[MaisieC]

Originally Posted by Heather43

I would like to know if anyone has noticed a difference between Ultram and Tramadol. I know that Tram is the Generic for Ultram however They do not seem to have the same reaction.
I do use the Tram so self medicate for depression. Thats why I am posting here.
It was my miracle answer, like I have said it got me out of bed. No other anti's worked and as I have said I have tried them all.
I have been taking these for about three years.
Now unfortunately I mostly have to take them so I wont go through the withdraw....it does still help with the moods however I am not as energetic as I was when I took them before. Yes I understand about building a toloerance than shouldnt you get the same affect you once had if you increase your dose? I am sleeping waaaay to much. I am up til about 3 am then sleep all day. Not about a sleep pattern being off, I have always been a nite owl and still got up at least by 10am.
I could swear that Ultram gave me more energy and will to be productive then the Tram. Any input?
And remember this is the place to discuss using Tramadol for depression wether you feel good or bad about it.
There are some that are so desperate to have releif from depression like me that they will try anything and for a long time this drug seemed to be the answer.
I also lost weight while on Ultram. Has anyone had that happen? It was great for my self esteem and also aided in my help with depression feeling better about myself.
OK let me know
H

Hi Heather,

I never used Ultram, only tramadol, so I can't say anything about that. What I will say is that I had exactly the same experience as you're describing over the course of my tramadol use. In the beginning it gave me energy and made me feel vibrant. Over time, I got more lethargic. I slept a lot. I actually gained weight because my metabolism slowed down so much. Now sometimes I feel like I'll never feel strong again, I still get so tired. It's going to be a long way back for me.

None of the other opioids I used had this effect. Things like vicodin and percocet kept me awake. In the beginning, tramadol did the same thing. Gradually, though, I began to sleep more and more. I still don't understand why tramadol is different in this regard.

In the end it was the tramadol that was the last nail in the coffin. I couldn't get to work I was so wiped out. I felt sleepy while I was there. I lost my job. I didn't have the energy to look for another one. My home went into foreclosure. They turned out the lights. Lost my phone service. All the while I'm sleeping away. I abused the other pills for years and never had this lethargy.

Maisie

[Heather43]

Hmmmm... I went off them last years and its was not easy not easy at all... And I was not any better...Even more so tired and lethargic no will to do anything... I don't know what to do... I'm not getting anything done. I'm already depressed. I need a stimulant of some kind. I just don't make it naturally..just not there..
Right now I need to get a shower and get to the store and all I want to do is climb back in bed and watch tv. I went to bed at 4 am and woke up at 2pm...have done nothing all day...so tired of being like this.

[Heather43]

Originally Posted by hawk34240

I have been taking tramadol for depression non stop for about 4 years. It has truely changed my life. I am more positive, I have more ambition about life, I am taking better care of myself, I am more productive at work, I deal with everything in a much better way and attitude. My social anxiety has improved as well. I have tryed previously ALL of the depression meds. Prozac was the one I stayed on the most. But the side effects of those drugs were bad, i lost allot of energy when on prozac.
There are NO side effects to tramadol. Well really only one for me, it does cause you to eat less. and if you take it to close to bed time it keeps me awake.
This drug is an absolute God Sent!!!!!!!!!!
Now yes as with ANY drug it can be abused. I take 150-200mg every day. If I have a really bad day I might go 250. And reguraly I go down to 100/day to stir up any dependance issues.
There is defineatly something this drug does that hits the nail perfectly.
Does not make you spacey, it will however do that if you take too much.
The Dr's really need to research this as I truely believe this can save lives!!
I am sure it is not for everybody, but thats like any drug.
And yes there are withdraw issues if you stop using. But guess what, they are the same as if you stop using prozac, same thing..I felt them both..
Are you addicted, well yes I guess...happy/normal life, who wouldn't be.
Same addiction as people are with the other depression meds.
Can this change your life if your responsible..Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
I do have overseas sources to this drug if ppl need it, send me a PM. I will not post it publicly.

I too have been taking them going on 4 years and have been so incredible and now? They dont work anymore... I sleep all the time..Yes we build up a tolerance and have to take more I know that but why do they not work anymore? They used to kick my but out of bed and I was sooo productive and escited to get out and do things, What Happened? I want NEED that back.. I realize your pose is old are you around??? De anyone know how to e mail someone who has posted on here?
H

[melinda7.5]

hi heather
we have a girl here named maisie she is out of town.but if yo look on the threads you can click on her screen name and you can e-mail her...

never mind her e-mail is not up and running..your story seems to be all to familiarly.I do know that you need to do a slow taper off of them...I will try to find out more for you while maise is gone ...she has been checking it from time to time...so maybe she will pop in if not I will find out what to do...
talk to you soon, Melinda

[MaisieC]

Originally Posted by Heather43

I too have been taking them going on 4 years and have been so incredible and now? They dont work anymore... I sleep all the time..Yes we build up a tolerance and have to take more I know that but why do they not work anymore? They used to kick my but out of bed and I was sooo productive and escited to get out and do things, What Happened? I want NEED that back.. I realize your pose is old are you around??? De anyone know how to e mail someone who has posted on here?
H

Heather, what happened is exactly what happens with all opioids: you've built up a tolerance. That's why you're not getting the same effect. You can't get that effect back. Your only chance of doing that is to go off the pills altogether for at least a few months and then start the cycle all over again. In my experience, it won't be the same the next time around: the tolerance will build up a lot faster. It's never the same again. I'm sorry to tell you that, but that's just the truth with all opiods.

