Do we have a slow release form of tramadol here in the US? Forgive me if someone's already stated this. I think I would benefit from having it in my system round the clock as opposed to waiting until I am hurting a lot.

Hi Fern extended release seems to be available in the U.S.A.
http://www.immunesupport.com/library...ID/7079/T/both

I also take tramadol for my back pain...but this medication can cause a lot of problems if stopped abruptly. I have been taking it for about 8 months I take 4 50mg tablets a day, but one time I forgot to take my medication and I went through horrible withdraw symptoms. I was shaky, restless, sick, and had the worst hot and cold flashes ever. As soon as I took my medication again I was fine. Be careful with this stuff. It does work to control pain but it is something you will have to wean off of when you want to stop taking it.

You are so right about "this medication can cause alot of problems if stopped abruptly".
I started taking this medication for chronic pain. I first took samples of Tramacet, usually in the evening. One pill per night, it seemed to relax me and deal with the pain pretty well and helped me sleep. So my Doctor suggested trying a low dose of Tramadol extended release because it would stay in my system for 24 hours , there would be no up's @ downs.
Which brings me to taking between 200 and 300 mg's every night after supper. Just in the past well about 3 weeks, my moods starting to change. I was becoming more angry,just felt that everything is wrong. I get mad over everything and nothing. Hateful, up and down crying etc. I have been under a great deal of stress, lost my dog in October 07, my Dad in July 08, I have been dealing with chronic pain from work related injuries for 4 years and fighting wc. Depressed I guess you could say I don't even know myself anymore. Any way thought it might be the pills, stopped taking them Monday evening and sick as a dog. Can't sleep, eat,get comfortable,throwing up, and have major night sweats and chills. Just truly miserable like the flu or worse. I have since under Doctor's advice started on 100 mg once a day again. Still very tired 2 hours later, but the cold chills have stopped and pain is more bearable. I seem to be better as I am not crying and I am able to type with breaks. I am so praying to have a better night and be able to sleep. Please see your Doctor before just coming off this medication. Don't just stop like I did. Take Care

Hi Hairdresser,

I have been taking Lyrica for about 6 months and so far so good. I take it with valium for a better night sleep. I too have been going to a hydrotherapy pool for a few months. I find although I can not do much with my arms, I walk up and down and sideways but absolutely couldnt swim....last time I tried I ended up with major flare up. I find it's the best thing to keep me somewhat mobile. I feel a lot better for it.

Ozzy

Hi Hairdresser,
sorry to hear of your horrible incident. I too (even as a nurse who is supposed to know better) have done this with other drugs. it is vitally important that you don't come off meds alone. You need supervision from your doctor of need to know how to taper off a medication yourself. It is not funny barfing and sweating like that. It is hell. Stress will certainly add to mood changes but i have had a lot of mood changes from meds as well. Have had to come off them for that reason. Don't want to live like an idiot or yell at everyone all the time.

I hope you come through this with flying colours hairdresser. I am gonna suggest that you look into oxycontin for a pain control. Yes it is narcotic but you can take it every 12hrs and it works very well with me and i also take percocet and vallium as extra back up meds when the pain is really bad....or i did too much as usual.......

hope u find your answers and good pain control.....the two are not mutually exclusive.

love and hugs,
Victoria

Hi everyone !

So far the Tramadol is doing o.k. with me but... I don't like that it doesn't help as well with the pain level... it does however help with my sleeping... I was taking Vicodine... but wanted to try the Tramadol because the Vic's were making me constipated alot.... I am suppose to take 2-3 a day but I find that it makes me sleepy so I take 1 in the morning ( I am up early ) then I take one at night before bed. So far so good I guess....I do alot of swimming when I am in Florida and I find the Salt water helps alot too !!

Dolfinz

It's funny you should say the salt water helps....when I went to mexico two years ago I almost came off all my meds due to the warm salt water!!!!!

love and hugs,
Vic

I haven't taken tramadol, but my mom has (she has very bad lower back issues... 2 surgeries, etc). She said that it helped some with the pain, but made her (i think) care less about it, if that makes sense. I've been lucky that I have someone so close to me that understands chronic pain problems, and doesn't leap to conclusions.

Yours was the first mention I've found of methocarbamol. I guess it helps me to know that I'm not alone in the medications lists I'm going through.

I am taking UltramER and methocarbamol and norco... Dr said I can take only what norco i need now.

I find the UltramER is helping with my pain (L and T, hips legs, feet, spasm) like the methocarbamol did when I first started taking it. The first couple days with methocarbamol I the pain was so masked that I totally screwed myself up and was back down reclining as much as possible for the next few days (besides taking care of my 6 year old). Of course it has lost some of its effectiveness for me after a month...

I have been having headaches ever since switching from flexeril to methocarbamol, I have had to take aspirin... wondering if maybe the ultracet could be an option for me...