Hematologist and tramadol?

[indyjo]

Hi all. Haven't posted in awhile. I am 1a/b, stage 2/grade 2. I treated for 48 weeks with the IDEAL study and relasped. I am currently waiting for a protease inhibitor trial for nonresponders. My question is about enlarged spleen. My doctor intially attributed my enlarged spleen and low platelet count to liver damage. I have recently had an endoscopy, CT scan, and biopsy and I think my doctor now feels that the liver damage has not become severe enough to have caused the enlargement. He is referring me to a hematologist. Has anyone had a similar experience. What would a hematologist do? Also, he prescribed tramadol for joint and bone pain. I had received vicodan from him in the past, but he wants to eliminate the narcotics. Has anyone used this med for pain? Is it effective? Thanks to all!

[alaska alice]

Hi...yes I have tried tramadol for joint and bone pain but it sure isn't as effective as vicodan. I had to take two instead of one to do any good.  But at least it did help the pain.  As for an enlarged spleen, I once had one when I was in intensive care with mononucleosis and quinsy. Doc said my spleen was compensating for my high white blood count. It finally went back to normal.Being in late teens at the time, recovery of course was much faster.  Do you have a high white blood count? Doesn't the spleen make our red blood cells? I wish you the best with this.

[susan400]

Tramadol (Ultram) works best when taken on a regular schedule.  It really isn't effective if only taken when in pain.  However, once you get used to taking it, it is very hard to come off of it.  They lie when they tell you that it's non-addictive.  I started taking if for bone/joint pain over 3 years ago, since I can't take NSAIDS.  I've been trying to get off of it and it's so hard because I have withdrawal symptoms.  Since I've been stopped on my treatment from Hep C for awhile, I figure I'd try to get off of it again. So far, I've weaned down to 1/2 a pill a day and I'm already getting more sleep problems. But, Ultram is not something you can stop suddenly.  

Susan

[spzyq2]

Hi , I have been on tramadol for 3 yrs, I have used it for pain tx. It does work if your not wanting to continue the narcs , I also have found that a muscle relaxent like flexeral helps along with the tramadol also known al ultram. How many do you take a day?   I went thru  the narcs, and detoxed by myself I hated not having even one foot on the ground so to speak but there are days that nothing seems to help, on those days I have finally learned to rest and to he** with the demands of anyone else.  Please take care and good luck, Spz

[tulsatime]

Hi, I have an enlarged spleen and low platelets. But I also have cirrhosis. So I don't know why yours would be enlarged with only stage 2. I am very interested in what your doctor says. so will you please come back when you find out why it is enlarged. Also I have heard of a lot of people on tramadol. You might give it a try. Take care

[bobbyullc]

i was given ultram to kick heroin and had the same problems. it was as bad as the heroin or worse. i took suboxone later and it was a lot easier to come off of.
i keep putting off cold turkey cause of one bulls**t excuse after another. now it is summer.
bobby