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America is undergoing a massive opioid anxiety attack. It has been called an epidemic by lawmakers and the media. While many people used opioids responsibly for chronic pain, there has been substantial abuse and way too many deaths. As a result of scary headlines and DEA crackdowns, many physicians have become understandably fearful about prescribing drugs like hydrocodone (Lortab, Norco, Vicodin) or oxycodone (OxyContin). Instead, doctors are turning to different kinds of pain relievers. But one commonly prescribed drug for pain is not benign. Tramadol (Ultram) side effects can be quite serious. This reader shares a poignant story:
A Tramadol Tale of Woe and Intrgue:
Q. Last February my 84-year-old mother had pain in her lower back due to a car accident. The doctor prescribed tramadol (Ultram). She took it for several months. It helped with the pain, but we did not realize that the problems she had were side effects that the drug was causing.
The most serious one was shortness of breath. The doctor prescribed an inhaler, and was about to refer her to a pulmonologist. Other adverse reactions included confusion, lack of appetite, depression, anxiety and very high blood pressure (we took her to the emergency room in April for blood pressure of over 200 with shortness of breath).
They did not find anything, but prescribed more blood pressure medicine. Around July she stopped taking the tramadol and she soon realized that she was no longer short of breath. Gradually she was back to her old self, with purpose, less anxiety, and able to breath well.
Perhaps the doctor should have realized that the shortness of breath was due to the tramadol. Perhaps I should have read the sheet that came with the medicine. I wonder if any other patients have had a similar experience.
How Does Tramadol Work?
A. Tramadol (brand names Ultram & Ultracet) is a very complicated medication that was first approved by the FDA in 1995. It is a moderately powerful prescription pain reliever that has some “weak” opioid activity. That means it acts a bit like a narcotic.
It was supposed to be safer than most pain relievers, which is why it is not categorized as a “controlled” substance (the way Vicodin, OxyContin or hydrocodone are). Doctors could prescribe Ultram without using a DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) number. That reassured many health professionals. The DEA would not come after them the way it might if they were prescribing oxycodone.
Tramadol Was Not Supposed to be “Addicting”
In the early days there was a belief that tramadol was much less likely to cause dependence than most other narcotic-like analgesics. In other words, there was not supposed to be an abuse potential (doctorspeak for the drug was generally considered non addicting). In theory, this pain reliever was supposed to have a low likelihood for producing withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation, especially when compared to narcotics like hydrocodone or oxycodone.
A Little-Known Tramadol Effect:
We suspect that most health professionals do not truly understand the pharmacology of tramadol. They know that the DEA won’t spank them for prescribing it. They know it is not as potent as hydrocodone or oxycodone.
But do they know that tramadol also affects neurochemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine? That means the drug behaves a little like antidepressants such as Zoloft (sertraline, which is an SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or Effexor (venlafaxine an SNRI) in the brain. Tramadol has not been approved to treat depression, however. More on this effect (and its complications) in a moment.
The problem with theories is that they don’t always work out the way they are supposed to. In the case of tramadol, there are a number of side effects and complications that were not necessarily anticipated.
Tramadol (Ultram) Side Effects:
• Dizziness, unsteadiness, vertigo, coordination difficulties
• Nausea, vomiting
• Abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea
• Constipation
• Sleepiness, drowsiness, fatigue,
• Itching, skin rash (could be life threatening!)
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• Anxiety, confusion, nervousness, cognitive dysfunction
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Seizures
• Respiratory depression, breathing difficulties (shortness of breath)
• Suicidal thoughts
• Low blood pressure on standing, hypertension, irregular heart rhythms
• Serotonin syndrome
Responding to Our Reader’s Concerns:
Your mother’s side effects including her breathing difficulties, confusion, lack of appetite, hypertensive episode and depression could all have been tied to tramadol. The drug can trigger something called serotonin syndrome, especially in combination with certain other medications. You can read more about serotonin syndrome at this link. It can be potentially life threatening.
Tramadol and Older People:
The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare has included tramadol in its list of drugs to (BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, October 25, 2017):
“avoid unless special reason for prescription.”
The Swedish researchers consider tramadol a “potentially inappropriate medication” in older people, especially if they are identified with “intellectual disability.” In other words, if someone is confused, they may become more confused while taking a drug like tramadol (see anticholinergic effects below).
Similar Stories from Readers:
O.G. reported:
“My doctor (and the orthopedist to whom I was referred for severe hip pain) prescribed Tramadol for recurring pain. I was nauseated, dizzy, had hot flashes, and many of the other side effects this supposedly safe drug causes.
“When I tried to stop I went through what I can only describe as withdrawal. It lasted for about 48 hours. When it was over it felt like coming out from under a cloud. This from a patient like me who is careful in her use of medications.”
Mac in South Carolina shared this:
“I took tramadol for a brief time for back pain. I tried it on three different occasions. I experienced extreme vertigo, nausea, diarrhea, and a migraine-like headache with just one dose each of those times. I had to hold on to the wall to get myself to the bathroom without falling down and could not tolerate bright light. This lasted for days.”
C.S. In Florida was also sensitive to tramadol (Ultram) side effects:
“I was prescribed tramadol for pain. After only 3 doses I experienced nausea, severe vomiting, headache, tingling in both arms and disorientation. I feared I was having a stroke and went to the emergency room. A CT scan revealed no stroke.
“I would never take this medication again. When I go to see any doctor I list tramadol in the ‘allergic to’ section of medical forms so I am not prescribed it again.”
Tramadol and Anticholinergic Activity:
Very few physicians realize that tramadol also has anticholinergic (AC) activity. That means it interferes with the action of the crucial brain chemical acetylcholine. This might explain why the woman who contacted us described her mother’s “confusion” as a possible complication of tramadol.
Learn more about the impact of anticholinergic drugs at this link:
“Are Anticholinergic Drugs Bad for Your Brain?
Tramadol has weak AC activity. But if someone were taking other drugs that also have this effect, the total AC burden could become problematic. This is especially true for older people. Here is a link to more information on drugs with anticholinergic activity.
Tramadol (Ultram) Side Effects & Withdrawal
Perhaps the most disturbing and unanticipated problem with tramadol is withdrawal. Even though most health professionals thought the drug would not trigger this problem, we now know that it not only happens but can be disastrous.
In addition to the narcotic-like action of tramadol, the drug also behaves a bit like antidepressants such as paroxetine, sertraline or venlafaxine. At the time it was approved, the FDA may not have realized that when such drugs are stopped suddenly, people can experience very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
This dual action (the narcotic-like effect and the serotonin “discontinuation syndrome”) can lead to some terrible symptoms. Patients are not always warned about this problem.
Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms:
• Anxiety, mood swings, irritability
• Brain zaps (shock-like sensations), tingling
• Sweating, chills, goose bumps, shivering
• Tremors
• Headaches
• Insomnia, sleeping difficulties, nightmares
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
• Depression
• Hallucinations, unusual thoughts
• Aggresiveness
Here are just a few of the many stories we have received about this complication:
Keiko clearly experienced withdrawal after stopping tramadol:
“I had surgery on my shoulder for a partial rotator cuff tear and manipulation of my frozen shoulder at the same time. The doctor ordered for PT to begin very next day. I was taking tramadol, but starting to feel strange so I stopped taking it abruptly.
“By midnight I was having cold chills and the sweats all night long. By the next morning I was vomiting. In addition to sweating profusely and cold chills I had severe anxiety. I was ended up in ER that afternoon. Apparently, I was having withrawal from tramadol. It was a horrible experience. I do not want to ever experience the “withdrawal” symptoms again.”
Lorraine reports that tramadol withdrawal was awful:
“I took tramadol for just over 30 days prior to having a hip replacement. I then took the pills for a week after surgery. Then I stopped.
“The withdrawal for me was worse than recovery from the surgery. I had flu like symptoms and was depressed (something I had never experienced). It took about 3 weeks to feel somewhat normal. I would never take this drug again!”
Anonymous in Pennsylvania:
“Contrary to what doctors may say, this drug is very addictive. Use it sparingly and carefully. There is a small percentage of people who seem to be able to stop this drug cold turkey and not experience withdrawal. They are very lucky.
“More and more it’s becoming recognized that tramadol is an addictive drug and causes terrible withdrawal for many. The worst of it will last anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks and then, depending on how long you’ve been taking the drug, you may continue to experience withdrawal symptoms for months afterward.
“I can’t even begin to explain how bad the withdrawal is. If you look it up, you will find numerous reports and testimonials from others who are trying to get off this drug and can’t because the withdrawal is so bad. Others can vouch for the hellaciousness of it.
“For me the worst physical symptom was constant restless legs. Emotionally, I was extremely depressed and had zero energy. Just lifting my arm felt like a huge effort. Going up and down the stairs put me out of breath. My internal thermostat was totally out of whack. I was hot one minute, and cold the next. My hair and clothes would get drenched from night sweats.
“The list goes on and on. I don’t EVER want to go through that kind of withdrawal again. I’m not saying don’t take this drug. But do be careful and try to stay on it for only as short a length of time as possible. Oh, I should also note I had a seizure while withdrawing from tramadol, which is not uncommon when coming off this drug.”
Generic Tramadol Issues:
In addition to the side effects and withdrawal symptoms associated with sudden discontinuation of tramadol, there is also the generic drug concern. We have heard from a number of people that not all generic versions of tramadol are created equal:
P.J.B. reported the following:
“I was taking the generic version of Ultram (tramadol) for several years when my pharmacy suddenly changed manufacturers (and did not point it out to me before I left the pharmacy with it).
“I gave them the benefit of the doubt, but within 24 hours of taking the other generic, I knew something was terribly wrong. All of my pain symptoms returned overnight, accompanied by extreme anxiety.
“I had to jump through hoops with the pharmacy but managed to get my doctor to write the script as DAW [dispense as written] and within an hour of taking the ‘Ultram,’ I felt completely different. The anxiety disappeared along with the lower back and leg pain.”
Jim also had generic drug trouble:
“When my doctor prescribed Ultram for my neurologic pain, it worked. I was nearly pain free for a few hours. When the pharmacy changed to the generic tramadol I never had total pain relief for any length of time.”
The People’s Pharmacy Perspective on tramadol:
Some people do well with tramadol. It this drug relieves their pain without side effects we are delighted. Others, however, may get modest pain relief and suffer symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and confusion. Older people may be especially vulnerable to such complications. Here is our bottom line:
• Tramadol can ease pain somewhat, but has a number of serious side effects (see above)
• Tramadol should not be discontinued abruptly. It can trigger terrible withdrawal symptoms for some people.
• The FDA has not provided physicians with clear guidelines on how to help patients phase off such drugs. We frequently see recommendations like “gradual withdrawal,” but no one bothers to provide clear instructions about what that really means.
• Do not assume that all generic tramadol formulations are identical to Ultram or each other.
If you experience any side effects, withdrawal symptoms or complications with a generic version of tramadol, contact your physician and pharmacist and request the help you deserve. Let your doctor know if tramadol is causing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, insomnia or confusion.
Share your own story or comment below.
Revised 10/30/17
Kyle
Let’s just call it what it is–an opioid! Yet another one that drug companies are pushing.
Michael
I have been issued tramadol (along with Vicodin) for over 9 years for serious and severe back pain from herniated discs, spondylosis, and arthritis of the spine. I’ve run the gamut of the steroid injections to the point of loss of effectiveness. Thanks to my insistence and a brilliant neurosurgeon, I now have a spinal cord stimulator that gives me at least 65% relief. Although reduced by half, I am still begrudgingly needing/requiring regular doses of these aforementioned opioids. I recall even inquiring as to how I could “get off them” about 6 years ago.
Not until reading this article did it dawn on me that a huge amount of “my other issues” indeed WERE side effects of tramadol. I am desperate to get these off my plate!!!
Any hope/help out there? I have gone from vibrantly active to couch potato with aortic stenosis (being monitored for future surgery) and still have a lot of living to do and projects to finish. I thank God you folks are on the air!
Brian O
I started Tramadol when it first got approved in 1995 and have been on since then. I was prescribed tramadol after my lower back surgery.
Over the years I developed some memory problems and muscle aches and pains. I was on 100 mgs, 50 in the morning and 50 later in the day.
Over the last 45 days I’ve been weaning off Tramadol. I cut my dose in half over those 45 days. The weaning process has been hell. I’ve experienced high anxiety, and my knee joints are so sore that I can hardly walk.
I do medical marijuana at night so I can sleep. I just started some gabapentin which manages the skeletal/muscular pain.
I’m in the process of seeing if I can get it compounded so I can do 10% cuts over a one month period from here on out.
Julie
South Carolina
I always read patients’ comments but never comment on my own. Now I want to chime in on the seriousness of Tramadol withdrawal. I sustained an insufficiency fracture of my sacrum due to osteoporosis. After having terrible side effects from oxycodone my doctor prescribed Tramadol. I took four a day for two months, three a day for two weeks, two a day for an additional two weeks, and finally one a day for one week. Then I stopped.
The first side effect I noticed was a feeling of anxiety. Then came the insomnia. Also felt like I had a stomach virus times three. I am now on day four and have contacted my Doctor who dismissed my symptoms as normal. My only recourse is to go back on it, and taper off again more slowly or suck it up. I choose to later. People need to be very aware of how dependent you can become on this drug.
Carrie
Seattle
I was diagnosed with Reactive Arthritis in January 2014. The pain started in Nov 2013 in just the left knee and rapidly spread to the major tendons of both knees, shoulders, jaw and hips. The inflammation in my jaw has caused permanent tinnitus. I really didn’t think it could get any worse.
Come Christmas I was put on a prescribed anti-inflamatory drug that did nothing for the pain. Nothing at all. I winced to lift my leg in and out of the car. I had trouble walking and had to quickly elevate it with ice when I got home. I was suffering. When it started to spread to other joints I could hardly dress myself or lower my torso to the commode. Can you imagine this? The pain was just that unbearable.
My orthopedic doc referred me to a rheumatolgist whom I saw the first week in January. I was wheeled into her office in, get this, a wheelchair. She prescribed Sulfasalazine and Prednisone. Within 10 weeks I was finally put on Humira. But the damage was done. Although I could move better the debilitating pain was still there to such a great degree it was lowering my quality of life.
Before this diagnosis I was a happy, healthy, and active 51 year-old women who loved to partner dance 4 x a week. Over the course of treatment my final medicine protocol was Enbrel, Celebrex and Tramadol and limited Tylenol. I wish I didn’t need to take any of these meds, yet because of them I have some quality of my life back.
Tramadol works for me at 50mg-100mg per day and on non-flare days I don’t take it at all. Chronic pain suffering is cruel and ruthless. All these meds are poison in my opinion yet without them I had no life at all.
I have had doctors who scoffed each time I switched insurance coverage at the Tramadol insisting I go on a different poison that had worse side effects that at each time outweighed any pain relief they provided, like Lyrica, Cymbalta, Effexor… the list goes on. Why would they take away what is working? I literally could not stay in the correct lane of traffic while on Gabapentin. Although it did wonders for my pain I was stumbling into walls, had horrid constipation, nightmares and bladder irritation IC flares. I mean, my gosh, this absolutely was just not worth the joint pain relief so I stopped taking it. I understand it is a godsend for other sufferers. And I can respect that. I also understand the above drugs are very, very difficult to get off of. Another drawback.
For me personally, I would rather take medicine I need for that day as apposed to one I must take daily or suffer withdrawals if I don’t. Tramadol simply gives me the needed pain relief without debilitating side effects. I agree with those who suffered greatly while taking it and chose to stop it. Medicine is, after all, not an exact science. Do what works for you. And respect that what doesn’t work for you just may be the magic drug that works for others.
Biologics are great medicines that work well until they stop working. I was subsequently switched to Remicade in June 2018. I hope that it continues to work for me as long as possible. In spite of the biologic treatment I was still unable to do most things like short walks, climb 4 stairs, or squat down without tremendously increasing inflammation pain that would last the rest of the day and kept me inside on the sofa. Tramadol is what helps the untreatable pain from reaching an 8 on the pain scale and helps me indure more physical activity for which I am eternally grateful.
Many people with autoimmune conditions such as mine have posted the many trials and errors of biologics but that doesn’t mean we should not prescribe them to those they are helping. This mindset just doesn’t make sense to me. Does it make sense to you?
The day Tramadol is taken off the market in the U.S. is the day I move to a Country that provides it.
I hope my story has provided another outlook on the positive use of Tramadol and the quality of life it has given to me and many others who suffer from unrelenting life-long chronic pain.
Nick
Houston, Texas
I had a herniated discs in my lower back that caused severe left leg pain constantly. I get my healthcare through the VA and of course the have completely stopped prescribing narcotics unless you’re dying, had surgery or have amputations. I was prescribed tramadol and it worked like a charm. I took it from December of 2017 and started trying to come off the medication after my discetomy and hemilaminotomy on August 1, 2018. My dosage was two 50mg pills every 4 hours. (About 8 months).
My doctor told me that this medication isn’t a narcotic so it isn’t addictive and is safe to take. I don’t think doctors read up on anything that they prescribe, they just listen to the sales rep and on they go with it.
One time prior to this, I ran out and was feeling extremely unwell. I had constant brain shocks. It felt like my brain was under a constant supply of low voltage electricity. It would worsen if I darted my eyes or turned my head to look around. That was the most uncomfortable and confusing part. I had a horrible loss of memory and lost the ability to think quickly and sharply. I felt like I would constantly lose my train of thought and forget easy to remember things. My entire body ached. I felt like I had the worst flu I had ever had. Extreme night sweats, nightmares, swollen tonsils, horrible back and front neck pain and stiffness, headaches, pain behind my eyes, slight joint stiffness and no appetite. I went to the ER at the VA and the ER doctor said it’s not withdrawal because tramadol isn’t addictive. Well, turns out he’s not very knowledgeable. He said I was dehydrated. I spent a lot of time in Iraq in full gear in the middle of the summer where temps would reach 120 degrees. Trust me, I know what dehydration feels like, this wasnt it. They gave me an IV and the shot version of tramadol and sent me in my way. I got the tramadol refill and felt 100% once I started taking it again.
Well, I had my surgery and tried to stop taking the pills. Bad move. All the symptoms are back and I don’t know what to do. I’m trying to take one pill when I would normally take two but that doesn’t seem to be helping much.
My doctor will be reading this article (had to close my eyes and put my head down for 2 full minutes to think of the word article, happens all the time) and will get an earful from me. I told my friend yesterday, “for all the pain and suffering I’m going through now, i wish the medicine would have at least made me high when i took it, maybe then this would be worth it haha.” I hope all reading this will have an easier time coming off the medicine. Hopefully I can find an answer and a solid solution to this
Carolyn
Idaho
I have been taking tramadol (50mg 3 x a day) for six years. I would like to get off and see if I can handle the pain any other way but am terrified of the withdrawal. I spoke to a pharmacist who instructed me to cut back one quarter of a pill every 10 days and I would not have the withdrawal symptoms. I am going to try.
Larry
Cleveland Ohio
I have been on Tramadol for a year and a half I’m so ready to put this phase behind me. Yes, I loved the feeling that it gave me but once I tried to go without it. That’s when my body started to feel weird. I have yet to come off but I’m cutting the dosage down and will be on my way to ending this battle.
Kate
Pacific Northwest
I took my last Tramadol 10 days ago. I had been taking 4 pills a day for a year, then dropped to 3 pills for 3 years. The withdrawal has been brutal. My Rheumatologist encouraged me to do this. I live in Oregon & used cannabis to treat the withdrawal symptoms (RSO saved me) & will use it to manage my chronic pain. I ingest it & suffer no side effects. I’ve had 2 surgeries, took Vicodin for one & Vicodin/Percocet for the other. I used as prescribed & had no problems stopping when I no longer needed the meds.
Ronnie
Cali
I weaned off Tramadol by halfing my doses. 4 days 1/2, 4 days another half….I’m off it completely for 2weeks now….but I am dealing with the extreme fatigue of said weaning.
It’s gets a little better every day, the trick is not to rush it, and yes, I’ve had to wean off the drug 3 times now.
Good luck to all who attempt it. You learn every try.
Andi
NJ
No one wants to become addicted to any substance or for a loved one to become dependent. Having said this, I think politicians and the media have created an unnecessary hysteria. The fault lies with drug manufacturers and doctors,( a lot of corruption); gifts, bribes, free vacations from pharma to doctors. Read expose “Blood Medicine.”
But somehow, in the end, it is the patient ‘s fault , who is then stigmatized . There are many people who would not be able to work ,exercise, or make a living because of chronic unbearable pain.without a drug like Tramadol. And there are those that do perfectly well without side effects.
The problem is when draconian drug policies are implemented without much warning, the govt. is interfering witb the sanctity of the doctor-pt. confidential relationship causing distrust between them; unless a politician happens to be a pain management specialist, he/she has no right to be making healthcare decisions for broad groups of people; no one’s brain body, pain is the same. Interfering in the judgment of a physician who has had years of medical training is simply wrong. Patients are lied to, doctors accept major gifts and bribes from sales reps to prescribe certain medications. Many very harmful, non-narcotic drugs too. Who profits? The black market… Portugal has no prohibitions against any drug, and much less drug abuse than countries that do. We are living in a police state…Think about it; it’s not just about tramadol, it’s about big brother.
Rapuruchukwu
Enugu Nigeria
I have been on tams for 3yrs since i amputated my right leg,i take 200mg a day,it make me sweat alot all the time ,i experince stomach fullness all the time even when am not on it because i may take it for 3days in a week but whenever i stop for that week i still experince stomach fullness,hope that not really bad.someone help please.
Shy
TX
I have had bad, hospitalizing migraines since I was little. So after a three day migraine and no break in it, I call my new doctor for my normal demeral shot to break my migraine. New doctor informed me they don’t use demeral and would give me tramadol. It broke my migraine, with side affects of bad dizziness, nausea & impossible to go to sleep for 6 hr. So 6hr later my migraine is back full force. And I still have all the side affects.
PP
I took tramadol for 2 1/2 months with no side effects, until at the end my body started wanting more, and I refused to go down that road. I weaned off properly. I was only taking a 50 mg each day. A few weeks off of tramadol, and I started having panic attacks to the point I could not stay home alone from fear or leave my house. I feared every evening as darkness fell. I felt like everything was closing in on me when it was dark or rainy. I cried a lot and was so fearful from things like that. I used ice packs to keep me in touch with myself and calm me. Those helped SO much.
I also became agoraphobic which was horrible. You CANNOT get medical help from home. I read, read, and read. Made numerous worthless calls with no help except trying antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications through phone and email with my doctor which all just made me ill, so those did not work out. I tried to walk like usual around my neighborhood but would panic if I lost sight of my house. This was all a year ago, and I still cannot go more that an hour from home with my husband driving, and I still have to use aromatherapy in the car, chew gum, etc. I still get very nervous about getting stuck in traffic or construction without quick escape. Second floor buildings are also out, and I used to have no problem with that. I worry how long it will be before going back to normal or if I will ever be completely normal. It’s a scary situation. I am very hopeful for a better spring and summer. Diet and physical activity are important in recovery.
People are not aware of PAWS. Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. This is what I am dealing with here. I am so glad I did not take tramadol for longer than I did. The initial withdrawal is one level but the PAWS is the true nightmare if you are one of the people who may be affected from it. I had to learn the hard way by reading on my own after it was already too late. I was trying to understand what was happening without much medical help.
I would NEVER want to go through this again. It is a very SLOW progression but I am so thankful that I am not where I started despite still having some depression going on from being limited. I wish everyone in withdrawal stage the very best!
julie
96002
I am on the regular generic it causes me the WORST BREATHING PROBLEMS FROM ATHSMA OMG
Patricia
Tramadol , I spelled it wrong.
Sometimes I miss a dose or double dose
Because I forget. No problems noted.
Also agree, not all Tramadol is created equal.
Patricia
Central wisconsin
I have been taking Tramsdol since Spring 1997
It was Ultram in those days
I had FM symptoms and undiagnosed thyroid condition. I learned about this drug in a FM newsletter. I had to ask the Doctor about trying it
50mg did nothing. I bumped it up to 100mg first thing in the morning, then 5-6hrs later another 100.
Within 2-3 days I knew this drug worked. My muscle pain was greatly relieved and it helped the chronic fatigue. The only side effects were dry mouth and chatting more. I never take it in the evening as it disrupted my sleep.
When generics were used I noticed they did not work as well
For me the serotonin uplift was needed
I mentally felt better
I have not increased the pills taken per day
I agree that this med may not be for everyone and may work differently for people
However for me it is so helpful
Tramsdol does nothing for my arthritis pain but helps muscle pain, stiffness in AM, fatigue and helps improve mood.
I have never felt a buzz or a need to increase the dosage.
Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.
Most drugs have side effects and this means OTC drugs. Common sense needs to prevail. For me this med works
Thank you for reading.
Mary
New jersey
Some people use Tramadol and it relieves pain for the first time in years. Others just can’t take it. I believe there’s a genetic marker to indicate if you can take this kind of drug. It clearly has interactions with other meds and different risks for older people.
Doses vary tremendously also in user comments, and we don’t know what else they were taking. I will be trying at low dose 10mg. For depression of a certain kind…abandonment, betrayal and some other stuff, evidently it works in the brain well for that particular kind of trauma. There’s now research on this, they are using it in Switzerland to good effect for some people.
If it works hooray for me, if not, I’ll stop using it.
Jay
NY
Back in 2007, I broke my back and was placed on Hydrocodone. After about 3 weeks, I was concerned that I may become addicted to the opiate. My orthopedic physician, then introduced me to Tramadol (Ultram). He told me this “synthetic opioid” was a safer alternative and should not be habit forming and only had some mild side effects.
Fast forward 10 years, building up a tolerance to Tramadol and only taking it as prescribed, I went from 100 mg to 400 mg (daily). I only stopped at the 400 mg daily dose, because it was the most my PCP could legally prescribe. So, by October 2017 I was still in severe pain and now had a serious schedule 4 drug addiction.
