Tramadol Users...Is anyone having to up their dose?

[Congnizance]

Hey all,

I was just wondering if anyone who uses Tramadol has become used to their dose and had to up it. I have been on it for about 5 years and I am at 2x 50mg twice a day. At the rate I have been increasing I will reach the max dose in about 5 years.

For me Tramadol has been fantastic for my spasms, sleep, and overall pain. Does anyone know what would be a stronger drug that I might have to switch to? I am kind of curious about the progression of drugs people have experienced.

[ronr]

If tramadol is working for you then I would stay with it as long as possible rather than switching to a "stronger" drug.

Increasing the dose as time goes by is common with all drugs used for pain.  You are thankfully not at the maximum yet and I would wait to see what is available when the times comes that this does not work adequately for you any more.

[Lucky1]

What ya taking? Got anything good?   I believe I started a thread on this, or some on did.  Much of it is INSURANCE or lack there of.   And many of the guys here are in Canada also complicating communication.  Back to meds. Wide range of pain meds. What will your MD write? How bad is your pain? What is Covered?  Other than pain meds.  Many of us take gabapentin-Neuronton an old school neuro. drug.  Lyrica if you have good insurance or NO ins.(Phiser connectiontocare.com USA only) is newer and more effective. Some folks take both.   Lots of folks find some relief with medical/only/mj.     What types of pain bug you the most?      Lots of us have posted stuff,look around a bit.   There are a few of us that are experts, but will not make that claim openly.

[augoldminer]

What i have found with fibro is you never get rid of all the pain and your taking to much pain meds if you try.

Mine was bad when it first started with 24 hour a day cramps in the arms and legs.
Pain running down the bottom of my arms so bad i could not rest my arms on 3 inch soft foam pads.

Sleep was impossible from the pain.

Gabapentin with Salsalate cut the pain down to a dull ache that i can live with and sleep.

With me gabapentin does not work for the pain from the inflammatory disorder i have (sarcoidosis)
And the salsalate does not work for the neurological pain of the fibro.
So i have to take both or the inflammatory drives the fibro pain.

With my C-pap i can get a nights sleep and have slowly been needing less meds over time.

I tend to under medicate during the day with just enough meds to function during the day taken only when i need them. And up my dosage at night so that i get a good nights sleep.

[tojo]

I am at the max dose and have been for about two years it is 2x 50 4 x a day. Still helping me

[kingd]

For me it's 2x50 twice a day but have had to increase dose lately so I can sleep at night (1 x50 before bed two to three times a week).

Seems to not be working as well but I'm still trying to keep from increasing the dose.

[AchinDude]

Advice given so far is spot on.

Stick with it as long as it is working.   When the time comes, the docs will most likely have to "experiment" with a new med, to see if it is going to work.


Hang in there.


BOB

[SidS]

I was at the max dose of 2x50 3-4 times a day but this past few weeks my doctors want to take me off of it with out giving me anything else.
i went to the pain clinic at Group Health and the DR there did not do crap she just talked to me for 40 mins and said it was all in my head and i need to see my shrink and to do more walking. has anyone else had this problem? i also am going back to the Rheumatologist that told me i had FM even though it is a 40min drive each way.
i was shocked that none of them my PCP the pain clinic DR and my new Rheumatologist offered any other pain meds or any thing.
they told me that i have to learn to live with the pain after 2 years of pain and being on meds.

[ronr]

Sid,

I replied to your other post but  can see clearly now that it is time for you to be looking for some new docs. 

It IS NOT all in your head, and it has been proven so.  These people that are telling you that need a bit of a refresher.  Just doing more walking is going to be good for you but will likely make the FM worse, especially without the meds you have been on for two years.

[SidS]

Sid,

I replied to your other post but  can see clearly now that it is time for you to be looking for some new docs. 

It IS NOT all in your head, and it has been proven so.  These people that are telling you that need a bit of a refresher.  Just doing more walking is going to be good for you but will likely make the FM worse, especially without the meds you have been on for two years.

Thanks ronr i saw it and i will.

[foxgrove]

That's a crap situation brother.  I agree totally.  Time to get new docs!!!  What they are telling you is total BS!!!