debbrad
Member
Reged: 11/06/03
Posts: 100
Loc: Texas, USA
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My husband broke a rib and went to our pcp yesterday. No Docs were in and a pa prescribed him ultracett for pain. He is in a lot of pain. Now the office has called and told me he has to come back and pick up just a few samples of it. Is this stuff stronger than hydro? why did the p.a. decide to cancel the script for 30 of them? Man I wish our Doc was in.
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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No, it is not stronger than hydro..... It is Ultram (Tramadol) compounded with Tylenol. It is actually even weaker than Ultram because it contains less active ingredient (tramadol) - It is more close, strength-wise, to codeine - although I find that is not even that strong... It seems weaker than codeine for me, and doesn't do a thing to kill pain. I have found the only thing it is good for is to rotate with my hydro/apap pain meds, because it WILL help with not going into w/d from opioid pain meds - but it is a terrible pain killer... I have back problems, and even at 100-150mg's Tramadol, I get NO relief from it, NONE..... Ask for something better.
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//zeuzjuz
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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Also, be very careful about what other meds you are taking it with - do not take it with any tri-cyclic antidepressants (Elavil, etc) or any medicines that speed up the heart rate.... Ultram/Ultracet are known to reduce the seizure threshold - many patients have had seizures while taking this medication.... Many people do take it, and have never experienced a seizure or even close to one - but if you already have a low seizure threshold, or are taking other meds that ALSO lower the seizure threshold, you are at a much greater risk. Be careful..... I think it is a totally useless pain reliever..... But like I said, it can come in handy when you are trying to conserve your intake of opioids - because it seems to have enough action on the opioid receptors to keep the worst of the w/d's away from regular opioids.... But if you have a migraine or bad back pain - and your body chemistry is anything like mine - you can forget Tramadol doing anything at all for it.... I have had backaches and taken 2-3 Ultram and felt NO difference, at all whatsoever.... Then I will take 800mg's Advil and feel the difference.... Go figure... It is a WEIRD medication. 
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//zeuzjuz
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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Sorry to respond 3 times to this post -
But I wanted to VENT some anger for a second here.... I cannot believe they are now trying to push Ultram/Ultracet on people for pain as bad as a broken rib!!!  That is maddening... A broken rib is VERY painful (I have done it myself, although I was pretty young) - Something like that requires opiates to kill the pain. When we have all of these great opioids that medical science has come up with, WHY on earth would they try to give you Tramadol for a broken rib?!?! That truly, truly p1sses me off and puts me in FEAR that I will break any bones anytime soon. A broken bone, especially a rib, definitely warrants REAL opioid pain medications. He needs them. That is what they are HERE FOR..... I can see a doctor trying to prescribe Ultracet for chronic headaches or something, if he was in fear of getting the patient hooked on opioids, or in fear of prescribing too many opioids (although that makes me mad too but that is a different subject) - but for a broken bone??? That is insane. He needs some percocet and/or at least hydrocodone to even BEGIN to calm the pain from a broken rib.
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//zeuzjuz
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booker
Board Addict
Reged: 08/15/03
Posts: 348
Loc: The Moon
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zeuzjuz, I'm with you in the vent department and sorry this is off on a tangent from answering what ultracet is. I broke my elbow and several ribs and I was sent home with perocet until I saw the surgeon and after surgery I was given hydro's. Broken ribs take weeks to get over and it is painful and hurts to even breath! Sometimes I wonder why there are even pain meds out there if they aren't going to use them!
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"would you like to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar, and be better off than you are, or would you rather be a ....."
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knak
Banned
Reged: 06/08/02
Posts: 88
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I agree with you,Ultracet IS JUNK. It is glorified Tylenol. The reason these docs push it is because of the pharmacutical reps.
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turcica
seeker
Reged: 12/21/03
Posts: 312
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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
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turcica
The only failure is not knowing how to be happy
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Edited by turcica (12/30/03 03:30 PM)
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yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1193
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Yeah, that is really sick...ultracet for a broken rib! I would call the doctor, and speak to the doctor- not a nurse or a PA- and don't take no for answer, there's no reason to accept Ultracet for a broken rib. Worst comes to worst, go to the ER and say you're in excruciating pain- you will meds on the spot and meds to take home.
An alternative would be to say it gave you a seizure...that will scare them away from prescribing tramadol. This doc is just lowballing you, I'm certain you will be able to get something stronger if you push it.
-yawkaw
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Billyl
Board Addict
Reged: 06/14/02
Posts: 389
Loc: NorthEast
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It was not even properly prescribed Ultracet is for only moderate pain. An acute injury like a broken rib doesn't even qualify as moderate, it can be severe when it comes to pain. I would call back and blow off the PA get the doctor on the phone.
