I find it quite moving.

Doc

*rim shot*

I really appreciate you folks sharing some insight from your experience with Tramadol. Can any of the long time users (primarily Tramadol only users for pain) tell me about how long a certain daily doseage worked for you before you felt the need to increase dosage to receive the same relief. I'm almost 65 and would hope that if I decided to switch to the Tramadol only route, I wouldn't have to worry about weaning off it before I croak. LOL. I also have taken Tranxene (a benzo) for anxiety for panic/anxiety for most of my adult life, and go thru about 25 lowest dose tabs a month presently, but not on every day (1-2 will do me for the day when I need them). Wish I didn't need it at all, but it's been a miracle drug for me.

I probably should emphasize that the drugs I've taken, Nortriptyline and Gabapentin worked well for all pain, for a short time. I don't use gabapentin anymore, but the Nortyrip still relieves the burning, pins and needles, etc. but doesn't do anything anymore for the "folded sock pain" which is the pain I feel around the front edge of the balls of my feet. I tested the Tramadol out for a couple of days, and it does dull the FS pain, but I am afraid it will also "crap out" if my body gets used to it. And although a benzo is given to those getting Serotonin Syndrome, I am also very anxious (nervous) about taking them together.

I did take cymbalta and tramadol together. I did not get serotonin syndrome doing so. However, as Mrs. D. pointed out there is a real chance of it happening. I questioned both my neuro, rheumo, and pharmacist before choosing to take the drugs together.

If you go the tramadol only route you can always take the lowest dose that works for you and then add to it from there. I always take 100mgs in the morning. I'm suppose to use that dose 4x/day but I never have. If my pain gets bad during the day I usually take 50mgs. I do the same at night if I need it. That is the thing with tramadol you don't have to take the same dose all the time. I would talk to your doctor about using the tramadol based on what your pain level is.

How soon after taking the tramadol do you feel its effects? I'd like to have something to use occasionally for severe pain, but the pain usually only lasts about a half hour.

Tramadol has to be activated by the liver, to its active metabolite.

This can take up to 2-3 hours depending on the person.

So therefore tramadol is NOT fast... like tylenol or Aleve.
Some people lack the enzyme in the liver to activate tramadol, and therefore for them, it is not a good choice for pain.

Codeine (an opiate) is also metabolized to morphine by the liver, and is slower acting therefore as well.

For me, Tramadol takes about an hour to work. But it also lasts a long time for me too...into the next day, when I take it at bedtime.

Oddly enough, in about 20 minutes I can begin to feel the effects, but it takes about an hour to feel the full effect for me.