Guest guest Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 : I take Tramadol, two tablets, 3 times a day with Skelaxin which is a muscle relaxant. I was taking Tramadol, as needed, up to one tablet 3-4 times a day, for my RA, for about three years before being dx with Fibro 2 years ago, and since then the Tramadol has been increased. Now, instead of taking it only when I had increased pain with RA, I take it on a regular basis to control pain from Fibro and RA both. If I miss a dose, I have increased pain. I have pain daily, all day, every day, and the Tramadol has really helped me. I hope to not have to move on to anything stronger, unless the Tramadol stops working, which I hope it dosen't. I don't personally think that we, as chronic pain patients, have the same type of problem with addiction to these pain meds, not like an addict does to their drugs of choice, because we really need these for pain that we experience on a daily basis. The pain is real, we are not just trying to get high, etc. The Tramadol does not take away the pain totally, but does take the edge off so that I can cope with it. I need them for pain, I don't consider myself a drug addict or abusing drugs in any way, this is something that enables me to continue with my life on as a positive basis as possible. Without the pain meds, my life would certainly be compromised badly. Kathe in CA --- Randall <krandall@...> wrote: > While we're on the subject of pain meds, I have a > prescription for > Tramadol for pain. I try to take it only when I > really need it, but > I have to say, that's pretty often. Not every day, > but several > times a week, especially at night. > > I was given a prescription for Percocet by my > primary care, before > my dx of RA, and I still have uite a few of those > left, but I have > rarely taken them, as Percocet gives me headaches. > > I think I have read that Tramodol is not an opiate, > is that > correct? But I also think I've read that it CAN be > addictive (or > lead to dependence) anyway. I guess I don't know > how careful I need > to be with it. > > With both the Tramadol and the Percocet, they only > help if the pain > isn't REALLY bad. Before I was dx'd, and then put > on prednisone, > the pain was so bad that two percocet didn't even > make a > difference. Now I'm on Mtx and Diclofenac, and > weaning down off the > prednisone. Now that the prednisone is decreased, I > have more pain > bad enough that I need the pain meds, but at least > they usually > work. I'm crossing my fingers that the Mtx will > start working well > enough that I don't need the pain meds very often if > at all, but I > figure I should at least learn as much about them as > I can. > > > > > > > > Carol, you have every right to be cranky. You have > been suffering > for a very > > long time. > > > > From your story, it sounds as if your physician > doesn't want you > on opioids > > anymore, but he doesn't have a really good reason > for deciding > that you > > discontinue them. > > > > He wants you to stop because ... ? Is he worried > about " addiction " ? Is he at > > all concerned that you could become " addicted " to > Cymbalta and/or > Effexor? > > Did he ever worry that you might become " addicted " > to prednisone? > Probably > > not, but why not then? > > > > You didn't say how well Lortab is working for you, > but, if it is, > why stop? > > What your physician said about stopping them now > so that they will > work if > > you need them in the future is ridiculous. > > > > When the pain increases, it's often because the > pain has increased > (imagine > > that!), not because you have become tolerant to > the narcotic. > > > > Someone should consider giving you a > sustained-release formulation > of an > > analgesic so that your sleep won't be disturbed > and so you will > have less > > severe ups and downs in the pain cycle. If you had > to wake up and > take the > > Lortab so you could continue sleeping without > pain, that's no > good. Also, > > you might not need all of that acetaminophen. > > > > If your internist wants you to take 2400 mg of > ibuprofen a day > instead, did > > he give you something to prevent a GI bleed, too? > > > > Don't get me wrong. Narcotics aren't the only > solution for chronic > pain, but > > they can be a very good solution under certain > circumstances. A > pain > > management specialist can assess your complicated > situation and > give you > > reasonable, safe, effective options. > > > > Since your physician gave you his phone number, > please use it. > Call or page > > him when - and each and every time - you wake in > the middle of the > night > > because of the pain. > > > > Sorry about the sick pair you are tending to. I > wish someone would > be taking > > care of you. > > > > > > > > Not an MD > > > > I'll tell