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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 25, 2019 4:37:56 GMT
Hi my father has an Rx for Tramadol. He needs both hips replaced and I think will get a time on or about September 20th. Today he said he has gotten worse. He needs to start this Rx and ease the pain. He won’t fill it. I have a physician sample of Tramadol (my GP gave it to me). He hasn’t taken one of them yet. I can see he is hurting. Sometimes he is missing word when he talks now when I see him wince in pain. I have talked to his GP and that’s why he prescribed the Tramadol. What now? He cannot walk. We have no move in plans until we sell our house. I don’t know if he is stubborn or afraid.
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Post by idahomom on Jul 25, 2019 5:04:41 GMT
I was never given narcotic pain medicine before my replacements (both knees and a hip at age 42). I was given Celebrex (an anti-inflammatory) and injections.
My hip pain prior to replacement was extreme, and I have a very high pain tolerance. Shortly after surgery they had me stand up and go for a walk. I cried because the pain was completely gone.
After all my replacements I was given Norco 20mg. I didn't need it long for my hip, maybe a week at night. Knees are much more painful and the physical therapy is torture so I needed pain meds longer.
I'm now 50 and have had my knees revised because I'm too active and wore the plastic down. I have osteoarthritis in my other hip, neck, elbows, and hands. I'm too young for this and it sucks. I take Lodine (prescription anti-inflammatory) daily and most days I feel alright. I'm able to put in 2 hours a day at the gym 5 days a week. I do many classes like cardio step and Zumba, but I modify everything - no running, jumping, burpees, etc.
Hopefully he can get surgery soon and his pain will be gone. Life will be better. My hip was far easier than my knees.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 25, 2019 5:26:04 GMT
I was never given narcotic pain medicine before my replacements (both knees and a hip at age 42). I was given Celebrex (an anti-inflammatory) and injections. My hip pain prior to replacement was extreme, and I have a very high pain tolerance. Shortly after surgery they had me stand up and go for a walk. I cried because the pain was completely gone. After all my replacements I was given Norco 20mg. I didn't need it long for my hip, maybe a week at night. Knees are much more painful and the physical therapy is torture so I needed pain meds longer. I'm now 50 and have had my knees revised because I'm too active and wore the plastic down. I have osteoarthritis in my other hip, neck, elbows, and hands. I'm too young for this and it sucks. I take Lodine (prescription anti-inflammatory) daily and most days I feel alright. I'm able to put in 2 hours a day at the gym 5 days a week. I do many classes like cardio step and Zumba, but I modify everything - no running, jumping, burpees, etc. Hopefully he can get surgery soon and his pain will be gone. Life will be better. My hip was far easier than my knees. Thank you. He needs both hips done and I am losing my mind about it. If it’s so bad he can’t speak at times and today he looked so worn down. He had no alcohol but looked emotionally exhausted. |
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Post by idahomom on Jul 25, 2019 5:28:16 GMT
That level of pain can wipe a person out. If he's a couple months away from surgery maybe he can get injections to get him through.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 25, 2019 6:01:25 GMT
That level of pain can wipe a person out. If he's a couple months away from surgery maybe he can get injections to get him through. Injections of what? No more steroids due to surgery. I need names. He said he was open to marijuana. That flew out the window. I hate suffering. I just can’t watch friends suffer. I have to fix it or enable them to fix it. I think I was involved with BFF’s Suffering (new job!!!!!!)! i am scared to death. |
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Deleted
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Sept 6, 2024 17:42:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 7:22:34 GMT
It really is okay for him to take the pain meds. Not all situations for pain are the same.
The pain meds help relax him so what ever other med that they have him for swelling will work.
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Post by gotranch on Jul 25, 2019 10:27:37 GMT
I had both hips replaced by age 55. It took 5 years to accurately diagnosis. By then it was bone on bone and very painful. Heat packs felt wonderful but frequent ice packs really helped with pain and inflammation.
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Post by mrst on Jul 25, 2019 10:45:36 GMT
Take the tramadol. I had 2 New knees and I needed to sort the pain out before they were done. Is he frightened of the drugs?
He needs to.be as fit and relaxed as possible before surgery and tramadol will take the edge off.
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by AllieC on Jul 25, 2019 11:08:55 GMT
Why won’t he take the Tramadol? I get that people don’t want to be reliant on them etc but they are prescribed for a reason. He obviously needs to take them if he is in that much pain. It isn’t heroic to try to do without if it is affecting you that much.
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Post by tracyarts on Jul 25, 2019 11:57:54 GMT
What's his reason for refusing the medication?
I'd find that out, and go from there.
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by schizo319 on Jul 25, 2019 12:01:01 GMT
Isn't Tramadol one of the least powerful/addictive of the opiates? Can his doctor talk to him about taking the meds?
My DH is notorious for not doing what is best for himself. I can tell him all day long to soak in Epsom salts, use a heating pad, take a walk, etc to relieve his back pain - but he WILL not until his doctor makes the EXACT suggestion (and then he comes home and tells me like it's some kind of big revelation and I haven't been telling him for weeks to do exactly what the doctor said).
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Post by tkdmom on Jul 25, 2019 13:15:45 GMT
Ask him why he does not want to take the Tramadol. Speak with the Dr., there are non narcotic options available. They may not be as effective as Tramadol but may make life and movement more tolerable.
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Post by beachbum on Jul 25, 2019 13:21:05 GMT
I took 200mg of Tramadol every day for about 8 years (thanks RA). I decided to change the way I treated the pain so I changed to Medical Marijuana. I just stopped taking the Tramadol one day, and never thought about it again. I know it's listed as an opioid, but I don't think it's anywhere near as addictive as some of the heavy-duty drugs out there.
