how much Tramadol is ok?

[Dukie31]

I am rx tramadol and for some reason my dr gave me an insane amount.  I do have too much pain to not take it and it seems to be helping a ton.  BUT, I take a 300mg ER tablet in the am and then 100mg 2x a day as needed, so it winds up being around 500mg a day
is that ok?  still safe?  no history or problems with seizures here, just bad IC and Endo.
thanks!

[littlebit667]

tramadol is addictive and others have found it harder to get off of than other opiates as it has an antidepressant in it as well.  The only way to really get off is to do a very gradual taper.  I would talk with your doctor.  A lot of docs believe the drug reps when they say it is non addictive and they would be wrong.  There are many here that have dealt with tram and will be able to help you.  There is nothing wrong with taking meds for pain.  The problem is that for chronic pain any opiate or opiate derivative can cause anyone to be dependent or addicted to it at some point.  

[Dukie31]

I have IC, endometrosis and adenomysis- so essentially a ton of pelvic pain that doesnt go away.  without pain meds i cant get out of bed...
I do follow a strict gluten free diet, eat Zone (to help inflammation) eat IC friendly, take aloe and fish oil daily.  I also take Quertcin which is supposed to help as well.
I just dont want to take vicodin or percocet again; stopping them was terrible and I dont want to go through it again, but I have to have relief!
would you think its better to keep my tram dose higher, or switch to a different narcotic drug?

[FourJays]

Please be very careful with this medication!  It was originally prescribed to me for legit pain.  I took it for a very long time; eventually at higher than prescribed amounts and suffered 4 seizures due to overdoses several years ago.  I am extremely lucky to be alive today.  

This medication builds tolerance very quickly and will require more and more to get the same effect.  It is my understanding (per my doctor) that the maximum recommended safe dose is 400 mg. per day.  If at all possible you may want to discuss an alternative med with your doctor(?).  In any case, PLEASE proceed with caution.

[atthebeach]

Tramadol is a synthetic opiate. It is very addictive. It also has a anti depressant component in it. Is that the prescribed amount you are taking?
What is it prescribed for? Have you tried alternate pain management besides pills?

[Dukie31]

no, i used to be on hydro for a year or so, and was up to 120mg a day.  so i tapered that in December and have been taking tramadol for the last month.  i dont want to go back on narcotics and taking that much is the only way i get relief but if its bad for me and i need to change it I want to.  i already have health problems and dont want to add to it by taking the wrong amounts of meds!

[atthebeach]

Did you just start to take it or have you been on it awhile?
Yes 500 mgs is a very high dose. Yes seizures can happen from high doses of tramadol. Is this the only pain med you have ever been on?