I suffered horrendous side-effects from the years of taking this controlled substance. I had very noticeable tremors. There were times I feared I had Parkinson’s disease. I was very fatigued and could barely find enough energy to make it to work. I always felt restless, but still could hardly get out of bed. I had bouts of constipation, and very sharp abdominal pains. I had a weak urine stream, and forget anything about obtaining an erection (almost non-existent). There were awful headaches, which became so intense I had to get a CAT scan. The scan found nothing, however, and the neurologist seemed very concerned that I had been on Tramadol so long. My anxiety was so bad, I had to be placed on Xanax. I simply always felt nervous, and at one point was even prescribed Ativan. Often I would find myself having to take a very deep breath, because my breathing had become constantly shallow and short.
I could only function when the Tramadol had leveled in my system. I would have to purposely time this out with my daily activities. The worst was when the Tramadol started to wear off, and I found an overwhelming blanket of dread and disparity come over me. There were numerous times that this lead to horrific suicidal thoughts. I would become quickly agitated and extremely aggressive (verbally). My behavior was simply toxic, and I pushed many people, including my family away.
However, when my dosage was at its peak, I became almost quite manic. Speaking very fast, euphoric and irrational (including my inner dialogue). The entire decade on this drug had my emotions so up and down, many people thought I may be bi-polar (I started to believe this myself).
The craziest part about this, was I knew the whole time that I had to discontinue taking this drug. The problem was that on the days I missed a dose, the withdrawal was so bad that I became petrified of tapering off. I was always so confused and cloudy throughout this entire 10 years from Tramadol, it became impossible to make a conscious thought, let alone the rationalization on how to quit this drug. When I lost my ex-girlfriend to a Fentanyl overdose in November 2017, I decided it was time to quit and get through the withdrawal hell.
I promise it can be done. Unfortunately, I did it alone, and without any support group. DON’T Do It this way!!! It really sucks. Especially if you have been on this drug for many years. And NEVER try to quit cold turkey, it is dangerous. You will want loved ones around who are willing to constantly keep an eye on you (trust me, you need that). You need the metaphorical and literal hand holding of a support system. But if you are alone, find professional help so you can be monitored, and get medical assistance with the withdrawal symptoms. The suicidal feelings are very strong, and it is nothing anyone should do alone or take lightly. I went through almost every withdrawal associated with ending a 10-
yearlong Tramadol addiction.
I tapered down from 400+ mg to 50 mg (daily). And this process takes some time to do. Honestly, the last 50 mg is mentally difficult. It is now the end of January 2018, and I’m still finishing the last of my mild withdrawal symptoms (yes, they last this long). I occasionally have cravings for Tramadol, but I believe it is only because when I felt the slightest discomfort I would turn to Tramadol (kind of a security blanket). After two weeks it is more psychological than physical.
I have now realized that most of the pain I felt while on the drug was due to withdrawal between doses, rather than my original injury. I’m still in pain, but nothing even close to when I was taking the drug. Now it is much more manageable, and is more of discomfort than actual pain. My energy is beginning to come back, and I have never been clearer headed. No more feelings of extreme highs and lows, and I can’t fathom the idea of ending my life. It has literally felt like I have awoken from a nightmare-like coma. And now I have to piece my life back together.
Ann
Iowa
I was prescribed Tramadol 300 mg daily for sleep disorder and restless leg by a neurologist. This was before it became a controlled substance. I ended up becoming addicted to it and started ordering more from online pharmacies. At one time I was up to 2000 mg/day just to maintain. Fortunately or unfortunately my supply got cut off and I tapered from 2000 mg/daily to 0 mg daily over a period of 2 weeks.
I have been at 0 mg/daily for three weeks now and it has been absolute hell. Everything from terrible sleeplessness, to brain zaps (electrical shock feelings), sneezing fits, laryngitis, restless leg, terrible depression, suicidal thoughts, stomach issues, horrid diarrhea, chills, blurred vision, trouble focusing,… the list goes on and on.
I am feeling a little better each day, but then something new will pop up. I feel like this is a never ending punishment for the trouble I got myself into. I have to laugh at doctors that are surprised by any withdrawal symptoms or that it has side effects.
The only thing I have found that helps is Gabapentin. I take 3 to 4 300 mg pills each day, and am tapering those down as well. They eliminate a lot of the issues or at least minimize them so they are somewhat bearable.
I was hooked on both Morphine and Oxycodone before. Neither was this bad to get off of. I can only hope I have not done permanent damage with this drug from hell. For those of you who are on it now or trying to quit, this is not a safe drug. Also, be aware, if you tell your physician that you need help getting off of this, they will mark you down as having an addiction problem and it is on your record forever. Try a clinic instead.
Katie
Philadelphia
How does a person cut down from one 50 mg. Of tramadrol a day for a few months so they won’t have withdrawal?
Kelly
Perth Australia
I was given Tramadol slow release tablets in conjunction with Celebrex for painful locked-up neck muscles. I took 1 pill a day over the course of 3 days and became violently sick. I was sick the first day, but put it down to the Celebrex and stopped taking that, as I was told the Tramadol pills were not very strong. Well, I have never felt so ill in my life! Waves of nausea, hot and cold, vomiting non-stop, head felt swollen and heavy, numb fingers and toes. I went to the doctor fearing that I had actually been poisoned, and he very casually responded ‘Oh yeah lots of people have severe reactions to Tramodol. You should stop taking it, and go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing.’
It is now 4 days later, and I’m only just able to get up and walk around. I am still getting hot sweats, dizziness, and numbness in my face! But thankfully the nausea has stopped. It was the sickest I have ever felt. I wasn’t able to sleep, as I also had very troubled and rapid thoughts whenever I would start to drift off to sleep. I feel like this drug is over-prescribed. I can understand wanting to risk the servere reaction if you have a serious injury, but just for some neck soreness?? Also, if the doctor had told me there was a possibility of such a severe reaction I would’ve happily put up with the neck pain!
heather
Thank you for sharing. Your story reminds me a lot of my own. I’ve been taking tramadol for 9 years! I have regular pain and very painful flare ups caused from spondylosis. I’ve kept the dosage at minimum these last few years. I’ve been very determined to be in control! But I’m not…
At this point I’m down to a half pill every day or other day. It took a lot of effort to get this far. I’ll take a half pill when the withdrawals are getting the better of me. The last few years I’ve been taking 3 pills a day. Anything less and I would feel the withdrawals. I live a very healthy life except for these stupid pills. I’m very active and I’ve found that running and hiking helps. Especially with the loss of energy, depression and mood swings. I’ve let it go on this long because I need my energy plus my mood effects my income or I would’ve stopped sooner.
Anyway with taking it for so long but taking my time tapering down do you think my withdrawals won’t be as harsh or last for months when I finally stop all together? My biggest fear is that I won’t be myself after. This whole thing sucks! When I was taking 3 pills a day I would have no pain and feel like I was living a pain free life but I would also feel like a pill popper! Stopping or cutting back I would feel my back pain in everything I did and would become depressed. Its like I’m damned if id do and damned if I don’t. Any advice you can give would be awesome. Thanks
shinaayo
lagos nigeria
I have been on Tramadol for over one year with 300mg every night before sleep. It’s enhanced my mood greatly, but the worst part of it is that I cant avoid it for a single day. I’ve tried several times but I failed due to weakness, agitation, insomnia, depression, nightmares, and hallucinations, etc. But since yesterday I started reducing my dose from 300 mg to 200mg every night. By next week I wll go down to 150mg. May God help me until I finally forget it and flush the remaining tram in my commode.
Rebecca
OR
I’ve been taking Tramedol for seven years for severe fibromyalgia. It helped me to be able to work and be productive at home. After a year, I needed more so went from (4) 50mg a day to 5 and then to 6 which my doc told me was the max. at one point my dr switched me from regular tramedol to time released very abruptly with no wean schedule whatsoever. Don’t EVER do that!
I had withdrawals for THREE months even though I switched back to regular after 30 days. The worst was the first few days where I had all of the severe withdrawal symptoms. I was sweating and cold with chills, felt like I had the flu, couldn’t stop crying and not to mention, the WORST fibro pain I’ve ever experienced. I had to figure it out myself that it wasn’t a bad FM attack but was actually from my doctor making an irresponsible choice to switch to time released.
After a few years I became severely hypoglycemic and one day didn’t feel like eating (not knowing I had hypo) and ended up in the ER two days in a row with symptoms of a heart attack which turned out to be a low blood sugar attack from taking 6 tramedols a day with no food two days in a row. When I figured all this out on my own (the doctors didn’t know what had happened to me but were sure to drug test me in the ER) I decided to wean off.
The way I’m weaning off is extremely gradual. I started by eliminated a half pill from only one dose once a week for four weeks. When I got down to 4 pills a day I started taking only a quarter less per day each week. When I got down to two pills a day I couldn’t go down anymore without withdrawal pain. Here’s what most people (and doctors even!) don’t know about prescription pills. You can’t cut one 50mg pill in half and assume you’re getting 25mg. Only pills that are scored in half can split the active ingredient in half. My tramedol wasn’t scored. Luckily I started up with a new doctor from moving across the country and she Rx’d a new script to be filled by a compound pharmacy. There, they can split the dose however you want! I’ve been doing it this way for 3 months. I started with them at 12.5mg per pill and then took off one pill each week, and now I am all the way down to 6.25mg/8 times per day, which is one whole of my old 50mg pills. So I’m down from 6 50mg pills a day to only ONE. this has made the whole process so much easier. She also Rx’d me Flexeril which helps me sleep on days I go down on tramedol. I don’t take it every night because I don’t want to be dependent on another drug.
I will continue to go down one pill a day until I feel I need to split the dose in half again. Yes, that will be 3mgs per dose which I’m sure sounds like I’m going overboard. But my body is SUPER sensitive and I know I need to go as gradual as possible.
Benefits so far – I’m much more clear headed and less depressed. I am also seeing an acupuncturist who helps me with the chronic headaches of weaning off. His treatments have made my life so much easier!! My doctor said I can go back on tramedol if after weaning off I still am in a lot of pain. But I don’t think I will. I don’t want to be dependent on anything anymore.
Bob
Erie, PA
I started taking Tramadol for joint pain about a year and a half ago for severe joint pain. At first, it worked great. It was miraculous. I had my first good nights sleep in two years. Gradually it stopped working so well. I had what I now believe we’re side effects from the drug. Loss of memory and concentration. Fatigue, emotional and personality changes. Digestive issues. Feeling hot and sweaty a lot.
I noticed if I stopped taking them I would feel sick with flu like symptoms. I decided to stop taking them cold turkey. That was nine days ago. It’s been hell. The first two days I couldn’t go to work. I was bedridden. I have had severe night sweats and chills. I have had flu like symptoms and for about five days it felt like demons were trying to rip my abdomen and brains out. It was agonizing.
I’m just starting to feel okay again but I’m still far from being normal. I have depression and anxiety. I WILL say that I never lost my appetite and I never had a craving for the drug itself though, thank God.
I’m sorry that this drug has not worked out for me as the pain I took it for is sure to return. I’m a 61 year old lifetime carpenter and have a very physical job. When I’m in pain, it makes work miserable. Still, I’d rather be in pain than take this drug as I feel it turned me into a slave for it.
If you are going to stop taking it, I’d suggest doing some research first and tell your doctor first.
Virginia
Australia
‘Lawmakers and the media are telling us…’ – and based upon this statement alone we should be quite skeptical about what we are being told. In reality severe pain that remains poorly managed will lead to numerous co-morbidity issues. Effective pain management is the A and O of good patient care. The vast majority of consumers on S4 and S8 pain meds use them responsibly and for the management of pain.
Those who have addiction issues with prescription medications will find other, often illegal, alternatives when a legal source has become exhausted. The irresponsible consumption of opioid pain medications in conjunction with other incompatible drugs and alcohol, to get a high, is most unfortunate, but people in need of these medications should not be deprived of them because of the irresponsible actions of the few. The unfortunate reality remains that the best and most effective pain medications have side effects and long-term use can lead to dependency and/or withdrawal symptoms once they are ceased. However, most people are responsible enough to consult with their physician on these issues. Not treating severe and chronic pain effectively has equally serious consequences for sufferers.
Unfortunately, it really is an issue of ‘damned if you do and if you don’t.’ Perhaps, instead of painting opioid pain medications as the problem, lawyers, politicians and people in the media could explore the reasons why some people feel the need to abuse these and other types of drugs (legal or not). When they have identified the problem they may even come up with an appropriate solution. Unfortunately alternative analgesics, such as paracetamol, do not provide adequate pain relief for many types of chronic and significant pain.
Kim
Texas
I completely agree. I have been taking Tramadol for years without issue and have gone days without it, also without issue. I can’t tell you how much I live in fear that addicts and the government will cause my doctor to stop prescribing it, like they’ve already stopped prescribing hydrocodone and stronger meds. I can’t imagine being forced to live with my leg pain every night. It would cause me not to sleep, which in turn will cause me to be unable to work at some point. It would also affect my husband’s ability to sleep. Don’t penalize patients without medication issues!!!
Chris
Australia
I’m into day 3 of my detox from Lyrica and trammadol. I can’t sleep, my joints ache, I have diarrhoea and feel emotional. I will stick this out though for my daughter. A bit of background, I had a microdicectomy which was going well but was unlucky as I got an infection and then had to have the same surgery. I’ve been on antibiotics for a while but it’s been 12 weeks since I had the first surgery and I just want to feel normal again for myself and my family
Lynn
Wv
This medication has helped me to be able to have a life off the couch from pain, fatigue and depression. I feel normal again and am so glad I have it.
I’m sorry some have side effects, but I have them from Benadryl so should they take that off the market when u have an allergic reaction???
john
Atlanta, GA
I have not used or prescribed Tramadol in my practice. However, I was treating a patient for another disorder, who had a question for me. Tramadol had been given to him for pain at the time of an ER visit. He had been assured that it was not a narcotic. He said to me: ” I don’t believe that for a second. I was addicted to narcotics years ago & managed to get off them. Tramadol gives me the exact same feelings I had from narcotics. Of course, I like the feeling very much, but I know better than to take it.”
Betty
Abilene. TX
Pain medication has given many people their quality of life back, and they were able to function. For me with Fibromyalgia, it was the only thing that stopped the pain. Everything is bad for you now days.
I can assure you that I would rather take a risk than grit my teeth every night and not be able to sleep due to so much pain.
If I find something safer, I will be the first to give it a try. So far, that has not happened.
Hope
Georgia
I took this medicine for two days (only 6 pills), and by the second day I felt very dizzy. When I stood up I almost fell twice. Luckily, I was at the doctors office when this happened. My blood pressure plummeted to 60 over 40. They wheeled me over to the emergency room and ran all kinds of tests. Turned out it was a side effect of the tramodol. I carry a warning in my purse at all times.
Linda
Melbourne, FL
I started taking Tramadol for arthritis pain 6 yrs.ago. At one time I took 8 per day with no side effects. I tapered down with no problem. Thanks to Enbrel, I now need take only 1 Tramadol per day, and that’s mainly for depression. I thank God for this drug.
M
Ireland
Exactly. I stopped Tramadol cold turkey and absolutely no side effects whatsoever. It must have a different effect for everyone. I was taking it for pain from having my trapezium crushed in an accident, and it has been marvelous for that, but I just don’t like taking a ‘pain killer’ because I feel it cuts of my emotions somehow. I may take it again, but for now I like to know I have the control. As I said, I FIRMLY believe this drug works very, very differently on everyone. Maybe it’s the blood type? I don’t know. But I have zero side effects. Thank you everyone who contributes.
Charles
SE
Greetings:
Once again, you give only the horror stories. Let me just ask you:
If you have serious pain for several reasons, your doctor should help you, not just bow to fear and not prescribe an appropriate opioid. I really don’t blame them too much.
But they can prescribe tramadol for scores of patients who are in constant pain, and cannot take NSAIDs. How about a bleeding ulcer and a shattered hip?
If you continue your constant criticism of tramadol, you may get it off the market.
Goody two shoes for you. What about us who have to work? Watch what you wish for: you just may get it.
Julie
Roanoke, VA
I was prescribed Tramadol for shingles pain. One dose made me violently ill, and I threw up for thirteen hours and slept between periods of nausea. It was worse than the shingles pain. When I reported it to my doctor, she said there are some people who simply cannot take this medicine, and it now on the front of my medical records that I am one of them.
Jessie
Mississippi
This is the only medication that’s helped my chronic back pain. I feel like my normal self when I’m not constantly hurting. No side effects for me either. However, my doctor prescribing tramadol for the past few years has recently retired. Now if I go anywhere and give the doctor my life story I’m persecuted for taking it. I’ve stopped cold turkey for the past few months, and I am miserable. Now I have a stomach ulcer from constant NSAID use, but that’s okay right?
ashley
FL
my boyfriend has been taking tramadol for 5 plus years. he takes it for sever back pain.
i believe he takes 1 every 4-6 hours. in the past 6 months i have noticed a huge change in his personality. he literally has zero patients and just snaps….then asks like nothing just happened a few minutes later or blames it on myself. can anyone tell me if this could be from the side affects of tramadol please.
Natasha
Australia
My father whos 71 started tramadol 2 weeks ago he experienced nausea dizzy and had a fall he is now in hospital and its like he has rapid dementia hoping he comes good doctors think it’s from the tramadol anyone else experience this
Stacy F
Oklahoma
I’ve been tak8 my generic tramadol for 2 years I have big round red rings on both hands and one ankle, one on each wrist. This is the worst drug ever. Getting off is frightening but my pain from hernia mesh is bad. Can anyone guess what causing these rings?
Annomus
Florida
I was prescribed Tramadol for my pain. I just took it last night for the first time. I have the itches and can’t fall asleep. Now I’m reading about the withdrawals from it. I’m starting to freak out. I’m a recovering drug addict. I know how bad withdrawals can be. I wanted to die rather than go through them, and now I’m worried about withdrawals. I was in a car accident so I am in pain. I guess I’ll have to talk to my doctor. I really miss my sleeping.
J
USA
I was taking tramadol three times a day and I weaned myself off slowly by starting with working on eliminating one dose at a time. I started with the mid-day dose and began simply cutting a corner off – about a fourth of the pill. I did this for three or four days, then cut a half off, etc. until the dose was gone. I waited around a week and began to cut the morning dose, etc. This has worked pretty well. I didn’t suffer from withdrawal doing it this way, but you have to be patient. Totally worth it.
Elisa
Puerto Rico
I had knee replacement surgery 2 months ago, 1 week later the knee did not hurt so I dtopped taking Tramadol and Neurontin. Landed in the hospital with severe confusion, nausea, headaches…..now I am depressed. Never taking that stuff again, this is serious business and could be deadly
Sally
Australia
This is my experience of Tramadol.
Prescribed for back pain after car accident, I first tried Tramadol on holiday in China. I took a second tablet an hour after the first didn’t appear to work. Box instructions indicated more than one a day could be taken. 3 -4 hours later I thought I was having a stroke or severe hypoventilation.
My breathing, brain, psyche- everything felt dangerously strange. Lost muscle tone, strength and had to hang onto husband to walk, sudden need to urinate, felt faint and flopped face to pavement, unable to stand without full assistence. Difficulty performing simple task of removing hotel card from wallet or voice my thoughts coherently. Thinking language barrier would pose difficulties with ambulance we returned to hotel where staff could ring doctor.
In taxi, felt like I momentarily died or had profound hallucination as the whole world – all sound and vision just disappeared to white leaving me seemingly conscious on another plane, crazy as that sounds. Suddenly, the world zoomed back in from all sides and after exiting taxi I twice projectile vomited. Took 2-3 hours lying on bed to start to recover.
I’ll list “severely allergic to Tramadol” with any doctor I see. I was not on any other medication except one daily Champix which is not listed as contraindicative. Two days later I tried just one Tramadol without Champix thinking it might be ok on it’s own but an hour later the same thing happened but less extreme.
I nearly collapsed constantly in a museum where I was disturbed by the darkness, had to slump on steps outside for an hour before I could walk or talk, anxious, weird-feeling and hyper-sensitive to noise for 2-3 hours. Tramadol is hideous for me. I’d rather the pain ten times over.
Natasha
Australia
Can i ask how long your confusion ect went on for and any long term affects
Sherrie
EVERY MEDICATION can have serious potential side effects. When deciding to take a medication you weigh the benefits against the risks. I am taking tramadol for hip pain. With tramadol I have some pain relief and some mobility. Without it the pain is debilitating and I can not walk. I chose the risks and so far, so good.
Lisa
my own little corner of the universe
I agree. I’m on it for jaw issues and yes, it makes me a little dizzy and I have chills once in a while but the pain is gone and I can sleep at night.
Cindy M. B
Seattle, WA
One of your commenters griped that this is just “another article that fills people with anxiety and makes them fearful of everything in the medical world.” RIGHT ON!!! I am one of those people. Over the years my Dr. has suggested various Rx meds for something or other. I said, “Hell No!” I have PP to thank for that, and in looking back I know I made the right choice(s).
Instead, I’ve learned everything I can about healthful lifestyle changes, especially diet, nutrition and exercise, and that’s made ALL the difference. Yes, it takes some time and work, but the rewards speak for themselves. Thank you, PP.
Mike
TX
I just thought I’d share my experience with tramadol. All good. I had a herniated disc one morning and had to get on a plane the same day. I was in excruciating pain and spent my time in the airport on my back on the floor, trying to find some relief. It was only after taking some tramadol that I could sit in the airplane seat for the 2 and a half hour flight. It was a godsend! I didn’t take it for long, so didn’t encounter any withdrawal issues. I’d take tramadol again without reservation.
Louise
TEXAS
Like so many things on PP, this is just another anxiety-ridden article that makes people fearful of just about everything in the medical world. There are no drugs without side effects. Pick your poison or suffer. That’s your choice.
Lynn
Amen
Marcejen
LAKE PARK, GA
I have been taking Tramadol 50 mg for almost 2 decades. I don’t want anything stronger like Hydrocodone as I see the effects on Family members*. I wean myself from 4 a day to 3 a day. I have the side effects; The restless legs [and I have cramps since I was 14- I am 77], the itching, the hot flashes, the insomnia..but I have a life, I can garden, study, take care of my home].
After a lot of trying and trying, I take a tramadol at noon,5.00 Pm and 9.30PM and I can get up to 9 hours of sleep. For me a pill of Tramadol takes 4 hrs to be effective. a 800 mg pill of Ibuprofen takes 45 minutes and hours of stomach pains.
Janet
Roanoke, VA
When my peripheral neuropathy was Finally diagnosed over 20 years ago (I’m 80), I was given Neurontin (gabapentin now), and Ultram (tramadol). I have been told many times that I could take much more than the 3 300 mg. of Gab.. and 2 Tramadol 50 mg. a day for the pain. I am still in pain but beCause mom died of dementia and I’m having memory problems, I won’t take more. I’m on Warfarin because of a pacemaker. What else can I take that Doesn’t have these side effects? Neurontin does not go away; it gets worse as you age. I don’t feel that I have any way out.
Peggy
Mississippi
I’m reading all this and have difficulty believing it! I have been prescribed Tramadol in 50 mg. strength due to my chronic back pain. The only issue I’ve ever had with it was that it kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep! I solved that problem by cutting it in half with a pill splitter. So I’m only taking 25mg. when I take it and I don’t take it on a regular basis – I haven’t taken any in about a week. No withdrawal issues – I only take it when I really need it because I can’t take NSAIDs. My Nurse Practioner knows I’m only taking a half tablet and only as really needed. I ‘ve had 2 family members who battled drug addiction – 1 has recovered but the other 1 lost his battle. For that reason I’m careful with my usage so that I don’t become an addict!
Gail
Bayville,NJ
I have been warning friends and family about ULtram since it first came out. I was given it after a car accident. After a week I would wake up in tears for no reason. I also could not urinate. I would only go once a day. Dr said it was not from meds. I stopped taking it and no more problems. I know of several others with same reaction.
Brigitte
Reno
Hello,
I’ve been taking tramadol for about a year now for pain relief of rheumatoid arthritis, persistent chest pain from a pulmonary embolism and subsequent heart failure. Tramadol is an excellent pain reliever, one that does not leave me muddled and high.
I should however tell you that withdrawal symptoms are terrible. I feel that taking a tramadol pill is not always necessary now that I’m healing but when I don’t take it I will have the most awful withdrawal symptoms, complete with panic attacks, shortness of breath, flu like feeling, chills and crawling skin. It took me a moment to figure out that I had a physical addiction.
I told my doctors but they seem unconcerned. Well I’m cutting the pill in half now and have some luck still with pain management and no withdrawal symptoms. I will quarter in a few weeks. Wish me luck
Nikki
Ohio
I was on ultram for 5 yrs 400 mg a day 50mg at a time im in the middle of a lawsuit and bcuz the dr. hadnt got paid yet stopped my ultram one of my first symptoms was constantly feeling the urge to pee it was horrible it kept me up all night going every 20 mins and the leg jerking awful i feel like i cant live thru this
Nikki in ohio
Lori
Whitney Point NY
I’m a 34 year old female who has been taking Tramedol almost every day for about 6 years for chronic hip pains. I have tearing of ligaments and bone on bone issues. Doctors do not at all try to help you to stop taking the meds nor do they describe the issues related to Tramedol. It works well to block pain but if you take it for a while, then stop the withdrawal is aweful. I have an itchy rash/bumps/ scales on my legs from what I think is from the use of the drug. I spoke to my dermatologist who is also suspicious that Tramedol caused the serious skin condition. I need to now figure out how to ween myself off it and use pain management. I do not know if there is a corolarion, but I Alston miscarried twice in a row. I stopped taking the medication as soon as I knew I was pregnant but I can’t help and wonder. I definitely feel like a guinea pig in the Tramedol experiment.
Carron
SC
I only took Ultram 50mg for seven days after breaking my hip. I began to have serious breathing problems. I stopped taking it 3 days ago, but am still on oxygen 24/7. Anyone else have this experience. If so, how long does it last?
TB
I’ve been taking Norco (hydrocodone) for the past couple of years for hip pain due to osteoarthritis. Had arthroscopes in both hips in 2015, and while it seemed to have helped one, I could never get off the crutch for the other. So I got a total hip replacement last year. That was in Nov. 2016. Now it’s April, and I’m still hurting. Only now it’s my whole upper leg, from hip to knee! Also, due to an unfortunate situation, I’ve had to switch doctors. This new one is refusing to give me Norco. But wants me to take Tramadol! I informed him I’d already tried it, and it gave me irregular heart rhythms, suppressed breathing (I had to remember to breathe! I was totally freaking out), and I felt like I’d drunk a whole bottle of tequila, and was like this for 6 hours. At the end of six hours I had an instant hangover that lasted for twenty-four hours! But I don’t feel any of this from the Norco. It doesn’t kill all of the pain but knocks it down to tolerable levels.
