This is really helpful to hear. Thank you so much for sharing. I genuinely mean that -- hearing the combinations of meds that others are taking and finding helpful is just not the kind of info we are going to be offered elsewhere! I'm so glad you are here :)and I am glad for this info.

I have not taken Tramadol but I have heard very good things about it -- this is further confirmation. I am very encouraged with this info. Thank you!

Aww thank you. Well I encourage everyone to post what they're taking that is helpful as well. :)

Hi Katster,

I'm so glad that the Tramadol is helping you! That is wonderful! You know what's funny.. my urologist actually recommended this for me to take, instead of the Vicodin. What are the side effects of this med and how long does it take to work? I'm hoping that Tramadol would be a better option for me, than taking Vicodin. Please let me know your thoughts. Also, thanks for the post!!

Laura

*****EXTREMELY IMPORTANT*****

I NEED TO UPDATE THIS POST IMMEDIATELY. THIS DRUG STOPPED WORKING AFTER ONE WEEK COMPLETELY. I GUESS I GOT ADDICTED TO THIS DRUG OVERNIGHT AND EVEN THOUGH I'M ALLERGIC TO IT, KEPT TAKING IT. THE DRUG CREATED PAIN SO THAT I WOULD TAKE MORE OF IT AND NOW I'M GOING THROUGH REALLY BAD WITHDRAWAL INCLUDING *HALLUCINATIONS* AFTER ONLY BEING ON IT FOR 11 DAYS. IT MADE MY URINE BURN ME WHEN I URINATED AND MADE ME SO CONSTIPATED WHICH MADE MY PAIN WORSE AND AFTER READING A MILLION POSTS ON ANOTHER WEBSITE ABOUT PEOPLE ADDICTED TO THIS DRUG WHO CAN'T GET OFF EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT HELPING ANYMORE I FEEL I NEED TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT THIS DRUG. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ADDICTED TO NARCOTICS TO THE POINT THAT MY PSYCHOLOGY WAS AFFECTED AND TRAMADOL IS SUPPOSEDLY NOT AS ADDICTING AS NARCOTICS UMMM DO NOT BELIEVE IT. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I WAS ADDICTED UNTIL AFTER I WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF MY DOCTOR, HIM LOOKING HORRIFIED SAYING "SO YOU'RE IN A LOT OF PAIN SO THE DRUG OBVIOUSLY ISN'T WORKING, YOU'RE GETTING HIVES AND RASHES SO YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY ALLERGIC TO IT, YOU'RE THROWING UP UNCONTROLLABLY, CONSTIPATED AND HAVE VERTIGO AND YOU WANT ME TO INCREASE THIS MEDICATION, GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO HANDLE THE RASH AND GIVE YOU AN OXYGEN TANK SO YOU CAN TAKE GRAVOL TO STOP THROWING UP AND STILL BE ABLE TO BREATH?" AND I WAS JUST LIKE YEAH.. AND THOUGHT IT WAS COMPLETELY REASONABLE --- I REALIZED HOW INSANE THAT WAS ON THE WAY TO THE PHARMACY. I HONESTLY COULDN'T CONCEIVE OF NOT TAKING IT THAT NIGHT WHICH SCARED ME HARDCORE SO I GAVE THE BOTTLE OF IT TO MY PHARMACIST. TRAMADOL APPARENTLY HAS AN ANTI-DEPRESSANT IN IT AND IT MAKES YOU GENUINELY BELIEVE THAT YOU NEED IT AND THAT IT IS IMPROVING YOUR CONCENTRATION, PAIN AND JUST LIFE IN GENERAL. THIS IS A BAD PATH TO GO DOWN AND IS WORSE THAN NARCOTICS. WATCH OUT FOR THIS DRUG!!!!!!

I was on this drug for a while about 3 yrs. ago. It never really helped me that much but my daughter was taking it for migranes and my husband for back pain. (their own scripts of course). They always told me it made them very high. My daughter actually admitted she just liked to take them (tramadol), because of the way it felt. Yes, it is addicting. If you go on the internet you will find there are many things about people going through bad withdrawel from this med.

Thank you so much for this posting. My urologist prescribed this for me recently and I was going to try it but after reading this, I will not try it. I am still taking Vicodin for the pain which is still helping. I am glad that you let us know about the side effects and about trying to get off of this type of medication. I am truly sorry that it stopped working for you. How are you doing? I hope you are okay.

Laura

Unfortunately I'm in a flare right now and have been throwing up and fainting for days from pain. I'll get through it though... how are you?

