I have been prescribed tramadol but h... - Restless Legs Syn...
I have been prescribed tramadol but have only been taking it when the pain is bad. Is it one of those drugs that should be taken regularly?
I am almost sure Tramadol can be taken on a when you need it basis.. Unlike other meds for RLS which have to be in your system on a regular basis for them to work properly.
Thanks Elisse
Right, it is not like taking an antidepressant or anticonvulsant which always have to be taken on a tight schedule. Donna/
Hi tramadol works better if taken at the same time as paracetamol.The pain clinic told me this
Thanks, will make sure I do this in future
Interesting, I wonder why this is? Did they tell?
Absolutely!!!!!! Did your Dr not explain this? All pain meds should be taken regularly throughout the day.
You can of course 'top up' when (if) pain peaks. Tramadol is not specifically for RLS it has been issued as a pain / discomfort suppressant and is in the Opiate family and needs treating with care.
Kindest
Bob
Would you apply this "regularity" + top-up as necessary to Paracetomol and Ibuprofen?
Only I can see the possibility of some getting a lethal dose of Paracetomol if the top-up as necessary on top of a regularly administered dose is applied
Hi Pete
Sometimes, if you have say a 2 day back issue then yes I would.However I would normally count these very mild pain killers as take as required.
Please understand that I am not a Dr, I just have 8 years high level pain management experience (which I wish I hadn't by the way) and take some 36 tabs a day, so it may also be worth noting that the pack dosage recommendations on such over the counter meds are of course based on the 'average' weight of an adult so if you are heavier then larger doses are possible / needed to gain an effect, this is from a Dr by the way.
Kindest
Bob
This is what i found about Tramadol, you can take it on a as needed basis...
of course you can Elisse, is that always the best method to relive all pain issues is I think what Pete is asking? its certainly what I am discussing.
How are you anyway? Long time no chat.
Kindest
Bob
Are you saying to take the pain medicines on a regular schedule to prevent pain from coming on? That's how I took what you are saying.
I believe that you are saying that because once the pain starts, it's very hard to get on top of it again. Is that what you are talking about Bob?
I am in no way arguing you Bob, I am just wondering why doctors tell patients to take it every 4-6 hours so the pain doesn't go over the top or else it will take 3 times longer to get on top of the pain again.
Hi, I thought that's what I said....................I think we agree.
Although it seems Tramadol is one of a group that can be used in both ways?
Kindest
Bob
Hi Bob., let me try to explain, Tramadol is a pain med, there are other pain meds. These type of meds can be taken when needed, so Tramadol can be taken every 4-6 hrs. Unless you are using a extended release one, then it would be one pill a day. With meds like the dopamine agonists they HAVE to be taken usually the same time usually in the evening, to keep the level of that med in your system. I have seen where people will take for example Ropinerole one night then not another night, and wonder why they didnt sleep. The dopamine in that med has to be maintained. Having said that, some people split their dose of the dopamine's during the day. If daytime RLS is bothering them. Those people maybe do not know they can get a extended release dopamine med which would take care of daytime and night time symptoms. The Neupro Patch is a 24 hr patch, that would take care of RLS day and night. There are extended release Ropinerole and a Pramipexole one too. Does that help, or confused you and anyone else even more... 
Well that's what I thought however other are saying their Drs say take as needed???
Well Tramadol, can be taken as needed. Someone may not need to take it every four to 6 hrs, some might. Some might only need to take it at night. So, its take as needed. Does that sound better.
Are the drugs (pain pills and dopamine) the only true solution for
treatment? Are they completely reliable?
Brett, you know by now that nothing is completely reliable for treating RLS ever. No matter what the class of meds are. 
Oh Sorry, I keep reading on here that people are getting nights of sleep and have had success taking this and that. I'm trying to gather if people are taking medicines as preventive or if they are taking them only when the symptoms arrive.
Yeah, What Brett Said Nightdancer. That's what I was getting at a few pages back.
Hi Bob, Long time no chat is right... Good to see you on here. Hope everything is ok with you, or as good as we can expect when suffering with this. I am doing so so... x
Interesting discussion from everyone - thanks. Will certainly take it with paracetamol in future and may try a period of taking it regularly to see if it makes a difference.
Yes I take 150mg a day you should take it regularly
tramadol is an as needed drug, unless you have the extended release formula. I took it for years, as needed, but kept a diary for when my RLS was most active, and dosed it around that. once RLS gets started it is harder to stop, so I took mine on a regular schedule for RLS and some back and neck pain. after many surgeries, the tramadol did not do it any more, so I am on extended release morphine, so I have it in my system, sloooowly, all the time. I also take hydrocodone (I am in the US), and that is part of my list of regular meds that help my RLS 99% of the time. As soon as you feel a twitch, or if your RLS starts up in the evening at the same time every night, then you take it before the RLS starts. It takes time to make up your own system, and of course, talk to your doctor about it, too.
Nightdancer, I am following this conversation. First you said to take
as needed only but now you are saying once RLS has started, it's
harder to stop. Maybe you meant at first sign of rls which for me,'
is full blown. Usually I'm asleep and then I wake up after 20 -40 mins
with my legs wanting to move all around.
I'm not ripping on anyone. I'm trying to make a plan for treatment.
Hi Brett, I would say if your symptoms usually kick in(literally !) about 20 to 30 mins after going to bed try a pain med around an hour before bed for a couple of weeks to test out if they prevent or at least lessen the intensity of an attack.
As we can all tell, what works for one, does not work the same for every person with RLS. When we say it is all trial and error, that is what is. It can take years to find a personal treatment plan that will work any steady basis for any of us, and sometimes, so far, some people never find a good mix. It depends on the person how they react to the drug or treatment itself, and so mother things. Depends on the levels of severity, what time of day or night or evening your RLS strikes you, etc. Mine, for example, usually starts with a "twitch" or "shock" in my lower left back or hip, and I know it is time for meds, and there is no messing around. That is how mine behaves. one twinge and boom! So, it is very hard to follow anyone else's plan; although many, many good suggestions. If you have severe RLS, maybe you should be medicating with a time release med, or if it is only at night or in the evening, and is kind of the same time each night, you know when to start treatments. Mine used to hit me every evening, now it is like 10 pm to 11 am the next day, if it wants to stubborn. We can do same thing every day, and some RLS rears up and days not.
Tamadol CAN be taken as a when needed med. Or if you think its best for you to take regularly then you do that. Most of the meds have to taken on a regular basis, and usually at the same time everyday, or evening, before the twitching starts. Taking some meds late can result in having a bad night. Its about keeping the level of of the meds in your system so it doesnt drop out. Does that help...!
Thank you Elisse. Now that makes sense to me.
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