Dr wants to quit my tramadol (but need it)

[RealityIsPixels]

For several years now (increasing in severity), I have had a regularly recurring problem with both severe tension headaches as well as migraine headaches (mainly menstrual related ones). Aside from that, it is common for me to have abnormally heavy, painful periods (as in, cramping until I cry). The problem with getting pain medication though, is that I have quite a history of gastrointestinal issues including stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and IBS. My gastroenterologist strictly advised against taking any OTC pain medicine but acetaminophen such as found in tylenol or aspirin-free excedrin, or else risk more stomach ulcers or stomach pain. But the problem with that is, that stuff doesn't work for me; it's like it's too weak. For some time after this had become more of a frequent problem, I just either dealt with it; cried, slept it off, whatever, or I'd try to seek the nearly-nonexistant relief of the ok'd pain medicine, although it wouldn't do much; I have seen the time I'd go thru a decent size bottle of the excedrin in less than a week, having to take pill after pill when the mild pain relief wore off (if it even provided any to begin with).

At the time, I didn't have a medical doctor, but had to do something since it was severely affecting my quality of life. I eventually visited an MD whose office took walk in patients and explained to him my situation. He prescribed me tramadol for my problems. I discovered that taking one (on occasion two, if the pain was bad enough) would completely rid me of my pains. Since then, I had visited him twice to get more tramadol when I had run out. He was ok with continuing to prescribe it as long as it was working for me and I wasn't taking it everyday since you could get addicted to it (and I haven't been; just every once in awhile, and I only choose it for the worst of the worst pains). But I needed a permanent doctor, and also I feel uncomfortable with the idea of seeing male doctor on a regular basis for any female-specific problems.

Long story short, I now have a pretty ok female doctor (it took FOREVER to find one who would take medicaid where I live). But she has been saying for some time now she wants to stop my tramadol "because it isn't indicated for migraines/headaches nor period cramps" (and I think the latter is a bunch of crap because I had talked to someone I knew awhile back who said that her doctor gave her tramadol specifically for her severe period cramps). The last 2 prescriptions of tramadol, I had to literally beg out of her, convince her I am no sort of addict, just a person in pain. Once she offered me a migraine medicine that I would have to take every single day whether I had a migraine or not, and it had some pretty nasty side effects with it, so I refused. The doctor knows my reasons for not being able to have OTC pain meds, but she seems to just want me to deal with my pain if I won't take maintenance meds. Like I've said though, I'd prefer not to spend days in a dark room asleep or whatever rather than do something I enjoy. I have had enough of that.

Should the doctor stop being so stubborn about it? What would I do if she quits the tramadol entirely? I don't want to have to sneak around to the male doctor, either... I'm not sure if that would ever cause some sort of legal issue being that I have medicaid, or result in me being kicked from the current primary clinic, or what. I have even thought about trying to order the tramadol from an online pharmacy, but the problem with that is that I cannot regularly afford those ridiculous uninsured prices, and am unsure if trusting them would be a good idea. What should I do?

[pmuse]

I'm just catching up here with all the new posts.  Best choice here would be to see a Migraine Specialist to get to the root of your ongoing suffering.  Not begging the doctor
respectfully that is for more pills that are not working for you anyhow.  Second opinion,
and proper diagnosis is called for here.  Worse case scenario go to the ER and request referral, and a new sort of relief.  Blessings,

[achilles2]

YES endo can cause migraines, just google endometriosis and migraines. You might be more at risk I do not know for certain. Like I said go to an endo specialist, if possible, a general ob/gyn does not know enough to properly diagnose and treat endo. For your tension headaches have you tried a good chiropractor, mine has done wonders for my migraines. Also with all your digestive issues has your g.i. doc ever mentioned trying a gluten (wheat, barely, rye) and diary free diet. As both gluten and diary are a couple of my triggers for migraines. It can also contribute to all the other digestive problems.

[RealityIsPixels]

I hadn't heard of it until now, but I'll look more into it. Could I be more at risk for it since I had a tubal coagulation a few years ago? And could it cause migraines too? So far I have basically concluded those are caused by my period since I tend to notice them shortly before or after it (if not during); at any other time I can randomly have a tension headache though (all over rather than on one side, not quite as bad as the migraine, don't make me sensitive to light/sound like the migraine does).

[achilles2]

I am sorry you are in so much pain. Have you ever seen an endometiosis specialist (NOT a gen ob/gyn). It sounds like you could have enodmetriosis. Painful periods are NOT normal, no matter what anyone says.

If you are interested in finding endometriosis specialist I recommend that you contact the endometriosis association. Their info is at the bottom of the homepage.

http://www.endometriosisassn.org/

I hope this helps,

achilles2