I phoned my GP yesterday to order my medication; Gabapentin, Cocodomol, Tramadol, Paracetomol, Duloxetine & Severdol.
Got a phone call today from receptionist saying that the GP wouldn't prescribe Paracetomol as not meant to take it with Cocodomol, which I didn't as it was for good days when I was able to take it with tramadol only. The GP won't prescribe the severdol as she thinks it's too strong & ain't happy about me being on it due to my age (24). She won't prescribe tramadol as she wants me to stop that.
I feel so frustrated and let down. I wasn't informed of these 'changes' & the GP never consulted with me about it. How does she know how much pain I am in if she hasn't even seen me? I have a phone consultation next week, but doubt that will help the situation.
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charlie_red
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I am so sorry to read that you are having these issues with your GP. I can tell you that co-codamol contains paracetamol, so you really should not be having both as you could easily overdose.
I do not know anything about the other medication unfortunately, so I sincerely hope that somebody on the forum can arm you with some information prior to your phone consultation?
I have pasted the FibroAction website link below as there will be information there that may come in handy.
I had a phone consultation with my more 'regular' GP who has now prescribe the tramadol and severdol. The issue was that the other doctor thought I was taking the max dose of tramadol, which I'm not as only needing it twice a day (the max is four time). The same for the severdol, the other doctor hadn't realised that I was taking it constantly, which I don't as I only use it for break through pain, so just occasionally.
I am rather worn out, think I have over done it today. Had to push my wife in the wheelchair to and from hospital. Then I had to sort the kitchen out and uncouple washing machine as having new one Friday, so I am really aching now!
How are you?
You beat me in that quiz, you got an A- top of the class.
Wednesday I pointed to something on a wall map. big mistake little sleep last night. nowhere near as bad as you though. Don't things come at once just when you could do without? I think I might have a quiet weekend, but now I've said that something will crop up or I'll be energised. Hugs.
Is it possible to make an appointment to see her? Do you have enough medication to last until then?
I think you probably need to have a face to face meeting so explanations and concerns can be aired.
It would be interesting as to what reasons she is basing these meds on. I understand about the paracetamol, it can cause damage to your liver if taken in large quantities, but I am not sure about Tramadol. I have read that other fibro patients are being denied this too, is it being withdrawn?
I am afraid I don't know about Severdol, so can't say.
It may be useful to print out some pages of Fibroaction and/or another well respected site, about pain relief to show her. I am fairly confident that Tramdol is a recognised medication and effective for fibro pain.
Thanks for comment. The issue was that the original doctor thought I was taking the max dose of tramadol, which I'm not as only needing it twice a day (the max is four time). The same for the severdol, the other doctor hadn't realised that I was taking it constantly, which I don't as I only use it for break through pain, so just occasionally. I spoke to my more regular GP and I explained this to her, and she could see from my prescription history that I wasn't overusing the tramadol and severdol.
So glad everything is sorted as I was really running low and in the middle of a bad flare!
Ah, just googled sevredol and see it is an opioid, (morphine) Since codeine, (in co-codamol) is also an opioid I can understand your doctor's reluctance.
I read too that taking Gabapentin with Sevredol increases the effects also.
Something that should not be underestimated is the withdrawal symptoms of stopping Sevredol suddenly.
As I stated earlier, I think you should have a face to face meeting with your doctor.
Firstly please see the post below as this may be part of the reason your GP is reluctant to prescribed some of your medications, however I must say it may also be because Morphine is not recommended in the treatment of Fibro (Please see explanation below)
Simple analgesics, such as paracetamol, and mild opiates, such as codeine and the atypical opiate Tramadol, are recommended for the treatment of pain in Fibro patients.
Research has suggested that opioid medications do not work as efficiently in Fibro patients as in healthy people because of a lack of available opioid receptors in the brain of Fibro patients. According to the EULAR Guidelines for the Management of Fibro, strong opioids - e.g. morphine - are not recommended for Fibro (Lindsey Middlemiss 2009)
So, I would consider both discussing the use of Tramadol in Fibromyalgia as it is reported to have a Serotonin pathway which is different that other opioids which is why it is considered beneficial in Fibro. I would consider explaining this and possibly in writing with if you can any support from a Pain Clinic Consultant you may have seen in the past maybe.
