Tramadol Covid/Omnicron

[JJPenparc]

I am taking occasional Tramadol to help relieve Fibromyalgia pain. Unfortunately I have now contracted Covid and feel like I have been run over by a bus! Is there any guidance available re me continuing to take Tramadol please..?

[stephen111]

I have been taking tramadol regularly for 12 years for fibromyalgia and have heard no guidance that I should not take during covid as always if you are unsure contact your doctor.

[Al10]

I'd just like to add, read your packet and don't overdo. Adding to your woes by overdoing your meds, is miserable. Yet as pain increases it's very tempting.

Some of us fibros are quite finely tuned bods, can be pushed out of kilter really easily.

One time during an acute medical issue, I was told to take as many painkillers as I needed to get through. I won't draw a diagram but suffice to say, I can't take them anymore.

If you have anything that works for your fibro pain, you are lucky. So be sensible and don't lock yourself out of accessing relief.

Covid is just another shed load of pain and sypmtoms to get through. Just keep calm, like you always have to. You can do it. You're a Fibro. We can do anything!

[JJPenparc in reply to Al10]

Packet says up to 8 tabs per day. I normally restrict to one exceptionally 2.

[Al10 in reply to JJPenparc]

Think that is very wise. Hope you are doing OK.

[mommyo9 in reply to Al10]

When I had covid 3 weeks ago and I have fibromyalgia I took 2 arthritis Tylenol and it helped with fever and body aches and I just rested til I felt better but when I got over covid I had bad sciatica pain down my left leg am coping now

[moo196]

Seek medical adviceTramadol is highly addictive and I'd not be taking any more than the absolute minimum if ever again.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to moo196]

You have went down a road the op was not talking about. There was no suggestion of taking more than the prescribed dose.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to moo196]

I don't find Tramadol addictive at all, in fact.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to LisaSnow]

As an aside...... my own personal experience is I am dependent on them but not psychologically or physically. I have a presecription that allows me to take up to 8 a day "as and when needed" and this works for me. In the past I would be taking 4 or more a day but now most days I manage on 1 and sometimes 2 when required and if events require I may go as high as 3.

But no issues when I change doses and no ill effects. Notice my pain when I forget but I think I could transition from them without issue. However, current NICE regime ironically gives me pause as it would be difficult to return to them if other things did not work and it works for me right now.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to desquinn]

Do you get withdrawal symptoms if you reduce dose? Increasing pain is the original symptoms to treat so that isn't it. Without literal withdrawal symptoms it doesn't really meet the "dependency criteria" either. What is the new NICE regime for it? In the US it is always prescribed as "use as needed", unlike gabapentin of which daily consistent dose is needed.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to LisaSnow]

No withdrawal but would say therapeutically dependant since it works for me. I would live without them but I have quality of life with them.

Search on nice CPP guidance and you will see that they are advising against opioids and gabas etc

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to desquinn]

Well I tempted fate and it bit back :)not great sleep due to being tired and going to bed early and waking up during the night and pain meds not in my system. Should have got up and took more but this morning's meds start with 2 tramadol and can maybe see more later but I can put this down to circumstances and will be an aberration for me.

A joyful day of extra tiredness and pain I think is ahead of me but will endure

[Jacjai]

I take tramadol for a few years, one in the morning and one late afternoon. I have never gone beyond these doses even though I'm tempted sometimes.

I also cought the covid last October, it's was just extra pain for me but still I stick to the same dose.

Hope this helps..

[JJPenparc in reply to Jacjai]

Thank you Jacjai. I also take one morning and only take one in evening if really needed due to pain level. The fact you continued to take your daily Tramadol whilst suffering from Covid gives me comfort. Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my question. Best wishes. JJ

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to JJPenparc]

Please check with the doctor who prescribed it for you for a clear and fact based answer. You may be taking other medications that we are not, and there are drug－to－drug interactions that need to be considered especially under a new infection.

[JJPenparc in reply to LisaSnow]

The medications i am taking are no different to when GP initially prescribed Tramadol . Me contracting Covid gave rise to the question.

[Jacjai in reply to JJPenparc]

No problem..hopefully the covid will pass very soon for you. 3 day's my pain levels went really high and felt I had a bad flu.

I'm sure I would have suffered more if I wasn't taking the tramadols to be honest.

They are god sent for me I'm not sure I would manage to to do as much without them.

I've tried all sorts of different medications from antidepressants to pain meds, all I get from them is awful side effects which sometimes is more severe than pain it's self.

I'm going to carry on what works for me without feeling guilty that's I'm in need of pain medication, I know tramadol can be addictive and I'm fully aware of its but I won't be abusing them only need what is right for me.

I think sometimes they do get bad reputation as I think some people do abuse them, for me is able to get out of bed in the mornings and able to get a life during the day, if 2 tramadol can do that for me I'm going to carry on as long as I can..

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

I am not aware of any concerns or indeed any variations when taking tramadol with covid. Some pain meds like NSAIDs have variations but tramadol does not as it does not affect the inflammatory response.

Best person to speak to is your pharmacist.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

I had covid and continued with my normal daily dose of tramadol at bedtime, plus took extra doses on higher pain days with no issues.

[JJPenparc in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thanks for the info Hazel. Useful to know and gives me comfort

[JenL76]

Hi hun, I’m sorry to hear you have covid. I have fibromyalgia and use tramadol as pain relief, I also had covid back in August and I continued to take ALL of my medication, including tramadol, gabapentin, clonazapam, duluxotine, and meloxicam to name the main ones and I was absolutely fine. Sending you get well soon wishes.Jen. X

[shaws]

A doctor (now deceased through an accident) was a researcher/scientist/doctor who had investigated Fibromyalgia as well as other conditions. You may find his archived internet information of interest.

google.com/search?client=fi...

[Sarahvit]

I too recently had COVID ( I had 3 of the Pfizer shots) and still caught COVID. The tramadol didn’t touch the COVID for me. The worst day was Christmas Eve I took 2 tramadols, a hydrocodone and an 800 mg of ibuprofen and had a hard time getting through the day. Major fibro flare and intense sinus pressure. Fortunately Christmas Day I felt 98 % better. I couldn’t get a doctor to get me anything steroids, antivirals nor anything else just to stay home and only go to ER if I develop breathing problems. So I was missable that day. I was taking vitamin C twice a day all while I was sick. Take the tramadol, Tylenol sinus and what ever else you need to take to treat the symptoms. The vitamin C will help boost your immune system to shorten the number of days you are sick. I wish I could be of better help.

[LaurieLee]

Hi, you can take 2 paracetamol with tramadol to boost it which I do. Checked with consultants and GP. Hope you feel better soon x

[JJPenparc in reply to LaurieLee]

Thanks so much Laurie 😷👍🏻

[dani-is-in-pain]

Hi sorry to hear you are felling that way, but I feel like I've been ran over by a big truck or bus I say to my partner, and I have had it for a long time feeling this way. It sounds like covid has made your fibro worse, I take two tramadol, one in the morning and one at night but sometimes I take three if I need to, but I am also on gabapentin and the doses I take are the same as tramadol, I don't find them addictive. I also use cool packs, a spray or gel called bio freeze this helps me from time to time, so maybe its worth a try. I also use a gel called musselflex they both help relieve or soothe some pain for me, hope this helps and you start feeling better soon

[JJPenparc in reply to dani-is-in-pain]

Thank you for taking the time to respond Dani. I hope you get better too!!

[PagingDrbumbrain]

I take 8 per day. I am still wiped out .

[JJPenparc in reply to PagingDrbumbrain]

Why am i not surprised?