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.

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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,

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!