Maisie

[Robert_325]

Hi Maisie .... thanks for taking the time to reply here as much as you're able during this trying time in your life. I have prayed for you and your mom and will continue to do so.

Do me a favor if you would be so kind. I know that all tapers have to be adjusted according to the individual's set of circumstances. And you know that I pretty much stay out of the tramadol threads letting you handle them. It's more your area of expertise than mine.

I would appreciate it if you would email me the link you use for tapers on the trams. I can modify it as needed if the situation calls for it but I would like to have the link handy so I can use it when needed while you're away. Thanks in advance and know that we are thinking about you and your family. God bless.

[MaisieC]

Thank you so much for your kind words and your prayers, Robert. My family and I appreciate them. I did email you yesterday, but it looks like you didn't receive it. I'll try emailing you through the site.

It also looks like the "email me" function on this site isn't working, despite my repeated efforts to get that fixed. It's very provoking, as I would like to be able to respond to people's emails when I have the chance.

OK, will send you a message. Thanks again.

[AquarianPath]

Originally Posted by Heather43

I would like to know if anyone has noticed a difference between Ultram and Tramadol. I know that Tram is the Generic for Ultram however They do not seem to have the same reaction.
I do use the Tram so self medicate for depression. Thats why I am posting here.
It was my miracle answer, like I have said it got me out of bed. No other anti's worked and as I have said I have tried them all.
I have been taking these for about three years.
Now unfortunately I mostly have to take them so I wont go through the withdraw....it does still help with the moods however I am not as energetic as I was when I took them before. Yes I understand about building a toloerance than shouldnt you get the same affect you once had if you increase your dose? I am sleeping waaaay to much. I am up til about 3 am then sleep all day. Not about a sleep pattern being off, I have always been a nite owl and still got up at least by 10am.
I could swear that Ultram gave me more energy and will to be productive then the Tram. Any input?
And remember this is the place to discuss using Tramadol for depression wether you feel good or bad about it.
There are some that are so desperate to have releif from depression like me that they will try anything and for a long time this drug seemed to be the answer.
I also lost weight while on Ultram. Has anyone had that happen? It was great for my self esteem and also aided in my help with depression feeling better about myself.
OK let me know
H

I am now TWO weeks off Tramadol! And yes, I lost about 15lbs while on Tram. and now I'm quickly gaining it back. eeek!

I'm really glad it works for you Heather. I don't think it's a "bad" drug, I just think it's bad for some people like me. I got hooked.

Anyway, hope you're doing alright. Glad the Tramadol is easing your depression.

[AquarianPath]

Originally Posted by MaisieC

Thank you so much for your kind words and your prayers, Robert. My family and I appreciate them. I did email you yesterday, but it looks like you didn't receive it. I'll try emailing you through the site.

It also looks like the "email me" function on this site isn't working, despite my repeated efforts to get that fixed. It's very provoking, as I would like to be able to respond to people's emails when I have the chance.

OK, will send you a message. Thanks again.

I hope everything is alright with you and your family Maisie. My husband is leaving in 9 days and I've been sort of turning into a hermit.

Let me know how you're doing and email me sometime.
Take care.

[ChristyBusyBee]

Maisie C,

I've found you through this site as someone who may be able to assist me with my new found Tramadol addiction. I was originally prescribed this from a doctor and just started getting it on the internet. Previous to this drug, I was on Percocets for about 2 months during the third trimester of my pregnancy for a pain issue that couldn't be resolved. I think this started my addiction and I thought I was safe switching to Tramadol. WRONG. I just ran out of pills on Friday and have been having withdraw symptoms for the past 3 days. Today is horrible and I'm waiting on a fedex shipment with 180 pills. I hope to wean myself off with this delivery so the cold turkey symptoms might not be so bad. I cannot regulate my body temperature, didn't sleep at all last night and have horrible diarrehea. To make matters worse, I have an 11 week old baby, a 4 yr old and a husband who has no idea. I have to return to work this week and just cannot handle the withdraw right now.
Can you email me?

[MaisieC]

Originally Posted by ChristyBusyBee

Maisie C,

I've found you through this site as someone who may be able to assist me with my new found Tramadol addiction. I was originally prescribed this from a doctor and just started getting it on the internet. Previous to this drug, I was on Percocets for about 2 months during the third trimester of my pregnancy for a pain issue that couldn't be resolved. I think this started my addiction and I thought I was safe switching to Tramadol. WRONG. I just ran out of pills on Friday and have been having withdraw symptoms for the past 3 days. Today is horrible and I'm waiting on a fedex shipment with 180 pills. I hope to wean myself off with this delivery so the cold turkey symptoms might not be so bad. I cannot regulate my body temperature, didn't sleep at all last night and have horrible diarrehea. To make matters worse, I have an 11 week old baby, a 4 yr old and a husband who has no idea. I have to return to work this week and just cannot handle the withdraw right now.
Can you email me?

