I have severe arthritis in my shoulder. The tramadol is worse than taking nothing since it can upset my stomach. I have to wait 3 weeks for an appt. with a new Dr. since this dr. looked at me like "oh, well... " when I told him the Tramadol doesn't work. I need pain relief but I'm wary of this drug. Two pills in less than four hours and ... nothing! BTW this Dr. prescribed 50mg - 3 times a day... every 8 hours!! Geez
Dr. gave me 50mg of Tramadol which gives no relief. Does it have to build up in my system?
Question posted by Lisahsings on 10 Dec 2011
Last updated on 24 December 2021 by Missy1315
8 Answers
Missy1315
24 Dec 2021
In my experience I find that either ibuprofen or acetaminophen potentiates the Tramadol. I take it with either 200mg of ibuprofen or 500mg of acetaminophen 3 times a day. I also take Gabapentin with it. The combination keeps me fairly mobile. Ask your Dr if you can also take an NSAID or acetaminophen along with your Tramadol. It really does help.
Bevhous
4 March 2019
Its crap. Sorry for being so blunt but the only thing tramadol does is make u nauseous and dizzy, does nothing for pain. Drs prescribe alot as they wont get eyeballed and scrutinized by the DEA after writing as its almost like an aspirin placebo. Drs are safe when they prescribe this crap. Ever wonder why people taking this med are never taken off by their Dr. The patient always asks to be taken off as its a nothing pill. My opinion people thats all.
B-E-L-L-E
2 Oct 2017
I have osteoarthritis, plus Stenosis in my back. Tramadol does nothing for my pain. I get more relief from Ibuprofen 800, which is not much relief. I am on Percocet 7.5. I would like to be on Oxycodone instead, since their is no Tylenol.
Ted1947
4 Jan 2012
From my experience the pain relief is not worth the nausea i experienced. I was on it for months, but the nausea increased with time despite my trying every anti nausea trick in the book.
Inactive
10 Dec 2011
You will also need to be careful coming off the tramadol as it can cause seizures. A lot of doctors have been duped into thinking that this drug is a non-narcotic pain relief drug by the drug companies, but are not explained that once it enters the body it does become narcotic like. It helps some & others have become quite addicted to it. I personally believe if you can tolerate nsaids you should just take them until your appointment. Believe me I know how bad you hurt as I have osteoarthritis in every joint in my body. I wish you the best...
Lisahsings
10 Dec 2011
Thank you Mary. I have not been taking the Tramadol, since the first day when it didn't touch my pain. I've been taking Norco and it works but I'm almost out of it..that's why I was asking about the Tramadol... thinking I would give it another try. I did research it and know that it can be addictive, that it's narcotic-like. Nsaids don't work either. I guess I'll just have to tough it out since that's what I've been doing most of the time for the past 8 weeks. It's odd to me that they said I have osteoarthritis in my shoulder when all my symptoms point to rotator cuff and I don't have the stiffness, soreness, redness, or tenderness in the joint itself that comes with arthritis. I just can't move my elbow away from my body without going down in agony (my whole arm hurts with the pain settling in the outer side of my bicep)... and then it hurts pretty bad until I can get a handle on the pain with the norco.
But the mri says arthritis and not rotator cuff. I'm waiting on a second opinion now... 3 more weeks until I see a ortho doc. I'm so sorry to hear that you have arthritis all over your body... I understand your pain and can't imagine having it EVERYWHERE! My grandmother suffered her whole life with it... and did find some relief with acupuncture later in life. If you haven't tried it, maybe you should check into it... I know I will if this really arthritis that's causing my pain. I hope good things for you..
Inactive
10 Dec 2011
Thankyou for your good wishes. Yes, the norco will help. Try to string it out & only take it when it's unbearable. My hubby just had his left shoulder operated on for a torn rotator cuff, & the pain is just as you describe. Maybe the ortho will do the dye test they did on my hubby that proved it was the rotator cuff tear, & a bad one at that. It 's a very painful test, & also he ordered nerve conduction tests too. Hopefully the ortho will have a better answer for you. I wish you the best...
Amosworks
3 Oct 2017
I have been taking one capsule of slippery elm, an herb with my tramadol for the last six months and have had no upset stomach. [Slippery Elm is like a food, in fact, in times of famine its bark and leaves have been eaten for food. Look it up and see if this is for you, it has been for me.]
I am now in my 8th day of withdrawals from tramadol and things are looking up significantly. This blog has been a great help with the many comments and helps given to continue my withdrawal, even just to tough it out. My restless legs are minimal and I take a warm bath in the morning and evening to settle them down. Having had both knees totally replaced the muscles and things are trying to figure our what to do I guess. They are also extremely weak as I didn't move around a lot before my surgery. Exercises are also helping.
I also practice the Tai Chi practice of 'like having a thread attached to the top back of my head and it pulls me up straight' which makes my knees also straight. So things are progressing well.
My mind and normal personality is coming back and feelings also.
If I can do this withdrawal thing so can you. Thanks for all who are helping me.
Delila
10 Dec 2011
Hi although I wouldn't advocate the use of tramadol (as it is highly addictive), I will say that a 50mg dose for that kind of pain probably won't be that helpful. It is common to take 2 x 50mg capsules as one dose. When I was prescribed tramadol for my back they were really helpful. I would check first before increasing your dose though. The suggestion of diclofenac is also a good call
Inactive
10 Dec 2011
lisahsings, from what i know is tramadol is useless, go to the er and not back to the quack who wont help you relieve your pain. hope you get relief
Rajive Goel
10 Dec 2011
Maybe you could try Diclofenac as an alternative to reduce the pain in your shoulder as an alternative therapy, but would recommend that you do try & seek a second opinion, please before you get to see a doc in 3 weeks.
Take care, best wishes!
Lisahsings
10 Dec 2011
Thank you for the recommendation :) The Dr. in 3 weeks IS a second opinion. I had to have my physical therapist refer me to an ortho since my family dr. said, "you have arthritis, nothing to be done." I was so stunned I couldn't think of questions until i hung up the phone. I had had an MRI because my symptoms are mimicking a torn rotator cuff. This is very frustrating. I've been taking some Norco that my husband had left over from elbow surgery and they work, but they won't last 3 weeks. (BTW I take them only when I really need relief..trying to make them last)... but I have three refills on the tramadol. Wonder if I should up the dose to 2 pills every 3-4 hours... I just read that Diclofenac has risks for people with diabetes.. that's me :(
Rajive Goel
10 Dec 2011
Rather unfortunate, God bless you, I would try Dicofenac Potassium rather then Diclofenac Sodium which could interfere with you diabetes.
I am diabetic too so do take Diclofenac Potassium as & when needed.
Take care, best wishes!
Lisahsings
10 Dec 2011
Thank you! I will ask the Dr.
Related topics
rheumatoid arthritis, pain, tramadol
Further information
- Tramadol uses and safety info
- Tramadol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Tramadol (detailed)
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