Have been on tramadol for severe osteoarthiritis for about 8 months, having taken the max of 400 mg daily I took abt 1200 mg daily and would like to ask anyone of additional side effects as I had a lot of shortness of breath. ie 20 yard walk.
Am now on morphine and find a definite improvement, has anyone else had this experience with tramadol??
I don't recall if I had shortness of breath, however, it left me so out of it at a low dose that I refused to continue taking it.
Hi Hjewest, I am just curious, by what method do you receive the morphene and at what dose ? I am curious because I have severe pain due to several medical conditions including kidney disease and I cannot take NSAID's because of my kidney's and tylenol does nothing, I have a problem with most pain meds. making me feel very out of it, but I am able to tolerate morphene. I would be interested to know as I would like to speak to my dr. about it. thanks in advance.
Hello Frankie
The doctor went out from a conversion factor tramadol or zapain to morphine being 400 mg tramadol (8x50mg) max daily dose = 40 mg of morphine, taken in 2 x 12 hr doses of 20 mg slow release tablets..
On top of this He prescribed Oramorph 5ml/10 mg liquid morphine which I could take 2.5ml every 4 hrs as a topup or for immediate effect if necessary.
I cant take any NSAID,s either as I m on Warfarin.
I have only been on morphine a couple of days and so far so good, the doctor calls me once a week to see how I get on with this initial dosage, but can double up the Oramorph if necessary..
Hope this answers your question and hope you feeel better soon. I might have to increase the initial daily dose to 30 mg twice a day irs just finding the right balance..as I dont want to be on a too higher dose of morphine. if I can help it..but its impossible to function without it, and am still struggling a bit.
Hope you get sorted/Best Regards
Thank you for the information. I forgot I also take eliquis so another reason I cannot take my beloved NSAID's, anyway I am desperate some days for pain relief, can barely get through the day so I will speak to my dr. about the oramorph. Are you able to function okay on it. I mean, I have to work, the only other medication I use that doesn't cause me problems is Tylenol w/codeine # 3, but this barely gives much relief. I have been given morphene in the hospital and had no problems tolerating it, and that is why I asked. Again, I appreciate the information.
Hello Frankie
I am ok on 30 mg Zomorph morning and evening with a 3x daily topup of 5ml Oramorph = 30 mg liquid necessary, but with everything. a really dry throat and a bit floaty in the beginning but I m sure the body has to get usrd to it and think its only temporary, but couldnt function at all wirhout it and would never leavevthe bedroom otherwise..
what type of arthritis are you treated for ? I have severe arthritis in my knee, and cervical spine / neck as well as disc disease, and arthritis in my hands and other parts of my body. I also have heart issues, hereditary polysistic kidney disease and diagnosis of fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome. I would like to speak to my dr. about the Oramorph, but I am afraid they will tell me it is only for cancer patients or something as I did read about it and it sounded like it is used in severe cases. I am in constant unrelenting pain 24/7 and I continue to try to work. It is just horrible most days. I wondered what diagnostic criteria had to be met to be prescribed the drug ? I was told I needed surgery on my neck/cervical spine but reluctant to go forward with it unless I have no other choice. Have had a prior total knee replacement followed a total knee revision as the screwed up the first surgery. Both within two years, and 3 surgeries for my heart. Yes I am a hot mess, but I keep going even though most days I would like to stay in bed as the pain and fatigue are unbearable.
Really sorry to hear that Frankie 24, just severe degenerative osteo arthiritus of the right hip and my pacemaker are my problems.
I think if you have a decent doctor there should be no reason not to prescribe you slow release Morphine tablets and oramorph liquid..You cant be in pain!! especially if you find it difficult or cant function on a daily base
Just insist on it, and I hope you get sorted..life without decent painrelief is impossible with the medical state our bodies are in at the moment
Diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine
advice re knee pain. 
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