Tramadol

[ChillySundays]

I have been on co-codamol for about a year. I have been suffering from nausea and in case it is the co-codamol the doctor has given me tramadol.

When I take co-codamol it doesn't take long before I get that feeling as if I have a few too many drinks. Pain not completely gone but since I am feeling a bit high it dossn't seem to matter.

I was expecting the same with tramadol. Have only been taking them for 4 days but the only way to described how I feel is the feeling of absolute sheer exhaustion. I had to leave work early as I couldn't do anything.

I only take 2 lots of 2 tablets in the evening - none in the day

Is this normal?

If you are on extended release medication (which I am guessing you are
50 mg per day is a common starting dose but you may be on 100mg or even more) i would expect you to feel quite tired but your body may get used to this and it may be transient.

If it is not you could half you ER medication (but talk to your dr first) in the evening and take it slightly earlier and see if that helps (it would take a couple of days to work it's way out of your system so patience is required)

If you find that you are getting more tired not less over the next 24 hours then I would arrange to see your dr as the drug may be accumulating and you may need either shorter acting tramadol pills taken 3-4 times daily or a much lower dose. At the right dose the pain and the painkiller should be in balance with no sleepiness. Sleepiness usually indicates the dose is too high or that the drug is accumulating

It is a tricky dosing drug sometimes but effective...do you have people in the house with you for safety?

The tablets are 50mg. The doctor did say 1 or 2 tablets. I tried taking 1 the first few day but it didn't seem to take the pain away like the co-codamol so I took 2. Think I will go back to 1.

I am not on my own at home. I have tomorrow off work as well so at least I don't have to try and keep awake!!!

Thank you for your help

Tramadol are the devils drug.

Agree with Soon. My dh was like a man possessed. When he was awake of course, they made him sleep most of the time! Once awake he was loopy, nit picking, argumentative, irritable.....then sleepy again.

It could easily be the tramadol, it effects people very differently.

If your Dr agrees you could try 1 tramadol with 1g paracetamol - this is an extremely effective combination of painkillers.

It is also possible that you are withdrawing from the codiene in the co-codamol, codiene is also a powerful drug & if you've been taking it for a long time your body can become accustomed to it.

Please do discus this with your Dr

Thanks everyone.

Have just taken 1 tablet and will take another later. See how get on tomorrow

Tramadol makes me very vomitty and sleepy. It is strong stuff, and I can take OxyContin without much side effect. Sometimes we're just sensitive to certain drugs. Good luck with it.

I use tramadol for breakthrough pain or flares
i use naproxen 1500mg and 1g paracetamol daily

I find tramadol as good as any other painkiller when needed
i prefer it to codeine or patches

Not too bad in the evenings when I take the tramadol but it's the next day and I get more and more tired as the day goes on until I have a nap.

Can't use naproxen. The indigestion was horrendous.

Get coated naproxen or use a acid reducer

I love tramadol but I can't imagine having to try and function and do things on it, it is far too trippy!

Tramadol aren't an opiate so won't give you the same 'high' that you're feeling - I've found many people continue to take cocodomol because they like this feeling, rather than for the analgesic effect so when given something different it doesn't quite feel the same or like it's working.

Can I ask what you're prescribed them for? I'm just asking because of the prolonged script of co-codamol.

Did you stop the co-codamol straight away? If so, you may be feeling withdrawal symptoms, this in itself could make you feel tired.

If it's the nausea that's bothering you could you possibly stick with co-codamol and alongside it ask for a medication called Chlorpromazine, which can combat the nausea.

Another vote for paracetamol with tramadol.

Obviously check with your Dr first but it's something my doctor recommended.

Grays - I take them for my shoulders. To be honest I think the trippy feeling helps with my perception of pain. The tramadol doesn't seem to be making the pain not seem as bad as when I am on co-codamol.

The doctor said not to take the two together so stop the one before taking the other

Sounds silly but I don't know how long to give it. I am trying to speak to the doctor.