BTW - the marijuana was the best thing I've ever done for myself, it took a couple of weeks to get full relief. I used to have a noticeable limp but after 5 weeks or so it was gone.
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Post by nysparkle on Jul 25, 2019 13:23:58 GMT
There are artificial lubricant injections that may help. They worked for me before my knee surgery. They do not work for everyone. link One brand name is Synvisc. |
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,649
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Post by basketdiva on Jul 25, 2019 14:21:41 GMT
Maybe his doctor can emphasize that with the pain wearing him down so much, his health is suffering and that could delay surgery.
If he doesn't listen to anyone there is not much you can do. You can't force an adult to take a drug.
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Post by marzbar71 on Jul 25, 2019 14:30:39 GMT
I agree with the above people about how Tramadol is pretty low on the opiod scale. I was given it after my appendectomy and I never even finished the bottle. I didn't find it to be very pain-relieving. I had better luck with Extra Strength Tylenol.
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by likescarrots on Jul 25, 2019 15:53:59 GMT
Why did marijuana 'fly out the window'? I'll be honest, I would also avoid opiods at all costs. Even if it is a 'mild' one.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 25, 2019 16:22:25 GMT
Why did marijuana 'fly out the window'? I'll be honest, I would also avoid opiods at all costs. Even if it is a 'mild' one. I have no idea why he won’t take it. I have several delivery methods and none are smoking it. He had a sip of my infused iced tea one day and couldn’t taste it, he liked it, but that went no further. He knows I use it and it’s pleasant. His doctor recommended it to him. I am totally enabling the process. I took him to the weed store and he wouldn’t go in. I just give up. |
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Post by CarolinaGirl71 on Jul 25, 2019 16:28:15 GMT
My DH had one hip replaced at 49 years old, and the other at 60. Both times, he was in severe pain before surgery, and found immediate relief after surgery. The first time, I think he took one narcotic pill after surgery, then switched to Tylenol. The second time, he didn't need any narcotics. The relief was immediate upon waking up.
I think your Dad needs to take whatever his doctors recommend to get him through this time before surgery. He doesn't need to stay in bed for two + months for fear of losing muscle tone and having a longer recovery. Best wishes for him.
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Post by tracyarts on Jul 25, 2019 16:32:02 GMT
Well then, he's choosing to suffer. His doctor offered pain relief and he refused it. You offered an alternative form of pain relief and he refused that too.
Is he giving any reason why he is refusing help?
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 25, 2019 16:35:42 GMT
Well then, he's choosing to suffer. His doctor offered pain relief and he refused it. You offered an alternative form of pain relief and he refused that too. Is he giving any reason why he is refusing help? He said it doesn’t hurt when he sits. How do I respond to that? I told him he needs to walk for lung strength to survive surgery. He said he understood. Nothing. |
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Post by SockMonkey on Jul 25, 2019 16:36:15 GMT
If your dad doesn't want to take it, he should work with his doctor on alternate pain management strategies. The doctor should be able to provide options. Maybe they won't work as well as the Tramadol, maybe they will. No doctor should throw their hands up and provide no other alternatives. He does need to talk to his doctor.
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Post by tracyarts on Jul 25, 2019 16:40:14 GMT
All I know is that both of my parents (born in 1930s) hated taking medicine of any kind and had a very stubborn attitude towards medical care. Does he even want the surgery? Or is he just going along with it? Well then, he's choosing to suffer. His doctor offered pain relief and he refused it. You offered an alternative form of pain relief and he refused that too. Is he giving any reason why he is refusing help? He said it doesn’t hurt when he sits. How do I respond to that? I told him he needs to walk for lung strength to survive surgery. He said he understood. Nothing. |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 25, 2019 17:05:04 GMT
All I know is that both of my parents (born in 1930s) hated taking medicine of any kind and had a very stubborn attitude towards medical care. Does he even want the surgery? Or is he just going along with it? He said it doesn’t hurt when he sits. How do I respond to that? I told him he needs to walk for lung strength to survive surgery. He said he understood. Nothing. I would say he is very happy the surgery will be in his future so he can get back to playing golf and traveling. He called today to see when the second one would be done. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 25, 2019 17:27:46 GMT
With the new information about how quickly people become addicted/dependent on opioids, I would be reluctant to take them as well. Can he talk to his doctor about his concerns and find another option? Or get some reassurance about taking the meds?
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 25, 2019 17:32:10 GMT
With the new information about how quickly people become addicted/dependent on opioids, I would be reluctant to take them as well. Can he talk to his doctor about his concerns and find another option? Or get some reassurance about taking the meds? Is there another option? What can I tell him to ask for? I need ammunition to help me with this. |
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Deleted
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Sept 6, 2024 17:42:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 17:34:13 GMT
So sorry to hear about your dad. Sounds like he does need something for the pain. Tramadol did nothing for my pain, but each case is different. I'm sure he's hesitant to take anything new. DH is only 73 and he's the same way!!
Hope he feels better. Xo
P.S.: about becoming addicted to any opioids, I personally take it with a grain of salt. I could never live in this pain every day without pain meds. I've stated it so many times here, but I go to a pain management doctor who goes over every single Rx an otc med I take, to make sure there arent any interactions.
I take the exact amount I'm legally allowed to have. It's never been a problem. I've been on it for 7 years; no changes. If I decided to take 10 vs 2 in one sitting, I'd short myself at the end of the month and feel withdrawal, so, no thanks. Luckily I don't have addictive issues where my meds are concerned, but I do need them.
I also get yearly bone density testing to make sure there's no damage. My stomach & esophagus have been affected from past aspirin intake but it's being looked after.
I hope that your dad is encouraged to take something safe to help him with his pain!! Maybe hearing about this Rx from a friend or another outside source could help. Good luck!!!!
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