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Much more pain - much less help with it!

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Posted 4/6/2015 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty upset. I like and respect my doctor immensely, but suddenly after 3 years, Hydrocodone, the one thing that brings my nerve pain down to a tolerable level, is off the table. He's been my doctor for over 20 years, and I've always been able to level with him and feel heard...and he's probably the most thorough and caring doctor I've ever been to.

And yet - I've never taken more than prescribed, in fact I was long ago down to less than half the dose I took the first year - but somehow, it's out of the question. When I asked whether it's actually more damaging than other things for pain, he said, "Yes, because it's addicting." Well, yeah - but so are several of the other things he's got me on, as he's told me in the past himself - including Tramadol, which he's giving me instead!

I wasn't going to push it beyond that point, but it sure does make me wonder what's going on.

Before my recent trip, he wouldn't even consider giving me some "just in case." He's said himself that Tramadol can contribute to seizures, especially with other things I'm taking....I'm afraid it's a sign of the times we're in, but of course I can't say that....I'm just trying to muddle through as best I can, but I sure can't do as much, can't concentrate (even more so than usual) and this is no way to live.

Thanks for listening!

Debbie confused
Posted 4/6/2015 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry he cut out your pain meds. Tramadol does nothing for me, so sorry you are stuck with it and I hope it helps you some what at least.

This scares me, I've been going to the same clinic for 15 years, the first 12 years I saw the NP there but when my health started to decline I felt I needed to see the dr there, and have been seeing her now for 3 maybe 4 years. She gives me 3 oxy's a day and I fret every month going in and having her say I'm sorry I can't prescribe you anymore cause the DEA is down my throat. She promises this won't happen, but hearing your story I know it could and it scares me cause without my oxy's I'm a vegetable.
Posted 4/6/2015 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Debbie, I am sorry to hear this. Were you taking enough to need to wean off? Just curious. Going cold turkey is hard, though the tramadol may help. Tramadol is an opiate type drug from what I understand. But I think I have read where it works with serotonin. Are you taking any antidepressants? Just curious, as the serotonin could become an issue.

I wish you the best. Maybe another doc is in order??? I know that is hard though...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/6/2015 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
That just stinks!
I hope you can manage okay with the tramadol. It does have a danger with SSRIs in causing seritone syndrome.
Posted 4/6/2015 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Has any body read this link below:


http://www.m.webmd.com/pain-management/features/pain-medication-addiction?ecd=wnl_art_062813&ctr=wnl-art-062813_promo_4&mb=

This link was on the chronic pain forum 101 and talks about addiction versus dependence. I thought this was interesting . I'm sorry Debbie. The nerve pain is the worse for me and I take oxycodone to ease it . I have been hearing more and more about doctors getting tight with pain meds but we are the ones that are suffering in pain. If the tramadol isn't helping I would keep contacting your doctor or get another one. I hope you can get some help for your pain soon.
Posted 4/6/2015 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to read of your difficulties with your Doctor discontinuing your pain med. I do hope that Tramadol will help you. It never looks very good to be seeking a new Doctor for pain meds but we end up being judged so wrongly. Most people with chronic pain take there meds as prescribed. We are looking for a way to survive and decrease pain as much as possible.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...
Posted 4/6/2015 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie,
Sorry to hear what you are going thru.
Was this your Family Physician or Pain Management Physician?
I was referred to Pain Management at least 10 years ago because my Family Physician at that time said that the DEA was "watching" & making it a nightmare for Family Physician's that prescribed pain medication for more than 90 days.
I hope you find something to help get you some pain relief.
Posted 4/6/2015 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
Many doctors are refusing to prescribe hydrocodone now because of the law changes and the feeling that they are taking a greater risk in doing so. I'm surprised that he's still giving out Tramadol though, if he won't prescribe hydrocodone. I believe they are in the same class. Others have alluded to the idea that you may have to find a pain management clinic to prescribe what you need, and I agree with them. Tramadol does nothing but make me itchy, so I'd be pretty pissed if someone tried to force that on me.
Posted 4/6/2015 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie,

Sorry to hear this...its so hard for us to find what really helps us and what does not .

When we find our best help, we need it left alone..

Ok we get it some people have addictive personalities, they need helped off of meds... But hey if we are handling it..leave it alone..

We need a balanced approach to the decisions..so much of the time , they want to throw the baby out with the bath water approach. Put everyone in a mold...

I went to a pain clinic once..he tried to give me something way too strong for me , so i just walked out..i am so sensitive to meds..

Sure hope you can get the help you need.

