I just went to my Rheumy today and we talked a lot about my pain from the sjogrens and fibro. She prescribed tramadol that I can take as needed for pain (50 mg tabs - take 1 or 2 every 6 to 8 hours as needed--only on days that I have more severe pain). She also told me if taken in conjunction with tylenol that it will work better.
Anyone have good luck with tramadol....or not so good luck? I filled the prescription but haven't taken any yet tonight. I did take this med many moons ago when I was having severe cramps pre hysterectomy for a short time and it did help me for that! I don't plan on taking it often or very much....just as needed...as little as I can to get rid of some of this joint/soft tissue pain.
Hi Lynnmarie:
Yes I do take tramadol as needed for my painful joints and soft tissue aches. I don't take the 50mg tabs though, I take an extended tramadol release 24hr version which is called Ralivia. I find that it helps me alot. Sometimes I have to get out the big guns and go to a stronger med, but most of the time, this works great.
Hope you feel better soon,
Hugs,
Daisy
Hi LynnMarie, I was prescribed Tramadol for pleurisy and migraines, in lieu of naproxen [due to kidney numbers being elevated], and it works. I take 100mg at the onset of a migraine, and generally it does the job by itself. When the pain is really bad, I take it with Topomax. It did have a "high" effect when I first started taking it, especially when I took it with the Topomax. However, now I can take it without the feeling of "highness". I would give it a try...
Hi :)
I've been on slow release Tramadol and paracetamol every day for the last 4 or 5 years after I was told I couldn't have NSAIDs any more. I preferred Naproxen - but its OK and its given me no side effects.
Take care - Scottie :) x x x
I take Tramadol for pain that is more severe than normal, that sounds weird, and it really helps. It says to take it at bedtime, but I find that it makes me a bit wierd so I take it when I need it. It really helps with the pain by it's self, but I normally take Tylenol before I take it so it might be the combination of the two anyway.
SueAnn
Similar story here, I used to take NSAIDs, but they started to give me ulcers, so I started tramadol, and it's been fantastic. It makes my nose itch sometimes though, bit of a quirk.
It's not a great drug for guys though, I don't think
I recently started Tramadol as needed. I find when I don't take it I have headaches which I don't normally get.
Yes, I take tramadol 50 to 100mg. two to three times a day. I also take Lyrica 150 mg. twice a day. I like both drugs a lot and have never had any problems with tramadol. I have fibromyalgia and Sjogren's.
Lesley
I take tramadol and have had no prolems with side effects. It actually has a calming effect if truth be known....or maybe that is me being on autopilot! ;)
Sha
I had not such good luck with tramadol... It made me feel so aggressive and prone to wicked mood swings
I also found that i had physical withdrawals from it ( I was taking 1 slow release 50mg pill a night) also got headaches from it. I would never take it again.. Ever
My doctor prescribed it to me too and I got so nauseous that i'm scared of taking it again :-\
I take Tramadol, but I can't take Ultram (which is the non-generic). Not sure why, but it really affects me differently. Tramadol is very helpful for my hip pain, but not for my arthritic joint pain (hands and feet). I don't take it during the day unless it's a weekend. If i take it at night, it can cause insomnia for me. I wake up at 1-2 AM and have difficulty falling back asleep. But it really does help my pain! If I take it too late in the morning (around 4:00 AM), then I have difficulty waking up. It can make me feel a bit wacked out, but other times I can take it without issues.
Tramedol does have some reactions to other meds, so watch out for that.
I tried this med but did not feel any different but had no side effects either. For myself making sure to take my meds with food helps or even changing the time of day to take them if it is a non as needed med.Of course check with your doctor. I hope you feel relief
Hi,
Have been on Tramadol for about 3 years. I take 50 mg 3-4 X a day. Some days I only take one in the morning and one at bedtime. When I broke my ankle this past Oct. the Dr. pushed it up to the max. of 300 mg a day. My gastro told me to take it AFTER eating as it slows down digestion. I also take colace to help with the side effect of constipation. Besides Bextra (no longer available) it is the only thing that has diminished pain for me. I not suppose to take NSAID's, even though I was taking Aleve(sp?) before the Tramadol. I had bleeding ulcers in 1990 from aspirin. Good luck, I hope it helps you with your pain.
Catilee 2
I currently take 25 mg. of tramadol at bed. TAking this drug during the day makes me dizzy and sleep, vbut it is a good pain killer. It is helpful so far with RLS and neuropathy pain. My previous experience with Tramadol was that it eventually messed with my sleep. I also have very clear, but bizarre dreams when on it.
Yes, tylenol with it is helpful. They make a form of Tram. that has tylenol in it. lI think it is called Ultracet.
I'd like to try the ER form of Tramadol.
I'm pretty bummed about RLS right now. It has been bad for more than a yr. But too many meds make me too groggy the next day to function.
Cymbalta made RLS worse. i had to stop that one. I was on Mirapex through the summer and fall , but that seems to have rebounded on me and i've stopped it.
