Tramadol

I was just wondering who here uses tramadol for pain...my Dr gave me a scrip for it and I am worried as it states its addictive...plus is it something I can take and still function at work?

I was prescribed it last month during my latest hospital stay and it has worked pretty well. It's supposed to increase my pain threshhold and I should be taking it more but it makes me sleepy so I primarily use it at night. I've used it while going to class and I was sort of dopey but deffinately not narcotic dopey. It's worth getting the prescription!

When I was in the hospital, they were giving me Tramadol IV and I was having chest pains that lasted about 10 minutes. The docors now assume that I am allergic to it in some way.

I just had Gallbladder surgery and I used the Percosets and Wow! do those work!!

I tried Tramadol after I´ve had my latest operation but I got angst from it. It felt like I had to active breath but it´s tricky to find some painmed that doesn´t send you in to a flare :/

I took tramadol for only a few days before I had to stop because I didn't stop vomiting with it. But I wouldn't worry about it saying it could be addictive, many pain meds say that.

I use tramadol, and then sometimes vicoden when the tramadol isn't enough. My dr. told me that tramadol is easier on the stomach than tylenol or advil, so he'd rather I take tramadol when I need something.

A regular med here. And yes, I do experience withdrawl if I stop using it, but I've been on it since 2007.
I wouldn't say addiction as much as physical dependecy ( I get no high nor experience any craving for the stuff. Its just another Med. Addiction is also psychological remember..).
It does work for me, but I'm on other meds too. Both for my CD arthritis and my Osteo..
Its actaully a Narcotic replacement. Whatever the blazes that means..

Matthew

never tried tramadol,, my pain doc put me on MScontin ER 2Xday--..and percocet 2Xaday as needed, for pain, and Elavil for sleep even though I still wake up every morning in pain.. don`t fear addiction people who take any med for whatever reason everyday could be called addicted or dependent, I use to worry about the thought of addiction, then thought about it and if your truely in pain,, and they make life bearable,, then use them, there`s only so much the body can take as far as surgery or other medical procedures, before the body can no longer knock down the pain, on it`s own.. I`ve had bowel problems with crohn`s as a toddler, and fought the pain with out med`s.. except for ER-trips... until after my 3rd.. surgery, I thought enough is enough, hope everybody has a pain free MERRY CHRISTMAS...!!!

You want to talk withdrawl horror stories? Here's mine, and it involves Elavil (Amtypiline?). Was rxd for this med back in 1986. Before I was ever diagnosed with IBD, that is. I had been having major UT problems including IC.
Anyway took it for 3 months, but I had gone back to college, so I didn't think about meds, only that graduation was getting closer & I had a couple of classes that I had to have,,
Ran out of the stuff, but didn't think about it. about 12 days of a sleepless, living hell where I actually started dreaming while I was awake, my GP at LSU put me back on the stuff, with orders to VERY slowly cut down my dose. That was one of my worst memories from my Senior year. Tramadol withdrawl is no picnic, but compared to that or to prednisone, its a lot less hellish.

Matthew

Tramadol was ineffective for myself. It is not considered a narcotic is my understanding, I do know I was quite capable of functioning just fine on it.
Keep in mind that you should not feel guilty for taking something for pain. If you had diabetes you would take your insulin right. ? Same thing with pain medicine. You need it, so use it. Why suffer if you do not have to.
I sure hope it helps you, good luck
Leslie

tsitodawg,
I never said I stopped in one week, I said I felt bad for a week after I stopped. I tapered down over about 6 weeks. At the start of the taper, I was taking 100 mg/day. I lowered the dose about every 2 weeks. I had been taking 25 mg/day for the final weeks. I didn't have any problems until about 24 hrs after the last dose. It took about a week for me to feel normal. I wasn't addicted, I was dependent.

Tramadol can be addicting and I think it is a disservice to downplay this fact. A member of my support group has been battling a tramadol addiction for a few years. Early on she was told it wasn't addicting, even when she told her doc she was craving it, it was passed off as dependence. She ignored her own concerns because everyone kept telling her it wasn't addiction. She ended up losing her job and her husband. She purchased tramadol off the street or from Mexico to feed her 20+ pill/day habit (It's easy to get without a prescription in Mexico.) She's been in rehab a few times but is clean right now.

You are probably less likely to get addicted to tramadol than other pain meds but it is a possibility. If you are concerned about addiction, especially if there is a family or personal history, talk to a professional before starting tramadol so you can learn what to watch for. Feeling an urge to take tramadol after missing a dose is very different from craving it for the high.

       I'm out tonight. But I go to the Doc's tomorrow morning bright & early. I had enough for today, but I still feel kind of crummy. Some stress (my mom is doing poorly this holiday) & possible virus=feeling like withdrawl anyway!       What are you going to do?

      Sincerely,

     Matthew

Hi lavonya,

Welcome to the forum. I'm not sure who it is you're looking for, but it may work better if you post a new post with a title that will catch her attention (which is why I know you picked this posting). That way your information is going to be the first thing a reader sees whereas it may be missed on this old post. -Joy