Aysha

Ok..More health problems arising.
My back has been going out on me for the past month or so. Real bad the first time. Took almost 2 weeks for the pain to just ease up. Couldnt stand up strait or walk without being in severe pain.
I sucked it up the best I could. Fine for 2 days. BAm..came back. White knuckled it. Then it went away again for a few days and came back but not as bad. Did that for a couple weeks. Monday it hit hard again. Now the pain is all In my sides and hips and feels like I have some serious menstrual cramps too.
I couldnt take it today anymore. I called in work and went to the Dr.

She wants me to start physical therapy. BUT she gave me tramadol for the pain.

She told me this was non narcotic. Could have fooled me. I took it and thought I was friggin drunk. I felt light headed and then very sick and got sick a few times. Then was really itchy all over. Then I had to just lay down and go to sleep. But I also felt like I do when I have used and run out. Like I needed something really bad.
I did not like that feeling. I was fiending and I didnt know what for. I just had that really anxious desperate feeling you get when you run out of drugs. But I wasnt craving drugs. It was just te feeling physically.
I am not thrilled about this.

bostonluv

I'm so sorry you're in pain Chiynita and that the tramadol set you off. I hope both aspects of that will ease up for you.

serenityqueen

NoelleR

Hey Chi ---

I'm sorry you're going through this.....I live with chronic pain, and believe me, it's totally not fun, even with some of the meds I take.....Oh I know there are many recovering folks who believe recovering/recovered folks cannot take any meds (as needed/directed/prescribed)....that we should just grin 'n bare it.....well NOT ME! But then, I'll be 62 at the end of this year, and I don't wanna live like a martyr.....lol

I believe you've gone over to the Recovery and Pain Management Forum here, and there's a lot good info there.....I remembered an article that was posted/linked by someone, and I'm re-linking it here.....it's an article for doctors who treat recovering/recovered addicts, and the thinking/incorrect thinking that has been going on in the medical community.

Hopefully this will work: Hey Chi ---

I'm sorry you're going through this.....I live with chronic pain, and believe me it's totally not fun, even with some of the meds I take.....Oh I know there are many recovering folks who believe recovering/recovered folks cannot take any meds (as needed/directed/prescribed)....that we should just grin 'n bare it.....well NOT ME! But then, I'll be 62 at the end of this year, and I don't wanna live like a martyr.....lol

I believe you've gone over to the Recovery and Pain Management Forum here, and there's a lot good info there.....I remembered an article that was posted/linked by someone, and I'm re-linking it here.....it's an article for doctors who treat recovering/recovered addicts, and the thinking/incorrect thinking that has been going on in the medical community.

Hopefully this will work: MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN IN ADDICTS ,but if not, go to the Recovery and Pain Management Forum; open the third sticky from the top: Management of Accute and Chronic Pain; check out the link Morning Glory has posted in her post (#1). It's a terrific article.....but that whole forum is really good. Even though we're in recovery, that doesn't mean we have to suffer through pain (suck-it-up). We get to lead happy and productive lives.....and for some of us, w/o meds, we aren't productive at all [not even functional, except to curl up in a ball on the bed and cry all day long, tears streaming down our face.....and all we can feel/think......is when is the pain going to go away.....?...mebbe never.... )o: ].

So Chi, I hope you check out the article.....and the whole other forum.....and as others have suggested.....perhaps finding an addictionologist who also specializes in pain management (or mebbe the other way around....a pain management specialist who deals mainly with addicts.....? (o: )

Here's hopin you find yer way


NoelleR

Impurrfect

(((Trish)))

I'm sorry, sweetie. I ruptured a disc in my back a few years ago and the pain was the worst I've even been through. I was given some serious opiates, and then physical therapy. The first time I went to PT, they hooked me up to a machine that's kind of like a TENS unit, but better, and covered the electrode patches with a moist heating bad. It was instant relief and I told them they could keep the dam pills, send one of those home with me! This, coming from someone who LOVED opiates at the time.

I'm glad you came here and posted, and I hope you get some relief soon. Back pain is no joke, and I get really worried when my back aches.

Sending you big hugs and prayers!

Amy

Anna

I hope your back feels better Trish!

Did you call your dr and tell her about your reaction to the medication? It could be an allergic reaction or maybe you just need some time to get used to it.

Aysha

Wow..I feel alot better today. Not the back. I was sick all night. Shaking and jittery. My stomach was a mess.
My back still hurts. But I can deal with it compared to that feeling. I hate feeling like that.

Thx all for the replies. I didnt know what to do with myself for awhile there.

Rella927

Chiy Sorry about the back pain....I know what you are going through to a degree! I have two disc hernations and when my back goes out I cannot get up let alone walk
without MAJOR pain....I have pain down my one leg all the time in the winter-it is not fun!

The article posted above by Noelle I read and is very informative-I go to the gym (Physical therapy office-) and work out at least 3 days and it has helped to maintain the back and shoulder (Had surgery on that which I have pain in a lot too still) I also take Grape seed which has also helped me with my pains-

What Is OPC Grape Seed Extract and How Does It Work?


Hang in there dolly glad you are a bit better today!

MrsMagoo

I was given Tramadol and I just didn't care for it. It didn't help. I know that if you were going to give a urine test (say for a methadone clinic) it wouldn't show up.

I used a lot of ice when I threw my back out. I carried a bag of frozen veggies with me everywhere, i.e., between the seat of my car and back when I drove, at my chair at work, in the recliner at home. I've never liked ice and thought it would hurt worse but I fell in love with those mixed veggies after the first time.

You shouldn't be so sick on that Tramadol and I imagine if your throwing up, your back isn't appreciating that much.