Since he is refusing to give it to me I tried not taking a couple of doses and substituted ibuprofen for the pain. Well, ibuprofen just knocks me out like a sleeping pill but doesn’t give me any relief from the pain. I didn’t feel any other symptoms from not taking the Norco except the excruciating pain in my leg! I don’t want to spend my life sleeping, and probably messing up my liver from trying to take enough to help the pain. If they’re not going to help me with the pain until they figure out what’s causing the pain, and if they’re pushing Tramadol, should I even consider going back? It’s situations like this that have soured me on drs. If I could fix it myself I would never go back to another one again!!!
Lucy Beard
Sarasota
My peripheral neuropathy left me so fatigued I couldn’t get out of bed. A minimal dose of tramadol allows me to function,to lift my legs which are heavy as logs. I am grateful for this drug.
Mike
London
I have been taking 2 x 50mcg for 7 years, 1 middle of night, one early afternoon. I want to come off it. You can’t get less than 50mcg and I can’t risk halving the dose in one go. I bought a Qty of self seal empty capsules, took the drug from 5 tramadol caps and made 10 x 25mg capsules. I bought a dosing micro spoon.
4 days ago, I replaced the nightly 50 with my home made 25. I do feel symptoms but they are bearable right now. If I adjust ok, I’ll halve the daytime 50 to 25. If that goes OK I’ll remove the night one etc.
Sandi
Red Lion, PA
I’ve been on Tramadol for years for my chronic pain syndrome. I’ve had NO side effects at all with it. I also take other medications for my various chronic illnesses and have had no interaction issues either. Since I can’t take any narcotic medications due to the inability to keep them down, Tramadol was the only solution for treating my constant pain.
luke
s.c
I have been taking tramadol 50mg. for about 5-6 years now and I take 2 a day & sometimes can get by only taking only 1 per day and I do this because I have really got used to depending on them to get thru each day since i broke my right hip from a fall off a roof and still have the screws inside me from repairing the hip bone and along with other lower back problems & shoulder surgery from some years back.
Before starting taking tramadol, I talked to my doctor as I felt I was starting to drink more than I ever had before because I was only a 6 pack every other week if that at all type of guy but was now because of the pain drinking every or other day 6-12 beers and not knowing why I felt the need to drink. anyway once i started taking tramadol 1 a day that seemed to take away any want for alcohol & in 5 years may have only drank 2-3 times and don’t miss it at all.
The drug really works for me and I never abuse it or take more than 2 a day but I still wish I could get off of it because of some side effects I have as not being able to sleep very well & have found that you might not want to take this drug less than 3-4 hours before going to bed.
It seems to be a double edged sword for me as if i take it at bedtime i’m pain free for 4 or 5 hours but will not be able to sleep & wide awake & if i don’t take it at bedtime i’m tired but in pain and don’t sleep very well. the drug does help with depression for me. the side effects i don’t like as it seems to take away ones will to do some things that you did before but that could just be that i’m getting older & my health is not as good as it was.
So, I guess one would have to weigh out the good and bad as to if one feels that they would be better off without it and being in pain or taking only 1-2 a day & feeling able to manage there pain. i know from reading other peoples side effects the they seem to differ from one to the other. I myself have low blood pressure & have not had any problems with heart rate increasing while taking this medication but that could depend on what other meds. someone might be taking along with it.
Alieve is about the only other drug I take with tramadol & have not had any problems so far. i have read of some people taking 5-10 pills a day and i guess i could understand why they feel bad if that’s the way they over take there meds. as that’s what happens when you abuse anything as drugs or alcohol and need more & more and it will do more damage to one’s body than help manage pain the way it should be used.
Piddler
Thank you for posting positive statements about Tramadol. I too have taken 50mg 3 times a day for 7 years. I have had no side effect issues and actually have been able to maintain some quality of life and am still able to work at age 73. I still enjoy working.
I do have sympathy for those who abuse it but hope those who take Tramadol responsibly are not punished by the over- intrusive government because of those who are not responsible medication prescribes.
Bill
Houston
I was on Tramadol for 6 years for herniated disks and disk degenerative disease. My back fused normally after a few years of PT and diet control but I stayed on the substance due to its amazing energy and its anti-depressive/anti-anxiety properties. I have recently decided to get off the drug and went down in 1/3 dosages per week (taking 150 mg/day) at my own discretion.
You should not go off this medication cold turkey though. It can cause extreme anxiety issues. I winded up once though when a doctor lost my prescription twice in the same week. Over all, I have had the will power to stay on 3 pills a day during this time and not abused this (although being on it can be viewed as such).
YES, side effects can be different to everyone on it. YES, it is still a drug that needs to be respected for what it can do to relieve pain as well as potential abuse in using it.
Lynn
I got off once by taking St. John’s wort but then the pain came back from fibro and I went back to it. It helps my depression too. But it is the hardest pain meds I’ve ever came off of and I’ve never abused drugs!
I assume because of the antidepressant help it gives. But that’s not a bad thing because it’s the only thing I’ve taken that helps but doesn’t make u feel numb or loopy to help depression.
But just as hard to get off unfortunately. But I need it and am not going to feel guilty for it. I take less than prescribed.
Chuks
Nigeria
I experienced very serious itching last night after i took tramadol.
Kim
Tx
I have pretty bad sciatica, so I was referred to a pain management doctor. We discussed several options to help with the pain. I had 2 steroid injections that only lasted about 3 months and were very expensive. I did not want things like Lyrica or Gabapentin that he suggested. In the past I’ve had some issues with hydrocodone, like nausea and dizziness, so I didn’t want to take that either. I’ve taken Tramadol before and knew it was effective on pain. (I’ve had several surgeries). So we decided to do Tramadol, the 37.5 dose, because the 50 really knocks me out ( prescribed from my surgery).
I had been taking them, working up to 3 a day over 6 months time. During that time I had a foot surgery and took 50’s again for 2 weeks then back to the 37.5. I was feeling worse and worse. Anxiety, general overall aches and pains, blurred vision, brain fog, high blood pressure, that nervous feeling, depression, just in a general funk mood! I wasn’t quite sure what was the culprit due to the fact I take thyroid meds and estrogen from a complete hysterectomy 6 months prior. So I had my thyroid checked. It was Ok. I went to my obgyn, and he said this did not seem to be related to the hysterectomy, but offered to prescribe me Lexapro. I filled it, but needed to change my Tramadol to hydrocodone because tramadol and Lexapro have negative interactions. After much reading about Lexapro, the side effects and withdrawal afterward, I opted not to take it.
But meanwhile, I have been taking the hydrocodone. Ironically, I felt immediately better, aside from my sciatica. All those symptoms went away. I dug around online about symptoms of Tramadol, and BINGO. I’m so sure all these issues I was having were caused by Tramadol.
I think short-term Tramadol is OK for pain, but since I’d been on it for several months it was actually causing way more severe symptoms. The hydrocodone I’m currently taking is half of a 5/325 2 times a day. So we shall see how this does with time. I also use a compounded pain cream to help, it works well but is pretty pricey and not covered by insurance. It’s expensive to be in pain management! Appointments every 2-3 months, mandatory drug tests, etc. so I hope to get away from the pills, if the cream works by itself. I don’t think I have to go as often or mess with the drug tests. I will discuss this with my pain management doctor on my next visit in 2 months.
In a nutshell, I for me Tramadol is OK for short courses, but long term it’s going to cause symptoms! I suppose they all do. But I am not sure all doctors are aware of the symptoms I was describing and connecting it to Tramadol. My pain doctor might have, but I didn’t see him, and of course my obgyn probably wouldn’t. He was a bit hesitant to prescribe the Lexapro but I suppose he was trying to offer up something that could help with the depression and anxiety. But he did not explain the drug to me. I researched that on my own. Thank god for the web!
ed
Afghanistan
My brother has these weird thoughts. He thinks someone is following him and there is a conspiracy going on behind his back. He can’t differentiate between reality and imagination. He told me that he had 6 Tramadol tabs in two days consecutively. And now I don’t know what to do with him, I took him to a doctor a few days ago and we had his brain CT scanned, and the doctor said there is no problem with him, and he still thinks something is wrong and people are following him. Please if you have experience in this regard or to what doctor I should take him share it with me. Thanks
Estella. R. T.
MI
I have a major problem with my legs jumping at night this runs in my family no doctor can figure out what to do for me now I was tested for restless leg syndrome it was negative tried everything out for rls nothing worked so one doctor tried me on tramodol oh my goodness it worked so I didn’t have to loose any more sleep or fall on my face from my legs jumping from underneath of me now they are saying it has a narcotic in it so I can’t get it so here I go again living with my legs jumping again so I only get 1 maybe 2 hours of sleep at night can’t stand to do my dishes without holding myself hoping not to fall again I’m almost 56 years old I’ve been taking tramodol for 18 years with NO SIDE effects what so ever no shortness of breath no high or low blood pressure nothing and without this medication I Fallon Dall off my bed from my legs jumping very bad so I ask what kind of proof is there of these side effects my Grandmother GOD rest her soul fell down her stairs broke her hip twice from her legs jumping while walking downstairs and falling back then they had no treamodol so I pray I don’t fall with a sharp knife or something so how can I get my tramodol back I only take 1 during the day and 1 or 2 at night so please give me my tramodol back before I fall and break my hip or worse
Jim
Missoula, Montana
FDA protocols for testing of many drugs’ efficacy & safety continue to be increasingly watered-down by illicit influences of Big Pharma (both via congressional lobbyists and via revolving–door industry personnel inside FDA.)
This longtime, faux-free-market trend of illicit corporate influence over legit government oversight, one that’s easily documented over the past decades, is now very likely to drastically worsen with the the anti-Enlightenment principles of the incoming Trump administration.
Caveat Emptor….!
julian
Missouri
Gabapentin saved my life – from tramadol withdrawals. Just make sure to stop taking the Gabapentin once the withdrawals have gone away.
Carol
Az.
I stopped taking tramadol and gabapentin 3 days ago, wow how uncomfortable. I never miss work but today I absolutely must…. I’m having zaps of electricity like going through my arms legs and my brain I’m trying to rest and hopefully be ready for work again in 2 days… Drinking lots of water and walking every morning…ugh, never again Drs. Don’t tell this part of the quick fix(back pain) alieve will have to do
Lindsay H.
Halifax, UK
HI, doing well, apart from, headache, sweats, diarrhoea, lack of sleep, down to 100 mg slow release a day, not had to use extra 50mg to keep going, apart from the headache I am coping really well, I did drop suddenly by 100mg each time so above was expected, but think (fingers crossed) I am coming through the worst, I am dreading going down to 50mg a day, in a couple of weeks but determined to. I am in constant pain, but liveable with at moment, when totally free of Tramadol I will look into other stuff.
HoustonGal
TX
I have been taking generic Tramadol for over three years, along with muscle relaxer Tizanadine, for pain resulting fron spinal arthritis, degenerative spine, spondylitus, and numerous food allergies that cause muscle/joint pain.
I would like to share some info that can drastically reduce pain. Stop eating all starchy foods! Starch causes inflammation which causes pain. It is difficult, but after 2 months, starch free, you will have decreased your pain to very a manageable level.
Doing this has allowed me to keep my tramadol intake to 2 tablets daily, 50mgs, occassionally three. Just one serving of beans, potatoes or other starch and BAM, back to bed for 2 days or more. Try it, it takes about a month of abstinence to see a real difference.
Sharon
NW
When I went off tramadol years ago; just kept cutting it in two every 5 days. Took a long time, though.
Am taking it again, due to limited ability to tolerate most other drugs.
I don’t think I could get off easily; now, 10 years later., as just cutting down bothers me!
Suzanna
Wales
On tramadol for nearly a year for headaches..built up a tolerance drs very slow to pick up…new dr came to practice and immediately set up a withdrawl taper..all the usual withdrawls hit…rls,insomnia,cramps,nausea but eased after about 3weeks…then the anxiety and severe depression..what a hateful tablet..get whatever help you need peeps..time and keep strong.xx
Mummy loves bub
Uk
l took tramadol for costocorhinits for over a year then l fell pregnant and l had to quit cold turkey l was in so much pain and discomfort l vowed never to take it again until a few months back when l had issues with my back it took away the pain but suddenly l started getting naseaus all the time and l even threw up in a super market that’s when l knew it was time to stop l wld rather deal with the pain than this and once again queue withdrawal symptoms the worst is body aches n pains ,the chills ,itching ,restless legs and insomnia lm on day 8 soldiering on some of the symptoms are better still feverish but getting there and hopefully this time l stay off it for good .
Lindsay
Halifax, UK
I agree the thought of withdrawl is horrible, but you have to try, I am determined to get down to as low as possible if not off completely. I take,them for, arthritis in spine, and also a Chiari type 1 malfunction, so as long as I can cope with pain, keep mobile and the headaches are controllable I will persevere, keep us updated and so will I, it does help me to know that someone else is trying to stop this medication, I don’t feel totally alone, as my family do not understand what I go through when I am,late taking my dose, so trying to cut down is very daunting, waiting for the withdrawal symptoms to hit and being able to cope with them. Good luck and stay positive
Lindsay
Halifax, UK
Hi, went to docs on Saturday and she agreed to reduce my 159mg SR down to 100mg SR, not sure if I was supposed to swap one 150mg for a 100mg, but I stopped both 150mg for the 100mg, it is now Tuesday and I am full of cold, but had this before changing, so I am hoping that it is the cold that is the problem, I am down 100mg a day and I feel ok so far, unless it is not the cold, then I am having hot sweats, headache, not sleeping, but not had the dizziness and nausea I usually get when I,miss a dose. Back at docs in 3 weeks, for blood test and decide whether to stay at same level for a while of reduce again, I can cope with how i am feeling so if continues like this happy to go down, I have still been able to work, although I feel slower and lethargic, but that could be the cold. Pressing on regardless, will update again in a few weeks unless something happens.
Susie
Tucson, AZ
I’ve been on tramadol for almost two years and thought it was a wonder drug! No problems while on it. I could actually function. But now my dr gave me choice of tramadol or Valium. I chose to stay on Valium as I have muscle issues in back and neck. I’m on day three of taking 1/2 tab of tramadol and to taper a half tablet every week. I am already depressed and have on lexapro for 7 yrs or so. Dr also started me on Wellbutrin a few weeks ago. I have experience many losses this past year……. my dad, young doodle dog, last of children moving out and no job (which I lost while caring for my dad). I am a nurse but feel a mess. Asthma has been bad last three months too. Bottom line is now I’m having itching and my BP is higher than normal so taking lots of antihistamines. Maybe this isn’t the right time to start to taper off the tramadol?
Samuel
nigeria
I feel serious indigestion whenever I eat …I’m so scared my Tommy gets full times I eat expecially whenever I eat bread or flour generally ..all this happened after I stopped taking tramadol abruptly I feel less comfortable and I am always scared to eat now but I feel hungry time to time..someone help pls
Ruth
Colorado
I have taken ultram/tramadol for ? can’t remember, probly 10 years. I was on darvocet and it was taken off market. At that time, my pain Dr switched me to ultram. I’ve had spinal fusion surgery and really needed pain medication to live until the last couple years.
Now, I truly believe 800 mg Motrin would control pain, but when I’ve tried to ease off ultram, I experience terrible depression, anxiety, sleep issues, etc. Reading this forum is so frightening. When I talk to my doctor, she seems to think I need the pain meds, and talks down the withdrawal problems.
I don’t think I can do it. I have gone down a pill a day. I was taking five 50 mg pills, daily. Now, for the past month, four. I have had a headache almost continually. I feel I mostly need the drug for psychological reasons and that upsets me. Plan to continue down one 50 mg per month for another month, then cut scone in half and so on. It will take six months probably. I’m so scared of the withdrawals. If I even a bit past time to take a pill, I get sweaty and anxious, it’s horrible!
Lindsay
Halifax, UK
I have been on Tramadol for 20 years, and once attempted to wean off in late 00`s, but the headache was sooo bad as I have a Chiari malformation had to start up again, I am now suffering with profuse sweating, and as I work outdoors, I am worrying that I could end up with pneumonia, as within 5 minutes of any activity my shirt and trousers will be soaked through. I am on 150 mg SR twice a day and have 50 mg available if extra pain, I try not to take the extras, but I want to come off the large dose, I am back at docs in 3 weeks to discuss further, but have decided I have to wean myself off this drug. Incidently, if I miss a dose, by time next one comes around, I am struggle with dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea, lethargy, I don’t want to stop work to stop the drug but I do want to stop the drug and I won`t be able to function at work if I do, tapering is the best way I think for me, if it works will post here how I did it and how I am. Fingers crossed. Good luck to all trying cold turkey, I am not that brave.
Michael ODK
Accra, Ghana
I had a severe headache and the doctor prescribed Tramadol to relieve me of the pain. After 2 days, I started developing skin rashes, although I have stop taking the drugs it has taken 2 weeks and there is no sign of the rash responding to treatment despite numerous efforts. The skin rashes have now turned into blisters filled with fluids. It’s very disturbing and life threatening.
Alma
Marietta, OH
I’m 76 years old and have been on 400 mg Tramadol for at least 5years for lower back caused by a failed fusion and arthritis. I went to a pain management doctor a week ago. She had me stop taking the Tramadol and prescribed 5mg Norco three times a day. I was not warned about withdrawal symptoms. This week has been Hell. After reading about Tramadol withdrawal symptoms on the internet I can’t imagine why a doctor would have me stop cold turkey. I’ve considered going to ER but I’m afraid they will admit me and I need to be home to care for husband.
Kay
NJ
I was given tramadol for thoracic back pain caused by arthritis. Barely worked, then added Celebrex the two together work well. Gives me energy too.
Then my back pain finally was improving. Not a huge deal getting off the 100mg. Biggest withdrawal symptoms are tiredness, dull headache, sound sensitivity, agitation.
As long as you need it for pain, and there’s no intolerable side effects, take it. The point is to be out of pain. Pain can also be a nightmare. Doctors aren’t magicians, they can only try to help with drugs. If you’re having issues it is your fault for not researching the drug and having blind faith in a person.
Tracy
Lanarkshire
Hi,
I am totally dependent on Tramadol. Have been taking these horrible tablets for 8 years now and my tolerance to them is sky high. I am now taking 500 mg 4 times a day !!!
I have trouble sleeping, so I am awake through the night. I continue to take tramadol round the clock. I also take 150 mg pregabalin and 60 mg codeine, all at the same time. I have taken that much it’s causing seizures and I am terrified that one of these times I am going to overdose on these horrible tablets. I was also told by my GP that they were not addictive and the best thing out there for pain relief, which is half-way true.
They are good for pain relief. Since I started taking Tramadol 8 years ago, I have been free from pain but at the same time I noticed that they made me feel good, too, and I liked it! But, I was having to take more and more for the same effect, so I am now taking 10 x 50mg tramadol all at once, 2 x 75mg pregabalin, and 2 x30 mgs of codeine, and paracetamol. I do this 4 times a day !
I really don’t think I have a hope in hell of getting off these pills. Believe me, I have tried. My withdrawals are horrendous. I feel hopeless. It’s a strange battle. I want to quit, but I also like how it makes me feel. It makes me feel like I am at the happy stage of drinking, as if I have had a few glasses of wine. It puts me in a good mood. If I run out, it’s terrible and I am all over the place trying to think if I know anyone else who takes Tramadol and maybe I can borrow some from them until I get my next prescription.
I am always thinking about where I can get more from, as I am truly addicted to these I can’t function without them at all. I have run out a few times and had a few days without them. It was the worst experience of my life!! I sometimes think back to that day 8 years ago when I walked into the doctors’ office and wish I had never walked out with a prescription for these life wrecking pills!
So, if you don’t take them, keep it that way unless you wish to be a mess in a few months time. The GP who prescribed these to me has now retired. I really wish I could have punched him. PLEASE DO NOT START TAKING THESE PILLS. IT’S NOT WORTH IT!
Terry Graedon
Please get help. Your situation is serious and you need someone who will really see you through it.
Judy
California
I was prescribed both Oxycodone and Tramadol two weeks ago after knee replacement surgery. I took a Tramadol the first night home, but it didn’t help enough, so I also took an oxy ( as per discharge instructions). The Oxy made the pain go away, but it gave me a headache that was worse than the knee pain. So I took only Tramadol after that. The Tramadol (50 mg tablets every 4 to 6 hours) took the edge off the pain. After two weeks, I began to think the Tramadol wasn’t doing anything, so I stopped it. I was fine for about ten hours and then developed some of the side effects mentioned here: flu like body aches and a feeling that there was electricity flowing through both legs and feet. The side effects lasted about 18 hours. I stumbled on this discussion after searching online to see if these symptoms might be Tramadol withdrawal. Really glad I didn’t take it any longer.
cindy
?
You know, I just wanna be my normal self again!!! BLANK Tramadol, stay away from it unless you are only gonna be on it a few days!
Mark
With the withdrawal symptoms being as difficult as they are with the sweating, anxiety, and depression, etc, would I be better off just continuing to take Tramadol or? I always took eight 50 mg per day. What is the downside to continuing it and what is out there for pain in lieu of it?
Mark
I took Tramadol for two years after hernia surgery and I am now trying to quit cold turkey. The sweating and depression are the toughest parts and it has been about a week so far.
Lou
Hampshire
I need help I am so addicted to tramadol I have to take it every day some times four times a day the reason is I have a tear in my hips which is very painful what should I do
sam
Lagos
I stopped taking tramadol 5days ago. the experience has been horrible, although I have regain my strength now… I still have problem with sleeping and depression. my childhood memories keep flowing into my head. sometimes, I felt like crying bcoz I miss home. guess all this is caused by tramadol. I will never take it again.
give thanks to jah
deb
New Mexico
I can’t find help while detoxing because the doctors don’t think there’s ANY difficulty with Tramadol withdrawal. They’ve been told so by pharma reps. And of course pharma reps would never ever lie.
Kathy
Richmond, VA
About 5-6 years ago I was prescribed Tramadol for back pain following injury and have stayed on it nearly constantly because it was supposed to not be a narcotic. Now, of course, it has been re-classified as a controlled substance.
For a couple of years I took 50 – 100 mg/d. But in the last year I have gone to as much as 300 mg/d because it’s supposed to be such a “safe” medication. During about the same time period I have developed a skin disease know as GA, Granuloma Annulare, which is uncommon but not rare. As my dosage of Tramadol has increased, my GA has increased.
My dermatologist is confused that my GA started after I was 60. He said it would be self limiting and disappear in less than a year. Or that in rare cases, it could become Generalized GA. Mine is now generalized and over much of my arm and leg areas and sometimes itches and then hurts if I scratch it, which he says IS very rare. Elbows and knees are worst looking areas. Today the dermatologist asked me to really think back to what changed about 5 or so years ago: what medicine did I start taking, or what lifestyle change did I make.
Suddenly I realized that Tramadol is the only medication change during those years. My best friend pointed out that my GA got much worse as my Tramadol intake increased. GA is similar to rheumatoid psoriasis. Has anyone else experienced a link between GA and taking Tramadol? I am a W F 69 years of age in otherwise perfect health except for high cholesterol. My weight is perfect, and I can physically outwork many people in their 40s because I stay extremely active and seldom ever sit still. GA is truly unsightly but not known to cause any additional problems, so little research is ever devoted to it. I am hoping to help others by sharing my info. here and hope to hear back from others with similar experiences.
Jana
Oregon
Has anyone experienced skin problems with Tramadol? I have been on 3-5 50mg per day for a couple of years. Lately, I have a flushed, blotchy neck and cheeks whenever I am nervous or emotional. I get hot, too. I want to quit also, but I’m not sure what to do. I had a back problem and was on heavy narcotic meds for 3 days and no tramadol but the day I quit the narcotic meds, by midnight I was losing my mind with anxiety and restless nerves. I wanted to run 5 miles in the dark, so I took a tramadol and within 20 minutes I was fine. I hate the idea of being addicted to anything. I have severe stomach pain from hypersensitive nerve endings and the drs have no answers for me except medication. I have tried at least 20 other dietary things myself with no luck. I’ve also had numerous tests and other meds. I was told tramadol was non-narcotic and non-addictive so I switched from narcotic pain meds to that and now I want off because of my skin. I’m in menopause and thougth that might have an effect so I’m looking for feedback on the red, hot, blotchy skin. Anybody experience that?
Lisa
USA
I also was given Tramadol for pain by my dr. 2 yrs. ago. and have been on a dose of 50mg. 3x a day, 2 in the morning, 1 in late afternoon. I became depressed, functioned minimally at best, had twitching eyes, nausea, confusion, lost interest in EVERYTHING; I don’t even think I looked my husband or children in the eyes once in all that time. I have wanted to get off of them for awhile but I knew from all the testimonials I have read that it was going to take time and patience and I doubted that I would ever get my life back because I couldn’t afford the time off from work.
Well, 3 weeks ago I ended up extremely sick with a nasty bug; went 3 days without the Ultram and ended up at the ER from inability to breathe. My blood oxygen was 89 (which is not something I ever had problems with before), I was having severe bronchial spasms(I declined a cat scan for it), with a fever of 100°-102°. I was given 2 nebulizer treatments back to back, with rx’s for Zithromax, prednisone, and tussionex cough medicine, then released.
I didnt realize my problems were being caused by Ultram withdrawal until I finished the course of medications for a bacterial infection. I decided to keep going and stay off of them. I am still gasping for air and my whole esophagus and stomach feel very inflamed which makes eating difficult.I also have been extremely weak physically,BUT I am so GRATEFUL to be off the tramadol; with all the Hell I am going through, I know it has to end eventually. I have reconnected with my children (17and 20y.o.) and their father(they have been so supportive) and I feel more myself since this nightmare started 2 years ago.
My dr. always disregarded my desire to get off Tramadol and basically told me to suck it up so as soon as I am strong enough, I will definitely be changing doctors. I am with you all in Spirit, truly. This medicine is Horrible and should not be on the market. Remember, do not feel ashamed for where Tramadol has brought you. Demand to be treated with care and respect and get any help you need to get off of Tramadol, whether it became an addiction or not.
