abc a asked:


I posted a question a while ago about asking my doctor for pills about back pains…next time I went in he prescribed me a trial of Tramadol, which in the end did absolutely nothing. It takes forever to get an appointment with him, and I go back to see him this Wednesday. My friend just recently had mouth surgery, and he offered me one of his vicodin to help my pain. I took it, a whole pill (he said half of one helped his surgery pain), and it didn’t do anything at all for my pain. My question is, should I tell my doctor that I took it and it didn’t help? I mean, it is illegal to take the vicodin without a prescription, but it’d be pointless if he ended up offering me vicodin if I know it didn’t work at all…any suggestions?
I took the Tramadol at 300mg doses once a day, which he said was pretty much the highest it should go. I’ve been off of that for about 2 weeks before I took this Vicodin, so I think it should be okay as far as mixing goes. But I guess I’ll just tell him, there’s suppose to be that whole “doctor-patient confidentiality” right?

BRIAN

sweetpea asked:


I have been taking the maximum dose of tramadol for about ten years. It was prescribed to me by my regular primary care physician for “fibromyalgia.” At that time he told me that it was “non-habit forming” and not a narcotic, but that “they” really were not sure HOW it worked, just that it did.

Flash forward ten years. I’ve taken between two and five of the 50-milligram tablets three times a day - EVERY DAY - for the last ten years. There have been times when for some reason or other I have run out, which is absolute HELL. The withdrawal is horrible and even a few hours late on a dosage causes severe bone pain, incredible fatigue, sweats, fever, diarrhea, depression, shakes, etc.

Sometimes I feel like a heroin addict. I actually MUST have the tramadol in order to function at all. Yesterday, again, I almost ran out and had to go 16 hours without any. I couldn’t get my prescription filled because the pharmacy said I was 20 days early for a refill! Perhaps having taken it for so long now I have built up some tolerance. I have found myself lying about “lost” pills, a teenaged relative “stealing” them, etc. I’ve gone to a few doctors and different pharmacies in order to be able to keep a constant supply. In other words, acting exactly like an addict. Also, I’m only 41, but taking tramadol for so long has ruined my teeth. It dries out the mouth and allows decay to set in. I actually have teeth that break off at the gumline as I eat french fries. I have already spent almost $8,000 on implants for the top teeth only - and I haven’t even gotten to the bottoms yet.

I am depressed about the situation, but I don’t think I have the stamina to be able to quit alone. Is there a support group out there, or anyone who has successfully quit taking tramadol after a long period? I sure could use the help and support of people who know how tramadol acts and how it feels. I feel desperate about a time when I won’t have it and what will happen.

I don’t know anyone else who has taken this drug and who understands the problem. Everyone says to just cut down and tough it out. Help!!!!!

KENNY

BIGGS asked:


I dont want to spend much, I have neck and back pain and the cost of going to a doctor is too much for me. I also cant find this medicine without having a fee charged or something. I take ultram or tramadol but want to find it cheaper, the vicoprofen works best but I dont want to have to pay for the prescription or counseling etc. HELP!!

BRADY

MA in Economics asked:


To all those in the medical community:

Since the age of 14 I have experienced extreme stabbing pains originating in my lower back descending down both or either leg. Furthermore, the pain often causes considerable nausea. Concerning this problem, I have visited doctors regularly for 8 years now. I was diagnosed with (what I worry is a bogus etiology) Degenerative Disk Disease. I regularly engage in core muscle exercises and stretching therapy - which although helps some; does not suffice to adequately reduce pain. I swing from strong aches to immobility. On a good day, I walk with a slight limp. On a bad day, I walk with a cane; if I walk at all. I have spent various degrees of time over the past 8 years taking medicines which include; celebrex, nuerontin, robaxin, and hydrocodone; as well as having received a spinal epidural. Currently, I am taking ultram and exercising regularly. This has kept my mind clear, as well as has not encouraged respiratory problems such as hydrocodone did. Although this regiment helps more than any previous treatment, it does not always suffice to adequately reduce pain.

Recently, as I finished school; I was taking 100-150mg Ultram, 1800mg Ibuprofen, and exercising regularly. This kept me quite mobile and pain free. Upon graduation, crashed economy, not finding a job, etc – I have had to return, again, to manual labor. Again, my entire body aches/hurts constantly. Now, I exercise, take 2400 mg Ibuprofen, and up to; but no more than, 300 mg Ultram daily (still less than the FDA’s maximum daily dose of 400mg). I have had swings like this before; and am well aware that once I can return to less physical work I will be able to greatly reduce my intake.

