PAIN!!!!!!

[sarahw244]

I am in A LOT of pain today!!!  I can't hardly stand it!  A little backround....One of the many doctor's that I have seen over the last 9 months prescribed me tramadol.  I tried it and at first, I stopped taking it as it made me sick.  Fastforward about 2 months and I was so desperate for pain relief that I decided to take the tramadol despite the vomiting and "buzzy" feeling that it gave me.  After about a week, those feelings subsided and I felt better than I had in a long time.  My PCP decided that rather than me going through another doctor, just to call her when I needed a refill and she would refill my prescription for me.

Fastforward again, up to the last 2 1/2 weeks.  Now she is refusing to refill my prescription for me, no explanation why.  I know people who have been on this drug for years and they are fine.  I don't get it?  Why all the sudden?  She wants me to take Cymbalta instead, but I don't want to.  These two drugs do the same thing, so what's the big deal?  I am well educated about medications, as I have to be for school.  (This is how I know that these drugs act the same in the body, but I won't bore anyone with the details)  I was NOT taking a massive amount, never asked for an increase in dose, etc.  It just helps me and I don't understand why, if it helps me to get through the day, I can't continue to take it.  

The thing that really gets me right now, other than all the pain I am having, is if this drug is so "bad", why then does she just have me stopping it cold turkey?  Shouldn't she atleast taper me off it gradually?

I am really sorry for ranting on and on, I am just in a lot of pain right now and it's making me a little emotional.  I actually feel a little better.  ;o)

Sarah

[jibjen]

Hi Sarah,
OMG good Luck Tuesday..I so hopee you get some answers....I know how your feeling about LP..My neuro always threw that out there but never sent me..I ws always a bit releived as I heard different stories...Maybe if I could be aslep when they do it it would be good but...I know.

Please fill us in...I have my 2nd opinion coming up in a week (the 9th) I am excited and scared all in one...No high expectations but it would be nice for new input. ;o)

Glad you got my meds.

My face is still got background numbness , less pain but my nose goes numb and chin gets tingly and numb (off and on)

Good Luck
Love Jibs

[sarahw244]

Thanks, Jibby.  I am feeling a lot better today.  In fact, I feel better than I have in a few weeks.  Hopefully that is not a sign of bad things to come, lol!

I was able to talk with my doctor and get my medication, maybe this is why I am feeling better?

On another note, I am going to see my neuro on Tuesday morning for a follow-up after my spinal MRI from a few weeks ago.  He said last time that depending on the results of the MRI, he may send me for the lumbar puncture.  (Hopefully NOT!!!!)

Sarah

[jibjen]

Hi Sarah,

Sorry I have been away a bit.

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I hope you feel better soon and hope you can get the midication to help.

Jibby

[sarahw244]

Thanks for your sympathetic ear (or eyes :-)  From what I know, some doctors DO prescribe tramadol for both pain, with the added bonus of it's anti-depressant effects.  My mom actually takes both.  She tried to wean herself off the Cymbalta and did become very ill.  She couldn't handle feeling so sick anymore so she just started taking it again, without ever fully being off it completely.  She said she would rather take the medication for the rest of her life than to go through what she was feeling.

Like Cymbalta, tramadol is an SNRI.  They both inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake by the receptors.  This is why I don't understand why she wants me to stop so suddenly without weaning me off.  I believe they just bind to different sites, if that makes any sense?  I have probably given out more information than anyone cares to read about, lol!

Anyways, thanks.  I'll keep you posted.  Right now, I am okay but I am sure I will be waking up in the middle of the night again because my legs hurt soooo bad.  Oh well.

Sarah

[illinwithoutacause]

dear sarah,

i am sorry you are in so much pain.  i know how frustrating that can be, and how desperate we can become to find some relief.  i am glad venting here helps you to feel a little better.

i am not familiar with the effects of tramadol other than it being prescribed for pain.  my mother was on it for sciatica not too long ago.  cymbalta, on the other hand, is not only prescribed to manage neuropathic pain, but is also used as an anti-depressant.  does tramadol have anti-depressant effects as well?  

i would ask the doctor point blank why she wants to make the change.  i have heard that discontinuing cymbalta can be a tricky and unpleasant process, and some people have some pretty unflattering opinions about it in general.  i always think it is probably what the pharma reps are currently pushing, that's why all the docs are so hot on prescribing it.

i hope you are feeling better soon.  my thoughts are with you.

best wishes
binx