It really helps with break-thru pain that I experience with fibromialgia cause no other pain medicines help. For 3 months now I take Savella for fibromialgia and it is helping my discomfort.
Is it safe to take tramadol long term? I am told it is non-narcotic is that true?
Question posted by susanaldridge on 29 June 2010
Last updated on 6 September 2023 by LARPAT55
9 Answers
LARPAT55
6 Sep 2023
In short, no & no.
It is considered an opioid and patients receiving tramadol have a somewhat higher risk of prolonged use than those receiving other common opioids, new Mayo Clinic research finds. Long-term use can lead to addiction, and the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies tramadol as a Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it's considered to have a lower risk of addiction and abuse than Schedule II opioids, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.
Djromeo
5 July 2019
I am only talking from my experience I am 36 and have been taking this pill for 10 years afraid of long term damage and yes I updated the dose. But I managed to stable at a dose I’m embarrassed to admit. But it’s working. I started at 100mg a day but within months I out did that. I tried rehab but it’s not for me I don’t belong in there. Plus they had better drugs and that was to easy to switch. So I came to a conclusion, just go with it for now. Get done what I need done and figure it out as I go. I know it’s not the best plan but it’s all I got for now. I went 2 weeks with out it and week one was hell week 2 was half of that. And I started again at 1 pill a day (100mg) but was quickly at my regular dose. I gave up drinking and smoking for this pill alone. It can get expensive. Good luck for those just looking for info. Hope it helps.
ENYorker
23 Jan 2017
I've been taking one 50mg 2x a day for years now. One pill in the morning one at night. Had a c spine surgery, but prior to that spent a year not using left side, which atrophied and left side waist up was in a constant "locked" state. Stabbing pain in neck and back. I can't take oxy or other narcs as they make me "high" and my body Rejects (vomit).. I don't drink or smoke and would like to be tramadol free. I feel clear headed and normal when taking tramadol, I don't feel any different, just the stabbing pain blocked. Should I be worried? Also worried that if I get off my pains will return and that's debilitating and I have to active a life to be in pain. Just worried that this may catch up with me in some dangerous way. Am I being silly?
campbelldr
26 Feb 2018
Take it if it relieves your pain. I have taken it over 20 years. It still works but I have had to gradually increase the dose.
RonP007
24 Feb 2019
I am a 66 year old male, with severe degenerative arthritis (throughout my body), connected to my dwarfism condition, diastrophic dysplasia. I started having problems in 1989 and had my first hip replacement in '90, then knee in '92, then other hip in 2011. I tried several pain meds in the mid and late '90s, with so-so effects. In '99, I was prescribed 50mg of Tramadol, 3 times per day. For me, it was a wonder drug, without any side effects.
Over the years, my dosage has increased to 100mg, 3 times per day. My doctor recently asked me to try the ER version, so I now take 100mg ER, 3 times per day, which seems to work fine. My concern is that I have now been on this drug for 20 years, and I am questioning whether I should wean myself from it, since there is some evidence of mental decline and physical changes associated with it.
I am in good general health, having recently been taken off a low dose of blood pressure med (Lisinopril) since I lost about 10 lbs and have started exercising more, which improved my BP. I take several supplements, but no other prescriptions.
I seem to be doing fine mentally and physically, aside from the arthritis. Any thoughts?
bholskey
16 Jan 2017
My wife is prescribed and has been taking 240 Tramadol for Fibromyalgia a month for last 10 years, non stop. Is this too much?
CatAnn
19 Jan 2017
I was worrying about long term use of this drug. Does your wife still get relief/not find it necessary to increase her dose, after years of use? I just got this med for anxiety and depression and OCD.
campbelldr
26 Feb 2018
No , it is NOT
billro13
15 June 2011
I have been taking Tramadol for about 3 years at the maximum dose of 300mg per day for fibro.
.
At first it worked wonders but now it does nothing. The body gets use to all drugs eventually and they stop working.
Getting off it is a nightmare, withdrawal symptoms very bad.
I am going to try savella.
