Ultracet and sciatica

I took one ultracet 5 hours ago for sciatica; I am now experiencing a severe headache along with disturbing thoughts when I lay down and close my eyes.

I have been taking Ultracet for over a year now..as needed for back pain from a car accident and significant re-injury of my back. I have sciatica in my laft leg with significant pain and some numbness if I sit too long in one position as well as moderate to severe back pain if I walk or stand up too long.

I will say from the start I have a very high tolerance for drugs. Doses of narcotic pain killers (darvocet, vicodin etc) thta knock most people out will just make me feel slightly "high".

I take Ultracet as needed for pain and Flexeril for muscle spasms in my back. I do not ever go over 3 pills in one day.

I have not noticed any of the reactions people mention here. I can go several days without taking Ultracet with no problems. Perhaps it is that I do days without taking it that has saved me from becoming addicted to it.

I have heard of side effects such as upset stomach, nausea and my doctor warned me to let her know if I felt anxiety or other emotional incidents (mood swings, depression, feeling "high" etc). I have had none of those effects that I can specifically attribute to the ultracet.

After asking my physician about whether ultracet is a narcotic in the same category as darvocet, percocent etc. ( I asked because of the similarity in name). She said it was not classified as a narcotic as it is a synthetic substance and supposedly does not have the addictive ingredient found in the natural opiates. Supposedly is the key word here. She also told me that people who are susceptible to addictions (i.e. family history of alcohol or drug abuse etc) may become addicted to it. She said that the threshold for addiction seems to be when taking more than 3 pills a day.

The ultracet works well for controling the pain in my legs and back. I am fortunate to be able to take a dose of ultracet and rest for 20 minutes until it kicks in most times. I have had no problems with driving or dizzines since I started taking it.

I was given Ultracet to manage severe pain from sciatica. I was told that Ultracet was 'less addictive' than Percocet, which I'd been taking. What a disaster. The Ultracet faded out on me in less than three hours, leaving me in pain, and I developed severe stomach problems: acute, spasmadic cramps, inflamation of my stomach lining, and ultimately, gastritis. The doctor stopped the Ultracet as soon as I complained of the pain--by then, I could barely stand upright.

The gastritis is still a serious problem, months after stopping the Ultracet. I now have to take prescription medication for gastritis, and cannot take any pain reliever except acetomenophin. (For folks outside the U.S., even paracetamol aggravates the stomach.) This drug ruined my life. Everything, from my diet, to how I manage my pain, to how I perform my daily activities has had to be changed.

Please, please, PLEASE, discuss this option with your doctor before agreeing to take the 'less addictive' Ultracet.

I started taking Ultracet several months ago for pain after knee surgery but found that it also helped my Fybromialgia symptoms. Any initial side effects such as headache, itching or dizziness ceased after the first week. I take 2 pills only in times of extreme discomfort. 1 at a time works fine and I attempt never to take more than 3 a day. I find sleepiness to be a factor only if I am already in bed (which is good as my primary concern from Fybromialgia is insomnia). Overall, this drug has been a God send for me as I think I would have gone quite mad from the extremely extended and painful healing time after the surgey (compounded by the onset of sciatica which even the Ultracet made only marginally bearable). I am fortunatly not disposed to addictions but I am begining to wonder if the continued taking of a narcotic substance (yes - synthetic - but the effects amount to the same thing) is justified. The euphoria associated with even a low dose is very beguiling; it feels better and more positive than any antidepressant I have ever taken and with far fewer side effects as well. What to do...what to do...no 2 doctors will agree on the matter. My GP says NO; my Rumetologist says Yes!