tramadol or vicodent?

[Mickey50]

I switched on my own from vicodent to tramadol. Which drug is safer to use?
Have heard I should have stayed on vicodent, but I thought I was doing a good
thing my going back to tramadol. I have been on pain management for a year
now, I see my doctor in another 2 weeks. Which drug is safer to stay on?

[Dylan465]

Thanks Molly. That is exactly what I do--brave the pain. And thanks Sandee I know stress makes it worse. I have a husband who has been sick, and of course thought the worse because he would say so plus I lost a husband in '96, and was afraid of losing another one---so yeah, I was stressed.

I will do my best. I know there is a strong body and mind connection. I thank both of you for your answers and the comfort you gave.

Have a lovely day.

[sandee1818]

You have gotten alot of great answers here. If you have inflammation though you need an anti inflammatory such as ibuprofen. Unfortunately tylenol is not really an anti inflammatory.
The tylenol content in the ultracet is alot if your taking these on a regular basis for an extended period and the ultam would be a better choice since it has no tylenol in it.
If the tramodol ( ultram) works for you then stick with that and remember that stress adds to your pain levels immensely so try and relax and keep your stress levels at bay as much as possible.
We can sit and worry all day long that we could have cancer or some other terrible disease but that only makes you feel worse and adds to your pain and is just unhealthy.
Have you considered talking to a pain psychologist? I believe it would greatly benefit you and it will help you deal with these feelings and the terrible losses you have suffered. I am so sorry you have had so much tragedy in your life.
Try and be positive as it does help and makes your outlook on things much sunnier:)

[Mollyrae]

Tramadol and Vicodin are both pain relievers and ARE ment for the same thing. They just work differently.

Mickey:  if you are comfortable with the Tramadol then please stay with it. UIse it as prescribed (which I know you will) because of the possible side effects that can occure after stopping the medication.

Dylan:  Please stop worrying. Stress from worring can lead to more pain. The body is complexed and one thing can lead to another. Remember, Don't brave the pain when you don't have to. You will heal faster when the body is comfortable.

Both of you please take care and I am here for you.........

[Dylan465]

I relate. I am a big worrier and as a teenager got involved with drugs but the stigma has never let go and I don't know why I still feel bad about it--so it bothers me that I am taking pain killers, even though I need them. I wish I didn't need them. I was a healthnut that overworked my body, I think. I have soreness in both legs and pain meds like percocet make me sick. Ultram doesn't make me sick at all but I keep hearing horror stories. My doctor put me on morphine sulfate er--I never heard of it. I tolerate it well and am not on huge quantities of those either. So, what are you suppose to do, brave it and be in more pain than need be or take something?  I struggle with it.

Mickey, I am very sorry to hear about your family issues. They were terrible things to deal with.

Molly gave a great answer. When in pain, don't worry about your dependency. I do the same thing and lower my dosage and take even less than prescribed.
I need Molly around to remind me the same thing.

I wish you well and thanks Molly.

[Mickey50]

The tramadol I have has tylenol - it is a large red pill, not the small white round pill.
I find I just don't feel good on vicodent, I worry alot when I am on it - it screwes up
my thinking! The Tramadol I have has alot of tylenol, so then I worry about my liver.
Anyway I surely need to STOP worrying so much. thank you for your input - I really
appreciate all the feedback. I actually feel better within an hour of taking a tramadol.
I do worry that so many people say they are worse than vicodent, however both
my doctors say they are not.

[ohanamama]

The real difference between Tramadol (Ultram) and Vicodin is that they are meant for two different purposes.  To get the best pain relief from Ultram, it is to be taken every day, 2-3 times a day, for an extended period of time.  It takes 2-3 days for the full benefits of the med to take hold.  Vicodin, on the other hand, provides maximum benefit quickly and goes out of the system equally fast.  It is meant for short-term relief.  Also, if inflamation is an issue, Ultram contains no NSAIDS (acetaminaphin, etc) while Vicodin does.  Therefore, when choosing between the two, addiction and safety should not be the overriding factors.  Purpose, or efficacy, is the key.

