Hi all, just wondered if anyone had experienced this! I have been on 150mg a night tramadol for RLS for years and it works very well for me! Yesterday a GP in my practice (not my usual one) has refused to prescribe it now despite it having been on repeat for a long time! He wants me to go to a Neurologist! I have had very bad health for two years after two emergency operations for bowel blockages within a week, caused by adhesions from a bowel cancer operation four years ago, lots of complications, with the result I now have an ileostomy! Magnesium infusion weekly for a year, another blockage on holiday in Rhodes this year, now having to have B12 injections for life because of high output ileostomy! Reason I’m telling you this, I have had so much over the last two years and now this GP wants me to go to another consultant when I have something which works perfectly well for RLS, WHY?? I feel this is more to do with the fact that Tramadol is now classified, nothing to do with the fact that he says it will give me dementia! I am on multiple medications which I’m sure will give me many things long term but he doesn’t mention any other medication but Tramadol! Any advice people? Thanks in advance!
Tramadol for RLS: Hi all, just... - Restless Legs Syn...
Tramadol for RLS
So sorry your doctor wants you off the tramadol, doesnt make sense at all, if its working and you are only taking what's prescribed, he said it would give you dementia? Are you in the UK or USA , even tho tramadol is now classsified i can still get mine and its on repeat. If you are in the USA, then seems doctors over there get more than twitchy to prescribe any opiates. Have you enough tramadol for now, and get a doctor's appointment to see your usual doctor. ?
Hi ellise2, I’m in Scotland. I have been getting it on repeat for years, the last time I saw this same doctor he said the same, I think he is more worried about prescribing an illegal drug than really looking at my situation! I can’t get an app with my usual doc for weeks which will take me past my next prescription so I will run out of them, nightmare, I will be walking the floor all night, every night! I have made an app with a new doctor to the practice, hopefully she doesn’t have the same distorted views as the ‘old’ one! Thanks for your help, take care!
How horrible for you. There is such a big push these days to avoid regular opiate prescriptions because of associated addiction & deaths & drs are being advised to stop & think
Hello Allison7,
I think his problem is he didn’t stop and think, he’s not a new young doctor, he’s the longest serving doctor in the practise, with his experience you would think he would be well up on new guidelines but maybe that’s what’s wrong, not keeping up with it all! I see a different GP next Wednesday so I’ll see what happens and take it from there! Thanks for your concern x
Sorry Elisse2, can I ask the dose of tramadol you take, maybe it’s the dose I take that’s worrying him although I don’t think 150mg is a lot, ta!
Hi Marrob i only take one 50mgs Tramadol, altho my prescription says i can take two so i could take 100mgs per night. You are not on a very high dose and its not illegal drug for anyone to take. I also like Madlegs idea of you trying to get a message through to your usual doctor, if not then i could do as your hubby has said, ask to see the practice manager, i wouldnt leave it, you cant just stop a med like tramadol without you having bad withdrawals. Good luck and keep in touch on here on how it goes.
So instead of you having dementia down the road he's going to drive you crazy now. You are another victim of this opioid mess that's going on. I'm guessing your Doctor is protecting himself, but there is no need. As long as you are monitored by a physician you can take Tramadol for years. It is the least addictive of the opioids. I would agree with your Doctor about seeing a Neurologist only because your Doctor doesn't seem very knowledgeable about RLS or drug therapy. You deserve better care. I think any reasonable person would consider you have been through enough. I am in a similar situation myself and it has been a battle. Pam
Your first sentence gave me a laugh Pam, crazy I would be!! I do feel his ‘concern’ is for himself rather than me! I’m hoping this new GP will have a fresher view, as you say the prescribing of opioids seems to be in a bit of a mess, it only takes a few people to overdose and everyone is treated like drug addicts! I get so angry, I feel this doctor is looking at me as just another ‘junkie’. I hope he never gets RLS, he would then know what it’s all about, takes over your life! Sorry you are having similar problems as myself, it certainly is a battle, we certainly don’t need any more! Take care!
Your situation has me boiling inside.
But I won't rant here!😠
On a practical vein, would you be able to get a message to your usual Dr through the practise reception, asking for a repeat prescription. It helps to make quite a dramatic request, such as being fearful for your life and sanity. Not knowing what to do, he is your last resort. Explain you are happy to go to a consultant if you have to, but if the prescription runs out, then the practise will bear responsibility for the results.
I'm sure it is almost illegal to cut a patient off opiates, without a care plan.
Just an idea.!😎
All the best, and let us know how you get on.
