Tramadol in epilepsy
Common Questions and Answers about Tramadol in epilepsy
ultracet
Two questions:
I have chronic pain resulting from a craniotomy (had brain surgery for refractory epilepsy and a brain tumor). I see people recommending the drug tramadol....is it helpful? I've tried many different meds, have been going to RUSH pain center in Chicago for 3.5 years (had surgery 8/07), but not tramadol. Drugs have been a little helpful, but no riproaring successes. If tramadol can cause seizures, though, as I might have heard, I won't touch it....
well yesterday i took 100 mg for pain,and about 10 15 mins later i got reall horrible cold sweats and very dizzy, was not able to focus at all, i vomited a few times and still had no relief, not today im still feeling very off, kinda like if ive been drinking, my head does not feel right and im very sick to my stomach, now i just as of today i read that people with head trauma and epilepsy should not take tramadol, i have both, i have a right head tramatic brain injury and iam epileptic, now my
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections). In tramadol overdose, naloxone administration may increase the risk of seizure.
Suicide Risk
•Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking tramadol. You may be more likely to have a seizure while taking tramadol if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
I had never heard of Tramadol till I started reading these forums. I understand, in certain situations it can be addicting. But Most Dr.'s who prescribe it, do it becuse they belive it not addicting like a opiate based drug. I dont know if Tram is opaite based myself.
I am currently in remission of abusing my oxy for chronic pain. I got into this bad habit of snorting them and taking too many and running out early of course.
I started my recent refill off correctly this time.
Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:
•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections). In tramadol overdose, naloxone administration may increase the risk of seizure.
Suicide Risk
•Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
Beware that since you have had 3 seizures, you not only have a lower thresh hold for future seizures, but in the future you may continue having them. Sometimes Epilepsy is actually induced by an event such as this, causing just one or two seizures, but your brain never quite resumes 100% the way it used to and you will continue having sporadic seizures as a result of such high usage of the drug for so long.
Be careful- I wouldn't taper without medical assistance at this point.
Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:
•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:
•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
Presently he is taking tramadol, about 20 to 30 a day. He also is using butalbital along with it. He also has seizures, supposedly diagnosed with epilepsy. We, my sister and I cannot go on any longer watching him kill himself, is there any type of lock down rehab that we can have him committed to? He claims that the withdrawals are far too unbearable to go on living.
Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:
•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
1. The pain starts in my back and radiates to my chest, and it feels as though I have been stabbed through the back with a spear. I find it hard to breathe while sitting straight up, so I lie down until the attack stops.
2. My headaches feel the same as the chest pain- crushing, almost as though my veins are on fire and they occur daily.
3. I twitch uncontrollably at random times, like I’m shivering even when I’m not cold
4.
It is good to know that most children will not inherit epilepsy from a parent, but the chance of inheriting epilepsy is higher for some types. Epilepsy in which the seizures begin from both sides of the brain at the same time or primary generalized epilepsy is more likely to involve genetic factors than partial epilepsy, in which the seizures arise from a limited area of the brain.
Best wishes on your coming delivery! Take care and regards.
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