Tramadol

susie51
susie51 Member Posts: 57
edited 17. Feb 2010, 07:18 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi I would be interested in anyones experience with Tramadol, I have stopped taking Methotrexate, side effects became too much for me, and have been relatively ok for a while now, joints begininning to get sore and have been given slow release tramadol to help with the pain. This is working for me I can get through the day ok and just about manage the night without them. So now I am wondering whether I just keep this regime going for a while and not bother with the Sulfasalzine which is another TNF and I really am a bit loath to start along that path again, any thoughts welcome cheers

Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Susie,

    Trouble is tramadol is just for pain and it won't help with the inflammation or to bring the arthritis under control. I have it but also have diclo's and pregabalin so don't take it too often cus its inclined to make me feel hung over in the mornings. I do take the sulfa and well I think it does some good and sometimes my wrists and ankles are not as bad. Its obviously up to you but some control will be better for your joints than no control as I understand it. Good luck with what you decide and fingers crossed it will work out for you. take are Cris
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Susie.
    Glad the Tramadol is helping! It's a narcotic-like pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain. It's not an anti inflammatory though.
    I take 1-2 capsules x 4 a day but find that the heavier dose makes me heavy headed and upsets my stomach so I try to use it wisely!

    Sulphasalazine on the other hand is given to reduce inflammation in your joints. It is not a painkiller and it's not an anti TNF. I can understand you're not keen to take too many things especially as you feel the Tramadol is working fine on it's own but perhaps you should take docs advice and take the Sulpha too to treat the inflammation...which is what damages the joints.

    good luck! Irisxx
  • bellini
    bellini Member Posts: 42
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    susie51 wrote:
    Hi I would be interested in anyones experience with Tramadol, I have stopped taking Methotrexate, side effects became too much for me, and have been relatively ok for a while now, joints begininning to get sore and have been given slow release tramadol to help with the pain. This is working for me I can get through the day ok and just about manage the night without them. So now I am wondering whether I just keep this regime going for a while and not bother with the Sulfasalzine which is another TNF and I really am a bit loath to start along that path again, any thoughts welcome cheers

    Hi Suzie, my main medication is entanercept ( anti-tnf) that is an injection given once a week. I also take two tramadol in the morning. Sulphazalazine is what I was prescribed on first being diagnosed, it is not a ant-tnf drug.
    Have a look on the website arc.org where you will find heaps of info about RA. Hope this helps a little -ask your consultant about entanercept or make your choice when you view the website.

    Cassie
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I take the slow release Tramadol, and find them quite good, but I have oa and the problem is all they do is relieve the pain. You sould as if you need something more than that.

    I am no expert, but, if tramadol work for you pain wise, is it possible to include them with something to help your inflamation? It is worth asking either your GP or rheummy nurse.

    Love Sue

Categories