Question for anyone taking Tramadol

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

DW MeanLaureen's Rheumatologist added this to her already long laundry list of medicine because her pain was getting worse. Upon reading the warning sheets that come with it, she became a bit concerned about some of the side effects and the fact that they say it can be addicting.

She's already taking Morphine Sulphate, Gabapentin, Venlafaxine and Salsalate(Disalcid) for pain. She also has several other drugs she takes for other reasons related to her condition. Between all these meds, the side effects seem to take a toll on her at times.

If you have taken Tramadol long term, did you have trouble with the side effects or did they go away as you adjusted to the meds? Did you have a problem with dependency? Was it as bad as it would be for say a drug like Vicodin. Lauri went through a few years on Vicodin and became horribly dependant on it and doesn't want to repeat that experience.

Thanks for your input!

 

[chell]

Has she taken any of it yet? Some people swear by it, but for me it doesn't even scratch the surface of my pain. It did help my mother, who has a history of medication addiction - but she did not get addicted to this one. I've know several other people who have taken this medication as well who did not get addicted either.

Please let her know that she is always in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[MosMom]

My husband had horrible pain with his kidney stone and they gave him this. It barely worked for him. I guess she'll have to try it out and see. I hope she can find something that does work for her though.

 

[minkydog]

My sister takes this just about daily for Chronic Myofaciitis(kind of like fibromyalgia). She swears by it and has not became addicted over the last 4 yrs. I, on the other hand,took it ONE TIME and thought I would die from a migraine(sort of an allergic reaction, I think--I'm quite sensitive to drugs.)

 

[hiwaygal]

I've taken it on and off for years and have never had a dependency problem with it. One doctor who prescribed it for me described it as a non-narcotic with narcotic like effects.

I was prescribed Ultram for my back. After surgery and treatment for a few other problems, I haven't needed it as often.

At first, when I took it...it made me feel dizzy and drunk. But that went away after a couple of days or so. Later, it had a very nice side effect, feelings of "euphoria". I found that I had more energy and just felt better.

Now, if I need one, I take it...but usually not too late at night 'cause it does still make me a little hyper. At most, I'll take one a day and that's usually good for me.

I don't think it eases pain as much as vicodin or percocet...but it does make you not care about it!

The best part about it for me is I don't have to worry about the stomach problems I have with ibuprofen or tylenol.

 

[crz4mm2]

I don't know much about Tramadol, but Morphine is very addictive......

 

[pearlieq]

Tramadol is supposed to have less potential for dependency than other pain meds like Vicodin, Percoset, etc.

Of course, dependency is possible for just about anything, but I'm thinking if she can handle the other pain meds Tramadol shouldn't be too much to worry about.

My mom's on it for cancer pain, but her condition is chronic and she's expected to be on it (and more) for the rest of her life, so they look at the dependency issue a bit differently for her.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't personally know anything about it, but here's what I found when reading about it on MedicineNet.com:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Tramadol is an effective pain reliever (analgesic). Its mode of action resembles that of narcotics, but it has significantly less potential for abuse and addiction than the narcotics. Tramadol is as effective as narcotics in relieving pain but does not depress respiration, a side effect of most narcotics. Tramadol is not a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), and does not have the increased risk of stomach ulceration and internal bleeding that can occur with the use of NSAIDs

Sounds like I should give it a try for my migraines since it's non-narcotic, unlike the percocet I now take as a back-up.

 

[Blondie]

I've found Tramadol useless for pain control AND it made me sicker than a dog. I hope Lauri has better results than I did!

 

[MScott1851]

I'll put it this way...the ER docs I work with give Ultram to the drug seekers INSTEAD of narcotics. It really ticks them off, because they want the 'good' stuff, not Ultram/Tramadol.

I have taken it intermittently for joint pain over the past few months, and as well as for sinus infection pain in the past. I don't really see how it could be addictive, I simply feel almost back to normal when I take it.

I can tell you that it shouldn't be anything like taking an opiate such as Vicodin/Morphine Sulfate. I'm actually surprised that Lauri's rheumy gives her MS when she's been through a Vicodin dependency, the metabolite of Vicodin is Morphine, right?

I think she should try it. It wouldn't hurt, it has a low potential for addiction, and it might lower her need for the strong stuff. Just watch out for stomach upset, like any other med.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Ultram/Tramadol is indicated for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. It seems to works wonders in some and not at all in others. I hope the combination of the morphine with the tramadol will result in an effective analgesic for her.

