[tacdude]

I've been on Tramadol for about 4 months due to what my doc and I believe to be the onset of arthritis in the lower back (I'm only 28 & it is really depressing to be suffering from this so young!). I use the Tramadol pretty much daily for the pain in varied doses - less on good days; more on bad days. At this point, there are some days when the pain is so bad that even the max daily dose of Tramadol does not alleviate the pain...especially during changes in weather. For some reason, that's the worst.

I'm starting to do some research on what would be a good combo with Tramadol for breakthrough pain relief on especially severe days. The Tramadol patient info provided with my prescription states not to use other opiate-type drugs concurrently with the Tramadol. However, I haven't had any luck finding possible interactions online (other than antidepressants, which I don't need).

I have a doc appointment in a couple of weeks and am just starting to research... any info / experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tacdude


(PS, from a Tramadol patient of 4 months, Tramadol has helped me more than any pain drug I've ever used. I can still function on it, and it does a great job most of the time. IT DOES cause physical dependence, contrary to what a lot of published info says, but I've tried to avoid that by alternating doses - up & down based on the level of pain, and occasionally a day with none just to keep me in check.)

[mpvt]

I'm pretty sure you can take an anti-inflamatory such as Advil.Arthritis responds well to inti-inflamatories.So I would check with your doctor to see if taking a daily dose of a nsaid would be ok.My wife has bouts that resemble arthritis and she needs advil for the swelling and a low dose of morphine for the pain.....Dave

[tacdude]

Thanks mpvt, I know you can take any NSAID with Tramadol, but I was looking for info on other painkillers or muscle relaxants that work well in conjunction with Tramadol for breakthrough pain relief. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

[mpvt]

Muscle releaxers would be fine but you would be risking an OD by taking other opiate pain killers.Tramadol can cause seizures if you take enough of it so be careful.You shouldn't need other painkillers with tramadol if it's working.If you find it's not working (as it has the pain killing strength of Tylenol#3) then you need to be on a stronger opiate....Good luck....Dave