New GP won't prescribe Tramadol

[Susan1942]

I am asking this question on behalf of my sister. About 4 weeks ago she and her family changed GP as she could not get an appt or even speak to the Dr. Her husband had been at A&E with a very painful middle finger on her hand. After a lot of bloods X-ray etc because his lactic acid was high they diagnosed gout. He was given steroids and as his blood pressure was very high they doubled his antihypertensive meds. He was told to see the GP Monday. As they could not get past the Receptionist their son said they should change GP.They did so and a practice much nearer to where the live. She is 79 and has got very bad Osterarthritis.

She had a shoulder replaced and repair of rotator cuff..She had knees done about 15 years ago She has got arthritis in her cervical vertebrae. She had carpel tunnel sorted out. She has had parts taken out of her hands and is really arthritic. She has been on Tramadol for some years. They will not prescribe it and she has not seen the GP to discuss her pain relief. They have taken it off her repeat prescription and despite speaking to the Receptionist nothing is happening. The pharmacist wants to discuss her Meds but asked if it could wait until after Christmas. She has been taking Nitrazepam for a good few years now. She sleeps very poorly due to pain and she has got a lot of family pressure. Her husband is in the early stages of Dementia. Her son who still lives at home 43 and he has got very bad asthma as the worst I have ever seen eczema all over his body. He gets a self admin an injection every 2 weeks..It is prescribed by the Dermatologist. He has been on every drug possible to no avail. He is a poor soul with multiple allergies.

I don't know what to say to her other than ask for an appointment with one of the Drs in the new practice.

Can anyone give me any advice. I know that Tramadol is a controlled drug with risks of addiction. Equally when I look at osteoarthritis Tramadol is a very good medication for this condition .Her hands are very arthritic and she is unable to do many routine tasks as a result of this..

I would appreciate some advice

Sue

[Hidden]

Hello Susan, I am in the US and have been trying to understand the health system in the UK. Some have told me it's great and I have seen others speak very negatively about it. I have had bad lower back pain most of my life and now at 71, I have osteoarthritis throughout my body. Two years ago, I started see a pain management doctor. for my back and she prescribed a low dose Hydrocodone which is an opioid drug like Tramadol. Mornings are my worst time. When I get out of bed in the morning, I have a hard time moving and am in pain in a lot of places. I take one pill and that lasts me the whole day. Once the drug kicks in and I move around a bit, I can function fairly well. I don't know if there is such a thing as a pain management doctor in the UK health system.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi, my lower lumbar pain is alleviated by suggestion from physio-therapisr; which was to tuck my butt in, thereby re-aligning lower spine. More helpful than any meds, that advice!

[Susan1942 in reply to Hidden]

She is too far down the line now..She has had physio in the past but it was not enough

[Susan1942 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. My sister is like you can hardy get out of bed in the am. But once the meds kick it she improves pain wise. Her hands are bad and she can't remove skins on potatoes turnip etc. She drops a lot of things as her grip is so poor.

[BertoBishop]

Morning Susan,

I get Tramadol from my GP but they are extremely hesitant to prescribe it. My pain recently has been to the point where I just can’t move at all and agonising and even then they only give me enough for just over a week.

GPs are advised not to prescribe opiates for pain conditions, which is another reason it’s difficult to get hold of.

If it’s a new GP it would be good for them to see how bad your sister is. I’d be surprised if they would give Tramadol without a face to face first or knowing the history.

Good luck and merry Christmas!

[Susan1942 in reply to BertoBishop]

Thank you so much for your response

[cyberbarn]

In the first instance I would ask to speak to the practice manager and explain the situation. If that doesn't work ask the practice manager for their information on how to make a complaint. That can sometimes sharpen their minds!

If that doesn't work I would suggest they contact their ICS's PALS service. They are the ones that over see GP surgeries and can help sort things out and give advice about what to do. There should be a phone number for them on the ICS website for their area.

Good luck, I hope they can get this sorted before Christmas!

[Susan1942]

Thanks all of you who responded. My sister called the surgery yesterday and they had sent the prescription to her local pharmacy..She is going to make an appointment to see the GP after Christmas as she also had an echocardiogram 2 weeks ago and not had the results. She would not like to rock the boat too much as she has just moved practice and the GP has not seen her as yet. I think it will be ok and will be added to her repeat prescription list.

You are all so helpful and thank you all for your support and advice..Sue