Sleeping on Tramadol?

[MonkeyFunk]

I just got a prescription yesterday for tramadol (Ultram) to help with my severe back pain (disc problem). It works great! The pain is greatly relieved. But trying to sleep is hard for two reasons. I tried sleeping twice, and both times, laying down caused some acid reflux, but more importantly, my mind was just sort of racing - but it was like I was dreaming while still awake. It was enjoyable and relaxing, but it wasn't sleep.

Anybody else have this problem? Would over-the-counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM help?

[flamingyouth]

1. Hmm. I've taken Tramadol off-and-on for about four years.

I've had great success with pain relief but have never had any of the digestive or sleep problems you mention. I would definitely mention it to your doctor; maybe another drug would be a better option for you. Ask the doctor or pharmacist before taking it with Tylenol PM too.

Hope you feel better! Back pain sucks. :(

[MonkeyFunk]

2. Yeah

I looked around - the reflux isn't a known side-effect, but the sleep one IS for a lot of people. It's not unpleasant - it's just weird. I'm also on a one-pill a day NSAID (diclofenac): maybe that's the cause of the reflux.

I don't WANT another drug - this one is working so well for the pain. I can walk upright for the first time in two months. I just took a nap (took about an hour to fall asleep) and woke up on my own, NOT because of pain. You'll have to pry the tramadol frommy cold dead hands!

[flamingyouth]

3. Oh, my dad takes diclofenac!

Yeah, that can mess with your stomach, I know. He was finally able to work out a food combo that helped (I think it was bread/yogurt/banana or some weird thing like that) - the key was getting enough food at once with the pill.

Hope you can get the sleep thing worked out because, I know, it sure works for back pain!

[MonkeyFunk]

4. oh god, I'm loving it!

I didn't think it would work - she told me "it's somewhere between tylenol and vicodin" in its pain relieving abilities. Well, vicodin did absolutely nothing for my pain. Never has.

But it turns out tramadol is a synthetic analogue of codeine, which has always worked really well on me. After the first dose, I was able to lay down without pain for the first time in months. Today I cut the dosage and it's still working fine. I'm just mad I didn't go to the doc much sooner - in the past, she's never suggested this. I didn't know it existed.

[Warpy]

5. Tramadol is a weird drug.

It blocks the morphine receptors nearly as well as opiates do, but it doesn't provide all the side effects of drowsiness, mental fog, and the "high" that addicts feel. It also has a weak SSRI effect, which is probably why you're having trouble sleeping on it for now.

You do have to be cautious adding any other "downer" drug to it, and I'd advise asking your physician about it since I don't know what kind of dose you're on. Adding other medications to it can cause respiratory depression, something that can be very dangerous.

Please call your doc and ask him before you take any sleeping medication. Tylenol PM contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which can have an additive effect with the Ultram.

[MonkeyFunk]

6. thanks

I'm seeing her tomorrow, so I'll ask.

but boy, I'm loving the pain-relieving aspects of it! I was miserable for 9 weeks, and now I'm walking like a human again.

[Warpy]

7. Tell me about it!

I was on narcs for fibro for 17 years, finally talked the doc into prescribing this stuff after I'd read about its superior pain relieving properties in fibro patients.

It was amazing, all the pain relief and none of the narcotic fog. I started feeling human again.

[MonkeyFunk]

8. wow!

17 years?! Damn.

I didn't know anything about it. I knew vicodin didn't work for me, so I was afraid nothing would work. But it's awesome.

[DUgosh]

9. Tramadol

Can help with fibro and the evil restless legs too. I had to ask my Doc for it too. WHy are they hiding it?

[ncrainbowgrrl]

10. I love that they make the Ultram ER

Long release- 24hr, and no re-dosing, or having to worry about the pain relief wearing off. I use it as my rescue med for migraines- when I've already taken my share of triptans for the week and still have migraine pain!

no narcotic fog, only side effect for me is slight constipation...

[zanne]

11. I've done a little googling about Tramadol. Don't take the Tylenol PM.

It seems Tramadol is a touchy drug. You're not supposed to take it if you have/had any addiction problems, if you're taking an SSRI antidepressant or a sedative. It's also supposedly very addictive. I don't get it, because my doctor told me that it isn't a narcotic. I'm too scared to take one now.