... Read More
No person likes to feel housebound and dependent on others.... Read More
Last year I told an acquaintance that at the age... Read More
What is the role of steroid injection in carpal tunnel... Read More
Irritable bowel syndrome can be a nightmare?constant diarrhea and terrible... Read More
Although you make a patient feel better, there isn't usually... Read More
For well over a century modern science has progressed at... Read More
Vioxx is a prescription medication that has been used primarily... Read More
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a severe and deadly allergic... Read More
A thick, yellowish nail with splotchy white areas is a... Read More
The treatment of high blood pressure is one of the... Read More
When was the last time you enjoyed a good night's... Read More
Remember the last time you stubbed your toe? OUCH! It's... Read More
According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Association of... Read More
The central location of the city of Chicago has made... Read More
Electric wheelchairs mobility for virtually any type of disability.Innovations have... Read More
What is the role of steroid injection in carpal tunnel... Read More
Zyprexa is a prescription drug that treats schizophrenia, acute mania... Read More
DENVER ? Sometimes as Freud once said a good cigar... Read More
Have you been struggling to lose weight, but diet and... Read More
"If you're one the nine out of ten adults in... Read More
A generic drug can be defined as an identical, or... Read More
When diversifying an investment portfolio, one needs to consider investing... Read More
Consider this:Already since 1972, over 60 million people in the... Read More
When an unconscious patient arrives in the ED, every hospital... Read More
Alcohol rehab in California refers to the centers that help... Read More
We've all seen patients who were far beyond the reach... Read More
Any dialysis patient who has had a brush with high... Read More
It is very interesting this hypochondriac attitude which permeates our... Read More
Doctors have been encouraged to prescribe the cholesterol-lowering drugs called... Read More
Everything can be found on the Internet. At various sites... Read More
Marketing Authorisation: Medicinal Products The case of R (on the... Read More
Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More
Cold-Eeze is a homeopathic solution to the common cold. It... Read More
Pill Proof LLC introduces the first, easy to use medication... Read More
Pain and Stress. They seem almost to go hand in... Read More
In the early nineties, Redux was the original miracle diet... Read More
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a severe and deadly allergic... Read More
Heartburn is a by-product of digestion, specifically affecting the esophagus... Read More
The foremost benefit of buying prescription medicines and other medical... Read More
Results of a new study comparing the effectiveness of Pfizer... Read More
What is a coronary heart attack?Are you at the risk... Read More
Your colon is a place for other parasites and organisms... Read More
The American Heart Association estimates that one of three Americans... Read More
This past week, the FDA held a meeting in order... Read More
Lipitor is a drug intended to help lower cholesterol. The... Read More
Serzone is a prescription medication that is given to patients... Read More
Medicine |