# Pain meds?
**URL:** https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693
**Category:** Symptoms & Treatments
**Created:** [December 26, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693 "2014-12-26T17:30:29Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@trixxi40](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/u/trixxi40)
#### Post date: [December 26, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693/1 "2014-12-26T17:30:29Z")
Hi everyone,
I don't usually write anything,but I had a question about pain meds.I have severe hip and back pain.Right now I take Acetaminophen/Cod #3 two tabs twice a day.I also have been prescribed Tramadol in the past for pain as well.Does anyone take these two together?
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### Author:  [@anon3579922](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/u/anon3579922)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693/2 "2014-12-27T16:35:28Z")
I have taken both of these, but NOT together at the same time. I use them to stay ahead of the pain and prefer Tramadol during the day because it does not make me tired or itchy. I tend to have more side effects from stronger pain meds, so I save those for the times when I just can’t take the pain and will be sleeping through the side effects. Tylenol 3 is pretty mild so the choice between the two is personal…which one works best for your pain? I would not them together without talking to my doctor. Hope this helps!
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### Author:  [@victoria\_jim](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/u/victoria_jim)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693/3 "2014-12-27T23:01:13Z")
I would take the hydrocodone and just use the tramadol for break thru pain.
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### Author:  [@trixxi40](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/u/trixxi40)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2014, 11:15pm UTC](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693/4 "2014-12-27T23:15:09Z")
Thank you both for your reply,I will talk to the doctor.
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### Author:  [@Linda\_p](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/u/Linda_p)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2014, 2:46am UTC](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693/5 "2014-12-28T02:46:30Z")
My doctor told me to never take tramadol and hydrocodone together, or Even in the same day, or one could have a heart attack. It’s instant death. I take tramadol right now, but it doesn’t do much. I don’t like hydros. Please, do talk to your doctor. I
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### Author:  [@Sheri](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/u/Sheri)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693/6 "2014-12-28T14:17:40Z")
I take tramadol 3X day. It works better if taken on a schedule to keep it built up in your system. It really doesn’t work by taking it only occasionally. I also take Tylenol #3 with codeine for breakthrough pain but no more than 2 every six hours. Some days I only take T#3 only once or not at all. However, I am on celebrex and muscle relaxers too just to try to walk. This can be done but check with your doctor. That is always rule #1. Then if you feel any different, like chest pain, fast heartbeat etc, call doc right away or go to ER.
I refuse to take stronger pain meds than T#3 as I’ve seen how oxycontin robbed the lives of 2 of my Aunts.
Be careful, listen to your body and always, always check with doc on everything, even vitamins and supplements. Some “natural” things can interfere with our meds too.
Hugs and hang on strong.
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### Author:  [@catspaw1955](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/u/catspaw1955)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2014, 5:07am UTC](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693/7 "2014-12-29T05:07:28Z")
my back has been destroyed partly by the lupus sle.......i have taken these, for me they are not strong enough any more, i take oxycodone and tramadol,,this seems to help some what with the pain, but if you can get by on that low of a dose, DO IT.......getting pain dependent on the oxy is miserable after awhile, so keeep at the lowest dose of whatever pain meds you can, i have been on mine for about 15yrs.......and you always reach a tolerance level, and then you have to take more to relieve the pain than you did before, i wish i had never gotten on this merry go round,,,,,,so stay strong and take as low of a dose as you can dear....god bless you and happy new year, and may it be a pain free year for you as well.....purrs..catspaw1955
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### Author:  [@trixxi40](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/u/trixxi40)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2014, 10:08pm UTC](https://forum.lifewithlupus.org/t/pain-meds/3693/8 "2014-12-29T22:08:07Z")
Thank you all for your replies and well wishes.This time of year is hard to get an appointment,but next week I will be making appointments.