Is it safe to take 150mg of Tramadol?

[unhappyliver]

Is it safe to take 150 mg of Tramadol a day for pain?

I've been prescribed 50mg (take 1-2 pills every 6 hours) a day of Tramadol. It isn't working for my pain. I don't have another appointment with my physical medicine doctor for another week.

Is it safe to take 3 pills (150mg) when my pain is really bad? I have really bad pulled muscle. It's okay early morning but as I move around it gets worse. If I sit up at the computer, walk to the store, pick anything up.... it gets so bad that it hurts to move. I can't lay on my back, sit down, etc. I can only lay on my right side.

I've been tested for everything possible with 12 dr appointments and ER visits, specialists, etc. And it's confirmed that I have pulled muscles. I start physical therapy next week.

I just got back from the gastroenterologist (confirmed it was pulled muscle and not gastritis like I was misdiagnosed recently) and she said Tramadol doesn't work well for pain like I'm having. But she didn't prescribe anything else. When I take two pills, it doesn't do anything for the pain. It just makes me feel spacey and have the side effect of itching all over.

I was prescribed Naproxen weeks ago but it didn't help either. Stopped taking because was told it caused gastritis, but now found out it didn't. I'd prefer not taking anything like Naproxen because I do have mild fatty liver disease. I was told medication like Tramadol is better for my liver and stomach.

So.. is it okay to take 150mg a day of Tramadol for my pain? and is there a better pain medication for pulled muscles?

(pulled muscle in lower right abdomen - groin to abdomen around hip to lower back. And second pulled muscle from under right rib around to mid back. Also, told muscle spasm in my mid back)

Other medications I'm taking: lamictal 200mg, birth control, xanax (as needed, not every day)

[trixy71]

Don't feel bad for applying for assistance, that's what its there for, to help when things are tough. It definitely sounds like you need a muscle relaxer, I would specifically ask for one if your doctor doesn't bring it up. There are many different kinds that may help you. Most doctors usually don't mind prescribing these so definitely ask. There is Baclofen, flexeril, skelaxin and a few others. When is your next appointment? Let us know how it goes OK.

[unhappyliver]

I had to apply for cash assistance and food assistance (for the first time in my life!) because I now have 12 dollars in my bank account. I can't work like this. I've been in bed for weeks. When I have to do laundry or leave the apartment, the pain gets worse, to the point I can only take small steps and hurts to sit up and lay on my back when I get home. I have to lay on my right side. One day I was walking to the store, I made it two blocks and had the sharpest pain in my mid back where I had to stop on the side walk. I couldn't take a step forward or backward. I had pain medication in my purse, took that and called a cab to take me back home the two blocks. When I wake up in the morning, it aches but just gets worse as I move around. By evening, I'll start crying and it's hard to do anything but lay on my side. That's why I went to the ER a couple times. I thought it was my gallbladder, my liver, or.. i dont know.. never felt bad pain like this. Worst pain than when I broke my ankle years ago. Will have to do the injections because I can't lay on my back for an hour while they do phys therapy on my stomach. And can't lay on my stomach while they do phys therapy on my back. I wanted to avoid injections but my doctors said it is okay and would'n't have side effects. So, I'm going for it. Anything to make me feel better and so I can start working again. I don't even know if I'll get enough money to pay my rent or food with the cash assistance. Hopefully I'm approved. Just need it until I can start working again.

[MaggiePringlemeir]

Your post sounded so familiar.  At 74 (75 in July), I have lived with chronic pain like yours for over 50 years.  yes, it's miserable, but I'm  a stubborn Celtic woman and I simply refuse to give in and not LIVE my life.  Please accept my sincere best wishes for your future -- I know how isolated pain like this makes you feel.  and yes, your mental attitude makes a huge  difference, and keeping your spirits up is darn hard work.  I have taken  Tramadol since it was introduced.  My primary prescribed it as 2 tablets every 4 hours, total 12 tablets 50mg each) per day, which is what my Aetna insurance provides.  100 mg just doesn't help for me, so with her approval I bumped up to 150 mg, but that allowed me to get down to pain level 5 AND that lasted for 6 to 7 hours, which I consider a miracle.  So doing this allowed me to stay at 12 tablets a day and function.  One other comment -- get used to the concept that sometimes pain can be your friend.  Pain tells you that you are doing something that can cause more injury.  It's one of your own body's defense mechanisms.  For me, after all these years, using biofeedback techniques and learning how to rise above the pain has taught me how to deal with lower pain levels.  I don't take ANYTHING for pain until it gets to level 6 - 7 - 8 - or Heavens help me all the way up to a 9.  Yes, I have developed a high pain threshold and being determined to keep moving helps.  sometimes you need to choose which battles to fight ; remember mental attitude is critical.  Sneaking up on 75, I am looking forward to the NEXT 30 - 35 years and I plan to enjoy each and every one of them.  I want to be able to take my Service Dog out walkies and do major reconstruction in my front yard's flowerbeds and my back yard has massive bushes that need to be chopped back.  I may need to do it one hour at a time so it may well take several weeks, but it will get done.  I wish for you a stressfree and pain controlled 2023.  Best wishes to you and your for many blessings.  Warm and gentle hugs from Maggie & Hinney - who says "Woof"!

[unhappyliver]

I've tried cold and hot pads, pain relief gels, tylenol, naproxen, the tramadol they prescribed and none of it works. Three pills helps some though. I read online that you can take up to 300 mg in a day. I just want to be careful with my medication and don't want to have a nasty withdrawal when my pulled muscles are better and go off it. I already had a ultrasound, CT, and MRI done. 12 doctor appointments, 2 ER visits in the past 4 weeks and was misdiagnosed many times. Finally got some answers and that I have pulled muscles and muscle spasms. Hopefully my physical medicine doctor can prescribe me something else, like a muscle relaxer instead of tramadol. I have the itching side effect from this medication. It's really annoying, but no other serious side effects. It does give me insomnia at night. I feel like I drank two cups of coffee! I know doctors are reluctant to give out strong pain meds, but when I have trouble walking and sitting down in the doctors office and my blood pressure is sky rocket high because i'm in pain, you'd think they'd prescribe a decent pain medication. I dont even like taking pain pills, but I need something! Hopefully the injections I get next week will help a lot.

[MaggiePringlemeir]

I was originally injured in an auto accident when I was 22.  The doctor who treated was a highly recommended neurologist.  When he released me from the hospital, he sat down and gave me some advice.  Now I am sneaking up on 75, so I have dealt with chronic pain or (gulp) well over 50 years.  He warned me that at some point along the road, some doctor was going to want to give me injections in my spine and/or joints.  He told me bluntly ""DON'T LET THEM."  50 plus years later, I recognize the wisdom of his counsel.  I have met numerous people who have become totally bedridden, unable to even walk to the toilet, because of those shots.  Please, before you allow those shots, explore any and every other treatment option.  Maybe you need to see a rheumatologist or an orthopedist.  I believe checking out any and all options first.  Please know that I truly wish you a 2023 filled with joy and being pain free.  Best wishes for many blessings, Maggie & Hinney the Service Dog says "Woof"!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Well, as a general rule, it is never safe to take more than the prescribed medication. So, take only the prescribed amount. If there is no pain relief and you cannot get an earlier appointment then try heating pads, local pain relief creams or gels which also have a muscle relaxant. You could also go to a chiropractor or physiotherapist and learn some exercises to help reduce the pain. Also, a MRI of the spine and possibility of kidney and gall stones should also be looked into. Hope this helps. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.