Aren't they supposed to block pain the same way? Taking 1 tramdaol does not help my back pain at all and so I took 2 tonight and feel awful. Dizzy, light headed, anxious. I know it's supposed to be better for chronic pain but I feel like my heart is going to pound out of my chest!
Why doesn't tramadol work for me but vicodin works great?
Question posted by sugarh00ker on 8 June 2012
Last updated on 8 May 2021 by Mikeevans66
7 Answers
Mikeevans66
8 May 2021
Many Caucasians and Asian people have a CYP-2D6 Defect. CYP2D6 is primarily expressed in the liver. Instead of a long winded answer, in short if you suffer from this defect then tramadol will not work for you. Instead it will behave more like an SSRI. I find tramadol and codeine useless as a pain killer. Later, tapentadol was invented and was supposed to be the improved tramadol. Tapentadol is a superior opioid pain killer but just as addictive and all the other opioids.
layla5
5 Aug 2012
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience with Tramadol. I have tried that along with just about everything else. For me, tramadol was the WORST drug I ever tried. The withdrawal from it was terrible. Get off this medicine as soon as possible. I have to take a couple different narcotic pain relievers to get through everyday, but I'd rather take those or nothing than tramadol any day. If vicodin works for you, take it. You don't want to live in pain. Trust me I've been living in chronic pain for 5 years now, and I'm only 20 years old.
Buddy1971
9 June 2012
Unfortunetly Tramadol is what doctors write when they don't want to write opiates to cover their asses because according to the manufacture is " AN OPIATE STRENTH NON-OPIATE". The really sad part about it is that Tramadol is habit forming also & I've seen many o person saying they are going through quite bad withdrawal symptoms from Tramadol,Ultracet,& there's a few more that have the same active ingredient as Tramadol. Which to me makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER because If your going to suffer through the same withdrawals why not just write an opiate medication to start with? It's the stupidist thing in the world but hey,they have pain clinics down south that have the pain doctor,THEIR OWN M.R.I's,&the pharmacies all in one building!! How's that for a scam?
Inactive
12 June 2012
Yes Buddy, pill mills! Make a ton of $ and clear out of town.
Buddy1971
12 June 2012
I just though I'd add that I was prescribed Methadone for pain so I don't know why she's in pain since she's taking M.D which should work a lot better then tram-a-garbage,just my opinion.
sugarh00ker
12 June 2012
I know of a shady pain dr kind of like that where he has his pharmacy there and will give you more pills then you need right there on the spot, but at triple the price. He was the worst pain dr I've ever been too!
balbanese
8 June 2012
There is (in my humble opinion) NO comparison between the two. Tramadol is a synthetic and I personally can't stand this med, although I find it helps with my RLS. I get weird dreams when I take it but I get relief from the RLS. For pain? No cigar. Hope this helps.
sugarh00ker
12 June 2012
I do occasionally get RLS symptoms (i think) so I'll keep that in mind when next time my legs are tweaking out :)
k8lyn30
8 June 2012
I personally had the same problem, I tried taking tramadol for severe headaches. I had already been taking percocets / vicodin etc.. before hand and the tramadol did nothing for me, except the side effects you mentioned, i was dizzy & felt just weird. I think like the other poster... once you take something stronger it most likely isn't going to work when you take something not equal in strength.
I am on 12 mgs of Methadone right now and one thing that has worked for me when I'm in pain or have a bad headache is Naproxen Sodium. You can get it over the counter or prescribed, works great for me some how when nothing else does. Have you ever tried this before?
endlessPred
8 June 2012
Aleve is the name for the sodium naproxen
Inactive
8 June 2012
EP,
She's on methadone also. I think she must use naproxen for incidental pain. Just my 5 cents worth, you know me...
Peace EP and sunshiny days,
Sweet Hippie
endlessPred
8 June 2012
Yep. It was suggested by the posting above.
k8lyn30
8 June 2012
I am not using the methadone for pain.. It does nothing for me for pain. Im using it to get off the other opiates i used before. I suggested this because I am on methadone & Naproxen works still even though I'm on methadone.
& yes you can buy it as Aleve, but you can also get it from your Dr. & over the counter under the name Naproxen sodium. When I buy it OTC I get the store brand, & they are usually labeled Naproxen sodium.
Inactive
8 June 2012
My bad,
Having trouble reading right now,please excuse.
Hippie
k8lyn30
9 June 2012
No biggie.. Just wanted to clarify. 8)
sugarh00ker
12 June 2012
I've tried every otc medication. Most days I can get by on over the counter meds, but somedays they don't do anything and without insurance I find myself miserable.
Inactive
8 June 2012
I don't know how long you were on Vicodin, but after time, more mu receptors are produced in your brain, their job, when given pain meds, is to bind with the med and block pain. Tramadol is a non-narcotic pain reliever for moderate to severe pain. But, in my experience, once you have taken a narcotic pain reliever, there is no going back. I can't get any pain relief from anything but narcotics, I've tried every non-narcotic pain med, nothing works.
I have to warn you, that depending where you are, a lot, no almost all GP or PCP physicians don't or won't prescribe pain meds.
It your pain issues are changing your life, you need a pain management doc. He can prescribe pain meds and inject sites that are driving you crazy. You will probably be asked to get MRI's to see exactly what your issues are. A good PM doc is an anesthesiologist. They seem to know more and are more compassionate. I have been in your place.
If needs be, seek help. I have no idea what your pain is like, only you.
Peace,
Sweet Hippie
sugarh00ker
8 June 2012
I had a feeling it was because I had been on vicodin/norco's before. Right after my car accident I was on them for several months and then stopped and just take them here and there when my back acts up. Vicodin is really the only thing that helps. I would love a pain management dr but I don't have insurance and can't afford to pay out of pocket. It's a very frustrating situation.
LaurieShay
8 June 2012
Different people respond differently to medication. Tramadol is not only a less strong pain medication than Vicodin (hydrocodone with acetaminophen) it also has antidepressive properties which can cause the symptoms you describe. Best to let the doctor know how the tramadol is making you feel and that it is not working.
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vicodin, anxiety, pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, tramadol
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