quick question about swapping tramadol for codeine today

[PavlovtheCat]

I have been taking tramadol for about 2 months or so for back pain, have over the last week or so reduced my daily amount. My back has just 'gone' again, in that I have gone from yesterday standing straight to today bent over with shooting pains down back and legs (normal when it goes).

Now, tramadol does not cut through the pain enough. Not like codeine does (cocodemol 60/1000mg). I can't take both together, but, can I take codeine on my next dose instead of tramadol and just simply swap, or do I have to titrate downwards on the tramadol first to nothing and then take codeine, seeing as tramadol has been in my system for such a long time? I have to go out later and don't want to be slurring and drooling due to the too mixing badly!

And, if am able to take the codeine instead of tramadol will it hide the withdrawal symptoms of tramadol seeing as it is an opiate too?

(i have taken 100mg of diclofenac and its only vaguely making a difference).

ok, i won't take a chance, I will just double up my tramadol and see if that does anything other than turn me into a space cadet.

But do feel free to post if you have any thoughts!

I know everyone says NHS direct, but if you phone them they have a really good medicines unit thing that they can put you through to and they should be able to tell you. I have used them in the past and they have been brilliant.

Sorry you are in so much pain, hope you find some relief.

Oh I did not know that about NHS direct. I just worry they will ask me certain questions and the result will be blue lighted to hospital! When, I do actually have some symptoms that, if this had never happened to me before, the docs would probably go at and have me admitted, but I know those symptoms are not what they appear they could be (cauda aquina syndrome, some of symptoms indicate it could be that, but it is not, it has previously been ruled out).

I will give them a call and make it clear I don't want ideas about if I need A&E but some meds advice!

NHS is very busy and only taken urgent calls. If i choose to stay on the line and my case is assessed as non urgent i will get a bollocking for wasting their time they will have to arrange a time to call me back.

So, that is not an option. I will just call my local OOH see if they have a clue. or, would a pharmacist know?

This may or may not be relevant...

My cat (yes I know, right, but it's the experience I have ok, lol) was on tramadol and I switched her to Buprenorphine as the tramadol didn't agree with her - I was told it was fine to just give her it as her next dose with no gap - she does only take it twice a day though. But, I was told it should be out of her system in 6 hrs.

Don't take my medical advice based on a cat though, rofl - but I thought I'd mention it in case it jogged your memory over any instructions or conversations you've had.

cats have tramadol ?

Are you well enough to get to a pharmacy? A pharmacist may be able to answer your question.

your back has gone again. It hasn't really got properly better since the last time it went. Total crap for you.

They were for arthritis, they take human ones and make them cat size.

mads It sucks.

Spoke to a OOH gp who said I can take codeine on my next dose instead of tramadol no problem, and we talked about different combinations of medication that I am taking to get the right dose to deal with this acute phase, I am glad I called, she was very helpful and gave me some different options to try.