I am going to put my 2 cents in here as well. Most people have different thresholds for pain so generally MD's will start with the weakest thing they can prescribe. They don't tell you this but expect you will "just know" to get in touch with them if it doesn't help. Ultracet will do nothing for the pain your husband is having. He needs to go back to the doctor and get at least hydrocodone but really should be prescribed Percocet for his pain. Better to have the big guns handy and not take as much than to have a handful of nothing. Our medical system took a big shift in the past 10-15 years. We are reaping the "benefits" and I say that sarcastically as a result. When my son had 4 wisdom teeth out they prescribed toradol ( another nothing pain med). I waited 1 hour till I got him home and called the office and told them I wanted a prescription for Percocet. They gladly gave it to me. I know about the psycology of prescribing meds as I worked with MD's for over 25 years. Back in the 80's it wasn't as bad but the Managed care system really did us in. If I told you some of the things I knew your hair would curl. But that is for a later time and a different post. Please get your husband something soon as the New Year holiday is coming up and the offices close and the doc's scatter to the winds leaving someone on call who won't call anything in. Good luck, turcica