Hi Minna, I don't know how you do it...bless your heart....I am on tramadol also, 3 x a day....it helps...but still deal with fatigue and various muscle aches depending on if I overdo it (which can be a simple as reaching for something sometimes).
As far as traveling, I would definitely get a carrier of some sort to put all of your things on to roll behind you...maybe just a luggage carrier....when I was working, I had blueprints to bring down to various agencies for permit. I found a three wheel rolling tote with a bag attached to it at BJ's wholesale club that worked like a charm...it also went up and down stairs in parking garages, etc. It was a lifesaver so as not to be carrying/toting weight on your body.
I also take advil with my tramadol which adds a second layer of pain relief. Thermacare patches are your friend! I have sat in many meetings with those heat wraps stuck on whatever body part was giving me trouble....the heat lasts all day and definitely helps loosen up "crampy" areas on your body.
To keep your energy up, keep hydrated and pack protein bars, nuts, fruit in your bag to munch on every few hours...I find sticking with more fresh veggies, lean proteins and laying off the breads (which I love), pizza and sugars helps keep your energy level more steady. I've been on protein smoothies with fruit in the mornings for the past few weeks and I notice a difference in how I feel.
Sciatica! That is a four letter word in my book. I lost my "dream" job back in 2009 due to a miserable bout of painful sciatica. Don't be embarrassed to bring a chair cushion with you to your meetings...I sometimes just stood up and leaned against a wall during meetings (of course, I was in a construction meeting so a less formal setting) because it felt better. I also used ice packs every day at work for the sciatica on my chair. Didn't care about how I looked; just wanted to keep my job.
Hope this helps and look forward to chatting again soon.