Thank you, for the information. I allergic to morphine. I do very well with Tramadol I have diabetic neuropathy, and frozen arm and depression. I hate taking any additonal medication even for pain. I been taking it help most of the pain go away. I always wake up exactly 4 hours later after going to bed. Also my mood been more leveled and I am happy 90 percent of time.
I suffer from back and sciatic nerve pain (six surgeries), and use to take Tramadol. Even though I was unaware of my symptoms, it was obvious to others that I became very hyper-active whilst taking the drug. I have been diagnosed with adult ADD. Has there been any other cases of this reaction?
While I have found now pain med. that reduces the nerve pain below a 5, Tramadol was the best of the bunch for me. Unfortunately, the side affects required be to stop taking it.
Mike
Some people cannot tolerate Tramadol due to side effects, although I have not heard of anyone becoming hyperactive on account of taking this medication. This hyperactive may have been an early sign of Serotonin Syndrome which can be caused by tramadol especially when taken with another serotonin re-uptake inhibitor like Celexa, Zoloft, and Cymbalta.
An alternative to tramadol is tapentadol (Nucynta), but it too has the potential to cause Serotonin Syndrome. For the most part, those who do not tolerated tramadol do tolerate tapentadol.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
I "stumbled" across Tramadol when I had upper quad pain for gallbladder issues. I have severe fibro where I can't move in the morning. I have so much pain I can hardly function without being in tears. When I take the Tramadol it takes a bit to kick in for me, but once it does I can move around and it's gentle on my stomach. It doesn't take the pain away a 100%, but enough to where I can live life and move. (Then once I get moving the better I feel). Fibromyalgia is crippling, painful and just a bad disease to have. Anything to help make things better is a blessing. I'm glad this doesn't make me "loopy" I can function normally.
I have used Tramadol for many years as a drug to relieve pain from Fibromyalgia. I found it to be less and less effective as time moved on, even if I increased the dosage. I stopped using Tramadol three months ago and started to use Lyrica, twice per day and have found this to be very effective and much less inhibiting. My whole outlook and self awareness has changed, I enjoy so much more of life being free of Tramadol and it's addictiveness.
I know for a fact that the deliberate (or sometimes accidental) misuse of Tramadol can cause seizures. All doctors know this and should tell patients this when prescribing this medication.
Thank you for reminding us that taking too much Tramadol can lead to serious reactions like seizures, serotonin syndrome, and respiratory depression. The maximum daily dose of Tramadol should not exceed 300mg/day and even less if taking other medications like the anti-depressants already mentioned. More is not better.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
Thanks for that dosage and interaction information. Is Nuvigil a consideration? I began Tramadol at 50 mg a day for severe sinus pain (black mold allergy caused by years of work in sick buildings) around four months ago. Two weeks ago I really hurt the bottom of my foot and began taking it twice a day but wake during the night in pain and take 1 g. of Tylenol, without much effect. Today I am thinking about three times a day until I no longer have to wear this "boot" given by a doctor a couple of days ago and the pain is healed either by itself or a cortisone shot he mentioned for three weeks from now.
I have to say that when I read the sheet that came with the Rx regarding, among other things, drug interactions, I was pretty terrified. I had the medication for two years before I got the courage, or the pain became just so intolerable, to take it. It helped so much that when I saw my regular doctor six weeks ago I got a new Rx.
Your information has been really helpful and I'm now registering to this site.
I suffer from moderate to severe cervical spine nerve pain from a car accident in '07, I am a dancer and extremely active despite of this but the pain is considerable whether I am active or not. For 2 years I was on hydrocodone 500mg, this worked well for my pain and I took it sparingly always mindful of the addictive qualities. I came off the Hydrocodone for a year trying to get pregnant and suffered greatly with the pain. 4 months ago I moved and got a new doctor who would not prescribe the Hydrocodone without really knowing me, and so prescribed Tramadol. For the first 2-3 months I thought I had found a wonder drug, pain was gone when I took it, I was told it was non opiate. Recently I have been having insomnia, restlessness in my legs at night (a tingling, nerve twitching feeling running up and down my legs) accompanied by an extreme feeling of unease and nervousness, not in my head but in my body. These feelings are horrible. I've noticed them when I do not take the pills for a day or two, so are these withdrawal symptoms? I never had any trouble with the Hydrocodone whether I took it everyday or inconsistently. Anyone have any advice or similar experiences? The Tramadol pain relief is amazing but these other symptoms are so bad I am reluctant to take it.
CB
I've been taking Tramadols for 4 years. I know what you're saying about hyperactivity; I sometimes call Tramadol my "work drug". I am twice as productive with my job, more interested, efficient, etc. I suffer from depression, and I know it helps me there. I take no anti-depressants, none have ever made me feel as pleasant as tramadols. I am scared to death to tell my doctor half the reason I take this is for depression, I am scared he will take it away. My legit reason is for my neck pain which has been there since my roll over accident in 2005. I have a pinched nerve which runs down my left arm.
