Tramadol

[Badrabbit]

Thanks for all the comments.

[Chivas]

35 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Just that he said he buys 37mg tablets, but does not take more than 75mg per day. Why not say 2 tablets?

 

The long cold winters must utterly fly by..............😎

[Pickwick]

2 hours ago, Chivas said:

In short 200mg of 22 years ago is now only 150mg where it will remain doubtless to I drop off my mortal coil

Do you have a prescription from your home country? I'm asking with flying in mind. Tramadol really helps with my back pain here, I don't take it daily but it's effective when needed and fast acting. Next month I'll be travelling back to the UK via Qatar and would have liked to take some with me but that's not possible obviously. I am not sure I can get a prescription in English out here in the sticks (or if it's possible anyway). I'll be able to get co-codomol from UK GP but it's definitely less effective.

[Chivas]

38 minutes ago, Pickwick said:

Do you have a prescription from your home country? I'm asking with flying in mind. Tramadol really helps with my back pain here, I don't take it daily but it's effective when needed and fast acting. Next month I'll be travelling back to the UK via Qatar and would have liked to take some with me but that's not possible obviously. I am not sure I can get a prescription in English out here in the sticks (or if it's possible anyway). I'll be able to get co-codomol from UK GP but it's definitely less effective.

 

Yes I get new prescription every month here in UK. For my Thailand extended trips they wont give more than 2 months at a time so I buy over the counter if required from my local guy up the pharmacy

 

Never had problems bringing into Thailand but then only ever been stopped once at Suvarnabhumbi at inbound customs and such was my surprise I was looking around for the cameras assuming it was a complete wind up

 

It needn't have mattered anyway as the x ray bag scanner bloke was fast asleep in his chair

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, sungod said:

 

They most certainly are when starting the healing process.

Sure, I'm not going to argue against core exercises, I'm just stating if/when establish a more advanced exercise program for strengthen your body, most exercises also involves core strengthening, so not necessarily the first detailed program you need to focus on. To keep a body pain-free throughout a lifetime, we all need to do some stretches and some strenght exercises to avoid pain sooner or later.

 

Anybody here who have passed their 50ies and have no issues whatsoever ? 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

7 hours ago, Badrabbit said:

What's the problem mate, tests show nothing, Doctor guessing at sensitive nerves.

Nah there is no more problem, than that you need to find a good doctor for general practice, that can refer you to a specialist that can help you. If it´s stress related, or something else, there are expert in every field, and surely there must be someone good enough to clear this up.

[dddave]

4 hours ago, KannikaP said:

So you take TWO tablets a day?

Yup

[dddave]

3 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Just that he said he buys 37mg tablets, but does not take more than 75mg per day. Why not say 2 tablets?

One poster was talking about 50mg tablets, other posters were speaking of mg's per 24 hour period and I was speaking of 37mg tablets.  Far less confusing to speak to the total number of mg's rather that the number of tablets.   

[jcmj]

I don’t think that you’re able to get low dose ketamine here so I’d just stick with what is working for you right now. Everyone reacts different to pain meds. I have had chronic pain ever since I got GBS and they tried morphine which had no effect. Fentanyl which helped but I couldn’t sleep on it and a few others. The only thing that did help was Percocet which I had while in America. Unfortunately they only have the slow release tablets here and they don’t work for me and are expensive. I’m still trying to figure it out with my doctors but it’s not easy. I understand your frustration, but just take what works for you. Chronic pain is not something that I’d wish on anyone. 

[newbee2022]

18 hours ago, Badrabbit said:

I've read in the last few days that Tramadol is considered a dangerous medication, I've been taking Tramadol for the last approx 3 years, I only take 1 50mg tablet for pain, recently it's been 1 tablet every 6 hours, if I don't take it the pain becomes unbearable so Tramafol has been a life saver for me.

I've been to every hospital on Phuket,had many many tests including CT scans, Colonoscopy, Endoscopy, X Ray's, blood tests, EKG's you name I've had it, Doctor says "we can't find anything wrong, it must be sensitive nerves".

My GF is constantly worried about me taking Tramadol, what would be the best alternative for me to take instead of Tramadol?