 

[lsyorke]

The use of Tramadol and Effexor at the same time are contraindicated. Used at the same time it increases the risk for serotonin syndrome.

http://www.fda.gov/MEDWATCH/safety/2006/effexor_PI.pdf

"Patients should be cautioned about the risk of serotonin syndrome with the concomitant use of
Effexor and triptans, tramadol, tryptophan supplements or other serotonergic agents "

 

[Viki]

I take it PRN for fibromyalgia, but it's generally so ineffective that I don't bother. Still, when the pain gets out of control, it's better than nothing. My rheumatologist wants me to take it more often; he thinks if I did I could manage the pain better before it goes through the roof.

I think I'll go take one now!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Tramadol is one of those drugs that helps people who have a little pain, in my experience. People with serious, hard pain usually do not report that they feel better.

I'm not a big fan of it for bad pain. When I see it ordered for people who are in a lot of pain, I feel bad (hopeful, but bad) for them. If I go in to push morphine, I tell them they'll feel better soon. If I go in with Ultram, I tell them this is for their pain.

But I swear that some doctors are in love with that stuff. They often try it before better, more effective pain meds.

So far as addiction, I'd be much more worried about having to get off of morphine. But I'm not a doctor nor have I taken it long-term.

I hope it helps.

 

[Viki]

Tramadol is one of those drugs that helps people who have a little pain, in my experience. People with serious, hard pain usually do not report that they feel better.

I'm not a big fan of it for bad pain. When I see it ordered for people who are in a lot of pain, I feel bad (hopeful, but bad) for them. If I go in to push morphine, I tell them they'll feel better soon. If I go in with Ultram, I tell them this is for their pain.

But I swear that some doctors are in love with that stuff. They often try it before better, more effective pain meds.

So far as addiction, I'd be much more worried about having to get off of morphine. But I'm not a doctor nor have I taken it long-term.

I hope it helps.

I completely understand that you're not a doctor, and I don't want to hijack this super thread, but would you mind pming the names of those better pain meds because, as I said above, tramadol does very little for me, which I'm reminded of as I sit here still in pain!

 

[JKanownik]

I have been taking it since 2002 for a spine condition called Spondylolisthesis. I only take it on days when the pain is too severe to function and it helps me immensely. I have not become addicted to it.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I don't know much about Tramadol, but Morphine is very addictive......

Yeah, we know the morphine is addicting, she just doesn't want to add another drug that she feels dependant on. When you take 28 pills a day I guess you kind of like to know that if you had to stop them tomorrow, you could without much work, you know?

Has she taken any of it yet? Some people swear by it, but for me it doesn't even scratch the surface of my pain

Not yet, she's waiting until Tuesday when she has a day off from work so she won't be driving - in case it makes her feel "off".

I'm actually surprised that Lauri's rheumy gives her MS when she's been through a Vicodin dependency, the metabolite of Vicodin is Morphine, right?

I think the reason he put her on the MS vs the Vicodin was she was getting horribly sick if she was even 30 minutes late for a dose of the Vicodin. If you have ever seen that episode of "House" where he went off the Vicodin - he portrayed that to perfection. The Morphine, while her pain gets really bad if she's late for her next dose, doesn't cause her to have that withdrawl type panic. Maybe if she was a lot later taking the dose.. I don't know. But it's not going to send her into a cold sweat and shakes if she is an hour late getting home from work.

Lauri is also very limited to the types of pain killers she can take due to a blood disorder she has - Von Willebrands (I probably spelled that wrong) They need to keep her off of anything that thins your blood too much like ibuprophen and aspirin or her blood won't clot. As it is now, if she cuts herself it takes forever for her to stop bleeding.

Ultram/Tramadol is indicated for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. It seems to works wonders in some and not at all in others

I get the feeling Lauri will be in the "doesn't work well" camp. A lot of meds that should work for her, don't. What were those meds that were recalled a few years ago that were for arthritis? My mind is drawing a blank. Taking those were like taking sugar pills for her. Prednisone doesn't touch her. Even with the Morphine, she's still in a lot of pain - to the point where she can't walk at times. I think it's a redhead thing. Wasn't there a study showing that redheads have a higher threshold for medicine? I know it's not because she is a wimp with pain. I sat there and watched the doctor stick a needle straight into her knee for a cortisone shot and she didn't as much as wince.

The use of Tramadol and Effexor at the same time are contraindicated. Used at the same time it increases the risk for serotonin syndrome.

Thanks for that article. I'll have to read up on that. I wonder if it applies to her since she is taking the Effexor purely for pain relief and not for depression? I asked her about why she's on the Venlafexine and she said that all of her doctor's have agreed that a small dose of that daily would be beneficial for pain relief.

