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Going to talk to doc about Tramadol

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Posted 1/25/2015 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
He told me previously that I couldn't take it because it's contraindicated to take it with antidepressants. I emailed him and said I want to get off that anyway. It's supposed to help with fibro pain, but doesn't help at all with my spinal pain. I just need some quality of life again. It's been over 4 years now. I am also applying for intermittent FMLA. My full-time job plus 3 hour daily commute has worn me down and I'm supporting all 7 of us. If I have to leave work early due to the pain, I can't risk getting fired. So, hopefully help is in sight!
Posted 1/25/2015 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hmm, I take Tramadol and I've been on Nortriptyline for over 20 years. Maybe it just can't be taken with a certain class of antidepressants...

Debbie
Posted 1/25/2015 6:29 AM (GMT 0)

Acheybody said...
Hmm, I take Tramadol and I've been on Nortriptyline for over 20 years. Maybe it just can't be taken with a certain class of antidepressants...

Debbie

I am on both as well. Agreeing that maybe it's only some classes of the antidepressants.
Posted 1/25/2015 8:25 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on venlafaxine. There's a risk of seizure if you take both.
Posted 1/25/2015 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello I have fibromyalgia with extreme pain
And constantly nauseous, I was just wondering
if you ever tried opana ER, I was skeptical at
First my pain management Dr started me on 10mg
I see him every two weeks ,so when I seen him I told
Him it was only lasting a few hrs, but I want to try a strong
Dose, put me up to 15mg well let me tell u, it lasted 6 hrs
And I was so messed up, LOL I didn't like that but I did read
It adjust in ur system in a few days, but I finally had 6 hrs pain .
Free

Still was extremely impaired and nausea, point being just need to
Find what works for you, I am truly amazed that you are able to continue to work, I am waiting on disability but I wish I could work.
Posted 1/25/2015 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
What antidepressant are you on? Often they help with fibromyalgia pain too. And as posted above, I believe it is only certain antidepressants. I took it when I was taking Effexor and there was no problem...

I hope you get to try it. If you go off of the antidepressant, go slow. The doctor should help you titrate down if need be.

I hope that the Tramadol works well for you.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 1/25/2015 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
I think sometimes doctor are covering their own you-know-whats rather than showing concern for their patients. I've used Tramadol for years, and yes, it can be addictive for some people. And as a retired mental health professional, I have seen some of those people. However, it can also help tremendously if taken as indicated. There was actually talk, at one point, of getting it approved as an antidepressant. It is NOT like taking hydrocodone or some of those really potent opiates.

It IS constipating, and I take a colon cleanser and probiotics daily because of that.

Anyway, FWIW, as they say....
Posted 1/25/2015 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Dreamsoftravel
I am on Effexor 150Er once a day. Tramadol 200mgs
a day and 25mg of Nortriptyline at bedtime. Probably end up going off of effexor because it does not help with pain.

Anyways. ..I checked double checked and triple checked with my pharmacist and Dr. about taking these meds together. They both reassured me that I would be fine despite what I read about serotonin syndrome. So I do take them and am fine.

Please tho check with pharmacist and Dr. To get professional advice. Tramadol helps me take the edge off of pain. I do hope you'll find it helpful. Please keep us posted.

Take care
Michael
Posted 1/25/2015 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
I am on 90 mg cymbalta, 300 mg wellbutrin, 40 mg protonics
200mg zonisamide 4mg ondansetron for nausea and opana
15mg x2


Fibromyalgia
IBD

Colitis
Gerd
Fatigue
Depression
Anxiety
Posted 1/26/2015 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
I can only take low doses of tramadol..but i cut it into 4ths and take every two to 3 hours..it really does help with my pain levels even tho i am sensitive to it...i take less than 2 pills all day...even though it was written for a much heavier dose..

Guess my point is , you may not need as much as will be suggested..each of us responds differently to medication..in a flare i can take the small dose closer together..but still cannot take 1/2 at a time..feel loopy if i do
Posted 1/26/2015 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
Just so you are aware Tramadol has been re-evaluated and is now considered a narcotic. We have recently put these into our Narc bins at work. Not sure why but they have been very effective for pain relief and prior to this it was nice to know they were not considered narcotics.

