Ultram Pain Relief Medication

Ultram is a non-opioid prescription pain relief medication that is meant to help alleviate moderate to moderately severe pain. Ultram is a synthetic analgesic, not an anti-inflammatory, which means that people who cannot take anti-inflammatory drugs do to their side effects, can often take Ultram to help relieve their pain.

Uses of Ultram

Ultram is an analgesic used to treat or prevent pain.

-  dizziness

-  nausea

-  drowsiness

-  dry mouth

-  constipation

-  headache

-  or sweating.

If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:

-  skin rash

-  itching

-  seizures

-  or hallucinations.

If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Do not exceed the recommended dose or take Ultram for longer than prescribed. If you experience difficulty breathing or tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more Ultram unless your doctor tells you to do so. Avoid alcohol while you are using this medicine. Ultram will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using Ultram alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. For women: if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Ultram during pregnancy. Ultram is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Ultram.

If you miss a dose of Ultram, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include cold and clammy skin, low body temperature, slowed breathing, slowed heartbeat, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, seizures, deep sleep, and loss of consciousness.

The Use Of Ultram: Blocking Nerves to Relieve the Pain

Submitted July 12, 2006

Ultram is a pain medication that is used for all kinds of pain.  Most pain associated with the use of Ultram is severe and/or chronic pain.  Ultram patients generally use Ultram at short periods at a time to avoid addiction.  Ultram is to be used in 5 day periods and is to be taken once a day or otherwise directed by a physician.  Ultram works within the first couple of hours taken.  Ultram is to be taken orally with water and the effects will last up to 24 hours.  Ultram works by blocking nerve endings that go to the brain. 

Ultram is only one of the pain medications that are available without having to go into any major nerve blocking using needles.  FOR REALLY SEVERE PROCEDURES - medical physicians may try a direct approach. 

Nerve Block (Ultram)

Sympathetic nerve block interrupts the transmission of pain signals from a group of nerve cell bodies (called a ganglion). When treating an upper extremity, it is called a stellate ganglion block. A small needle is used to inject an alpha adrenergic antagonist alongside the windpipe. When treating a lower extremity the nerve block is performed in the lower (lumbar).

The procedure, usually performed by an anesthesiologist familiar with the technique, involves the insertion of a needle into the appropriate location and the injection of anesthesia into the ganglion. The effect is monitored over time.

Sympathectomy Patients who have a good but temporary response to nerve block may be candidates for sympathectomy. The goal of surgery is suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity in the affected area.  

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit may be used to treat the affected area. In some cases, spinal cord stimulators are implanted permanently to supply a low intensity impulse to a location in the spinal cord in an attempt to interrupt the pain signals that are being transmitted to the brain.

Psychosocial Support RSD/CRPS patients often become depressed and anxious because of chronic pain and loss of physical ability. Counseling, support groups, and chronic pain center programs help patients learn coping strategies and provide emotional and psychological support.

Ultram

Without the use of many treatments, Ultram may help.  Consult a doctor before the use of Ultram and find out if Ultram pain medication may be an option for you.  This article is for the knowledge of Ultram and the different approaches to take or consider taking when in severe pain.