Last week I had my annual check-up with my GYN.  I asked her if I could try Ultram for my recurring abdominal pain instead of Lortab.  I can't take aspirin or NSAIDs because they're blood thinners... and this pain is way to much for Tylenol.  No problem.  She said that Ultram is not as strong, but if it works for me it would be preferable to taking Lortab (a blend of hydrocodone and acetaminophen).  This evening I got my first chance to try it and I think it's a keeper.  It works about the same for the pain... reducing it to a manageable level..., but it doesn't make me as loopy as Lortab.  Definitely a good thing!

So here's my question... what dose works best for you?  My GYN gave me a Rx for 50mg tablets.  On drugs.com it says that the typical dose for rapid relief is 50-100mg.  The maximum per day is 400mg as long as it's not mixed with acetaminophen (mine isn't).  I took one 50mg tablet around 3:30 and another one around 6:00.

Heather

I have taken ultram since I can't take aspirin or nsaids too.  Found it gave a lot of relief when I pulled a muscle, but after taking more than one dose I started getting itchy.  Took a benedryl before the next dose which seemed to help and then stopped it because the pain was gone.  One thing the pharmacist warned about was seizures.  I know a friend that got them after the tramadol (  same as ultram?), but I think she got a really heavy dose in the hospital.  I got hives from darvacet, so that's out for me.  The allergist suggested celebrex, but I haven't tried it yet.  Glad to hear ultram is working for you.  Marie

I take Lortab (Vicodan, Hydrocodone) for pain, 10 mg.  I also have Tramadol 50 mg and I take that too. I alternate them so my system doesnt get used to either med and they both will work better for me when I need them
hugs
Ramona

Its because your body isnt used to it. Most people arent as careful as we are when taking pain meds. We have an important reason to be careful. Ive gotten more used to my vicodan--and now when I take only 1 tramadol inbetween, I can really feel it. If I had done the opposite, it wouldnt have helped me as much (I think).
hugs
me

Marie,

Definitely look up the possible side effects of Celebrex before you start it.  It's a similar drug to Vioxx.  I'm not saying not to take it, but it does have serious potential risks.

Hi Sherry,

Zantac and allegra are both very safe... all H1/H2s are very safe for long-term use, even at high doses.  If your son really does have a mast cell disorder then it's much more damaging/disabiling for him to be unmedicated and live in a constant state of degranulation.  Some common medications are definitely best to avoid if you can help it... antibiotics, prednisone, statins, etc... BUT antihistamines are not like that.  Another very safe drug that your son could try is Gastrocrom (oral cromolyn sodium).  It stabilizes the mast cells, which prevents the release or formation of all kinds of mediators such as leukotrienes, heparin, cytokines, prostaglandins, etc...  Prostaglandins, for example, are what cause a lot of the pain.  You can block the effects with drugs like aspirin and Tylenol, but of course those drugs have risks.  Aspirin can give you ulcers... also, for many mast cell patients it causes more problems than it solves.  Even Tylenol can be damaging to the liver if taken in high doses or for long periods of time.  Gastrocrom is a much better solution!  Mast cell stabilizers are the only drugs that actually prevent symptoms.

Not all drugs are dangerous... and sometimes even if they are, you can't avoid them.  If your son had another serious disorder like cancer or schizophrenia would you treat him only with supplements?  A mast cell disorder is serious too.  We're just really lucky that our main treatments are not dangerous.

Heather

<--waving HI to Mike  

Hey Sherry,
I echo what Heather said about the antihistamines. She is BRILLIANT, you can always trust her advice.

Yes, at the beginning it seems that we take doses that are way too high, but its necessary for us to not react--reacting is much worse for us. It can cause some of us to go into shock, reacting also seems to affect some of our organs in a negative way too and there is a question pending for doctors about reacting actually causing damage internally--we dont have that answer yet.

So in the end its much safer (IF your son has masto) to take just enough meds to not only stop reacting, but to prevent it from happening. Your sons age and weight would mean that he would take aprox half the doses we take--and of course that would change as he gets older.
Hope this helps
Ramona

Hi Heather,

I went to the doctor yesterday and asked for an Rx for Ultram.  She warned me not to take it with Benadryl.  I don't know if that has anything at all to do with what you're experiencing, but she didn't like the combo of 1st generation antihistamines and opiates.  She also said not to take it with Zofran for nausea.  Don't know if other meds are contraindicated.  Sigh.  Meds can be so complicated.  

I still only have Tylenol for pain, which I'm lucky enough not to get very often, but it doesn't completely solve the problem.