Have You used Tramadol as a break through medication?
 

Hi All,

My PM doc has had me on Tramadol, 50 mg x 2, every 8 hrs, for the last 3 months. I realized what little it assists me in my break through pain when the OpanaER script was delayed while I was in AZ(sister's surgery). The PM doc scripted 18 Norco tablets to hold me over until the OpanaER was in my hands.

I had a pain flare 2 weeks from the lapse in my Opana ER script, due to the stress of the situation and my plane fiasco. The Norco(hydrocodone 10/325) did so much more in relieving the pain then the Tramadol, as I used it for the break through pain instead of the Tramadol.

What is the purpose of placing me on Tramadol from my original Lortab(Hydrocodone 10/500), at the time I was initially scripted OpanaER?

Your input would be appreciated.:grouphug:

Thanks,
Dew

I dont know why they gave you the tramadol, but do know they gave it to me, because it isnt addictive, or isnt as addictive.

It didnt work for me at all, and just made me feel kinda weird. Was a total waste of time. All I take now is the Norco 10/325's, and only 1 or 2 a day. I try to keep it as low a dose as possible in case there is a lapse in my prescription.

Every once in a while things happen and I will have to go sometimes as high as a week without any pain meds. It is real rough, and even rougher if I am on more than a couple of norco a day.

The doc will give me any kind of meds I want, but I have been on just about everything, and when things go wrong, and you cant get them the withdrawals are more than I want to deal with along with the RSD pains.

Next time your at the doctors office ask him why he is prescibing those, it should be interesting to find out the reason.

I took Tramadol
 

Hi.

I took Tramadol before my stimulator implant for 1.5 years. I maintained a blood level with taking it every day 2 times a day - afternoon and night. Over time it does have addictive qualities. You can't just stop taking it. I went through withdrawal when I went off of it before my implant.

But, when I was having a bad night after the implant, I know that I tried taking the tramadol and it was like candy. It didn't even touch the pain level.

I'm surprised that they gave that to you without taking it every 4 hours to keep the pain levels at bay.

Dew,

I have NO idea why they would give you Tramadol in place of Opana or Hydrocodone. That was the first med my doctor gave me when I was diagnosed because he said it was between Tylenol and Darvocet on the scale of potency. He likes to start with the mildest med and move up as needed. He also said it has mild anti-depressant properties, and I was really down and frustrated when my nerve blocks caused the RSD to spread. I still have it becasue it is supposed to work better on nerve pain than some narcotics, but I only take it when the pain is VERY mild. I'm on Neurontin, Cymbalta, and Narco for break through pain (although nothing ever stops the pain :( ). Don't be surprised that it didn't do anything for you. It's just not very strong. I hope you have the meds you need now and are feeling better. :hug:

I was put on Tramadol years ago. It was the first pain med. I had the drops, so I could self regulate (had to build it up), but the highest dose only managed to get the edge off the pain. Later I was put on long acting Tramadol. I never used Tramadol for breakthrough pain. It was my main pain medication for about 6 years. Then in 2004, I was put on Neurontin and Transtec pain patches (buprenorphine). I use Temgesic tablets (buprenorphine) for breakthrough pain. They are tiny tablets that melt under the tongue but they are the same type of med than the patches. I am still on these meds today.

I really don't know why they suddenly would switch you to Tramadol.

Hi there,

I also take OpanaER 20 mg x 2(every 12 hrs) with 2400 mg Neurontin, 180 mg Cymbalta, Xanex, Baclafan, HBP meds,Meloxicam,and the Tramadol, 50 mg x 2 every 8 hrs.
The OpanaER is a Substance II narcotic, and is suppose to be 8 to 10 times stronger than morphine. I started having brake through pain and the doc increased the Tramadol. Tramadol is suppose to be good for nerve pain,too.However, when my OpanaER script was delayed, while in AZ, I only had Tramadol as a actual pain med..my PM doc scripted 18 Norco as emergency meds until script for OpanaER was received by pharmacy. Tramadol did NOTHING for the 2 days I was out of the OpanaER. I did get some relief from the Norco. I think Norco should be my break through pain med. I will discuss this matter with the PM doc next time I see him, in Sept.'09.
Thanks for your input:hug:

Hi,

Tramadol was not scripted in place of OpanaER, it was added as a break through med, along with my other cocktail(stated in post above). PM doc put me on OpanaER, as my main pain med, and stopped Lortab. It was only when I started to have break through pain, Tramadol was scripted for me. I know now that Tramadol does not cut my pain when OpanaER is not in my system. I will address this issue with my PM doc in Sept.,'09.

Thanks for you input,

Hi Dew,

I'm not sure why your doctor would put you on Tramadol instead of the med you were previously on as I haven't been on Lortab before. I think it's something that you will probably have to speak to your doctor about when you see him next.

