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Suggest Remedies For Severe Abdominal Pain While On Tramadol

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Posted on Wed, 5 Apr 2017
Question: Went to primary dr Wednesday 3/1 with abdominal pain and side, distended belly, no bowel movement for 5 days, prescribed Miralax and stool softeners and told to go to ER if getting worse. On Friday 3/3, worse pain and went to emergency hospital, given CT scan and xray and given hydrocodone, cipro and metronidazole. Released and advised to return in 1-2 days if not better. Got worse, went by ambulance Sunday 3/4 and admitted. Blood tests, meds, vitals, usual done. Colonoscopy Monday 3/6 showed 2 polyps and colitis. Warfarin was too high and that was resolved. Discharged midday Tuesday 3/7, thought I felt better. That night experienced extreme pain. Presumed few more days of meds will relieve some pain and inflammation issues. Have enough cipro and medtro for 7 days but hydrocodone is out as it was every 6 hrs Friday and then yesterday. Will need pain control. I have some tramadol that was prescribed by kidney doctor some time ago for occasional use. Not used much. Can I substitute tramadol until my primary dr visit tomorrow late afternoon where he can prescribe more Hydrocodone along with evaluation of my condition, meds, etc? I'm 75 year old female. Didn't expect more pain, but diagnoses after scope was only determine 3/6 so meds for 7 days will hopefully better my situation. Primary question: substitute tramadol for hydrocodone at least until 3/9 when I see physician? Can't wait that long for Hydrocodone refill. Thank you
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not quite the main point.

Detailed Answer:
Narcotics are a problem in abdominal pain. They mask serious problems. Also they cause constipation and cause distention and worse pain due to it. There are a few medicines that are NON-ABSORBED narcotic blockers for removing the constiatiopn due to the narcotic. Also, warfarin can make bleeding bad enough to be fatal. Also aspirin like drugs can cause ulcers and those are very dangerous with warfarin.

It is probably RULED OUT to take ANY ASPIRIN LIKE DRUG WIHT WARFARIN, so the worst choice is likely over the counter aspirin, motrin, ibuprofen, orudis, etc.
Steroids are also a risk for all the same reasons.

The colitis has to be treated. It can be due to antibiotics and can be fatal.

If abdominal pain is worsening or if there are other symptoms especially dark, or red, or bloody, or black stools, then it is an emergency and needs hospitalization.


Tramadol is safe especially if you've used it before. It is not as strong as hydrocodone on the one hand that means more pain on the other hand it means less risk of constiatiopn from it.

But basically the pain control isn't the worst issue with abdominal pain and making sure someone doesn't have something fatal is more important.

Your particular case I cannot say anything definite about because I am not there to examine there are many findings like where the pain is, and if there are other symptoms that would point to what is going on.

Without knowing what is going on with abdominal pain it is quite a concerning condition and probably needs immediate attention like in an ER>
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Severe Abdominal Pain While On Tramadol

Brief Answer: Not quite the main point. Detailed Answer: Narcotics are a problem in abdominal pain. They mask serious problems. Also they cause constipation and cause distention and worse pain due to it. There are a few medicines that are NON-ABSORBED narcotic blockers for removing the constiatiopn due to the narcotic. Also, warfarin can make bleeding bad enough to be fatal. Also aspirin like drugs can cause ulcers and those are very dangerous with warfarin. It is probably RULED OUT to take ANY ASPIRIN LIKE DRUG WIHT WARFARIN, so the worst choice is likely over the counter aspirin, motrin, ibuprofen, orudis, etc. Steroids are also a risk for all the same reasons. The colitis has to be treated. It can be due to antibiotics and can be fatal. If abdominal pain is worsening or if there are other symptoms especially dark, or red, or bloody, or black stools, then it is an emergency and needs hospitalization. Tramadol is safe especially if you've used it before. It is not as strong as hydrocodone on the one hand that means more pain on the other hand it means less risk of constiatiopn from it. But basically the pain control isn't the worst issue with abdominal pain and making sure someone doesn't have something fatal is more important. Your particular case I cannot say anything definite about because I am not there to examine there are many findings like where the pain is, and if there are other symptoms that would point to what is going on. Without knowing what is going on with abdominal pain it is quite a concerning condition and probably needs immediate attention like in an ER>