Can I safely take Tramadol

[Grandmama01]

I have not had any alcohol since 5/5/15. I am in severe pain. I have severe carpal tunnel in both hands as well as pinched nerves in my elbow and neck. I drank everyday to excess for years. My doctor has prescribed Tramadol for pain. Will this endanger my sobriety? Nothing else helps the pain. I don't know what to do. Will I be safe? Any suggestions?

[lola200677]

Good idea - perfect way forward :-))))

[lola200677]

Hi. I take it you've not tried plain old paracetamol + ibuprofen to see of that'll help? If you have a history of addiction it's not 100% safe to have what can be an addictive med. However it MUST NOT be taken with alcohol so if you do take tramadol and it helps the pain and you don't drink then that's great. But if you slip up then you must stop and find another way for the pain. I can't realistically see that the trams will lower your inhibitions to the point of going back to the drink but if it does, at least you know where you stand. You must treat your pain. If you take the prescribed dose there shouldn't be a problem related to the alcohol use/past use. If you go down the whole taking way more than prescribed then start mixing with alcohol then Hun you must be clear with your doc. These are not to be mixed. And tramadol at high doses can be very dangerous so it's in your best interest regardless of the alcohol issue that you take only the dose prescribed. Lola xxx

[Grandmama01]

Thank you so much for your response. I have attempted several non-narcotic pain relievers as well as heat, ice, pt. etc. I feel very confident that I don't want to ever take another drink. I am aware that how I feel now versus how I will feel are 2 very different things. That's why I wanted to ask. I have taken Percocet once for about 3 weeks when I had shoulder surgery. I didn't misuse it but I also was in active alcohol addiction. I will give the prescription to my daughter in order for her to give me 1 dose at a time. This way I can feel secure