God Be With You
#nevergoingback
Mary
WA
4 weeks off and still feel fluish, irritable and dizzy. Is this normal?
Been suicidal, too. This drug is the devil.
Lou
Texas
I am so afraid of getting off the Tramadol. How will I deal with my pain? But I would almost rather face the pain and try otc meds and massages than continue on this. Really need to pick a time and, I guess, taper?? Anyone know? I take 2 50mg 2-3 times daily.
Andy
england
Hi i was taking the same amount as you , cold turkey is the only option , i tryed tapering of but really all your doing is feeding the habit , at the end of the day tapering of means one day you must take zero so you will get the withdrawls anyway …. just ride the storm it will not take months as some say , ive not had any for 6 days and now feel like i have my life back …… just think in your head ” a week of cold turkey and il be over the worse ” honest a week tops … i felt like retaking on about day 3 of cold turkey bcause of the severe withdrawls but stayed strong and now feel great ………….. keep strong
Carmen
Wash DC
Thank you, Andy. As I write this I’m going through withdrawal symptoms. Something told me to look this up. I feel awful chills in the midst of summer. My legs won’t stop twitching at night and this is while tapering off and down to one a day! So it’s cold turkey now. I take Tylenol or ibuprofen from now on until I recover from full replacement surgery. I appreciate your feedback.
Mark Voor
SMonica Ca.
I have been taking Ultram for 4 months. 200mg/daily.
I started to reduce dose 50mg each two days. Then stop.
First day without Ultram: Medium Anxiety and Diarrhea.
Snd: Some muscle pain and hard morning.
Thrd: Brain zaps
4th: Almost nothing.
Conclusion: Ultram withdrawal is not so hard for everybody. Each body reaction is different. Dont panic, maybe yours is easy too.
T.
Minnesota
Hi, I was on a similar dose just a little more a day. I’m also diabetic so I had a few more issues. To get off tramadol I cut my dose to six 50mg tabs a day for a week. Then four 50mg tabs a day for two weeks. Followed by two 50mg tabs a day for a week.
At this point I started taking two 50mg tabs a day for two more weeks, but at night before bed. This got me through the night without hot and cold flashes so I could at least sleep. I continued with one 50mg tab a night before bed for two weeks. Then to a half 50mg tab a night before bed for two weeks. Then 1/3, 50mg tab a night before bed for two weeks. Then nothing. For me I was severely depressed with hot and cold flashes and flu like symptoms for about the first month. Then the depression gradually got better.
As for my diabetes, my blood sugar was uncontrollable for the first two-three weeks. Then I was able to slowly stabilize it, but my insulin requirements about doubled without tramadol’s blood sugar lowering effects.
Al
Phila., PA
Am on Tramadol regularly, at least 100-200 mg a day for about three years.
Now trying to get off it, but even about four months post total discontinuation am still having what may be “post acute” withdrawal symptoms, including feeling pretty depressed, runny nose, and chronic intermittent dry cough.
Wonder if anyone else on this thread has had similar problems months after stopping Tramadol, and if so, how long can I expect these symptoms to last?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
I
I went off tramadol last Wed. Feb24. because I ran out of it and can’t get it for a week. Taking 300mg er. For fibromyalgia. I have never felt worse .not only can’t sleep can’t even lay still because legs and feet hurt. And I am exhausted. I want so bad not to even pick the script next week but fibro pain is bad.Dilema!
Bill
PA
I was prescribed Tramadol 50 mg 4X a day 5 years ago because my doctor said it wasn’t addictive. I have a neck fusion from a bad car accident and, due to my job in the painting business, I now have 2 bad disks that are pushing on my spinal chord now and some stomach issues from cancer that I beat, thank God.
I was told to go to a pain-management clinic that wanted to inject me with a few different chemicals and was prescribed 30 Ultrams without knowing it was the samething as Tramadol. So my doctor told me that I had to get all my meds from the pain management people. Well, I didn’t want to have injections so I never went back to pain management or my doctor. I had HORRIBLE withdrawals. It was worse than any hard-core drug withdraws I ever had, and believe me, I have had them after being in the music business all my life.
The first few days were the worst: flu-like symptoms, shakes, fatigue, diarrhea, etc. I felt like crap. Now it’s been 3 1/2 months, and I have not been able to sleep off and on for days. I get 1 or 2 hrs of sleep every few days. My legs feel like there is eletricty flowing through them every night. I have tried over-the-counter sleep aids and some prescriptions from other doctors, which make it 10X worse. I also have no energy. All I want to do is sleep. I feel like I have the flu 24 hrs a day. I’m also very forgetful and can’t concentrate.
It’s affecting my job, marriage, and my life. I wish I had never started Tramadol. It’s the worst drug I’ve ever taken. I have no idea what to do now. I also have tried all the vitamins and supplement. It didn’t work. So after beating cancer and many, many life- changing events, I’m at a loss as to what to do.
If you think Tramadol is going to help you, please don’t take this drug. It’s the Devil in a pill, so I just hope I can overcome this and move on with my life now at 53. Good luck all, and stay away from TRAMADOL .
Lisa
Hi, Bill. I am also 53 and Tramadol has affected all aspects of my relationships, work, physical health,etc….I think you will make it. You have come so far. Hang in there. I am in the throes of withdrawal from Tramadol also. #nevergoingback
Blainer
canada
I am also a 53 year old male. I have been on tramadol for six years now. Came here to make sure I don’t start to abuse it as I have taken a little more lately.
I use it mostly because it puts me in a good mood but have had to take more when back and shoulder pain occurs.
I take between 50 to 100 mg per day. The trick for me I think is that over the years I have mostly stopped taking it on the weekends just so I would not get sooo addicted.
Now if I get a lot of pain I have taken up 400mg for a week or so at a time but have always tried to stay away from it for at least two days a week. Hope this helps people before they get too dependent.
Sweety
Bangalore
My mother in law is having osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and spondylosis.
Her rheumatologist docter started tramadol tab 50mg Twice a day.
She was taking this medicine for nearly a year.
Whenever more pain the doctor advice to increase the dose to three times 50 mg tablet a day.
Dr changed the medicine one day to exact and my mother in law started experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Extreme pain, seizure, electric shock like pain, no sleep because of the symptoms.
She also started abdomen fulness and constipation also. Lo s of other anti anxiety drugs given by doctor but not stoped the tramadol with tapping dose. Now my mother in law is facing problems with aide effect of tramadol and withdrawal symptoms.
What to do further so that she can get relief from tramadol and it’s bad withdrawl symptom.
Please help me and guide me for what to do further…
SLY
My Dr. prescribed Tramadol to me 6 months ago for chronic kidney pain and stones due to a kidney disease. The first time I took it I took 50 mg. I couldn’t tell it did anything at all so the next which was in the morning I took two 50 mg. as prescribed. It had no effect until about 3 hours later and I was very ill. I couldn’t stay awake and my breathing was scary slow.
I was not able to function. I went into a store and can barley remember it. At the time I didn’t know what was going on, I thought I had gotten extremely ill from something I had eaten because the next thing I knew I was throwing up and shaking like a leaf. Now I know in hindsight what it was. The meds seemed to take forever to take effect and that was hard because I was in pain frequently. It seemed about 2 – 3 hours later they would be in full effect. It was strange. I have kept taking them because I was told I couldn’t take NSAIDS or tylenol. But I have to take something pretty regularly. I was told to use it like I did my NSAIDS. So that is what I did and it was one of the biggest mistakes EVER.
The Dr.’s office didn’t get me the meds over the weekend and I went through 5 days straight of horrid withdrawals. Tremors, shivers shakes RLS, sweating so bad my bed would be drenched and I couldn’t sleep at all. My body hurt worse then any flu and I was so sick I couldn’t eat for days. I fill like I have a pretty high tolerance of pain because I pass kidney stones very regularly sometimes daily. So this was rediculause to fill this way from withdrawals. Talked to my Dr about it and he said the meds wouldn’t cause me to fill like that. There was no way it must have been kidney stones. So we decided to keep trying them and see how it goes. I am now going through withdrawals again on my own accord because this medicine is of the devil for sure. I started getting tingling shocks in my face and half my face would go numb and tingle my legs would do it too.
I was getting very depressed and I thought you couldn’t on this med because of the components in it. I am usually a very stable person and couldn’t get my mind together. Depression anxiety, sometimes more pain from body aches and things then before I ever took it.
I am so frustrated with my Dr. He acted like this drug is NO BIG THING and it was like taking my NSAID’S. what ever and what a joke. Even when going through withdrawals I called to let him know I was going through them and wanting to know what to do. He has never called back and the last time it took over 5 days for him to get back to me when I was going through withdrawals. Even if he can’t do anything it would be nice for them to let you know what to look for incase you need to go into the ER.
Today is day 7 and I still can’t shake the lonely filling and being very exhausted. I finally slept the whole night just last night. It took 6 days to sleep through the night but I still have body aches and I still have hot flashes and still fill like I am freezing I can keep food and water down. If there was any advice to give it would be…….
TRY to keep drinking as much as you can.
Keep eating even if it is a little bit.
Try and find natural supplements to help. And pray a lot!
Bill
I’m in the same place bro all I can say is just be tough and hang in there it’s been 4 months now and I still feel like crap ,I’ll say a prayer for you and we will get threw this together ,it’s got to get better and I do see light at the end of this journey .
Arika
WA
Bill – your post is making me sad. I was on Tramadol also for about five years although toward the end there I was only taking 50mg per day. I’ve been off of it for about a month and I’ve had several nightmarish weeks. One week, the anxiety and panic was hellish, the next week it was extreme fatigue and muscle pain. I think I’m past the worst but am still being plagued by anxiety, panic, muscle weakness and fatigue (which gets worse after eating and exercise(??)), and then there’s tingling and numbness all over my body. I tried taking it again and I get such serious head and neck pain that I can’t tolerate it (which is part of the reason I stopped to begin with). I’m not seeing a light at the end of my journey – just making it through a day feels like a battle.
madison
I’ve been in that exact situation before! Since I was 12 years old I’ve had kidney stones. Back in the day they would prescribe Percocet or lortab to treat the pain but when I was around 23 my doctor told me to try Ultram because it was safer and had no withdrawal effect. I was ecstatic at the thought because I’ve had my share of opiod withdrawal! But NEVER again will I take tramadol. It barely helped the stone pain and the depression I felt coming off it are horrible!
I will take a dilaudid withdrawal any day rather than this stuff. Now every time I see a new doctor it seems like they want to give me this first. I just tell them it gives me severe depression (I’ve thought of killing myself coming off this medicine). Some doctors (like my urologist) understand and just switch the script to Norco. Other doctors (hospital doctors) seem to think I’m full of crap because in their words “I’ve never heard of that”. Good luck in the future and I hope nobody tries to give you this horrible stuff again.
James.
Virginia
Tramadol has helped me mentally. It allowed me to get out more and function better. I have tried to stop taking tramadol a couple times but that is impossible. When I think about how my life was prior to taking the drug I wonder why I want to stop taking it. It has help relieve my mental struggles and yes has horrible horrible withdrawal symptoms.
My mental problems start with childhood. I always thought I was stronger than those problems. I joined the military and served in Iraq. I then worked as a contractor in Aviation for a few more years in Iraq. I returned and went though a divorce. I was drinking a lot. I have always drank a lot. Drinking and me went hand and hand. I tried several anti depressants and everything else the doctors wanted to put me on for mental problems. A friend gave me a tramadol for a headache. I liked it. I asked my doctor for it and got it. After a few month I completely quit drinking. I have the power over the alcohol. Most of my other mental problems are also gone. I say most. Not all. Anyways….
Pamela
Merrill, WI
I have been taking Tramadol for chronic back pain since August 2015. It would sometimes make me itchy but was never an issue. About a week ago, I broke out in anew itchy rash on both arms, my upper chest, shoulders and upper back. I couldn’t imagine what was causing it. No new soaps, detergents, meds or foods. It would kind of subside by morning but then would flare up again in the evening, which is when I usually take the Tramadol more often, especially when I’m at work and my back hurts so bad from standing. On Saturday, I was off so decided to try not taking any Tramadol and the rash didn’t flare up, but now today when I was back at work, I took it twice during my shift and now here is am, rashy and itching like crazy!
tim
Chicago
It’s been two weeks, and two days since my last dose. I only took it for about 6 weeks, about 4-5 50mg tablets at once at night. I stopped cold turkey the 5th of jan and today the 22nd I’m still having substantial stomach cramps. Is this a normal symptom of a lengthy withdrawal? Just a side note I’ve never taken this devil drug before this.
Shae
Cayman Islands
In the same boat as you. Took it for 6 weeks, 4 x per day within 24 hours at 50MG per dose. Stopped cold turkey and I’m on my fourth day of withdrawal symptoms.
Blurred vision, severe abdominal cramps, it hurts to breathe, disoriented, body aches, electric shocks in my hands and feet, swelling of my feet, back pain, chills, depression and flu like symptoms.
Query, did you have those also and if so is the only thing left is the abdominal cramps?
vivian
colron
This drug tramadol has destroyed my social life withdrawals are torture. I wish I had never taken this. Your tolerance becomes higher. I need help desperately…
Georgia
Austin Texas
Vivian I am in the same boat. I am actually considering going to rehab over this! It has destroyed my social life as well and I am looking for hope somewhere. Just want you to know you are not alone and we will figure this out!
Mark
I am wondering why everyone is so intent on not taking Tramadol?
cindy
South Carolina
Mark!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been on Tramadol for more than 3 years. I ran out on Monday and can not get anymore till tomorrow, which is Friday!! I am seriously thinking of going to detox cause I HURT AND WANT TO DIE!!!!!! And the thing is, I have serious nerve damage from the shingles.
Margie
easthampton, Mass.
You can try acupuncture and Chinese herbs. They have helped me incredibly when I had horrible side effects from a heart medication. It takes a little while sometimes, but really works. I now go straight to the acupuncturist whenever certain symptoms of my health issues return. These symptoms include shortness of breath and heart palpitations, and Chinese herbs can also treat a host of other symptoms. I suggest looking into it- you can research it online, and most likely find an acupuncturist in your area who is also into herbs. Good luck! I know how awful it can be to be withdrawing from a drug- I did that too, before I knew that acupuncture and herbs could help so much.
Barb
Tacoma
I am trying to wean myself off this horrible drug. I’m very depressed and my anxiety is through the roof. I am scared. I have an appointment with a rehab facility today. I hate this drug.
Stephanie
Philadelphia
Hi, Barb, I too am having a terrible time getting off of this medicine. How did rehab go? I think that will have to be my next step too. I have been trying for 7 months to get off of this drug and I have only taken 150 Mgs a day, but for may years.
Jenny
Lee on Solent
I have been taking Tramadol for years for rheumatoid arthritis and joint replacement. After my hip replacement I thought it was time to come off the Tramadol. I cut down the afternoon dose from 2 to 1 and then took the usual 2 at bedtime. I had the most awful night with shakes “live feelings”all over. I eventually got some sleep after 3am
Do I continue with the reduction and hope things get better or keep on taking full dose with no effects.
Julie
Norfolk
Have been on Tramadol for years for inflammatory osteoarthritis, 100mg morning, noon & evening while working as a carer. Tried reducing on my own after reading a scare story of a lady who accidentally took 50mg over the maximum 400mg a day once and died. This first try was dropping each dose to 50mg and resulted in withdrawal symptoms. Now I have retired I cut down to 100mg mornings only without problem. Have started acupuncture and though the joint damage can never be reversed I am pain-free and more mobile. On GP advice have just cut down to 50mg a day, but if I get withdrawal again I have a back-up plan. Will ask the GP to subscribe Tramacet (Tramadol & Paracetamol combo). The Tramadol element is lower per tablet so I could take smaller reductions by taking 1 of each then 2 Tramacet, then 1 Tramadol, then 1 Tramacet before freedom. Good luck to us all!
norma
CANADA
I am trying to come off this drug too. It’s been two days and omg, my legs hurt so bad, every joint in my body hurt and is swollen. I feel so tired, I hurt, I’m freezing, and sweating next. I started to take it for leg pain from a torn acilius that was damaged and torn. Then the joint pain came to be so they put me on anti inflammatory, both pills twice a day. I found I gained weight but felt so much better. After reading all the letters from people I really want off these pills. If anyone can suggest on how to do this, please let me know soon…right now I actually am thinking of going home and taking them because I feel so bad.
Em
Hi there. I’m at the end of a tapering plan- drop 50mg per week. Currently in 25mg (splitting the powder into two 25mg piles and adding one to water to drink). My plan has been to hold at Xmg if I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms. E.g when I dropped to 100mg per day I started to suffer symptoms. I ride this out and after 3-4 days my body started to adjust to the new lower dose. If then stay at that dose for a few more days and then drop again to a new lower dose.
I feel this is working for me. Good luck! You can do this!
DÉISE
Munster, Ireland
Hi…I had been taking tramadol for 2 years and stopped taking them on Dec 17th 2015 post L4/5 right side decompression surgery. I took 2x50mgs x 3 times a day… and if I was going out at night I took 2x50mgs extra to get through the social function. I quit cold turkey as my surgery went really well and I am anti tablets. I have very few side effects. I’m a little short tempered but have a strange feeling beneath both my knees. It’s been 15 days so fingers crossed things go well and I can say I’m tramadol free!!
Diane
Ohio
My mother-in-law is 87 and broke her pelvis. The doctor prescribed tramadol and it has resulted in paranoia and confusion, pronounced anxiety, and forgetfulness. We have asked repeatedly, since the treatment started 10 days ago, for a different dosage or better yet, different medication. The doctor has indicated this is the medication with the least side effects. I find that hard to believe.
Lee
California
I went off Ultram after 40 years. No real problems except lack of sleep and headaches, can anyone tell me if this could be due to going off drug?
Many thanks
Lee
Reanna
?
I have been taking Ultram for approximately 6-8 months now. I can’t remember exactly. I take 100mg of the morning and 50mg in the afternoon, but not always 50mg in the afternoon. Some days I do not even take the 50mg in the afternoon. Recently, like the past two weeks, I have been waking up with my legs feeling very weak and I feel funny. I know poor description, but I have no other description I feel almost like I am dehydrated after a drunk in my legs. After taking the 100mg of Ultram in the morning, I feel better and I will feel better for several hours. Then approximately 6-7 hours after taking the 100mg of Ultram, I get very shaky, pretty much all over, but a lot in both shoulders and I feel my heart pounding. I can check my heart rate and it is not elevated, but Ican just feel it pounding. I hands will even feel tingly at times. It is the strangest feeling in the world. I feel so nervous and jittery. Is this a reaction to me coming down off the Ultram from the morning dose? It never did this before int he past 6 months, so I don’t understand why it would start now all of a sudden. Anyone have any ideas if this sounds like it’s the Ultram doing this? My plan is to take an Ultram every time I feel this way and if it fixes it,I guess I can attribute the Ultram to the cause. Anyone had anything similar? It is very strange.
Ann
Michigan
Ultram hasn’t been out for 40 years. maybe 18-20 years, but not 40. Maybe you are thinking of another drug.
Terry Graedon
Ultram was approved in 1995.
Tamara Lang
Pittsburgh
Thank you for this post. I know its older but this medicine is terrible. Prescibed tramadol for chronic pain in 2005, it worked welll until 2010 when I began college. Prescibed 300 mg x a day w adderall didnt mix and i have been weaning off (foctor supervised) for 18 months. After taking a psychopharmacology course did it click. The sweating, trembling, muscle tightening, ankle swelling, and more. I have been on celexa, trazodone, and klonopin for 19 years. In the beginning, before the adderall i was warned by rx that cekexa + tramdol carries a risk for seizures. I at the time, uneducated coorelated “seizures” w epilepsy. Over the years the sweating, and muscular tightening to something medical. It was my idea to cut the dose. I thought my mood was okay enough not to be on so much medication. The initial cut was 300 mg 18 months ago. I have been miserable, agitated, panicked, socially dysfunctional, its very hard. Down to 50 mg, these miserable symtoms are helped with the klonopin, but the dose needs doubled to fet through it. I see my doc on Monday and I am praying she will increase the klonopin temporarily. Diarehha, severe stomach pains, trouble breathing are all apart of this misery. Feel so much better until klonopin wears off. If anyone is prescribed this medicine, it will help the mood. However, it does not mix with imitrex, 800 mg ibuprofen, cekexa, trazodone, and adderall as it pertains to me. Im lucky im alive, to be honest. But to progress in academics it has to go. Good luck to anyone trying to wean of these. Never should be prescribed at 600 mg er with my medications.
Michelle Nicholai
MI
I have been off tramadol since the previous Friday, 5 full days now. I had a terrible withdrawl time Saturday night. I decided to take a small dose of Tylenol 3 to help take edge off. I am now out of those since Monday. I can’t eat, my heart is racing, legs jello, no energy, chills, fever… No sleep at night! I try to take some Tylenol pm to help me sleep or Benadryl but it doesn’t help. Then I got to thinking I’m on meridian which may not be helping. I now have diarrhea as well…. How much longer????
Brian
Boston
I took my first dose of tramadol Halloween day and boy was it a trick far from a treat. It barely took away my back pain and the weakness and diahrrea were relentless. I guess it’s just not a good drug for me
Brian C
Michelle
Ohio
I’ve been on tramadol for about 15 years and can’t get off of it because of the withdrawals. The Dr first gave me vicodine for my back pain. I thought I was doing the right thing when I went to the Dr and asked if there was something I can take to help with the pain that wasn’t habit forming. That ended up being the worse mistake of my life. I never in a million years thought I would be addicted to stupid damn pain pills. It started out OK taking them but then over time my body became immune to them so my train of thought I just took a couple more a day it won’t hurt. I can go on and on about how this drug is still taking over my life because the withdrawals are so bad I go right back to taking them even after going 10 days without them cause I ran out I went back taking them because I was still suffering from the withdrawals so when it was time to get a refill it was like heaven opening the door for me.This is a monthly thing I go through I tell myself that I’m never taking them again I’ll suffer through the withdrawals but I can’t because the craving is so bad. I want to quit so bad but can’t. I cry and cry because I’m so ashamed. My husband tells me it’s all in my mind yea right. I don’t think my mom and sister who knows that I’m addicted to them really know how bad and I can’t tell them the truth out of shame so I just became very distant. Please if anyone who takes these if you can stop now or you will end up like me and you don’t want that.I’m on day 3 now without any I hope I can stay strong and not get back on them because this will be the longest not having any cause I have 18 days still before I can get a refill.120 pills lasted me about 10 days. Prayers to all trying to beat the addiction from these pills who’s Dr told them at one time they were safe to take. I don’t blame my Dr I blame the makers .
Alice
Tulsa
I have been on 50 mg Tramadol ER for years in combination with other antidepressants.
I was out of town and ran out. Thinking I would be ok I just cold turkeyed.
How long will symptoms last and should I go to one every other night?
Josh
God's country
Ok, here it goes. I have been on tramadol 2 x 50 mg .3 times a day as needed for pain. I could honestly take 4 3 times a day and feel great. But I am addicted to it ran out and now suffering. I have gone 2 days now and am going through some pretty rough stuff. I am not getting anymore and I am kicking this medicine to the curb. Can someone one give me an idea of how long this will take?
Angie
Oklahoma
I’m starting day one due to an upcoming surgery that requires me to be off all meds except Tylenol, after knowing what I know now I do not intend on taking tramadol again, My dosage was the same as yours And I was wanting to know if you have found any relief.
James.
Glen Allen, VA
Everyone is different. Could take a few day to a few weeks. I have been on and off different pain meds. Tramadol is the worst. I’m currently on tramadol partially because of the withdrawal.
Nikki
Los angeles
Tramadol is a terrible drug. I was also taking it because I had surgery. I was on it for a while and than I got addicted to it. Eventually the doctor stopped prescribing it to me so I was desperate to find it. I started ordering it off of the Internet. My experience is that this drug is not worth what you have to go through during withdrawal. I am finally after all of this time getting off of it once and for all. Withdrawal symptoms are absolutely terrible; awful restless leg syndrome, restless feeling in chest, and I even got restless arm syndrome in both arms which I didn’t even know existed. The good thing is that the withdrawal usually lasts all night and than you should be fine. Just try and get off of this drug while you still can. It messes everything up in your system and mind
Ally
Florida
I ruptured two discs in my back and was put on Tramadol, Celebrex, Flexeril, Percocet, and Medrol Dosepaks until they could perform surgery three months later. After surgery I was kept on everything but the Medrol Dosepaks. Then, within a few weeks after the surgery, I was able to wean myself off of the Flexeril and Percocet.
Since then, for about a year now, I have been taking the Tramadol, 50 mg, and Celebrex, 200 mg. I had no side effects from either drug and considered the Tramadol especially, a real lifesaver.
Recently I discontinued the Celebrex and had no problems doing that. But because I don’t like the idea of taking a drug indefinitely, I am now trying to stop taking the Tramadol, too. But I feel terrible.
So, I’m wondering if what I’m experiencing are Tramadol withdrawal symptoms? I know Tramadol has an SSRI effect, so I expected to feel a little blue. I can manage that. But I also have stomach cramps, diarrhea and chills. Is this something that others have experienced when they stopped Tramadol?
Ahmed
iraq
I was taking tramadol 400 mg daily for one month for lower back pain and after that I decide to stop it because I have exam and this drug made me depressed, but 48 hrs after last dose I suffer from severe symptoms: high fever, chills, pain all over the body, and severe flu like symptoms and bad mood, and I am a Dr and I did not know tramal has withdrawal symptoms. please any successful treatment please?
helen
USA
Reply to AHMED Iraq:
I’ve been on much lower dose, (Tramadol-Ultram 50 mg), much longer than you . You must “taper off of Tramadol”, even if taking for very short periods of time.
Hope your Dr has told you to do so. Never cut this drug off “cold turkey”. With doctor approval, reduce your dosage and slow taper! Good luck.
S.D.
