Tramadol

[Aussieroaming]

I have just used tramadol for the first time as a pain relief for a sore knee, taking 4 x 50 mg tablets before sleep for the last 2 nights. The pain relief is good but I have had some kind of reaction to the Tramadol. The medication seems to have affected my ability to urinate freely. I feel the need to urinate but I have to strain to urinate which is unusual for me.

Does anyone have any advise as to whether this is symptomatic of Tramadol itself or whether there is an underlying issue that the medication has exposed. I'm 50 yrs old so I'm a bit concerned as to whether it could be bladder or prostate related.

I was considering using the Tramadol as a longer term medication as well after doing some google research on it, but I obviously have some sort of intolerance for it, so will discontinue using it at all.

Thanks

[RubbaJohnny]

visit a dr

there are many contraindications the web is not the place for diagnosis

[sustento]

Usual Adult Dose for Pain

For mild to moderate severe chronic pain not requiring rapid onset of analgesic effect:
Initial dose: 25 mg every morning
Titration: increase in 25 mg increments as separate doses every 3 days to reach 100 mg per day taken as 25 mg 4 times per day. Then the total daily dose may be increased by 50 mg as tolerated every 3 days to reach 200 mg per day taken as 50 mg 4 times per day.
Maintenance: After titration, tramadol 50 mg to 100 mg can be administered as needed for pain relief every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 400 mg per day.

[Sheryl]

This is a known side effect of opiates and opiate agonists (drugs with action similar to opiates, of which tramadol is one).

 

Problems with bladder function due to tramadol have been reported in the literature. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15073888

[Aussieroaming]

Thank you all for the replies, they were very helpful

[arjunadawn]

First off, your taking too much for initial dosing. Tramadol has an approx max daily dose around 400mg. Tramadol generally comes in 50mg or 100mg retard (sustained release). As Sheryl hinted at, 200mg a nighttime will give you more than urinary hesitation issues, it will likely decrease bowel motility, giving constipation. Personally I don't ever recommend opiate-related drugs without stool softener, especially for women and older people, who tend to be more sensitive to GI motility issues.

If you took 200mg and felt it sufficient 100mg may not seem to work as well, but you should decrease the dose. Perhaps you'd consider the 100mg SR or Retard tramadol? It's less drug but released over time and may accomplish your goals. As with anything medical talking face to face with a doc is always the smart thing to do.

[elektrified]

200 mg. of Tramadol in a single dose? Seems rather high. After an accident last year, I was taking 100 mg. 3 X a day for about 2 weeks. Sometimes I never made it to the 3rd dose because I was asleep by 18:00. It really knocked me out and was effective at relieving pain.

[uptheos]

Side effect of Tramadol, see if it eases.

 

If any of the following side effects occur while taking Tramadol, check with your doctor immediately:

Less common or rare

• Abdominal or stomach fullness
• abnormal or decreased touch sensation
• blisters under the skin
• bloating
• blood in the urine
• blood pressure increased
• blurred vision
• change in walking and balance
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• convulsions (seizures)
• darkened urine
• difficult urination
• dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• frequent urge to urinate
• gaseous abdominal or stomach pain
• heart rate increased
• indigestion
• irregular heartbeat
• loss of memory
• numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• pain in the arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in the calves or heels upon exertion
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• pale bluish-colored or cold hands or feet
• recurrent fever
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• severe cramping
• severe nausea
• severe redness, swelling, and itching of the skin
• shortness of breath
• sweats
• trembling and shaking of the hands or feet
• trouble performing routine tasks
• weak or absent pulses in the legs
• yellow eyes or skin

[Aussieroaming]

Thanks all..I stand reprimanded for taking liberty with my dosage, definitely took too much at once and quite suprised at the side effect I got. I will definitely consult before trying a new drug again.

[inbangkok]

This is a known side effect of opiates and opiate agonists (drugs with action similar to opiates, of which tramadol is one).

 

Problems with bladder function due to tramadol have been reported in the literature. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15073888

 

This....

 

Strange that it is happening with such a low dose though......

 

Can you take less than 200mg?  Did a Dr. tell you to take that much or are you experimenting on your own?  The starting dose for Tramadol is 50mg.  Tramadol can safely be taken up to 400mg a day (if instructed by a Dr).....but 200mg is a high "starting" dose. You might be surprised and get the same relief with half that.

Edited August 7, 2014 by inbangkok

[wpcoe]

For those reading here that haven't taken tramadol yet, a factor that might lead to taking a high dosage is that there can be a time delay after taking the tablets/capsules.  In my case, it often takes three hours before I feel the effect of the tramadol.  For some people that might lead to them taking higher-than-necessary dosages thinking they weren't feeling the effects due to too low of a dosage.  YMMV, definitely.  

[ALFREDO]

visit a dr

there are many contraindications the web is not the place for diagnosis

 

 

Why?

 

I Google often something about diagnostic in medicine and read than many information, make my own picture.

Do not need only one opinion from one Doctor, but sure will go to a doctor when necessary. 

[inbangkok]

For those reading here that haven't taken tramadol yet, a factor that might lead to taking a high dosage is that there can be a time delay after taking the tablets/capsules.  In my case, it often takes three hours before I feel the effect of the tramadol.  For some people that might lead to them taking higher-than-necessary dosages thinking they weren't feeling the effects due to too low of a dosage.  YMMV, definitely.  

 

Are you taking the extended release ones by chance?  There is no reason the instant release capsules should take 3 hours to work.

[wpcoe]

Are you taking the extended release ones by chance?  There is no reason the instant release capsules should take 3 hours to work.

Not that I know of. This is a sample of what I've been taking:

[attachment=279388:tramal.jpg]

Are any of them time-release?

 

I had just assumed that different people metabolized it differently.

[inbangkok]

 

Are you taking the extended release ones by chance?  There is no reason the instant release capsules should take 3 hours to work.

Not that I know of. This is a sample of what I've been taking:

tramal.jpg

Are any of them time-release?

 

I had just assumed that different people metabolized it differently.

 

 

Those all look like instant release.