you where to go! > > > > Mayo Clinic in Rochester > > http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester > > > > s Hopkins Medicine > > http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org > > > > > > Re: [ ] Help-I need support > > > > > > > Dear , > > > I was really cranky last night. My Dr. did give > me an Rx for > Lortabs to > > > help wean me off the Lortabs. I was taking 4 or > 5 per day as > per the > > > instructions on the bottle - every 4 hours - > because I would > wake up at > > > night and take > > > them also. I knew I was getting to that point, > but it is > frustrating to > > > deal > > > with this too. Because the pain was getting > worse - which he > says is > > > because > > > my body was getting used to them My Dr. said he > would work with > me and > > > that > > > I can talk to him at any time. He is an > Internist as well as > clinical > > > professor at UC . I just feel like I did > what he said and > now I am > > > the one > > > who gets to deal with this. So wish me luck as > I go thru this > change. I > > > will > > > contact my Rheumy at Stanford to see what I can > do. Just > please keep me > > > in > > > your prayers. I took the Cymbalta this AM and > seemed to do ok, > but I > > > have > > > both husband and grandson home sick today so I > am running from > one > > > bedroom to > > > the other - one has cold other stomach flu! > yuck. > > > Thank you. > > > Gentle Hugs & prayers, > > > Carol m. in CA > > > > > > > > > > Kathe " To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. " __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Hi Kathe, Thanks for the input. I'm not concerned about becoming addicted at the level I'm taking the Tramadol at this point. And as others have pointed out, physical dependency, and addiction aren't the same thing anyway. If I had to take it all the time to maintain a reasonable quality of life, I would. I haven't been pain free since starting on this RA journey, but the Tramadol does help a lot, and at least keeps it at a level that I can sleep most nights. But I also don't want to take it round the clock at this point, because I WANT the feedback of the pain to tell me whether the Mtx is starting to work or not. > > > > > > Carol, you have every right to be cranky. You have > > been suffering > > for a very > > > long time. > > > > > > From your story, it sounds as if your physician > > doesn't want you > > on opioids > > > anymore, but he doesn't have a really good reason > > for deciding > > that you > > > discontinue them. > > > > > > He wants you to stop because ... ? Is he worried > > about " addiction " ? Is he at > > > all concerned that you could become " addicted " to > > Cymbalta and/or > > Effexor? > > > Did he ever worry that you might become " addicted " > > to prednisone? > > Probably > > > not, but why not then? > > > > > > You didn't say how well Lortab is working for you, > > but, if it is, > > why stop? > > > What your physician said about stopping them now > > so that they will > > work if > > > you need them in the future is ridiculous. > > > > > > When the pain increases, it's often because the > > pain has increased > > (imagine > > > that!), not because you have become tolerant to > > the narcotic. > > > > > > Someone should consider giving you a > > sustained-release formulation > > of an > > > analgesic so that your sleep won't be disturbed > > and so you will > > have less > > > severe ups and downs in the pain cycle. If you had > > to wake up and > > take the > > > Lortab so you could continue sleeping without > > pain, that's no > > good. Also, > > > you might not need all of that acetaminophen. > > > > > > If your internist wants you to take 2400 mg of > > ibuprofen a day > > instead, did > > > he give you something to prevent a GI bleed, too? > > > > > > Don't get me wrong. Narcotics aren't the only > > solution for chronic > > pain, but > > > they can be a very good solution under certain > > circumstances. A > > pain > > > management specialist can assess your complicated > > situation and > > give you > > > reasonable, safe, effective options. > > > > > > Since your physician gave you his phone number, > > please use it. > > Call or page > > > him when - and each and every time - you wake in > > the middle of the > > night > > > because of the pain. > > > > > > Sorry about the sick pair you are tending to. I > > wish someone would > > be taking > > > care of you. > > > > > > > > > > > > Not an MD > > > > > > I'll tell you where to go! > > > > > > Mayo Clinic in Rochester > > > http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester > > > > > > s Hopkins Medicine > > > http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org > > > > > > > > > Re: [ ] Help-I need support > > > > > > > > > > Dear , > > > > I was