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Heather · #1 03-06-2006, 08:41 PM

If anyone has experience with this. I did post a question to Wynelle on PW, and have a call in to one of my docs (surgeon).

For the past few days I've been experiencing crazy muscle pain, like a burning sensation in my upper arms, across my upper back (right under my neck) and in my thighs. I have been very, very careful with moving, unpacking and doing things around the house. Mike won't even let me carry a gallon of milk if that's any indication of how careful I've been.

I belong to a pain management group (online) and many of them have said it sounds like I could slowly be developing fibromyalgia. From what I've read it's more common in women, and it tends to occur after any type of surgery. It's a pretty vague disease but it has tie ins to chronic fatigue syndrome. I don't want to jump to conclusions and think I have fibro, but the symptoms I'm having are exactly the same.

I successfully got myself off addictive pain medicine and it's in place have been taking Tramadol. It's a neurological pain med that is not addictive. I have been feeling great so I stopped taking that. Two days later is when the muscle pain began. Does anyone have experience with either fibro or Tramadol? I've searched on WebMD and it doesn't say too much about muscle pain or what happens when you go off it.

My surgeon (ortho) is in surgery all day today but his care coordinator called me and said she's sure he'll be interested to hear this. Or - she may tell me he said to call my primary doc. Either way I'll hear something tomorrow.

I'm a little freaked out (and on about 7 hours sleep in two days) because I just can't take anymore physical strain. I'm too tired and I'm so done with being in pain.

Cirig · #2 03-06-2006, 09:02 PM

Sorry- no advice. But a big

I hope you feel better.

Lizbet · #3 03-06-2006, 09:33 PM

Same here.

feb-bride · #4 03-06-2006, 09:39 PM

I don't have any experience with this, but just wanted to send a

your way. I hope your doctor is able to help you with this.

Heather · #5 03-06-2006, 11:34 PM

Thanks ladies, I'm hoping too. I really couldn't stand another bout with chronic pain. Hopefully it's just the tail end of a cold or flu I had last week but we'll see!

555Ann555 · #6 03-07-2006, 01:28 AM

I think you know what I'm going to say already H!

Tramadol is still an opiate based pain med, it messes with your brain's pain receptors so you don't feel the pain. Anything that changes the way your brain reacts will always have some un-wanted effects... It may say it isn't addictive but that doesn't mean there won't be any withdrawal/ or side effects.

I hope you feel better soon

Heather · #7 03-07-2006, 01:46 AM

You know Anne, when I was typing the first post I knew you were going to say that, lol.

I can safely say that I think I want back on the codone!

I'm feeling a little better right now as far as the pain goes so I'm wondering if I shouldn't even pick up the Tramadol Rx I called in today. I'll see what my doc says tomorrow. Maybe there is something else altogether that will work for me without any type of withdrawl. I'm not a good addict, lol. Or maybe I'm too good an addict.

ljeagle · #8 03-07-2006, 03:45 AM

I know it don't help but here u go!

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #9 03-07-2006, 01:56 PM

I hope you hear back from your doctor soon and that everything is ok!

gentle

Lizbet · #10 03-07-2006, 02:57 PM

Please let us know what the doc says. I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. I hope it continues to improve.

Heather · #11 03-07-2006, 03:22 PM

I will. They still haven't called me this morning but I know how busy my doc is. If I don't hear from them by noon or so I'll give them another call. I had another sleepless night so I need to something quickly. I'm so non-functioning right now.

michaelsbride · #12 03-07-2006, 03:54 PM

Be careful with WebMD. Anyone i know that has been to that site has come away freaking out. Michael put in a symptom of some mouth spots he had and it told him he was dying of AIDS. He rushed to the doctor panicked and got an HIV test (negative of course) and his dentist said it was just a common change in the cells. And thats only ONE experience i've heard of.

Hope the doc can help you out!!

Marge129 · #13 03-07-2006, 03:56 PM

Keep us updated!

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #14 03-07-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelsbride

Be careful with WebMD. Anyone i know that has been to that site has come away freaking out. Michael put in a symptom of some mouth spots he had and it told him he was dying of AIDS. He rushed to the doctor panicked and got an HIV test (negative of course) and his dentist said it was just a common change in the cells. And thats only ONE experience i've heard of.

Hope the doc can help you out!!

That's true. I always panic from WebMD. So much so that my friends tease me about it and don't let me check it out. It's why I'm assuming the worst with Dave, too.

michaelsbride · #15 03-07-2006, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marrying_the_Good_Husband

That's true. I always panic from WebMD. So much so that my friends tease me about it and don't let me check it out. It's why I'm assuming the worst with Dave, too.

I always assume the worst too... so when i went into the doctor and pretty much heard the worst, at least i was prepared for it.

Heather · #16 03-07-2006, 05:06 PM

Wynelle responded on PW and says that withdrawl from Tramadol can be just as bad if not worse than hydrocodone (or oxycotin, etc.)

Still haven't heard from my doc so I'll be calling in soon. I almost would rather go back to the codone, weaning off that wasn't as bad as this. I think though that I was more mentally addicted to the codone b/c of the warm high you get from it. With Tramadol I'm getting the relief, no high, and worse withdrawl. That's not fair! If I'm going to withdrawl I want to at least be high for a few days, lol.

michaelsbride · #17 03-07-2006, 05:08 PM

hydrocodone is great stuff... i have cough syrup for chronic pleuracy.

roseprincess · #18 03-07-2006, 06:29 PM

oh Heather! I hope it's "only" a withdrawal symptom and not the other... big hug & I'll be praying for you!

Kim&Bob2004 · #19 03-08-2006, 12:34 AM

Heather,

Get better soon!

Heather · #20 03-08-2006, 02:43 AM

Kim you're so sweet thank you!

Doc finally called at the end of the day. I don't have fibro, lol and what I was experiencing with the muscle pain was/is withdrawl from the Tramadol. Both Ann and Wynelle (on PW) were right in what they thought was going on. So, now I have to decide if I want to continue taking it. I did refill it today because I need to freakin' sleep. I've only taken one and of course the muscle pain is gone. I can't say for sure that weaning off this will be easier than the codone, but I can say for sure I'm tired of being on freakin' drugs. My life would be easier if I went back to my pot-head hippie days of college, lol.

Lizbet · #21 03-08-2006, 02:49 PM

I'm glad that you got the official word from your doc. Good luck with whatever you decide to do regarding the meds. Remember, we're here to support you as best we can.

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #22 03-08-2006, 03:38 PM

I'm glad it's *only* the meds--but sorry to hear you still need to come up with a solution for that. Much love, girl!

Marge129 · #23 03-08-2006, 03:50 PM

Well, glad to hear you're not sick... but it sucks that it is the meds you're on. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Kim&Bob2004 · #24 03-08-2006, 05:59 PM

Glad it's nothing serious...... I wish your pain would stop though so you could get completly off those pills!

Heather · #25 03-08-2006, 06:12 PM

Thanks ladies.

Kim I wish the same! I wish that something simple like Advil or Ibuprofren worked for my pain when I need it. Unfortunately that's not the case right now but I am getting better. I just have to remember everything that I just went through (unbelievable pain) in September and that helps me to suck it up and get through the day. This withdrawl took me by suprise but at least I know what's going on and that helps to ease the stress of it. So does talking to all of you and for that I'm very grateful.