1. < Chronic Pain

What are your experiences with tramadol ?

Posted by Always Hopeful @AlwaysHopeful, Jun 16 7:42am

I have been taking tramadol for over 20 years. It was first prescribed for knee pain. This was the era when they did meniscus surgery. I'm sure the medication is not effective for me now, but it continues to be prescribed. Any other thoughts or experiences?

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marquis113 | @marquis113 | Jun 26 10:38am

Was on it for ten yrs and doctor discontinued due to developing gastroparesis. It is an addictive drug, an opioid. I would suggest stopping but wean off slowly.

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Always Hopeful | @AlwaysHopeful | Jun 26 7:00pm

Thank you for the advice. I'm down to two a day and I think you're absolutely correct about the additive angle. This Saturday, I'll cut one of the tablets in half and go with one and a half for a week. Take care. Just thought of a question - what did you use after the tramadol?

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Always Hopeful | @AlwaysHopeful | Jun 27 7:44am
In reply to @ferret911 "I’ve been taking tramadol (50mg 4/day tops) with 3 Extra Strength Tylenol for my bone on..." + (show)
@ferret911

I’ve been taking tramadol (50mg 4/day tops) with 3 Extra Strength Tylenol for my bone on bone knee arthritis for 12 years. I recall it got bumped up to Schedule 1 (addictive) years ago, but haven’t read the research. None of my doctors seem concerned about addiction with it. I did a science experiment to stop it for a month to see about any withdrawal reaction. I didn’t have a withdrawal reaction but I sure missed the relief it gave me in conjunction with the Tylenol. Give that cocktail a try/takes about 3 weeks to kick in. Most folks give up too soon on meds…

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Have you considered having knee injections. I go to Mayo(Rochester( and receive every 6 months corticosteroid and symvisc II (not sure of spelling) every 6 months. These alternate so I go in every 3 months for one or the other. the injections don't hurt - they are guided by ultrasound and they use lidocaine first and so the entire thing is painless. i couldn't exist without them. please check into this. They are covered by medicare.

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Always Hopeful | @AlwaysHopeful | Jun 27 7:50am
In reply to @mamajo9 "I ve been taking tramadol ,for back pain etc. I do also take 2 tylenol with..." + (show)
@mamajo9

I ve been taking tramadol ,for back pain etc. I do also take 2 tylenol with it 1 x a day . So I can walk. Otherwise I have a lot of weakness. Somedays I does not help to good .

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Take care - I also have "bad' days. It makes me treasure the good ones!

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Always Hopeful | @AlwaysHopeful | Jun 27 7:55am
In reply to @marquis113 "You should be concerned. After ten yrs of being told its safe and not addictive I..." + (show)
@marquis113

You should be concerned. After ten yrs of being told its safe and not addictive I could that I was addicted. Ended up with gastroparesis after losing 35 pounds in one month. Horrible withdrawal including restless legs and my legs would actually bounce on the bed at night. Doctor just said to stop but found that I had to restart and decrease slowly. Now they are admitting that this is an opioid and addicting. Discontinue before you have the lifelong issues that I now have.

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It sounds like you are past the worst of the withdrawal. Thaank you for the advice and take care.I'm slowly withdrawing !

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Always Hopeful | @AlwaysHopeful | Jun 27 8:12am
In reply to @26sabrina "Haven't had any issues with bad side effects. I've also needed Vicodin for 4 months because..." + (show)
@26sabrina

Haven't had any issues with bad side effects. I've also needed Vicodin for 4 months because severe back pain and then extensive back surgery. I had no withdrawal issues when I didn't need it anymore. Everyone is different and our tolerance for opiods is different.
Don't put others in your experience.

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That's true about putting others in your exprience- but sometimes others have advice that is helpful.

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Always Hopeful | @AlwaysHopeful | Jun 27 8:13am
In reply to @kenc "Tried tramadol for several months with very little effect on my pain." + (show)
@kenc

Tried tramadol for several months with very little effect on my pain.

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Have. the doctors prescribed anything else for the pain ?

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kenc | @kenc | Jun 27 10:27am

Oxycodone. Gabapentin, Xanax.

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1 reply
Joytotheworld | @joycaseyrn | Jun 27 12:42pm

I have found that Tramadol 50mg has been a big help to me with my slipped spine. I try not to take it unless I am in a flare up or in so much pain I have to as I want it to work I do not want to develop an immunity to it. But it does not make me sleepy and I like that as well. I feel like its a safe drug for me. I will also take couple tylenol with it with pain over an 8

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Always Hopeful | @AlwaysHopeful | Jun 27 1:17pm
In reply to @susanfalcon52 "always hopeful, Yes, I am very aware of why she is making me pee in a..." + (show)
@susanfalcon52

always hopeful,
Yes, I am very aware of why she is making me pee in a cup. We have talked about it. I used to think it was funny. I told her when I met her that sometimes I would take one of my dog’s Tramadol. I wasn’t hiding it.
My husband sees her, too, so she knows us pretty well.
I thought she had lightened up on me at one point. She was injecting steroids into my hip- in-patient procedure in hospital. I was offered some Valium and declined it. I also opted to watch procedure on screen.
She seemed to see that I was willing to do all kinds of things (hip replacement) to deal with pain. I thought we had a breakthrough. Nope. I saw her a month ago and had to pee in cup.

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Well, you have a good sense of humor about it. Would love to know her intent. Have you considered asking her ?

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