I fell off a ladder going on three years ago, and it resulted in a comminuted calcaneal fracture of my right foot. Surgery was recommended, but being unemployed at that time, I was uninsured and didn't have the money for surgery. Anyway, I was treated with physical therapy, and custom orthotics to correct my injury. Pain killers were prescribed also, and I was addicted to them. Flash forward; I am working a job for a oilfield service company working a minimum 12 hour day, six days a week, with some 16 hour days all on my feet. I started this job 10 months after the accident. The foot has definitely gotten better over time but I'm still dealing with pain and a limp. I got off the hydrocodone but I'm now addicted to Tramadol which I don't get high on but I can't quit taking them. Especially with the work I do. I'm 52 years old, and went almost two years without work before I got this job. I'm thankful I have it, but wonder how much longer I can do it. I'm pretty much just venting here hoping there is someone who can relate. I want to quit taking the Tramadol but I don't think I could handle the pain being on my feet all day. BTW I have a bad knee on my other leg.
I also had a difficult time with stopping medications after my calcaneus fracture and surgery. I had a few bad days/nights of what I'm pretty sure was withdrawal from the drugs. I still have a bad day and have to take meds, but it's not hourly or even daily at this point in my recovery (I'm 4 1/2 months post op surgery, and still in pt and learning to walk with a cane).
I think you have two issues going on here, and you may want to split them into two different forums: 1) the ongoing pain from your heel -- do you have insurance at your current job and can you see a doctor, physical therapist, or orthotist again? the drugs are not treating your pain, they are only helping you try to ignore it; and 2) quitting the drugs, which is another issue that could become more of a problem over time.
Best wishes to you,
Lisa
Last edited by LisaLouLou; 12-02-2012 at 07:30 PM.
I agree with you Lisa and Shorte. I would definitely seek treatment for your foot as it is not good for your body to become addicted to pain killers. I am sure you're well aware of that and I full understand what it is like to have to rely on them. I am also taking tramadol currently but I only take it at night so I can get my foot to calm down for me to sleep and if I am going to be on my feet for quite some time. I am not working right now so I don't have that issue you have. I hope you can find some relief soon that will help.
Best of luck to you!
~Kimberly
10 months back to work? Not condoning drug abuse, but without them you wouldn't have been working.
I take a few tramadol a week. Sometimes I work long days. I have found taking motrin or alleve with breakfast, and take alot less tramadol. Maintenace meds, reduce the need for break through meds.
I am not sure what to make of the word addiction. Are you saying craving it like a drug, or needing them to get through a hard work day? There is a difference. You need to make money to live. Though I am not saying you should gobble it. It is hard to judge and hard not to encourage.
For me, I take 1 at a time, sometimes 2nd. The more active I am, the more I take. There have been times where taking close to daily. Lately 1-2 a week.
One thing to keep in mind, is watch your money, save the OT money, for when you can't work the long days anymore.Sock it away. Keep the weight down too.
Thick socks help alot, and good work boots. Replace them all more frequently then you did when your foot was good. Orthotic inserts help too.
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Heelie since 09
The good thing is, no one asks me, to help them move anymore.
There is nothing wrong with taking meds for pain. Its just tough coming off of them once you don't need them anymore. They made me terribly emotional when I stopped taking them. I could have imagined being back to work that fast. More power to you!
Thanks for the replies. I knew this was a major injury, but hoped by this time there would be less pain than what I now experience. At the end of a 12 hour day there is some swelling and significant pain. I take 2-50 mg Tramadol, and 3-200 mg Ibuprofen 3 times a day. What bothers me about the Tramadol is when I don't take it I start to feel the same withdrawal symptoms I had when I quit the Hydrocodone. I do not want to have to go through that again.
Last edited by Shortecapone; 12-06-2012 at 08:47 PM.
Reason: left information out
For me, 2-300 mg of motrin does nothing. I need to take atleast 600, probably 800. Alleve seems to work better for me, though I alternate here and there, so my body doesn't get used to them.
I don't notice any withdrawl from Tramadol. Though when I don't take it for awhile, it probably jacks me up a little more. But I take it during the day, so I don't mind. I haven't found, or tried to hard, for something to take a night.
Hyrodone jacks me up too, so I take it during the day.
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Heelie since 09
The good thing is, no one asks me, to help them move anymore.