My most recent MRI states:
…decreased signal intensity of the intervertebral discs at L4-5 and L5-S1, consistent with disk degeneration and decreased water content…. bulging of L4-S1 disc…. Area of altered signal involving disc – central and extends adjacent to the S1 nerve root. Most likely etiology is disc herniation with some adjacent granulation tissue or fibrosis.

However, I have yet to meet a doctor who would recommend surgery or anything invasive on an individual my age. I am essentially left in limbo to do nothing but hurt – while at the same time bombarded with individuals in and out of the medical field shouting the dangers of prescription medicine use. I have recently graduated school – and am ineligible to visit my prior doctor at the University Clinic, and am again without insurance. Therefore I am unable to refill my Ultram. So now I am faced with the blissful prospect of paying $150-300 (which I don’t have) simply to speak to YET another new doctor – explain my situation – and look like a junkie because I have no prior history with this new doctor; OR purchase this medicine online and avoid the whole aggravating mess.

I have put myself through college, twice, while on pain-killers. I have yet to miss a day of work or class, receive anything less than excellent grades, or damage any personal relationship due this prescription – my family is well aware of my prescription. Quite frankly in my experience with tramadol, I am unaware of any side-effect which would encourage abuse. So please do not:

1) Say; “go visit with your doctor”.
I have seen thousands of individuals on this site explain they have no insurance; only to be answered with; “Pills are bad – you should go speak to your doctor”. That is both a fruitless answer; as well as ill-contemplated. If they could easily afford to speak to a doctor – they would.

2) Narrate a story of your loved ones pill habit or how addicted you are/were.
I am an extremely productive member of society and it is only my distaste for excruciating pain that stands in the way of my immediate quitting. And regardless, in a week when my prescription does run out – I will be quitting; pain or no pain. At which point, I will become useless to all those around me again.

My Questions:
1) I am looking for any/all recommendations for this situation.
2) What daily mg quantities indicates addiction (Approximation obviously)?
3) What would you recommend in place of exercise and Ultram?
4) Is there new research (outside of what is obviously posted on the internet) on the application of Ultram on Depression.

Half the individuals on here claim it helps immensely, the other half say it only encourages their depression. All I am aware of is that since I have begun Ultram; my mood swings have diminished. Essentially every male in my family has been diagnosed with Bipolar I. Even my brother has recently been diagnosed with Cyclothymia. I appear (since 2007) to be the only male in my family who maintains a stable mood. I am not manic, sluggish, unreliable, bouncy, stoner-like, or any other adjective associated with opium use. I simply find this curious – and am enjoying my new lack of depressive lows and anxiety attacks.

T

GERTRUDE

sewstylishco asked:


My doc is prescribing Valium for me to get rid of the feeling of a lump in my throat. I was just wondering how well it would work.

ARLENE

lucysmom asked:


I had the temporary crown put in last week, and it will be in place for 3 weeks while I am waiting for the permanent crown to be made. I started having toothache type pain in this tooth 3 days after the procedure. Tylenol and Alleve completely resolve the pain, but I have to take it on schedule, or the pain returns. Do I need to call my dentist? What will he do?

BILLIE

rose asked:


I have this major migrane headache, and no matter what I do, I just can’t get rid of it. Does any one know a way to get rid of it without using pills? Or not, any other way?

SEAN

Kyo’sgurl asked:


My little brother is ill, with a ferocious headache and his body is at least a degree or two higher in his temperature, what should I do…? Is it better for a wet rag to be luke-warm or cold when placed on the forehead?

SANTIAGO

Paul M asked:


I dont drink, smoke or take illegal drugs, i’m 31 years old and in excellent shape physically, however i like to relax with about 200mg of pure Tramadol a day. Given that everyone needs a vice could any one see a problem with long term use of this pain killer. If it makes me a happier, nicer, more loving person, and helps me sleep beautifully what would be the reasons not to take it? I can get 100 50mg generic pills for about £2, so it costs me 8p a day making this the cheapest habit ever. Will i damage myself long term?

MITZI

Emily asked:


I know this seems like an odd question, but I was reading about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her plane crash and was wandering how much pain she would have felt when they crashed? I feel so horrible for them, the fear that must have been going through them, I am hoping it was quick and painless but was wandering if anyone knows? How fast it might have happened? Pain?

MILDRED