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Tramadol (Generic Ultram)

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi.

I stopped by to ask a question and see if others might share some insights w/me. A couple of weeks ago, my pdoc had me start taking Tramadol. Long story - my pdoc believes in treating the whole person, so fibro and arthritis as well as mood disorder.

I've been wanting to get away from vicodin or tylenol/codeine products because Ive taken them for too many years to count. While my liver is functioning fine at present, I realize that these products account for virtually 90% of the liver transplant surgeries these days, and I really hate the thought of getting to that point.

The very first time I took a Tramadol tablet, I sort of felt it was helping. Placebo effect? I don't know.

Since then, absolutely nothing. I'm on 50mg every 6 hours as needed. But I don't think it's helping me at all with breakthrough pain.

I'm also on Avinza - 60mg every 24 hours - which is pure morphine - no additives to damage liver or other organs. It addresses constant, chronic pain. And I take Celebrex - 200mg daily- for chronic arthritic pain.

But there are those times when I need somehting more.

Is my Tramadol dosage too low? Is it glorified aspirin, and it simply doesn't work?

I'd love to hear from those who have taken Ultram or the generic Tramadol to hear of your experiences.

Thanks, and Namaste,
Trish
deleted_user
deleted_user
My experience with Tramadol is that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I think when the pain is really bad, it just doesn't touch it. I use it mostly for the "light" pain days. Sorry! Hope you feel better soon!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Ultram (tramadol) has been my life saver now for a couple of years. I started out only needing one in the morning and then maybe one at night. My fibro was much much less pain at the time. NOW, it usually takes 2 tabs at once to do the trick, but it usually is a BIG help. I think it is becasue my pain is more severe now. I have tried to just take 1 tab from time to time and unless the pain is just minimal it doesnt help. BUT 2 tabs really do help. I have read that it doesnt do much for many people but it might be because of just what I have said. I think it is more for min. to moderate pain. Try two tabs and see if that doesnt help. It is safe to take 2 tabs 4 times a day if needed. I dont believe I have ever taken 8 tabs in one day. I alternate with Lortab 10mg a couple times a day when I am really bad. Hope this helps. I thought Celebrex had been taken off the market??
deleted_user
deleted_user
I LOOKED IN MY PDR AND IT SAYS TRAMODAL AND ULTRAM ARE THE SAME...WHEN I WENT TO LOOK FOR TRAMADOL IT SAID GO TO ULTRAM. SO THAT IS WHAT I JUDGING FROM....LOVE..HELEN
deleted_user
deleted_user
No dear its actually an opeoid (spelling?). Its in the same family as morphine just not as strong. Ive been taking it for about 4 or 5 omonths. It worked wonders for quite a while but recently it hasnt been doing the job. I had a flare recently and the tramadol mixed with vicoden is the only way I got relief. My doc doesnt know this but I have to 250mgs at once to get relief. My rx says to take 2 every six hours. I dont exceed it I just have to take them all at once and then no more for the rest of the day. He didnt want to hear me when I told him it wasnt working as well. I think after a while mixing tramado with another pain med may be the only way for it to work right, at least for me. If you only just started taking the tramadol and one pill isnt working then you need to call your doc and let him/her know. Give it about a week or so. I dont think it has a cumulative effect, so you may very well need to get the dosage raised.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I take tramadol for daily pain, but I take 100mg every 6 hours. When I am having moderate to severe pain I take lortab with it.

My understanding is, it is NOT an opiate, its non narcotic. It works like an opiate on pain receptors, but not as well. My Dr. started me on this first because it is non-narcoticand he can write it for 3 months as oppsed to monthly, as he does with the Lortab. In NY sate they aren't allowed to write narcotic pain meds for more than once a month. Or at least that has been my experience.
Ask your Dr. if you can up it to 100 mg, and see how that works for you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Tramadol and Ultram and indeed the same thing... Tramadol is the generic name for Ultram. It has an opiod "like" action, but it not a true opiod. It also inhibits the uptake of seretonin somewhat which gives it a little bit of an antidepressant action also. For several years that said it was supposed to be different because it didnt have addictive qualities, however, they are thiinking now that it does. From experience I can tell you... I dont take ANYTHING out of "addiction" I use based on my level only. However, I do notice a "skin crawling" kinda edgy cant sit still feeling - especially if I am laying still if I do take my Lortab only because I am out of my Ultram. I prefer the Ultram if it does the trick because the Lortab is definelty supposed to be addictive...
deleted_user
deleted_user
It is a "synthetic" opiate. So it does work like an opiate. Try 100 mg. 50 mg didn't work for me really either. It's been my lifesaver for several years now. It works great at 100 mg but...on severe flare days nothing really touches my pain. All I can do is rest. Hope this helps! LindaF
deleted_user
deleted_user
Oh ok, Miss Barbi! I didnt realize that it was only 'like'morphine. The docs seem to like it better because its not supposed to affect your liver and stuff the way that narcotics do. But as for addiction, HOLY MOTHER OF FROG HAIR!!! (got that from you miss barbi) I was out for a week once and I was in hell. I was sweating, shaking, sick to my stomach, i had insomina, when i would talk to someone i would talk really fast which I normally dont. Oh it was horrible!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
For those I may have confused: Yes, Tramadol and Ultram are the same. Tramadol is the generic for Ultram.

Blessed be,
Tridh
deleted_user
deleted_user
I did a lot of research several years ago because my hubby at the time was just a pill popper and I didnt want him to have anything that was addictive like your nacotics... fortuneatly I have not been out for more then a day or two... that skin crawly, twitchy, weird cant sit still think I am loosing my mind feeling was bad enough. I have klonopin which helped with those withdraw symptoms... Crazy, but I tell ya, I am thankful for it when I do have it because it does help me function everyday. Bless your heart bbjjbb...
deleted_user
deleted_user
I take Tamadol 50mg twice a day. SOmetime 3 or fours times a day depending. It has been good for everyday pain bur not for breakthrough "flare" pain. Usually have to get something else for those times. If I take it 2 x a day like rx'ed not during a flare I function pretty well on it and don't feel all drugged up. Hope this helps
deleted_user
deleted_user
seems like if you are on 60mgs of morphinr, you ought to be on Dilaudid or something similar for breakthrough - tramadol is bogus!and 50 mg? that's like a geriatric dose!! just my opinion of course!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I appreciate all the comments. I pretty much already figured out the low dose of Tramadol was going to be fairly ineffective given the amount of Norco I've taken over the years for break-through pain.

PaganChild, I'm not familiar w/Dilaudid at all. As for the Avinza/morphine, I have to take it every single day, even those days I feel good. I can't go on and off it. And I can't take more of it on a bad day because I can only get 30/month.

I just want something for the break-through pain that will be effective and not damage my liver so much as vicodin or tylenol/codeine does over time.
AliaA
AliaA
Trish,
I have been taking Tramadol for 4 years. I started to build a resistance to it so my doctor introduced me to Ultram ER (extended release). He started me on 300 mgs per day. Maybe that may be an option for you. I have not seen much written about it, I assume it is something new. My doc says that I can take up to 800 mgs of Ultram/Tramadol(regular or ER) per day. That's the absolute limit. He really is very respected in his field so I trust him on this. I wish you luck and hope this helps.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thank you, everyone, for your comments. I have an appt w/my pdoc on Nov. 1st and will talk w/him more extensively about my pain control options w/Tramadol/Ultram. thanks again!
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