the short answer is you should not mix painkillers. you should keep your health care provider informed of your physical status limitations and medication usage. if you and your health care providers can't be partners then you should find another provider. i realize things are never that simple. many things may limit your choice of providers from insurance coverage to the number of providers in your local area. but seriously don't keep important information from your provider. it's not in your best interest. try sitting down and having a good conversation with your provider. tell him or her you can't take dilaudid in the work environment and when you don't take the dilaudid your pain isn't controlled. ask to discuss options: can you combine two different types of pain relievers; can you get some other non-surgical type of treatment; can you get physical therapy? at work find out if you can change anything about your work environment that is aggravating your condition: can you take breaks more frequently on a schedule; can you reduce your work hours temporarily; can you get an ergonomic consultation to arrange your workstation in a way that doesn't irritate your neck? as you can see there are many many ways you can approach this situation without self-medicating. i encourage you to explore better options with your provider. wishing you well!
doc prescribed 4mg dilaudid 3x/day not working anymore now that i've returned to work. can i also take 50mg tramadol? . l5 is bulging and that together with bone spurs creates relentless nerve pain for which i've already missed three weeks of work. while off work the 4mg dilaudid 3x/day was fine i was barely moving. now that the doc made me return to work the 4mg dilaudid 3x/day is not enough and she won't approve me taking it 4x/day. i also have 50mg tramadol. can i supplement the dilaudid with the tramadol? if so when is the best time to do so since i cannot be falling asleep at work. help!