Hi everyone,
Im just wondering if anyone has researched the effects of medications such as neurotin, and tramodol have on driving skills. I am presently on 1800 mg neurotin and 200mg of tramodol with a 1500mg vicodin kicker. Thats not to mention 100 mg of zoloft and ambien at night (which is not working right now). the breakthough pain is unbearable at this time. I know with the vicodin on board it's GAME OVER as far as driving is concerned. What I am really concerned about is the neurotin and the tramodol. I appologize for this rather unorganized post. I'm just having a rough time accepting the fact that I really have CRPS and how it has changed my life. thank you Krank

Krank,
Talk to you doctor, in general about this.
He may lift your license.

AND, Use your GOOD SENSES, as to wether you are safe to drive, or not!

You certainly don't want to hurt yourself, or anyone else!

It IS an issue, and you're very wise to ask about it!

Pete
asb

Hello,

I actually went through this exact situation and asked a pharmacist about this.

I am currently taking 2700mg of neurontin and WAS taking tramadol before I got my stimulator. The pharmacist told me that if you were to get in an accident or if you're acting impaired, the police will and can test you and charge you with opioid use or driving under the influence. Tramadol is an opioid. It may not be as hard as others, but nontheless.

Now, I did drive on tramadol because I took one in the am, lunch and pm to keep a blood level. I am working full-time so I had no choice. That is the main reason why I did the stimulator. I could not function on the tramadol, but I couldn't be without anything either. I was sleeping through meetings, etc.

Just a side note on the tramadol. When I had my stimulator implanted I needed to get off of the tramadol. I had major withdrawal issues. So, just a comment that it does have addictive qualities where your body depends on it.

Good luck fellow Minnesotan.

Hi I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but i have been told it is the same as driving drunk if you have an accident - also police are now testing for opiod use in traffic infraction stops as well. It such a horrible loss of freedom, but for me the risk is not worth it. I could not live on if I hurt someone. My beartiful car is sitting in the dirveway, waiting for me to beat this !! lol cz

I don't know how long you have been on your meds, but if they are new, I can offer some hope. My research has found that your body slowly adapts to the medication and can eventually do away with the side effects. Everyone's body is different, so you will have to pay close attention to your body's own signals. The down side, of course, is that as you become used to the meds, they decrease in effectiveness- hence my need for increase in my hydrocodone, but at least you can function. I'm not a big person (5'8 and 145 lbs), but my body can handle medications very well. I'm on Neurontin, Tramadol, Cymbalta, and Hydrocodone 10/325, and I can drive on all of it with no problems at all. It only took about a week for the Tramadol to stop giving me any mental effects at all (although it still keeps me awake if I try to take it before sleeping). The Hydrocodone took a few weeks- I started at 7.5/750 and when my docttor increased it, I had already adapted, so no mental feelings at all. I just didn't take the meds when I was going to drive until I adapted. Keep your doctor in the loop, and hopefully he/she can help you find pain relief and still be mobile. Good luck!!

Several people responded that driving under the influence of any "awareness altering" drug is illegal. I agree. I chose that term because it applies to alcohol, weed, LSD, PCP, and, yes, many pain-relieving prescription drugs. The very nature of the pain relief goes hand-in-hand with changes in brain function. Therefore, your driving skills will not be as sharp as necessary to be a safe driver.

The exact maximum limits or a drug in your system and the related consequences will vary from state to state. It is possible to have a small amount in your system and not be impaired, as in alcohol use. Just like drinking, though, you can sometimes tell when you have “had too much” but not always. Many people who are way over the legal limit for alcohol think that they “are fine.”

cz said that it is the same as driving drunk. That is very true. Most states do not differentiate from one chemical to another – only that the driver was not in total control.

Mike

Hi Everyone who responded,

I want to make something clear.

Even though you may have become "used" to the medication and don't have the side effects that would alter your driving, if you were to be stopped or in an accident, you will still test positive for opioids.

It doesn't take obvious signs of being drunk for police to test you for an altering drug in your system... Even though you don't "think" the tramadol has altered your driving, the police can charge you anyway and don't need a reason to test you...

This is pretty much in response to amb97. No matter what your feelings are whether you are used the medication, you will still be under the influence.

I would tread very lightly around this and be aware that if you're on these drugs and driving, you will still be charged even though we have to have these drugs to survive. We are all in pain. But, unfortunately, the police don't care...

I just want to thank everyone. I am so grateful that I found this place. I feel like I have found a new family. It's great that my best judgememnt not to drive was the right one. I have been getting alot of pressure especially from my mother in law to drive. I refused to get behind the wheel to get gas let alone to get the kids from school. I also had my work tell me that I could drive if I stopped taking my pain meds for 8 hours before I went to work. Needless to say I really didnt understand this line of thought, and as tough as it is I won't be driving anytime soon. Thanx Krank

I haven't driven now in a couple of years for the same reason everyone else has mentioned. Also, on pain meds, you really need to take them at the same time, etc so they work, unless they are breakthru meds. I take my meds every 12 hrs, so I can't just not take one so I can drive. The levels must be kept at the right level for a lot of the meds to work. Just because I skip a pill, which I don't, doesn't mean I'm not under. I think if I was to skip a does, that I would be going under withdrawal. I was in OK for a friends daughters wedding. we were sitting around and the bride to be looked at me and asked me if I had taken my meds. I said no, I should have taken then about 2 hrs before. She told me to go take them. She is an EMt and she said that my puples were dialiated something fierce. She has been trained to notice the very very beginning of withdrawal, of someone who needs their meds. I was amazed. I had no idea that anyone could tell something like that in so short of time. or even that it affected my body by being late taking it. Opened up a whole new idea about my meds. Just my experien ce

Hugs
Mary

Krank, Thank you for the question and welcome to neurotalk! I'm sorry you have RSD- it truly is a life altering disorder. I know you will find comfort here, and hope you get as much help as possible.
I've had my 'good' Dr. for the last 5 years. And he talked to me about drugs and driving and gave me the time frames when or how many hours to wait to drive and when it's not safe to drive. I don't drive with 4 hours of taking 'anything' I have a small widow of time. But rarely drive-maybe once a month. Can you believe I got stopped at a red light, which was new and just put in. I was going 25 mph and didn't go thru the red light or even under it. Police man said I went past the white line. I called city transportation and they hadn't painted the white line when I was stopped. I backed up 2-3 ft. He was right behind me. So I hope they dismiss it. I've only been stopped twice in my life. i've been driving 45 years.
I live in Phoenix, AZ. I read on the internet that Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Houston Texas are training some of their police officers to give blue draws for suspicious drivers.I would refuse that, as many people have gotten RSD from a blood draw gone wrong. I would ask for another method of testing.
This is just getting started-blood draws, and it does disturb me because of potential of a bad draw. Police are not medical professionals. I think I'll write a letter to the city with back up information on RSD and blood draws. Maybe try to get some public attention. I totally agree with not driving while taking meds or alcohol. But needles do scare me, my last draw, I asked for the senior supervisor and for a child's needle-butterfly needle. Any thoughts?
Your friend, loretta