I'm pretty up on this stuff.  I take 160 mg. of Oxycotin daily, and apx. 30 vicodin/month, and have been doing so just shy of ten years now.  I hope this insight helps someone.

[Mickey50]

Thank you sooooo much for asking. Doc says he cannot give me a script for
torn chest muscles as no test will show if they are torn. He did examine me
and says I probably have small tears in chest muscles and shoulder muscles
are all knoted. He thinks its better to be on Tramadol vs. vicodent. The orthropeadic
surgeon says I am NOT to get any steriod or any other injections into the shoulder,
as pain is originating from my neck. Its really impossible to sleep on my back or
left side, which leaves the right side and I continually wake up and feel like a
knife is stuck between my chest and shoulder blades. I really don't know where to
go from here. I do see the pain magagement doc next week, but that really doesn't
give me answers. My mind continually thinks weird thoughts, like maybe is
throat cancer, etc. Having a hard time not thinking bad thoughts, etc. even though
doc assures me (and dentist also) that I am fine. This is the worst part about
pain meds and long term injuries, my thoughts and anxiety seem to mount and am
tempted to keep getting tests I probably do not need because I want answers! Every
little problem, like blood vessel popping in my fingers, etc - weight gain, swollen face,
makes me crazy. It is side effect of pain meds or am I really sick? Anyway, family
problems sure do not help. Sister diagosed with high sugar this week. Couple months
back another sister committed suicide. Older sister (there were 10 of us) died 4 years
ago from a blood clot. Anyway all this seems to make me wonder if I am on borrowed
time! I do try and stay positive, but its hard.
Best to you and hope your situation is not bad.
Mickey

[Tuckamore]

Hi Mickey,

We're wondering how you are doing. I am hopeful your appointment with your CPC was helpful and your pain is controlled and/or subsiding.

Take Care, Tuck

[Mickey50]

your right, as a matter of fact I am heading to my regular doctor this afternoon and
am going to request a script for a CT scan of my chest. I am not sure if I pulled a
muscle or ripped one! But I cannot lay down on my back or side because of
tremendous pain and my arms and neck are up to a 9 on the pain scale. It's
definitely time to get some answers although the right arm is due to the neck, but
the left needs another rotator cuff surgery, not sure about the chest and back.
I sure am hurting, actually can't wait to talk to the doc.
will keep you posted and thank you.

[Mollyrae]

Hi Mickey:

When in pain as you are, don't worry about the depndancy process. Addiction and dependancy are two totally different things. Addicts will take more than the prescribed medication in order to feel that high and are in constant mode to get more. Pll that are dependant on the medication need the opiates but only use enough to ease the pain.

Don't just not take the meds because your affraid of the dependancy. Subjecting your body to more pain than it needs can lead to more damage than you previously had.
Take the Vicodin and let your body rest.

Molly

[Mickey50]

thanks for the advice. I swear today has been horrible. I've been up since 3am and
feel like my nerves are in a pressure cooker. Sometimes when I hurt this bad I
am tempted to head to the ER. I know that would be a waste of time though. I guess
I will have to go back on the vicodent, it's not like I don't have a bunch of em, but I
really wish the doctors could just fix me! I was trying to avoid another addiction as
nicotine and caffeine I cannot live without!
hope you are well and again Thank you.

[Mollyrae]

Hi Mickey:

Your Doctor is the one to make that call. I do not nor does anyone else know your body chemistry and what is best for you. Tramadol is listed as a non-narcotic and I have heard some horrible stories about the drug and it's effects. Vicodin is a narcotic and in my opinion, has better pain relief than the Tramadol. Both are addictive.

Please discuss this with your Doctor when you see him in 2 weeks. He is the best qualified to make that decision.

Take care and good luck in the future.
Mollyrae