really cranky last night. My Dr. did give > > me an Rx for > > Lortabs to > > > > help wean me off the Lortabs. I was taking 4 or > > 5 per day as > > per the > > > > instructions on the bottle - every 4 hours - > > because I would > > wake up at > > > > night and take > > > > them also. I knew I was getting to that point, > > but it is > > frustrating to > > > > deal > > > > with this too. Because the pain was getting > > worse - which he > > says is > > > > because > > > > my body was getting used to them My Dr. said he > > would work with > > me and > > > > that > > > > I can talk to him at any time. He is an > > Internist as well as > > clinical > > > > professor at UC . I just feel like I did > > what he said and > > now I am > > > > the one > > > > who gets to deal with this. So wish me luck as > > I go thru this > > change. I > > > > will > > > > contact my Rheumy at Stanford to see what I can > > do. Just > > please keep me > > > > in > > > > your prayers. I took the Cymbalta this AM and > > seemed to do ok, > > but I > > > > have > > > > both husband and grandson home sick today so I > > am running from > > one > > > > bedroom to > > > > the other - one has cold other stomach flu! > > yuck. > > > > Thank you. > > > > Gentle Hugs & prayers, > > > > Carol m. in CA > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Kathe > > " To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. " > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Hi Deb: No, Tramadol (I take Ultram ER) does not make me feel anywhere near " wired " . It takes the edge off the pain and allows me to do what I need to in order to take care of things. I have never had any sort of " wired " or " high " feeling with pain medications, and use them with respect, and do not abuse them. Take care - Kathe --- debnlen_75 <debnlen@...> wrote: > What a great post! > It took me nearly a year to learn the formula > > activity REST activity REST activity REST activity > REST activity REST > > I kept trying to push on as pre-RA...but figured it > out eventually. > > Each morning I now have a choice > > a) Lay in bed with pain > or > get up & go to work with pain > > I have come to like B!! > > My son's fiancee (aged 24) has Crohn's, Lupus and > now a recurrence > of cancer in the cervix & bladder.She is an example > of courage and > kindness to all. More worried about my RA than > herself. > > I feel that I will cope, no matter what comes! > > BTW - off the topic - does anyone else feel " wired " > when they have > Tramadol? > > Deb in Aust. > > > > > > Only those who live the life understand the > emotional devastation. > > The impact of the moment when it really sinks in > this is for EVER. > > There is no cure. > > That this is your life, period. > > It won't get " better. " > > What you have to look forward to is only more pain > and > destruction. > > This is the aspect of the disease that leads to > > depression and feelings of isolation and > hopelessness. > > > > It's okay to feel your anger. > > But you need to let go of it as quickly as > possible. > > Anger is a negative stressor and your body and > spirit do not need > it. > > > > Look, I've had this disease most of my life and > I'm a 26 year old - > > > twice....(for my mathmatically disabled > counter-parts that means > I'm 52) > > > > Yes, some people aren't going to get it. Period. > > Ya just can't change people. > > But you can change your reactions/response. > > > > You can go one of two ways. Be sweet and > sympathetic and kill 'em > > with kindness. Respond that you are so sorry they > don't get it, > they > > don't understand. > > > > Smile and be pleasant then go passive agressive. > Head on into the > > kitchen and start " doing " something. Dropping > everything in > sight. > > Aunt Melba's antique depression glass relish dish, > the offending- > > refuses-to-get-it-person's fav glass/ > knicknack.... " OOOPPPS, I'm > so > > sorry. I'm trying to do something but my poor ol > hands just don't > want > > to cooperate today. " Sometimes it takes down > right nasty guerilla > > warfare to get through to the thicker > numbskulls..... > > > > For those who get nasty and impatient with you > just ask them if > they > > would be treating you this way if it were cancer? > You can't see > most > > cancers either, but RA is just as devastating in > many respects. > > > > Don't be a victim. Don't be afraid to fight back. > You do not > need to > > make excuses to anyone. Ever. Period. You are > not a lesser > person. > > You are not less desireable, not less important, > not less > intelligent. > > > > You simply have a physical limitation that is > quite painful from > time > > to time. Have the offending numbskull go to > Google Images and > look up > > RA. Pretty scary. > > > > But DO NOT hang onto that anger. It