I hope you get to feeling better soon.

fallingdown

I looked it up on the web and various websites describe it as "narcotic like" or "opiod" so in my opinion it's a little misleading to describe it as non-narcotic. I always thought it was narcotic. Anyway here' s a link to the Web MD description:

Drugs and Treatments - Ultram Oral - Patient Handout from WebMD

Regardless I am sorry you had to go through that and I am so glad you feel better today. I hope you get a chance to rest your back. Let us know how you're doing.
Hugs,
FD

adore79

Sorry to hear this Trish, I hope your back gets better. I dont know anything about that medication but I know that for me, lots of meds really affect me for a little while when I first start taking them, then as I get used to them the side effects taper off.

four812

hi trish

glad your most recent post that your back is feelin a little better

i had back pain in the 90's and ended up having surgery for a cist in my spinal raceway. it took a long time for the diagnosis and it become very painful

keep up the good work

MROBI

Sometimes I Think If It Were Not For Pain I Would Feel Nothing At All. My Back Feels Like Its Being Twisted Like Someone Wringing Out A Towel, I Swear Something Is Torn In My Shoulder, And I Have Numbness In My Legs Associated With Shooting Flaming Pain In The Sciatic Nerve(the Biggest Nerve In The Body). Pain Is Very Real Specially As U Age.
Just Take It Slow And Hopefully Your Mind Can Heal And You Can View It Differently. Try To Embrace The Pain.
Try Rebuilding Your Body Through Nutrients And Workouts.
Your Body Rebuild Itself. Every Single Cell In Your Skeleton, Skin, Muscle, Etc. However Around The Age 25 Or So Your Cells Start To Deteriorate At A Faster Rate Than They Reproduce, Causing Your Body To Wither. However You Can Kickstart The Process And Rebuild Your Body To An Extent. I Have Found This Out Threw Much Research In Dealing With My Own Pain. And It Can Reduce You Pain. However There Is No Magic Bullet. And I Know How Rough It Is. Sometimes You Must Feel Like You Want To Take A Vacation From Your Body And Your Pain. Its Tough To Figure Out What To Do. For Now I Dont Even Trust My Pain. It Could Be Just My Cravings Trying To Manifest Into Something Material. I Dont Want To Relapse Nor Do You. You Know That Road To Well.
How Does It Go? I Used To Do A Little, Than A Little Would'nt Do It. So A Little Got More And More. And Then Pretty Soon Your Out Of Your Head And Probably Out Of Money. Try To Embrace The Pain.
It Helps Me Alot When I Really Have To Fight Pain And Cravings To Listen To Eye Of The Tiger By Survivor. It Sounds Corny But Try It. Just Blast It And Get Tough. I Hope This Helps And Is Not Too Long. I'm New To This Site And New To Recovery. I Know I Will Wait 1 Year Before I Even Try To Re-evaluate My Pain. See Ya . Be Tough. Be A Fighter.

grateful2b

Trish, coming late to this...sorry , hon, I have a degenerated disc so I'm feeling ya...
nothing to add to all the wonderful stuff above except to say when the pain is difficult , get into fetal position and place ice on the offending disc...the fetal position separates the vertebrae enough so that the swollen disc can slip back into place once the ice has reduced the swelling...this really makes a difference!
hope you are feeling better.. hugs, grateful

MROBI

Yes Very Good Advice I Also Find Ice And Stetching To Be Among The Best Remedies For Pain And Physical Injury, Also (i Hope No One Is Offended) Advil(ibuprofen) Is Very Helpfull In Some Cases. Makes Swelling Go Down And Can Relieve Pressure.
I Should Heed My Own Advice Cuase I'm Telling Ya, Im Right On The Edge.
Just An Interesting Fact: 90-95% Of All Back Pain Is Not Directly Related To Physical Muscletal Skelatal Injury(i Hope I Spelled That Right).
Check Out A Book By Dr. John Sarno Say Goodbye To Backpain. It Tells You How To Look Through Your Third Eye And Reprogram The Way You Look At Or View Your Pain. (thats Right Your Third Eye, Did"nt Know You Had One Did You?) Did I Mention I Used To Frequent Dead Shows In The 80's. No. But I'm Serious. I Hope This Info Is Encouraging.

grateful2b

cool info about the third eye 'and' reprogramming , Mrobi... oh and welcome to SR..

MROBI

Boy Alot Of Cool People On This Board I Hope We Can All Help Eachother, My Faith In Mankind Is Feeling A Little Restored By You Guys.
But I Got To Tell Ya I Feel Like I'm Being Wrung Out, I'm Right At The Edge, I Got A Serious Monkey On My Back(more Like A Gorrilla). When You Guys See Me Posting Its Cause Im Breaking Down And In Need Of Much Help.

beegee

I hope your ok now. Throw away the Tramadol. They gave it to me for pain but then I read on a board that after you take it for awhile you get sick as a dog trying to get off it. So I dumped it, don't need any more problems.

four812

MROBI

the "lots of posting" as a sign of having difficulty....i can relate to that--I was feeling uncomfortable after taking a nap after eating too much and i came to consciousness feeling like crap, then had a thought of using, and now i am here to work on this

you've done a lot of research....have you ever heard of "specific chiropractic" practice? I recently completed a year of it and my chronic right shoulder and kneck pain went away. it's based on the theory that everything passes through your neck (the whole electrical harness of your body), and that it gets pinched going through and the adjustments relieves the pinching and can fix back pain and shoulder pain and neck pain.

four812

OOPS

sorry chinayta....this is your thread.....I got mixed up there...