.
I take days off from the trams. I'm usually 2 or 3 on and 1 off. I find the effects are diminished on the third day in a row. If I feel the need to do a third day in a row, I increase my dose. My normal dose is 200 mg when I wake up. Then I am done for the day. 2 days off and I begin to feel the withdrawal symptoms...restless legs, aggitation, anxiety...I DON'T take trams in the P.M. because it gives me insomnia, accompanied by BAD night sewats. This is where the THC comes into my day.
So Tramadol....It helps, my pain is handled, I'm happier, My work is good....In Reality I'm completely addicted...I'm under the recomended daily dose, so I don't think I'm killing myself. But it is a part of my desired reality, I have no intentions of stopping anytime soon. I hate the withdrawals anyway.
At least you are being honest with yourself and realize that you are flirting with addiction. Addicts often like the energy boost from their drug of choice. Sometimes that boost is related to the fact that fatigue is very common as the drug wears off. Sometimes that boost is related to the powerful reward center in your brain that likes the new infusion of a drug/reward be it sugar, exercise or "trams".
Eventually it is hard to stay ahead of the withdrawals and tolerance. That's when people fall off the hamster wheel and start to see a decline in productivity and function.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
Hi Dr. Lasich,
I am currently being treated for major depression, anxiety, hypothyroidism, high cholesterol, TMJ, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heriniated discs at L5/L3/L4 with sciatica and foot numbness. Specifically, I am taking the following medications from my psychiatrist for depression/anxiety/insomnia - Viibryd (been on for approx. 5 months, Trazodone (been on for approx. 3 months), Klonopin (as needed) and Buspar (in week 3). I have been suffering from back pain and leg weakness since the original occurence approx. 4 years ago and have tried every medical approach available - right now I see a chiropractor but still have "bad days". Likewise, this past week, I spoke to my General Internal Medicine Doctor, and he prescribed Tramadol at 1-2, 50 mg. tablets 4x a day - as needed.
I am curipous as to your input and professional opinion as to this combination of medication, and the hopes of feeling/thinking better and clearer. Also, is this combination safe? Would you recommend this combination for both pain and mood? When the pain comes back, I truly become very weepy. I am very saddened as to the impact my herniated disc issue has had on my life and the overall effect it has had on my mood and view of life. Would you recommend that I take the Tramadol regularly, despite having pain or not, to aid in the management of my pain/mood and obsessive worry about things in my life - in other words, to aid in my life perspective also?
Thank you for your consideration and helpfulness.
P.S. I have been on other narcotics (Oxycondone) for 3 years which slowly became ineffective and my doctor only increased the dosage. I was later told by my surgeon, to get off of all the narcotics and was then hospitalized for withdrawal. My personal preference is not to be on "any" meds but I am having a very difficult time in my mood and sadness. I feel like I have lost my mental abilities given my overall circumstances - health and general life.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated !
Mike
I just started taking tramadol 50 mg this is my third dose taking it and now my whole body seems to be itching really bad. You know the feeling you get like poison ivy that constantly itches but instead its my whole body. I'll itch on my face, scratch it, then it will itch on my legs, scratch it, then it moves to my arms scratch there and its like soon as i get relief in the spot im scratching it moves. Is it possible that I didn't have a reaction to the med til the third dose? Should I stop taking it til I call my doctor monday?
This sounds like a common reaction to opiods. Perhaps the doctor can respond to this, but I remember my inital reaction to codeine was an itchy nose, followed by a rash on my belly (I used to be allergic to opiates.) I had a very mild itchy nose the first time I took tramadol, another reason I agree with this site's evalauation that it is indeed an opiod.
Be careful with it. I took Vicodin for 6 months for neck pain and, to be honest, got hooked. The withdrawals weren't pleasant but only lasted 2-3 days - like having a mild flu. I substitued Tramadol when the pain returned the next year (old injuries from two bicycle crashes along with a broken scapula) I never exceeded 150 mg a day, but based on my previous Vicodin experience, decided to lay off after two months. The withdrawal symptoms were strange - leg twitching at night, pain in my feet I'd never had before, along with, again, mild flu-like symptoms. It lasted much longer than the V withdrawal, however, an effect I attribute to the seritonin reuptake inhibitor effects of this drug. I've read similar stories happening to people taking Effexor, an anti-depressive.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
hey, thanks for this bit of information. i currently take tramadol b/c i have fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. In my experience, this drug has worked well for me. before going on this drug i was severly concerned about OTC drugs b/c they are bad for the liver and i had to take them in excess amounts in order to get even just a little relief. now i have much better relief!
Yes, many OTC drug have very dangerous side effects when taken in excess. Tramadol is an excellent choice because it does not contain Tylenol and does not cause stomach ulcers. Tramado is also an excellent choice for anyone like you who has FM. Thanks for sharing your experience with Tramadol.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD