tramadol for arthritis pain

[CTyankee]

I woke up at 4 A.M. with arthritic pain in my lower spine and weighed my options for treatment. I opted for the tramadol as earlier (8 pm) I had taken Melloxicam for the inflammation. By 5:30 I was still in pain and opted for what was to me the least risky medication: 650 mil. of Tylenol. The pain subsided within minutes and was gone soon after (I also did stretches and exercises in the bed). The tramadol "hangover" was not, however. I was in a fog all morning, even tho considering the time I had slept I really should have felt good (7 hours approx.).

What good is Tramadol anyway? I'm beginning to wonder. Since arthritis pain is caused by inflammation it would seem to me that an anti-inflammatory such as the Melloxicam and Tylenol would be sufficient.

I'm seeing my rheumatologist again on Feb. 19 for an injection which will hopefully give me some extended relief on my March 15 European trip where I will have to walk pretty extensively. I am doing my exercises and stretches at home regularly...

[murielm99]

1. I took tramadol briefly,

and broke out in hives. Of course, this will not happen to many people, but it was uncomfortable for a while.

[CTyankee]

2. I hate taking pills and yet find myself taking more and more of them.

I've now thrown out my aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen...

[Warpy]

3. I knocks my pain down pretty effectively without giving me a buzz

and since I'm not fond of that opiate buzz (it really does get in the way), I cling to my tramadol.

I don't get foggy from it, either. The only way I know it's wearing off is that the pain starts to come crashing back in 6 hours later.

[CTyankee]

4. Hmm, maybe I just don't need it (and you respond well to it).

By definition I need meds for inflammation and that appears to be Melloxicam. It's too bad I can only take it twice a day, but I am glad I can treat the arthrthritis with Tylenol as well...

[Warpy]

5. I don't have many options

between CRF and bad reactions to NSAIDs.

[CTyankee]

6. how does tramadol help?

[Warpy]

7. It knocks the pain down enough that I can function

instead of sitting around, staring at a wall.

[bemildred]

13. That was my experience. Effective (25mg/200 lbs), but not dopey at all.

But I use it mainly for colds, haven't tried it for serious pain yet.

I don't like it, but it like it better than Vicodin similar products. And you can get it cheap at the vets.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Meloxicam works well for me IF I take it for a few days

to let the therapeutic levels develop.
Until then, it wears off in 6 hours.
but it also makes one retain fluid, which I do not like. My doc suggested taking it for 3 days then 2 off, but that feels a bit..strange
and yo-yo like.

What works at night is Tylenol timed release caps...they call it Arthritis Tylenol.
2 of them work for 8-9 hours, and I don't get woken up with painful joints.

But..everyone reacts so differently to the same meds, it does take a bit of experimenting, doesn't it?

[CTyankee]

15. today I just took the 650 mil. Tylenol and by itself it didn't work like yesterday...

could the fact that I took the tramadol and later the tylenol was what cleared up my pain? Hmmm...

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. Many people I know say

that Tylenol is not very effective on joint pain.

After much trial and error, I am taking something that is effective...aspirin.
As long as I have something on my stomach when I take it, no problem.
Was not really happy with the various prescribed drugs like Tramadol and Meloxicam, they had the same warnings that Tylenol has.

[CTyankee]

17. My rheumatologist is VERY opposed to aspirin...

he said it causes terrible stomach bleeding, esp. in people my age (70s). It puzzles me because years ago people with arthritis always took aspirin.

I am SO hoping that the injections will do the trick...

[NaturalHigh]

9. Tramadol is a medication...

that gets so many mixed reviews from people. Some people think it works great, some just can't take it. My friend's ex-girlfriend (who actually used some opiate painkillers too) said it knocked her cold. When I was taking it years ago, I didn't find it all that effective, but it also didn't have any unpleasant side effects. Some people take it to wean themselves off long-term opiate use.

Bottom line: Good for some not people, not so much for others.

[DesertFlower]

10. i take generic Norco 10-325. i'm prescribed 2 a day,

but most times i don't take the full amount. i take 1/2 and usually only take 3 halves.

i had 6 epidurals which didn't work.

i go to a reputable pain center. i don't get a "buzz" which i don't like. in the very beginning i did, but now i don't feel anything except relief from the pain.

i have scoliosis, herniated discs and osteo arthritis. therpeutic massage has helped a lot.

[Warpy]

11. That's what civilians and some docs don't get

We don't get a buzz, although some of it might make us a little foggy. When we do get a buzz, we don't tend to like it much since what we're trying to achieve is something closer to normalcy.

I'm not pain center material as yet. My rheumatologist prescribes the Ultram.

[DesertFlower]

12. i had hoped the epidurals would work.

my sister in-law gets one every 6 months and doesn't have to take drugs.

unfortunately there are people who take these pain killers for the "buzz". it makes it bad for us. they're always trying to put more restrictions on these pain killers. don't punish us because of the few who do.

the pain center requires a urine sample every 3 months. they're very strict. the first time i went to them i had to bring every drug i was taking in the prescription bottles. i signed a contract that i would not let anyone else prescribe the pain killers and that if i was admitted to a hospital and they gave me drugs i would let them know as soon as possible. in the beginning i had to go every month for a new prescription but now they allow me 2 refills.

i also have to let them know if i'm prescribed anything new, i.e., an antidepressant, blood pressure meds, etc. they keep a list of everything i take.

[Worried senior]

14. I was prescribed Tramadol

for polymyalgia Rhuematica while trying to reduce my Prednisone dosage and it does nothing for me. I had more luck with Ibuprophen but not suppose to take it with the Prednisone.