Oregon
My doctor prescribed this drug for leg pain caused by sciatica. I took it at 9 p.m. with food. My head felt dizzy and weird during the night. I woke up at 5 a.m. with an excruciating headache and felt very nauseous. Between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m., I vomited six times. The headache and nausea lasted for a full 24 hours. Needless to say, this drug is going in the garbage. I have never had a drug reaction as bad as this!
lex
Well I took tramadol around 9pm and I’ve been experiencing shortness of breath really bad to the point where I stop breathing when I’m sleeping and immediately wake up gasping for air. I’m still up not able to sleep at all thinking I’m going to die while asleep. It is now 4am and I have yet to get sleep.
jenny
Uk
I took 2 50mg tablets last night for nerve pain in my head… never again! Felt drowsy, then aggitated, hyper and woke up at every little noise I heard in the night. Think I’ll stick to paracetamol and ibuprofen till I’ve had an MRI on my head and they know what’s wrong!
K
Texas
I have been off tramadol for 4 days already and am still suffering from visual and auditory hallucinations. This is awful. I’m very agitated and paranoid. This is a BAD drug.
Ron
Fresno, CA
Well, I had sciatica and the doctor subscribed meloxicam, a lidocaine patch, and tramadol. There for the first few weeks I was pain free (well, still am pain free) but I was, talk about side effects—-more active—doing things around the house I never do, lost weight, felt physically really good. I kinda knew that the feeling good part was probably from the narcotic and not the weight loss—I mean I could almost feel a buzz. But like always, I got on the internet to investigate and saw the addictiveness of tramadol. I was taking one around 4pm and then one at night before bed. I had lost a nice amount of weight and pain was gone so I decided I should wean myself off—because of the addictive effects. Well, it doesn’t seem like a huge weaning, but I started taking only one a day. Now I do feel the stuff you are writing about here. Thank you because it’s not good feeling lousy and not knowing why. But seeing all the symptoms of withdrawal matching what I am experiencing—–insomnia, anxiety, aggressiveness, suicide thoughts, lethargy. And that’s just from taking half of what I was taking. Maybe I should cut the pills in half and take 1 1/2 to ease the withdrawals? But then again, I don’t want to take a bit more to relieve the withdrawal effects—that’s insane. So, no matter how long these last, I’m taking only one a day and quickly will go to 1/2 a day. Thanks for all your comments—-they were wonderful.
helen
Reply to Ron : Don’t cut the Tramadol in half without your Dr’s ok, plus it might not be a pill you can cut, safely.
It’s not going to be easy, but make yourself come off and safely. You will finally get back to “before Tramadol”, so just pray a lot and listen to “how to” from your dr!! You can do it!
Linda
Bandon, OR
I only wish I could go off this drug, which I started taking 25 mg while I was still working. My job involved standing 8 hours a day, and heavy lifting, and I was in excruciating pain due to Scoliosis. After a few months on the Tramadol, which I had to increase to 50mg once a day, I retired because I didn’t want to end up a drug addict. I stopped taking Tramadol, and was fine for a while, being able to rest my back whenever it started hurting. However, after a year or so, I started having terrible pain whenever I went shopping, did yard work, went out with friends, and so went back on 25 mg once a day. After a year or so, 25 mg no longer worked and I’m on one 50 mg a day. If I don’t have pain for a day, because I’m sitting around at home, and don’t take the Tramadol, I have severe restless leg syndrome and can’t sleep at all. It’s well and good to say I should stop this dangerous drug, but my Scolosis pain at age 67 is unbearable if I don’t take this pain reliever. Sometimes I feel so hopeless!
Mike
Cave city
They are really messing with me.
Jay
Rossville
I have been on tramadol 50mg for about 5 years, I recently quit because I knew it was becoming a problem. When I would run out I would freak. I knew it was time and of course it’s scary and feels terrible to go through withdrawal, but you won’t die. I sweat constintaly, have a hard time breathing, am emotional, and can’t sleep! The absolute worst is the shaking and I have it bad. To the point that I will start to emotionally unravel and become desperate to feel normal even if it’s for an hour. It’s hard to quit but not impossible, remember that when you do go through hell and you prove to yourself that you can do this, it is a powerful thing. It gets better, it’s difficult and just flat out sucks but when you get back to feeling like you again….it’s absolutely worth it. If it was easy everyone would do it, but sadly that’s not the case you just have to remember what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.
Vicki
Orlando
Hi, I am trying to wean off 300 mg. Tramadol. My biggest side effect is sweating/hot flashes. I am wondering if this is the tramadol withdrawal (or menopause – I’m that age). I am cruising this site and you are the first person that has mentioned sweating. Would you be willing to tell me if you were successful? Are you still sweating and how long did you take to withdraw, then how long to feel normal?
Mark
Colorado
Vicki – How did it go? How are you doing now? It has been thirty days since your post….I am curious to see how you are doing? I am thinking of trying to get off of it as well.
Sue
Pennsylvania
I had total knee replacement on Monday and pain meds started making my stomach upset Tuesday. So the doctor decided to switch me to tramadol because it was easier on the stomach. I came home Wednesday and was totally constipated by Friday AM so decided to stop the pain med and just go it alone with Tylenol Xstrength. Sunday 5:00 AM I awoke to totally saturated with sweat, nightgown, bedsheets etc so got up and took temp, it was normal, then started itching like crazy. By afternoon I was totally covered with itchy, red rash. Decided to look at med sheet and saw where it said not to discontinue suddenly or severe reaction….it was only 3 days and had that much affect! I hope this stops as suddenly as it started because I’m going nuts with the itch. After reading some of these comments I am glad I only took it for a couple of days. It is Sunday and I can’t reach doctor so will have to wait until tomorrow but doubt there is anything to help. This is disgusting.
James.
Virginia.
Vicky… Yes sweating and hot flashes is ONE of the withdrawal symptoms.
Barb
I’m starting today. Been taking 2 50mg for a year. My body is reacting to them. I have to get off this drug. Thanks for being positive. I want my life back. This drug makes me very depressed. I feel like a shell of a human.
Katy
Jersey
How did you make out? I’m ready to jump and afraid I won’t be able to function at work. Desk job, deal with people and phone calls all day. Can I do this? 18 month user, down to 3-50mgs a day.. I want to try just one tomorrow. Is that wise?
eddie willers
This thread is unbelievable (even in the age of the Internet).
Typical story:
“I took tramadol
It relieved my pain
I quit taking tramadol
Pain came back
THIS DRUG IS HORRIBLE, SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE MARKET AND THE ALL THE DOCTORS SHOT!”
And we wonder why doctors shy away from pain management.
Mitch
Capecod
Doctors are prescribing Tramadol as a safe alternative to regular opioids. However it turns out that it has horrible side effects when on the med and has even worse problems with withdrawal. Because it also has some Antidepressent effects it makes withdrawal longer and mental anguish brutal.. Coming off Tramadol after 2 years of 200mg a day was months of misery and such a dark dark hole of hell. It is a synthetic opioids with a SNRI coctail that if taken as prescribed could make your life living hell.
Randy
Minnesota
I have been on Tramadol 2-50mg tablets every 6 hours for almost 3 years now, due to a botched lower back surgery for a herniated disc between L4 & L5. The Orthopedic Surgeon accidentally cut my nerve in my back which left me in the worst pain I have ever been in and I am still in. In post recovery upon waking up after surgery, I was moaning and groaning from the intense pain, that the surgeon ordered me to ICU for my pain. They tried multiple extremely potent pain relievers to control my pain, but it just masked it and I was a vegetable and in extreme pain even with the potent pain relievers.
I was eventually given Tramadol to try and it was the only thing that helped with my pain. It doesn’t completely eliminate the pain, but it does reduce it enough significantly to where it is tolerable and I can function and perform daily activities etc., but it is the only thing that works. In fact, I take 2-50 mg tramadol tablets every six hours, and it has got to the point where I don’t even have to monitor the clock anymore, because as soon as it is within approximately 1 hour of taking the tramadol, the pain comes back in full force, so I just wait till the pain comes back and I pop 2 more tablets. But I will say something that I have noticed since I started taking tramadol, is that it blurs my vision horribly and I am surprised that no one else has experienced that, from what I have read here. But I just will have to live with this horrible medication till the day I drop in my tracks, as it is the only medication that helps and I don’t have a majority of the side effects I am seeing here. I do know that my mind is cloudy and I feel like I have a hard time concentrating and have lost considerable weight with this medication/drug. It even suppresses my appetite so much that it’s hard for me to add or keep my weight at a consistent level. That is probably one of the worst things about this medication/drug. If you want to lose weight, this will definitely help in that department. Horrible.
I also notice that I occasionally get restless leg syndrome/thrashing at night when I try to sleep, especially if I am not on time with my dose. Well, I’ve said enough and could actually keep right on babbling. Good luck to all you other sufferers going through the withdrawal phase. I don’t know if I will ever get to that stage, as I will need to be on this the rest of my life, thanks to a botched lower back surgery, from a surgeon who probably had golfing on his mind while I was under the knife. I’m sure he didn’t want to miss tee time with his golfing buddies!
PJ
Houston, Texas
Randy, I have also been on Tramadol 50mg – 2 every 6 hours for 3+ years for a nerve impingement in my neck. My eyesight has significantly changed – distance vision is fine, but I have had to wear reading glasses!! I never had a vision problem before. I have tried to decrease my dose several times, but I get the restless legs, flu like symptoms, and overall feeling that just makes you feel very agitated, and horrible to where I am so fatigued but if I try to lay down my legs go haywire!! I also have different side effects on certain generics, and with Teva, it doesn’t seem to help at all and makes me go into withdrawal symptoms. I wish that I never started this medication, but like you, the hydrocodone didn’t do nothing but make me unable to function and just masked the pain!! I just hope somebody will come up with a solution to ease the withdrawal symptoms after my surgery!! Good luck to you, and let me know if you have found anything that will help with the horrible side effects !!
Cindy W.
Arkansas
I’m trying to quit taking Tramadol. I am on 50 mg, and I take them 2 times a day. This morning I cut it down to 1 1/2 this morning I have panic/anxiety attacks, a horrible feeling. I just hope I can stay sane and hang in there until I quit completely.
Drue
North Carolina
I was on Tramadol for 13 years for back pain and arthritis. In December my blood pressure shot way up. My doctor told me to go off Tramadol, so I did. I felt awful, as others no energy at all. Just wanted to sit and watch TV. Did not realize I was in withdrawal. It was AWFUL. I did go on Mobic for the arthritis which doesn’t work as well. It is now The end of April and I still have no energy. I’m 75 and have always had high energy so hate this feeling. I was on 37.5, two in the morning and once in a while two in the afternoon if I had a busy day. I kept asking my regular doctor and heart doctor if it was OK to be on it and they always said “yes”. They should take this medication off the market! I feel for all of you who are going off Tramadol. Good luck.
Sara
Texas
I was searching for someone who had the same effects of tramadol as I do. I too have terrible blurry vision, but not only that I also have intense eye pain I can whether my eyes are open or closed, I feel lots of pressure behind them, they look swollen and red and my pupils are larger. Now I am alarmed because I seem to be having an irregular heart beat or palpitations, itchy red skin, insomnia, and a couple other more common ones. I quit taking it yesterday after a few weeks of using it but now have a pain patch on because of an open femur break and knee. I am wondering how long these effects will last. Hours, days, weeks?
Fred
Being in pain is hell. Chronic pain is indescribable and worse than hell, believe me I know. Because we are intelligent beings we seek out remedies to our pain in ways our society permits which is to see a doctor and get relief from our suffering. Nobody wants to suffer and doctors generally have little compassion to spare for those in pain. I have been to third world countries and realized there are very many who suffer due to a lack of treatments available which deeply saddened me and still does. Yet our doctors are limited by their own discipline as well as by the available science and most of them having no personal experience with chronic pain and can not relate to our dilemma as constant sufferers.
Pain patients are too often viewed as neurotic whiners or deviate drug seekers and are dismissed with various band aide solutions, and the suffering continues. Pain clinics have become the biggest run around making millions of dollars on repetitive diagnostics and providing little to no additional relief. On the other end of the spectrum you have doctors creating ‘new theories’ on pain and pain relief which points toward our pain as being a misperception of our brain and nervous system which strongly hints of charlatanism. I fear that suffering from physiological damage is going to be with humanity for the foreseeable future, as for now we cope as best as we can hoping that the remedies we are being prescribed don’t kill us or make us sicker. No one ever told me that life would not involve painful suffering either physical or psychic yet I somehow came to believe this and I was wrong. After all who could imagine pain without end and the end to joy without recourse? I know my doctor can’t. God help us all.
Pat
West Chester, P a
I was taking tramadol for post surgical pain. Was told that it was safe to use because it was not a narcotic. After four weeks and symptoms of headache, loss of appetite,irregular heartbeat and “being in a fog” I discontinued, and am now on day 4 of withdrawal. I feel lousy and all of the previous symptoms are much worse, plus more pain. Will let my doctor know about this situation and hope he advises patients to use it sPARINGLY!!!
MWahid
Egypt
Well I took this for 4 year now I’m stopping it, today is my second day and I feel horrible, they say the pain will last 3 days and then I will feel better, my back is killing me my joints are also killing me I’m depressed crying like a baby, I just want my life back wish me luck everyone.
Jan
Ca
I have been on Tramadol for 5 years due to a connective tissue disease. My pain is diminishing and I can’t seem to even taper off this drug without horrid side affects. It will not let go of my brain. I am paranoid, sleepless, unsociable, gut wretched, slow to think, crying, depressed, loss of appetite, body aches, skin hurts,trembling and more. My Dr. does not really get it. My life has been greatly disrupted and I probably will lose my job. I tell everyone I know to stay away from this poison. I’m sure it’s fine very very short term and not to be taken daily. So why is it still on the market? I’m waiting for a class action lawsuit to come out on TV soon.
Tif
ohio
I have been taking tramadol for 6 months due to a knee injury, I decided to come off of it, didn’t have much to wean from, but yesterday I took my last one, I don’t feel horrible but does it get worse ? I didn’t like this medication because it is not what it seems. Good luck to those stuck on this crap. I am praying for a quick withdrawal.
Jackie
Dayton, Ohio
I am a 26 year old woman and I was recently diagnosed with lumbar stenosis and a bulging disc. I have been prescribed Tramadol along with other pain relief meds. It helps somewhat with my pain but it’s not really useful with nerve pain. Only side effect I have noticed I suffer is being itchy all over when I first start and I do feel happier while taking it. I did have to stop taking it abruptly when I had to quit my job and lost my health insurance temporarily and I had no withdrawl symptoms. I am now back on it with no issues.
nicole
wa
My husband was prescribed this after his tooth extraction. Its only been 4 days and hes completely different person. Hes paranoid and anxiety ridden and suicidal at times. I’m really hoping I can get him off of this before he becomes addicted.
Cherie C.
DC
I am a 38 yr old healthy female. Had some severe neck and back pains, ended up in ER. Was prescribed 50mg of the generic version of Ultram, Tramadol made by Teva Pharmaceuticals. I experienced confusion, hallucinations, severe drowsiness, nightmares, depression, abnormal thoughts, coordination problems, moodiness, body spasms. The absolute worst experience in my entire life! I will never take that medication again.
Lisa
United Kingdom
I’ve been on tramadol for 6 years. 400mg a day and accidentally missed a dose. I was in hell. I immediately called my doctor and said I wanted to stop and he told me to do it over 3 weeks. I’m on week 6 now and have completely stopped but the withdrawals have been horrendous and the worst experience of my life.
I feel like I am dying. Can’t sleep. Brain zaps. Shivers. Sweating. Vomiting. The list is endless. I’ve had no help from my doctor and I would say to anyone to really think hard before taking these pills.
Had I known this would be the torture I’d have to endure to stop them then I would have declined them when the pain clinic prescribed them. I wish I knew how much longer I’m going to be suffering because I am literally being tortured mentally and physically and feel weaker by the day. I called my doctor again at week 3 and he advised me to increase the dose?!? What?? As if I’m going to go through all that just to get some small relief and prolong the suffering further. . Good luck everyone. You’re not alone :)
Carol
Pa
I have been taking tramadol for 15 yrs since my dr said ” They are not addictive “. I can never go off, I would die. Please don’t take them we need a class action suit, Even last week my pain dr said Oh they are nothing
God Bless You All,
C
LaToya
Maryland
I was put on Tramadol for a tooth ache… I only took 1 in which the hospital gave me before I left. I filled my prescription but didn’t take anymore. This was on a Sunday on Tuesday I started feeling nauseous and had vomiting. I didn’t know what was happening I felt horrible. My mom takes the medicine for knee replacement I called her she said its the tramadol don’t take anymore get rid of them. I never thought taking 1 pill could make you feel this way. They should take this off of the market.
LaToya
Maryland
I was put on Tramadol for a tooth ache… I only took 1 in which the hospital gave me before I left. I filled my prescription but didn’t take anymore. On Tuesday I started feeling nauseous and had vomiting. I didn’t know what was happening I felt horrible. My mom takes the medicine for knee replacement I called her she said its the tramadol don’t take anymore get rid of them. I never thought taking 1 pill could make you feel this way. They should take this off of the market.
Julie
UK
It did exactly the same to me. Very breathless until I gnarly stopped taking it. Thanks for sharing x
Wendy
Nevada
My daughter has rheumatoid Arthritis and severe back issues. She has been going to a pain management doctor for two years. The first thing he put her on was Tramadol 50mg three times a day. She is all of 98 pounds. She has also been prescribed other meds as well. She is 24 always avoided illegal drugs, stopped being friends with people who were using. Lost friends to overdose etc.. Her primary care prescribed Cymbalta for depression and possible pain relief she was on it 60 days when she began having issues. Then she had a seizure in the shower. She realized her “issues” were absence seizures. She had an appointment with her pain doctor and they decided to “wean” her off tramadol but she wasn’t really giving direction on how to go about it. She had two more seizures and was told not to drive or be alone. finally after a week she got through to the doctor and the doctor told her to stop the tramadol immediately. She might experience some discomfort but the seizures should stop. Well the “discomfort” was full on withdrawal symptoms fever chills muscle spasms nausea extreme pain anger and lashing out the works. The doctor called in new prescriptions to help with the withdrawal symptoms which basically knock her out. I live 500 miles from her but my 74 year old mother stepped in to stay with her. This medication was touted as not being addictive and minimal opiate withdrawal symptoms. That is completely wrong do not take this medicine without completely researching your options. My daughter feels like she would rather go through having her appendix removed and having mono (which nearly killed her, again due to a medical professional) at the same time than dealing with the withdrawals from this supposed safe drug.
bruce s
bingen Wa.
I have osteoarthritis, degen discs, no cartiledge in my neck, bone on bone, bad spondy low back, uneven leg length, 4 herniated discs and more, but that is nuff, been taking tramadol hcl. Is that same as ultram? 3 years using this trash, some relief until last fall 2013, I pushed a neck vert. I could feel it manually, went to my pain clinic, saw a PA., gave me more tram, I said I needed a good chiro or osteo to realign my neck. She did not know any in this area. Later, too late, her supervising MD. did know of a good chiro that he used often but too late for me. Meantime the PA. upped my dose from 100mg to 300 mg a day, pretty soon I am hooked and still in pain.
Now a year later I am withdrawing (my choice) and same clinic seems clueless as to schedule a gradual taper. Last visit they cut back 33% on it….too rapid….Why do I know more than the doctors from looking at a few web sites on withdrawal? Best site …reduce 10% a week, not 10 mg a week, an easy mistake to make but a bad one. As said the clinic: Columbia Pain Management, seems pretty ignorant on a subject that they should know very well.
I’m not doing well and resent the heck out of these idiots malpractice……So, I’m on my own despite many calls asking for help. Oh just talked to the clinic and they will see me in a week.
Sherry
Palm Bay, FL
I have 3 discs that are degenerating in my lower back along with Fibromyalgia, two bad knees & Neuorophy!!! I was put on Tramadol a week ago, the more days I took it, the worse I began to feel! More pain, forgetfulness, dizziness, as well as some other side effects.
I took 2 yesterday but nothing this a.m. yet, and I can already tell a major difference! I’m not in as much pain as I was over the weekend! Going to my M.D. in a little bit & going to talk to him about the side effects of Tramadol! So not happy with it!
david
United Kingdom
Interesting to read everyone’s experiences with tramadol here. I have been taking the drug on and off for about 6 years but the past two years it has developed to habit forming.
Initially I was taking them for back problems however like most I am now simply taking them because I can’t get off them. I take 3×4 50mg pills every evening purely down to the fact that without them I am bored senseless. Recently I feel a lot more depressed than normal and the suicidal thoughts are creeping in. I have had every other side effect imaginable over the years. Pretty much everything on the list I have had but for me the worst issues are the itching, nausea and cloudy thoughts.
One thing I do find positive in my situation is that this year I have been on two family holidays this year and during these times I have not taken any tramadol at all so I know from experience getting off them properly can be done.
Tonight I will lower my dose and see how we go. I am sick of being unsociable and always making excuses not to do things. I want my life back.
sherry
ohio
Please,please whatever you do only take small amounts of this. I have been on ultram for ten years due to disk degeneration disease and nerve damage in my arms . This honestly is the only med that gave me energy and no pain for a while. But, they never told me how addictive it is!! I am on day 5, of withdrawal,not good at all let me tell you. The problem with this pill is after A while you need more and more. I will get off these some way. Just be careful.
laz
United States
Regarding Tramadol toxicity and withdrawal, we recently had an experience which shouldn’t have happened. Our 8 yr. old dog had surgery and was prescribed Tramadol pre-op and post-op. We told the vet that her pre-op dose was too high because she began crying after we gave it to her so we lowered the dose to 1 pill/day instead of three! We thought she would take that into account after surgery. However she still prescribed Tramadol at 1 pill /day cut in half and given 12 hours apart (we found out later that cutting pills increases the speed of release into the system and shouldn’t be done). Well our dog was having breathing difficulties in a couple of days, vomiting and we reported it immediately. The vet seemed clueless and didn’t even suggest Tramadol as the cause, so we kept on giving it to our dog thinking she needed it to survive.
Finally, several days later our dog had tremors on her sides before going to bed, during the night she began crying uncontrollably like she never did before the Tramadol. In the morning she was exhausted and we thought dehydrated so we brought her to the vet clinic. The vet was again clueless and missed the symptoms as being a result of adverse reactions to the Tramadol. We researched all this afterwards and found out that all the symptoms could be attributed to Tramadol adverse reaction and withdrawal. The uncontrolled crying is called emotional liability and can be caused by Tramadol overdose or withdrawal. Toward the end our dog so exhausted from crying, also had weak/no pulse in her legs and we also found that on the list related to Tramadol side effects. Again the vet didn’t make any connection and gave our dog morphine to sedate her to stop the crying which was the wrong thing to do. We found out that Tramadol should not be mixed with a narcotic and morphine is a narcotic. So our dog died and we had to speak with the vet and show her the information we found. Her words were “this is all news to me.” She was sorry but her lack of knowledge concerning Tramadol effects, dosage and withdrawal ultimately led to our dog’s untimely death. If not for the meds. I think our dog would have recovered. Sad. Avoid Tramadol! Also, vets have no accountability put on them and owners have no recourse it seems when negligent care is given. Be aware. I wish we had been.
Milly
Oregon
I started taking this drug for fibromyalgia August 26th, 2014. Since then, my pain fibromyalgia pain is much better; but I am experiencing horrific side effects. I have the following: severe vertigo, severe nausea, sever stomach pain, and burning, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, migraines, anxiety, drops in blood pressure, heart palpitations, and tremors.
I have contact my doctor on three different occasion over the last month and have only gotten one response a month ago – ” Cut the dose in half and increase as symptoms alleviate.” Well, I did that and nothing has imrpoved and my pain came back and I can’t keep anything down. I am dropping weight and can’t function. My doctor still has not responded.
The biggest problem is the my fibromyalgia is so bad, that if I stop taking the Tramadol, I won’t be able to walk or move. So, I have two choices – 1) be crippled in sever pain and not be able to function; or 2.) have sever side effects and almost not be able function and not be able to eat.
Such is life.
bry
cornwall
I’m on them now for the first time, I’m feeling hot, paranoid, panicky and bad tummy ache.. Feel horrible:'(
JP
Peter
Sounds familiar to me. THe whole thing about Tramadol is that many people can take it and have no problems getting off it and no real side effects. The other side of the coin seems to be people like you and I who get different symptoms and have no reasonable cause for it. I was taking tramadol for 5 years. Two weeks after I started taking it I started getting shortness of breath. That started the roller coaster of tests and doctors. After all the medical tests come back negative they finally send you to the psychologist. The diagnosis is anxiety, panic attacks, depression.
This now starts the new roller coaster of meds to treat the anxiety, none of which work. I feel it is impossible to get the anxiety tag taken off of you once you get it. Now your whole life is about helping the anxiety. I feel for me that it makes sense that tramadol is the cause of all of this. Not one of at least 50 doctors I have seen in the last 5 years will agree with me though. One funny thing that I found is now they add an extra label on the tramadol that says tramadol can affect your respiratory system. (Shocking huh).
I have been off of tramadol for 6 months. The shortness of breath for me has somewhat changed to a very hypersensitive system. The very slightest movements makes my system go on alert. Relaxation many times makes it worse.
I am hoping that it is my brain trying to rewire itself and that in time things will get better. It is however very hard to keep the faith day in and day out. I wish you the best and hope all works out for you!
JP
peter a.
Hi I was taking 8 sometimes 10 x 50mg tramadol hydrochloride capsules for lower back pain for about 10 years. I then had 2 heart attacks and cardiact arrest in one night I was brought back and had 2 stents fitted and diagnosed with heart failure. I then dropped down to 3 x 50 mg per day 1 morning 1 evening and 1 night time.
I have been suffering shortness of breath which I figured was caused by my heart failure the heart consultant has said that I have a good ejection factor and after testing my chest and lung function cant find any reason for my shortness of breath and to get my g.p. look into other avenues. 1 g.p. told me it could be in my mind and prescribed some anti depressants which I will not take as I don’t consider myself depressed.
Looking at the effects of tramadol on these comments I was wondering if I were able to stop would I get my breathing back and if so how long after I have stopped could I expect to be back to normal or is the damage irreversible. thank you regards peter.
SA
The following is all my opinion:
Tramadol shouldn’t be treated as a painkiller. Its effects on serotonin and norepinephrine make it more like an antidepressant.
I take between one and a half and two 50mg tablets per day and it has changed my life. After taking tramadol for depression, I realize it’s been 30 years since I’ve been happy. My fears disappear and my energy rises after I take tramadol and I finally feel good after being miserable for so long. 1
That such a small amount affects me so profoundly suggests to me that most of the problems people have with tramadol come from overdosing. Many of the symptoms I see here are similar to those that occur when people overdose on SRAs, SSRIs, or SSNRIs. The withdrawal symptoms are also similar.
