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]