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

[WinkyTinky]

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?

I have tramadol for post op pain, it honestly does nothing for pain in my experience, it just makes me sleep. So even if you did take it, it might do nothing for you.

I'd see a Dr or pharmacist and get something that might be more appropriate.

If your muscles have gone into a tight spasm, the physio should be able to identify that, and you can ask your GP for diazepam, it's a muscle relaxant.

Unless you are experiencing numbness in your “saddle”area between your legs then A&E will be a long wait.
Tramadol is prescription only for a reason. I would second co-codamol alternated with a decent dose of ibuprofen. Ask for advice from the pharmacist.
Your GP is your best bet if it doesn’t resolve within a couple of days. They can prescribe muscle relaxants. Usually muscle spasm is the main cause of pain from back injury.
If you do decide to go to A&E contact 111 first. I know when I was suffering from acute back pain, I couldn’t drive safely and there is no way I could have sat for 10 minutes in a waiting area.

Cauda equina is a rare complication following lower back injury, the main symptom is loss of sensation from anus through to symphysis pubis and the tops of the thighs in that area, including loss of bladder control and bowel control. This can either be not being able to pass urine or incontinence. It can happen almost immediately after injury but can come on gradually.
If you notice these symptoms over the next few days then you need to go to A&E.

Back pain is bloody awful, GPs are not always quick to see you but tend to refer rapidly to physio. Rest is no longer recommended, keeping mobile is now the preferred treatment.
I have to be careful doing certain tasks, for some reason hoovering the stairs and cleaning the bath frequently trigger acute pain so I’m now banned from those activities.

I am prescribed them. I never take them. There is a reason why they are controlled (and banned in many countries)
Even if you dont have the nasty side effects theyre highly addictive. (They do t even really take my 6 away!)

Tramadol is a schedule 3 controlled drug and would be a class C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

This would mean that if in possession without a prescription, the possession laws would apply if found with it without a prescription.

I regulate this stuff for a living and you'd be surprised how many people get caught out.

People get given a strip of morphine off their neighbour for some back pain and don't understand they're unlawfully in possession of a Class A.

Go the docs or chemist.

Thanks @cannaecookrisotto Good advice. Knowing me I'd end up in prison, and I'm the biggest wimp-y goody two shoes around!! How they'd laugh in the office...

I doubt you'd end up in prison with tramadol but it would be a headache and a fine would be likely. Not worth it.

Plus tramadol will really make you feel like shite, I had it once after surgery and it made me so sick. You'd be better getting some co-codamol 30/500s off the GP if it's that bad, or try some Ibuprofen + paracetamol from the chemist.

Tramadol never agreed with me, anyway for back pain you may need a muscle relaxant like diazepam instead, just for a day or two till the pain subsides. I find that far more useful. Otherwise, heat is very useful as well. I used heat pads during the worst episodes. Also I had naproxen prescribed.

I got given Tramadol when I broke my leg. Threw it straight back up 10 mins later. After the second attempt they gave me morphine.

Naproxen is very effective for pain (or at least it was for me) but it also gave me mouth ulcers, a very rare side effect which is so low down on the list that my GP initially just pooh-poohed it and I tried it three separate times for pain before realising that this is what it does to me!

Huge commiserations, OP - it's a no to taking someone else's controlled drug but I really understand why you'd be tempted; pain is terrible. I hope you get it sorted.

I've cancelled my hair appointment for tomorrow 😭

I'm another one who would recommend Naproxen for back pain.

I suffer from chronic back pain due to disc disease, and at my worst I was prescribed up to 8 tramadol a day. They didn't make a single bit of difference to my pain, in fact the only change was that I was unbelievably constipated after taking more than 1.

I mostly get by without painkillers now, but if I have a flare up then I struggle to sit, sleep or get anything done. Naproxen usually helps me recover in a few days, so I've found it to be a much better option.

Hope you manage to find something that helps, back pain is awful!

nope nope.

see your pharmacist and get cocodamol and ibuprofen if you have no contraindications (you can take them together). call your GP.

it's not about it being a strong drug... but you need to be assessed and sharing pain meds or any meds is just a no for me

Crikey, I don't want to speak too soon but I think my physio might just have performed a miracle on my back. She checked the whole length of my spine, did a few of those hefty crack/pressure things, and assured me I haven't had any kind of injury, just millimetres of misalignment which she thinks she's now put right. She also gave me a good pummelling with a ball on my hip and it was super painful but in a good way. She says a lot of back pain actually comes from the hips, and gave me a few exercises to do. Fingers crossed I'll feel better in a couple of days. I'm so glad I had this appointment, I do feel better about things now. God, the previous physio I had was a waste of space but this new lady has done more for me in half an hour than the last bloke did in 8 sessions. Thanks everyone for your concern and input x

Go to your GP, or pharmacist if you can’t get an appointment with the GP.

As suggested try things like Deep Heat or similar.

I hope you get relief soon, having suffered with muscle spasms I know how bad back pain can be.

That's great that you have some relief @WinkyTinky.

My friend broke a rib coughing!