Tramadol

[Jb2112]

Hi


I'm new here so pl bear with me.....
I've been suffering from chronic neck and back pain for the past 4 years and have had lots of nerve blocks, denervations and botox injections done - nothing has really helped. I've been given Tramadol ER 200mg x twice a day by my Dr and they seem to be working but are making me feel weird/really tired/tinnitus/tearful. Should I keep taking them And how long shall I give them before I know if they are really for me?

Thank you all very much.
John

[marycarmel]

Really, it's not safe to suggest to someone to play with their medications and dosages.  You're not qualified, and even if you were an M.D., you don't know this particular person's medical history.

[Eveningsun]

I take Tramadol for my severe neurological pain.  Your doctor prescibed 200mg 2x a day?  WOW!  if I was you you can play with the dosages (unless in gel packets).  My Humana would not pay for the 200mg tramadol, but I can get 50mg out the kazu, so then I would have to take 4 a day. 2 in the morning and 2 at anight 12hour intervals.  Beccause they will make you all tired and sleepy.

Debbie

[marycarmel]

There's a long list of medications that treat different types of pain.  Some types of pain are treated with things like Cymbalta, which some get good relief from.  Then there's drugs like Neurontin and Lyrica, which are often used for fibro pain and nerve pain.  Neurontin was originally an anti-seizure drug.  There's a long list of narcotics ranging from Tylenol w/codeine to Vicodin, Percocet, oxyodone, morphine, Dilaudid, Fentanyl patches and methadone and more.  Those drugs are often used in long and/or short-acting form.  I was put on Clonidine years ago, which is an old blood pressure med.  There are thoughts it can help nerve pain and also withdrawal.  It hasn't helped my nerve pain, I don't think, but I stay on it as my blood pressure can run high and pain makes it go higher.

There are also prescription gels/creams.  Some are compounded specifically for your type of pain.  Others, like Voltaren gel, is like a regular prescription.  There are lidoderm patches that can be applied (also prescription.)

And many people underestimate the use of things like Tylenol, ibuprofen, or naproxen.  These OTC medications can often make the other drugs last longer or work better.

Then there are all kinds of treatments ranging from cortisone shots, epidural injections, stellate ganglion blocks, and more.  Of course, there's also PT and OT.  Botox is often used to treat migraines, and is now being used in treating things like post-shingles pain and more.

And for most people, pain management will not eliminate your pain, just help control it.  In the past 5.5 years I have tried countless procedures and most drugs, including most narcotics.  I was on a tremendous amount of medication and it just couldn't control my pain.  I am presently only using oxycodone on an "as needed" basis and using a range of other things and I'm not much worse off than I was on heavy doses.

My tolerance was going up and I didn't like the idea of someday having some other condition and not being able to control the pain.

Personally, I think everyone needs to really research whatever drug or treatment your doctor suggests.  I had a huge fear of narcotics and addiction because there's a family history, though primarily in the men.  I was told to not worry about that.  I was also told they'd never let me go into withdrawal and I believed them, but the first time I went into withdrawal was due to not receiving my script in the mail.  I didn't have a clue it was withdrawal until later.  I've also gone into withdrawal from the stomach bug/food poisoning when I couldn't keep my medications down (twice.) I wound up in the ER once and hospitalized once.

Everyone's pain is different and we all react differently to different meds/treatments.  Gaining knowledge about your condition and the meds and treatments used for it and working with your doctor is the best way to find how to manage your pain.

[gungalmama]

Like what kind? I am curious!
Thanks

[marycarmel]

Definitely call the doctor.  Unfortunately, there are side effects with every medication.  Personally, I am not a fan of Tramadol as it can be very difficult to come off and I think there are much better both long-acting and shorting-acting meds that can be used.

[GalvestonSheri]

Talk to your Dr. about it & ask him about trying Gabapentin, it worked wonders for me. Good luck hon.