Tramadol.

LolaCrayola

I have been given these but I am frightened to try them. Pain out of control at the moment. Slight concern that Dr thinks I am depressed because I cried, the reality is that pain lowers my mood. First time I have almost cried in 3 years.

Kirsty88

When taking tramadol I'd really reccomend that if u work u have some time of t get use to them, I've had them a lot and I know people who it knocks out, but for me it completely made me wired to the point where I can't sleep which isn't good when your in pain. Everyone reacts differently to painkillers so they maybe a god send for u, but haven't worked for me. As for the depression bit don't worry too much, your bound to be distressed and the doctors see this all the time, just talk to them.

Hope that's some help and the tablets work for u.

Kirsty xx

stickywicket

What are you frightened of, LolaCrayola? I've taken tramadol when in hospital. It worked though, because I have pre-existing stomach problems, it did make me conscious that they were going to kick in if I took it any longer than absolutely necessary and in any more quantities than absolutely necessary. But, it did the job and I then reverted to mild cocos.

If your pain is out of control you do need something. Maybe the doc's right and you are depressed by it. Who wouldn't be? It's a natural reaction. But, he's given you something which will, hopefully, help not only the pain but also the low mood. For my money just suck it and see. I hope it helps.

dreamdaisy

Pain is depressing, there's no doubt about that and feeling 'stronger' mentally can help one cope better with the pain. There's nothing wrong with crying, it's a valuable release and helps to ease the stresses and strains we feel.

Over the years I've tried a range of pain relief and have narrowed it to two options: co-codamol for the 'norm' and tramadol for the really rough times (but only at night, to help me settle to sleep). Pain is part-and-parcel of having arthritis (in my case, two sorts) and, although I could just swallow dullers etc on a regular basis that won't change the reality that stuff hurts.

When it was confirmed that I had OA in both knees I was given a course of anti-depressants to tide me over; my intention was to come off them after three months but my rheumatologist disagreed. Her view was that if I am stronger mentally I can cope better with the pain and she was right. I am on a small daily dose of an anti-depressant and I wonder if this could be an answer for you. Doctors can only do so much for us but, if you are that concerned about the tramadol, maybe this could be another option.

It is true that tramadol doesn't suit everyone, and you won't know until you try, but maybe taking one at night might be a good way to try them out. I wish you well. DD

LolaCrayola

Thank you to everyone. I took it, the pain has gone down a bit. On here I know that people understand. It's all so boring and tiring. I'm really not depressed, I remember what that feels like. I've had a lot of pain management, sure we'll all have better times soon. We all need help sometimes.

stickywicket

I'm glad it's helping. It's not necessarily a permanent move. With luck, they'll help with the pain levels and that, in turn, will help you to think more clearly about where to go from here.

barbara12

Hi Lola
I am so sorry you are suffering like this, I had tramadol but it made me feel sick at first but yoiu do get used and some people dont get any side effects..has for the depression..there are qite a few on here that take ADs..sometimes just for a few months to get them over a bad patch...I have taken them for a few months and they have helped so much...so dont you struggle on...and like you say its good to have us to talk to...you take care (((()))xx

hileena111

Hi
Glad you have tried them.
I had them after my hip replacement....only in hospital and for the 6 weeks after coming out when recuperating.
Then the consultant stopped them. It was OK then but I couldn't have led a normal {whatever normal is } live on them but others can cope perfectly well with them.
I was sent to a pain clinic and they got a psychologist to ring me and after a 30 minute phone call she decided she wanted to see me.....I've seen her 4 times {usually once every 2 weeks} She says I'm depressed...not severely but nevertheless depressed....it has helped. I probably wont see much more of her....I've got another appointment and possibly one after that and I think that's it.
Take care
Love
Hileena

maria09

Hi
I'm on tramadol have been for last few years they do help
As for crying when I feel like crying its coz the pain is so bad
I used to be a nurse and we constantly asked patients there pain score so 0 no pain and 10 I always said its the worst pain ever and makes you want to cry as that's how I feel
At min mines 10 so taken my tramadol as I had foot surgery yesterday
I do feel some GPs as they have never experienced the pain don't realise it's that that makes us cry and not necessarily that we are depressed although constant pain does get us down and depressed
I hope the tramadol kicks in soon
If I have my full allowance of tramadol a day I do get really itchy and that doesn't seem to be one of the side effects mentioned in the bumph
I can get spaced out too but try not to take my full doses
Hope it suits you
Maria

kellerman

When you need pain relief you need pain relief. Tramadol are excellent pain killers for the people who can tolerate them.
As for the depression if you feel you need AD's ask for them.Sometimes we don't realise we are depressed because we put it down to the pain but the pain can and does cause depression.We all know what its like...you wake up in pain...go to bed in pain and it has been with you all day.Hope the tramadol help. May

gilly1957

Hi
I have been on Tramadol for a couple of years, for my OA.
When I first tried them they knocked me senseless, I told my GP
and she put me on slow release Tramadol,which I am fine on.

Gill

LolaCrayola

Hi, I feel so much better. I already take an old style anti-depressant for nerve pain. Tramadol did the job. I have my regular Pain Clinic on Monday and I am hoping they will add that to my tool kit for bad times. Back to my normal chipper self. Pain was so total it just blindsided me from nowhere. Thank you for all experiences and comments.

DebbieT

Hi,

I've been on 150mg tramadol for a few years. I was on coco's b4 that but they spaced me out & didn't touch my pain! I was moved to slow release tramadol, few people have any side effects wen they're slow release I can top up twice a day with 50mg x 2 normal tramadol for break through pain.

I was put on them for fibromyalgic pain not arthritic but it helps both. I'm being referred to a pain clinic in the near future. I do suffer from depression & anxiety but ure all so right, pain can bring ure mood down whether you have depression or not!!

Good luck with the meds. If you think SR would suit you better it's worth discussing with your gp.x