Thank you for the post. Both have their downsides, but Tylenol can be safe if used with caution.
I have low platelets due ro cirrhosis so NSAIDs are on the "don't" list.

My hepatologist told that Tylenol was the only one I should take and my trial doctor (also a hepatologist) was of the same opinion.

My google research confirmed this.

Asprin is the only thing that helps when I have a headache. I'll take maybe a single 325mg tablet once every couple of months. I can't believe thats gonna do much harm. I'd switch to tylenol but it doen't work. To be honest I'd rather skip all of it. When I had my wisdom teeth out I told my dentist I didn't want percocet because of the tylenol in it and he was nice enough to give me 5mg oxycodones w/o the tylenol.

Well Levicah, we don't all have the option of getting oxy's for the occasional headache, and as much as I wish I could it's a good thing I can't...trust me when I say this :-)

Sometimes only an Advil or Aleve will get rid of my headaches. Not too smart but I do take an occasional NSAID when Tylenol doesn't work. Please don't tell my doctor.

I would rather save the opiates to party down.
Kidding, of course.

Tramadol will ruin your thyroid.

Ok I was on hydrocone for lke 4 yeArs ANd it permAMntly damaged my liver and my ability ofy body to get rid of whatever it is that regulates your amonia lervels. so they put me on oxcodon fo the pain and Alpuranol to get my amonia level dfown it is the only thing in ghe world that will do that bt it is laxitive. I have not had any side effects or ANytHING made me feel btter the same night

Im orry they hgave me lactulose for the amonia level and Alpurinol for my gaut. Sorry

Sarpis-

Could you please post a link showing the connection between Tramadol and thyroid problems? I didn't do an exhaustive search but I checked the tramadol insert, wikipedia, mayo clinic, drugs.com, webmd and a handful of other sites and saw no mention of it.

Thanks...kat

I haven't done a thorough search either, but after a cursory search, I came across this:

http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/tramadol/thyroid+disorder

It seems so do have thyroid issues after taking the drug, but it appears to be mostly females. So Levi, maybe you will dodge this bullet. :-)

From

http://www.livestrong.com/article/24503-tramadol-hcl/


CONTRAINDICATIONS
Several Tramadol HCL contraindications must be considered before the drug is prescribed. Tramadol HCL should not be used by patients who have had prior allergic reactions to narcotics or those who take drugs that depress the functions of the respiratory or nervous systems. It should not be prescribed to patients with severe breathing problems or a history of drug abuse and addiction.
Tramadol HCL should be used with caution by people with kidney or liver disease, paralytic ileus, brain disorders, seizure disorders, heart problems, underactive thyroid, urination problems and adrenal gland problems.

My very consciensious & knowledgeable Dr told me it was ok to continue taking ibprophen, because I didn't use that much. Of course this conversation was right before starting tx. I wonder if she considered that the pain might increase upon beginning tx? After reading posts here, and checking it out myself, I finally bought a bottle of tylenol yesterday. You people who really do have knowledgeable & consciensios doctors, consider yourselves blessed!

@ Levicah... what the heck kind of animal is that?

Personal experience with Tramadol is how I know.I was on it for a couple of years and changed docs. The new doc tested my thyroid and it came back as hypothyroidism, so was given meds for that.
Then I decided to get off the Tram because it just wasn't working, I was miserable with the pain and needed to start all over with something else ....caution, do NOT try to get off Tramadol by yourself! If you think opiate drugs are hard to get off of, Tramadol is horrid!
Anyway, once off Tram, my thyroid went back to normal and has stayed that way even thru this tx.
Conclusion: Tramadol messes with a woman's (don't know about men) thyroid gland.

Yep, Tramadol can mess with thyroid, must monitor dosage. Non narcotic and highly addictive.

http://m.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/GuidetoCancerDrugs/tramadol

Sarpis- sorry you had such an adverse reaction to Tramadol but it doesn't seem very typical based on what I've read.

jibi88- both of your links state that Tramadol should be used cautiously by people with underactive thyroids.

Since it's been stated that Tramadol will ruin your thyroid I was curious about information regarding damage caused to those who didn't start out with compromised thyroids. I assumed that was clear but I don't want a repeat of the iron thread so I will respectfully thank all for their time and bow out of this thread.

Cheers.