I have 37mg tramadol and the bottle Just says I can take it up to 3x daily, as needed. I’ve taken 2, 3 hours apart, and still feel like I’m in pain. Would it be safe to take another one? It’s been 3 hours since I took the last one and I just need the pain relief at night.
How close together can I take my tramadol?
Question posted by Queen Of Pain on 8 Oct 2017
Last updated on 8 October 2017
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3 Answers
Social94127
9 Oct 2017
Aren't a 37.5 dosage is too little?
My Tramadol comes in 50 mg pills and the directions are to take 1 or 2 tablets every 6 hours. Do not exceed 300 mg in 24 hours.
Queen Of Pain
9 Oct 2017
I have 50mg tablets as well, but the 37mg ones have Tylenol as well. My doctor gave me both so I could have the option of a smaller dosage when I didn’t want the side effects of the bigger dose. In hindsight, I guess I underestimated my pain and should have just taken a 50mg, but I was hoping I could avoid the extreme drowsiness I get at that dose.
Am I the only one that doesn’t have the hour suggestion? It’s really annoying me now that my hydrocodone explicitly says 6 hours but both of my tramadol just say to take as often as needed and not to exceed [blank] pills daily. Is that weird?
Social94127
9 Oct 2017
Ok, now I understand.
chuck1957
8 Oct 2017
No queen of pain; these should be more like taken every 6 to 8 hours if you are not getting any relief from tramadol you should check with the doctor again on Monday the more is not better. This is hard to get off of when you take it that way. be careful chuck1957
Robert tr8
8 Oct 2017
I wouldn't take any sooner than six hours if you can. I think your tramadol is a combination ptoduct with acetaminophen which should afford a bit more relief of pain. Tramadol is not a drug you want to take higher doses of for along time. There are many side effects at higher doses and quitting the drug even at lower doses is very challenging. Can you handle nsaids? Maybe naproxen or motrin between doses?
Queen Of Pain
8 Oct 2017
Unfortunately, I have chronic pain caused by a connective tissue disorder that causes me to dislocate my joints easily. So the pain I experience at night is because of muscle, tendon, and nerve damage. Not only do NSAIDs not come even come close to touching my pain, but naproxen especially has been known to cause severe stomach pain for me so it’s not recomended that I take NSAIDs since they’re just not worth the side effects. The only things I take are Tylenol and occasionally I’ll risk ibuprofen for a headache.
I literally can’t sleep without some sort of opioid cause the pain is so bad. I’ve been using hydrocodone at my doctors guidance and the doses vary depending on how bad of a night I have. It’s just 5mg and I take as little as a fourth of a pill or a whole pill if I need it.
The thing about the hydro tho is that it doesn’t make me sleepy so I still struggle to fall asleep cause it just takes the edge off the pain but I still have muscles spasms that keep me awake. So my doctor is letting me try tramadol cause the drowsy effect might work better for night time, but obviously it’s weaker than hydro, so the dosage has to be higher. Since it just says 3x a day, and no hour (my hydro says every 6 hours) maybe my doctor expected that i might need more pills than I do with the hydrocodone?
Robert tr8
8 Oct 2017
Hi and thanks for the additional details. I know nsaids are out of the question for many due to stomache issues. When I was taking tramadol for about four years daily in low doses I found that it was hard to sleep at night particulary at first. I know this can vary with the individual.
Another thought to ask your Doctor about would be gapapentin at night maybe 100 mg low dose, I have used this to relax and it works to relieve muscle twiches and restless leg syndrome. I know this drug is often prescribed t.i.d and quantities that can cause many side effects but low dose at night could be worth a try.
I admire your ability to take the minimum amount of Hydro you need. All my advice is tempered with a recent difficult time I had with Tramadol dependence, I realize others with true chronic pain are in a different boat.
Have you tried ambien or another rx sleep aid? I try not to use every night, but for the worst insomnia I find it helpful. Ask your Docter and half a 5mg pill is enough to start with.
All my best wishes for your comfort and health.
Related topics
pain, back pain, tramadol, chronic pain
Further information
- Tramadol uses and safety info
- Tramadol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Tramadol (detailed)
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