Cauda Equina Syndrome and Tramadol

[perkyqeen]

Hello everybody! I’m new here. My case started with spinal decompression surgery for traumatic CES 2 years ago, since that time I have been suffering from chronic form and progressive spinal stenos is.
The doctor’s prognosis were very bad for me, as I supposed to stay paralyzed below the waist, just like before, but I’m not! For me it was a miracle, however my mobility was very limited. And this is where Tramadol comes in. Around 6 months ago I took Tramadol for the first time, and my life dramatically has changed. I started to walk… In fact, after a trial and some difficulties I have found the successful dosage for me, 150mg three times a day. In fact, there are situation that I even have to exceed this dosage, and if happens that I exceed in highly I’m taking one day break every 2 weeks, what is equal with staying in bed. As you can see, my problem is that I highly exceed the daily-recommended dose, as for my excuse, my situation is also worse than usual spine or back disorders. It looks like I will be taking this medicine till the end of my life, but I’m really fine with it, my mobility is priceless. However, what is not a big surprise, my GP is uncomfortable with dosage. Is anybody in similar situation? Any advises? Greetings

[MCJ]

Let me welcome you to spine health! It’s a well-known fact that such dose of Tramadol per day is pretty likely to cause seizures after some time. From what you wrote you’re daily dosage is around 450 mg and you should be aware of the “failure point” that is 600mg per day. As you see, it may be very risky. Well, I might be wrong but you should also count other factors such as other medicines, influences on liver and kidney, etc. Personally, if you want to know my opinion, I would highly recommend finding some extra features that you could add to the basic dosage of Tramadol, something that both will help you with the pain and reduce the daily Tramadol dosage to the recommended one. Believe me, cutting your daily dose of Tramadol in half and adding for example morphine or something similar would put you in a much better situation. Definitely, I strongly advise to consult the situation with your personal doctor because the danger is really high. As a good warning I can present a situation of a friend of mine who was taking from 600 to 800mg of Tramadol per day (400 prescribed, the 200mg time release tabs) as he overdose the prescribed dose he had a badly seizure while driving his car. Really dangerous. The whole matter is that you can really change a lot before it’s too late. One question; how exactly our post is related with cauda equina? In a case that you ever find some symptoms of CES seek for health care attention right away. Good luck, MCJ

[doc123]

Firstly congrats for your success, really fighting with such awful doctor’s predictions is amazing. It’s really nice to hear that you are able to walk now. However, I have to strongly agree with JWM that the dosage that you’re taking is much too big. Taking Tramadol in so big dosage is really risky. Have you ever tried others medications and combinations? You should really discuss some serious changes with your treatment with your doctor. Remember, not only risk of seizures is high, but many other serious disorders as well. Take care!

[Kathie]

Facts are obvious, the maximum daily oral dose of Tramadol is 400 mg under no circumstances more than that. In case of exceeding this amount, you may be suffering from serotonin syndrome or seizures.
Even it’s hard to believe that any doctor has agreed on such risky treatment. Personally, I would really recommend you to pay a visit to your doctor and discuss the issue very clearly. I’m pretty sure there is a way of replacing some part of your daily Tramadol dosage with some other medicine, short acting or long, due to decrease your daily dosage of Tramadol to the safe 400 mg. Remember that the more you exceed the safe maximum, the more risk of serious side effects occur, however sometimes even a slight overdosing may cause seizure and ss. Believe me, the risk is not worth the potential danger. I have to add that as I also have CES, I clearly understand the feeling of returned mobility, especially if before there was none, however, the risk you are taking is really high. Please think of it carefully. Kathie

[sunrise]

One question: have you ever tried Lyrica? My boyfriend is suffering from CES and moreover lately we have discovered he has extra disk segment. It has turned out that the reports from his surgery that took place years ago were misnumbered. Personally I think he simply had surgery on the wrong level. In fact, two doctors agreed with me but of course no one is talking, as it is highly limitative. Does anybody have some information about a redo on a posterior placed BAK fusion at L4-5?
His condition is following: he is able to walk, has minimal bowel and bladder problems, however he cannot feel his penis at all. In fact, he’s able to get the erection but as only he tries to lift something greater than 20lbs he can’t stand up and the erection vanishes. We have been searching throw every old and new MRI. It all looks like he had a L5-L6 disk herniation and the S1 is mobile. Has anybody ever heard of any similar case? We’ll appreciate any advises, as we don’t want to lose his normal life again.