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Original poster

Dr prescribed my 14 yo tramadol for headaches - this normal?

102 replies

BayesianBlues · 04/12/2021 15:43

We live abroad so wondering if this would happen in the UK.
14 yo daughter has been suffering from headaches for a month or so. Not totally debilitating like migraines but not nice and quite frequent. She usually would take paracetamol which takes the edge off enough that she can function. Sometimes ibuprofen. Probably every other day on average she's been getting through maybe 4 paracetamols and a couple of ibuprofen if needed.

So the doctor said that this amount of paracetamol is not good for the liver and the ibuprofen isn't good for the stomach and that DD should take tramadol for her headaches. She's prescribed us 10 50mg tabs to take home.

I was a bit shocked that she jumped straight to tramadol. And I wouldn't have thought 4 paracetamol and a couple of ibuprofen every other day is that terrible?

I'm not a dr but it's a VERY different medical culture here (very very quick to prescribe meds and had to push back against the over use of antibiotics) so I'm wondering if this would be considered normal in the UK if anyone has any experience?

OP posts:
steff13 · 05/12/2021 02:22

I was prescribed Toradol for pain a couple of times, but never tramadol. I wouldn't take it as an adult; I'm very funny about pain medication.

Hydrate · 05/12/2021 02:53

I would not give it to her and would try to find a new doctor. I hope she feels better soon.

BFPDec21 · 05/12/2021 03:33

I was prescribed tramadol at that sort of age, possibly a year or two older. It is very addictive. I've been prescribed it for pain for a couple of times as an adult but refuse to stay on it and have told the GP that it's not a long term solution due to the potential for addiction. At one point I'd been getting headaches and was sure it was that which was making them worse/causing them.

There must be something else, surely? Have a look to see if you can find the BNF app and have an open discussion with the GP about your concerns.

HighlandPony · 05/12/2021 03:57

Wouldn’t happen in the uk. Not for headaches. I tramadol and amytriptaline for a horse related injury. I was airlifted to hospital in the city and in traction and I practically have to crawl into the doctors swearing and begging to get a repeat prescription.

Roystonv · 05/12/2021 04:05

Sorry, hijacking here - I was prescribed Tramadol for back pain, did nothing, can anyone medical explain why this might be. Off it now together with the gabapentin, naproxen, morphine - an awful time withdrawing and still don't feel 'me' two years later. Any insight gratefully received.

Original poster
BayesianBlues · 05/12/2021 05:38

@Seeingadistance

I've only ever had tramadol in my possession twice, and both times it was provided by a vet for a cat or dog who'd had surgery.
Yes, us too! We actually have some tramadol in the house from the dog's operation.
OP posts:
KatieB55 · 05/12/2021 06:04

Headache Dr said paracetamol causes rebound headaches for some patients. Try & get video appt for advice from UK paed headache specialist on what to take. I would agree not Tramadol.

Dolphinnoises · 05/12/2021 06:27

I had terrible headaches at that age. I was prescribed solpadol which is a strong codeine / paracetamol mix. In retrospect it was almost certainly hormones - I had a return to them in pregnancy. Could you try eg starflower oil to see if it helps balance the hormones (NOT underestimating the pain or the need for proper pain relief - I’ve been there - but it can’t hurt)

Original poster
BayesianBlues · 05/12/2021 08:39

@BFPDec21

I was prescribed tramadol at that sort of age, possibly a year or two older. It is very addictive. I've been prescribed it for pain for a couple of times as an adult but refuse to stay on it and have told the GP that it's not a long term solution due to the potential for addiction. At one point I'd been getting headaches and was sure it was that which was making them worse/causing them.

There must be something else, surely? Have a look to see if you can find the BNF app and have an open discussion with the GP about your concerns.

No, there is literally nothing else!

DD was telling the Dr that the paracetamol usually helped with the headaches, certainly with ibuprofen if there was still pain.
We were worried about the cause of the headaches and why she is feeling bad generally rather than pain management. We never requested anything for the pain!

There isn't a GP system here unfortunately. Most drs work out of hospitals and you just go straight to the specialist you want to see but because DD is still a child, the Dr we saw was a pediatrician and we were a walk-in so they just gave us anyone with availability. She seemed highly qualified though, very experienced, Professor at a uni, had done fellowships in Germany and Japan. So quite shocked how off the mark she was.

Not hard to change Drs though, you just book with a different one, no problem. And that's exactly what we'll do

OP posts:
Original poster
BayesianBlues · 05/12/2021 08:46

@thickthighs73

Thanks for the snarky comment. RTFT and you'll see that I did question the doctor, based on the little I knew about tramadol,and she was very assertive that paracetamol and ibuprofen are more damaging when used over a longer period.

Not being a doctor or a pharmacist myself, I didn't have all the information at my fingertips to challenge her further and it wasn't as if they were going to strap DD down to a bench and force her to take the pills there and then. So I took the pills (they dispense them at the hospital) and went home and did my own research which then raised even further doubts in my mind, hence the post and wondering if this would happen in the UK.

What would you have done differently exactly?

OP posts:
sashh · 05/12/2021 08:47

One of the side effects of paracetamol is headaches.

I'm guessing that the Dr has given her adequate pain control without paracetamol.

I take tramadol daily for pain.

imonlyhooman · 05/12/2021 08:58

I wouldn't give her tramadol. Has she had a recent eye test? Could the headaches be eye strain? I'd also monitor her diet and avoid migraine inducing foods and see if they reduce. Could it be hormones?

