Tramadol

[Laura_T]

Hi ladies. So 30mg co-codamol isn’t helping my pains so now been prescribed tramadol. Bit wary of this pain killer. How have you got one with it? I work full time and I don’t know how it effects you during work.

[Minchoo]

Hi Laura it depends on how you react with Codiene? But tramadol knocks me out and you can get very pill popping happy with it. I had to wean myself off it. But I only had it during my operation for a myomectomy. I am assuming yours is for Endo pain?

[CJessicaD]

Prior to surgery I took tramadol almost everyday. It can make you feel very sleepy and some people say spacey. I wouldn’t recommend driving whilst first taking it. However if you take just 1 capsule a day and then the next day take 2 capsules a day etc. I think you’ll be fine! I’m only 5 ft 2 and weigh 7 stone 9 (I think?!?!) so was worried it would knock me out however it really isn’t that bad. I wouldn’t recommend initially taking it at work either incase you find yourself nodding off 😂 I managed to work fine whilst taking it!

The only other thing I would say, and this is just my own advice, try not to take it like you would take paracetamol. I only took it when I needed it and when the pain was too much. Yes I then had to wait for the tramadol to kick in (it’s pretty quick) but I just didn’t want to be taking such a strong drug constantly everyday if I could help it! It’s no good for your body (this is literally just my own advice!) xxx

[Laura_T]

Thanks for the reply ladies.

I’ve been on co codamol for 7 years now and think I’m immune to it. Waiting to go back on prostrap injections again before having my 3rd lap for endo removal. I used to have 5-7 days pain free a month but now it’s every day. I am a dental nurse so have to be alert at all times 😬

Perhaps I should try it on the weekend and see how I react.

[Hazel173]

Ive always found codeine to be more effective than tramadol but I took it as an added extra to help with the pain. Word of warning which I didnt know about before but it can cause seizures, im now not allowed to drive for 6 months after having one. Be careful! X

[Laura_T in reply to Hazel173]

That is so scary. I’m only on a trail for 2 weeks to see if it helps. Thanks for he advice x

[poppy75]

Id say everyone reacts differently to it. It makes me very nauseous sometimes and pretty spaced out. I always see it as a last resort but it does do the job for me. I'd definitely try it on a weekend. 100% don't drive any day you take it. I found taking it with a snack would help the nausea but I also requested anti-sickness pills from the dr. My friend was on it for back pain every day for 9 months and managed to work the whole time but it caused insomnia. As he was taking the max dose every day he went through bad withdrawal coming off it but as I just take it when NSAIDs and 30mg codeine isn't helping I've had no issue with withdrawal. It's worth a go. Just don't be surprised if you're spaced out and need to rest xx

[BethanyAnn]

Hi Laura_T 🙂

I was given Tramadol in hospital after minor complications with my laparoscopy. I only took one tablet even though the recommended dose was two - I was seeing double of everything, felt extremely spaced and eventually threw up. I have vowed to never touch the stuff again and even the nurses said they are always wary about giving it to people because the side effects can be severe although it effects everyone differently.

They’re also extremely addictive so I would personally avoid them but see how you go. Maybe take half the recommended dose to begin with. I find codeine with paracetamol works and a hot water bottle 😄 xx

[Char411]

It can make you very spacey and I get awful waves of nausea with it and constipation, it does however control the pain. I explained to my GP about the nausea etc and he said to try tramacet instead which is a mixture of tramadol (lower dosage) and paracetamol and I find this perfect. No side effects from it, can take it whilst working and no spaced out feeling and normally works on the pain. I only take tramadol on super bad days when nothing else is working and i know I can just lay down at home.

All the best x

[Dee11]

I used to take tramadol everyday and had no side effects for the full time other than slight drowsiness when I took my night one, but it just made me fall asleep easier which was a bonus at the time. Everyone is different though, and you do need to watch that you don’t become addicted as I think that can happen fairly quickly with them x

[Laura_T]

Thank you all. Took one last night and it’s really hard to describe but I could hear waves or wind in both ears when I was falling asleep. Never had that before. It helped with the pain but only for a few hours then I was awake through the night x

[emmaquinny]

It’s great painkiller but very addictive, withdrawals if you take it for more than afew days at a time and also made me drowsy. I’ve just started one called pregabalin and it’s definitely helping although I am still in some pain, but it doesn’t make me so drowsy etc. Good luck x

[DaniahAQ]

I've been taking it for a year and haven't experienced any major bad side effects. Initially, when your body is getting used to it, it may make you feel slightly drowsy, but it doesn't do that anymore for me.

It helps numb the pain for me. I've been referred to a pain team who check up on me every 6 months. I take it daily. I'm on the prolonged release form which takes a longer time to hit your system than the immediate release one - so it helps with the pain for longer in my opinion. I'm also on the lowest dosage in the prolonged release form. When I insiitalt started taking it when I was in hospital, they put me on the highest dosage which I didn't like. I weaned it down to the lowest dosage by myself and am fine with the dose that I'm on.

Make sure that your GP refers you to a pain team. Some GPs can be difficult when it comes to prescribing it to you (even though the pain team have written a letter to them stating that you're permitted to take it to help with the pain issues related to the endometriosis).

Good luck babe xx

[Laura_T]

My GP has never offered me to see pain team. Never even knew about it. She just re refers me to gyne and gives me pain killers whilst I wait. I really don’t like tramadol. All I’ve done is sleep and constantly feel like I need more sleep x