I was put on Tramadol just after I was diagnosed with RSD. My Doctor said it can work really well for nerve pain and can help with sleep too. It didn't help for me at all and made me really drowsey (to the point where I couldn't even get out of bed) so after a few weeks, we decided it was best if I came off it. I still get really fatigued now which I guess is a RSD think unfortunately but it isn't as bad as when I was on the Tramadol.

I really hope the new addition helps you and you get the pain relief you need!:hug:

Hi Drew, sorry to hear that things got delayed and/or messed up. I do have a theory on why they put you on the Tramadol though (i could be TOTALLY wrong, but it's a thought). You said that the doc added the Tramadol to your usual cocktail for the break-through pain. (i am assuming break through pain is "new" pain???) Anyway, perhaps your doc wanted to add something more mild to your cocktail to see if that would provide a "push" or help to your cocktail w/o possible bad side effects and what not. Also, maybe wanted to try something more mild at first to see if it would help or not, just something to possibly take the edge off. Like i said, i don't know, just a thought. Hope all goes well in Sept. when you go back. Stay positive and may you experience as pain-free of a day as possible. :D
Val

Dew
tramadol is a very mild pain reliever,,thats why he rather put you on it rather than an opiate,,the10/325 is diffenate more powerfull substitution,,,or the hydrocodine[vicoden],,,tramadol is a lighter med like davocet,[garbage], either way he is trying to be conservitive to save you from an addictive opiate state,,im been on all the above,,,im sorry ,your pain is bad,,,xanax gives me relief from flares and mild breakthro pain,,,althoiugh i like the ephoric feeling from the opiates,,,but my liver is shot and the withdrawels from opiates are brutal,,,,much love and prayers,,,,,,,,,,,,bobber....im currently 12 days off of opiates,,either way i hate the withdrawels,,i get them evey time,,,,,,,use what you need dew,,,procede with caution tho,,,,,also,tramadol can be obtained on the internet legally without a script,,,,which also tells me it isnt considered a controlled substance,,,,but oxy,,oxycodone,,oxycotin,,percocet ,,loratab,,,viciden,,are controlled and illegal to buy without an script,,,,P.S dew,,after reading you daily med consumption,,there must be a reason for the tramadol,,the narco,,that your taking is a strong narcdotic,,,maybe he is useing the tramadol a an booster,,or maybe it has nerve relief properties,,,,,,,let us know on the you dr visit,,,,,i looked up that med,,narco,,a tramadol is like a baby asprin compared to narco,,,,,,,,,,,kinda like when i was in the hospital after surgery,they gave me timerelease oxycotin and precoct[immediate release for break thru pain]

MY PM doc's office called me back today to tell me that they are mailing my script to the pharmacy,today. I told the woman(who gives me all the grief) that I had called the PM office earlier this morning to remind her that the script must be mailed out today.
The woman got an attitude with me,AGAIN, and stated that the PM doc had rec. a letter from my atty. that my OpanaER MUST be mailed out no later than 7 days from date of script due, because the script was rec. late to the pharmacist, the last 2 months.
Also, she was under the conclusion that They were to call me and tell me that the script was mailed out. I told the woman that all I cared about was that the script be mailed out today, and I was not going to argue the point any further. Also, I have a copy of the letter sent to the PM doc, and it said no such thing about who would contact whom; specifically, it states get the med script mailed out 7 days from the date it is due.:eek:
Apparently, this woman was "spoken" to about the lack of follow through on her part and that upset her...as if I care if she is upset!
She started to say that the problem was that I lived out of town, and that is the reason that my meds were delayed! I just stated that in no way does it take 7 days to get a letter from OKC to Lawton,(100 mile difference..maybe 2 days at the most. I then stopped myself ,took a breath, and ended the conversation with it is understood that the script would be mailed out today ,and that was that.

I was pleasant and not argumentative with her. I know what is what and there is no point in debating anything..just mail the script today, no excuses.

I will see my doc in 09/09, and Tramadol will be discussed,for sure.
Thanks for your posts,
love,
Dew

This is called stepping on someone's last nerve. I feel like I'm constantly on my last nerve (basically that's how I describe my life with RSD), and if anything that stressful arises, I'd totally panic.

I think you handled it very well, Dew.
Let's hope for once your script is on time!

For some reason your doc is uncomfortable writing you scripts for class III narcotics. It is more about him. Tramadol (Aka Ultram) is a non-narcotic pain med. Helps some, useless for others.