Also, if your GP wants to reduce your Pain relief medications I would personally consider asking for a referral to a Fibromyalgia Specialist to be reviewed and prescribed the correct treatment. If you explain you would be happy to reduce these medications if you know you'll get the specialist advice you need to control the symptoms. I think personally this is a reasonable request.
I would consider a well constructed letter without going of track explaining the above as concise points regarding your condition (please see our factsheets which you may like to include explaining Fibro) and I expect would make your GP be more negotiable to your needs for pain relief.
I would also send a copy to the practice manager and speak to the Patient Advice & Liaison Service if necessary especially if you need to make an official complaint, please see link below;
I now have everything sorted with my pain medication. The issue was that the other doctor thought I was taking the max dose of tramadol, which I'm not as only needing it twice a day (the max is four time). The same for the severdol, the other doctor hadn't realised that I was taking it constantly, which I don't as I only use it for break through pain, so just occasionally.
The doctor who I had seen most recently seen that this was not the case and I was not taking the tramadol and severdol excessively. I have saved the information that you suggested as it would be good for future reference - Thanks very much.
Hi, I take on board everything everyone else has said but I just wanted to add to the equation by saying that I think local PCTs are clamping down on the drugs that are being prescribed, in an attempt to reduce costs. I have had three letters within a fortnight about some of the meds I take, saying that they are being changed and one in particular the rizatriptan I take for migraine, they want to change it over to a tablet form which is apparently ten times cheaper. However, they say now that the drug isn't taken into the bloodstream by the wafer in the cheek any more quickly than it would by going in through the stomach, which is completely stupid because the reason I was put on to it in the first place was "because the blood vessels in your cheek are the quickest way of getting medication into your bloodstream" and that is what was said by the specialist, so I am very vexed as to this diametric turn around. Obviously PCTs are wanting to cut costs, but at what cost to the patient in real terms, that is what I would like to know !!
I can imagine that they are prioritising their costs and trying to save money. You would like to think that they have the best interest of the patient, but it seems in your case with the rizatriptan they are focusing on costs and ignoring the specialists suggestions of using the wafer medication, which would be beneficial to you.
Hello, charlie_red.........Just noticed your post, I would ask your GP to have a review of all your medication and prescribe the best effective treatment for you and your symptoms, finally Ask your GP to refer you to the pain clinic if you have one near you for a review also........My pain clinic reviews my medication and changes some with more effective or stronger one's..........It works for me..... So ask your GP for this.
Best wishes and hope they find something that works and suits your condition too....XX
I now have the medication sorted. The issue was that the other doctor thought I was taking the max dose of tramadol, which I'm not as only needing it twice a day (the max is four time). The same for the severdol, the other doctor hadn't realised that I was taking it constantly, which I don't as I only use it for break through pain, so just occasionally.
I attend the pain clinic, who deal with my medication, however it needs to be prescribed via the GP. Not sure if this is the case everywhere?
It's co-codamol that should have been stopped as it shouldn't be prescribed with tramadol. Also two paracetamol based tablets should never be taken together. Having said that, it is your right to be informed in a professional way and the decision to be explained to you. This is bad practic on your GPs part.
I agree with you, it shouldn't have just been stopped without consulting me. I would have appreciated a phone call from the doctor or even a call from the receptionist to arrange an appointment to discuss my medication.
I now have it sorted out thankfully and hoping that there are no more issues next time. I hate not having a consistent doctor, I seem to be passed between three doctors, which doesn't help at all - Especially with a condition as complex as Fibro, with so many symptoms etc. things always seem to be missed or just brushed to the side.
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x
little sleep last night. nowhere near as bad as you though. Don't things come at once just when you could do without? I think I might have a quiet weekend, but now I've said that something will crop up or I'll be energised. Hugs. 
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