[jess18]

Yesterday was the first time I went to a Pain Management Dr. He Knows what meds I am on. I am taking Neurontin 2400mg, Elavil 20mg, Bentyl 20mg, Lexapro 5mg. He prescirbed Ultram 50mg to be taken 2xs a day as needed.
I am scared to take it as I read that Ultram first of all combined with the anti depressants can cause Seratonin Syndrome, and also that the combination of it with the anti-depressants and anti-convulsants could be trouble.
First, why would he prescribe it? Second, does anyone take this combo?
I am reluctant. He is the Director of Pain management there and I felt like he was in and out the door. He listened but it felt rushed. He did increase the Neurontin, but then gave me this. Thoughts?

[mrsD]

This drug checker is pretty good for interactions.

It may not have everything however, no one site does these days.

No one for sure can tell you what YOUR body will do on
mixes of drugs. Some people are very sensitive and others, nothing ever happens.

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interac...22+&CheckFDA=1

[nide44]

I've been taking Tramadol (generic Ultram) for over 7 years
First with Neurontin, then with Lyrica. Its a synthetic opioid.
Supposed to not be addictive, but I've heard of withdrawal sx from others. Doesn't bother me, as I'm not planning to stop taking it any time in the near future. I take 100mg 4x day.
Not as needed, but keeping it in the blood stream24/7 to help with pain control.
Works great for me.

[jess18]

Thanks Bob and Mrsd,
I read my pharmacy pamplhet, and it does say there are interactions with tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs.. I take both of these. I would gladly take the med, but I dont want to make matters worse.. and just wondered why he prescribed it if he knew I was on the others.
I am glad you have success with it Bob :-)

[dahlek]

That is the important part. It's not to be taken daily or even 2-4 times a day kind of thing-it's to be used only when really needed and often you can predict in advance when you might need it.
From all I've read, I gather that Ultram/utracet and tramadol [NOT to be confused with Topamax] are pretty much similar...a little bit of percocet plus acetomenaphen which combined give you more relief with less real drug. And yes, there are side effects? But only you can determine if it works and how well it works for you.
I myself don't tolerate ssri's too well, and that you can tolerate Lexapro is one up on me! I can take the Utram and use it maybe once or twice a week for when I go out/about and know I'll have BIG pay backs [really BIG!] once I come back.
The best way to be sure and safer tho is to take it about an hour apart from any of your other meds. For me, it takes about 1-2 hours to kick into gear and work. Never start a new med on a FRI-thru SUN tho... cause if you've bad side effects, it's much harder to reach your docs on the weekends.
Side effects for me [good or bad] usually show up within 8-24 hours and that way you will know what all is going on.
As for the doc? They have bad days too .... BUT if he's that way ALL the time, every visit, tactfully talk to the doc who suggested this specialist and ask if there is someone else and explain why.
Hope this helps! - j

[Leslie]

Originally Posted by jess18

Yesterday was the first time I went to a Pain Management Dr. He Knows what meds I am on. I am taking Neurontin 2400mg, Elavil 20mg, Bentyl 20mg, Lexapro 5mg. He prescirbed Ultram 50mg to be taken 2xs a day as needed.
I am scared to take it as I read that Ultram first of all combined with the anti depressants can cause Seratonin Syndrome, and also that the combination of it with the anti-depressants and anti-convulsants could be trouble.
First, why would he prescribe it? Second, does anyone take this combo?
I am reluctant. He is the Director of Pain management there and I felt like he was in and out the door. He listened but it felt rushed. He did increase the Neurontin, but then gave me this. Thoughts?

Jess - I can't speak to your cocktail of drugs and their interations as I have not been prescribed all that you have. But, don't assume all the drs remember what you are taking. You need to remind them constantly and ask about the interactions. When I was first diagnosed, I saw a neuro doc, two endo docs, and a pain mgmt specialist. Each time I left their offices I had 1 or 2 new med to try. I always asked if the prescriptions they were giving me would be okay with my neurontin, tramadol and amitriptyline. Sure they said!! Then when I got back to the neuro doc he asked why in the world was I talking all these drugs? So, just be careful!

[Brian]

Our reactions to differant drugs are not all the same, what is considered to be a low dose of Neurotin, knocked me rotten and so did Oxycontin, but a daily total of 600 mg of Tramadol & 175 mg Endep worked perfectly for me with no side affects except a bit of a dry mouth from the Endep, which was easily fixed by chewing gum.
I hope you can find the right combo that suits you.

Brian

[jess18]

Thank you guys. I think the Neurontin ( i am at 2400 today) and Elavil is possibly working for me. My dr. titrated me from 1800 to 2400 today, so I feel like someone knocked me over with a ton of bricks, that and i have a bladder infection so i have to take cipro, so I am sure that doesnt help. I take 5mg of Lexapro for Gi issues and it works well for that. So I have found a combo that may work, another month or so should tell
i just need something for the flares, and that is what the dr prescribed, Ultram. I wasnt crazy about the interactions Ive read, so I may hold off a bit or ask for a substitute. Thank you for your input

[Macophile]

I was given Tramadol too. They told me to take 2 pills up to 4x a day as needed. The problem was that at that point I was in such pain walking 4 feet made me need it so I was taking it 2x - 3x a day everyday. Then my pain got worse and I started taking more than I was prescribed (half to one whole pill over) because my Dr wouldn't return my calls for over 3 weeks and this was the only thing that offered any relief. (I did call my Dr. and tell him I was doing this in 2 messeges but he still never called back). However once the prescription ran out early I was in trouble and ended up going through withdrawal and in the ER. (Still no call from my Dr.)
Now I don't take it (and am with a different Dr., which is a whole other story) I am on Gabapentin, Lyrica, Amitryptiline, and Baclofen for my PN. (And Methotrexate for the Auto-Immune that might be causing it)
But everyone needs different things and different ammounts of drugs to be helped. So maybe for you a small amount of Ultram to help you over the bumps will be ok. I wish you the best.

[savannah]

Ultram/tramadol is a nasty and sometimes dangerous drug, serious withdrawal for months if you try to stop taking it.It Frequently results in seizures especially when combined with other seizure lowering medications. It has been heavily marketed to Physicians and they love it because it is marketed as non-narcotic, non addictive medication. Therefore there will be no Drug enforcement oversite, no danger of losing there license for over prescribing and it can be called in to a drug store unlike class 1 narcotics for which you have to go pick up a prescription from your doctors office each time you need a refill.
Methadone at one time was hyped as non addictive, not dangerous drug that was great for pain control. OPPs turns out lots of people OD on it and die.
So beware ,do your research and don't just look at the drug company and FDA sites.
Try The Peoples Pharmacy .
Its money money money and you are the guinea pig.
Vioxx (sp) was a great pain med but it resulted in heart attacks and deaths. This was well known by the drug company from early research. The drug company was well aware of the dangers before it was released to the public. I saw research proving risk of heart attacks SEVEN years before it was taken off the market.
Most people don't know that narcotics taken as directed can be used for a lifetime with few serious side effects. Our Physicians in USA have been brainwashed against them by the "war on drug "nuts.
They are the med of choice for pain management in Europe, cheap, simple and well understood.