The problem is that tramadol is such modest painkiller that large doses are needed to match the effectiveness of opiates. As a result it’s difficult to avoid the side effects common with taking too much of an SSNRI. The threshold dose for pain relief seems only slightly less than the dose that causes SSNRI side effects.
This doesn’t make tramadol useless, though. As I said, the antidepressant character of the drug has changed my life (and maybe saved it). Nothing else has worked.
I hope someone studies the use of tramadol as an antidepressant. Its misuse as a pain killer has given it a bad reputation. I think it could help many people, especially those that need a quick rescue when a traditional SSRI might take weeks to work. For me, the blues go away in mere hours after I take it.
The only problem I have is with the insomnia. It isn’t unpleasant, but I know intellectually that the body needs sleep. Still, it’s better than the days and days of grey skies I’ve had for much of my life.
Again, all my opinion.
Disabled Vet
I’ve been taking Tramadol since Oct 2010. I have the whole lower back package of bulging discs, spinal stenosis, disc degeneration, scoliosis and a few other things going on. I’ve been suffering from severe chronic pain since Oct 1996 aka the injury date. Its gotten worse over time. I also have chonic GERD and have had plenty of stomach acid in the nasal passage and lungs.
Needless to say, the problem breathing has gotten worse. Yet, the Veteran’s Hospital keeps me on this worthless medication. I nearly pass out when I have to bend over to tie my shoes. It does not even give me any relief whatsoever. I also have Insomnia which means taking Trazadone. My Tramadol prescription is 150 mg a day and any more than that I really have problems breathing. To the point my inhalers do not work. They barely give me any relief on 150 mg. If Texas allowed the use of marijuana use for chronic back pain, I’d be the first to sign up for it and skip taking a few of my medications I’m taking and its 8 different kinds.
And for the record, Tramadol has been changed to a Class IV drug.
Controlled Status:
On July 2, 2014, the DEA published in the Federal Register the final rule placing tramadol into schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act. This rule will become effective on August 18, 2014. All regulatory requirements applicable to schedule IV controlled substances will apply to tramadol beginning
August 18, 2014. The final rule is available online at
http://www.regulations.gov
F.F.
I have been on Ultram (Tramadol) 50mg once a day for bad low back pain (stenosis) that I endure for 2 yrs now, pain going down on both legs and mornings are terrible for me, to start walking, I wake up in pain with no energy to get up. still driving my car but not going out of the house more than one hour, pain is too terrible.I had to quit Advil (which didn’t help at all…) I end up with severe stomach problems with it, and more high blood pressure. I am 72 yrs old.
Tramadol helps a bit more than Advil but I take white wine everyday, I am depressed, cannot meet my friend like before, and wine pushes me out of my blues… sometimes. Last night I took more and today was real bad. Diarrhea since this morning and no relief from pain. Also cramps and nausea… I think the wine doesn’t help. I drank a lot of water only today, hardly eat, hoping it will be better tomorrow… hope it is o.k. May be will have a soup for supper..
Had some infiltrations 2 yrs ago and it didn’t help a bit. Seeing my psychiatrist this week. Heard lot people are on Lyrica.. is it better…so many different opinions.
The way it goes, I wont be to walk at all if nothing helps.. I was a real active person till it hit me, kayak, natation, cross c.-ski… all this is behind me.
Stairs are very hard for me, and I am still living in my house..
Good talking to you, God help us…
JP
How are you doing with the tramadol withdrawl? Is it getting better?
Billy b
It’s true. I used round tabs for years, then CVS went to oval ones and they made me sick. Then I went to target and theirs were skinny ones. Those did not make me sick. So I believe those are definitely a different formula!!
why?
These were not ultram but tramadol.
MG
I have been on Tramadol for 2.5 years for fibromyalgia. It has been very effective for the pain, without making me feel tired. I was up to 100 mg ER + 50 mg in the morning, and 50 mg at night. I occasionally have the jerking body motions in bed at night (legs & abdomen) and constant ringing in the ears. I regularly experience a zipping noise in my ears, on top of the ringing, (similar to sand blocks rubbing together). It is intermittent, but always when I am due for a dose, and sometimes occurs randomly when I am not due for a dose. My hair has become very brittle and dull, and I am not certain if it is related.
Due to these symptoms, I recently reduced my dosage of Tramadol;I am currently taking 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night, along with malic acid, 1 gm two times per day. Initially, it was easy to decrease and I felt terrific on the malic acid however that was a month ago. Now, with the decrease, I have noted that by 7 pm, I am having increased fibro pain, the zipping noise in my ears, a sore throat and a runny nose every evening, accompanied by a feeling of agitation, that is all relieved by taking Tramadol. I am also in a lot of pain waking up every morning on this reduced dose, and not sleeping through the night anymore. The zipping noise has awakened me in the middle of the night. Seems the malic acid effect was short-lived.
I see my PCP in two weeks and hopefully we will come up with a plan to manage both the pain and side effects. Until then, I have decided to cut my Tramadol 50 mg tablets in half and take a half dose at 4 pm and the another 25 mg at bedtime along with Melatonin to see if that works better. If it does, I may cut the morning dose in half and spread that out as well so that I take 25 mg every 6 hrs, and then stretch it to 8 hrs. I will post the results.
Aside from medication, I am walking 2-3 miles 4-5 days a week and doing weight resistant exercises once per week, with a goal of 2-3 times per week. Would love to feel normal every day without the meds and I keep trying!
I am curious if anyone else has the hearing side effects; I have read about brain zaps but this is strictly hearing, no physical zapping.
Mary G.
Can you tell me the name of your new medication? Thanks.
Jessica
My husband and I have danced with this devil on and off for years. I have stage 4 endometriosis and he lower back pain. It’s a love/hate. The only thing that eases the withdrawal symptoms is hydrocodone. We take 1 500mg Vicodin 2xs a day for a few days to help ease the tramadol withdrawal. Takes us about a week to stop most of the withdrawal symptoms. The depression and low energy level issues take a month or more to stabilize. I am proscribed 50mg 3x’s daily, him 50mg 6x’s daily. The flu, combined with restless body syndrome (wish it were just our legs), the need to stretch/crack every bone/muscle, weight loss, depression, irritability when stopping is ridiculous if you try to stop cold turkey. I would much rather get 2 Vicodin 500mg a day than this BS but Dr.’s can’t/won’t proscribe opiates much anymore.
I always feel like being put on “the rack” would help… that if my body could be stretched to the limit it would relieve the withdrawal feeling of wanting to unzip my skin and crawl out. At first when you take it, it’s like speed. Major energy and sense of well being, but that goes away over time unless you up the frequency or dosage. Other than ibuprofen/Tylenol/aleve we take nothing.
Anonymous
I have been taking Tramadal for about 10 years for my shoulder pain. This April I was having carpal tunnel surgery and the doctor said I should not take Tramadal and Mobic because he was prescribing a Hydrocodone drug for surgery pain. I quit both tramadal and mobic and the next day I was experiencing WITHDRAWAL!
I called thier office to make sure that I wasn’t suppose to take tramadal, and they said I COULD TAKE TRAMADAL. My symptoms quit. Then I went to see my reg. doctor for a painful knee and he said not to take Mobic or Tramadal, and I quit both, and I was going thru the same withdrawal again. Constant Crying. I had Racing Heart, excruciating HOT FLASHES, high pulse, high blood sugar, sweating, numb left arm and numb left leg. Excruciating nervousness and terrible weakness. Did not sleep for 2 days. I felt nauseated.
I thought I was dying. I could not concentrate or think clearly. It was PURE HELL!!!!! I did go to see my doctor but he was not in. The Doctor that I did see said I should take a tramadal to take off the edge. I said no. I then saw my reg. doctor on Monday and he said that I should try Lorizopan (anxiety drug) to take the edge off.
I tried a half pill and it put me to sleep. But I have taken that 1/2 pill for 2 days, and I don’t think it’s helping much. At least I slept some. I NEVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN!! It’s been a week and I still have extreme weakness and shakyness and high blood sugar. MY ADVICE, DO NOT GET ON THIS DRUG, TRAMADAL!!!
RHenry
I had two knee surgeries one right after another one on March 20, 2014 and another on April 4, 2014. When I was taken to the ER on the date of the injury which was March 16th, 2014. I was put on Tramadol for pain and was sent home, they took x-rays and told me nothing was broken had some bruising and I was given three pills and was told I could walk out of the hospital. I could not walk out of the hospital and was told to follow up with my normal doctor the next day. I did and I had an MRI and x-rays done again. My knee at the top of my tibia was sheered off like you were peeling an apple which was bone and I was in a lot of pain.
My regular dr referred me to a orthopedic surgeon and four days later I had my first surgery. Still on Tramadol, I came out of surgery, dr couldn’t fix it so I was sent to another dr and he put a 2 inch titanium screw in it. I have been going to PT and have been on crutches for 4 months now, still taking the Tramadol. I have tried to get off the Tramadol but when I do, I feel like I have the flu, no appetite, weepy, absolutely cannot sleep at all and I only have been taking one a day at night. I take it because it makes me sleep sooooo good. I am also on blood pressure pills and an antidepressant each one per day. I want to be off the Tramadol completely and have called my dr to see how I need to wean off.
Heather
i really feel sorry for all who have had these horrid experiences with tramadol, i have been on a slow release tramadol 200 mg and the dissolving tramadol i can take up to 60 mg a day for over ten days, i feel so ill headaches gastric problems, breathing is shallow, although i am a smoker, but intending to stop !
I suffer from fibromyalgia and doctors have convinced me over the years that this was the best medication for fibro , i also have arthritis in spine, now what i can see a lot of the fibro suffers who is on tramadol may think its the fibro thats giving them these symptons , i also experience headaches daily, i get shaky hands some days but not sure if thats a side effect of the tramadol or the fibro. i have recently came off two other medications that doctors have prescribed me but still feel really ill… so i am going to have to wean myself off the tramodol and start from a clean slate , and what i have read on here this is just appalled me to find out what tramadol is doing to people…. best of luck folks i know i will need it :)
heather from Aberdeenshire
Heather
hiya, I would suggest you write to your health minister, this has to be taken seriously esp if the hospital isn’t taking it onboard.
I have been on tramadol for more than 10 yrs, have been using it because of fibromyalgia and I have arthritis of the spine, I have complained about more than a few of the side effects but I was looked at like I had two heads by a couple of doctors, they were putting it down to the fibromyalgia.
I am a smoker and my breathing, day on day off can vary, I can do very minimal some days as it is with the fibro etc, but when my breathings bad it really is very upsetting and uncomfortable
Please don’t let this go keep complaining until you get the answers you deserve. Best of luck to your mum and yourself. I am currently going to seek advise from my g.p to come off this nasty drug.
Hez from Aberdeenshire
MG
I’m sure you did not mean to imply that people who experience a problem are doing so because they are not taking the medication as prescribed. Certainly you are aware that everyone has a different body chemistry, and may be on different medication regimens that may not play nicely with a specific drug.
I found this page because I have taken it tramadol (150mg total over the course of the day), and recently stopped–tramadol and a couple of other things. I have been recovering from a severely adverse reaction to Reclast in March. It has been the worst struggle of my life. This is a drug given through an IV infusion, so no chance of my not taking it “properly.” After awhile of this, I realized the tramadol was not really helping with pain, and the muscle relaxant was not working either, not the anti-anxiety medication. I read their official paper work and saw no warnings about discontinuing. I felt since they were not working I could up the dose or stop taking them, and I was curious to see if I would feel better. Yes and no. For the last several days my tremor has been worse, horrid headaches, a new fascination for re-opening old scars from a divorce. As I stood there this morning, making my decaff, I thought “this is like withdrawal is portrayed.” So, I got online and found this page. It pretty much covers the nut.
I am on day three since cutting it off, so I will just sweat it out, but I wish I had known about this earlier. I am glad it works for you, but you should consider yourself lucky. Reclast is ok for most people, too, but turns out I am not one of them. I am just glad I am not the small percentage who go into renal failure and die within the first few days.
JP
Jennifer
I really feel for you. I was in the same place Feb 1st this year. I too had the same problems as you but added the stomach pain and tingling in my feet all the time. I was prescribed 3 strong sleep drugs at once and only slept maybe 3 hrs for 3 weeks. What I have found is that after around 6 weeks my brain finally came around and the depression left. I finally felt back in the world again.
It has been 4 full months and I still have the tingly feet all the time and stomach issues. My head feels pressure kind of like when I was on Tramadol. It is a long road and I do feel that eventually after my brain rewires itself that things will get even better! The journey is not fun though. Please stay strong and know that even though it is the fight of your life that you will get through it stronger. I agree with you that the doctors have no clue what this drug is doing to people. I wish a few of them would have to take tramadol and then someone tell them to just stop it. I think they would have a different view of it. With all of the physical symptoms created from the withdrawal it makes you look like a hypochondriac to your doctor and they think you are crazy! It sucks!
Good luck and stay strong!
LVD
Hi Ric,
I got Serotonin syndrome as I was on Tramadol and Cymbalta together. I was told to stop both immediately as I could die. Easier said than done. I went through a month of pure hell. Got all the withdrawal symptoms together. After a month it subsided. Still got the occasional twitches and tearful episodes. I was blessed by finding a doctor that listened to my complaints about my sciatic nerve pain. She did heaps more investigations and now I am on new medication and feel better than what I have felt like in the last 4 years.
Ric
Man! I hear you Jennifer. I have known about this for a long time but I just got the 2nd of 2 main issues that I’ve had for quite sometime now taken care of and after being on Tramadol 50 and ER Tramadol 200 for 7 years now I’m stopping the extended release first but know that I have all of the symptoms on this web site so far and am so scared.
I literally cannot stand the crawling out of my skin all night. I was just looking for, and couldn’t find a site to tell me how long I’m going to have to boulder through this. Day one very very anxious. Good luck to You and my prayers are with all of us. it’s too bad that the help has to be this way when You hope it’s no longer needed any more. I too have to go through getting off cymbalta when I am done with this. Just don’t want to get off everything at once. )0:
mb
Take this drug for trigeminal neuralgia. Nerve severed during dental surgery. Horrible year getting adjusted to meds. Falls, meaness, really lots of pain. Called the suicide disease. True. Tramadol has saved me. Also Klonipin.. Remember at 61 with an incurable injury this drug is helping me have some quality of life. That is all I have been able to take and I thank the people who invented this.
These drugs are used as anti-seizure meds and to treat depression. They are not for everyone. I am at this moment making it without till my script. ready. Mind over matter and over the counter extra strength pain meds. and nausea med. This will pass but I am in severe pain with headache, earache, and pain that is indescribable. All due to my condition and some withdrawals too.
I have been taking these meds for 15 yrs since colon cancer and serious spine disorder restless leg syndrome anxiety. I am thankful and have been given some horrible meds that have not worked.
DD
I too experienced this great sense of wellbeing when I took 4 tramadol per day. For the better part of a year I took 1 every 4 hours, as directed. The problem for me happened when I began to cut back. Then all the wind that tramadol had put in my sails simply vanished. I’m now down to 1 per day and feel like I can hardly make it through the day without a nap. I think it behaves differently at different dosages.
Julie
I’m on day 10 off high dose tramadol (400-500 mg/day for years) and it has been an unusual hell. Was taking it per dr orders and thought it an innocuous alternative to opiates for severe pain.
My pain mgmt dr had me stop the tramadol and go to vicodin every 4 hrs. Almost immediately began tons of nasal congestion, sneezing fits and nose running, insomnia and anxiety. I thought it was allergies but nothing was working to stop the sinus swelling, could only breathe thru my mouth;
On day 7 I emailed the dr who’d asked me to let him know how I was doing. I told him it was awful, what should I do. He never answered. Luckily I got online and figured out it was the tramadol withdrawal, found a nasal spray that stopped the swelling and over-production of mucous but still have sneezing fits approx every 4 hrs.
I wonder if the dr thinks this just isn’t any big deal?
I got pretty scared, wondering if my airway was going to close, unable to sleep, my sinuses filling my head to bursting—oh yea headaches too.
I’m mad at my dr for taking this so lightly. The vicodin helped with pain but didn’t offset the withdrawal symptoms at all.
This information on withdrawal needs to be more known to the doctors that prescribe it—and esp those that abruptly take patients off it. It can be avoided with a slow taper.
It does feel good to have my brain back. I take the vicodin only when I can’t take the pain, along with regular motrin 600 every 5hrs. I have no idea how long this is going to go on but still must use the nasal spray or am swamped by mucous and the swelling starts. Don’t know if anyone else has had this. I’m 66 and have some serious medical problems and am amazed at how cavalier the stopping of high dose/long duration of this medication was.
Please get the word out. I hate this drug now, used to think it was a holy grail.
katyb313
I’ve been taking tramadol for years off and on. I’m a UPS driver and started taking it everyday for SI joint pain. I was told to only take it when needed so that’s what I did. I took one 50mg pill every day for about 6 months. Sometimes the pain was bad and I took 2 but not often. I got some injection in my SI joints a month ago and it helped a lot. I started only taking one when I had to work. It didn’t take long for withdrawals to kick in. I would take one on Friday for work and go all weekend without. I wasn’t hurting so I didn’t think about it till Monday morning. The diarrhea started first thing Monday morning along with vomiting. it would last all day and all night with no relief from anything I took. It took about three weeks of only being sick on Monday’s and Tuesday before I figured out why. Once food poisoning was ruled out I had to find out what I changed every weekend to cause The violent diarrhea and vomiting. Once I figured out it was the tramadol I took one pill. With in two hours symptoms improved. By the following day I was better. Looking back I now know that I was going through withdrawals all the time and wrote it off as other things. Final symptom count is: extreme diarrhea
Vomiting
Headache
body aches
chills
I am back to taking it everyday until I figure out how to stop without ever going through that again. My doctor told me to take as needed. Never told me not to skip a dose. Being a UPS driver means I don’t always have a bathroom available.
JP
This probably does not make you feel better but you definitely are not alone! It seems taking tramadol gives some side effects but not nearly as many as when you try to get off of it. The lack of sleep is the most consistent I have seen and am still going through. The rest make you seem like a hypochondriac to your doctor. Many symptoms/problems that the doc usually cannot find an answer.
I really think the physical addiction that the body gets is much worse than any psychological addiction. In my case after seeing how the tramadol has kept me in a holding pattern for 5 years of dull senses and emotions I can finally see what I have been missing out on. You could never have told me that was the case while I was taking it because it seemed to give a feeling of well being.
In my case my feet are still tingling every day. Never happened before or while on tramadol. Only when I stopped taking it did the really crappy stuff start coming out. I still am only 45 days off tramadol but have my life back. I still have a long way to go and know it will take time for my brain to do its repair work. Feeling better mentally but crappy physically still gives me hope. It is taking the first step and getting as far away from tramadol as possible!
JP
Daniel
I have been taking tramadol for a year since I had my big toe amputated because of diabetes at first I didn’t see any of the side effects until now I have insomnia I will go to bed at a normal time about 10 pm and by midnight I am wide awake can’t sleep for nothing and the itching is horrible I get hives so bad it usually will last for an hour than goes away but it will come back later in the day. I first thought that the hives were from my diabetes but I now know it is from taking tramadol. And withdrawal is so bad I get so paranoid that people are watching me and I get the shakes really bad it will last for about 5 days and I am good after thd. Now I am experiencing leg pain and I am taking tramadol 3 times a day with a Tylenol tablet and it finally worked the side effects are not as bad now.
KLM
That is helpful in that I’m glad I’m not alone in this reaction, but I still experience the jerking/breathing problem/heart issues even if I take the last one at 2pm or 3pm (not to mention the headaches and choking sensation in my neck). It’s very frustrating because this medication is effective in treating the pain and yet didn’t totally mess me up at work. I’ve finally made the choice to move on and try some other options because the cost became just too high and outweighs the benefit. Thank you for your reply!
Is
My 24 year old became addicted to Tramadol following a back injury, if I knew what I know now I would never of let him take it. He is on a withdrawal program and since being on it he has had 3 fits, shaking, unable to sleep and hallucination. GP says it’s not addictive which is rubbish and what we are all going through as a family is awful
RG
I had the same issues trying to sleep, I couldn’t take the med after about 5 pm to be able to sleep through the night. I took 50 in the morning and again about 4pm and then it didn’t cause the same jerking awake/breathing problems/heart issues. I hope this helps.
JP
There is a new label that goes on the tramadol bottles. Caution can cause respiratory distress. Makes you wonder huh!
KLM
I’m glad I found this website but at the same time somewhat depressed because nobody seems to have experienced quite what I’m going through. The max I was ever on Tramadol was 3 X 50mg per day. They had reduced my dosage and I was at about 75mg a day and then I moved and my new doctor doesn’t see it as much of a problem as my previous one did and bumped me back up to 150mg per day. But I never got there (still was only taking about 1-1 1/2 50mg per day). I’ve been on this drug for about three or four years and have been experiencing some really terrifying side effects over the last year (maybe two).
Please note that all of the things I am about to say happen after my second dose of the day. First, it does something to the blood vessels in my neck that makes it feel like I’m choking or somebody’s squeezing my neck – hard to explain but that’s the best I can do (I actually quit smoking because I thought it was the cigarettes but it wasn’t). I also get severe headaches after the second dose that do not go away with aspirin, ibuprofen, or more Tramadol.
At night (this happens both with a third dose and without), I will be on the edge of sleep and suddenly feel like I’m passing out or dying (kind of a physical falling sensation but worse) and I will actually feel myself stop breathing and am jerked out of sleep. This can actually happen several times as I’m trying to go to sleep, but not at any other time (i.e. during the night or day). When I am jerked out of sleep, I am shaking and experiencing tingling in my arms and my heart rate is highly elevated. I’m frustrated because this medication helps with my chronic pain and does not completely make me stupid during the day (a half is manageable while at work). But now I have to stop it (I was on such a low dose withdrawal is not a concern) and go back to dealing with pain.
Any comments are appreciated because I have yet to come across somebody dealing with what I’m dealing with, but this is also for anybody else in the future that might have the same weird reactions. I don’t have any idea why this started happening to me but I wish I did. Thank you…KLM
KLk
Tramadol I believe is way worse then any other pain meds out there. I was taking 10mg and it gave me the worst side effects I have ever went through on pain med. I felt like I was going to have seizures every time I took em, also I felt like I was lost, confused,dizzy were I couldn’t even stand up. But all together it was horrible!!! My doctor wrote a script for my interstitial cystitis, which at no means did it help me with that terrible pain. I would not suggest any one to take tramadol ever!!
JP
EMO
I feel for you! I took tramadol 300mg for 5 years and for the last 4 been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Finally I am 2 months away from tramadol and my mood is getting back to normal. No more anxiety or depression. It is a terrible drug that I hope some doctors have to take some day to find out what they are really prescribing!
JP
JP
Regarding the tramadol and stomach. In my case I never had stomach problems until I stopped the tramadol. It is exactly 2 months now from when I took my last tramadol. I have no urges whatsoever to take or even want to take tramadol. Looking back I lost 5 years of my life to doctors and trying to figure out all of the physical problems I had. Then the 3 years of psychiatrists and counselors because I was diagnosed as generalized anxiety and depression. My brain was always numb and in a fog.
Within days of stopping tramadol I started to have stomach pain (not cramps) very different. It took around 7 weeks for the pain to finally slow up. I still have a very bloated stomach but no pain.
My mental state started to improve at around week 6 and now at week 8 I feel mentally like I am finally back in the game. My friends and family notice the change also. I never thought I could feel this way again. I have renewed hope that the longer the distance I get from the tramadol that my physical health will keep improving. There is hope. I am happy to finally be able to share this! I have read many posts through out the years and I can finally post myself to tell how bad the experience really is.
JRG
I take Tramadol (up to 300mg per day) and Lortab (40mg/day) for chronic low back pain…
I have found that the lortab works quickly, but wears off quickly too. When I take the tramadol with the lortab, it seems that the pain relief lasts longer. My Doctor seems to have no problem with the respective doses that I am taking.
I am writing to detail the fact that, for me, the tramadol is much prone to causing nasty withdrawal symptoms than that of the lortab (hydrocodone)…
Thinking that the lortab, being an opiate, was certainly the more troublesome and addicting of the two medications, several times in the past, I would just stop taking the lortab for a week or so but continue taking the tramadol. While the pain control was not as effective, I was surprised to find that I was able to simply stop taking the lortab with very little withdrawal symptoms being noticed. It was surprising to me how easy it was to simply quit taking the lortab while continuing on with the tramadol.
Contrary to my experience with lortab, when I attempted to stop taking the tramadol, within twelve hours of I was in a full blown drug addict type of withdrawal situation. I felt like just balling up into the fetal position but could not stand to be still for even a second. I had some kind of weird restless legs syndrome thing and I got a strange ringing in my ears that would come and go depending on how I moved my head. I was very irritable and anxious… I took a long soak in a hot tub and that helped while I was in the tub, but I seemed worse when I got out of the tub.
I now know that, at least for me, tramadol causes much more withdrawal problems than the hydrocodone does.
DC
Hi, I read your post about Tramadol withdraw and was wondering if the burning sensation has stopped for you? I have been on Tramadol for about 8 years, started with one then two, now up to two in the am and two in the pm, but recently the burning in my abdomen, pelvis and ribs is terrible. Not sure if its from the tramadol as I had an accident that involved a lot of pain. Just trying to decide if its the Tramadol or the accident causing all the BURNING.
Hope you’re doing better and I would appreciate your reply if you have some time.
DC
JP
MZ
I have been on tramadol for 5 years 300mg/day. I finally got off 40 days ago. I immediately got tingling in my feet so bad I could not control them! Add to that the intense anxiety and no sleep. I had tried to taper in the past and got to 100mg. At that point I couldn’t go less without the terrible withdrawal happening. The only way I was able to get off was at an inpatient facility. While that got me off of tramadol the lasting effects still linger. While mentally I feel better than in a long time it is the physical feelings that make it hard. I hear that there are different walls that you hit, 1mo. 3mo. 6mo. 9mo. and 1yr. The brain can take that long to retrain itself.
Good luck and stick with it.
