Painkillers

[George1010]

Im on 8 tramadol ..2 naproxen and 2 Amitriptyline daily .... and im not waking till 2pm every day ... my lifes just sleeping .. yes the pain gone ..

[Someonesmother]

Tramadol and endep interact and could cause an increase in sleepiness. Maybe talk to your Dr about this as my GP tried me on endep, but I couldn't take it as I it made me hyper as soon as I took it lat night and I kept falling asleep all day. Tramadol increases the effects of endep and can be very dangerous. I would be questioning that high dosage of tramadol with it, quite apart from the fact you have no life due to being asleep so much. How long have you been on endep? The effects kept increasing with me and got worse over the weeks, not better as it is supposed to do.

[Superfloozie]

Hi George, are you on any biologic or metho or anything but painkillers? Just concerned that the cause isn’t being addressed just the pain. I would ask to be referred to a pain clinic but more importantly you need your rheumatology team to help you. Sleeping isn’t ideal for you as you’ll be losing muscle mass and that doesn’t help your joints. Really your RA needs help quite urgently as that’s a lot of tramadol which just made me feel awful!

[summer32 in reply to Superfloozie]

I am a race sufferer but also work in pharmacy albeit part time now, that level of pain killers is bad, I am in chronic fkare but only took 5ml Oramorph and two Co codamol last night and can get up, ask your local pharmacy to review those meds, but I guess from your post your are non united Kingdom, so speak to your doctor or prrecriber, I am between dmards and would like to start biologics

[George1010 in reply to summer32]

I live in Wakefield england ...its 1.30 bank holiday Monday..i have just woke 😢

[summer32 in reply to George1010]

Sorry George was commenting on two posts the other person was non UK, as their description and names of pain killers were non UK, go to the Pharmacy you regularly use and ask to see your regular pharmacist for a medicine review, it is free and in a private room and takes about 15 min

[summer32]

Typo should say earlier sufferer

[helixhelix]

Please talk to your doctors about how to find another way to control your pain, and why you are such a degree of pain. Like others I am concerned about the effect this is having on your physically and mentally. It will be tough to get off them, but may give you a better quality of life.

[AgedCrone]

I think you should talk to your prescribing physician ASAP! Or at least your pharmacist.

Even if you are pain free it is not acceptable to be in a drug induced sleep for so long.

Are these drugs prescribed by a rheumatologis or your GP? You really should talk to a clinician & get some advice.

[George1010 in reply to AgedCrone]

These tablets are prescribed by my doctor at the hospital. ..i think im going to try wean myself down .....was on zoperclone also but wont take that as well 😢

[AgedCrone in reply to George1010]

You must definitely speak to a pharmacist if you can't contact youur prescribing physician. The action of one drug affects the efficacy of another...you can't just reduce doses when you are on more than one medication.... that could have very serious side effects.

The particular drugs you are taking can have very nasty effects if mis used.

Get thee to the pharmacist pronto!

[hawker955]

Tramadol is an opiate so does cause drowsiness. Eight seems an awful lot to me. I think that non-steroidals are usually better for pain relief in RA than opiates as well. But cutting down the Tramadol would help I expect.

[pdp1134 in reply to hawker955]

eight per day is the max dosage, more sometimes causes seizures. I am on 4 a day with two 500 mg naproxen and no biologic: the anti-inflamatory is my main med for the cause of joint pain. Years past I was on Embrel and then Humira.

[Vonnie10 in reply to pdp1134]

So did your biological not work for you ?

[George1010 in reply to Vonnie10]

??

[Hidden]

I was prescribed 8 x Cocodamol and was also on Amitryptiline, but I came off both and now I only take Cocodamol occasionally and only if I desperately need it. I found it made me sleepy but also caused more pain ultimately because of the muscle loss. I think it's better to have some pain and have limited medication, than to have no pain and no quality of life because you're 'zoned out' ...hope you manage to reduce it.

[Vonnie10]

My doctor gave me pre gab I mays well of stuck my tongue on a electric bar and frazzled my brain irs was horrible floating feeling was vile it’s was on a starting dose 25 to increase it daily by 25 until 75. Couldn’t get passed 25 I’m certain they get money from the drug company to give these horrible drugs , terrified to give you anythink opiated based because of addiction , and says my gp nothing will take my pain away, I asked why do they make these drugs if they don’t work I don’t get it I’m sick of them doctors, I’m certain they get money for certain drugs they prescribe everything’s a wonder drug till it’s founds it’s not, fed up of them all.. end of.

[Loopyleeds]

I am so sorry you are struggling like this. I have recently been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis but also have chronic back pain due to failed surgery which ive had for nearly 30 yrs. i have tried amitriptyline a few times as it is a drug of choice to help sleep and pain. My rheumy wanted me to try it again recently. I just did not get on with it at all. To prove my point to my pain clinic consultant and gp i kept a diary of what time i took my pills. What time i got up. How i felt when i got up and how long it took me to feel “human” again if i did before my next dose ! This was very useful and i was changed to other drugs without any further discussion or problems. I now do this whenever i add a new drug or change a dose. It may well be your combination of drugs that is causing your problems but if you keep a record of any change you will be able to identify good and bad results accurately over time. Most of the meds i have been on i have to give from a month upto 3 months atleast to know the outcome, without my diary i would have thought a week was easily a month when i was on amitriptyline. Giving clinicians accurate info helps them.

Please dont give up im sure there is a combination of meds that will make your quality of life so much better. I hope you find them soon.

Best wishes

Loopyleeds

[George1010]

Thank you that helps me to know 😁

[Miapalffy5]

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