is bad for > you and the > disease. > > > > If you are in pain ask for pain meds. > > > > I had one physician who advised me that there is > no need to suffer. > > And yes, your body can become dependant upon them, > > > but that is not to be looked at as a negative. > > It is just another medicine/weapon > > that you need to fight this disease just like the > flexeril, MTX, > > Enbrel, prednisone....they are just medicines. > Not the boogy man. > > > > If you can't sleep, ask for a sleep aid. > > > > Yes, I know this looks like a lot of medication, > but right now you > need > > this to get through this phase of the disease. > Don't fight it. > Look > > at them as aides and remedies and medicines that > help you in your > daily > > battle. > > > > If your depression doesn't lift after a couple > weeks, ask your > > physician for an antidepressant. > > > > Believe me, after having this disease for 43 years > I can tell you > from > > experience, I'd give up the arthritis meds way > before I would the > > antidepressants...... > > > > Now, about " Get up and do something. " > > > > I'm afraid I will have to agree with the > numbskulls there. > > I've had this disease long enough to know that the > more you move > the > > better you will feel. > > > > There is a very simple formula to living with RA. > > > > activity REST activity REST activity REST activity > REST activity > REST > > > > Just as you must respect your body's need for > rest, you must > respect > > its need for activity. > > > > Yes, it hurts. > > > > But it's going to hurt no matter what you do. > > > > Wouldn't you rather be doing something you enjoy > through the pain, > > rather than lying around feeling > sorry/bad/angry/alone/depressed > > along with being in pain? > > > > I guess what I'm trying to say here is you have a > choice. > > > > Let the pain live your life > > or you can live your life past the pain. > > > > Start slowly, but be consistent and disciplined. > > > > Walk down the block and back. Every day for a > week. > > Then try for around the block. Then two, then > three. A walk is > so > > relaxing and restorative. Take your fav music > with you. Enjoy > the > > morning/afternoon sunshine. Or the evening > decorated with your > > neighbor's Christmas lights. Rest but keep > moving. > > > > You must learn to live through and past the pain. > > It's gonna hurt anyway, so you might as well live > it up. > > > > Take care > > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ __________ Sponsored Link Talk more and pay less. Vonage can save you up to $300 a year on your phone bill. Sign up now. http://www.vonage.com/startsavingnow/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 Isee lots of drugs here but no one mentioned Tramadol, it's not as strong as the others but it's not so addictive either, I dont take pain meds daily so the Tramadol helps me on the days I need some help and its cheaper than most. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 Jim, I too am on Tramadol and have had excellent results with it. I have CMT 1A. Angel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 I HAVE BEEN ON MANY NARCOTIC PAIN RELIEVERS OVERTHE YRS HOWEVER WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE AMOUNT OF RELIEF FROM CMT PAIN OR THE SIDE EFFECTS, SO I WENT OFE VERYTHING, AFTER A SEVERE ABCESS MY DR PUT ME ON TRAMADOL WHEN I LEFT THE HOSPITAL AND I WAS AMAZED AT HOW WELL IT DID ON MY CMT PAIN, SO MY DR AND I AGREED TO MAKE IT A PART OF MY DAILY REGIME, AND I HAVENT LOOKED BACK. I FOUND WIT OTHER PAIN MEDS THEY MADE MY HEAD FEEL LOOPY SO TO SPEAK, I HAVE HAD ZERO SIDE EFFECTS WITH TRAMADOL, I THINK WE ALL HAVE DAILY CHALLENGES WITH THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NERVE DAMAGE BUT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE GOES A LONG WAY SO DOES TALKING WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH. WE ALL HAVE DOWN DAYS I KNOW I DO WHEN IM JUST SICK OF BEING SICK SICK OF MEDS BUT I DONT LET IT LINGER, LIFE IS TO SHORT SO LAUGH EVERYDAY AND CHERISH THE LITTLE EVERY DAY MOMENTS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 Yes Jim I take Tramadol too and it works great I take 2 at bedtime and 2 as needed during the day for pain, which is not to often. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 Hi Jim.............I also have a script for Tramacet (Tramadol & 325mg. of an analgesic), and I only use it as required when the pain gets really bad. I believe my family doctor said it is not addictive. I cannot use any meds with Codeine (most opiods like Tylenol 3 or Oxycotone). Tramacet works great with no side effects for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 My vet recommended that for my dog, too. And you can get it at Walmart for under $10.00! Karon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Hi Jan..this is a (in icy Canton OH)...It's like a skating rink outside my door. I was given tramadol..