NZSoosin
I have been taking Tramadol since January (2014) as I await a hip replacement. I also take paracetamol and ibuprofen at their maximum doses and when they were no longer enough to deal with my pain I started the Tramadol and worked up to taking my maximum prescribed dosage (300mg). I still have pain even with all those meds. I have learned the hard way that I can’t stop the Tramadol without getting terrible withdrawal, mainly in the form of anxiety (where I just want to crawl out of my skin and can’t do anything to feel right/comfortable).
I learned this one day recently when I tried to have a break from the pain relievers for a bit, just to give my body a rest, but realised after only two missed doses that I am addicted to the Tramadol. It was a horrible experience. I also get myriad side-effects from taking it (dry mouth/dehydration, itchy skin, vivid (unpleasant) dreams, nausea, shakes, sleepiness…) but those side effects are significantly better than the withdrawal I experienced. I hate the stuff – for all the side effects, it doesn’t completely relieve my pain and I’m addicted to it, I have to take it. I worry about coming off it when I have had my surgery (due for June). Stupid Tramadol.
RG
Debi I had the same problem with going from 100 down to 50, racing heart and sweats at night, the works. I took out only 12.5 mg a week from 100 down instead of such a big dose out all at once, and although I still had some depression and difficulty sleeping, it was manageable. I hope this helps.
DEbi
I am a 59 year old women was put on tramadol for pain in my ribs. I started in Nov. 2013 and in Jan. 2014 stop taking it. I start withdrawal systems had anxiety, high blood pressure depression it was horrible. Went to my Doc he put me back on Tramadol and said to taper off. I am only taking 100mg a day then went to 50mg. I am now back having anxiety, high blood pressure and depression. I think I am going to have a heart attack if something not done. what now?
D L
I have been on tramadol for several years (50mg 2xday). I have stopped taking it many times and experienced horrible depression, rls, anxiety, chills and sweats. It usually lasts 3-4 days after stopping cold turkey. I am usually feeling good by day 5 and 100% normal a week after. I love the feeling of euphoria this drug gives me along with the energy. I think that’s why I keep getting myself hooked on it:( I have horrible arthritis in both knees and this drug keeps me working as a plumber.
I’m 36 years old and have to provide for my family of 5. I hate that I have to be on drugs to work but I have found no other option. I have developed a bad pain in my left side under my rib cage about six months ago and it goes away if I stop taking the tramadol. I’ve been to the dr. And had ultrasounds, bloodwork, and GI testing and nothing was found. I think this drug has messed up my liver, pancreas or stomach. I’m on day 2 of quitting and I feel like jumping off a bridge… This sucks!!! I will never take it again!!!!
BC
hello all, im about 2 weeks out of an 8day detox for oxy and tramadol, I was given subutex for detox for those 8 days. every thing was fine till my 2nd day home with no subutex, I developed really horrible RLS but all over my body, brain zaps that sent electric shock like feelings threw my arms and legs, one at a time. And a bad burning sensation all over my body.
Burning stopped 2 days ago more or less, but full body day and night restless leg still going strong, way worse at night, also no energy or happiness/enthusiasm. I was on oxy and tramadol “only took tram as directed” for about 4 years.
Does any one have any idea when the restless leg may stop or ease up a lot? Has any one had the burning sensation all over their bodies?
EMO
I’m so relieved to have found this discussion. Most of the discussion boards/article comments I’ve found are several years old, so it’s great to find something current. Like others have said, I was prescribed Tramadol 300 mg ER for chronic back pain.
At first, it worked great. I had to stop taking Celexa (citalopram), which I had been on for years, but, amazingly, the tramadol also erased my depression completely. I was energetic, and felt happy for the first time in a decade.
But that wasn’t the end of my story. Over a year’s time, the pain relief became less effective, and in November 2013, I suddenly began to experience major anxiety, panic attacks, and sever depression, worse than I had ever had, When I went to my doctor to talk about the depression, he and I both thought I needed to get off the tramadol and back on an SSRI.
So he tried to taper me off tramadol by having me take 200 mg for 2 days, then 100 for two days, then skip 2 days, then starts the zoloft. WAY TOO FAST! By day 4, I honestly did not see how I would survive the anxiety and depression.
I went back to him immediately and he referred me to a psychiatrist, but also gave me a very low dose xanax (.25, twice a day if needed) to deal with the anxiety. So I saw the psychiatrist, who added wellbutrin and referred me back to the pain specialist who put me on tramadol in the first place to work on a weaning schedule. He can’t see for for a couple more weeks, but at that time I expect to start getting off tramadol and back on an SSRI for my lifelong depression.
Until I get a tapering schedule, I am (still) on 300 mg. ER tramadol, 100 mg. wellbutrin (bupropion), and 1-2 xanax per day (usually only one). I’m very wary of getting hooked on the xanax so I take as little as possible, but I literally cannot function due to the anxiety without at least one a day. I have also started going to yoga, walking 1-3 miles a day, seeing a therapist weekly, doing breathing exercises, and meditating. Believe it or not, there are a lot of free Iphone apps for these. That is helping me manage the anxiety and depression, but I dread thinking about how the tapering process is going to be, once I start it.
The weird part of my story is that the depression and anxiety started before I decided to go off tramadol, and they are still bad even though my intended 5-day weaning was a failure. But it makes me wonder whether the tramadol itself, after a years’ time, was what caused the depression and anxiety to suddenly come on, after a year of being pretty happy. I am going to call my pharmacy tomorrow and ask whether they switched manufacturers last fall, as this is when my problems began.
Thanks for reading my long story, and for posting your own and letting me know I am not alone and not simply having a mental breakdown!
Christy
I took tramadol (50) for four nights and stopped 10 nights ago. I have chondomalacia in my knees and wanted something to help me sleep. I had a horrible reaction to it – felt like a drug was racing through my veins and leaving an icy/hot feeling, starts with my legs, shoulders, back, neck and chest. When it crept on my chest, I was scared to death that I was going to have a heart attack. It was awful! Now being off of it, my shins and feet tingle badly especially at rest and in bed. Yesterday (9 days post tramadol), my arms started tingling too. Is this normal for someone only on 50m for 4 nights? How long should this last?
mm
hey I feel u. had to take them for my broken hand and been off them for only 2 days and feel like I just ran a marathon every day then can’t sleep during the night.. not to mention the unbearable depression I’ve been feeling.. tramadol supposedly is a non narcotic drug so u think that the withdrawal symptoms would be very minimal to none but this is 100 times worse then the withdrawal I experienced from methadone what docs give recovering heroine addicts. I just don’t get it this really sucks!
PF
Karen’s is about the only comment here that I can relate to. I was prescribed Tramadol for chronic low back pain about 6-7 years ago. The first time I took it (50mg) was at night, and it kept me awake, so I discontinued it for about a year.
In the meantime, I read many horror stories about it, and also some comments on the Erowid site to the effect that it enhances athletic activity. I started taking half a pill (25 mg) in conjunction with my daily walks of 5-6 miles, and found it beneficial.
I have never increased the dosage, and have no particular discomfort from not taking it for periods of time. The trouble with taking it for pain is that if you take enough to make a difference, you get up in the area of 200-300 mg a day, with many negative side effects, including addiction. At a very low dose, it is a mild mood elevator, but the medical benefits are negligible, and (like marijuana) it doesn’t seem like the sort of thing you should have to get from a doctor.
KLP
It is the devil!!!!!!!!! I was taking it for migraines and loved the energy it gave me till I ran out of it. I started ordering it on the net. When I tried to stop I got awful stomach pains and could not sleep. I would order again. I finally stopped when they took it off the net. It was awful I had to get sleeping pills to sleep. I can not believe the doctors say it is not addictive they are CRAZY!!! My cousin is still on them and had to go to the emergency room for seizures. I am happy to say I am done and will never go back :-)
CM
I agree with you!!! I’ve had the same experience when I take my dose a couple of hours to late or try to cut back by one tablet a day. I too will probably just take it the rest of my life due to my condition and age. It’s given quality back to my life.
kathie
Well, I have postponed my knee surgery until July now. with the holidays I decided not to start reducing yet. I plan to just take the one 50mg a day for four days and then reduce by one quarter each week. Hopefully in a month I will be done with this nightmare of a drug.
I will keep you posted as to how I am doing. Sorry for not replying sooner, but had company at the house.
kathie
j h
Hi, Yes was the first time I took tramadol. Never again. I have Crohns, fibromyalgia and arthritis due to these I am fine on 30/500 co-codamol and amitryptoline. However whilst waiting for MRI scan I needed more pain relief, hence Tramadol. Took 50 mg at 3pm then 100 mg before retiring to bed. Had dreadful kicking/restless legs. Horrible dreams. Itching. Woke up 4am nauseous and tremendous headache that I had had in years. By 9:30am throwing up violently.
Cannot believe how ill I felt. Bear in mind with Crohns I would normally have reaction in the tum. Cannot remember last time I ever vomited. Maybe decades. It’s is now 8pm. Nearly 24hrs later. Headache and nausea still there. Cramps in whole body just starting to ease. Break from all tabs tonight and back to cocodamo tom night. Worse 24hrs for long time. Gonna have a hot bath now and early night with hot water bottle. Def will NOT have Tramadol again. My dad has had them and he loved them. If they not right for u, you will find out very quickly.
Karen
Well, I guess I’ve got a bit of a different take on Tramadol/Ultram. Most of the posts seem to be people who’ve had serious problems with this medication (generic or brand name). I’ve never had any problem with these meds, and I’ve been on them (from one producer or another) for several long periods of time.
The only problem I have when I stop taking them is the return of my pain (I have Fibromyalgia). This is NOT a physical addiction since I don’t have any extra withdrawal symptoms. In every case I haven’t been told to taper the dose, so I’ve gone from between 100 mg/day (two doses) and 300 mg/day (three doses). Since I’ve had so little trouble all the negative reports and hearing last year that it could be addictive really surprised me.
The only warning I’ve received was to watch for symptoms of serotonin syndrome since I’ve also been on various antidepressants, anti inflamatories, and muscle relaxants at the same time.
Please, if you are reading this realize that many people have very positive experiences with these medications. Remember the warnings, but don’t automatically let the negative reports scare you away from trying.
The other key thing to keep in mind is that Tramadol/Ultram does much less for sharp pain than it does for achy pain. It almost completely removes the latter for me when without the medication I’m miserably full of aches. I have never found it to do much for sharp pain, which I knew from the start. Then, again, that isn’t why I was prescribed them.
LittleD
I’m so sorry you went through that! I’m betting the cymbalta is the culprit of the majority of brain zaps and weird dreams. Not that Ultram doesn’t come with a litany of fun n games w/d as well (how do you think I got to this page…lol). My mom took cymbalta and watching her try to w/d was hard. She went through what you describe. It was a long process but can be done. Take heart… it does eventually get better.
I’m having fun with ultram w/d. I slept only 90 mins last night and am full of painful anxiety, restlessness, headaches and feeling like I simply can not relax at all. My legs are cramping continually. It has been a miserable experience. I had spine surgery and needed something to get through recovery. I came off percocet easier, I believe. :-(
pammy22
How long before you started sleeping normal again after stopping tramadol? It’s been 8 days for me. Was taking 2 50mg 2x day for 3 1/2 months before my hip replacement.
kathie
I can identify with all the above. I have been on 50mgs, usually once a day and sometimes twice a day for at least three years. I have tried to stop taking it, but then realized that I need to taper down. I plan to cut my dose in quarters and hope to be able to get off this devil drug before my knee replacement surgery in February.
wish me luck!! I wish the doctors were more aware of this medication. Most do not believe me when I tell them I get extremely anxious when trying to cut down.
good luck to all of you!! I know we can beat this Monkey on our Back,
kathie
Lp
I have been taking tramadol 50mg 3 x a day for 3 years for nerve pain fybro. I recently decided it was time to quit it so I quit cold turkey (I had been told by my GP it was not addictive). Wrong! After about 12 hrs my entire body went into a tail spin. As soon as I went back and took another dose my symptoms all begin to subside.
I then cut back to two a day morning and night for a week but each time I would reduce to one a day my symptoms would begin all over again. I had almost every symptom that has been mentioned. I went back to two a day for three weeks. I was coping on two a day reasonably well. After being on two a day for three weeks I had to have surgery on my foot. The foot doctor gave me hydrocodon for pain and told me not to take the Tramodol with it.
I took the hydrocodon for four days. I have now been off the hydrocodon for four days and have not taken anymore of the Tramodol. I am still experiencing sleeplessness and restlessness especially at night but feel I can now make it on my own. I would never have taken this had I realized how hard it would be to quit. I will never take Tramadol again. Hope each and everyone is able to get through the withdrawals.
Beth
Yes pg that sounds very familiar! My husband and I both were put on them for our pain (his back and my rotor cuff) and neither one of us wanted to ever eat and it got to where 2 a day wasn’t enough so we started taking more because our pain wasn’t being controlled anymore (keep in mind the prescription THE DR. WROTE was for us to take 8 a day!! We started with 2!) then we started noticing psychosis. I am off of them completely and have been for 6 mos…I was very ill, flu like symptoms and leg aches for 3 weeks! My husband is back down to just 2 a day…he doesn’t want to stop taking them after he saw me suffer! Tramadol should be outlawed or AT LEAST considered a narcotic, whatever drug schedule that is. Hope you feel better soon!
Beth
pg
I feel terrible for all of you who are coping with wretched withdrawal symptoms and wish you a speedy recovery.
My question relates to the very beginning of treatment. My doctor started me on the low dose of 25 mg. once a day. I took my first pill yesterday with just mild queasiness and a little headache. Even got a little pain relief from my tiny dose.
Today, I took my 25 mg. and felt okay for the first 5 or so hours. Now, about 8 hours after taking it, I am very nauseous – can’t even think about dinner. I would have thought the stuff would be out of my system by now. Does this ring a bell with anyone? Maybe I just have a GI virus??
Glenn
I have had severe pain in both my shoulders due to chronic dislocations and fairly bad knee pain due to marathoning for about 25 years. I am not going to have surgery because it is usually not a solution for problems such as mine. I am on 400mg a day and I find that my pain is controlled fairly well and I make sure I do not run out of the medication. I also have Oxy as a backup pain relief if I need it.
I have found that if I run out of Tramadol the substitution of Oxy as a pain reliever in fairly moderate doses will make withdrawal from Tramadol a lot easier not that I want to do that. In the beginning I also was shocked by the withdrawal symptoms but managing the drug is as important as the pain relief it provides.
Christina
This website is the most honest and helpful. I have been taking Tramadol for 13 years. Tried to go off several times. Stay Away from it. This is my 3rd time trying to go off with all the symptoms stated by everyone. My mistake is I took 2 last night cause was in severe pain, now have to go through withdrawal again. I also take Lyrica which helps me go through withdrawal, it helps a whole lot, and the best thing for everyone who can’t sleep the Lyrica will make you sleep very well. One thing I want to say is it is not just Tramadol it’s all medication that you can become addicted to and go through withdrawal. Going to try again hope I can do it this time.
Beth
I posted on here awhile back ago and since I have seen so many more people commenting the same exact symptoms my husband had. Also since my husband is down to 1 or 2 pills (tramadol) a day (doctor had him on 1 to 2 pills every 4-6 hours so he was taking them as prescribed…not abusing them!) Thank God we are getting through this slowly!! He literally was going insane! I don’t understand why or even how the FDA approved this medication…it is the devil!!! My prayers are with each and every one of you!! ♥♡ I love my husband so much i will be here to get him through this!! God bless you all!
LDR
I quit taking Tramadol three days ago! The extreme shortness of breath is what scared me the most! I would wake up gasping for breath, then I would lie back in my recliner but I couldn’t get comfortable because my legs ached, especially my right knee (arthritis). I’d try sitting at my desk, back to bed, back to the recliner. This was over a period of several weeks – I napped, never ever able to sleep more than an hour or two at a time. Anyway, three days ago I couldn’t handle the shortness of breath, the extreme depression (I have cried at the least little thing), and anger and fits of rage (even though I’m on blood pressure meds) so I quit taking the Tramadol and I will never take it again! I had been on Paxil for about 15 or 20 years and had quit taking it so I could take Tramadol (thank goodness for an alert pharmacist).
I am wondering now, how long should I wait before going back on Paxil? I still have my prescription but I’m not sure how long I should wait after stopping the Tramadol. Any advice? By the way, thanks for such a helpful website!
Sc
I am 32 year old woman that for the last 3 days I have not taken any tramadol I was taking about 10 or more a day for the last 2 years and ran out 3 days ago I have never felt so bad in my whole life I have not slept in over 60 hr and nothing will help me sleep tried benedryl nope just layed there all night long shaking sweating and so sick my legs were all jumpy I feel like I could just die. I hope this goes away I would really love some sleep!! I have never been a drug user but by god I would run out and spend my last dollar if I could get some tramadol to make all this that I am feeling go away! Good thing I have a wonderful husband that is sticking by my side through this and helping me get off this drug! I layed here all night last night asking god to help me cried and shook and held my legs, if this goes on one more night I think I will have to go to the hospital for some help!
LW
wow! I feel so fortunate and yet at the same time so foolish. due to herniated discs at c6 & c7, I was in a lot of pain. went to my Dr who referred me to an Orthopedist. within a couple of minutes, he told me the nature of the problem. he sent me for a MRI for confirmation and I left with 2 scripts – 1 for meloxicam and 1 for ultram. I got the generic for ultram – tramadol – and started taking it as soon as I got it.
I usually ask quite a few questions about things (my Dad says I should have been a lawyer because I ask so many questions), but I just held my hand out, took the script, and left his ofc. I was in pain, and I wanted relief. I took tramadol as instructed – 1 50mg tablet every 6-8 hrs, so I took 4 a day (total of 200 mg). I began to notice I felt foggy and a little of a buzz, but it didn’t really do anything for the pain.
I have a very detail-oriented job that requires I have my wits about me. this med wasn’t helping me with that. I took it for 11 days at approx 4 per day. the last time I took it was 3 days ago. the side effect I notice the most is the depression, it also caused me to have nightmares, but the depression to the point of despair is what really hits me most. I’ll be so glad when I’m thru this horrendous period of my life, and I don’t ever want to take tramadol again! unfortunately the amount of time the Sun is out is less this time of year, and that certainly doesn’t help matters at all.
RG
What dose have you been on? I was on 100 mg a day and I had to go off of 14 1/2 mg at a time, a few weeks apart, in order to not have it be ‘severe’ symptoms. I still had the brain zaps when trying to fall asleep at night for a few nights, and the sweats, but I took benadryl nights 3-6 or so each time I took out a new dose and it balanced it out at least some so I could sleep off and on (without the benadryl the brain zaps jerked me awake every time I almost got into a deep sleep). This way to go off tramadol is in some ways harder since you drag it out so long BUT the results aren’t as intense if you split it up and its not as miserable as trying to go off all at once, which I’ve tried at one time, and have read on here most people can barely stand. I hope this helps.
Brad
I have been taking Tramadol for quite some time for headaches and headache pressure. Every time I run out of pills I tell myself that I am not going to get the prescription refilled. That lasts about two days and the withdrawals are so bad that I call the doctor for a refill. Surely there are other drugs for migraine that do not cause this. The worst withdrawal effects for me are the “shocking” sensations in my head and the cold sweats. Somehow I need to overcome this.
LDVD
I have been on Tramadol for pain and Cymbalta for depression. I got depressed due to the constant pain I was in. I have a sciatic nerve pain. About 10 days ago I felt extremely sick. Got myself out of bed and off to a doctor. She immediately said that I have Serotonin Syndrome and must go to Hospital Emergency Department. She called them.
They ran drips through which stopped the uncontrolled twitching. They informed me to stop taking Tramadol and Cymbalta immediately. Well that was like sending me straight to hell! I have been so ill the last 10 days. Today is the first morning I could get put of bed without first walking into something.
My symptoms are as follows:
Severe brain zaps. Cannot move my eyes and my brain zaps.
Had really bad flu.
Hyperthermia. Wake up every night and my pj’s are soaked through. My husband said he touched me one night as I was restless in my sleep. He said I was all wet.
I have had diarrhoea now for 6 days.
Get very weird dreams.
In last 2 days I have felt – then depressed and crying my eyes out – next minute I want to punch someone.
Please tell me it will stop.
RG
EB,
I’m glad if you don’t have long term issues on the dosage you’ve been on, however I do want to share that some of us have NOT abused the drug or taken more than wise, and are still struggling. I went through hell just trying to go off one 50mg in the am, another in the afternoon. I had to do it in stages, a 4th of a pill at a time over weeks of time, and I still got chills, ‘brain zaps’, insomnia etc. It was miserable, and in no way did I abuse the drug or take anymore than you are. My dr told me there was no side effects or withdrawal symptoms to worry about, which was obviously not true, and I know there are others out there like me who’ve not been able to go off without serious issues when taking a smaller dose.
eb
I agree it can be very helpful and keep people working and functional. The key is take it a prescribed. I read about a “small” dose of 6 to 8 a day. A DAY? You are kidding! I take one in the AM early and one in the afternoon, and if it is really, really, needed, a third 50 mg in the evening for a total of 150 mg. People in this post are talking about much more. It is the excessive amount, over the minimal, that is the cause of the problems for people. Many medications have an effect on brain chem or hormones that have to readjust.
It has to be better than a strong narcotic, though not as effective. Hydration with water and proper nutrition help, as well.
Debby
I have taken Tramadol for Fibromyalgia pain for the last 15 years & it has been very effective in controlling the pain. I only take 1/day about 3x weekly on my worse days, so I hopefully won’t become to dependent on it and it will still be effective. Does anyone know if long term use can cause liver or kidney failure?
PBS
Took tramadol for 8 months before tkr then for 2 months after I did taper off to 2 pills a week for therapy sessions then stopped. Now after 4 weeks I am still getting hot flashes every day, some days more often than others … Drs say not possible. What kind of dr do I have to see if this really withdrawal or some others health problem…help….
Tim S
I was prescribed tramadol (50mg x 2 up to 4 times a day) for bad sciatica pain. I took my GP’s advice as I was in such agony and frankly would have taken anything to get rid of the pain. On these for 2 weeks and have to say they did work. As the sciatica regressed I decided to stop using the tramadol – my GP siad you’ve been on a low dose (I only took 3 x 50mg per day fortunately) so you can just stop. Bad advice as for the next 5 days I was extremely unwell, like I had the flu, sweats, shakes, restlessness, panic attacks etc. In the end I went to hospital and the on-call GP said go back to the tablets and speak to your GP about a withdrawal strategy (seeing him next week). I currently take one 50mg tab in the morning and 1 50 mg tab in the evening which keeps the flu symptoms at bay. My pharmacist said that you should never just quit this drug and tapering off is essential. He has told me to taper off over 1 month by gradually reducing the dose so I have drawn up a withdrawal plan. Measuring reduced doses is difficult as the capsules are filled to the brim but I will do my best. I really cannot believe that I’ve gone from a bad back to a drug problem – I will beat this however and my heart goes out to all those in a similar situation. Will let you know how I get on.
nicole0722
I have just run out of tramadol, have been taking it for 10 yrs and this is the first time I have totally run out. Taking way to much due to family responsibilities and that it isn’t working as well as it use to. Going to see me doctor because my husband does not think I should do this without asking him for a plan. Am starting to feel terrible now and very embarrassed about what I have done.
Ann
My husband and I were both prescribed Ultram (Tramadol) him for severe back pain and I for a partially torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder.
I was taking it for 2 years and had noticed my mental state was not good so I started doing research to see if others had these same symptoms, well what I read was VERY disturbing! In my opinion, this drug is the devil. It was so hard for me to wean off of it but after 3 attempts I have been off of it for a month now and I feel like my old self again.
My husband on the other hand is still taking 2 a day and his mind isn’t quite what it use to be. My husband got into a lot of legal trouble when he had been on it for a little over a year. He is more aggravated, anxious and paranoid. He is a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off, but because of possibly facing jail time if he messes up he stays in check.
Please, Please I warn anyone before taking this medication, I have NO IDEA how the FDA passed this for patients to take but I WILL NEVER take another one as long as I live, it is a HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE drug that I have to sit back and watch my husband dwindle downhill every day!!! I WOULD NOT recommend anyone to even take this medication, it’s not worth the risk of going through everything we have went through with us both being on it. I thank God every day for helping me stop take it, and I continue to pray my husband will stop taking it as well.
I had withdrawals from stopping this medication for 3 WEEKS!!! Yes I quit cold-turkey but I had to in order to get completely off of it. I hope my husband gets off of it soon, this is really sad.
RG
Diane, my dr told me it wasn’t addictive either, which is obviously not true and so many people have trouble with it! It’s been hell going off the 200mg a day I was on for just 9 months, but I’m doing it. Believe it or not I take out 25mg and still have some side effects, 3-4 days of bad zaps and racing heart all night long, but not as bad as when I don’t take it at all one day… then it tapers off. I wait a week or more for my system to regulate, and try again. I’ve been doing this a couple months and am down to 100mg a day, it’s still going to be a journey but I’ll hopefully be off all the way sometime this fall. I would take a small amount out like this vs. going cold turkey, it’s still the same withdrawal but not as severe. Hope this helps.
Diane S
I have been taking Tramadol 300 mg a day for 7 years for back pain. I have tried to stop taking them on my own but can not get through one day with out them. I have all the side effects mentioned above. the head zaps are bad the tingling in my arms when tiring to sleep are like restless leg syndrome, I feel like I have the flu and my moods are all over the place nightmares headaches. and when I talk to my doctor about this he says there non addictive. I don’t know what to do to get off these. There the worse pill I have ever taken.
mz
I have been getting my life back more each day I let this drug go. I am more alert and aware and available to those around me. Tramadol has put me in a fog for eight years. I started tapering off three weeks ago and am down to one 50 mg pill a day. I have had stomach issues, insomnia, restless legs nightmares, depression and no energy.
This drug is opoid-like. It is so strong and sticks with you. Do not start taking this medication if you have not. Find an alternative. My son is in rehab for heroin and he tells me my drug use affected him. This was given to me by my doctor, but it is still mood altering. God is giving me strength to let go of it and I encourage you all to stay strong.
franc
I have been taking Ultram for about a year. I took it cautiously because I do not trust what the doctors’ say about a prescription.
