Tramadol effect: Hi, have been on tramadol for... - CLL Support

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Tramadol effect

hjewest profile image
10 Replies

Hi, have been on tramadol for Osteroarthiritis for 9 months and on 8 x 50 gr aswell as paracetamol 6x 500 mg and to be honest took 12 x ,50 mg because of the pain. I came to a point recently that I seem to be geting used to them and felt that they not only they didnt do the job, I could barely walk to the car or the bottom of the road which is about 20 yards without stopping and gasping for breath with my chest tightening up

I do have a Pacemaker but decided with my doctor to change to and start on Morphine mst 40 mg a slow release equivelant twice daily plus Oramorph liquid 5ml/,10 mg every 4hrs when needed as a topup to the slow release 40mg mst tablets if necessary.

I have been a week on morphine now and I honestly think that I am less breathless and wonder if anyone else has had this tramadol experience, the shortness of breath etc.

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hjewest
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10 Replies

So sorry that happened to you. How much Tramadol were you on per day? I take it occasionally for pain but find it really doesn't help that much. Never had shortness of breath with it but then I don't take it every day.

hjewest profile image
hjewest in reply to

Thanks for your reply, appreciated.

In my situation I took as they indicate safely the maximum of 8 tramadol x 50 mg daily..but to be honest I took during the day, and during the night, when I woke up in pain another 2 extra tramadol , when needed, so I can honestly say I was taken 12 x 50 mg tablets daily, which in the end gave me nausea etc and made me feeling no too good with its side effects.

But this can also been caused by the interaction with other tablets I take, I.e Warfarin anti coagulant, bisoprolol to control my heart rate as part of my pacemaker / heart issues, Ibersartin for bloodpressure, and Sertraline for depression, so as you hear I,m a walking medical disaster and hope that each tablet will find its way to the right target spot...Naproxen I cannot take due to taken warfarin, while Mobility is now a nightmare without a walking aid for my hip osteo arthiritis. For me its a viscious circle in general, they all advise you to keep walking andstay mobile as much as possible, but when you are in pain you only want to sit down in a certain position which is most comfortable and painless, but enough of my moaning and as being a Liverpool FC supporter Y.N.W.A and keep plotting on..

in reply to hjewest

I'm so sorry for your situation. It seems that so far the medical industry hasn't found a way to relieve pain so you can be mobile and feel half decent. I'm afraid of pain killers because I don't want to become addicted. I take Tramadol once in a while but it doesn't help that much so mostly I take Tylenol over the counter. I have pain but the only thing that used to help me was Excedrin extra strength and that's out now because of Imbruvica. I really wish there was something the doctors could give you that would truly help you without all the side effects. I know you'd like to be more mobile but with the pain, you just can't. Have they suggested Physical Therapy? Maybe that would help somewhat. Praying for you!

Mijoed profile image
Mijoed

No, I took a similar amount of tramadol for five months when I had sceptic arthritis. Once the ball of the hip joint had eroded completely away, the tramadol, paracetamol, naproxen, diazepam and oromorph did little for the pain of bone grating on bone......although I was never breathless.

Beware of constipation if taking oromorph and other oral morphine. I find that movicol worked the best, taking one sachet in the morning and one at night. Lactulose was a waste of time.

I did have a nerve block injection in the lower back....that worked like a dream for just over a month. I don't know how frequently they can give those.

hjewest profile image
hjewest in reply to Mijoed

Hello and thanks for your reply, with reference to the injection, was that for the hip osteo arthiritis ? as my neighbour who is in her 80,s had I believe Cortisone injections for her knees and mentioned it would last for 2-3 months..but I will enquire about that thanks..

Newdawn profile image
NewdawnAdministrator

Hi jewest,

I share the pain of osteo-arthritis and when I then tore my rotator cuff causing even greater pain, I took tramadol for a couple of weeks. It didn’t cause me any breathlessness but I only took one at night. I became increasingly unhappy about the side effects and stopped it myself. I understand it can become quite addictive. I refuse morphine and I suspect the anti-inflammatories cause me bruising issues. It’s a fine balance of incredibly difficult proportions trying to keep different ailments from having an internal punch up I find. I’d certainly make sure your doctors are aware of the breathlessness especially if you have a pacemaker fitted. Are you also on anti-inflammatories because I feel sure they made me a bit breathless and wondered if they impact on platelets. Naproxen are said to.

I was told that the epidural cortisone injections can only be given a maximum of 3 times in any year (but I refused those too because steroids have a hyperglycaemic affect),

Sending best wishes. Arthritic pain can be so debilitating and we have to do what we can to manage it without aggravating the CLL. 😣

Newdawn

hjewest profile image
hjewest in reply to Newdawn

Thanks your reply, appreciated it looks like we are "Brothers in Arms",and as you mentioned its hard going and gets me down as your whole life is upside down.

In my situation I took as they indicate safely the maximum of 8 tramadol x 50 mg daily..but to be honest I took during the day, and during the night, when I woke up in pain another 2 extra tramadol , when needed, so I can honestly say I was taken 12 x 50 mg tablets daily, which in the end gave me nausea etc and made me feeling no too good with its side effects.

But this can also been caused by the interaction with other tablets I take, I.e Warfarin anti coagulant, bisoprolol to control my heart rate as part of my pacemaker / heart issues, Ibersartin for bloodpressure, and Sertraline for depression, so as you hear I,m a walking medical disaster and hope that each tablet will find its way to the right target spot...Naproxen I cannot take due to taken warfarin, while Mobility is now a nightmare without a walking aid for my hip osteo arthiritis. For me its a viscious circle in general, they all advise you to keep walking andstay mobile as much as possible, but when you are in pain you only want to sit down in a certain position which is most comfortable and painless, but enough of my moaning and as being a Liverpool FC supporter Y.N.W.A and keep plotting on..

Anyway I hope you will be feeling better and get sorted, I understand what you must be going thru..lets keep our chin up and plot on!!😊

Ezjacobs profile image
Ezjacobs

If you decide to try to get off the Tramadol please do it very gradually. I did it more or less cold turkey and was on only 50 mugs 2x a day of extended release. I became sleepless and agitated. It was all very unpleasant. I then resumed taking smaller and smaller dose until after two weeks I was off.

shellysexbomb profile image
shellysexbomb

Yes. Can't take it for that reason 😮

Vindicatrix profile image
Vindicatrix

Hi hjewest, I was interested in your post, as I have used Tramadol occasionally for high pain, and ony then. I am judicious with it's use. You will no doubt be aware of the side effects and possible dangers of this drug. You seem to be on the high limit of doses, along with paracetamol. I am aware that the two can be taken together. I found that taking one with a paracetamol kept me awake at night. The most I took many years ago was four in one day, and I found it difficult to function, and I certainly was in no fit state to drive. Since being diagnosed with CLL I sought advice from my GP re continuinig their use. Even with the one and one, that I take once or twice a week, she asked me to be careful with its use, and not to depend on them, as they are very addictive. You have probably spoken to your GP about this, and will be best guided by him. All the best.

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