I am prescribed up to 200mg ER Tramadol a day. Unfortionatly it is not enough approx 30% of the time. Ive had gastric bypass surgery so I need to be careful of over the counter meds that can cause stomach ulcers. Im finding that im taking a lot of Tylenol. AT least 2000mg. IM worried about my liver but I hate to ask my Doctor to increase my Tramadol due to the fear she will percieve me as a drug seeker. Is anyone taking anything, prescribed or otc that works really well for them?
Hi Bev,
Believe it or not, I find relief in OTC 'Sports Cream', first advertised by the handsome Joe Namath, decades ago! Even for someone as banged up as I am with arthritis, this is so much better than the prescription Voltaren gel, just cannot use it with a heating pad. Here in the US, it costs about $7.00, here's what it looks like.
I would ask your dr. The maximum dose for Tramadol is 400mg a day, at least that's what my dr told me. I take 200mg a day but can use up to 400mg, and I use Arthritis strength Tylenol for when the pain is really super bad. I was also told not to use any thing but Tylenol while taking the Tramadol. Again this is what I was told by my rheumy.
I hope you find some relief soon.
Gentle Hugs! Dottie
Thank you very much. good to know. I have found the arthritis strength tylenol and started taking it only just recently.
Thank you for the response. Im willing to try anything.
Tramadol is safe for up to 400mg a day, paracetamol/tylenol/acetaminophen is safe for up to 4000mg day, (max 1000mg per 4 hours). I assume you are on a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) like omeprazol or lansoprazol to keep ulcers away. If you are not I would ask about this. You can, when feeling very sore take a low dose of Ibuprofin over the counter, but be careful as high doses or prolonged use of NSAIDs (which ibuprofin is a type of) can cause ulcers. Therefore 200mg twice a day maximum, or use the ibuprofin gels you can get as much as allowed on the tube because it is safer that way. You may want to speak with your doctor about low doses of duloxetine (cymbalta) and pregabalin (lyrica) being added to your meds because these will help a lot more than over the counter remedies in all likelihood.
Whatever is said homeopathy is a load of rubbish. I may do a post on this later... if I remember. Do not get drawn into wasting money on it.
Hope this helps.
Mikex
Bev, I've taken Dapro for years now, and I always eat when I take any med, even if it's just a cracker. The Doctors who removed my gall bladder said they see more ulcers caused by Aleve than any other anti-inflammatory.
Bev, I also had the surgery so I know how limited we are with meds. Tylenol is safe up to 4000mg a day, after that it can cause sudden liver problems, so always be careful. The Tramadol ER should not exceed 300mg a day.
The only prescription pain med I take is Neurontin (which has made my surgery a complete failure)-- and then Tylenol and Motrin. I know Motrin is the absolute worst thing I can take with my stomach, but it's part of the only relief I can get!
I would still talk to your doctor, because they are much more accepting of tramadol, as opposed to one of the other opiates. I don't think they would have a problem with it, or view you as a drug seeker.
Good luck!
Renie♥
Thank you. I will ask about the PPI. Very good to know.
Thank you so much. I cant believe how supportive this group is. I really didn't expect to much of a response at all. This is wonderful.
Thank you very very much.Ive added the above to my list of things to research. Much appreciated.