I was taking 50 mg. at night. Recently, I had terrible insomnia – I increased my nightly dose to 100 mg. I absolutely got the restless legs to the point of complete irritation.
I have become unbelievable depressed, no appetite – after reading all the comments, I am convinced it is the Ultram. As of this eve, no more.
I so appreciated everyone’s honesty. I thought I was going crazy with the depression to the point of not enjoying life at all.
Thank you everyone.
mz
Today it is one week since I started tapering off Tramadol. I was taking 250 to 300 mg a day and am now down to 100 mg. I have been taking half a tab in am half about 1:00 and a full 50 mg at bedtime. I am feeling depressed and low energy. I now want to cut back more but am feeling my back pain too much. I do not want to be taking Alive all day. Any suggestions? Has anyone tried taking Celexa for chronic pain?
Jack
Began 50mg tramadol approx. 3 years ago for moderate recurring pain in muscles and joints, especially knee, Diagnosed as HCV positive (possibly military service related) 9 years ago and energy challenged, it had the unintended effect of increasing my energy and making me more productive as well as less irritable while diminishing pain, I only use 50 to 100 mgs daily and have quit periodically with the only side effect of short term irritability, if you are hypertensive it may increase blood pressure as it did with me which was controlled by a slight increase of BP meds. Conclusions, the higher the daily dosage the more likelihood of increased/serious withdrawal symptoms, especially if you’re taking 100mg and above “time released” dosages daily, it does have serotonin interaction, hence the energy/well being effect,and check your blood pressure. Less is more with tramadol, be prudent in its dosage or pay the withdrawal price.
MJ
This is very helpful. I’ve been taking tramadol 400mg daily for a year and a half. I’m trying to wean and it has been horrible. I take Lexapro also. The symptoms that I have experienced are vertigo, vertigo, vertigo. A classic sign of SSRI withdrawal. MD’s do not know how to wean patients of Tramadol. I suggest anyone with trying to get off tramadol to have a partner to help you.
I pray God gives us the strength to fight this and we become normal again. The body is made to heal itself. We need to remember that. In Western society, drugs are the first things we most of us use because that is what we are taught by are western doctors, treat the symptoms.
MZ
I appreciate you sharing this. All of these comments have really helped. I have been on tramadol for eight years after a bad accident. At first, I felt wonderful, increased energy, weight loss, no pain. Every time I try to get off of it, I can not handle the withdrawal and keep using it. I made a commitment to my son who is going through drug rehab that I would get off of this drug. I am on day one – today and have cut my dose in half. I hope to keep decreasing until I am off of this drug. Withdrawal of tramadol is horrible. The symptom that usually gets me to use it again is the pain in my head and a tickle in my throat. I find it hard to swallow and have shallow breathing. I have tried so many times to stop taking this drug and have not been able to. Thank you for sharing your stories. They are encouraging.
RA
I have been taking tramadol in conjunction with indomethacin for a year now and it has been miraculous for my arthritis. Without the two of them, I would hardly be able to finish the day at my job. I also take brand Synthroid every morning except for Sunday. For the past two Sundays, I have taken tramadol before church, because I have to eat in order to safely take the indomethacin and I wanted something on board before the pain got too bad. I don’t eat breakfast before church because I am not hungry, and I don’t take the Synthroid on Sundays. Every other morning, I take my Synthroid and eat breakfast before work. I take 40mg of Citalopram at bedtime every night.
The past two Sundays, I have come home from church and a couple of hours later, I got extremely dizzy, to the point of nausea. The first time, I fell asleep and felt better when I woke up, but this past Sunday, I was unable to go to sleep due to a party I had to attend. I felt awful. I ended up lying down at my daughter’s house anyway for an hour and a half, and when I did come out to join the party, I still felt not quite present. I was scared half to death that this would BE the death of me. I looked up serotonin toxicity because the pharmacist explained that citalopram and tramadol could cause it, but I have never had this issue on any other days. I only take the one tramadol for that reason, to head off serotonin toxicity. It didn’t seem to fit what I experienced, but the side effects of tramadol did.
So, what’s the deal? Is it the food or the Synthroid that protect me from those awful side effects on days other than Sundays?
Victor T.
I took tramadol for two weeks, and lost my erection for a week now. Please help me. What do I do?
Ix
Interesting. Mosby’s drug guide says for immediate release, 400 mg/day is the max.
AbigailB
I have a question. I take 50mg Tramadol PRN for back pain caused by a car accident. I’ve noticed that sometimes when I take it I start to get a headache as it is wearing off. Is that a normal side effect? I feel like it can’t be withdrawal because I only take it about once a week or so, but maybe my not taking it very often plays a part?
Beth
The reason they took your mother from 300 mg down to 100 mg is because 100 mg four times daily is the absolute highest dose allowed by law. Whether it worked or not, whoever prescribed her 300 mg at a time not only put her health in danger, but should be losing his medical license. He was basically overdosing her. If the maximum dosage of a medication is not effective, you try a different medication, not overdose them by THREE times the maximum dosage allowed. Be thankful she is still alive…
People’s Pharmacy response: According to Epocrates, the maximum dose for tramadol is 300 mg/day.
CD
I have declared tramadol my worst enemy after I was prescribed 100mg x4 a day whilst in hospital with back injury.
Had no idea I would have such a bad reaction to the drug, first couple of hours I felt ok and my pain lessened. Towards the end of the first day I felt so anxious and started tripping really bad, felt like my mind was constantly flipping between reality and non-reality – I’ve never felt so confused in my whole life.
By the second day I no longer recognised my hospital room and my breathing got very shallow. On the third day I experienced some serious visual and auditory hallucinations that nearly tipped me over the edge, as I thought one of the nurses was trying to kill me. Some how I managed to stop taking the drug as in my psychotic state I thought the drug had been poisoned by the nurse, I then started feeling very nauseous and sick.
Only 3 days after stopping all pain meds out of hospital did I realise how confused and delirious I had been. I think I’m ok now but still slightly traumatised by the whole thing.
The health profession are too readily pushing these drugs onto people without truly being aware of the more serious side effects of this drug, from the numerous forums it is obvious that a large number of people have issues with it. PLEASE DON’T TAKE TRAMADOL!
Tricia
I have been taking Tramadol for over 10 years and now in the past few months my coordination is off and I stagger so my new doctor took me off of it and gave me Vicodin. I have fibromyalgia and spinal stenosis and spinal arthritis as well as a so far unnamed autoimmune problem. I have been feeling SO SO odd since I came off the Tramadol and I was blaming the Vicodin, but now I realize it is withdrawl from the Tramadol.
So happy I read this article. Thanks for the information! BTW I’m a female 62 years old.
IX
I’ve managed to beat the tramadol. I tapered as gradually as my body would let me. Did 50 mg 2x per day a few days (down from 100 mg 3x per day) for a couple of days, then cut those in half 2x per day. Then I got stuck at 25 mg once per day. Just couldn’t drop lower until one day, I just felt like I could, and I did. Cut my 50s into quarters and did 12.5 mg once per day for two days. My last dose was a week ago today.
Withdrawal included stuffiness, sneezing, lethargy, just generally feeling terrible, stomach cramps, insomnia (which still persists), CRANKINESS (omg my fuse is so short, but its getting better), maybe brain zaps?, and now I’m getting a big weepy over weird stuff. I’m really afraid my body won’t pick up on the cues to start boosting my happy hormones without help. Right now I just wait and see. Good luck to the posters above me trying to stop. And to the one directly above me, for get about your extended releases.
Cut your immediate releases smaller so you don’t make this any more miserable than possible. I tapered over 2 weeks and it worked out well for me. If you have any way possible of stretching your supply, do it.
jerry
I have been taking name brand ultram 400 mg a day for over 3 years now recently in the last 6 months I have went up to 600 to 900mg a day not by any means to get high just to control my severe pain. I have been on all the strongest narcotics in the past for my pain from diludid to fentanyl to oxycotin 160,s yeah I know most people didn’t know they came in that strength and actually quit cold turkey from all those. It was the worst 10 days of my life to date but I was not working back then so I had the time to do it. So after that I vowed to never take narotic pain killers on a regular basis for my pain so I started ultram which never worked before because of my opiate tol. back then but worked and has worked great now for years until about 8 months ago unless I take really big doses 150mg at least or 300 at most they don’t work at all like they used to they almost make my pain worse. Now I am currently out I have one 50mg left and one old time released one from over seas probably 150-200mg the last 4 days I have rapidly declined my use to 6 tabs a day then 3 then 2. Now what I have left I get horrible pain and absolutely imaginable stomach pain and cramps unless those are some other problem I happened to get even ms cotin don’t help the severe bone piercing pain when I don’t take any tramadol all night adderrall helps a little. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated did you make it to day 10?
DrewBury
I was prescribed Tramadol for swollen discs in my lower back. One 50mg pill 4 times a day. I only made it to 2 pills on the first day trying to get into a rhythm of taking them before I was unable to function. I got really sick from the pills. All I recall was sweating, chills, vomiting, headache, shakes, dizziness, blacking out, then waking up the next day with zero appetite and sick to my stomach all day.
I only take Tramadol (1/2 pill for the entire day) if I’m in serious pain. To me, the pain is more appealing than dealing with the side effects. When coming “back to earth” I can usually tell when it’s going to get bad. I’ll feel a small headache coming on as well as clinching my teeth (I don’t know why). Following that, I’ll get chills, start sweating, shaking, extremely tired, and vomiting. This all lasts between an hour and a half to two hours. After it passes I am usually apprehensive to eat right away but a glass of water and I’m fine.
I cut my pills in 1/2 to reduce the amount going into my system but if I forget to keep liquid in my system or food I’ll still get sick. I also try to take a pill when I know I’ll already be asleep when they wear off. That seems to work alright most of the time. Every now and then I’ll wake up feeling nauseous and foggy in the head.
I haven’t gone to the doctor for a different prescription as he didn’t take the time to write me one for the Tramadol. I literally went into the office and said I’ve been having back pains and an MRI showed swollen discs… before I finished talking I was already given a prescription. The whole reason I tried this doctor was because my last doctor had me on 9 Advil a day which made my stomach hurt like crazy.
Long story short… Tramadol is horrendous when leaving your system, it works great for the pain but I’d rather be in pain than constantly feel sick for a few hours of pain relief. If doctors actually cared anymore I might try something else but the way things are these days… good luck.
RG
Don’t know if you’ve still been having these issues or not with breathing but my tramadol bottle says right on the side, “taking more than recommended can cause serious breathing difficulties”. I hope you’re alright and were able to seek out help.
DG
I have been taking Tramadol 50mg tabs, at the dose of 2 tabs every 4-6 hrs for chronic pain. I fell and sprained my ankle and was in much more pain. I took 4 tabs 5hrs ago. I was a little sleepy but now, I’m just really short of breath if I get up and even get a glass of water. I don’t know if it’s from the Tramadol and the extra amt I took or if it’s just being 52, overweight, and high blood pressure. Thank you for any consideration you give this comment.
IX
I have spinal fractures that were discovered last year after a painful fall. My pain was well managed on tramadol 50 mg q6h (usually 3-4 times per day). Recently, though, I’ve had an intense flare up and begged for some kind of additional relief. My prescriber bumped me up to 100 mg q8h. I didn’t initially take my nighttime dose, until I realized I was feeling horrible in the mornings until my morning dose would kick in.
I chalked it up to withdrawal and made sure I added my nighttime dose even though it made sleeping hard (my mind races when I’m on it). This brought my daily dosage up to 300 mg per day starting maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago. Last week I developed headaches, disorientation, forgetfulness, lethargy, and pressure in my ears. My prescriber told me it was all in my head – I’m just anxious because I read too much. He completely blew me off.
I had no idea it could be tramadol until I found my way to the ER a couple of nights ago. I’ve begun as rapid a withdrawal as I can manage. My blood pressure was skyrocketing at the ER and at my appointment with my general practitioner the following day. The ER doc things I was having absence seizures in addition to the elevated blood pressure.
Today is the first day I’ve felt mostly human again. I’ve aimed for 50 mg twice daily of the tramadol, with the expectation that I may end up needing a midday dose. Today is day 2, and I’m okay so far. I’ve also managed to bring down my blood pressure by 40 points with some help from hydroxyzine. I’ve decided I no longer want to see the prescriber any more. (He is the person I see for my spine.) It’s disappointing, but if I can’t trust him to catch something like this, I can’t trust him to be involved in my medical care.
What’s harder is to realize that this was the last of the harder pain killers that I was able to try. I have allergies to opioids and motrin thins my blood. I don’t know what is next for me. This all happens on the cusp of getting epidural injections, and it’s impossible to know if they’ve played a role, too, and now I’m afraid to try them again when the time comes. This has been pure hell, and the fun is only beginning.
cheryl
Hi, I have a question. I am trying to come off my tramadol 50 mg and doc put me on tramadol-acetaminophen 37.5-325(ultracet) will this help me come off of tramadol?
Peoples Pharmacy response: The new medication contains a lower dose of tramadol, so it may be helpful in reducing your dose of tramadol. You will need to find a way to reduce the dose even further eventually.
AM
Had knee replacement 2 yrs ago, given Tramadol in hospital. It paralyzed me from my neck down, and I felt like I had a block of concrete on top of me, just could not move a muscle, it was scarey.
Nurse said 6-7hours to wear off. Just lay there until it wore off. I refused to have any more Tramadol. The experience was horrible.
Having hip replacement soon, and shall question any tablet I am given to take.
No more Tramadol.
Tez
Until a month ago, I had been taking tramadol(150mg mornings and 200mg night) for about 7 years for back and hip pain. My doctor decided to try a different drug and told me to stop the tramadol, not warning me of any side effects of stopping suddenly. Obviously I survived the withdrawal, unable to sleep due to restless jerky movements as soon as I relaxed at night, nausea depression and pain which I seemed to have all over my body. The main concern now is that I feel washed out all the time and just can’t wait for bed time as I’m so tired. I am starting to feel more like my old self though, thank goodness as I really hated the way I was feeling. I will never take tramadol again!! As I don’t want to go through the withdrawal again.
Crystal
Okay I am gonna tell you guys my story…I was originally prescribed tramadol for fibroids… I have two fibroids and they make for some very painful periods… anyway I started taking like I was supposed to but I like the way they made me feel energetic and happy all the time… so I started more and more pretty soon I was up to 20 a day!!!! that’s right I said 20!!! I did not care… it took me to go to the doctor and get a script and go to the pharmacy and them tell me that I had “multiple doctor” issues to get me to stop…
I was scared to death I was gonna go to jail. Needless to say the pharmacy did not fill… I went “cold turkey” off of a 20 pill a day habit of ultram…it was “horrible.” I never ever ever want to go through that again. I have RLS, anxiety, I had heart palps all of it… well its been close to 8 weeks now and I am over the worst of it but I still have no energy..none… I can’t wait for the day I can start to say yeah I feel “normal” again……
Crystal
Hello yes I also took tramadol… I got VERY addicted and when I say VERY I mean VERY… I have been off of it for almost 8 weeks now….I have rls (restless leg syndrome) now because of it, I have no energy… I am not blaming the makers of the drug because I am the one that chose to abuse it… anyway all I want is to know if I will ever feel normal again… normal energy level… anyway thanks
C.Z.
I’m so beyond happy I found this page. For the past few days and even now, I’ve been getting those “brain zaps”. Some so intense that it actually causes a tic, so to speak. It’s been driving me crazy. I was prescribed tramadol for my bursitis in the hip. I am lucky enough to not have that addiction gene as I call it (both Bio parents are/were drug addicts). I only took as prescribed and started to wean myself off, taking it less frequently, and instead of 2 as prescribed every 4-6 hours, I would take 1 around every 8 hours, then 1 a day at night, Aleeve during the day. But now that I think of it, these brain zaps did start about when I reduced, then stopped taking tramadol.
I did do my research about side effects, but the brain zaps were never mentioned. And did read that this medication isn’t one you are supposed to quit “cold turkey” but one that must be gradually reduced, then discontinued being taken. I do have some left, almost a weeks worth, but definitely plan on sticking with just Aleeve. Have since seen the orthopedic surgeon who gave me a cortisone shot, and instructed I take just Aleeve.
Considering my Bio parents addiction histories, it’s made me far more cautious on following doctors orders, and being fully aware of what I’m about to be taking (Even otc medicines).
DD
Tramadol has been my worst nightmare. Took it for several months after my hand was crushed. (My doctor was afraid if I stayed on opiates I’d get addicted). Well, I had been addicted to percocet before. The withdrawals lasted about 3 days. However coming off tramadol the symptoms were 100× worse and lasted for over a month. I have never been so miserable in my life. But I got through it. Then a few weeks ago I took 2 tramadol for knee pain. ONLY 2 and now months after getting off the first time, I am experiencing THE SAME symptoms! Doctors do not seem to realize how terrible this drug is. If you have never taken it PLEASE save yourself a lot of pain and trouble and STAY AWAY from it!
Tez
I’ve been told by my doctor to stop taking Tramal to try some pain patches instead. When I asked if it was okay to just stop, he told me yes. Ive been taking 150mg mornings and 200mg evenings both SR, for about 6 years. After missing 3 doses I’m getting the back and knee pain again, and since going to bed 3 hours ago, have been needing to keep moving around, not really restless legs, more like restless all over!!
I’m really tired but only dozed a couple of times between the need to suddenly move. I’m not too sure what the best thing to do is now that I’ve read so much about stopping the medication, so I’ll have to go to another doctor as my usual one is unavailable tomorrow.
Jennifer
I just stopped using Tramadol yesterday and the anxiety is really bad. I took it as directed by my Dr. for a bad lower lumbar strain. I’ve been taking it with Flexeril for 4 days, thankfully I have Lorazepam to help with the anxiety. I was climbing the walls about an hour ago.
CE
I had been prescribed Tramadol for pain a couple of times. Each time within the first day or two of taking it as prescribed I experienced extreme irritability and anxiety. I looked up the medicine and was surprised to see it was used as an antidepressant. Zoloft also had the same effect on me and was the worst two days of my life because of the anxiety, dread and irritability. I guess if you are not experiencing depression or other emotional/mental disorder then the effects of the drugs work the opposite. Sort of like how amphetamines calm down people with ADHD and Dimetap hypers them up.
Lortab also did not cause any serious side effects when I stopped taking it, other than a little bit of irritability. But Lortab and Vicodin have their own side effects and because they contain opiates could cause you to come out positive for morphine. This happened to a friend of mine who was taking hydrocodone about 3-4 times a week prescribed by the pain clinic. During a routine urinalysis they said he had 6 times legal dose of morphine in his system. When I heard that I stopped taking any opiates and only use Ibuprofen or occasional muscle relaxer.
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE: Tramadol is for pain. There is no official indication for it to treat depression. We’re sorry you had such trouble with the side effects.
O.G.
I can relate to RG’s comments. However helpful Tramadol/Ultram may be for a while, I still think it’s an insidious drug (read my earlier post for my experience with it: and yes, I did take it exactly as prescribed) which needs to be presented with the strongest of cautionary notes if it’s prescribed at all. I repeat: it’s on my list of “No, thank you” drugs.
RG
I’ve been on tramadol (ultram generic) 100mg twice a day since last fall for fybromyalgia pain, and this week was told to ‘taper off’ the tramadol for starting an herbal remedy for inflammation instead. My doctor never once mentioned anything about ultram withdrawal when I started it, and I didn’t have negative side effects taking it, so i thought I was all set.
I took 50mg in the morning and again at night the last 3 days, without any problems, till last night I had cold sweats and kept jerking awake feeling like I would jump out of my skin I felt so much restless energy. Very bad experience. Will be calling my dr on Monday about it but for now going back to my original dose, as 100 a day instead of 200 a day is apparently way too much to cut down at once. I am angry that I didn’t know it could go this way when starting the 200 a day 5 months ago.
O.G.
Yes! I can relate completely to Kay’s comment! Lortab, when I need it, has no downside or withdrawal effect, which makes it helpful for getting past short-term pain episodes. Tramadol or Ultam, on the other hand, I will never take again. If I want to feel like I have the flu (and like I’ve suddenly developed serious depression with it!) I’ll skip my flu shot next year and take up substitute teaching again.
Kay
I can personally vouch for how physically addictive Tramadol is.
A few years ago I had a medical issue requiring several operations and thrice daily wound packing changes. I was on Lortab for about a month solid. Three days after the last surgery I was feeling much better and stopped all my pain medication – no withdrawals, zilch, nada, none.
A year later I had a herniated disc in my back. This was during the time when people were getting menengitis from the steroid injections used to treat this. My spinal doctor and I decided to go the “rest and relaxation” route. He gave me a four day prescription of Tramadol. About one day after my prescription ran out I started to get sick. It didn’t occur to me at the time that it might be withdrawal symptoms. But after about three days of the weirdest flu I had ever had, I decided to look up Tramadol withdrawal – it described my symptoms to a tee.
Of course – everyone’s body is different. But in my case – one month on Loratab=no withdrawal; 4 days on Tramadol=bad, bad withdrawals that I never want to repeat in my life.
O.G.
Reading the sometimes very different stories of people’s experiences with these drugs make me think again about how differently each person responds to medication. And while it was nice to see that some individuals were helped by Tramadol and Ultram, my own very negative experience–detailed in an earlier comment–may still strike a necessary cautionary note for others. I would never take either drug again, and am now extremely cautious about pharmaceuticals of any kind. But maybe that’s just my body. The important thing, I think, is to listen to, and know, yours.
Phil
I guess everyone responds differently to Tramadol. For me, it gives me lots of energy and a general feeling of well being. Not to mention a Godsend for my chronic back pain. People may call Tramadol what they want, if taken like its supposed to be, then it can be a wonderful drug.
Eric
I experienced severe respiratory depression when the pharmacy switched from the generic form of Tramadol to something else, a round pill about the size of an aspirin. No asthma symptoms, no wheezing, just couldn’t get a full breath. Dr. Thought I was crazy but switching back to the generic made the symptoms completely disappear. I was very happy to find this page that confirmed reports of this phenomena.
O.G.
While browsing People’s Pharmacy, I happened upon this thread and was reminded of my own experience, a few years back, with Tramadol and Ultram.
Prescribed after a back injury, I had been taking medication for about six months when, through a haze of inexplicable depression, “flulike symptoms,” sudden anxiety, headaches, insomnia, and steadily decreasing pain relief I said to myself “This has GOT to be the pills.”
In my usual all-or-nothing way, with no guidelines for gently decreasing the dose, I simply stopped taking it. For 48 hours I was curled into a ball of misery on the couch, getting a lesson in empathy for what illegal drug users must experience if they try to quit “cold turkey.” When I had lived through the two days of Hell, I emerged as myself again, regaining my perspective and my personality after becoming a zombie because of what was supposed to be innocuous and helpful medication.
Bottom line: I will never take the stuff again, and am cautious about any prescription medications. Regarding Tramadol and Ultram, in particular, I think we all have reason to “Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.”
lpf
I’ve taken Tramadol for close to five years now for lower back pain. I quickly noticed I had more energy and a feeling of euphoria when taking this medicine. Earlier this week I decided that I was going to stop taking this all together, cold turkey. I was on 50Mg, 6 to 8 pills a day. I know this is not allot a I’ve gears people taking up to 40 in a day.
Anyhow, within hours of my last dose I had extreme agitation, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia and feeling extremely hopeless. It was awful. I’m on day four and it’s getting better. I haven’t told anyone about my secret struggle but I want people to know how addicting this drug really is. Be careful. Stay strong and fight to take your life back.
TK
I have taken tramadol for about 3 years. 2 every 8 hours for arthritis pain. At the end of the month I usually run short. I usually give a few to people who also feel pain. I would get really sick. Cravings, vomiting, chills tingling sensations through my whole body. Flu like symptoms. I finally realized it was withdrawal from the medication. It felt and feels terrible. It is an extremely unpleasant experience. PLEASE BELIEVE ME. As far as a solution just take the medication again. All the symptoms will disappear. Just don’t stop using it suddenly. As for relieving the pain it works for me. I’ll probably be using it for the rest of my life. I won’t run short again.
J l
My mum has taken tramadol for 10years recently took into Scarborough hospital for her breathing due to smoking unknown to me her tramadol was stopped altogether since she came back home her mental state is not good at all she is totally confused repeating herself not getting up some days not eating, crying, aggressive, depressed she was on 300mg. One of the doctors has put her back on 100mg; this is not doing her any good why they won’t put her back to her normal dosage is beyond me.
She was fine till the hospital messed with her medication. Stopping the tramadol in hospital would this have caused the symptoms I have mentioned above she has stopped smoking she has patches. No one seems to be sorting things out people say her upset is been in hospital I say it’s the hospital stopping the tramadol would be grateful if anyone any suggestions.
MG
I was taking both Lexapro and Tramadol… After a few weeks the combination of these two drugs made my brain very very foggy, like a zombie just going thru the motions and feeling very confused.
I stopped the Lexapro which I had been taking for some 10 years but kept taking Tramadol. Within a few days, the foggy feeling in my brain went away. I now notice that Tramadol not only takes away some of my chronic back, neck, leg pain (old age), but acts like an antidepressant, anti-anxiety drug. So far so good.
Of course, I don’t know the long range effects of Tramadol on me, but time will tell.
Side note: One of my doctors refused to give me Vicodin, but was OK with Tramadol.
SGK
My doctor switched me from Vicodin to Tramadol about a year ago. It seems to help, but I’m also taking Neurontin for nerve pain. I’ve not noticed any side effects; I’m on 50 mg every 6 hrs (3/day).
Janet S.
I have neuropathy and other conditions and Ultram really helped the pain in my feet. The tramadol doesn’t seem to be as effective but I’m taking the generic now. If I forget to take my pills, my burning feet and sick stomach remind me. I feel that it’s an effective drug for me and keeps me off the heavier narcotics.
ML
After surgery for a torn Rotator Cuff my doctor prescribed Tramadol. On the sixth night I had a violent anxiety attack, which was a mystery to me until my wife reviewed the paper-work that came with the Tramadol. There we found all of the symptoms I was having: anxiety, profuse sweating, agitation, insomnia, etc. I decided I would rather have the pain, so I refused all pain meds. during recovery.
dan h.
I have to take tramadol for nerve pain, probably for life [54 yso], but had issues with nucynta [tramadols stronger cousin [confusion,constant thirst]