Grandma very poorly

Have you thought about dialling 111 or whatever the number is now and asking for advice. At least that way your concerns will be recorded, although that doesn't really help you and your grandmother but might be an embarrassment for the Dr concerned. Also contact the surgery again and ask for another doctor to see her.

Tremadol is a strong drug. In the elderly it can cause cognitive impairment. I would be onto the surgery to see another doctor or failing that seek advice from the hospital. You can't go on like this. I'm sure others will ave good advice very soon.

I wouldn't hesitate to question the prescription of Tramadol, gillybob. I was prescribed it for sciatica and like your grandmother was totally 'out of it' and struggled to wake up. I rang the surgery and was told to stop taking it.

Can she use incontinence pads during the night if she is finding it difficult to walk?

It sounds as though she needs to see a lymphedoema nurse. My niece is one and has told me that most people are not aware that they can be referred for treatment by their GP.

I know how you feel about your grandmother being abandoned to her fate but don't give up. My mother was given a few weeks to live a year ago last January and she's still alive and comfortable because she is now in a good nursing home.

I'm sure it's very worrying for you. I hope your grandmother improves soon.

I wish I had called for an ambulance yesterday instead of calling her surgery Tegan I really do. Her usual GP is away at the minute and the doctor that came yesterday does know her but doesn't have the patience that her usual doctor has (he is lovely and I couldn't praise him enough). I did go to the surgery last night just before it closed to ask again about the Tramadol and was told that the doctor prescribed it (60 tablets) and so she should take it ! I could cry. We always have a joke where my grandma says "oh don't get old Gilly" and I say "its better than the alternative" and she says "yes, i suppose it is" .. This morning she is just there, thats all. No talking and I was thinking.... is it really better than the alternative?

I have been reading up on it MiceElf and yes it would appear that the side effects are cognitive impairment along with just sleeping and halucinations too. Bless her she doesnt deserve this. Only last week she was doing bl**dy hard crosswords and playing along with the Chase and giving the Chaser a run for his money !

That is so sad to read about gillybob. I have been taking Tramadol for about 3 years now (not the prescribed dose, I just take them when I feel I need them) and I haven't had any side-effects from them.

Can you ask for a second opinion? I can imagine that your mother's swollen legs would be very painful but surely there is another painkiller that would suit her better.

The Mayo Clinic gives some good advice on Tramadol if you're interested (and covers interactions with other medicines that your mother may be taking) www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tramadol-oral-route/before-using/drg-20068050

Gillybob You have spoken before about how fond you are of your Grandma.

I would be wondering wonder how much more she can take at her age? Would she want to go into hospital to get sorted out? Would she tell you if she did not?
Tramadol sound's a very strong pain killer for her age it is an opiate.

Is there a local pharmacist you could have a word with? They could be better on the drugs issue than GPs are.

My apologies - I don't know why I thought you'd said your mother Gillybob

I'm hoping that the doctor that came out said to contact him if her condition didn't improve or indicated that he would like to see her again in a couple of days but I think I know what the answer will be. We have an amzing health service but sometimes it lets people down really badly.

Oh Gilly I'm feeling upset for you.
Did you speak to another doctor at the surgery when you went back last night, or a nurse or receptionist? They would not have had the authority to contradict what the doctor had prescribed.
I would be inclined to ring up and insist on speaking to a doctor, and if they say no, say you will take take your grandma to A&E. They won't like that.
I've looked up tramadol and can't see any use for it other than pain relief, so if your Grandma isn't in pain it doesn't make any sense to take it, to me.

Gilly I am so sorry to read that about your Grandma.
I had Tramadol once 3 years ago, (aged 70) and hallucinated so I do know how strong it is and am not at all surprised that your beloved Grandma is out of it.
I do hope that you get a more helpful response from that doctor.
I think that JaneA has the right idea.
for you both.

gilly How upset you must be feeling. I agree with janeainsworth. I don't think Tramadol is doing your grandma any good at all.

sorry she is so poorly

From the website, Drugs.com: Tramadol can slow or stop your breathing"

I would find out from that doctor, or perhaps another one, exactly why she has been prescribed that.

gillybob

I agree with janea. I had the same reaction to Tramadol that Crow had last year, and was taken off it immediately. I cannot see why your grandma is on it if she is not in pain. It's wrong.
Good luck.

I'm sorry your Grandma is so poorly and hope you can sort this out and she feels better soon Gilly.

I was prescribed Tramodal a few years back and hallucinated on it as well. I felt so il I stopped it and my hospital notes state that I'm allergic to it.

jingle That's terrible.

Some of us react badly to Tramadol. I took one dose and said 'never again'. My son did the same, and one of my sisters can't take it either. The doctor should know that this can happen.

gillybob to you and your Grandma

Oh dear, Gillybob. We were just talking about your grandma the other week and you were saying just how feisty she is. I only know of Tramadol being used for serious pain. If it was my elderly relative, I don't think I'd be giving it to her without getting another opinion.

If she is not in pain, do not give them to her.

If she is in pain, then you need to be asking for a treatment that is more appropriate to her age and the degree of pain.

Prescribing for the elderly is an art - if you get it wrong, then the whole of person's ability to support themselves at home and their personality and cognitive functioning can be impaired. and it can be a slippery slope.

The surgery is bound to tell you to take what the doc has prescribed. But you are at liberty to question it - you are the one who can see what it does to her. You need to see a different doc.

gillybob I'm afraid I would simply stop giving your grandma the tramadol and tell the GP this is what you've done and ask for a second opinion. If you don't entirely trust the medicine this doctor has prescribed is the correct one then it's not unreasonable to request an opinion from another GP. It's a horrid situation and I feel frustrated for you that you're having to deal with it. Sad for grandma too.

When my MiL was like this she was in hospital on intravenous antibiotics which were the only thing that improved her legs at all. I don't know what your out of hours doctors are like but I would try ringing them in the evening. Ours are always willing to make house calls and will send plenty of time talking to you and are quick to send a patient to hospital if they think it is necessary.

Thankyou all for such lovely comments and helpful advice. It is all much appreciated. Late night update. 5pm . My grandma was totally out of it. Mumbling and clutching the TV remote that she insisted was the telephone and she could not get a line. I am upset writing this now as this is not the lady I love. She could not string a sentence together and has eaten nothing at all today. I telephoned her surgery and told the receptionist that I wanted it on record that I was stopping the Tramadol as from "now" and I would be taking it home with me tonight. I was told that her doctor would give me a telephone appointment at 7.30 after the surgery closed. Her (lovely) GP called me and I spoke to him at length and he agreed that she had been "wrongly" ( he didn't say those words) prescribed the Tramadol and that he would be happy for me to withdraw it, providing I would make myself available to her for 6 hours (apparently the time it takes to wear off) he said that she was very poorly (I know) and that there was very little he could do for her now at her age. My grandma doesn't want to go into hospital. I know she thinks that if they get her in there she may never come out again. To be honest I am becoming overwhelmed by the whole situation. I love her so much and can't bear this. Why does it have to be like this? Why when she had so much dignity (choosing her lovely blouse for church last week and doing a crossword I couldn't even begin to tackle) am I wiping slops from her chin today ? This is wrong. I hate saying this but I wish she could just go to sleep. I love her so much.

Sorry.

Gillybob ((((hugs)))) I hope she improves.

Even I know that pain killers have very bad effects on the elderly and I am not a GP. Many years as a social worker taught me that, simple UTIs or other infections can cause confusion as well.

Oh gillybob; I'm so sorry for you and your grandmother. At least the nice doctor contacted you. We're all thinking of you [hug].