I'm not a big fan of it for bad pain. When I see it ordered for people who are in a lot of pain, I feel bad (hopeful, but bad) for them. If I go in to push morphine, I tell them they'll feel better soon. If I go in with Ultram, I tell them this is for their pain.

But I swear that some doctors are in love with that stuff. They often try it before better, more effective pain meds.

So far as addiction, I'd be much more worried about having to get off of morphine. But I'm not a doctor nor have I taken it long-term

I guess he's just hoping that it will work well with the rest of the meds and have some effect. For a short time they were having her take an occasional Vicodin with the Morphine to help during really bad times but didn't want to continue with that.

I'm wondering if this is just a last ditch attempt to find something to help before he goes higher up with the narcotics? She's been seeing him since she was diagnosed in May of 2000 and never tried this med before. She said he did seem a bit "doubtful" about it when he gave her the prescription. Like "well, lets give it a try".

I don't know what will ever happen about her coming off of the morphine. They have already told her she's not going to get better and will only get worse. I guess she will never be without some form of narcotic pain killer.

Thanks for all of the input. The DIS is a great place to get a wide cross section of experiences for just about everything, isn't it?

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Please send Lauri our best wishes. She's a groovy lady!

 

[rie'smom]

I can't offer any information on Tramadol but I wanted to say how sorry I am that Lauri is in pain.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Yeah, we know the morphine is addicting, she just doesn't want to add another drug that she feels dependant on. When you take 28 pills a day I guess you kind of like to know that if you had to stop them tomorrow, you could without much work, you know?

I do. Please tell her to cross that bridge when she gets to it. I'm sure she'd only be too happy to be out of pain and just have to deal with withdrawl. If/when that happens, there are professionals who are willing and able to help kick the addiction that has set it, and drugs to help her through it. Until then, TAKE THE PILLS and get yourself into as little pain as possible. Worry about getting off of them when the pain goes away.

I think the reason he put her on the MS vs the Vicodin was she was getting horribly sick if she was even 30 minutes late for a dose of the Vicodin. If you have ever seen that episode of "House" where he went off the Vicodin - he portrayed that to perfection. The Morphine, while her pain gets really bad if she's late for her next dose, doesn't cause her to have that withdrawl type panic. Maybe if she was a lot later taking the dose.. I don't know. But it's not going to send her into a cold sweat and shakes if she is an hour late getting home from work.

Half of that panic is reasonable. If you don't get your pill, you WILL have pain. Half of it is that addiction-panic. So, carry a little bitty pill box with you. Most people in chronic pain who are also addicted (out of necessity) do that. If you can't find one, PM me an address you're comfortable with and I'll send you one. I've got about a dozen laying in a drawer.

Lauri is also very limited to the types of pain killers she can take due to a blood disorder she has - Von Willebrands (I probably spelled that wrong) They need to keep her off of anything that thins your blood too much like ibuprophen and aspirin or her blood won't clot. As it is now, if she cuts herself it takes forever for her to stop bleeding.

It's von Willebrand's aka angiohemophilia. But I guess for Lauri it is spelled p-a-i-n.

I get the feeling Lauri will be in the "doesn't work well" camp. A lot of meds that should work for her, don't. What were those meds that were recalled a few years ago that were for arthritis? My mind is drawing a blank. Taking those were like taking sugar pills for her. Prednisone doesn't touch her. Even with the Morphine, she's still in a lot of pain - to the point where she can't walk at times. I think it's a redhead thing. Wasn't there a study showing that redheads have a higher threshold for medicine? I know it's not because she is a wimp with pain. I sat there and watched the doctor stick a needle straight into her knee for a cortisone shot and she didn't as much as wince.

Is she Irish? Because God forbid we ever admit pain. I asked dad where he was going and he said he thought he'd go for a drive. Where to, I asked. Oh, up to Mayfield he figured.

Dad goes to Mayfield for two things, so I asked if he was going to the Best Buy - Nah, don't think so, says dad. When I asked if he was going to the hospital he said Uh, he might. Are you having a heart attack? Could be, says dad. He was. Flippin Irish.

Back to Lauri. When doctors can't fix what is wrong and exhaust most possibilities, they start playing around with pain meds. They have the patient go through all kinds of combinations until they find something that helps. So tell Lauri to be honest about what helps and what doesn't. Sometimes, after a while, it has to be changed. Sometimes not.

I really, really hope they find something that helps her. Let her know we're all thinking of her.