Question:
I had an endoscopy (EGD) last Friday to find out the cause of my anemia. I do not have an ulcer but my stomach is very red and irritated. The doctor thinks this is from the arthritis medicine. My PCP and rheum. said I can not take arthritis medicine anymore. My PCP gave me a prescription for Ultram. I tried this before and I stopped taking it because it made me so drugged. I am now going to try taking 1/2 tablet. I saw the rheum today and he said to come back in 6 months and my PCP will see me again in 3 months to check on my anemia. I am so glad that I am finished with the tests and doctors for awhile. I hope I get relief from this pain with the Ultram. The rheum does not think I have lupus but I am still worried that I have it. At least my PCP and rheum are going to watch me. A question: do any of you have problems with your veins when you get bloodwork or IV’s? I have had trouble for years where they can’t get a good vein. When I had the endoscopy last Friday, the nurse said they almost had to do a cutdown because my veins are so bad. They had to stick me in two different areas to start the IV. Lynn J.
Response:
On Fri, 15 Dec 2000 02:27:04 GMT, "Lynn J." <cr…@nospam.home.com> wrote: >I had an endoscopy (EGD) last Friday to find out the cause of my anemia. I >do not have an ulcer but my stomach is very red and irritated. The doctor >thinks this is from the arthritis medicine. My PCP and rheum. said I can >not take arthritis medicine anymore. My PCP gave me a prescription for >Ultram. I tried this before and I stopped taking it because it made me so >drugged. I am now going to try taking 1/2 tablet.
yeah, start out slow hon. Also recognize that when you take Ultram daily after a while the drugged feeling goes away. When I first started taking it, about 3-4 hrs after my dose, I would feel really loopy (as opposed to lupie). I was told this was not possible. HA! but after a couple of weeks on it this went away and actually it gives me more energy in the long run – if only because it helps so much with the joint pain. But it is best *daily*. And I’ve been on it a long time with no stomach problems. Like you I was taken off arthritis meds for the same reason. It is better to take this with a light snack though IMO. Also, my liver enzymes went down to normal when I came off the arthritis med and went on Ultram. I feel that is a very safe drug. There is one drawback, if you are on it long term then you can not just *stop* the med. It’s not like prednisone, it’s not a life-threatening thing if you stop it. You will just hurt like heck and remember what it was like *before* the med and you might get a headache or nausea. It is similar – though not the same – as a antidepressant in it’s actions in that it targets specific neurotransmitters/receptors. It has a mild serotonergic effect which may be causing the drugged feeling as the "mu-opioid" action is not like that of other pain killers. >this pain with the Ultram. The rheum does not think I have lupus but I am >still worried that I have it. At least my PCP and rheum are going to watch >me.
the way I have figured it, is that I treat myself like a lupie (as do my doctors) and therefore I am doing pretty good. I don’t *want* the disease and I don’t have the diagnosis on paper. But if I start acting like there’s nothing wrong with me, I pay for it. >A question: do any of you have problems with your veins when you get >bloodwork or IV’s?
I’m fortunate (or just skinny) – my veins pop right out. I try not to let the techs put a tourn… one of those things, on my arm because all I have to do is grip my upper arm and it pops. however, hubby has big beefy, yummy arms and you can’t find a vein anywhere. He always gets IV’s, blood draws, in his hand (or in a pinch, the foot). It can be a little more uncomfortable (more nerves there) but in the long run it’s better because you don’t get bruised all over. They were really good the last time he went in the hospital and followed his request to go through the hand without hesitation. I would recommend you try that once and see if that’s tolerable for you. If you’re veins collapse easily it might not make much difference but it’s worth trying. hugs, *********************************** KCat – I am not a medical professional. The contents of this post are based soley on my experiences and opinions http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/mypage.htm http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/aslfaq20.htm ("`-”-/").___..–”"`-._ (`6_ 6 ) `-. ( ).`-.__.’`) (_Y_.)’ ._ ) `._ `. “-..-” _..`–’_..-_/ /–’_.’ ,’ (()),-” (()),’ (((.-’
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