Oh boy. (Pain med probs)

[Ulthosian Stark]

I've been a medicated pain patient for a decade now, ibuprofen gave me an ulcer when I was 13 from an allergic reaction so NSAIDS are out of the picture for me. (The issue is my feet knees and back, my feet angle out to the sides and have bones out of place, which then made it so my knees and back are also not quite right, causing debilitating pain going from the feet up)

Which basically leaves muscle relaxers and opiate/opioid as my options. I'm an active person, if I wanted to be on the couch or behind a desk all day I wouldn't need pain meds. But, I'm not a potato.

Its come to my attention that they are taking Tramadol off the shelves soon. This is my only med, I've been on it for about 5 years. Caused me to lose some weight and fucks my appetite up so I was going to switch off it soon anyway.

Lor Tabs are not an option, seeing as they have an NSAID in them. Was prescribed those initially but "burned" my stomach. I've been looking into codeine and dihydrocodeine, both of which are quite weak and sold OTC in a lot of countries. Anyone have experience with the DHC or dihydrocodeine? Apparently its pretty equal to tramadol in strength but its a semi synth, not a full synth like trams so shouldn't have the appetite reducing side effects which is messing with me hard.

Also anyone have experience with both codeine and tramadol? And can give me a comparison? I like that codeine is naturally occurring in the poppy pod, only ever had codeine cough syrup for colds though and never really noted any pain relief other then from my throat.

Any other options out there? For a schedule 3 or 4 painkiller? I've been doing intense research around these things and it seems those 2 are my best bet. Anything on schedule 2 needs to be urine tested, which is a gross invasion of privacy and makes me mad. So avoiding that.

[Er Rn]

Lortab doesn't have an NSAID in it, it's hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Tylenol). I will warn you though, I'm not sure where you're located in the world, but Lortab is extremely abused and I don't know of any provider who would prescribe it without drug testing.

If your only problem with NSAIDs is gi upset, there are new combination PPI (stomach medicine) and NSAID drugs out there such as Vimovo (naproxen and nexium). There's also Neurontin, commonly prescribed for back and nerve pain, and it's not controlled (non-scheduled).

[Inigima]

This sounds like a conversation to have with your doctor

[N/A]

But, I'm not a potato.

What's that supposed to mean ?! :tantrum:

At any rate, I agree with Ini . Talk to your doctor and be good , prescription only !

[Summah]

Tramadol is not going away, it's becoming a schedule iv med, there's no reason why you can't continue to take it while you figure out what to switch to, though you may need drug testing because of the schedule iv status now. For the opiates they can usually be found in an acetaminophen combo or alone.

[Summah]

DP

[Tywin Lannister_]

This sounds like a conversation to have with your doctor

[arya_underfoot]

Amitryptilline. Apart from pain relief, it's also got antidepressant activity and improves sleep. You can't take it with tramadol though.

[Ulthosian Stark]

This sounds like a conversation to have with your doctor

Doctors are fallible, my pediatrician didn't catch the foot issue even though I'd been complaining of foot pain for years. Said my feet were atypical flat and not rigid flat, they are rigid. Next doctor told me tramadol was nonaddictive.... It is. If I don't take one at night I wake up in the morning sweating and feeling like I have the flu.

You can see why I'm skeptical of docs. I'd rather talk to people who have taken the drug rather the people paid to dole it out

What's that supposed to mean ?! :tantrum:

At any rate, I agree with Ini . Talk to your doctor and be good , prescription only !

Lol about the potato thing, and I'm good! I just need to get switched to something with less negative side effects

Tramadol is not going away, it's becoming a schedule iv med, there's no reason why you can't continue to take it while you figure out what to switch to, though you may need drug testing because of the schedule iv status now. For the opiates they can usually be found in an acetaminophen combo or alone.

As of now you don't need to be urine tested to be prescribed for tramadol, yes I can take the tramadol while I figure out what's next lol I've been hearing rumors of it being taken off the shelves completely worldwide due to some health issue associated.

[Angalin]

This sounds like a conversation to have with your doctor

You can see why I'm skeptical of docs. I'd rather talk to people who have taken the drug rather the people paid to dole it out

If you don't want to talk to a doctor, ask your pharmacist or get a second opinion from another doctor. You might also consult a foot specialist to see what can be done about the source of the problem. Asking a bunch of strangers on a message board about pain medication comes across as kind of random, especially when combined with concerns about drug-testing.

[MerenthaClone]

You should talk to your doctor because your doctor can/could provide you with a prescription for a medication that could fit your needs well. And, I don't know, refer your to an orthopod to maybe get the problem fixed. People have very different reactions to medication and relying on an anecdote from someone online is simply not a good idea.

[SheRa Seastar]

If you're not a fan of pooing, codeine is the way to go

[Ulthosian Stark]

If you don't want to talk to a doctor, ask your pharmacist or get a second opinion from another doctor. You might also consult a foot specialist to see what can be done about the source of the problem. Asking a bunch of strangers on a message board about pain medication comes across as kind of random, especially when combined with concerns about drug-testing.