Lizzard161
4 Feb 2017
I have taken Savella for 7 years plus now . It has helped a lot . In the beginning I could not walk or dress myself . I do still have tons of pain from a fall I had in 2015 . The one thing that it did to me was that it changed my vision drastically. But I'm afraid to stop taking it . I take Soma when my neck and back pain are really bad . I still have a constant pain level of an 8 . I do recommend this over Lyrica that did not work at all and put un necessary weight on me .
jk13
30 June 2010
Obviously from all of the responses, tramadol long term without a doubt will cause a discontinuation syndrome (p.c. for withdrawal). If you taper very very slowly, it shouldn't be all that bad - if you taper too quickly, well, then you'll have issues. My question is, if it is helping you with your fibromyalgia, why worry about stopping it? Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that will need continuous attention or medication. The only thing that worked for me with my Fibromyalgia was 20mg of methadone, something that I know is very very addictive. It however didn't get rid of all of the pain, and the doc felt that the risk of increasing the dosage would be a bad idea, so... we had to supplement with other meds. 300mg of Tramadol per day along with 225mg of Lyrica (I tried many many many different medications, such as just Lyrica at 300mg makes me sick, however, at 225mg, I'm fine, and it helps slightly.
The Tramadol also helps very slightly for me.) I was on Pristiq and Klonopin already for anxiety, so trying SNRI's was out of the question - however, the Tramadol risk vs. beneficial scenario weighed in to be worth the risk. I'm currently taking several medications that I know that I can't just stop, but really, it doesn't bother me cause it's the only thing that makes me feel normal. I also can count on the Fibromyalgia not going away, thus the list of medications wont be going away anytime soon as well. If the Tramadol helps, I wouldn't worry about the dependency issue, and just worry about the benefits, and getting your life back in order.
I sincerely hope that this is helpful - and is also just my point of view. Hope that whatever you decide to do ultimately is the right thing for you!
soldiermp
28 July 2019
I have been taking Tramadol for four years. I typically take two (50mg) pills per day. I did quit taking Tramadol last year and had zero withdrawals. The reason I didn't have withdrawals was because I tapered off the drug a little bit at a time. When I got down to taking 3/4 of a pill (35mg) a day, I just quit. I was waiting and waiting for withdrawals symptoms to happen and they never did. Again, never try quitting Tramadol without slowly tapering yourself off the drug.
I would lessen my dose by a 1/4 pill per week or 1/8 of a pill less every few days. Hope this helps
pfcpremosgirl
29 June 2010
I called my tramadol withdrawal "tramadol hell", for me it was worse coming off of tramadol than ANY OTHER PAIN MEDICATION I HAVE EVER TAKEN! Most doctors aren't even aware of the HUGE potential for dependence with this drug. Addiction implies looking for a "HIGH" from a substance, and seeking it out. Dependence is actually NOT uncommon for anyone taking something like this long term... it simplies means your body will need more of the drug eventually to reach the same level of benefit. That happens to most people at some point. Safe is also a relative term. Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold. If you've ever had a seizure or have any condition that puts you at risk for one, do not take tramadol. If you are doing well on another drug, stick with that. I also have tramadol for fibromyalgia, as the side effects were just far too severe on Lyrica to live productively. I hadn't tried Savella, yet.
But I may taper off the tramadol, instead of going cold turkey as before. And I have stopped taking much stronger drugs, including oxycodone, suddenly after long periods, and DID NOT suffer from nearly as many side effects as from my cold turkey from tramadol... that is MY experience. Its different for everyone. Take and stop this drug with caution.
Lil Stevie
29 June 2010
Tramadol is not a narcotic but sure acts like one. It binds itself to some of the opioid receptors and that is why you go thru withdrawal when you stop taking it if you don't tapper off slowly.. That doesn't make it a good or a bad drug just again one that you have to be sure that when you go off on VK or something you have your medicines covered. I am beginning to sound like a broken record saying this and I apologize for those that are tired of me saying it but going on a drug like this IS a life changing event. Again that in and of itself doesn't make it a bad deal. Also they do make it in an extended release form as well as IR so you might look into that as well.