Presently the RLS is causing me more problems than anything else.
P.S. My Rheumy has me reduce the amount of Celexa I take when on tramadol. Tram. apparentlly raises the level of serotonin. Use caution to avoid Serotonin Syndrome. Talk to your doc if you are on SSRI's or SNRI's.
Coopwall - I had very bad RLS issues last year due to serious neuropathy pain. I tried Neurontin and Lyrica for the neuropathy...the first didn't help at all, and the second gave some relief but the side effects were miserable. I had chronic vertigo and hand/feet swelling from it. My Neuro prescribed another anticonvulsant called Lamictal. It has greatly reduced the RLS attacks. I take a 100 mg ER dose in the morning. There have been no side effects. I also take a supplement called Hawthorn Berry, 565 mg twice a day. One of my friends sent me a newspaper article written by Dr. Peter Gott about its use to control RLS symptoms. It is inexpensive and also has no side effects. My Neuro agrees it won't hurt me or conflict with any of my other meds. Just thought I'd give you some other ideas to consider and discuss with your doctor. Good luck, I know it is miserable suffering with RLS!
Thanks for all of the fast replies....my rheumy and I discussed Lyrica too but decided against it due to weight gain being such a serious side effect and for me that is a definite side effect I really don't need right now.
I also did well awhile back on NSAIDS but cant take them anymore either so this was my next try at pain reduction. I'm going to try it on a day when I am at home for the day though (like on a weekend) until I see how it affects me.
Thanks for all of your input...very helpful!
Well I've been experimenting with the Tramadol and I would say that YES..it definitely does help me with the pain which has been terrible lately.
One 50 mg tab will dull the pain but 2 works very well...just have to be a little careful that I don't get too sleepy on the 100 mg dose which I can take every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
Just wanted to update on my experience....hope it helps!
It's great to hear that the Tramadol is working for you. I've been avoiding all pain meds because of my sensitive stomach - no type of pain that I'm currently suffering from is worse than the agony of reflux.
But you've inspired me to give it a try. Thanks, and I hope you continue to get along well with it.
Suzie
I took Tramadol for about 10 years, at least.
regularly
It doesn't bother my stomach.
I stopped taking it last year when I was getting so many weird diagnoses and test results from the crazy Neurologist I saw in Texas.
I didn't make any difference.
So I think it's effectiveness had worn off for me.
That happens.
The thing to keep in mind is that different people react different to each drug and substance.
Just pay attention and keep your doctor posted if anything unusual pops up.
Good luck.
Kisses
Elaine
I also have a very "sensitive" stomach but haven't had any trouble with the Tramadol either in that area....I do take it with meals or some kind of substantial food though...
Good luck to you Suzie if you do decide to give it a try!
I wish I could take Tramadol, everyone here seems to have such good results. Unfortuneately, I'm highly allergic to it. Makes my throat close up. NSAIDs make me break out in hives so they'rre out too. the only thing that I can take is Lortab 10 4 times a day and since my joint pain is so bad I have to take it every day around the clock. I even take Ambien to help me sleep at night so I don't wake up when the pain meds wear off. I'm sero positive SJS, but I know there's more, right now I've got the lupus rash on my face and joint pain is so bad that Lortabs aren't really touching it. I hope the Tramadol keeps working for everyone, my husband takes it for his back and he says it works great.
Peace Be With You.
Jennifer
Lynnmarie:
Tramadol is my BFF! No side effects at all, either. I'm happy it seems to be working for you, too.
Hugs,
LeoLady (Melinda)
Another disadvantage is insomnia. Well, I can get to sleep but do not stay asleep even w/sleep aids.
My Rheumy RX'd this for me in Nov. I never filled it. My joint ain/stiffness, and muscle aches are getting worse, so now I am thinking about filling it. I hope I have no side effects...they seem to find me. :-\
Is it recommened to take it at NIGHT? Or anytime??
I take it any time. I find it works best against nerve pains, but it's not as good against the join issues as NSAIDs are.
Bottom line though, your mileage may vary. Take it slow and see how it affects you.
Quote from: mink on January 11, 2011, 01:24:46 AM
My doctor prescribed it to me too and I got so nauseous that i'm scared of taking it again :-\
This was my experience too! except I think I had a full on adverse reaction to it because aside from nausea and vomiting(popped a blood vessel and vomited blood!), I was also having hallucinations and was extremely agitated and sketched out like a bad trip.
I ended up going to the hospital because I got so dehydrated- once I was on IV fluids for a while I felt a lot better.
Needless to say, I won't be taking it again.
I was given tramadol when my lymphnodes swell. My rheumy said some pain meds will react with cymbalta, tramadol does not. It did not do a darn thing for me. And I am a lightweight with drugs. Can't take pain pills or I am out for 2 days.
I have tried to take it for neuropathy in my feet, but each time I get extremely nauseated, so I won't be using it. However, I know several people who use it every day and love it, so I think I am the exception. Give it a try.