Tramadol

[dsmum]

As from 10th June Tramadol will be classed as a controlled drug. This means we can only get a 28day supply and it won't be on repeat. This means more trips to the Doc for us, talk about make life hard for us

[Hidden]

It is not only the patients who this affects, How on earth are the doctors supposed to cope with all the extra patients they will have to see, just to hand out a perscription Talk about wasting NHS money and services when the doctor could be seeing some one who needs more than just their regular tablets.

Stupid absolutely stupid

I think I just summed up this Goverment

sue

[tollaidh]

My doctor is only giving me a weeks supply! So at the moment the thought of only having to go once a month instead of every blinking week sounds great!

[jillylin]

Oh no!

[Fibrofoggiest]

Well, I've been surprised that for ages gp's having been handing out tramadol like smarties, and yet if I ask for a bottle of Oramorph ...ooooo no, but actually there is more opiate in Tradamol pro rata ! Its sad that it's going to make life even tougher for for people who genuinely need it and on a repeat. I don't understand the bit about it not being repeat because I and others I know get MST on repeat and that is a 'controlled drug' but it can still be on repeat, they just have to double check it and I sign twice for it...... I'm a tad puzzled, will have to do some research, thanks for bringing it to our notice.

Foggy x

[Hidden in reply to Fibrofoggiest]

So I wonder why they told me oramorph is stronger?

[Hidden]

My Gp will only give me most of my tablets on a monthly basis if I am very lucky they will do a repeat once or twice

[Fibrofoggiest]

Hi dsmum, could I possibly ask where you got the info on this from? I've checked around but don't seem able to come up with anything other than a tightening up of the prescribing criteria,(which I completely agree with) but no mention of repeats being taken away, or having to see your dr before you can have it.

I hope you can enlighten me

Foggy x

[dsmum in reply to Fibrofoggiest]

As I work for the NHS we get alerts. It said it won't be repeatable

[Hidden]

hi everyone

This post has had me researching for hours today and caused me to Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr a lot

However, I did find this article from today's PULSE regarding 'prescription changes' and tighter controls for GP's.

pulsetoday.co.uk/gps-face-t...

This article may help you to understand a little bit more about it though not tell you directly what is going to happen.

I personally can't see what the problem is as it is simply because GP's can't print the prescriptions for controlled drugs......... YET!

.................as the techy computer systems are not programmed to do it YET! It won't be possible to do so until 2016 hence the reason why they have to be written prescriptions

The Q of repeat prescriptions is unclear to me as yet but I take Tramadol 50's as a top-measure and I will find out next month whether they are not on repeat anymore. I would like to think I'd be personally informed during consultation if that were to happen.

It's about common sense and getting our medications like we used to have to years ago before technology took over. I for one speak to my GP on the telephone regularly and maintain an up to date synopsis of my situation. Surely this is how every patient should be handling their own personal care!?!

We are not going to go without our 'Tramadol' we just have to change how we get it in the sense the GP has to write it out............. just like the old days

All that I have written above is based on my readings/findings from various reputable sources on the subject and is not to be taken as direct FACT as some, if not most of it is pure personal opinion.

Hope the article helps a little

xxxsianxxx

[fenbadger in reply to Hidden]

hi Sian.

I cant add anything useful to this conversation so here are some supportive Billy Badger GRRRRRRRRRRRRs, and lavender scented hugs all round.

How are the fluffies?

xx Kettle

[Hidden in reply to fenbadger]

They're coming to stay with you General Badger as I'm not well enough to tend to them at the moment.................... I trust they'll be treat well with you and you won't let them have toooooooooooo many marshmallows!!

ooooops! did I forget to warn you earlier that they were coming

I am here in the background xxx POT

[fenbadger in reply to Hidden]

Ooh Thank you Fluffmeister.

Adjutant Cookie is ready to assist. Marshmallows (and marshmallow gun) hidden away - I remember what they got up to last time. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Lair is ready and waiting to welcome them. Given the weather I thought some would like the hot tub etc.

Wishing you wellness. Lavender scented hug bombs being loaded as we speak. Launch imminent.

