Back and Neck Pain Exchange

I was given Ultram (brand name) before and was unable to take because of the gastric upset I had with it. Also made me VERY dizzy and nauseated. This is an excerpt from an article I found on it: Apparently the reason they didn't want you to take it with the Hyrocodone, is because they both contain Codeine and you could possible overdose on it.

The most frequently reported events were in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal system. Although the reactions listed in the table are felt to be probably related to ULTRAM? administration, the reported rates also include some events that may have been due to underlying disease or concomitant medication. The overall incidence rates of adverse experiences in these trials were similar for ULTRAM? and the active control groups, TYLENOL? with Codeine #3 (acetaminophen 300 mg with codeine phosphate 30 mg), and aspirin 325 mg with codeine phosphate 30 mg, however, the rates of withdrawals due to adverse events appeared to be higher in the ULTRAM? groups.

Tramadol is not truely a muscle relaxer. If you will notice at the top of the page on these exchanges there is a category named Drugs and Supplements and you can find a lot of helpful info there including side effects and so on, hoped this helped and that you are feeling better. Hydrocodone is much better for relieving moderate pain. Just getting use to this new layout myself........Good luck

I just started taking tramadol after being off of it for about 2 years or so.

I don't think it is in the muscle relaxant category of drugs. It's been awhile sense I read the fact sheet, but believe it is in the non narcotic pain med classification.

If it is helping the muscles also, it might be because if it helps with pain control, which is making less strss on muscles, etc. it feels like a muscle relaxant

You can check with your pharmacist about intereactions between meds. If it is OK to take together, you might try taking them a couple hours apart, and with a snack also.

IMaybe thats what your pharmacist meant, take it separate. In my experience with tramadol, I absolutely find great results with it. I also take a muscle relaxant, and a pain med also. The tramadol gives me enough relief that I am able to take less of the pain medication.

Maybe your doctor is using Tramadol for a break through med when the Hydrocodone does not last as long as it should.

The best thing is to call your doctor and have his nurse send you a list of the meds that you are to take during each day - including any break through meds.

Also tell him about your upset stomach. He might be able to give you a similar med that would agree with you - or at least give you something for your upset stomach. Good luck.

Hi bpcookie,
I'm also new to this site.Was hoping to get more info on the chronic pain I've have after a car accident 2 years ago ( herniated disc in C4-5 thru C4-7).My doctor has given me Hydrocodone, 750mg every 4hrs, since 12/07 and suggested recently I try new pain meds.I also take Robaxon,a very mild muscle relaxer, and Cymbalta for nerve pain/depression.She gave me Tramadol to try, 50mg tablets, and said 1 or 2 for pain.I read about the Tramadol online before I tried it and it scared me, as it said it was more addictive than Vicodin.Well, the Tramadol did nothing for me! It didn't relieve my pain at all, it was as if I had taken nothing.She insisted it should work but it doesn't with me.I wound up taking the Hydrocodone again although after taking it for so long, it does not work as well.My doctor said not to take the Hydrocodone and Tramadol together. I would suggest forgetting about the Tramadol, maybe it just doesn't work with some people. The Robaxon helps a little with the stiff muscles so maybe you could try that w/the Hydrocodone as I do.It's very frustrating to get your doctors to understand that you need pain meds, not to get "high" , but just to be able to function at work.I hope you get the help you need from your doctors.

Moe

Tramadol is the generic equivalent of Ultram. It's considered 'non-narcotic pain reliever'. I take mine regularly with my vicodin, (hydrocodone). The pharmacy always warns of taking two different pain meds at one time, listen to your doc. Ultram can cause an upset stomach, You can take it with food if that works better for you. As with any pain medication, don't wait until the pain is full blown to reach for relief. If you take your meds at the first sign of pain, you will be able to get it under controll much easier. I don't mean to rush for it if it's just a twinge or something, but many people are afraid to take these meds, or are told by their docs to wait to take the meds, I disagree, as does my doc. She says it's much easier to control the pain if you take the meds when you first feel it coming on. The Ultram or the Vicodin should not change your bipolar meds, make them less effective, but be sure to tell your Psychiatrist about all meds you now take so they can take more frequent blood tests to keep your levels of bipolar meds steady.

Hi. Tramadol is not a muscle relexer,it is a type of synthetic opiate.I have tried it & It works well for some people.As such,it will compete for space in the opiate receptors in your brain if taken with hydrocodone.I found it took a couple of days to really kick in,but if it does it is less addictive& not quite as subject to tolerance issues as vicodin or other opiates

I just found this post. I take 2 Norco in the a.m. It says every 4-6 hours as needed, but then am also prescribed Tramadol for breakthrough pain. The Norco last me about 2 1/2 hours and then the pain comes back in. I exercise, stretch, use heat and ice, massage. The Tramadol takes the edge off until I can take more Norco or Vicodin ES. All I know is this is what the Neurosurgeon advised me, and it doesn't do a lot for the pain, but does make me tired, which must mean it relaxes me. Mainly I need to work on more alternatives. This constant medication, surgeries, epidurals, P.T., nerve cuttings and I'm not any better. Time to take hold an find some new alternatives.

Exactly what I was told. Norco only last me 2 1/2-3 hours, therefore I take the Tramadol in between when pain starts up and it's not time to take the Norco. It's been very helpful.

I know this messsage was last year but just thought I would say something since I've taken both Norco's(hydrocodone) and Tramodol or Ultracet(tramadol w/tylenol). When I first had
serious pain in my neck, the surgeon Dr. started me off with Ultracet(Tramodol) and I didn't even hear of it a long time ago when it first came out or that I first got it. I was afraid to take it at first as I am with any medicine. I'm was a lightweight. When I took it I honestly thought it was the best medicine that was ever invented for pain or for feeling alot better because of the ingredients. It is considered a non-narcotic but it has the properties synthetic of a narcotic and also has some sort of reuptake helps with Serotin whichmakes you feel better and I felt like I had energy, but that is why they say don't mix with antidepressants. I'm surprised that any dr. would prescribe tramodol with antidepressant or bi-polar meds. But I'm not a dr to let you know and don't ever not listen to your dr they know. I felt good and my day to day was fine. Took it for a couple of years when the insurance company decided to not cover it anymore. So they told the dr and the dr. started giving me Hydrocodone 7.5mg. the equivelent so they said. Hydrocodone is considered more potent and a narcotic than Tramodol. I took that 3 or 4 times a day. Then a couple years after that I got started on the Oxycodone once the Hydrocodone was not working as well and so what I'm saying is that when a dr ordered me the Tramodol again for something else(another dr) after taking the Hydrocodone and Oxycodone it didn't work at all and I didn't feel the same it also made me nausious which I wasnt years ago when I was taking it for pain. So as your body starts getting use to a lower class med and then you take one stronger the Tramodol will not work at all now. It's amazing how medication works. I also didn't think a person could take the meds together but I guess you can cause they now have long lasting acting med in Tramodol form extended release. Sometimes I wished I could go back to Tramodol but it would do me no good now as I am already on stronger medication for so long. Anyway, just wanted to state what I knew about Tramodol and yes it can make someone feel sick especially if you take it with the same type of medication.
Have a good day!