I'd also look into homeopathic remedies and see if they work for her and see if she can see an osteopath or similar as often they can alleviate headaches.

alpinia · 05/12/2021 09:37

Without getting in to the Tramadol side of things, which does seem a bit much. I've lived in various countries and it's very common even in Western Europe for doctors to be against taking any more than the bare minimum of paracetamol and ibuprofen. I've been told many times how risky and damaging they are when taken in anything other than the most minimal and occasional way which is not the advice I've received from UK doctors in the past. So it maybe be that there are advice differences for that at least.

Iamacatslave · 05/12/2021 09:52

Your daughter needs to be seen by a Paediatric neurologist. I would also suggest she starts a headache diary, logging any triggers, location of pain etc.

Southbucksldn · 05/12/2021 09:59

I don’t know about tramadol but I would be looking into the causes (excessive screen time, glasses, poor diet, not drinking enough) so she isn’t on any painkiller long term.

egglette · 05/12/2021 10:24

Hi OP - I’d be interested to know why the doctor suggested an endocrinologist and I’d consider following up on that. I had headaches that would last for several weeks at a time from around age 16/17. Various scans/exams of my head, eyes etc. came back normal. In passing I mentioned to my doctor that I had irregular periods so she ordered blood tests to check hormone levels and an ultrasound of my ovaries. Turned out I had polycystic ovaries and my hormones were completely out of whack. I went on the pill and it really made a difference. I think there’s quite a strong link between oestrogen and headaches.

Original poster
BayesianBlues · 05/12/2021 13:18

@egglette

Hi OP - I’d be interested to know why the doctor suggested an endocrinologist and I’d consider following up on that. I had headaches that would last for several weeks at a time from around age 16/17. Various scans/exams of my head, eyes etc. came back normal. In passing I mentioned to my doctor that I had irregular periods so she ordered blood tests to check hormone levels and an ultrasound of my ovaries. Turned out I had polycystic ovaries and my hormones were completely out of whack. I went on the pill and it really made a difference. I think there’s quite a strong link between oestrogen and headaches.
Because I developed Hashimotos at age 18 and my mum had had it too (although only later). Another reason i wanted a blood test. Her TSH was normal but T3 and T4 just at the bottom of the normal range. Her periods also have become very irregular and she's feeling quite low and tried. So the dr thought an endocrinologist might be worth consulting with which I totally agree.
OP posts:
HighlandPony · 05/12/2021 14:47

@Southbucksldn

I don’t know about tramadol but I would be looking into the causes (excessive screen time, glasses, poor diet, not drinking enough) so she isn’t on any painkiller long term.
This. Exactly this. The problem I have with both the tramadol and the amytriptaline is I’ve been on them on and off long term so I’ve developed a tolerance. I need more of them for the nerve damage than I used to and normal paracetamol just doesn’t cut it for even standard pain such as a simple toothache or headache
shenanigans5 · 05/12/2021 19:49

Agree with the advice to stick to paracetamol (and ibuprofen if breakthrough pain occurs) and maybe ask her to keep a headache journal to see if there are any precipitating factors:
Hormones
How hydrated she is
What she’s eaten
How she’s slept
Any sport/hobbies/music
Screen time and type
How school has been- stress or friendship issues

It’s a fine line between making a few notes about the circs when she gets them and becoming obsessive about trying to figure out why she’s getting them so you might need to keep it light but if it’s a lifestyle issue (or a combo of factors) you might be able to figure it out.

purplesequins · 05/12/2021 20:09

and get her that eye test!

Original poster
BayesianBlues · 06/12/2021 00:15

The point is that we went to the doctor for advice on getting to the bottom of the headaches, we didn't ask for further pain relief. DD was quite clear that the headache pain is manageable with paracetamol and ibuprofen for breakthrough pain.

I read that headaches from paracetamol use only affect one in 50 people and then it's after extended use for 3 months plus. So I don't think her paracetamol use is causing headaches.

But the advice here has been very helpful (mroe than the doctor!)

So we're now booked to see an optician (she was tested as a regular eye exam about 6 months ago but worth ruling it out), paediatric endocrinologist and paediatric neurologist. I'm following up some leads for holistic medicine with chiropractor, acupuncture and/or massage treatment and DD is going to begin a diary to log what's been happening when she has the headaches. I think we've got it all covered!

OP posts:
Hertsgirl10 · 06/12/2021 00:25

I would never give them to my child, I had a broken rib and was prescribed them, they’re highly addicted and I stopped taking them luckily before I became dependent, they also made me feel sick.

MarieVanGoethem · 06/12/2021 21:55

Am glad you found the thread helpful Bayesian, & thanks for coming to update us. I hope your DD has an answer & effective treatment soon.

Also, while clearly realise you’re well capable of Googling, am feeling like idiot for not including link to example of a Headache Diary when I suggested it. If you’re not familiar with the 1-10 pain scale, I’ve attached a copy of it. And a copy of the Improved Version, which I would dearly love to see introduced in hospitals…

Dr prescribed my 14 yo tramadol for headaches - this normal?
Dr prescribed my 14 yo tramadol for headaches - this normal?
Dr prescribed my 14 yo tramadol for headaches - this normal?
MarieVanGoethem · 06/12/2021 21:56

Apparently my phone likes the improved version so much it decided to post it twice Hmm

FateHasRedesignedMost · 07/12/2021 08:00

Damage to the liver and stomach from over use of NSAIDs like paracetamol can be horrific and irreversible. It sounds like the doctor is more worried about this than the potential for tramadol addiction/side effects,

50mg is a low dose of tramadol. It’s a synthetic opiate that works in a slightly different way to traditional opiates like codeine and morphine. So it tends to have less side effects than say the equivalent of codeine; less risk of addiction, constipation, nausea, rebound headaches.

I take tramadol for a chronic condition. I find it far less sedating than codeine.