Good luck I hope you find the relief we all deserve.
susanaldridge
29 June 2010
Well I have been taking it for a year now... (2) doctors have said it is the least addicting pain med on the market... who knows though!! It is the only thing that helps with my break-thru fibromyalgia pain... even though I have had amazing relief with Savella I still have some pain. I take a tramadol 2x day along with a loritab... I have chronic back pain ... I have had (3) failed back surgeries... when you have pain between the fibromyalgia and the back and sciatic pain you will take anything that will give you some relief... but I am thankful that the Savella has definitely helped my overall body pain I had been experiencing. I had a very bad fall 2 1/2 yrs ago at work and (2) doctors have said that the fibromyalgia was brought on because of the trauma I experienced from that... I just wish it would all go away and I would have my pain free life back ;(
sadieNleroy
29 June 2010
I to hope that your pain will go away. Anyone living with the fibromyalgia hell will understand and know what you are dealing with on a day to day basis. Pain is all you live with! I truely wish you Good Luck!
gypsykisses11
30 June 2010
What a wonderful way to look at it. Certain drugs can be life changing. Like Lortabs. They made me hurt worse. Breakthrough pain, and rebound. The only thing that works for me is Percecets. They wont prescribe much pain meds anymore. I just kinda suffer through. Lost a lot of family time and spend a lot of time in bed. I make the best of good days, and roll with the bad ones.
Sacosam
30 June 2010
Hi gypsikiss; Girl do I ever here you loud and clear. It seems like i've hurt forever and I get only OTC drugs for it. I've taken up to 24 Ibuprofen or 24 asprin in a single day... and what do I get from drs... a smile and "better watch your stomach there fella"! Sacosam
campbelldr
26 Feb 2018
I THINK IT IS A SYNTHETIC NARCOTIC. I have taken it since 1997, increasing the dose from 50 mg one half tab twice a day to 2 tabs 4x a day now. It is not as effective as it once was but still makes my back pain tolerable.
Initially it gave me enough energy to go to the gym daily and lose wt. from 240 lbs down to 180.
sadieNleroy
29 June 2010
I have taken tramadol and for me it was very addictive. When I stopped taking it I could'nt walk in a straight line,I had night sweats,and the pain was just so painful because I was so used to taking this medicine. I have also taken Savella which helped so much, but my insurance would'nt pay for it and of course it's to exspensive for Me. When I stopped taking savella you have to with it and most of the medicine prescriped to you start taking it in lower does until your body does'nt reley on it anymore.
susanaldridge
29 June 2010
Were you taking it for fibromyalgia pain?? yes the doctor said that you can't just stopping taking them suddenly.
sadieNleroy
29 June 2010
I was taking this medication for fibromyalgia
gypsykisses11
30 June 2010
Thank you all so much for the responses. Fibromyalgia is a monster to deal with. I wish they would find an effective treatment thats affordable.
Dorothy2010
3 Aug 2010
I too started taking Ultram for fibromyalgia pain and paresthesias in my arms. It quickly became very addictive. I was on it for 12 years at about 500 mg per day and just recently had to quit cold turkey because I could not find a doctor willing to prescribe it. My doctors were very cruel (I thought) because they expected me to just do it with no help. Let me tell you, I've had three babies and the withdrawal from Ultram was far worse than labor or the flu. I've never been in so much discomfort for so long. I'm trying desperately to hang in there hoping it will get better soon. I tried lots of different medications for fibromyalgia, but nothing worked until the Ultram. About a year after I started taking it I went from 274 pounds to 111 pounds due to personal stressors not related to Ultram. I don't know if I ever HAD fibromyalgia, maybe I was just too heavy and depressed. I guess I'll find out soon if the pain doesn't abate.
I've been told that they just recently made Ultram a "scheduled" drug, meaning it is now regulated like a narcotic, but my research says it isn't really a narcotic and they don't really know HOW it works.
kd14
29 March 2011
I am almost afraid to ask... How much is the Savella?? It Is so sad , you find something that works, then you cant afford it? Did you contact the manufacturer?
campbelldr
26 Feb 2018
i have taken tramadol over 20 years. Internet said 3 day withdrawal time. I suddenly stopped for 3 days. Stayed in bed and was OK except severe fatigue. Fourth day I restarted to treat back pain.
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pain, fibromyalgia, tramadol, savella
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