Does tramadol do nothing for you? It does not relieve all my pain, in my small doses but certainly brings it into the managable level, most of the time.
Posted 4/6/2015 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. It sure helps a lot to know you've all got my back! :)

Karen, I was only taking 5-325, 3 times a day. I switched over to Tramadol last fall, just substituting a dose at a time, and didn't have any trouble during the process...but a few weeks later, the pain started increasing. Then I thought it might be a good idea to lie on my left side about 3 times - for less than a minute - (because I haven't in almost 30 years, too painful) Oh boy, I really like to engage in those risky behaviors!! ;( That's when the Sciatic nerve pain got much worse again...and I started needing an ice pack every time I lie on my right (good) side! I still do.

I've told my doc all this. And yes, I'm on 2 antidepressants now, Nortriptyline and Venlafaxine (Effexor.) He just looks at my latest xray, says it's not that bad, and that these 2 antidepressants have been proven to work the best on nerve pain in the latest studies.

I'm sure that's all true, but we're not all the same!

Brenda, this is my primary care doctor. I've never been to a pain clinic, but it may be in my future. Guess I've been lucky up until now.

Ljm, Tramadol does help with some of my pain, but sure doesn't do much for this kind. And it makes me unpleasantly nervous.

Debbie
Posted 4/6/2015 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Be really careful taking the tramadol with your Nortriptyline and Venlafaxine, that is alot of serotonin, and I'd be afraid of serotonin syndrome.
Posted 4/7/2015 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie,

Just as a thought in this medicine process...i take a generic version , but there are some versions of the generic in this..that effect me differently..a couple of them made me very tired, increased my fatigue and others did not..

Am i the only one here that has to try different generics to find the one with least side effects?

So far i can only take 2 of the generic versions of this med..
Posted 4/7/2015 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is unfair that some of us have to suffer because of the new drug laws. I know they are necessary because some people abuse them but a lot of us only need the relief. I do take Tramadol, one every 12 hours, and it does help a little. But I also have to take Tylenol a lot and that worries me because I know it can cause problems too.

I also take Fioricet for the migraines and I wonder how much longer I will be able to get that.

At night I get relief from long hot soaking sessions in the tub. But, I live in California where we are in a terrible drought. I feel bad for using so much water. As Gilda said, "It's always something".

Sorry you are having problems Debbie. Sending you good thoughts and gentle hugs!!
Posted 4/7/2015 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know, Ljm, that's a good question. I haven't noticed whether different generics affect me differently.

AngelLisa, I am afraid of serotonin syndrome! Thanks for the reminder.

One day at a time. One day at a time....

Debbie
Posted 4/7/2015 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry, Debbie! You might have to see a pain specialist but do your homework before making an appointment.

Ibuprofen with food and a muscle relaxer took care of the raw nerve pain I was having. Actually Vicodin and Tramadol didn't touch the pain I was having so I was so surprised that an over the counter med and a good muscle relaxer did this for me. It might be something to consider.

Hope you feel better soon.

Sherrine
Posted 4/11/2015 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I would be looking for a pain managenent service. Tramadol can cause seizures with antidepressents. I had a grandmal seizure while on tramadol and antidepressent. They made me see a neuro Dr. After the seizure and the first thing he said no wonder why you had a seizure. Tramadol can cause seizures mixed with antidepressent. It sure would of been nice to know that. It was so scary plus I spent over a week in the hospital because of the drug interaction.
Posted 4/11/2015 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear your problems with Tramadol. I was prescribed these when after suffering with Fibromyalgia 21 years ago but only officially diagnosed with it in 2004, my doctor put me on Tramadol. I turned into a zombie but gave it a try only to be taken off it by my doctor. He then tried Steroids which worked but could only take them for a year. After that it was trial and error with pain killers and my doctor (I live in the UK) was marvellous. 14 months ago after being diagnosed with severe arthritis in my spine and in absolute agony, the doc put me on Lyrica (Pregablin) 50mg twice a day. Read all the side affects and nearly didn't take them. So relieved I did as apart from feeling a little tired from time to time, also pain on certain days and dreadful smell from my urine, the Lyrica made the pain much less, made me feel more confident and happy with my life and the only thing I regret, the tablets have not helped my walking - I need to use a trike just to walk short distances so am more or less a home bird.

Good luck and I hope you find something that will help as Fibromyalia is a dreadful thing to live with.
Posted 4/12/2015 8:03 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie -

I am so sorry you are going through this. It is one of my worst fears. I see a pain doc/neurologist.. They aren't perfect, but they certainly know the laws and don't have to make things up because they are scared like some docs and pharmacists I run into.

If you can find a good one, go with that. I found a. Purple hear locally in case my current one has issues. One I found through Healthgrades and one I found through a local support group.

I would mention one thing that I noticed recently. Almost all of them have been raided by the DEA recently. Don't let that completely scare you away. If it is several times and charges, that is one thing. But most have them were spot checked when the new laws went into place. The bigger groups make the news. Mine was raided, but they have always been good to me. They don't push Meds and have worked to reduce Meds that have been known to cause pain for Those with Fibro.

I wish you luck.
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