Kim
Posted 1/26/2015 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hmm...I wonder why that is? I've always read that it isn't a narcotic.
Posted 1/26/2015 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
I read that they only changed it to closely monitored...not that it is a narcotic?
Anyway it does help with pain , but you will still need other ways to help yourself, supplements,heat topical pain relief, etc
Posted 2/4/2015 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I just had my appt. and my doc refused me a prescription of Tramadol due to "safety reasons." He referred me to a psychiatrist for my anxiety. Hello...he should try living with pain every minute of the day for 4 and 1/2 years and we'll see if he's not anxious! I feel completely minimized. He's been nurturing and is better than the other docs in Group Health I've seen here, but I just feel he doesn't get it. And the fact is, he can't "get it" because he doesn't have fibromyalgia. He gave me his usual talk about books to buy, supplements, yoga, heat/cold. I already do yoga, use heat, meditate, etc. I'm a college educated woman-does he think I haven't already thought of those things? Sorry-I'm just extremely frustrated and honestly do not know what I'm going to do. I have no quality of life, haven't for years and now I'm being denied pain relief.
I'm sorry to vent. I appreciate being able to come here knowing that you know exactly what it's like when no one else does. I'm just at a loss and feeling completely hopeless...
Posted 2/4/2015 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to read of your disappointing visit to your Doctor. I have only tried a small prescription of Tramadol. I too am on Nortriptyline. I take some at dinner and some at bed time. I don't know if it would work better if I took the Tramadol on a regular basis. I asked my Headache and Pain Relief Doctor about a pain medication and he said no. I didn't suggest anything in particular. I really don't want anything too strong or something that will make me to not be able to think straight.

We all just want something to stop the pain and be able to cope better. I myself do not think anxiety is causing the pain. For me I have structural problems that contribute to pain. I will buy some Malic Acid to try when I go to the Health Food Store. Know how you feel but I don't have any solutions for you.

Take care.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...
Posted 2/4/2015 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your response. I just ordered magnesium malate after my appt. (that wasn't even a supplement he suggested) and am hoping that will help. I hope it helps you!
Posted 2/4/2015 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
I am late to the party, but here goes.
Tramadol and some antidepressants can raise the chances for serotonin syndrome. I take both together with no problems. Many doctors are concerned about them, tho. Not to minimize your frustration, but it can be a valid concern, given other factors. Tramadol is a non-narcotic painkiller, one of the few. BUT--due to insurance and painkiller abuse concerns, there is stricter monitoring of it, as doctors feel ti is a gateway drug.

My one-time PCP had issues with tramadol as well. She flat out refused to prescribe it. Many PCPs seem to feel (anecdotally, at least) that is your condition is bad enough to merit long-term painkiller use, then you ought to be seeing a specialist. They have valid(ish) insurance and DEA concerns.

Notice I stated she was a one-time PCP.
Posted 2/5/2015 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry but if a doctor ever refused me tramadol, I'd drop them in a heart beat. If they wont prescribe that for pain, good luck getting anything else from them. I took tramadol for several months and it did help, but then it started causing rebound migraines that were horrible. I've been switched to norco 7.5mg/325 (hydrocodone) and believe me, it's not a "potent" narcotic like some would say. Its actually the weakest available other than codeine. Good luck and tramadol has its uses, just not for me.
Posted 2/5/2015 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
I'd consider trying yet another doc, but with Group Health choices here, they all seem to suck. Also, GH makes you see your primary doc for fibro care. The rheumatologist wasn't good and the pain doc didn't believe in pain meds so I've tried every avenue. I just don't know what else to do.
Posted 2/5/2015 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Also, I can't switch because I just submitted FMLA paperwork to him so I can't switch. Ugh.
Posted 2/5/2015 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
Dreamsoftravel,

I also have FMLA and once the paperwork is submitted and approved, you can change doctors. Don't change until you get it approved though otherwise it could be a hassle having a new doc fill out the forms. Also be sure to tell the new doc that you are on FMLA for your problems. I found that telling all the doctors I see that I already got on FMLA makes them take me a bit more serious.

Don't stick with a doctor that isn't working with you, do your research, ask friends and co workers for some recommendations. I go online and read reviews from patients before I'll see a new doc or specialist. If they have bad reviews, then don't bother.

It takes time to find a good doc and while I still don't like mine, im better off then when I first started. Pain management doctors who don't believe in pain meds are in the wrong field, not everyone can benefit from injections.

Post Edited (nooneknows) : 2/5/2015 4:24:03 AM (GMT-7)

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