tramadol | Arthritis Information

I have been having terrible pain mostly in my shoulders, so I requested a pain rx from my rheumy and she gave me Tramadol. I haven't tried it yet because I wanted to check with my expert friends here first. So, dear expert friends let's hear it!

Luv, N&T

I take tramadol on a regular basis. It does work.....but it's rather mild. Might make you a little sleepy; but after using it as long as I have I really don't think it makes me too sleepy anymore. I still only use it when I'm home and not planning on driving.

Good Luck. Hope it helps your shoulder pain. That can be horrible. If you aren't getting the relief you hope for maybe ask for a shot or cortisone. I've had several in my shoulders on numerous occations and it's about the only thing that's helped.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

I've used Tramadol/Ultram over the years. Like Lovie said, it is a slightly milder pain med than the vicadins and percs. For me specifically, it does kind of wind me up so I don't take it at night - because I'll not get to sleep. One good thing about the med, according to my RD, is that you don't build up tolerances towards the drug like you do other opiod-based drugs - either it works or it doesn't. You don't usually have to keep upping the dosage over the years and you don't have some of the dependancy issues as other pain meds. That's my RD's explanation. Best wishes.

As I was thinking of how to post my question - upon opening this forum up - the first one is about shoulders and that's my question!

Normally the pain has been knees, elbows, toes, knuckles, etc..... since this flare started about a week ago - my shoulders ache and you can't touch them... IS THAT PART OF THE RA, as well - the shoulders - I'm thinking since it's both - it must be.

Anyone else with shoulder pain from this?

THANKS!

Milo, the shoulder pain is the pits for me. It seems like pain above my waist just does me in, whereas below the waist I can tolerate it. The shoulder pain is just horrible in fact I compare it to real hard labor pain. I too have had cortisone shots but my rheumy is in another city about an hour away.
You have all made me feel safe with the tramadol so I am going to try it. Thanks so much to all of you.

Luv, N&T

I take 2 tramodol in the morning when I get up and 2 at bedtime. I've tried to skip it, and its not a good idea for me. Sometimes, I take 1 at 4 pm.

its mild, I do't feel anything that says "you've taken a pain killer" I just know the pain is much less.

I had horrible pain in my shoulders early on. In fact the day I was dx'ed I couldn't raise my arms above my head and drying or even brushing my hair was an absolute nightmare!

I can't recommend a shot of cortisone enough. It works wonders!!

Now and Then, I tried several types of pain killers before Tramadol which works for me. Started every four hours, now down to twice a day, morning and night. Did have some nausea but not sure which drug was causing that. From what others have said, it seems to be pretty harmless so why not give it a try - you've nothing to lose but your pain.Tramadol here too. I wish it did more sometimes, but it does take the edge off. It made me a little dizzy the first couple of times I took it, but not now. Sometimes it does keep me up at night. So, is it safe to say that tramadol alleviates a little bit of the fatigue that goes along with MTX? Boy, that would be a plus!
I have house guests this weekend, but I am definately going to try it on Monday. I am taking 8 tylenol extra strength now and it lets me get by, but not comfortably.

Thanks again I think it makes me somewhat sleep. I usually take two before bed time....and I can't say it keep me awake. I sleep pretty good the majority of the time.My rd gave it to me with other pain meds. he explained that on bad days I take one or two about 2 hrs after I took my pain meds and it would be like a little extra kicik to keep the pain meds working, I only took it a few times when pain was really bad ,because I would get dizzy and feel off balance from it. meme

I hope you soon start feeling better. Thanks everyone for your input. I did start taking the Tramadol yesterday, but I started out with a half tablet. I have always done that with some of my meds simply because if 1/2 will do the trick, why take a whole tablet. So today I took another half this morning and then this evening I will take the other half. When that dosage wears off, I will increase to a full tab as needed. Another plus to this method is that it cuts down on the cost.
So far, so good. It has really helped me a lot. Wow, did I need it!

Huggin ya N&T

Hi,

I take tramadol occasionally now but used to take it all the time before remicade. In the UK you can get a slow release tablet that means you take it 12 hours apart and get a constant amount in your body after the first couple of doses. This avoids the issue of having a good patch just after taking a pill followed by a slump while you wait for the next dose! I found it made me feel a bit fuzzy round the edges at higher doses but that was less with the slow release version. Now I use hte regular ones as I only need it now and then and is you use slow release you have to take it all the time. You can abuse it, it is an opiate-type drug but if you take it as per your prescription you should be Ok as long as you have no previous issues with opiate addiction, (I work with drug users so have lots of experience!).

I hope it's working for you! If you are taking it long term ask about slow release capsules!

PS you can often take a lower overall dose (over 24 hours) if you take slow release as you have a constant effect.

In May my rheumy prescribed tramadol for me to be taken every eight hours and more, if needed. However, I was instructed to not to take > 6 tablets in a 24-hour period. Have never had to take > three tablets a day and since being on 20mg. of mtx a day I rarely have the need to take any at all.
In the beginning it did make me sleepy and oh could I sleep! Think it was a combination of the tramadol and not having sound sleep for sooooooo long. Now, if I need to take it, I experience no sleepiness whatsoever. Good Luck

The 1st week taking 50 mg of tramadol 1 to 2 a day, I felt a bit 'fuzzy'. I am over that now. I don't get any kind of high so it allows me to be able to work as a programmer. I am not pain free but most of the time it keeps the pain at a tolerable level.

If a drug or herb is strong enough to help, it is also strong enough to hurt someone - maybe you. I really thing tramadol is a very safe pain reliever.