MY PM doc's office called me back today to tell me that they are mailing my script to the pharmacy,today. I told the woman(who gives me all the grief) that I had called the PM office earlier this morning to remind her that the script must be mailed out today.
The woman got an attitude with me,AGAIN, and stated that the PM doc had rec. a letter from my atty. that my OpanaER MUST be mailed out no later than 7 days from date of script due, because the script was rec. late to the pharmacist, the last 2 months.
Also, she was under the conclusion that They were to call me and tell me that the script was mailed out. I told the woman that all I cared about was that the script be mailed out today, and I was not going to argue the point any further. Also, I have a copy of the letter sent to the PM doc, and it said no such thing about who would contact whom; specifically, it states get the med script mailed out 7 days from the date it is due.
Apparently, this woman was "spoken" to about the lack of follow through on her part and that upset her...as if I care if she is upset!
She started to say that the problem was that I lived out of town, and that is the reason that my meds were delayed! I just stated that in no way does it take 7 days to get a letter from OKC to Lawton,(100 mile difference..maybe 2 days at the most. I then stopped myself ,took a breath, and ended the conversation with it is understood that the script would be mailed out today ,and that was that.

I was pleasant and not argumentative with her. I know what is what and there is no point in debating anything..just mail the script today, no excuses.

I will see my doc in 09/09, and Tramadol will be discussed,for sure.
Thanks for your posts,
love,
Dew

This is called stepping on someone's last nerve. I feel like I'm constantly on my last nerve (basically that's how I describe my life with RSD), and if anything that stressful arises, I'd totally panic.

I think you handled it very well, Dew.
Let's hope for once your script is on time!

For some reason your doc is uncomfortable writing you scripts for class III narcotics. It is more about him. Tramadol (Aka Ultram) is a non-narcotic pain med. Helps some, useless for others.

Dew I think it was outrageous to give you tramadol- they might have well as givne you nothing, its like giving someone a bandaid of a rurptured artery or an asprin after taking oxycontin. it makes no sense what so ever. Sorry to hear about your suffereing - that was a riduculous script. cz

I took ultram (tramadol) years ago for back pain (I sprained my back) and it was absolutely worthless. After I got this ugliness I was scripted it again, and I took one, then another a half an hour later, then another a half an hour after that. No effect. At all. Next time I had a doc try to script it I told him to write the script out for M&Ms, as they were more effective. He seemed offended! lol...idiot. The only reason I can see you being scripted this worthless med is if it blocks your real painkiller from being eliminated from your body via the liver, say by using the same enzymes necessary to break down the real one, you know? If the doc actually thought you would get some relief from pain they should get their head examined. I have never met a single person who has actual pain that got any relief from this med. Not one. Ibuprofen is more effective. As regards the goofy woman you have to deal with, well, good luck. Some people shouldn't have certain jobs, and it sure sounds like she's in the wrong line of work. Maybe she would make a good sanitation worker, or perhaps a janitor at a mental ward?

I didn't get any pain relief for years when I got this. Even a Chicago anesthesiologist wouldn't give me an analgesic. Of course a lot of the problem was that these were so ineffective for me and my pain is often tolerable. Even morphine and methadone were mostly ineffective.

But my GP finally gave me tramadol and it helps. No, it doesn't help very much but I always feel it kick in so it's a great crutch to help me ignore the breakthrough pain. Just knowing there's something I can do makes it a lot easier. I find it works a little better with the acetaminaphin (Apap) whatever they put in it.

At last! Someone who has some effect from it. Are you on any tranx or muscle relaxers? They are required for me to get any relief from the pain, regardless of whatever else I am on. Without them, I get NO relief whatsoever.

No. But I'm on antisiezure (?) (zanaflex).

I think I get a little analgesic effect from depakote as well but this is less sure. I'm also on gabapentin and it helps a lot. The gabapentin doesn't act as a true pain reliever for me though it seemed to at first. It seems to stop the pain from arising or make it less severe when it does come around but taking it for pain does nothing now. The last time the pain ratcheted up a little the doc upped the dosage and it seems to mostly work.

The opiates mostly just make me not care as much about the pain but doesn't have much effect on the level. I once woke after an operation and they had to give me four shots of morphine just to get me calmed down. It still hurt like hell and they had operated on something else.

I've tried only a few of the other pain relievers and they are almost completely ineffective and some get me stoned. I like codeine since it seems to put all the other pain to sleep and relax me so I can sleep even with my hand still hurting. I try to take it as seldomly as possible and only to sleep.

Part of my problem is anxiety and stress. They are closely related to the pain. Indeed, I've discovered that some things, like paranoia, seem to just be a form of pain; a different manifestation. The depakote helps a lot here and I've got lots of over the counter and herbal things that help too. It seems just being deliberate and careful can help in avoiding stress. For breakthrough stress I've got some heavy stuff that's getting so old I'm afraid to use it but use valium for typical things. I also take seroquel regularly. I get bad sideeffects so have to severely restrict the amount.

Most things scare me. It's ironic since I used to be fearless to the point of being foolhardy sometimes.

One doctor told me that most people with RSD eventually get on a mix of medications that make the condition easier to deal with. Now all I have to do is not worry they'll quit making some of them.

Imahotep
zanaflex is a muscle relaxant,,,,,,i was on it for a while,,it made me sleep ok and gave a good drowsey could care less feeling too,,kinda like the old muscle relaxant,flexiril.......either way i wish you well,,i feel your pain ,when it comes to stress bring pain into over drive,,xanax calms me down but i need to get off of that too,but it does the job,,melontonin [natural] is a good clean ,easy on the liver and non addictive alternative sleep/relaxant,,,,,,,,good luck ,,and i respect you being cautious with the meds,,,,,,,,,,,,,,bobber

I was given tramadol though I am not sure if it was for the PN or RSD as they are treated similar. It did nothing for me but I was told by the neuro that it is better for nerve pain I guess. Though it does not seem like it from this little poll of people. I don't take any narcotic or opiates anymore and even my current pain doc won't due tramadol. I take zanaflex now at night sometimes. I have mixed reviews on it cause I am still up most nights.I am on meds for the anxiety/depression and meds like neurontin. I am coping better though still anxious but not as bad it seems and more rational. The pain though is high. I wish I had a better answer for you other then I think there needs to be a better way of you getting your meds Dew cause even worring about if this is going to keep happening is stressful. Hope you get answers and of course relief.