[helen0701]

I think you will find they are talking about eps pprescriptions not computer printed ones. Controlled drugs cannot as yet be sent to the pharmacy via the eps system but they can and will continue to be printed by computer onto a green prescription they wont have to be hand written. Controlled drugs at the moment are rarely hand written. A months supply is usual for all medications where I live and controlled drugs can and will continue to be on repeats. I work in a pharmacy and the only changes if any a patient will notice is that prescriptions for these drugs will not be able to be sent electronically to the pharmacy and only one months supply can be prescribed at a time

[TheAuthor in reply to helen0701]

That's a thought? Thank you. I never considered this as I use a small village pharmacy and everything will still probably be paper for years?

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Hidden in reply to helen0701]

Thankyou for clearing that up helen it didn't make sense to me why a GP should be writing out scripts either and I confused the pc printout with eps so apologies for that

So a GP has to print out your script for controlled drugs instead of electronically sending it to the pharmacy.................... back to the old days then!! still!!

How on earth did any of us manage prior to computers?

[TheAuthor]

HI dsmum

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I must admit that I am not surprised by this move! For a long time we have seen new directives and restrictions on many drugs. I myself have a care plan for my Prednisolone (steroids), and I only get one course at a time. As soon as I start my course I have to ring the surgery and make an appointment to have my chest listened to and undergo an examination. I then get my next prescription and the pharmacist fills out my blue card.

I would also like to thank zeb73 for all her research in her reply, it was very interesting.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Hidden in reply to TheAuthor]

Thanks Ken

You are too kind my friend xx

[Hidden]

I can't believe that, why would they not put in on repeat? I get a 100 of these month, on repeat. It's either them or high strength co- codamol.....to which even 30/500 co-codamol can be prescribed without any problem. Is the banned pain killer co- proxomol a controlled drug? My surgery won't prescribe it to anyone but my sister gets a 100 a month for her Fibro. I have Fibro, Sjögren's syndrome and adrenal sufficiency. I hope my Gp doesn't make me go in, he's been good so far. Yes these are addictive painkillers but we have these illnesses for life and I'm fine on Tranadol, what is a controlled drug? Is it in the same class as morphine or heroin?

[Hidden]

Or Tramadol I mean. I find it really difficult to get to my Drs surgery, he knows

This and we have a lot of phone appointments. I'd probably have to see a

Different Gp most times as mine is only in a couple of times a week. We don't

Want to take these drugs! We have chronic pain conditions. Tram has never made

Me High or Spaced out......

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I agree Lins I have telephone consults I only live half mile away from my surgery, my pharmacy is even closer, and my PO and I live inner city

[dsmum in reply to Hidden]

Nor me but the GP I work for takes them occasionally and he always feel sleepy and has to nap between clinics. I know a few people who overuse and get a high but personally taking 6 daily it doesn't affect me at all, eases the pain but doesn't get rid of it. Used to be better combined with naproxen but I've been told to stop that as my kidneys are working properly (Too many years on diclofenac)

[jaynief]

I'm confused!! I used to take 8 50mg tramadol every day for 8 years. I was put onto tapentadol last year and I now take the make dose of this every day. Tapentadol is a class A controlled drug and I get mine on repeat through the pharmacy every month. I just have to sign the controlled drug box when I collect them? So, why would they stop this for tramadol, which isn't as strong?

The system seems crazy!

[Hidden in reply to jaynief]

From what I understand Tramadol are now included in the class 3 controlled drug section which is an update to the drug and misuse act of 1971 and therefore as an addition are not included in the 'eps' system yet and won't be until 2016.

It would have made sense to me to have the system in place first but I don't run the country, or, thankfully make the policies and yes I agree the system is definitely crazy!!

[Artyrosie]

Like a lot of people I'm worried by this, because I take tramadol slow release and have done so for about 10 years, and do very well on it. I have all my medications sent electronically and then delivered from the pharmacy - mainly because I always had trouble remembering to order them on time etc etc! I'm sure that's a familiar problem to everyone. My GP is great but I have to be taken to the surgery because I can neither drive nor walk that far ...

