Sharon, from my understanding, Tramadol is Motrin on steroids.  It's a great pain releaver.  I took it a lot at one point.  As far as slowing you down, it's a possibility.  Check the side effects.  I hope you are at least feeling better.  I finally made it to Florida!  It's beautiful, sunny, and hot!  Just what I love.

 

dianne

Sharon, it's not like Motrin. It's been considered a "weak opiate," but truly, it's just another opiate med. It's under the same script restrictions here now as any opiate.

And like all opiates, it has the potential to slow down bowels and/or constipated with regular use.

Rachel, I had no idea it was an opiate.  I took it for sever me steal pain for years!  I thought I remember my GYN telling me it was Motrin on steroids.  Maybe I've got my drugs mixed up!

 

dianne

are pain management doctors more inclined to prescribe Tramadol as opposed to oxycodone? i have been on oxycodone for about 5 years and it was prescribed by my GI. He wants me to now see a pain mgmt doctor which i will do in 2 weeks. I know its very hard to get pain meds these days. My pain is from multiple abdominal surgeries and horrible intestinal spasms. I cant take antispasm meds due to side effects. Im just worried they wont give me anything at all

Tramadol lists constipation as a side effect.

Tramadol is an opioid and also a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. So, in addition to the opiate effects (like constipation), you need to be aware of interaction with any antidepressants you might be taking.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramadol

 

It was once marketed as a "safe" opiate and was not a controlled substance. Then came the reports of dependency, addiction, and even some deaths. In 2014 it became a schedule IV narcotic in the US. That is below oxycodone and hydrocodone (schedule II) but above lomotil (schedule V), so it is easier to get. But, if you need oxycodone, tramadol may not work for you.

 

Jan

Tramadol is my wonder drug because it takes care of pain but allows me to fully function.  I use it very sparingly but when I need it, I need it.  For me, just taking a couple of them usually relieves the pain to the extent I don't need to take another dose for quite some time......even weeks!

Thanks all,

At least that explains it (I am terrible about reading those little papers in the package...way too small for my eyes)...I have cut down drastically...can not stand the lethargic bowel...it undermines the good effects of the pain med.

Ceecee, that is exactly what I was doing...1 on Friday night when the pain was too much to bear after a long week but last week he had me taking 2/day and my bowel all but shut down.

Back to 2-4 week for pain maintenance.

They have cut the anti-inflamatories down to 1000mg/day so will see how I do.

Sharon

Tramadol is weak compared to hydrocodone medications.  I used it before my surgeries and after it wasn't any better than taking an aspirin, IMO.  I use Norco, hydrocodone/tylenol, daily. If tramadol works for your pain I would use it over the stronger stuff.  Tramadol would be a step down if you are thinking of switching from an oxy pain killer.. 

 

I have an antidepressant that is more constipating then Norco (hydrocodone).  I hope you achieve some pain relief Sharon.  If it works in that way could you drink apple, prune juice or anything promoting loose stools?

 

Take care girl!

Thanks TE,

It sort of takes the edge off and allows me to have a good night's sleep so I take it on weekends only when needed or if I am not working the next day...am terrified of taking anything when I work the next day.

I am trying the juice and green tea route but it just stops digestion cold..plus they have me on omopral for the naproxin and it seems like to 2 combine are a double whammy...no digestion and no motility...

I am going very low residue whenever possible but high fiber with all of the fruits and veggies. I don't think that I have spent this long in the WC at each session in years.

The tripple threat treatment seems to be helping though...I am exercising more, moving more and hurting a bit less. I have continued the cold packs on the back and knees too...I am darned but I will get a hold on this thing and win!

Not ready to give up and give in yet.

Sharon

 

Unfortunately it's like we stick our finger in a hole in the dike and another leak springs open  What I was trying to say is that it would take a lot of tramadol to get hooked on it. If it's working you should keep on using it.  Sleep is the best thing for our body.  It can shut down and heal a while.  I suggest that you take one after you get home from work.  Maybe this would keep you from feeling the affects of it the morning after.  Also, have you tried cutting them in half?  That might work better for you and allow you to take it several times a day.  That's what I do sometimes.  Like my internist suggested if I do need to take more to get my pain to a tollerable level I could try cutting the pill in half.  She knows I don't take anymore than needed and probably should take more than I do.

Have you tried anything for anxiety, like xanex?  Maybe something like it at bedtime would help you sleep better - not much use for pain but might help you sleep better - giving your body extra down time. I have used it instead of a sleeping pill many times.  It's an inexpensive drug in the USA.

 

I hope your work week goes well. 

Almost done workwise...a couple classes left, tons of finals to correct and then free!

I am back to working out (a wimp workout but still...) most days for 2hrs, sort of walking, climbing a bit, a touch of pilates and a bit of stretch...the core muscles are happy, the abs strong and my lower back and legs are feeling better...but nothing is going to ever get this pain to go away. My x-rays look like a bonsai tree. My spine is twisted, rotated and curved. 1 leg is over 1.5inches shorter due to the pelvic rotation...too late to correct the scoliosis (I asked!) I just want to stop it from getting worse. and manage the pain.

I saw a surgeon this evening for a mamary reduction (I am a G since menopause) but with the Ehler's-Danlos she won't touch me. My rhumy & my gyn want me to have a reduction (the weight is pulling me forward and downward) and I am stooping now...so the surgeon has reffered me to Dr Hamonet, a Ehler's-Danlos specialist who has written dozens of papers on it and lectures...wants me to see him and enter his clinical trials (didn't know that there were any)...apparently there is a link with fibromialgia, sacroilitis, knee pain, galstones and a dozen other pathologies that sound terribly familar....

She wants me to have all of my medical file coordinated through him and see if I can get into a pain control clinic as well. 

So here we go...but maybe this will be the end of the tunnel...I may just meet someone who understands the pathology and can help.

Sharon

Sharon, this sounds like the most positive news to date for you! You really need one practitioner to coordinate all your treatment, and this new referral sounds like the one. I really do think that most of your symptoms have this common thread of Ehler's-Danlos. I would have thought the rheumatologist would have been the one, but I guess you needed someone with a special interest. 

 

Fingers crossed for you!

 

Jan

Thanks Jan,

For some strange reason the rhumy doesn't consider it at all in my treatment...he is all about pain control but was willing to sign off on a 'Thermal Treatment' specialized in D'Ehler's-Danlos...it is a hot water/sea water/thermal spa treatment. 

They last 2-4 weeks (obligatory to get results and for it to be reimbursed by healthcare)...I just missed this year's session (mid April...But I just found out about it tonight)...there may be some sort of other site that has one for June...You need a specialist to sign off on it and it takes at least a month to get approval.

They have them for breathing disorders (TB and many others), diabetes, arthritis, cancer patients and many, many other maladies.

It is very European to 'take the waters'...They have daily PT, exercise, massage, hot massages, mud, re-education therapy, specific diets etc. Many people go months afterwards without pain or the need for meds. It is not very elegant, or chic (nothing like those spas you see in the movies...usually they have sulphur baths that stink and the sites smell rather old and mouldy) and the hotel section is mothbitten but at least it works...

I am having problems finding a number to reach him but will try through the hospital where he teaches a whole year on Ehler's-Danlos in med school.

I am feeling a little upbeat thanks to this.

Sharon