Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Can I take tramadol from someone at work? Agonising back pain

41 replies

WinkyTinky · 09/02/2024 09:36

I hurt my back on Wednesday just by coughing. Not a massive coughing fit, just the one small cough has absolutely floored me. I can't sit, lie down comfortably, lifting my foot to put the clutch in on the car kills me, my own child had to put my socks on for me this morning... Ibuprofen and paracetamol are not doing a thing for me. Someone at work offered me tramadol and I said no way, but it's been two days now and I need some relief! Is it as strong as I'm imagining? Will it send me a bit whizzy?

OP posts:
newlaptop12 · 09/02/2024 09:37

It's a controlled drug, so no. See your GP

Hoglet70 · 09/02/2024 09:38

Get some Co-Codamol from the pharmacy.

cheeseandketchupsandwich · 09/02/2024 09:39

If it's that bad you can't drive you need to go to A&e

You can break a rib by coughing

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
mrsbyers · 09/02/2024 09:40

It’s illegal for them to give you them for a start plus they would likely make you very drowsy. Call 111 and get seen to properly

Original poster
WinkyTinky · 09/02/2024 09:41

I actually have a physio appointment at lunchtime for something unrelated. I'm hoping she will have some advice or help, otherwise I will ring 111.

OP posts:
IchabodKrane · 09/02/2024 09:41

It’s a class c drug… so no, take some Co-Codamaol. Also call your gp for advice.

whenareyouback · 09/02/2024 09:42

I've done that to my back before (while heavily pregnant!) and it was the worst pain I've ever been in, worse than giving birth. Obvs you should see your GP but in the mean time if I was in your shoes, if I'd taken tramadol before and knew I tolerated it, and I had the space to rest (didn't have to look after a little one) I would take it. Hopefully you can get an urgent appointment.

Maddy70 · 09/02/2024 09:43

You should see a doctor if its that bad
Tramadol are nasty

MrsSkylerWhite · 09/02/2024 09:43

I’ve taken my husband’s tramadol very occasionally over the years, for back issue and damaged coccyx but I know I’m ok with it because I had it once on prescription years ago.
You need to see your GP or go to A&E, you could have some real damage that will need investigation.

kiwiane · 09/02/2024 09:43

No - I would be worried something else is going on - see your GP.

Wimpeyspread · 09/02/2024 09:45

Maddy70 · 09/02/2024 09:43

You should see a doctor if its that bad
Tramadol are nasty

They are not ‘nasty’ but they are extremely strong, and if you’ve never taken them before you don’t know how they will affect you

Original poster
WinkyTinky · 09/02/2024 09:45

Is this one of the conditions you can now see a pharmacist for?

OP posts:
Anoisagusaris · 09/02/2024 09:45

You’ll be off your head on Tramadol. If you do take it, make sure you dont have to do anything except rest in bed.

murasaki · 09/02/2024 09:45

I took one for a bad back as a friend had left them in my house and I was desperate. Big mistake. By the time I'd reached the office I was off my face, and had to pop into my boss's office and tell him
Luckily he saw the funny side and told me to go and lie down for a bit. Never again.

HermioneWeasley · 09/02/2024 09:47

Tramadol are opioids, and not (as I incorrectly thought because of the “ol” ending) strong paracetamol. I was off my fucking tits.

Original poster
WinkyTinky · 09/02/2024 09:49

This is what I thought @murasaki Half an inch of wine puts me on the floor, so I reckon tramadol would finish me off for good!

OP posts:
Tessisme · 09/02/2024 09:49

DP took Tramadol in desperation a few years ago for severe back pain. It was his dad's, who also suffers with debilitating back pain. DP had a really bad reaction to it - palpitations, dizziness, a pulsing sound/vibration in his head. That was definitely a lesson learned. It was possibly too high a dose, something which his dad had gradually worked up to over the years.

boxofair · 09/02/2024 09:50

As you have never taken it before I would definitely say no. Dh can take prescription strength codeine and be fine, I am off my face on one, on two I am a complete space cadet with no concept of time. I actually filmed myself because it was so disturbing and I knew how I felt but wondered what I came across like. It was terrifying to watch back, you could kidnap me on those things. I should point out Dh's were post op, mine were for a frozen shoulder so they were prescribed for each of us.

10ThousandSpoons · 09/02/2024 09:50

No you can't. Get your own prescription for it.

AprilDecember · 09/02/2024 09:50

I had crippling back pain a couple of weeks ago caused by a similarly silly trigger 😂I took over the counter ibuprofen and codeine for a couple of days. That, a heat pad, keeping walking and taking plenty of rest sorted me out in about 3 days.

Oneearringlost · 09/02/2024 09:50

Hoglet70 · 09/02/2024 09:38

Get some Co-Codamol from the pharmacy.

You can get Solpadeine Max ( 12mg/ 500mg Paracetamol). Remember to get some Movicol or Lactulose to offset potential constipation from the Codeine.
Tramadol may well make you dizzy, unsafe to drive.
It should be prescribed by a doctor and appropriate counsel given.
I hoe it gets better soon.

NB.
If you develop numbness/tingling or inability to feel the need to wee/ retention, ring 999

murasaki · 09/02/2024 09:52

WinkyTinky · 09/02/2024 09:49

This is what I thought @murasaki Half an inch of wine puts me on the floor, so I reckon tramadol would finish me off for good!

It seemed stronger than the recreational drugs of my misspent student youth. Avoid it like the plague!

Original poster
WinkyTinky · 09/02/2024 09:52

Thank you @AprilDecember I'm hoping this will work for me. I'm finding walking around is ok, it's sitting that is killing me. Two hours left at work then I can get up from my desk. I'm really active and love my running, and am so scared I have done some big damage 😓

OP posts:
Snippit · 09/02/2024 09:53

I take Tramadol regularly for M.S pain. When I have hurt my back to the extent I can hardly sit down, Tramadol has made no difference. I have Naproxen for back pain, which is prescription only, as well as chiropractic treatment.

I tolerate Tramadol really well but a lot of people don’t, it’s a controlled drug and Drs don’t prescribe it without good cause.

AprilDecember · 09/02/2024 09:54

Have you tried Deep Heat as well? The smell is revolting but I found it soothed it enough for me to get to sleep, at least!

Swipe left for the next trending thread