So is Tramadol addictive? yes/no

I totally agree it,s a case of trial and error to find the right combo...It,s impossible to imagine how pain, chronic pain affects people differently because we are different . I don,t know what the level of pain anyone is coping with . I can,t say well I hurt more than xyz...but I can, when the children are in bed, sit in the dark and cry like a baby and feel sorry for myself knowing that another drug combo does not work...but no one will ever see my tears another dawn rises. Is that being a martyr to pain?......I am allowed to cry and grieve over my losses and gains. But thats life and sh*t happens....Just pop another pill and get over it....jx

I am so totally with you and in the same predicament.  You most certainly are NOT a martyr.What I mean by that expression is there are some people (not on this forum) that allow the pain to rule their lives, they refuse to ask for medical help, then refuse to take anything or help they are offered. They wallow in their misery and expect everyone to mill around and wait on them hand and foot. All they ever talk about is how much pain they are in, when you ask them if they take anything, it's always "well I did for a while" when you ask them why they stopped "Well the pain went away". Its not that they don't like taking pain killers or any other remedy. All they want to talk about is their pain. I know that sounds cruel & heartless, but I know 3 people like that, and I would never discuss them with mutual friends or say anything horrid to their face except to say take your meds and give them my time. They leave me totally and utterly drained. As far as they are concerned their life is over.  But the strange thing is, whatever ails them, it's quite minor by comparison to say you or I or other people I know who suffer any type of long term pain.  They are martyrs. But it is not being derogatory, they are allowing the pain to rule them, instead of the other way round.

With you, it's not a case of get over it; you cannot, but you do GET ON WITH LIFE.  Part of my last assessment with the pain management team was to see a phychiatrist.  It took me quite a while to get my head round to see this person and even longer to pluck up the courage to make the appointment.  I am so glad I did.  We talked about absolutely everything, Even the things that I thought "now she'll really think I have lost the plot".  I was there for an hour and came away feeling a lot better. I have never talked to a soul about how I really felt, how much pain (except to GP), my work, likes, dislikes, what I can and can no longer do.  It was not a case of giving me a solution to my pain. What was pointed out was I didn't do the dreaded "pace yourself". To me if something needs doing, I do it to completion, don't we all !! And stress; if you have a family, how do you avoid it !! Long story short. Go and see one, if you can, it does not mean you are doo lally, but it does put a lot of things that you don't really think about, into a better perspective + you get a copy of the letter to your doctor about you.

Am not sure how to give you my email address, but I do know exactly how you feel

PS: I do wish I had never mentioned that dreaded M word.  Everyone on this site is looking for answers. M's would not !

Ha ha the last bit made me laugh...Im sure they are not. Funnily enough I saw a psychiatrist for approx 2 years. She was wonderful even visited me in hospital and she had medical issues with MS. It was more like a cuppa tea and a natter rather than any kind of assessment as she was aware of my educational achievements in psychology. We spoke about the similarities that we had...inability to pace oneself....in that small window of minimal pain how we would rush round to get everything done.  Then wonder why we spent the rest of the week trying to recover..The one thing she did point out ( which I knew ) was this need to be all to everyone..She said you will do anything to ease another persons pain, you are the agony Aunt of the family the rational level headed one. The fixer the mender...Then she asked about my feelings and I just said shxx happens deal with it.....That was when she asked who takes care of me? I had no answer for her. It concluded with try giving to yourself all of what you have given to others..I would rather struggle to do something than to ask for help..example paint the lounge ceiling 3 weeks laying on my back was quite comfortable really. I asked once to my husband would you mind just reaching into the far corner then thats it job done.........his reply was no, if you cannot finish a job then don,t start one......I fasten my boot laces, in a fashion cos be damned if im going to ask for a little help....Obviously its different with the medical team im like ...yep I will try that gimme what you have that you believe will help....By the way my psychiatrist said I was one of the most well balanced person she has met in a while. (as she puts the white jacket with buckles on me lol ) jx

Are we related.  .  Only difference; I walked away from my marriage. (before my knees were replaced)  Kids keep you balanced and make you get up in the morning . You keep on doing what you're doing and don't let those ** get you down  You are bound to get down every so often, just remember you are strong, independent AND SANE!!!!!

Also remember to let off steam every so often, there is only so much decorating you can do  x

 

Given up on the decorating, should have given up on my marriage a long time ago...but thats a whole new ball game...My kids definately keep me ( UN ) balanced lol the meds I take cause me to faint Postural hypotension basic drop in BP. So if I go from sitting down chillin, to jumping up too quickly to RUN and bang their heads together ( I forget  that my legs too, do not comply with brain instructions ) pmsl I am out for the count floor hugging for a few minutes. The boys and I have a good old giggle at my expense oh how we laugh..Then comes the TLC from them a cuppa, some gingernuts. So yea I do get down, but I always get up again. There are people out there, and on here that take on far more than I could handle...SANE.....I hope not...jx

 This is how I look now after no Tramadol..Think the Fentanyl is beginning to kick in....then I will look like this fingers x ha ha jx

Lord only knows what I look like on a bad day when the morphine doesn't kick in.  Back to the grindstone tomorrow UUURRGGGHH x