Guys, I have talked to my doctor seen orthopedic specialists etc I have special inserts in my shoes and could get surgery but I don't want to be in rehab for 4 years till I can normally walk again. And its a 60/40 chance that it'll work, I don't like those odds haha especially when dealing with such a huge rehab time. I have an active job, taking me out of it for 4 years would kill it.

The reason this wasn't fixed initially is that first doctor telling me it was fine. First one that didn't was also the first to xray it.

Now the reason I'm asking this board, and this place in particular is that the other boards I frequent (fishkeeping, mountainbiking etc) have a younger audience, most of whom wouldn't know subtle differences in effects of low powered analgesics. I talk to older people and doctors about it in general, the young are very guarded on this issue and young drs seem to think everyone is trying to get high nowadays. Which pisses me off so much because it makes it so much harder for someone who legit needs the meds to live a normal happy life.

You should talk to your doctor because your doctor can/could provide you with a prescription for a medication that could fit your needs well. And, I don't know, refer your to an orthopod to maybe get the problem fixed. People have very different reactions to medication and relying on an anecdote from someone online is simply not a good idea.

[The Notorious]

2. I am also concerned that you seem to want these drugs - which are not "mild analgesics", by the way - and have an aversion to urine testing.

Doctors aren't looking for weed, fer chrissake, they're looking at liver and kidney function, etc.

yeah, fishy as hell.

[Gareth]

2. I am also concerned that you seem to want these drugs - which are not "mild analgesics", by the way - and have an aversion to urine testing.

Doctors aren't looking for weed, fer chrissake, they're looking at liver and kidney function, etc.

Urine test don't really tell you lots of liver or kidney functions (unless its a 24 hour urine collection which would be the true indication of kidney functions).

[Trebla]

As a matter of fact doctors sometimes DO ask for urine tests to check if you are taking any illegal drugs. I've had it happen. And to check for liver and kidney function you have to get a blood test and fast the night before.

eta: Also, sometimes a patient should be wary of what doctors want to prescribe for them. LOT of money being doled out by the pharmaceutical companies to get their drug prescribed. As one nurse once told me, they are the American Drug Cartels.

[Aemon Stark]

As a matter of fact doctors sometimes DO ask for urine tests to check if you are taking any illegal drugs. I've had it happen. And to check for liver and kidney function you have to get a blood test and fast the night before.

eta: Also, sometimes a patient should be wary of what doctors want to prescribe for them. LOT of money being doled out by the pharmaceutical companies to get their drug prescribed. As one nurse once told me, they are the American Drug Cartels.

I've seen it happen in methadone clinics and nowhere else. Apart from emerg when there is suspicion of ingestion of "substances".

Pharmaceutical companies are not allowed to give money explicitly for that purpose. There are some physicians who get speaking fees to talk about certain drugs at certain events, but these are the exception. Otherwise it's just a matter of occasional drug samples (useful for patients without much money or insurance) and the odd sponsored lunch or dinner. In any case, the restrictions on all this stuff have grown ever tighter.

To the OP, I'm still not sure I understand your question, but I'd hazard a guess that most people here don't have a lot of experience with multiple opioids. I have no idea what exactly your foot/chronic pain issue is, but it seems strange to be concerned about urine tests. It does seem clear that you believe you're addicted to Tramadol, in which case there's more going on here than just chronic pain. So it seems to me anyway.

Either way, it would undoubtedly be in breech of my license to offer any further suggestions.

[Ulthosian Stark]

I've seen it happen in methadone clinics and nowhere else. Apart from emerg when there is suspicion of ingestion of "substances".

Pharmaceutical companies are not allowed to give money explicitly for that purpose. There are some physicians who get speaking fees to talk about certain drugs at certain events, but these are the exception. Otherwise it's just a matter of occasional drug samples (useful for patients without much money or insurance) and the odd sponsored lunch or dinner. In any case, the restrictions on all this stuff have grown ever tighter.

To the OP, I'm still not sure I understand your question, but I'd hazard a guess that most people here don't have a lot of experience with multiple opioids. I have no idea what exactly your foot/chronic pain issue is, but it seems strange to be concerned about urine tests. It does seem clear that you believe you're addicted to Tramadol, in which case there's more going on here than just chronic pain. So it seems to me anyway.

Either way, it would undoubtedly be in breech of my license to offer any further suggestions.

Since they put hydrocodone (lor tab) and some others on schedule 2 they drug test any patients, looking for any illegal drugs, including pot, and I don't drink and only smoke when I'm out which is usually once or twice a week, enough to make me worry about the test. Since I was 16 I've been scripted pain meds, its never been an issue before and started being one because dumb kids thinking they're getting high and eating a bunch of em, giving them liver probs. Tramadol is an opioid, specifically a codeine analog. It is addictive, if you google tramadol you'll find legit sources saying its not addictive, but as soon as you get into personal experiences you'll find anyone who's prescribed it long term is addicted. As in physically addicted, not emotionally. The whole "addiction" thing is so vast and multi layered you shouldn't pre judge.

