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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kim2 on July 1, 2004, at 21:27:19
I had my gallbladder removed in November of 2002 and I got nerve damage from the surgery (darn surgeon) :-( So I am in pain 24/7. Well at first my doctor prescribed me oxycontin, I was on it for about 4 months I wanted to quit because it made me really sick, so then my doctor prescribed me ultram, I have been on it now for a year (since May of 2003) my doctor told me that it wasn't a narcotic and that I wouldn't get withdrawals while stop taking it, YEAH RIGHT!! I have tried to go cold turkey (not taking ultram for a couple of days) that was a big no-no I went thru horrible withdrawals, then I cut it in half and now take 1 pill a day, (I use to take 3 to 4 a day for my nerve pain) half in the morning and half at night, I have been doing this for a month now but I stil go thru withdrawals. My primary doctor and shrink both said that I should cut it in 1/4 and then gradually stop from there, well I have tried but then the withdrawals get so bad and plus I have my nerve pain to think about, it's just never ending! :-( I want off of ultram because it makes me sick, I don't want to rely on pain med's for the rest of my life, my shrink gave me Amitriptyline for my nerve pain, I have been on it for only a week. I have an appointment with my primary doctor for next week to see if he can give me like phenergan and ativan or valium to help with the withdrawals, I know that I need help I just can't do it all on my own. I'm glad that I found this board. Kim
Posted by guttersnipe on July 1, 2004, at 22:41:06
In reply to Hi I'm New Here, posted by Kim2 on July 1, 2004, at 21:27:19
Tramadol/Ultram is definitely addictive, and is also subject to being used/abused to get high on. Anyone who tells you otherwise doesn't know anything about the stuff other than what she or he has read in the drug manufacturer's promotional literature. Good luck with the withdrawal ...
One thing that might help to ease the nerve pain is Neurontin (gabapentin), a drug originally designed as an anti-seizure medication. A close friend of mine had a ruptured disc in the cervical part of his spine, and eating huge handfuls of oxycodone barely made a dent in the agonizing pain. Then his doctor gave him some Neurontin and he felt much, much better. Some doctors believe that Neurontin is especially effective at treating pain that is endogenous to the nervous system (sorry, I don't know the presumed mechanism of analgesic action). You might ask your doctor to give it a try.
This is the end of the thread.
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