Osteoarthritis and Tramadol

I was on Tramadol when I had an operation on my spine and I was fine on it, I was also on loads of other pills.

MissOops is on them now after her knee replacement and has no problems, she can’t do much at the moment anyway, but certainly couldn’t take them normally as they make her sleep , you can take up to 8 a day safely. She is on around 5 a day plus other opioids.

The problem with Arthritis is that it will get worse and Tramadol isn’t something I would like to be on for ever as I can’t function normally, but after an op it’s a great pain reliever.

Best get back to your GP and find out a bit more about her thoughts on this drugs long term usage for you.

I’ve been talking it for a couple of years, as well as pregabalin.

Like TeacherAnne I was prescribed up to eight a day.
I only ever took, at the maximum, 5 a day.

I don’t drive, and if I did wouldn’t have. Due to the pain and mobility problems that I was taking the tramadol for, I wouldn’t have been able to even if I’d wanted to.

I was in agonising and chronic nerve pain down my leg which was caused by problems with my hip (which had absolutely had it)
Most days I would literally cry with pain.
Sometimes the nerve pain would affect my eye and jaw.

I definitely needed them, and I don’t know how I could have survived without them.

It’s not good practice for GPs to say that they wouldn’t prescribe opiates under any circumstances.

I am now weening myself off them under the guidance of my GP.
I take two at night and it stops me from getting withdrawal headaches.

OP, have they tried you with Amytriptiline? They tried that with me before the tramadol.

I hope that you get some relief soon

I was given it with paracetamol for extreme bowel pain and it suits me very well except yes it does constipate. I use it PRN only. None of other symptoms described above. Slight "high" feeling but not unpleasant.

I'm not sure how much more addictive Tramadol is that the other very major painkillers? But my greatest concern is that as far as I know most of us are not medics here, maybe we should be cautious recommending or not recommending drugs that might be very indicated or contraindicated for certain conditions?

Another here who can’t tolerate Tramadol. Prescribed for global pain I got no further than the first two, such a confused head and an exhausted body. en. Couldn’t get out of bed. Now I take slow release ibuprofen and eight paracetamol a day, neither stop my head functioning and they do take the edge off the pain.

Tramadol doesn’t work when my back goes into spasm without the help of 800mg ibuprofen.

A GP prescribed Tramadol for me when I had severe sciatica a few years ago. When I told him it had made me sick he said that happens with 33% of people.

I was prescribed them but found the side effects so bad I stopped. I felt totally out of it, as though I was floating but unsteadily, also felt sick. So now I am on morphine, still a very strong drug but no side effects at all and I have been taking it it for nearly two years now. I take 5mg once a day, usually bed time, not every day, I can go weeks without it but when I get a flare up like now it’s everyday.

My gp absolutely refuses to prescribe it to anyone.

Three or four years ago I fell and damaged my shoulder. OH was away but younger son had come home to help. One night the pain was so unbearable we got a taxi to A&E in Oxford. They gave me one solitary Tramadol and it worked quickly and beautifully. They wouldn’t let me take any home. The pain had started to ease the next day and I was given codeine, I think. I have read that Tramadol is incredibly addictive.

I didn't drive when I was taking it because I didn't trust myself and still don't because I got out of the habit of wanting to.

No criticism of anyone here, but it worries me hugely that people on high dose Tramadol are sharing the roads with me, and more importantly, my ACs and GCs.

It's an opioid and addictive. It does work, but I am clean of it now after being dependent on it for a few years.

I was given Tramadol in hospital post hip replacement surgery. They made me nauseous and sick besides giving me recurring nightmares, even days after stopping them, not to mention the constipation!

Never again!

Worth giving it a try. Hope it does help Susy.

Thank you everyone. So much information. So where from here. My physio has recommended a scheme at local health centre for people with arthritis, exercise, gym, pool. So hoping this will help

Husband had bowel cancer operation and when in icu he was on oramorph without issue. When they stopped oramorph he was given 1 tramadol and he was hallucinating and felt very very I’ll. he refused to take tramadol again. (My old dog was given tramadol by vet and we found it didn’t help her).

Fleurpepper

You could be arrested at many airports or countries for class 1 drugs.

Most countries are happy if you have it prescribed or a letter from your GP but always check it first. My friend works in Arabic countries and some of her ADHD medication which she can't be without has to be smuggled in!

Not forgetting the real risk of severe constipation....we know someone who was in hospital fir a week with impacted bowels. Obviously if pain is so severe strong painkillers are the only option but I would avoid opioids if at all possible.

DH has used tramadol for extreme back pain. I was given it after surgery so that I was pain free overnight. Every time I closed my eyes I started to hallucinate. Really strange experience. A blood pressure monitor was taking readings every 15 mins too. The cuff was really tight so I got no sleep at all.

Fleurpepper

Teacheranne, that is a massive amount- is you doctor aware. It could seriously affect your kidneys and your head. Do you drive?

My doctor is obviously aware as he prescribes them! I have tried different painkillers but they did not help. I have annual blood checks re kidney function.

I do drive and have never had a problem, my doctor is aware I drive and is not concerned.

I have traveled abroad with my meds in my hand luggage and have never been questioned although I also have a copy of my prescription with me..

I have needed knee replacement surgery for about five years but have resisted the operation as my father in law died as a result of knee replacement surgery. But I’ve had enough now so am seeing a consultant to get ready for the operation early next year.

I also drink alcohol occasionally while still taking tramadol which is not recommended so reckon my body is wrecked!

Tramodol is widely prescribed here, I took a couple of tablets once and was in bed for 24 hours, never again. Similarly with Co-codamol.
Ask your pharmacist for advice susytish

You could be arrested at many airports or countries for class 1 drugs.

Teacheranne, that is a massive amount- is you doctor aware. It could seriously affect your kidneys and your head. Do you drive?

Tramadol makes me sick too. Once was enough! My sister and my son have had the same experience. I react badly to opioids in general - or do I mean opiates? Not sure of the difference.

My prescription for Tramadol is eight every day!
This dosage would, admittedly, more or less stop my back pain, but I'd also be practically unconscious, so I take it only when I really need to!
It makes me go very light headed, and 'bungs me up' badly!
However, there are times when I just can't do anything without the painkilling strength of Tramadol!
I probably take, on average, 15-20 over the course of a month, with just paracetamol and 'gritting my teeth' the rest of the time.
Whilst we were recently away on holiday though, I took four capsules on a few days, and on two particularly bad days, took six!
I know my limitations when I've taken them though, I definitely go off 'away with the fairies', so wouldn't dream of driving, and make sure that I concentrate all the time in the kitchen!
Most of the time, I take them so rarely that I don't build up any kind of dependency on them, therefore, no withdrawal problems either!