If you read the weekend blog, which has its own discussion topic here on the boards, you know that I am having a very rough time with a pain medication - Tramadol. I went to the doctor yesterday because I had a relapse of my sinus infection from 2 weeks ago. While I was there, I asked him for pain meds. for my horrible shoulder pain. Both shoulders - rotator cuff problems and tendonitis. Long story - haven't had time to go to the orthopedic. Anyway, he has always given me Tylenol with codeine or Percoset if I needed it. This time, he decided that I should have something that isn't a narcotic or a real narcotic or whatever. He prescribed Tramadol. Both he and the pharmacist said it wouldn't interfere with my Zoloft, and I would have no trouble driving. The instructions said to take one or two tablets every 4 hours. Around 10 PM, I took one, which didn't seem to be helping the pain much, so around midnight, I took another. I have NEVER been so drugged up in my life. You would think I would have gone to sleep and slept for 12 hours. Nope. Never closed my eyes all night. Could not sleep, but was so drugged, I could barely stand to walk to the bathroom, which is 3 steps from my bed. It is now 3 PM the next day, and the effects still haven't completely worn off, except of course, the pain in my shoulders is as bad as ever.
I Googled it, and read all of the information on it, but I still don't understand exactly what it is, and why I can take Percoset without this kind of reaction. In any case, I am NOT taking it again. Anyone know anything about Tramadol?
I've never taken it but the vet prescribed for my 25 lb Boston Terrier for back pain. Helps him, but puts him to sleep. Vet told me I could also take for pain, but have not. Don't want to deny dog of his doggie high.
My DH was put on it for join pain and muscle stiffness, rooted, I believe in his ongoing VaD decline. Up to 300 mg per day (max. dosage--Dr. acgully wote it for 400). About a year ago he started hving breakthrough pain , particularly when more active or with weather changes. After juggling dosages ineffectively, I finally asked for something else--Dr. ordered 500 mg Naproxen 2 x daily to augment. I had also asked about using it for me, when I might fall or otherwise aggravate my back or knees. I took one. Scared me badly. My BP med. slows my heart rate--i run in the mid-high 40's. Tramadol can slow the heart rate. I can't do that. When Hospice came aboard, we dropped the Tramadol and Naproxen. Most (98%) of the time he takes 1 Vicodin 4 x daily--no pain. Only when he's been really active has he needed 1 more--less than 10 times total between January and now.
My husband was on Tramadol and naproxen for several years for back pain. Neever had a problen with it,but when the Dr.told me to take it for bad knee it made me feel really spacey. They gave it to me last Jan. when I had surgery but only for the 2 days I was in the hospital. After my husbands back surgery last month the Dr. said continue the tramadol but discontinue the naproxen .I questioned continuing the tramadol but dr. said it was safe.
Thanks everyone. Bluedaze told me that it was supposed to be very safe, but since everyone reacts differently to different medications, she figured I was one who didn't do too well on this one. (She's a nurse). Anyway, it took until 5 PM today for it to finally wear off.
Glad it finally wore off, Joan, and hope you are feeling better. Yes, everyone reacts differently to medications. Me -- two aspirin will knock me for a loop.
Glad also it wore off. It must have been an individual reaction. I was on and off it for several years for fibromyalgia and back pain. This was long before Lyrica and Cymbalta came on the market. I tried both of them also.
I never had an adverse reaction to it. It helped my pain somewhat, but not enough for me to stay on it. I'd go off it until the pain got really bad, then I'd go back on it. I've lived with severe pain for the last 25 or so years and am used to it so I basically just live with it.
My daughter's vet prescribed Tramadol for her Lab when he pulled some muscles in his back and leg. It worked well for him.
My healthy daughter took tramadol for neck pain several years ago. She slept for 24 hours. She said it did not stop the pain and made her so groggy that she will never take it again.
Joan, sounds like if you did have a bad reaction. You are wise to not take it again. Hopefully you did not have to buy too many pills. I know people who take one vicodin and are zonked. I use to take 2 vicodin and 4 iburprofen (total 800) and not have any adverse effect except pain tolerable. Now since I don't have a doctor I depend on ibuprofen and Valerian Root.
Joan, I had the same kind of reaction to Tramadol you did. I took just one pill and it stayed with me for two days! It didn't begin to bother me until 3 hours after I had taken it. I couldn't get up off the sofa without severe dizziness. The reaction I had from it was like nothing I had taken before. After surgery doctors want to give Norco, but that gives me a reaction somewhat like tramadol so I tell the doctors whenever I need pain meds that I can't these two meds. That leaves me with very little pain meds, which I need for a bad back and knee. Hope you're feeling better by now. It's an awful feeling, isn't it?
I take one Tramadol with two Tylenols and it works great for arthritis pain. Maybe this would make you feel less doped up. This was suggested by the doctor who prescribed the Tramadol.
baltobob - reminds me of more than one person I know when zoloft time release came out. If they drank a cup of coffee in the morning, they were fine. If they did not they were sleepy and tired all day. Some how that doze of caffeine in the morning nullified the sleepy problem.