So, if I've understood correctly (and of course its entirely possible I haven't) I will need to collect the tramadol element of the prescription from the surgery in future, and get it to the pharmacy myself? Is that right? Yet another complication in my life

[helen0701]

Hi artyrosie, your right that the tramadol script will be on a green script so cannot be sent electronically with your other items, I work in a pharmacy and we go to the local drs surgeries every day and pick up all our green scripts and im sure your surgery will have something in place to do the same

[kmc-cudsleepforaweek]

Oooh, that's a bit scary. Although I am trying to keep my intake of tramadol to a minimum, I am on average taking 5 aday!! As far as GP visits are concerned, there is now in my area a pilot scheme being undertaken where all appointments that can be dealt with by phone, will be. I hope this applies to repeat prescriptions. This though just consolidates my absolute need to go cap in hand to dad for a car! Found it beyond difficult even without this new revelation. Thanks dad xx

[dobie62]

OH dear me. i usually get my tramodol on repeat. the local chemist deals with my monthly scripts ans they ring me when they are ready to pick up. they also collect green scripts from gp on daily bases, so i am hoping that this does not effect my meds. i used to to be on Oramorph and i used to get this on repeat.

janet

[Hidden]

Why isn't it going to be in repeat ? I'm on MST Morphine Sulphate Tablets & I have those on repeat & they are obviously a controlled drug

[ladytelita]

It bothers me not at all since my GP was only giving me 30 at a time until the latest lot, when they gave me 60! I have to ask for it and have it checked by GP each time I ask for it, but since they haven't refused it once yet, I can't complain.

I was told they wouldn't put it down as a repeat (even though it is) until I saw the pain clinic. 9th June, roll on.

[Hidden]

Excuse my ignorance but what does a controlled drug mean? My sister has co- proxomol...does anyone remember these? I had them for my migraines then one day my former Gp left me a note saying they were to be banned and switched me to co-codamol without even asking me! He is my former Gp. Are co- proxomol a controlled drug? My sister wouldn't give them up until she found a Dr that would prescribe them for her. My surgery is huge yet won't prescribe them. Co-codamol are addictive but seem to be so easily given. Any pain killer can make you sleepy more or less. I couldn't take Naproxen and I was given a high strength dicflofenic....aka volteral also very bad effects. That's why I stick with Tramadol and if I can co-codamol. I think even paracetamol with Tramadol can help if you are going through a lot of pain. But trailing away from the controlled drug question and co- proxomol.

[TheAuthor in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lins2000

I am so sorry to read that you cannot get co-proximal anymore, and I genuinely hope that your current pain medications work well for you? The drug was withdrawn by the government (in 2005 approx) due to a link with high suicide rates amongst patients using it. I have pasted you two links from the BBC News and NHS Choices about this:

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/...

nhs.uk/news/2009/06June/Pag...

I have also pasted you the HOME OFFICE web link relating to what a controlled drug is and why Tramadol is being classed as a controlled drug. Prescriptions will be only be for a 28 day period and valid for only a 28 day period, so I hope that link explains it all to you:

ggcprescribing.org.uk/blog/...

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Hidden]

Thanks for the links Ken. I'm off co- proxomol now, but my sister still gets 100 of these off her Gp a month that's now present day. I'd read you can get it on a Gp named basis, I'm not changing my Gp to hers just to get co-proxomol. I think Tramadol is just as good, the extended release better than co- proxomol actually. I have a combination of Tramadol and co- codamol which work well together IMO. As for suicides on co-proxomol well I think if people are that intent sadly they will do it anyway. So co-proxomol is banned but not for all!!!! Weird! Depends on your Gp I guess.........anyway I think some people are panicking on a Tramadol on here. I think we'll be ok. Once again I must stress we don't want to take these painkillers but the pain can be unbearable as most if not all of you will know. Thanks Ken x

[TheAuthor in reply to Hidden]

I agree with you completely on the suicide issue, as a few years ago the government at that time, amended the law to reduce and restrict paracetamol sales to lower the suicide risk and this has not worked either. The only time proven and effective way to address such an issue is through counselling and mental health care, so people have an alternative outlet for their depression and other mental health issues. Mind you, even this is not guaranteed to stop every suicide in the country? I believe that all life is unique and precious, and we should all do whatever we can to help those in need.

I must admit that I have never used Tramadol, and I have read quite a few posts about members having quite bad side effects whilst using it. As for the Co-Proximal, I can imagine that any GP who can still issue it would have to send the patient to a particular pharmacist also, as most would no longer stock it?

Take care

Ken x