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Break through pain meds, what are your rules?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 3/31/2013 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
I have a few options for break-though pain. Norco, oxycodone, and tramadol. My neurologist's rule is not to use it more than 3 days a week. Well,I just had a BAD week of breakthrough pain. I HATE taking the Norco and oxygen cuz they make me sick to my stomach. I've only recently been able to take tramadol again (off savella now). I took tramadol yesterday and the day before. It gave me GREAT pain relief and no side effects. I'm wondering, since its not as strong (and of course I'd talk to the Dr about it) if I could take it more often.My dad used to have to take it 3 or 4 times a day. Two times would be perfect for me. Anyone else have the "no more than 3 days out of the week" rule??
Posted 3/31/2013 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
I take tramadol up to 3 times a day for my breakthrough pains.
I try to handle my daily pains with heat and tylenol. If it doesn't help then I take the tramadol. Sometimes it doesn't help though.
Posted 3/31/2013 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't like that because it would be frustrating if your having one of those week. This is why I use subutex for pain. I rarely get breakthrough pain. I don't think pain management would do it this way. I am sorry your having so much pain.
Posted 3/31/2013 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
It's hard to figure out. Most rules of pm, at least in my experience, are that you don't want it to get so bad that you have to throw more at it. In other words, stay on top.

I take tramadol in the mornings, and hydrocodone 5-500 in the evenings. For some time, this worked okay, but recently it's not. Seeing rheumie in a month. The AS and crohns are making things worse.
Posted 4/1/2013 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Tramadol 4 times daily and it worked great EXCEPT it made me SO constipated, to the point I had to go to the ER and have it manually removed. That's my only issue with that med. I'd try going up in your case if its working but be on the look out for that side effect. It was terrible.
Izzy
Posted 4/1/2013 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
I've been taking tramadol twice a day for almost two years. It helps with pain and my energy levels, but I never feel like I need to take more sooner than my predetermined doses. I do experience withdrawal symptoms if I wait too long for the second dose. I'm not thrilled to be so dependent on the tramadol, but my quality of life has improved dramatically because of it.
Posted 4/1/2013 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
I can't take Tramadol due to another med I take and they conflict. Occasionally I do take Panadeine Forte for my pain, although my Rheumy wanted me to cut back. So basically I take nothing - most days I still get pain and it's hard to cope, especially working practically full-time and I am also a single parent. It would be nice though to find something not so strong to help with the pain. I guess then I'd feel somewhat normal again? Who knows?
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