My wife and I had recently moved and she had broken a tooth, exposed nerve, when we went to see a new dentist for an emergency he gave her Bextra! I called back and they refused to upgrade her prescription and told her she would have to see her regular doctor for anything stronger. I called an oral surgeon who the dentist had refered us to and I knew him, he brought her in and gave her percocet right on the spot and then a script for 30 until he could get her in 1 week latter. He actually got her in the chair in 5 days and then wrote another 30 for her because she also had 2 wisdom teeth removed. He called the dentist while I was there the 1st time and reamed him. The dentist said he didn't know her and that people actually break their teeth for narcotics! My surgeon told him that was a load of bull and not to ever treat her or any of his referals like that again or he would never refer any of his patient';s back to the dentist. Well we got a call from the dentist he appologized and has been great with extra work my wife has had since, he even gives her Valium because she gets very nervous anytime she is in the chair for a while. My point is I turned this around by talking with the oral surgeon and exposing the lack of compassion the dentist had. We actually like the dentist now but our first meeting I wanted to break his neck and his receptionist's.
Take care. Billylll
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CeeBee
Member
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 185
Loc: garden state
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Zeuzjuz, vent all you want you are absolutely right. I had what was supposed to a very minor knee surgery (arthroscopic) which has turned into a nightmare. It was botched, my whole leg was swollen to twice it's size and I had a very large hematoma which took about 6 months to reabsorb, as draining it did not work. Of course I was in alot of pain and discomfort, but after about the third script of hydro, the doc gives me ultracet. Very good he says. Bull----. I still have some laying around and your right it does do "something" for wd's but nothing for pain. I guess tomorrow that is all I will have to take as an expected order did not come through today.
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PAIDFO
Member
Reged: 02/01/03
Posts: 148
Loc: southeast
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Z I agree. I broke 4 ribs and numerous other bones during my racing career,Ribs and rotator cuff tears are the worst.I would call and tell them I'm on the way to pick up a script,cause ain't no way they are gonna call in anything as strong as needed(demerol is what I took).It hurts to breath with broken ribs.I hope your hubby gets the releif he deserves....P 
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"The difference between Ordinary and Extraordinary is the Little Extra"
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debbrad
Member
Reged: 11/06/03
Posts: 100
Loc: Texas, USA
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Thank you all,
The problem is the PA is the only one in the office right now. My Dr is on vacation. I will make my hubby go back next week. He won't call the office again because nurse rachett intimidated him. I will take him to the emergency room if he will stop trying to be John Wayne. He is in so much pain that he can barely move. I am not much help. I twisted my old bad ankle helping him up. Send a little love up to the stars for us tonight and ya'll have a happy new year.
Be safe
Deb 
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Chitownlady
Member
Reged: 10/30/03
Posts: 114
Loc: IL
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ultracet stinks, go to the ER immediately to get some relief. PAIDFO, what type of racing career? PM me if you'd like, I love all types of racing, CART, INDY, F1....Good luck.
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qbird
material girl
Reged: 09/02/02
Posts: 828
Loc: USA
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I agree with your vent totally, when I read the post my response was WHAT ultracet for a broken rib!!! My doc tried to give me that junk for migraines once they go past the triptan phase telling me what strong pain killers they were. LOL on that. I think I could get more relief from a tylenol. For goodness sake I hope the poster demanded something more stronger. I never broke anything thank goodness if that is all they give you.
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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Quote:
I never broke anything thank goodness if that is all they give you
I don't think that's the 'norm' by any means... That's why it shocks me so much - like, are docs getting THIS scared of opiates that they are now prescribing sketchy new pseduo-synthetic-painkillers for broken bones!! (One of the most painful things to endure)
I tore my rotator cuff, diving into a lake off a cliff, about 3 years ago - and was prescribed Hydro for a few weeks, and then he cut it down to Tylenol#3 (300/30) after that for another 2 weeks or so.... And THAT didn't even keep me from wincing in pain every time I lifted my arm or moved my shoulder....
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//zeuzjuz
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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Of course in the tearing up my shoulder incident, I actually said to the doc (while examining me) - "Doc, you ARE going to give me something STRONG for pain aren't you, cuz this hurts like s*%t" lol  He said sure what works for you. Doctors are usually a little better about the opioid thing when it comes to acute injuries which will only require short-term opioid use...