Hi Kat, I hope that you feel better soon. Oh my gosh, are you taking anything for the pain? I am so sorry that you seem to be having problems taking certain types of meds for the severe pain. Let me know how you are... I hope that you were able to enjoy this weekend. I am having an awful flare because I have a viral infection. My husband has been sick for a week and I caught it. It's the worst flu I've ever had. I'm on a med to treat the infection but still have a fever and feel sick to my stomach. I'm trying to rest up and drink lots of fluids because I want to return to work this week. My bladder is going nuts so I've been using my TENS therapy unit and that helped it calm down. Have you ever used one of these before?

I had a really bad reaction to TENS but I used an IFC for a couple of months and that helped reduce swelling and tension in my muscles a lot. Unfortunately I'm still throwing up and fainting every day and it's gotten to the point that my body won't digest food. I'm probably going to have to go to the hospital today or tomorrow for an IV because a very small amount of milk and water are all I can keep down. I have tried to get my pain under control with various things but nothing worked and last night the combination of everything suppressed my breathing so much that I stopped breathing altogether. However, my mom gave me an epipen and even though that's not they're usual use, it worked like a charm and opened up my airways. I really hope this goes away soon. Thanks for checking up on me, I appreciate it and I hope you feel better soon!! xo

Katster ~

Praying for you today ~ hoping to hear an update when you are able.

My niece was put on it for stomach pain. She has been on it for a while and is addicted. She has threatened to commit suicide and goes through crazy emotions. I took it for a couple months for my stomach and it gave me crazy migraine headaches.
I take Librax now for IBS and it helps my IC. I don't have much pain any more and I don't use the restroom as much. You might want to look into it. I don't feel addicted. I don't have crazy side effects. I have been on it for a while. I can function normally. I did have to adjust to it because at first it made me a little sleepy. But it is my miracle drug. Good luck hope you feel better soon!

kat,
sorry you have to stop taking tramadol I hope you are feeling better!! ToriB81 if you don't mind me asking, who prescribed Librax PCP or Gastro? I've been having severe stomach pain lately I really need something for this pain!!

WOW! I have never heard of anyone reacting to Tramadol this way!!! I took it for quite a while for foot pain and just stopped cold turkey and I had absolutely no problems what so ever.
Just because you wanted more even though you were having these reactions doesn't make you an addict. You wanted to take them because it helped your pain?. And if you're still having fainting spells and vomiting, you need to find out what is causing it. You stopped taking it about 10 days ago and should be out of your system, especially if your doctor is treating you for it. Find out what it is you are allergic to because there is something in your body that is STILL making you react this way!!!

What makes you think you are addicted? You were just taking it for pain, correct? If that is why you were taking it then all you are is dependent, which is totally different. I belong to the "chronic pain" group here and it is totally normal to go through withdrawls after being on a narcotic pain Rx for quite some time, and that takes MONTHS of taking it to get that way. It doesn't mean they are abusing their Rx.

I just felt I needed to respond to you discussion as you seem very upset about your experience. It's horrible that you had an allergic reaction but don't put yourself through all that "addiction" stuff. You live with pain on a daily basis and you have the right to have it treated. Don't feel bad about having pain.

Hang in there and I hope you feel better soon!

Stay Gold!

LesoleiFl I first went to my doctor about severe stomach problems. I have had them my whole life but they have just gotten worse over the years. She thought it was IBS but sent me to a gastroenterologist. He prescribed me Librax. Then I went back to my regular doctor and because of my two medical conditions being documented IC by a uro and Ibs by a gastro and since the medicine is helping me without side effects she refilled it. I have to get my liver checked every 6 months but so far so good. It is the same with a lot of meds though. Even Ibuprophen can cause problems with your liver. I have never believed in anything as much as I do this drug. It really has been a major life savor. I was to the point I was drinking baking soda every day because I would get a flare. Gross
Good luck ladies.

SSWarning Tramadol is a non narcotic drug! So it is not supposed to be addicting or have withdrawls. But it does and is. I was taking it even though it stopped helping my pain and gave me migraines every day. It felt like addiction to me. It seems like that is the way Katster was feeling. She said it wasn't helping but she still wanted to take it. Also my niece has turned into a whole different person since being on it. She will say I am gonna be so mad if my Tramadol gets taken away. The next she will say she thinks she is addicted. Also she has started abusing it and taking too many. I personally from experience think it is a bad drug and hope it gets taken off the market!