Using Tramadol

[Spursboy]

My GP has recently put me on Tramadol 50mg capsules - 30 capsule - take 1 or 2 up to 4 times daily for back and leg pain.

I asked for something that I would be able to take say 30mins before walking so that I could have a painless walk.

I took 2 yesterday and they made no difference at all.

Should I take these on a regular basis say 2 - 4 times a day, would that be better?

Thanks.

[Madlegs1]

I would have thought an anti-inflammatory NSAID would be better for your specific concern.Ibuprofen works very quickly. 400mg would get you your walk..

Or naproxen with a PPI ( Vimovo) may be easier on the stomach, but takes longer to be effective.

I use both and get on well. ( Hip muscle pain)

[Spursboy in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks for your reply, I tried Ibuprofen some years ago but unfortunately they affected my stomach.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Spursboy]

Then taking a PPI, proton pump inhibitor , will help. That's why I find Vimovo so good.

[Bevvy]

Tramadol are extremely addictive so I would only use when absolutely necessary. You are correct about the benefits of walking for back pain and it is a shame you can’t take anti inflammatory medication.

Possibly using heat and cold compresses may be effective for you??

Edited. I have just read you bio and you are a gentleman a similar age to my father. This changes things. I still think you should have medical advice if taking tramadol on a regular basis and prior to starting this regime. But if it works for you then great!

[Spursboy]

Thanks for your reply, hot and cold compresses are OK after the walk, but I am hoping to find something that stops or reduces the pain when I'm walking.Have wondered about CBD oil, but have no clue about it really.

[clifetta]

You need to take paracetamol with the tramadol or they dont work.you do need to take regularly as well.

[Hidden]

Hello! I also would have some concerns about using Tramadol on a regular basis, based on whatever your age is. That is a very strong drug, and could really affect balance, etc. Here in my state (in the US), marijuana is legal, so if you have access to CBD oil, it is worth a try. I have found it most helpful at night, due to the sedating effects. I also have a CBD cream that has really been helpful at times, and since it is applied externally, does not affect your head. As we all probably know, sometimes nothing helps!! Try to find something that has a higher percentage of CBD than THC. That is what I was told was the most helpful, and it seems to be true in my case. Also, I sometimes take a turmeric product called Curamin that can be as helpful as an NSAID and does not negatively affect my stomach. I also take pregabalin, as prescribed by my doctor.

[psytrancer]

Hi, I was on Tramadol 50mg x 2 four times a day for about 12 years, now been changed to Buprenorphine patches. I was told many years ago on a pain management course that in order for them to work pain relief meds need to be taken all the time, if you take them sporadically or just before you think you’ll need pain relief they are unlikely to work. I would agree with clifetta above that if taken with paracetamol they work better. With regards to comment made by bevvy concerning addiction, it has long been known that taking pain meds for purpose they are prescribed for they are not addictive. I started on that Tramadol dose of 50mg x 2 four times a day 12 years ago & have never felt the need to ask for more or to seek out opiates on black market. The reason I was moved on to Buprenorphine was at the suggestion of my Pain Management consultant because the anti-spasmodic drugs I have also been on for 12 years are not working as well as they were but there not being any suitable replacements for those plus I now have more chronic pain conditions then 12 years ago she felt that this change from Tramadol would help, which it has. I had to come off Tramadol over a period of weeks so as not to have withdrawal issues & at no time during that time did I feel the urge to stop taking them. The bottom line is, do you want to be pain free, if yes then take pain meds as prescribed. Please bare in mind that this is my personal experience with Tramadol, I am in no way advocating anything without first consulting your GP

[Bevvy in reply to psytrancer]

Many people on here are concerned that GPs are refusing to prescribe pain medications due to addiction worries. Even though that individual hasn’t been affected as such.It is extremely well known that a large number of people taking pain medications have to increase the dosage after a time to get the same effect.

Tramadol is one of those medications. And there are warnings about this issued. Great that you were unaffected but many are.

I DO think age is significant and what might be appropriate and helpful at 80yrs long term could be drastically different to a (eg) 40yr old.

[psytrancer in reply to Bevvy]

Many GP's are refusing to prescribe pain relief medications due to NICE recommendations last year that long term use of pain meds for chronic pain has no discernible effect and therefore should not be prescribed. Unfortunately many GP Surgery's are happy to follow these guidelines as it reduces they're financial burden with regards to prescriptions. Maybe I am fortunate in having a GP and having Consultants who believe that pain relief is the corner stone of they're profession. But as I said above that has been my personal experience with Tramadol and as such do not advocate others to go down the same route without medical expertise. As far as the way in which age plays a part in all this maybe it does in that for an 80 year old in constant pain I would have thought addiction would not be of any concern when there is either the prospect of spending the rest of their life in pain or being pain free and able to enjoy the latter years of life. I started taking Tramadol when I was 54 and changed to Buprenorphine when I was 66

[Bevvy in reply to psytrancer]

I agree with regards someone over 80yrs which is why I edited my initial response! My dad is nearly 86yrs and takes Tramadol. I have no concerns about this. 😃

[B-B4 in reply to psytrancer]

Totally agree. I have been on Valium and Temazepam in the past and had no trouble stopping them gradually. Recently when I was in agonising pain after a hipoperation I didn't get any pain relief that did any good at all. I asked about Fentanyl but was told 'I might become a Junkie' and I couldn't have a catheter straight after because 'I might get an infection', so had to be dragged on and off bedpans instead.

I shall never have another replacement of anything , although I was just one of the very unlucky ones where the pain lasted 3 weeks. Oramorph, Tramadol and Amitriptyline didn't help for more than about an hour.