(Ultram) by my pcp when they banned Darvocet. I wanted just something to take till I saw my rheumy and could speak with him. Ultram did nothing for me. I'm having a brain fog about the dose though. I never have any problems taking it at all...no side effects. My r/f factor (when I was approved for ss) was 492 and the main reason I was able to get my ss approved. I talked with my rheumy and am now on hydrocodone 5 /500. It helps with pain so much better. a In a message dated 2/2/2011 2:46:20 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jmas@... writes: Hi all, Do any of you take Tramadol for pain? My primary care doc gave me a prescription for it but I haven't tried it yet. I get good pain relief for a day from two Aleve (naproxen) tablets, but he doesn't think it's safe to continue taking naproxen long-term. He referred me to a rheumatologist but I wasn't able to get an appointment for weeks yet. My RF blood test was 670! (normal <20). Jan, in snowy Ohio ------------------------------------ This is a private list. Should you wish to forward any mail to nonsubscribers, you must first obtain the writer's permission. We are NOT physicians. Information on this list is not to be construed as medical advice, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy and currency of the information provided. For archives or to change subscription options: ! Groups Links Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Hi Jan, Try and stay warm if you can until this storm passes. I would not take Naproxen on a daily basis for a long time. It can lead to Kidney Failure. And once the damage is done it does not reverse itself in the kidneys. The last thing any of us need is to be on dialysis for the rest of our lives. Just my opinion which was formed by my doctors advise and the experience of my uncle with arthritis and his constant use of Aleve and now so close to dialysis. Terri In Sunny Southern California and glad for that at the moment. From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Jan Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 7:22 AM Subject: [ ] Tramadol Hi all, Do any of you take Tramadol for pain? My primary care doc gave me a prescription for it but I haven't tried it yet. I get good pain relief for a day from two Aleve (naproxen) tablets, but he doesn't think it's safe to continue taking naproxen long-term. He referred me to a rheumatologist but I wasn't able to get an appointment for weeks yet. My RF blood test was 670! (normal <20). Jan, in snowy Ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Jan, I was in severe pain one day. My foot gave out on me one day on my way to work, and I almost crashed into our building. I was in such pain from my RA that day, I went to the ER. They gave me a shot of delodid (?), and that was all they could do. They also wrote me a prescription for Ultram. Honestly. I hate it. Vicodin was so much better for me. The Ultram only lasted 4 hours, but it took a whole hour for it to kick in. The Vicodin lasted 6, and kicked in in 30 minutes. - PA > > Hi all, > > Do any of you take Tramadol for pain? My primary care doc gave me a prescription for it but I haven't tried it yet. I get good pain relief for a day from two Aleve (naproxen) tablets, but he doesn't think it's safe to continue taking naproxen long-term. > > He referred me to a rheumatologist but I wasn't able to get an appointment for weeks yet. My RF blood test was 670! (normal <20). > > Jan, in snowy Ohio > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 HI Jan.  My Rheumy gave me a RX for Tramadol, and it did nothing for me at all. I have great success with Oxycodone. It begins to work within 30 minutes.  My feet were struck the worst with RA. I just had a nerve test of my feet and ankles and was diagnosed with Neuropathy. I will tell you that both feet hurt so badly I can hardly bear the pain. My Rheumy has just started me on Lyrica, and today finally, I had no foot pains at all. The Neuropathy pain went from both feet to the calf of my legs. I used my cane to walk as I was so afraid of falling. My feet do me in. I have said many times that the pain is so hard to take, I would like to chop them off.  I hope you find the right pain meds. that will help you. I know how awful these feet are with all that pain.  I know you must rest as much as you can and get those feet up. I also bought a foot bath for my feet. It makes them feel better. I always add Epsom salts to the water, and as hot as water as I can stand. The water bubbling feels good and is soothing also.  Take care and I wish you better, pain free days ahead.  Hugs,  Barbara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.