tramadol and pain relief.

Jeanette, I'm wondering whether the hospital have suggested fitting you with a surgical corset:  It was the first line of treatment for me following a slippage of my lower spine with disc involvement.  I was also referred to an osteopath for muscle strengthening exercises, basically working on the stomach muscles to help support the spine.  I saw numerous orthopaedic specialists in the early days and whereas some were keen on surgery, the final one was against it, with the advice to get in the water and swim on my back.  I'm a non-swimmer but using a foam, bendy tube helped.  I'm unable to take anti inflammatories due to kidney disease, and Tramadol has a bad effect on me.  Years later, and having 'grown out' of the surgical corset, I find that a simple support girdle works a treat during any bad bouts.  If you haven't tried one, I can really recommend it.

Dear Jeanette, 

I don't have a fracture but hve multiple conditions affecting whole back, especially the lower part and both legs. I am using Tramadol+Paracetamol combination (120 mg of tramadol per day at maximum) and sometimes I need more, sometimes less, but it can remove only 2/3 of pain. If Tramadol doesn't work than you can only get stronger narcotics but beware that it may cause (as Tramadol does too) dependance and it also can cause no effect for the pain due to resistance with time while you get dependent on narcotics. Unfortunately, there is no other avail, but try also other suggested options by your doctor, especially physiotherapy, TENS nd perhaps surgical corset too as MrsO suggested. Usualy just one of the options does not work, but when combined it can get well. Hope you get better!

Hi I am Pam, yes you must be in pain, I don't know your age, but Tramadol is now being used by many doctors including GPs it is a morphine analog, which means it stops the pain, in the same way as morphine but isn't addictive in the way morphine is. It will give you relief from your pain. The gel you have described is a safe way of giving you an anti inflammatory product without it giving you a tummy upset, this can happen if you take oral anti inflammatory tablets. I hope this is helpful. Obviously any damage to bones can lead to arthritis, so if your pain continues I would see your GP again. Unless you have infamitorry markers in you blood or have Psoriasis which doesn't have specific markers your GP may want to take an Xray to give him a clear diagnosis of whether you have arthritis or not, remember bone and joint damage can cause pain for quite a long while if the bone is bruised and the inflammation may be your body repairing itself. For relief of pain temporarily I suggest a microwaveable hot bag or a hot water bottle.

My husband has a prolapsed disc and have tried many painkillers: Tramadol never helped him (be very careful as it IS addictive and also plays havoc on your SSRI receptors) he's had co codamol 30/500 also addictive...didn't help.

The only thing that helped was oxycodone.

He's now stopped them and managing ok with the co codamol! If your pain is severe experiment until you find what's best for you.

Any opiod is very addictive so never exceed the daily dose.