[Lucy]

Hi, I haven't posted under the medications forum before.

I am hoping that some of you can give me an opinion. My daughter in law is taking 400mg of tramadol per day, as well as at least 5 nurofen plus tablets - in fact I believe she has taken 60 nurofen plus in approx 2 weeks. She is also taking an antidepressant which I don't have the name for and is also taking at least 5 domperidone tablets for nausea.

I have tried to talk to her about this. She initially took the tramadol for endometriosis and has been taking this for approx 10 years slowly increasing dosage. She now has blood in her urine and appears totally irrational.

I am thinking that she has an addiction problem and that she is totally unaware of any other pain in her body and that these tablets are causing the nausea. I have taken her to my doctor and don't believe she told him the truth. Her husband is in denial of any problem and so is her mother - as she has denied taking anything aside from the tramadol.

Can I have some thoughts and comments please.

Thanks
Lucy

[mrsD]

Wow...this is terrible.

I see two issues that are serious here.

1) Tramadol is addicting to some people who use it. They find it very hard to discontinue it. Some become deseperate and forge RXs when their doctor refuses to prescribe it! This is a true sign of addiction IMO.

2) Blood in the urine is a very bad sign. This should be evaluated by a doctor. Long term use or high dose ibuprofen may affect kidney functioning, and damage the kidneys. Some people are very sensitive to this effect...so a visit to the doctor for any blood in the urine is a MUST.

I hope you can convince your DIL to get some help. Nausea from SSRI drugs should go away with time. If not the drug can be changed, or the dose lowered. Some people never get past the nausea, so in that case they typically discontinue the drug.

[Peter B]

That's a lot of drugs, and you are right to think she has an addiction, I believe.
Tramadol can affect some people psychologically. It sends some old people loopy.
The blood is a bad sign, as you would know, and it is the liver and kidneys that suffer first from drugs.
Why not write to your doctor, explaining the facts, and then take her along again. Would she go?

[DM]

I totally agree w/mrsD and Peter on this Lucy. I have Tramadol (Ultram) on hand, but only take one pill if I'm in alot of pain. I hope your DIL gets some help, as I can tell this is troubling you tremendously. How about a one on one w/your DS and make him listen to you. Did your DS tell you about the blood showing up in her urine, or did she?? To me, the fact that someone told you means they realize there's a problem. (unless she heard it from the Dr and chooses to ignore it)

Also, as a Mother of a son who underwent a kidney transplant due to congenital problems, blood in the urine requires immediate attn.

Thinking of you and hope things turn around for your DIL.

sending hugs to you Lucy!!!

[Lucy]

Hi, thank you so much for your replies. My husband tackled both his daughter and son in law and knew he was taking the risk of her not talking to him again. Well - that has basically happened and they have taken jobs about 700 miles away. Total denial and unfortunuately she will be working in a position where she will have ready access to these and other drugs. Altogether too eduacated and sneaky. Her husband's idea is wait until she crashes, we are scared that she won't find her way back when it happens. I spoke to the GP about her, but of course she won't be going back to him. I feel incredibly helpless and so sad for my husband ( I am the step mum) Her sister who is a doctor is going to try to talk to her - which will not be easy with 2 children under 15 months - happy families! My 95 year old mother inlaw has just had a severe stroke, so things not so good at the moment.

Thanks again, Lynlee

[mrsD]

If the antidepressant is an SSRI...there can be bleeding issues with with Nurofen. This can be a dangerous combo.

If the antidepressant is a TCA like Elavil, the risk of bleeding is less.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) does not have the risk of increased bleeding.

Some GI bleeding can be fatal. But since she already has blood in the urine, that can't be a good sign either.

Take care.
I am sorry, that this is happening to your family.

[tstene]

I have been on tramdol for 7 years... I am paraplegic with lots of pain but I still think this pill is what gets me threw a day... The most I have ever taken is 4 in the am and the least is 2.... My biggest side affect without it is tired and no will to work or do things.... One doc says keep it up if helps and the other is trying to get me off it....

I do pray everyday I dont need more then the 4....

[Lucy]

Hi, thank you all for your replies. Things appear to have become worse, with alcohol added to the mix.

She has also developed epilepsy. Can anyone tell me if this could be caused by excessive use of tramadol, neurofen, anti nausea tablets and antidepressants. From what I have found I think it can - what do you all think.

Honestly, we were thinking that this could not become worse, we are now wondering where it will all end.

Lucy

[mrsD]

Seizures can occur with Wellbutrin (buproprion).
They are less likely with other antidepressants.

But seizures can occur anytime there is brain damage.

[Lucy]

Thank you Mrs D. I will have a look at the drug you mentioned. She is still working so we are also wondering what she has access to at the lab and what she has told her neurologist and GP. There is a 3 year old child that we are worried about as well. Sometimes I think leave it all alone and leave it to the husband to deal with, but we have now had him asking for help from us. I am thinking if we took the child she would have to deal with her problems. It is no easy. I know that a lot of Doctors etc do self medicate, I think I will have a look and see if I can some specialist that deals with that as well.

Thanks, Lucy