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Avatar universal

Dangerous Game?

I'm a 71-year-old man with no history of substance abuse. I live in Egypt now and am fairly active and enjoy fishing. I have my own little 9 meter fishing boat. I've been suffering severe – and I mean severe – back pain when on the boat and sitting for long periods of time .. In fact the pain is so  bad, I have to go and lie down in the cabin for an hour or so when it comes on and it  interferes with my pleasure.
Recently, one of my guests on the boat, an American,, seeing that I was in extreme discomfort gave me a tablet (or more correctly half a tablet), of hydrocodone with  paracetamol. The tablet was marked as 10/300 so I suppose I got the dosage of  5/150 I had never even heard of these tablets before we gave them to me let alone tried anything like it.
Within an hour the pain has completely gone and I had a feeling of well-being. In fact I felt great. I never considered taking any more of these tablets just for recreational use and would not do so. I realise that they are addictive and my intention is to only to take them or something like them when absolutely necessary. . I don't suppose that that would amount to more half of one of these tablets more than than two or three times a week.
However, I find that I cannot get hydrocodone at all in Egypt but tramadol 50 mg tablets  are available quite freely on the black market. I did try going to an Egyptian doctor and asking for some but he refused to write a prescription. A friend of mine can  get any amount of it fairly cheaply without prescription ..
I tried taking half of one of these tramadol tablets when I was fishing and it helped considerably but I feel that it was not   as good as hydrocodone which my friend had given me. Unfortunately he's now returned to America!
After reading the posts about tramadol on this list, I'm very concerned that I could be playing a dangerous game with these tablets and would welcome any advice from those of you in the know as to whether the amount I am taking could be addictive. Sometimes I go fa week or two without taking anything if the weather is bad and we can't get out on  the boat. I repeat that I have absolutely no intention of taking  tramadol tablets for recreational purposes  or any other time other than to relieve  my back pain when indulging in my favourite hobby!
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Avatar universal
Thank you all of you, for your well thought out and informative replies. I have not  been able to go fishing for a week because of the bad weather and I certainly haven't taken any tramadol , because I haven't had any problem with my back when not on the boat. I think what I'll do is to continue to take half a tablet or one tablet when I go fishing on the boat which is no more than  two times a week and watch myself very carefully to see that I never take them because I "want to feel good".I really am very sorry to read some of the posts here which shows the misery some of you are going through with addictions, some of which have been bought on by bad advice given to you by doctors. The other people who also have addictions because they just chose to take non-prescription meds also have my sympathy. Just because you do this, doesn't mean to say you're weak or stupid. We all make mistakes in life and none of us are perfect
Helpful - 0
10996785 tn?1432812977
Sounds like you're in pain and you have a plan. It also sounds like you are fully aware of the problems associated with taking any kind of pain reducer. I don't see a problem as long as you stick with your plan. You'll be ok and hopefully pain free. I only worry because you'll need more over time to give you the same relief as you're enjoying now. Be aware as you are. Good Luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
some people are addicts some arent. if your not an addict then by all means one every once in a while is no problem. I know people on pain meds that can handle them. With that said they get them LEGALLY. Remember these are peoples opinions based on personal experiences but the choice is yours. I cant say do it or not, for me I wouldnt because I am an addict and I know what happens to me. Also I would have your back checked out, what is causing the pain, can you do stretches prior and during fishing, perhaps a massage before and after fishing. I would try other options first. I would also do everything with a doctors concent. and thats my opinion
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Whereas opioids like hydrocodone/oxycodone/etc. work solely on the opiate receptors in your brain, tramadol also works against the seratonin and norepenephrine produced by your brain and prevents their reuptake - you might recognize this as being the exact same thing that antidepressants do. The side effects and interactions with other drugs are also more numerous (and worse) than those of real opioids.

Just ask yourself this: does a drug that is marketed and prescribed as a pain reliever have any business doing anything except that? Tramadol is garbage - stay far away from it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
As noted get the back checked out before going down this path.  If you have the discipline to only take the tram when it gets bad you will be fine.

Like you I have back problems but mine I know are not going away.  I started 10/300 hydrocodone 4 years ago after my last back surgery.  It went from "as needed" to almost daily.  I never went much over the RX and never went to the street but I found myself using it for more than my back.  For the 1st time ever I could play on the floor with my kids with no pain and started playing raquetball again...it was great.  Problem is made the pain "seem" worse than before the usage.  Its a slippery slope so be careful.  

As far as the back is concerned I can only suggest physical therapy, stretching and massages.  They really helped me, if only temporarily.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I also agree with Vicki595.Pain meds do have a purpose in life and if you take a half a tramadol once or twice a month you will not get physically dependent. Pain medication by itself is not bad. Its guys like me who think if one makes me feel better than 10 will make me feel great!!!

I like the advice of trying an 800 mg ibuprofen. Advil, Aleve may also work well.
Helpful - 0
495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree with Vicki on this one.  Get yourself checked out by the doctor and hopefully they can fix the problem.  Pain meds only treat the symptoms.  Happy fishing!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there and Welcome to the forum-  Personally, I don't see any problem with what you're describing. One Tramadol every week or so does not make an addict. You don't have any history of substance abuse and there's no reason to suffer in pain.
It would be nice if could get an evaluation of your back problem so you have a diagnosis to work with, though. There could be exercises that could bring relief along with ice and NSAIDS like Motrin.    Good luck-
Helpful - 0
5986700 tn?1380791380
Please...stay away from the Tramadol ...far far away!  I wouldn't even let the vet give them to my dog!
Helpful - 0
7689249 tn?1408018598
can you get motrin like 800mg from the doctor? why dont you try that first the withdrawals from tramadol are horrific i hear and you can become dependent on it as with pain we all build up a tolerance to pain meds i would rethink this
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello and welcome. I would stay away from tramadol as well. I doesn't take long or many doses to become a dependent on that stuff, and even though it is not as strong as the hydrocodone it is was harder to manage and come off of. It great that you are only taking them as needed. But maybe there is something else better for you. Loving that you live in Egypt by the way.. someone else may be able to give you more help on here. But great job taking action first before it is too late.
Helpful - 0
11532111 tn?1421549858
My advice would be stay away from the tramadol I have never abused drugs Dr gave me tramadol it always starts out this way only take when needed that is what ***** you into being dependent or addicted just to let you know the worst pain of my entire life was when I went c/t off trams because I forgot  them at home and went out of town working for 4 days it did not let up one seconds for 4 days all I did was lay there and wanna cry every minute for the whole time I didnt get to work and stayed in the motel room If you can survive without pain meds trust me stay away because It doesnt care how old you are or if you take them just like the Dr says at very least you end up dependent and maybe worse
Helpful - 0
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