Tramadol not lasting??

I am on Tramadol SR (12hrs) though on drs orders am only taking 1 per day not 2, when i first started taking them, i found it lasting way past the 12 hrs, now im finding at around 7 hrs after taking the tablet i am in pain again and constantly feeling like i am shaking, cold and agitated. Could this be a withdrawal of the drug??

When my fibro is real bad the tramadol doesn't last, mainly on gloomy rain days.

Also, if you have been taking it a long time, your body could be building up a resistance to this medication.  I know that happens with narcotics.  The longer you use them, the more you need to get the same relief. 

 

Sherrine

Yes, like others have said, how long you've been on that dose matters a lot. Also any type of illness weakens your bodies own ability to handle pain putting more pressure on the medication and antibiotics can cancel out pain meds completely. If you can tolerate IBU I would try adding 400-800mg into the mix, just to get you over the 7hr hump before I jumped up to the 2 a day dose. Just remember your going to be on medication for a long time and for me the longer I can stay of the narcotics the better for me and everyone in my life. Just my opinion, you know better how you feel than anyone else.

Thanks. Ive only been on the tramadol for 3 weeks. But its 100mg once a day (just the 1 tablet not 2 x 50mg).

The tramadol has also given me anxiety wich is apparently a rare side effect, so i am also now on diazepam (valium) at night to help relax my muscles as well as the anxiety.

Allicat...why not ask your Dr. to move you to the 50mg ones so that you can then take one in the am and one in the pm so that it's spread throughout the day/evening..and as others mentioned...with the non ER/SR ones...you can even cut those and take 25mg...

I like having choices instead of having to take the entire amount every single day when most people's pain levels fluctuate and there are other non opiate things (Tramadol is opiate "like") that you can do to help your pain levels besides this med.

I have to say it is concerning that your Dr. would just immediately prescribe another medication to counteract the effects of this one. Going on an anti-anxiety medication is a big deal and they can become habit forming pretty easily.

Since you've only been on the Tramadol for 3 weeks...that is why I think he is jumping quickly to medicate your symptoms instead of trying to handle things naturally.

There is going for a walk, meditation, eating some protein and complex carbs, watching tv or reading....all these things can naturally calm a person down.

Now...I'm not saying that people who are officially diagnosed by a Psychologist/Psychiatrist with anxiety based on criteria and symptoms shouldn't go on something like Valium.....

I am reacting to you only being on the Tramadol for such a short time and not letting the natural side effects go away like many do in a month or so. Or even lowering the medication some and trying it that way instead of adding another medication to the mix...

Obviously I am NOT a Dr. or medical professional in any way....just commenting based on my own thoughts and what I know about the medication from using it for years myself.

You have to do what is best for you working with your own Dr...I am just saying what I would do....which is go down in mg....spread it out throughout the day and take it only when needed.....this would maybe lessen any anxiety and take away the need for the valium....

And then add in all the natural ways to help Fibro (listed in Fibro 101 as a sticky on the boards here). And then add in a possible muscle relaxer that many of us have on hand for the muscle spasms. There is Flexeril, Robaxin, Skelaxin or Baclofen.

I, personally, like having any meds as "take as needed" so that I can do without on good days but have on bad ones.

Just some thoughts....keep us posted on how it's going..