I've literally joked with the my current doctor, who knows I smoke, about how I'd still get the script had I drank a bottle of vodka the night before, but since I might if smoked a week ago I wouldn't. Even though weed is prescribed for pain in a lot of places.

1. Are you saying that we're OLD?!?

2. I am also concerned that you seem to want these drugs - which are not "mild analgesics", by the way - and have an aversion to urine testing.

Doctors aren't looking for weed, fer chrissake, they're looking at liver and kidney function, etc.

3. Get a second or third opinion. See an older doc if you think the young ones are biased against you.

Older then the other forums I go on! Lol

... How would you classify these then? They are mild opioid analgesics, codeine and dihydrocodeine are commonly available over the counter in most countries. These are considered mild analgesics

to drug testing is based on how much I value individual privacy, not because I'm worried about my crack habit being exposed *twitch twitch*

Jk, they are looking for weed now if you choose to be prescribed lor tab (which was my initial prescription from 16-19), because a bunch of dumb asses who aren't prescribed are killing themselves with them.

Ruining it for legit patients, like myself, and I was hoping some others on the board but so far it doesn't seem like anyone has a chronic pain issue and experience with these meds is willing to speak up.

Which is why I made the thread, to get real peoples experience with these pain relievers pain relievers on schedule 3 and 4. I'm a legit patient, I take it by what it says in the bottle, don't tamper with them etc not someone looking to "just get high" which is how I think some of you are leaning.

I've gotten MANY opinions from different doctors you know what they say? Try whatever your doctor thinks is appropriate until you find something that works. Hence why I'd like to hear other real experiences from other people who are prescribed, not just another automated response from a doctor. Which are all almost eerily similar, like before it was moved up to schedule 2 every single doc I told I had chronic pain issues to prescribed me lor tabs. Now its tramadol. So I'm looking for personal experiences with pain meds equal to tramadol.

Is this really that terrible? Lol

yeah, fishy as hell.

Coming from The Notorious. If your gonna make your name something like that don't be a dweeb lol

[Summah]

I have severe chronic pain, but I don't take opioids on a regular basis because my main types of pain do not respond well to opiates, it may complicate issues and mainly I haven't looked for it because the few times I've had them for these conditions (including very strong opiates) they have not done much for me, so it's not something I've pursued, if I thought that opiates might give me significant pain relief I would try (and I have seen pain anesthesiologists, just not for opioid prescriptions).

I think the bigger problem here is the way pain and pain medications are dealt with in the US and the way pain patients are treated by health care providers. I have a lot of internet "pain pals" who have pain that responds well to opiates but do not get adequate treatment because the doctors are terrified of the DEA, this causes a great deal of harm and I have several friends with severe chronic pain who committed suicide because they couldn't stand being in pain like that anymore with no relief in sight, I don't know anyone in this situation who hasn't thought about it (many, perhaps most of us quite seriously). I at least don't have be tortured by knowing something works and not being able to get it, instead I'm just considered refractory or intractable and many doctors want nothing to do with that either. Many places that do prescribe are known for being "pill mills", going there runs the risk they'll be shut down in the ongoing crackdowns, but also potentially marks one as a drug seeker/addict making it more difficult to get treatment from other health care providers. This change also will increase costs for patients, and disabled people are much more likely to be poor. Psychological addiction is a real issue, but in all the concern and laws being passed to try to prevent abuse, I've almost never heard any real consideration for people with chronic pain who are being made to suffer greatly by the widespread paranoia and frenzy about drug abuse. I don't consider physical addiction a particularly good argument in this case, since many medications (including many that are not scheduled) cause physical dependence and withdrawal if quit too quickly.

US, you're right, they do look for things like cannabis in the drug tests for schedule ii, at least that is what I understand from people I know who take them and cannot smoke for that reason. I think with hydrocodone now schedule ii there really isn't much else, not schedule ii except tramadol, acetominaphen, NSAIDs etc. it's possible a pain cream might help, or some types of injections depending on the exact condition. Also antidepressants and anticonvulsants can help with pain (again depending on the type), but can have nasty side effects and nasty withdrawal.

[sj4iy]

If you don't like your doctor, find a better one. This is your health, and the last thing anyone should do is trust the internet to solve their health problems. I had 3 doctors miss diagnosing my chronic diseases 6 times over a 3 month period until I became so weak that I could even sit up. The ER doctor diagnosed me correctly just by looking at me. I dropped those other doctors and found good ones after that...people who will listen and not simply assume. But your health is in your hands, so you have to be proactive- not simply give up all doctors because you had a bad experience. I would have died if I had done that.