Not knowing the kind of pain, and not giving any diagnosis than others here on AN, I know other painkillers if your nerves cause the pain. Nerv relaxing medicines.

[CharlieKo]

Sounds like you are addicted to tramadol. Taking every 6 hours is not good. 

[MadMuhammad]

I’ve been using gabapentin now for 10+ years. It’s a very effective nerve pain inhibitor and widely available here. 
Brand name Lyrica ™️ but there us a Thai made gf Eric called Gabex 

[Tazmo]

One of the dangers of tramadol, which is not well documented, but I observed it in practice, is that upon stopping it you can become depressed, even suicidal. Not trying to scare you but it’s a fact.

For nerve type pain, diclofenac 50-100 mogs is very effective, but make sure you get the good quality one, not the cheap Thai product!!i

[john donson]

maybe, you are addicted...

 

pain everywhere and no 'expert' find anything ?

 

fibromyalgia comes to mind...  low dose naltrexone

[retarius]

For me Tramadol is the best pain killer on the market......for certain types of pain. I have neuropathic pain in my feet, subsequent to diabetes. I take lots of meds, and I can honestly say, if I forget to take my tramadol I know I haven't taken it. It is the only one that I know for certain works. It isn't dangerous in doses below 200mg b.i.d. I have taken 100 b.i.d. for the past 14 years or so. Regarding addiction, there is almost zero risk unto a total dosage of 400mg/day. Tramadol has given me mobility and in warm weather almost pain free feet.  I'm old anyway, and if I got addicted I wouldn't care. 

[Freddy42OZ]

18 hours ago, Chivas said:

 

Right dont shoot the messenger

You've got (I'd say 95%)  Fibromyalgia something that I've had for 22 years (or diagnosed at that point) and almost certainly for years previous

 

I too had every test going around 2002 and finally when everything else was ruled out I was labelled with FM (sensitive nerves was mentioned)....once you've got it you've got it for life....Dr explained it was akin to faulty gene that everyone has but something normally "sets it off"

 

I take Tramadol 1 in the morning 100mg (Modified release) and 1 50mg at night (normal capsule)

 

FM disappeared as regards pain literally overnight and I only get reminded of it should I forget to take the morning dose

 

The warmth of Thailand will make you feel better that I find

 

I drink normally in Thailand before anyone asks

 

 

I was about to suggest it sounds like Fibromyalgia

 

[carlyai]

Have you tried any Bone Density scans, standing up?

This could (it did in my case) show 'hot spots' or areas of calcification in the spinal joints.

Standing up puts the back discs under load and with me, one of the discs they were hoping to save, just collapsed when standing up but not so bad looking while lying down.

[Deerculler]

20 hours ago, Badrabbit said:

Abdominal plus lower back pain.

Have you had your kidneys checked?

[Kwaibill]

Just my experience, your mileage may vary. My doctors put me on a regimen of Tramadol and Gabapentin years ago for diabetic neuropathic pain.   My last GP, a Naturopath who mostly avoided prescribing pharmaceuticals when possible, got me 120  50 mg. tabs of the Tramadol per month. For some reason I have the label from the last batch in 2015. I guess I kept the tab in case there was any problem getting a scrip here, but I soon found I could buy it OTC. here at many pharmacies. Lately I’ve been told “ No, but have Ultracet”, which I believe is more effective anyway.

The key for me is that it has been strictly an “as needed” option if, for instance, some Sara does not suffice. I guess my history of requesting refills at only about 1/3 of the allowed interval predicated my Naturopathic doc’s  liberal scrips.

To this day when I think I might need some, like after a pelvic fracture eighteen months ago, I had to hunt it down amongst the myriad plastic bags my wife likes to store things in.😃

One possible reason is it does make me feel muzzy headed next day and difficulty in the toilet. 

[daveAustin]

Did you consider going down the medical marijuana route, such as CBD? Some on here swear by it, say, for arthritis where traditional medicines don't touch it.

[Badrabbit]

51 minutes ago, Deerculler said:

Have you had your kidneys checked?

Yes  no problem.

[Sipko]

After two big back operations and maybe needing a third one for the last broken disc I take the 75 mg admix with paracetamol twice a day for backpain...it helps a bit but causes chronic constipation. Wish there were something better. Ibuprofen works well but had to give up because of stomach ulcer developing

[Badrabbit]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

For me Tramadol is the best pain killer on the market......for certain types of pain. I have neuropathic pain in my feet, subsequent to diabetes. I take lots of meds, and I can honestly say, if I forget to take my tramadol I know I haven't taken it. It is the only one that I know for certain works. It isn't dangerous in doses below 200mg b.i.d. I have taken 100 b.i.d. for the past 14 years or so. Regarding addiction, there is almost zero risk unto a total dosage of 400mg/day. Tramadol has given me mobility and in warm weather almost pain free feet.  I'm old anyway, and if I got addicted I wouldn't care. 

I'm old as well, had a very bad night as I stopped taking the Tramadol, I went about 9 hrs without then the pain started back, headache from hell, took 1 tablet this morning at 6am it's now 10.15 the pain and headache has almost gone.

I can't afford to keep going to Hospital when nothing is found, I'm happy to keep taking the Tramadol and be pain free, I don't like taking it but it's something I have to do.

[bkk6060]

Everyone reacts differently.

I have taken Ultracet (just one pill around noon) on and off for several years for low back pain.

It does work and for me creates a slight euphoria, but much less then Vicodin.

But,  even the one pill after about 2 weeks when I stop I have withdrawals.  Irritable and some confusion usually for 2 or 3 days.

So, for me is I would say it has addictive  tendency even at low doses. 

[carlyai]

22 minutes ago, Badrabbit said:

I'm old as well, had a very bad night as I stopped taking the Tramadol, I went about 9 hrs without then the pain started back, headache from hell, took 1 tablet this morning at 6am it's now 10.15 the pain and headache has almost gone.

I can't afford to keep going to Hospital when nothing is found, I'm happy to keep taking the Tramadol and be pain free, I don't like taking it but it's something I have to do.

Did you see my comment?

[Badrabbit]

4 minutes ago, carlyai said:

Did you see my comment?

No 

[ThaiFelix]

22 hours ago, TimBKK said:

Sure, Dr. Hummin - case closed right?

 

Or, maybe you missed the bit where the OP states “Doctor says "we can't find anything wrong…”

So if they cant find the source of the problem there is no problem??

[Chivas]

3 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

 

I was about to suggest it sounds like Fibromyalgia

 

 

I hinted at 95% in my original post as didnt want to go all out but in reality 99% it certainly is

Much more common than people realise

I cant tell you how agitated I was back in 2002 when all these tests were going on. I wasn't reassured that all these tests coming back negative was a good thing but in hindsight it was

 

I remember vividly my own GP getting agitated to me and saying "look you havent uncovered some new disease in mankind"  lol

 

Once I had the Tramadol and originally Amitriptylene (older style anti depressant) it was gone in 2 days. We stopped the antidepressant after 2 months (I wasnt depressed per se) just to be on safe side that it wasnt that drug that had solved the issue but pain didnt come back so we knew tramadol had solved it

 

 

[Chivas]

3 hours ago, retarius said:

For me Tramadol is the best pain killer on the market......for certain types of pain. I have neuropathic pain in my feet, subsequent to diabetes. I take lots of meds, and I can honestly say, if I forget to take my tramadol I know I haven't taken it. It is the only one that I know for certain works. It isn't dangerous in doses below 200mg b.i.d. I have taken 100 b.i.d. for the past 14 years or so. Regarding addiction, there is almost zero risk unto a total dosage of 400mg/day. Tramadol has given me mobility and in warm weather almost pain free feet.  I'm old anyway, and if I got addicted I wouldn't care. 

 

Exactly I've been on it for 22 years and it gave me everything back in life in 2002

 

200mg originally a day

 

150mg a day now 22 years later

 

Out of interest to others reading it doesnt work on headaches lol

[Globalres]

23 hours ago, Badrabbit said:

I've been to many, one clinic said "it's the street food, I'll give you tablets" did nothing.

Maybe it’s time to find a “holistic/functional” doctor?