Yes it made me very angry too! He had the cheek to say that my angry reaction showed that I was indeed addicted to tramadol! My husband is urging me to report this to the practice manager, he watched me walking the floor every night, sleep deprived till I was exhausted and can’t believe a doctor could do this! The last two years have been awful with my health problems, I struggle to get through the day as it is, if I go back to not sleeping I might as well throw in the towel! I hate how one person can have such a hold over your life! Thank you for your suggestions, very helpful! I’ll keep in touch with the outcome!
It is important to complain about this man as he could very easily have sent someone into the arms of a dealer with his half-arsed approach. It is only through complaining that he will be forced to address his approach and you could save an awful lot of people an awful lot of pain!
Maybe, if you can safely get your hands on it, cannabis might be an interim settlement for you? I find, as do many others that relief is to be got from it - but as said IF you can safely get it.
Basket, an ill informed jumped up little basket who will claim aid while shafting you playing the good little Dr. Another quack not knowing his gluteus maximus from his humerus.
OK so these drugs aren't great, we ALL get that, but jesus to take someone off opiates without a care plan is asking for illegal opiate use. Dumb basket. Knows feck all about this drug if he just stopped it and you should have refused to have it stopped without a referral to the addiction services and a tapered, planned and monitored withdrawal. IN SCOTLAND OF ALL PLACES.
I am so sorry you are another victim of half educated morons, (sorry to all the really good Drs out there). Its been reclassified for a while so its unlikely that, I'd guess a Dr that plans to solve the opiate problem in Scotland without doing any research as all it takes is to stop letting people use them, (speculative but I bet not a million miles from the mark). I had a Dr try and save me from using Tramadol once - it nearly drove me to suicide, oh man but I've got started now!!!!!
I like the idea from Madlegs1 in getting a note to your usual GP. They may be willing to step in and save you hassle, if not again demand that it is not done without addiction services referral and planned withdrawal. Info on managing an opiate withdrawal here:
google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j...
(opens up a download for a pdf)
Very sorry to hear of the conditions affecting you. I was on Tramadol for a couple of years whilst waiting a hip replacement operation. I was worried about becoming addicted to them and decided I wanted to come off them. I had to do this very, very slowly, and although it took me a number of months to wean myself off this medication, I no longer take Tramadol. My concern for you is that you shouldn't stop taking Tramadol at once, (cold turkey), as it will have a very unpleasant effect on you and you will feel really ill - I did when I tried to come off them too quickly. I suggest you go back to your Dr, whichever one you can see, before you run out of the Tramadol, and discuss with him the best method of coming off the Tramadol - you need to be monitored for withdrawal symptoms. I also have restless arms and legs and take Pramipexole, which works really well, I couldn't function without it, has this medication been mentioned to you by your Dr as a replacement for the Tramadol? I hope you can come to a satisfactory conclusion with your Dr. Look after yourself - and good luck!
All surgeries seem to have taken Tramadol off repeat. I have to request each month which is rubber stamped as there is a note on my file. It’s all tied up with this govt initiative to reduce dependence on opioids. I can see these have been overprescribed in the past but those with a undeniable need for something are having to get approval. I only obtain what I need which is lees than is prescribed. For this reason they can see I don’t have a dependency. I don’t care what I’m given so long as it is effective.
This is THE resource for opioids and RLS - Authored by the best researchers - Mark J. Buchfuhrer, MD, Christopher J. Earley, et al. Click the tab for full text and drugs/dosage for more info (Tramadol up to 200mg).
mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...
We know that, but unfortunately doctors dont see it in the same way we do. They just see addiction, where everyone should be treated as individuals on whats best for them.
That’s what I felt, he didn’t look at my file to see what was going on with me, didn’t know I had been so ill for two years, just went straight to the addiction thing and was determined I was coming off Tramadol! I spoke to the nurse today when I was in for my B12 injection and she advised if the GP I’m seeing on Wednesday is of the same opinion, although she thinks she won’t be, I should take it to the Practise Manager! Hopefully I won’t have to go that far! My usual GP is on two weeks annual leave so no help there!
A neurologist wanted me to come off Tramulief which is extended release Tramadol. I did try but my legs got worse. I saw my GP who suggested that I continue. I take 100mg twice a day and have it on repeat. The neurologist was a team member and when I next went for a visit there was no demur from the team member I saw. Lucky me?
Another ignorant GP. I’m so angry on your behalf. Addiction and dependence are different. Would he stop insulin for his diabetic patients? I think not.
I’d print out all the information on the opioid studies being carried out in the USA by Dr Winkleman at Massachusetts General Hospital and ask for it to be placed on your file.( link below).
I sympathise- my GP refused to prescribe tramadol when I was going through DAWS but luckily my MS neurologist instantly stepped in and instructed her to give it to me. It may be useful to see a neurologist just so they can ‘persuade ‘ your dinosaur GP to see the light.
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