I take 2 vicodens and 2 tramadols every 4 hrs for pain because of my hip and lower back and sometimes that doesnot seem enough. I was wondering if taking a vicoprofen rather than the vicoden and tramadol combined would be better pain wise and stomach wise? the vicoden I have I believe are 350's. Any advice?
I take 2 vicodens and 2 tramadols every 4 hrs for pain because of my hip and lower back and sometimes that doesnot seem enough. I was wondering if taking a vicoprofen rather than the vicoden and tramadol combined would be better pain wise and stomach wise? the vicoden I have I believe are 350's. Any advice?
Until someone with more expertise fully answers you, I will say this. One reason why it may not seem like enough is because th vicoden is narcotic, meaning you have to keep increasing the dosage to get the same pain-killing effect. Depending on a few things, your dosage may have to double every few days, give or take (probably less), to keep up. That means your prescription will run out pretty quick. On the tramadol, I have been taking it for a couple of years and I have never been able to take more than 1 1/2 at a time because of the way it effects me. Like many medicines, it hits different folks differently. Neither one is something to play with. Here is one thread to read something on the tramadol (Ultram). [url]http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=540892&highlight=ultram[/url]
Good luck,
Mark
Edit: it looks like you may have to copy/paste that link.
Last edited by oldironman; 10-13-2007 at 10:23 PM.
Stomach wise vicoprophen has advil in it. This will upset your stomach further. I had a ulcer a few years back and was told no advil or aspirin.. (and a few others)
I disagree. Increasing the dose every few days?? Wow, that's quite a tolerance?! Tolerance to medications will happen, but not this quickly. My concern is the amount of tylenol you may be taking per day. The vicodin does not come in 350. Look at your bottle. There should be a small number (the hydrocodone), then a larger number (the tylenol). For example, (5-500, 7.5-650, 10-650, 10-325). How much tylenol does the Ultram have in it?
Changing to vicoprofen is simply changing the tylenol to ibuprofen. It can be hard on the stomach, but my work better for someone who may need an anti-inflammatory. You can always add a few Advil or Motrin to your regimen now, with your doctor's approval, and see if it helps.
I disagree. Increasing the dose every few days?? Wow, that's quite a tolerance?! Tolerance to medications will happen, but not this quickly. My concern is the amount of tylenol you may be taking per day. The vicodin does not come in 350. Look at your bottle. There should be a small number (the hydrocodone), then a larger number (the tylenol). For example, (5-500, 7.5-650, 10-650, 10-325). How much tylenol does the Ultram have in it?
Changing to vicoprofen is simply changing the tylenol to ibuprofen. It can be hard on the stomach, but my work better for someone who may need an anti-inflammatory. You can always add a few Advil or Motrin to your regimen now, with your doctor's approval, and see if it helps.
Jami05 is taking them every 4 hours. From my experience, after a few operations, taking them that often required me to up the dosage by the 2nd day. I assumed that was the norm, but I might be wrong. I didn't consider that it may affect others differently.
My Ultram doesn't have Tylenal or advil in it. I can't say if thats always the case.
mark
I would think it would be hard to distinguish which med is working and which is not since you are taking 2 meds together. I guess what i mean is if you have built a tolerance to one of them, how do you know which one? Have you ever taking these 2 meds individually? Depending on the strength of the meds you may be able to eliminate 1 of them with an increase of the other. Personally for me, tramadol or ultram does nothing for my pain but it does make my heart feel like it will pound out of my chest. The vicodin (hydrocodone) comes in many different strenths as butterfly pointed out. I started out with the 5/500 over 2 yrs. ago and i am now on the 10/325 and it works fairly well for me. I may have to occassionally take a 200 mg ibuprophen with it just to give it a boost for the stiffness and muscle pain.
I would suggest you speak with your DR. before you do anything. Anytime your pain is not being managed it needs to be discussed due to the fact that it could mean an adjustment in meds or there may be a change in your physical situation. gl and let us know what the dr. says. god bless, morgy porgy
I take 2 vicodens and 2 tramadols every 4 hrs for pain because of my hip and lower back and sometimes that doesnot seem enough. I was wondering if taking a vicoprofen rather than the vicoden and tramadol combined would be better pain wise and stomach wise? the vicoden I have I believe are 350's. Any advice?
Hi Jamie05. I was just put on Ultram ER last Fri. I take 200mg in the morning and 200 more at bedtime. That is the Maximum amount allowable in 24 hours.
It is a long acting med, rather than a short acting med like you are on right now. Why don't you ask your Dr. if you can try it. You may be able to eliminate the vico., and the Tramadol both.
I had been on Tramadol 50mg 4 X a day, and it didn't touch my pain. I know the Ultram ER doesn't help everyone the way it has me but it is worth a try. Ask the Dr. to give you a script for just a week and see how it works for you. That way if it doesn't help you, your money isn't down the drain.....
I have less pain now than I have had in 20 years...Good Luck and I hope you will find something to give you some relief...
I had been on Tramadol 50mg 4 X a day, and it didn't touch my pain. I know the Ultram ER doesn't help everyone the way it has me but it is worth a try. Ask the Dr. to give you a script for just a week and see how it works for you. That way if it doesn't help you, your money isn't down the drain.....
I have less pain now than I have had in 20 years...Good Luck and I hope you will find something to give you some relief...
Mammy
Interesting Mammy. I think I'll get my doc to do that. I often run into situations where I can't (or don't) take it every 4 hours. Especially when I go wade-fishing (where you walk out into the water and fish for hours). By the time I get to the fishing spot I am sometimes 2 hours from being ready for another Ultram, and once in the water it is too risky to carry extra, even in my hat. Just taking it in the boat can be an adventure, with the sea-spray, wind, and waves knocking us around sometimes. But once in the water over my waist, with that weight taken off, it sure feels better. That ER might be just the ticket for those times. Thanks,
Mark
Interesting Mammy. I think I'll get my doc to do that. I often run into situations where I can't (or don't) take it every 4 hours. Especially when I go wade-fishing (where you walk out into the water and fish for hours). By the time I get to the fishing spot I am sometimes 2 hours from being ready for another Ultram, and once in the water it is too risky to carry extra, even in my hat. Just taking it in the boat can be an adventure, with the sea-spray, wind, and waves knocking us around sometimes. But once in the water over my waist, with that weight taken off, it sure feels better. That ER might be just the ticket for those times. Thanks,
Mark
Mark, I fortgot to tell you that Tramadol and Ultram are the same thing If you ask your Dr. about it make sure you say Ultram ER.
there is a WORLD of difference between Ultram and the U ER....
Now, I have to say this....The U ER is NOT helping my pain now as much as it did when I first started taking it last week.
I am finding I am having to take a Tramadol in between my AM and PM doses. I could actually take 2 of them, but I don't. I am hoping this med will comtinue to work for me...at least I do not feel sore now like I used to..so I can give that credit to the U ER. Don't let them take away your other meds just in case the U ER starts out working great, then stops.....
The vicodin (hydrocodone) comes in many different strenths as butterfly pointed out. I started out with the 5/500 over 2 yrs. ago and i am now on the 10/325 and it works fairly well for me. I may have to occassionally take a 200 mg ibuprophen with it just to give it a boost for the stiffness and muscle pain.