Dew hi, i think its outragous,
 

Dew I think it was outrageous to give you tramadol- they might have well as givne you nothing, its like giving someone a bandaid of a rurptured artery or an asprin after taking oxycontin. it makes no sense what so ever. Sorry to hear about your suffereing - that was a riduculous script. cz

Unreal
 

I took ultram (tramadol) years ago for back pain (I sprained my back) and it was absolutely worthless. After I got this ugliness I was scripted it again, and I took one, then another a half an hour later, then another a half an hour after that. No effect. At all. Next time I had a doc try to script it I told him to write the script out for M&Ms, as they were more effective. He seemed offended! lol...idiot. The only reason I can see you being scripted this worthless med is if it blocks your real painkiller from being eliminated from your body via the liver, say by using the same enzymes necessary to break down the real one, you know? If the doc actually thought you would get some relief from pain they should get their head examined. I have never met a single person who has actual pain that got any relief from this med. Not one. Ibuprofen is more effective. As regards the goofy woman you have to deal with, well, good luck. Some people shouldn't have certain jobs, and it sure sounds like she's in the wrong line of work. Maybe she would make a good sanitation worker, or perhaps a janitor at a mental ward?

I didn't get any pain relief for years when I got this. Even a Chicago anesthesiologist wouldn't give me an analgesic. Of course a lot of the problem was that these were so ineffective for me and my pain is often tolerable. Even morphine and methadone were mostly ineffective.

But my GP finally gave me tramadol and it helps. No, it doesn't help very much but I always feel it kick in so it's a great crutch to help me ignore the breakthrough pain. Just knowing there's something I can do makes it a lot easier. I find it works a little better with the acetaminaphin (Apap) whatever they put in it.

Good deal
 

At last! Someone who has some effect from it. Are you on any tranx or muscle relaxers? They are required for me to get any relief from the pain, regardless of whatever else I am on. Without them, I get NO relief whatsoever.

No. But I'm on antisiezure (?) (zanaflex).

I think I get a little analgesic effect from depakote as well but this is less sure. I'm also on gabapentin and it helps a lot. The gabapentin doesn't act as a true pain reliever for me though it seemed to at first. It seems to stop the pain from arising or make it less severe when it does come around but taking it for pain does nothing now. The last time the pain ratcheted up a little the doc upped the dosage and it seems to mostly work.

The opiates mostly just make me not care as much about the pain but doesn't have much effect on the level. I once woke after an operation and they had to give me four shots of morphine just to get me calmed down. It still hurt like hell and they had operated on something else.

I've tried only a few of the other pain relievers and they are almost completely ineffective and some get me stoned. I like codeine since it seems to put all the other pain to sleep and relax me so I can sleep even with my hand still hurting. I try to take it as seldomly as possible and only to sleep.

Part of my problem is anxiety and stress. They are closely related to the pain. Indeed, I've discovered that some things, like paranoia, seem to just be a form of pain; a different manifestation. The depakote helps a lot here and I've got lots of over the counter and herbal things that help too. It seems just being deliberate and careful can help in avoiding stress. For breakthrough stress I've got some heavy stuff that's getting so old I'm afraid to use it but use valium for typical things. I also take seroquel regularly. I get bad sideeffects so have to severely restrict the amount.

Most things scare me. It's ironic since I used to be fearless to the point of being foolhardy sometimes.

One doctor told me that most people with RSD eventually get on a mix of medications that make the condition easier to deal with. Now all I have to do is not worry they'll quit making some of them.

Imahotep
zanaflex is a muscle relaxant,,,,,,i was on it for a while,,it made me sleep ok and gave a good drowsey could care less feeling too,,kinda like the old muscle relaxant,flexiril.......either way i wish you well,,i feel your pain ,when it comes to stress bring pain into over drive,,xanax calms me down but i need to get off of that too,but it does the job,,melontonin [natural] is a good clean ,easy on the liver and non addictive alternative sleep/relaxant,,,,,,,,good luck ,,and i respect you being cautious with the meds,,,,,,,,,,,,,,bobber

I was given tramadol though I am not sure if it was for the PN or RSD as they are treated similar. It did nothing for me but I was told by the neuro that it is better for nerve pain I guess. Though it does not seem like it from this little poll of people. I don't take any narcotic or opiates anymore and even my current pain doc won't due tramadol. I take zanaflex now at night sometimes. I have mixed reviews on it cause I am still up most nights.I am on meds for the anxiety/depression and meds like neurontin. I am coping better though still anxious but not as bad it seems and more rational. The pain though is high. I wish I had a better answer for you other then I think there needs to be a better way of you getting your meds Dew cause even worring about if this is going to keep happening is stressful. Hope you get answers and of course relief.

Thank You all for your input. I see my PM on 9/8/09, and hopefully the Tramadol issue can be put to bed.

Now, Gaze into the kitty's eyes...relax, take soft deep breaths...

http://i30.tinypic.com/20rjq1d.jpg


Well, if it had of worked, all pain, anxiety, paranoia, depression, and other ailments would have vanished...did it work for you??? I love you all :grouphug: