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C6-7 ACDF & 12 months on tramadol

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Tuckerraz
Tuckerraz

Hello. I am new here but wanted to get some stuff off my chest and ask for advice. I am 37 and just under 12 months ago I had to have an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion as a result of an assault by a violent ex partner. I am now left with residual nerve damage in my left arm and hand , what I can only describe as deep bone pain in my neck and have been on tramadol for a year to help with the pain, both pre and post op. I was on 50mg x 2 up to 4 times per day and am now on just 50mg once per day (I reduced quite significantly in the first 3 months particularly, post op, experienced terrible side effects but just assumed it was some sort of bodily reaction to trauma). For the last 9 months or so I have been managing pain-wise on 2 x 50mg per day, supplemented by paracetamol/ ibuprofen, though I experienced a shakiness inside my body that I couldn't describe if I was 'late' with my next dosage.

At the start of last week I decided to try and stop them, just to see if I could manage the pain on OTC meds. So it's been a bit intermittent, dosage wise. Most specifically this week I have taken 2 x 50mg on Monday, 1 x 50mg Tuesday and Wednesday and today I have had none. This has all come about because recently my pharmacist asked me to talk to him about my repeat prescription. I explained where I was up to and he said 'ok, that's fine - it's just that some people can get addicted'. We discussed the frequency with which tramadol was being prescribed to me (as it is on repeat I 'request' it and it gets approved by the doctor), he could see that I obviously wasn't abusing it and that was that. HOWEVER, I thought oh my god. Prescription drug concerns?

Anyway, I've had a sore throat on and off for the last week or so, I can't sleep and the internal 'tremors' I feel are so weird. I'm also petrified of the bone pain happening again as the only thing that helped it was tramadol. I was made redundant at Xmas so I'm not driving at the moment, but I'm so scared that when I finally get another job and I drive again the pain will kick in and no over the counter meds will help. But I don't want to take this forever?!

Can anybody help with a) advice on meds that help with the pain I have (or will be more susceptible to again once I'm doing things that exacerbate it but are unavoidable) and b) confirm whether my recent stop, after getting to such a low level, will be ok? I've had a sore throat and aching/ utter exhaustion for a week and it's difficult to know if it's tramadol withdrawal or an actual virus. The restlessness over the last 12 months I had assumed was related to the injury and post op trauma but I think is probably tramadol inflicted. I get terrible itching if I take it at night, which is one of the reasons I reduced so rapidly in the first 3 months post op. I don't notice the itching during the day as much (though others do). I also sweat terribly.

Any thoughts or experiences would help.

Thank you. X

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • scott17436
    scott17436 Tuckerraz

    Posted

    I've been on and off tramadol for 8 years having had two surgeries and now no discs left in my lumbar spine.

    I'm off to the pain clinic next week and I hope they can get me off it (currently on 2x50mg 4 times daily) as well as diazepam and Amitryptiline.

    The withdrawal from Tramodol isn't pleasant. Flu like symptoms and the itch are very common having come off and on them many times.

    Dihydrocodeine is another option or lidocaine patches.

    I'm hoping for slow release morphine but as you say I don't want hooked.

    I can't function without the meds as the pains to great.

    I'd keep trying to stay off tramodol but try and get to see a pain specialist to see if they can recommend anything.

    Good luck.

    • Tuckerraz
      Tuckerraz scott17436

      Posted

      Hi Scott. Thanks for your message. Sorry to hear about your troubles - I hope you get some help without further complications of meds like this. I too have amitriptiline because of the nerve pain, and diazepam for muscle spasms (though I'm pleased to report they are now few and far between thanks to Physio and Pilates, so I don't take those too often now). It's the tramadol that I hate, but I'm just hoping that whilst I have this opportunity now I can stop it, get the bone pain under control and be comfortable with a longer term solution to manage eventually. 

      Im going to stick to staying off it and hopefully get through this tricky bit. Whilst it has been the one thing to help it has some really nasty elements that I don't think anybody really talks to you about. 

      Wishing you you all the best.

    • scott17436
      scott17436 Tuckerraz

      Posted

      Your doctor really should be monitoring you closely with the meds you're on. My GP asks to see me every 3 months at least.

      Try and get the pain clinic sorted as they are consultants specialising in this problem.

      Good luck, the bone pain/arthritis/joints are a killer to get under control.

    • Tuckerraz
      Tuckerraz scott17436

      Posted

      I think they're scared of the surgery I've had to be honest. They just fobbed me off with the problems I had initially until I was rushed into hospital and then had to have surgery. They don't seem to understand it or know how to deal with it. When my pharmacist asked to do a review with me it made me really concerned that my GP hadn't. I can't remember the last time I saw them but it was probably 3-4 months after my surgery last year. Since then, nothing. They just validate my repeat prescriptions. 

      I think you're right - I will ask for a referral. I can't risk the pain getting out of control as it is so hard to manage back down once it does, and I do not want to be on tramadol any longer. Nasty stuff. Thanks for your advice. 

  • susan47592
    susan47592 Tuckerraz

    Posted

    Hi,

         Please don't just stop your pain medication, you will be checked approximately once a year on you coping with opiate pain medications ( I have a meeting with my GP once a year they ask questions relating to possible addiction - I'm on morphine ). Tramadol does have quite a few side effects including the itching - have you been referred to a pain clinic ? The deep bone pain that you talk about might not go away and yes simple things could aggrivate it, but you do learn to understand it better. Your arm still has time to 'heal'  but you may always have a "wonky" arm ( this is how I describe my left arm ). You are trying to also overcome psychological trauma be gentle with yourself. You are on sabbatical ( redundancy ) try and treat yourself well, enjoy a walk, do a art class, some areas have community centres where you can get holistic treatments cheap. You are probably mentally run down so no wonder you feel exhausted. You can be referred for a medical assessment regarding your driving, if you are  stillconcerned about this in the coming months. xo

    • Tuckerraz
      Tuckerraz susan47592

      Posted

      Thanks Susan, really appreciate your message. I'm kind of on top of what triggers aggravation now, and excessive driving is one thing in particular, but I just hate taking tramadol. The doctors don't seem that interested, only my pharmacist, however if I am to get physically fit again for a new job then I'd like to understand what I can manage on. I'm seeing the nurse on Monday so I'm going to ask about a pain management referral and see where we get to. The nerve pain in my dodgy arm is mainly manageable (and at least I can use it again now), it's the bone aches that can really get me at times. Thanks for your advice, it's really kind of people to take the opportunity to help even a stranger. x
    • susan47592
      susan47592 Tuckerraz

      Posted

      Hi we are all strangers :-) but at least here we can share the frustrations. Depending on where you live the medical assessments for driving should give you any advice of modifications that might make driving easier. Good luck and remember to treat yourself xo
  • patricia4866
    patricia4866 Tuckerraz

    Posted

    Hi all, I apologize for jumping into your discussion, but a thought just occured to me. When you get to your respective pain clinics, ask if they will try one IM dose of a med named Toradol. It is an anti-inflamatory that can be given IV push while an inpatient, IM if in a medical office, or by mouth if none of the previous situations apply. We use it here in the States and to be honest, RN that I am, it is my drug of choice if given options. I call it "Liquid Gold). Just a thought. It would probaby work well for that deep

    bone pain. Only trouble is that although it is the same medication, the

    tablet isn't as effective as the IV or IM form of it. Good luck and I wish you well.

    • Tuckerraz
      Tuckerraz patricia4866

      Posted

      Thanks Patricia, I will certainly ask about it. Much appreciated. x
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