It's not the short term use that they are attacked for... It's when they put people on long term opioids for chronic conditions, that's what they are all so afraid of. Usually every acute injury I have had, I have been prescribed some sort of opiate - I mean, it's tried and true for 5000+ years, it's all we know that really works. It's the 'standard' so to speak...... It's been a few years since I broke anything too - but if I do, and get prescribed Ultram I am gonna throw it right back in the doc's face. I don't mind asking for opiates by name when it comes to an actual short-term injury. I will demand them. When it comes to injuries - the doc will not see this as 'drug seeking behaviiour' like he would if you came in with an 'invisible' (to the eye at least) disease like chronic headaches, asking for opiates.... If you scream 'I want percocet!!!!! Dam**t !!! While you are lying there with a bone poking out of your skin, he will understand that it is a cry for real help, unless he is just crazy.....
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//zeuzjuz
Edited by zeuzjuz (12/31/03 01:59 PM)
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CeeBee
Member
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 185
Loc: garden state
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Geez, Zeuz I hope you don't break anything else! Good luck in the New Year!
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catmom
Board Addict
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 320
Loc: Midwest
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I was lucky after I shattered my femur in a car accident aboout 2 years ago. The doc gave me 40mg oxycontin in the moprning & 30mg at night with percocets every 4-6 hrs for breakhrough pain. I know my recovery would have been delayed without some potent meds cuz there's no WAY I could have done all the physical therapy without it. I was on this for about three months & wd's were no fun, but not horrible. I just had insomnia for about 2-3 weeks & was fine afterward. My sympathies to Debbrad's husband! My point: I do NOT believe that ultracet is the standard of care for broken bones!  Catmom
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If it's not immediate, it's not gratification.
Edited by catmom (12/31/03 02:54 PM)
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turcica
seeker
Reged: 12/21/03
Posts: 312
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I had an injury in Feb '02 ended up with a hole in my rotator cuff and severe ligament damage. My shoulder man put me on Oxy's with Lortab for breakthrough during the entire work up period and then a higher dose of the Oxy's after the surgery. I had the surgery in Oct '02 and was off pain meds for my shoulder by Feb '03. Haven't had a inkling of pain in that shoulder since. Now if they could fix my back like that I'd be in great shape except for the peripheral neuropathy. turcica
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turcica
The only failure is not knowing how to be happy
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poco
Enthusiast
Reged: 03/11/02
Posts: 216
Loc: Northern New England
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Oh my,
All you folks with shoulder injuries.. I understand.
I am now going through a problem.. It happened in August. No cuff tear but shoulder impingement.. My great wonderful Doc put me on bextra and now I'm on dolobid and Nuerontin. My stomach is ripping apart, I will need to go to another Dr just for my stomach damage!
I was told by my Physical Therapist I have a frozen shoulder now.... I cant even begin to tell you how painful it has been in the past month... But relief may come next week I am being sent to a pain clinic.. I will try voodoo at this point!
Oops I do have a point.. Ultracet for a broken rib? That is negligence... My Mom broke one rib and they put her on 20mg oxy BID for 10 weeks with break thru meds too...
Good God slug that PA in the ribs and hand him a tic-tac.. Same thing in my opinion!!!!
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DEA = Practicing medicine without a license
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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Poco -
The shoulder where I tore the rotator-cuff still gives me problems too - for one thing I get moments of extreme weakness in that one shoulder - like I will just be trying to pick up a glass of water or something light, but that requires shoulder movement to raise it to your lips, and when my shoulder rotates it sometimes screams in pain and gets 'shaky' and weak feeling, like I don't have the strength to pick up the 1 pound object....
Most of the time it is OK though - this injury was coupla years ago. For at least 5-6 months after it, I had problems though. Not pain, really - but discomfort, not being able to sleep on that side of my body (pressure on shoulder), having that one arm feel very weak like it had NO muscle on sporadic occasion - it was weird. The weakness/pain in my shoulder is only VERY sporadic now, but does happen once a month or so.... Still has never felt 'right' - That isn't even what I am doing the consultations for though - I am doing the consults for lumbar spinal problems - and that is a whole different (and long) story - but I was born with a bad spine that is getting worse. That's what I take the pain meds for (although I woulda DEFINITELY needed stronger than Ultracet when I injured the shoulder - and was given something stronger -
I would have been in pain trying to do anything that required use of my arm (which is , well, anything) for weeks without opioids.... With the opioids I was actually using my arm, which was weird- because they are supposed to just kill pain (which they did) - But when I was not taking them, I didn't feel as I had the 'strength' in my arm to lift things, etc - on opiods, not only did it not hurt, but I had strength as well...
Now I know opioids don't provide muscle strength. So I guess it was psycho-somatic in a weird way. Like my body knew how painful it would be to lift something, once my shoulder hit 'that point' so I felt too weak to try it - kind of a mind game??) - Who knows but I do know the opioids are the only reason I was able to go back to work after only 4 days and basically carry on my normal routine while in the healing process. And probably good for my arm because the lack of pain allowed me to 'excercise it' while it healed, which my mind would not have allowed myself to do otherwise.
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//zeuzjuz
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