Tramadol

[Beetzart]

Been to see my GP today about lower back pain. He asked me the routine questions and then casually asked what I wanted. I said tramadol because he prescribed it before, years ago, for a similar problem and it worked well. Anyway he happily wrote a script out and confirmed the other meds I was taking, lithium , venlafaxine. Although now I have found out there should be some caution with combining these meds with tramadol. I assume it'll be ok as he never mentioned it. Has anyone else used tramadol with SSRIs etc.?

[malachite]

I used Tramadol with an ssri back when I had ECT. My prescribing doc was a pdoc and therefore, I assume, he knew about the interactions. I didn't find out about them myself until far later. I had no problems. But you might want to ask your pharmacist.

[vanderk]

I'm not sure about the risks of combining tramadol with Effexor. But tramadol and lithium are both pro-convulsants. The combo could set the stage for seizures. Check with your pharmacist.

[Beetzart]

Thank you, I took your advice and went to see a pharmacist this morning. I asked the cashier if I could have a quick word with the pharmacist, and she scrunched her face up and said, 'aw, what's it about?' What did she think it would be about? I'm not interested if he drives a BMW or anything. So I just said it was about a prescription. Anyway, after about 5 minutes he came over and I asked about the interactions, he said it should be ok took my name and wandered off. 10 minutes later he came back and asked if the ADs made me sleepy, I said not really well maybe the mirtazapine and he said as long as I am only taking tramadol short term it should be ok.

So my GP wasn't worried about it, the chemist neither. So should I just assume it is ok?

Another thing, when I did see my GP and most times I see him after I have described my symptoms he just sits there and says' what would you like me to do then?'. Yesterday I just said could he prescribe tramadol. He happily obliged. It was the same before xmas when I was having trouble sleeping, I asked for pills and he gave me loads of 3.75 mg zopiclone. I'm not criticising him but he has always been a GP that will just chuck pills at things, whereas other GPs at this surgery will try to find another solution. I mean he didn't even examine me, just asked a few 'red flag' questions about my toilet habits and that was it. The thing is I do like him, mainly because he has a degree in physics as well as medicine (it is displayed on his wall). I bet you could have a really good conversation about the Universe with him.