Tramadol overdosing causing Liver and kidney problems?

Digestive health
1

Hi. I would like some insight into my mother's health woes that she has been dealing with lately, as she has been told she has scaring (fatty liver) and third-degree kidney damage. After my mom told me this last week my mind immediately went to her painkillers as the possible cause.

For the last few decades, my mom has been registered disabled, due to a back operation that went wrong, leaving her in a lot of pain, and affecting her mobility.

as she has aged, arthritis has invaded, and she has hip and knee problems I believe are due to age (70)

for over 10 years my mom has been taking tramadol at 100mg 4 times a day (400mg per day) for pain relief which I have just found out, and cannot believe her doctor of 20 plus years could allow this dose for this duration. And it is my belief right now, that it is this medication, at this does for all these years that have caused my moms liver and kidney damage.

I am hoping somebody on this forum can offer any advice or insight on this matter as I don't know what to about it.

Also, my mom does not drink or smoke.

Thank you. 

2

Why can't you believe that your mum has been on pain relief of Tramadol for over 10 years. Do you mean that no-one should be on pain relief that long no matter how much pain they are in.  I have been on continuous pain relief for over 30 years, different types from time to time but continuously on co-codamol for over 10 years and at no point has either a primary care physician or a surgeon told me go off them because they know that without them I would be totally bedbound. I have had no side effects from them, no tolerance and no dependency. My dose has never increased (I have 2 tablets 2 times per day 30/500) except when i have additional pain from  additional problems eg having an operation.

As a disabled person most of my life I would be horrified if my son tried to interfere with my medical treatment and/or medication especially when he himself does not suffer from my medical conditions so does not know what it feels like. What do you suggest your mom takes instead of tramadol bearing in mind that all pain relief has side effects in the long term? I know the possible long term side effects of my pain relief but would rather risk those than have a life confined to the four walls of my bedroom. I wonder if your mum feels the same?

 

3

You have headed your post "overdosing on tramadol" but from what you have written she has not overdosed ie taken more than prescribed, so on what basis has she overdosed?

4

I believe you are reading my post out of context gill70346 , but I may be at fault for not making it more in-depth and clear, so i will make it clear...

my mom is a warrior, she goes through more pain and adversity than i can imagine, and more than i could ever take. i fully understand and endorse her use of pain relief medication for her and anyone in suffering. But what i was trying to get across in my original post was when i was told that another organ was failing her, my mind asked the question what could be causing this?

I thought maybe there is a cause and effect factor involved here, ie, you take too much of one thing at a too higher dose for a long time there are bodily consequences. and after some research online I came across this as a warning for being prescribed tramadol "For someone with cirrhosis (liver damage), the daily dose should not be above 100 mg in a 24-hour period. " and also this "For someone with kidney disease, the daily dose should not be above 200 mg. "

I also found a guide online that stated that the patient should be prescribed a combination of pain medications, so as too the limit the bodily damage caused by a single drug at a high dose.

I never advised my mom to stop taking her medication, or judged her in any way, i simply told her that i have just read this and that she should ask her medical doctor the question when she speaks to her. 

My mom had a biopsy on Monday, and she asked the question to a doctor who told her that the medication is perfectly safe and that they keep an eye on her blood reports/levels etc.

I am not a medical professional or claim to be an intelligent man, i am merely a concerned son who wants the best for his mother, so came to this site seeking an informed answer from hopefully a medical professional or a person with any insight and experience on this matter. The post title was probably wrong and misleading, but at the time i thought it was more snappy than "mom maybe taking too much tramadol than her organs can take"  but like i pointed out, im not that intelligent.

I should also point out, that my mom has blood tests done all the time, I think because she is is also a 2-time cancer survivor, and a few weeks ago the doctor told her she had diabetes and a week later another doctor told her she didn't have diabetes, so doctors can make mistakes also, so I just wanted toseek the possiblity of getting other opinions on her condition from a lot of different smart people (medical forum) I think its worth me posting this if there is a chance of any help. 

Sorry for the pain you have to endure gill70346 and God bless.