This is a bit of a strange and difficult one

[oldanddone]

I take Tramadol for my back, which I fractured almost 3 years ago. I have really been taking these ever since then. I had noticed that I had been running out of them more quickly and putting in more repeated prescriptions but didn't look into it. The doctor phoned to say that I have had far more than needed and they won't give me another prescription. I take 6 a day. I phoned the pharmacy and they say I received 168 tablets last Friday. I have just checked and I had a box that hadn't been opened together with some other tablets. On the outside of the box it says there are 68 tablets. I have just opened the sealed box and there are 20. I have phoned the pharmacy and they don't believe me. I don't have anyone who could have taken them and anyway, the box was sealed closed. What do I do. I am seeing the pharmacist tomorrow but I only have enough to do me 4 days in total.

Sorry, but you need to speak to your son. Why didn't you mention him before?

You say he doesn't know you take them, but he will.

Unless you are a Doctor AND familiar with somebody's medical notes, you must NEVER EVER tell ANYONE to cut down on opioids or any other prescribed medication.

I have Multiple Sclerosis and will be on slow release Buprenorphine patches for pain, for the rest of my life (Alongside anti-depressants). I really don't think my neurologist or my GP would take kindly to some randomer telling me to 'cut down' on opioid medication that could, if not stopped under supervision, cause severe reactions that could potentially be fatal.

It does sound like you've got a box back at the pharmacy?

7×6=42

You say you have enough left for 4 days

4 ×6=24

Total 68

That means you have 100 missing.

What age is your son? And why would he not be aware that you take regular medication? In most families this would be a known fact.

In any case I would absolutely change pharmacies - it seems likely they are shorting you. It wouldn't be worth the risk for the regular staff, but many pharmacies rely on agency staff and I have heard stories of very unprofessional behaviour.

Sorry OP but Tramadol is highly addictive and I know of many NHS personnel who take them unprescribed and prescribed.

The only thing you can practically do is voluntarily cut your dose down whilst you search for another solution for your pain. The rights and wrongs of your situation are unfortunately irrelevant - they're cutting off your Tramadol, like it or not.

If you’ve been taking the same dose, but running out of them more quickly recently, then something’s going on, whether at the pharmacy or after you’ve taken the prescription home.

In your position, I’d start off by counting them at the pharmacy when you get your next prescription to rule out any errors on their part. If they’ve given you the wrong amount it’ll be a lot easier to sort it out if you discover that before you’ve left with the tramadol.

I know, OP, and that’s why I was very careful to say ‘dependent’ rather than ‘addicted’. Someone very close to me lives with chronic pain and relies on opioid patches to function. Once you have resolved this issue I would really recommend asking your GP to refer you to a pain specialist. You should be offered options to manage your pain long-term and you shouldn’t have been left on Tramadol for three years without regular medication reviews.

So a full box of 100?
I think you need to speak to your son.

Sounds as though there is a strong possibility of error at the chemist side.
I used to work in a pharmacy years ago - if things were blister packed, we (assistants) could put the items aside with the relevant prescription and the pharmacist would check that it was correct and dispense accordingly.

If the quantity in which they're packaged has changed that could also account for some degree of error (someone thinking the pack is 20 when it's 10) although that should be picked up as everything should be properly counted.

Can only suggest next time (if you continue with this pharmacy) that you open the dispensed items immediately, in front of staff.

How old is your son?

its interesting you say he doesn’t know. Have you hidden the drugs on purpose from him?

I strongly advise you don't put codeine into the mix OP. It's not advised with tramadol, and is an absolute nightmare for addiction/dependency. There are literally millions of functional codeine addicts dependent on OTC meds like nurofen plus and many countries have banned its sale. If you're codeine free do yourself a favour and stay that way.

I am so stupid because I have no idea how many tablets I have been getting. I just never counted them but I started noticing they weren't lasting as long. Something is going on but I don't know what.

No I haven't hidden them. He's 29. It really isn't his style. I asked him if he had seen them and he said he didn't even know I took them. I don't leave them lying about but they are not locked away.

He knows I take medication he just has never bothered to ask what I take. I also take other stuff including HRT so although he seen me taking medication he has no idea what it is.

This thread is a bit mad OP.

I suppose there's a small chance the pharmacy has been stealing your tramadol. Or there may have been a mistake with the most recent box. But it'd more likely that you are addicted and panicking.

Please ask for a referral to the pain clinic. I spent almost 4 years taking morphine for endometriosis, it was the only thing that helped. The light at the end of the tunnel for me was having a hysterectomy. I'm completely pain free now. Not once have I craved the morphine, I used to hate taking it as it completely knocked me out, but it was the only thing that helped me to function. The pain team are generally a lot more understanding and can assess your pain and advise your GP of the best course of action.

yes you're right, a full box seems to have gone missing somewhere but they have searched and can't find it.

Without the tramadol to assist with the pain while tapering off Tramadol.

how could he know? He doesn't even hardly drink never mind take drugs. He just doesn't have it in him. I have never known someone with such a conscience.

Count the next lot while you are still there…

So I have decided whatever is happening that it is a blessing in disguise. I kept wanting to make an appointment for a review and didn't get round to it. I know I will be in pain because when I have run out in the past I have had several days of take just one tablet three times a day or less. If I take one three times a day I have just enough to do me until my Doctor's appointment. What happens then? I am happy to come off them but I will need something for the pain. What could I ask for. I think by cutting down to 3 a day I won't get major withdrawal.

well I can assure you I am neither addicted nor panicking. I don't crave the tablets at all. I only know I haven't taken them when I feel the pain. You can believe me or not but I can assure you I have not taken any more than prescribed and sometimes less.

Ask the GP to send your prescription to a different pharmacy going forwards

The pharmacy should be able to stock check as they are a controlled drug. They ahve to keep records for 5 years. They should have record of tramadol dispensed and stock levels in the pharmacy

I have had something a little similar happen when leaving hospital with a prescription. I noticed one of the medications was missing but it was a controlled drug so nobody would believe me, it was truly awful as I wasn't in a place to advocate properly for myself. Eventually I managed yo get more from the gp but I truly believe someone dispensing them must have stolen them (I can't figure out how though as I'm pretty sure 2 separate people check? Maybe in it together).