Hi Christy,

I just tried emailing you, but it says you are not accepting email messages. Can you check your profile and try to enable that function? Or can you click on my username and send me a message? I'm not sure mine is working: I've got all my settings right, but people still tell me that they can't get an email through. Let's try and connect if we can. Please post again if this fails.

Talk to you soon,
Maisie

[jjennifer1974]

I'm really worried about you, girl. When I was going through detox from methadone, I asked it I could have some, because as niave as I was, I thought it was nonnarcotic. The nurse looked at me as if I were crazy, and emphatically said, "No, way!!!"

They told me, and it was reinforced by my suboxone doctor, that it most certainly is a narcotic, and that it is highly addictive, and that stuff can mess people up as bad as, or even more so, than opiate narcotics. The detox people said that they get people all the time that are "really messed up" on tramadol.

Find a detox facility, and get off that stuff ASAP. The awake feelings you had were probably euphoria from the tramadol. The reason you're feeling tired is because it is a depressant.

[ChristyBusyBee]

Maisie,

I can't figure out how to enable my email, so just email me directly at christyp@htc.net

I'm returning to work tomorrow so I might be delayed in my response, but I'd really like to connect with you about my apparant Tramadol addiction/withdraw issues. Thanks!

[Heather43]

Originally Posted by ChristyBusyBee

Maisie,

I can't figure out how to enable my email, so just email me directly at christyp@htc.net

I'm returning to work tomorrow so I might be delayed in my response, but I'd really like to connect with you about my apparant Tramadol addiction/withdraw issues. Thanks!

Maise, your such a self less person and I thank you..So true the student becomes the teacher.
Yes I beleive you are correct. My once wonder drug has backfired and I am so let down..But I have got to face that its not working.. Prob though is went I went off it I still slept all the time...just not good on my own. I have been reading about Reboxetine...it seems to be just what I need..Can I get it anywere? and what do you think about it? I have been taking vit B12 and 6 during the day to try and get some energy... I have got so much to do I can not afford to be lethargic. I have prob 30 Tram left and should use them to wean off.. I will need lots of help because I have done it before and I feel like I'm going to die. So, what do we do when our brains don't function "Normal" and we lack what we need...
Heather

[MaisieC]

Originally Posted by Heather43

Maise, your such a self less person and I thank you..So true the student becomes the teacher.
Yes I beleive you are correct. My once wonder drug has backfired and I am so let down..But I have got to face that its not working.. Prob though is went I went off it I still slept all the time...just not good on my own. I have been reading about Reboxetine...it seems to be just what I need..Can I get it anywere? and what do you think about it? I have been taking vit B12 and 6 during the day to try and get some energy... I have got so much to do I can not afford to be lethargic. I have prob 30 Tram left and should use them to wean off.. I will need lots of help because I have done it before and I feel like I'm going to die. So, what do we do when our brains don't function "Normal" and we lack what we need...
Heather

Hi Heather,

Thank you so much for your kind words. It helps me in my own recovery to help others. I'm in a rush, unfortunately, but I will respond quickly now.

My heart goes out to you in your situation. I'm so sorry you're going through all this. It sounds like you're suffering from a combination of underlying depression plus the effects of the tramadol. You need to make a taper schedule for yourself to get off the trams. Please tell me how many you're taking now, so I can advise you with that.

I just Googled Reboxetine and it looks like it's a norepinephrine uptake inhibitor. You think that's what you need because of the action on norepinephrine? Tramadol affects that and serotonin as well, so you might need to combine it with an SSRI. I know you've haven't had good luck with SSRIs in the past, so I infer that you're not impressed with doctors. However, you need to quit self-medicating with pharmaceuticals. If you want to try that med, find a doctor to prescribe it and work with you. I've done all kinds of self-medicating for depression combined with research on the Web, but you're just never going to understand these drugs as well as a good doctor will. I know it's been really frustrating, but you can't do this by yourself.

I know you have loads of tricks for dealing with your depression, and you need to pull them all out and use them now. The vitamins are a good idea. Also get some exercise, even if you don't want to. Make sure you are in contact with people. Go out. Make sure you get sunshine. Listen to music and dance if you can. Anything you can do to begin to string together some moments of relative happiness. And try to get a recommendation for a good doctor. I know it all totally sucks right now. You just have to keep trying your best to help yourself.

Send me an email if you want. Keep posting. Hang in.

Take care,
Maisie

[fresh223]

This is my very first post to this site, I found this site after doing a google search on tramadol and depression after the almost instant and profound affect tramadol had on my fibromyalgia or myalgia (muscle soreness and tightness) as well as depression and anxiety, miraculous to say the least.

I will say in the past I have had tried prozac and zoloft and found these HORRIBLE, with bad side effects including more anxiety, restless legs and massive digestive problems.

To the people who say ohhhhhh you shouldn't take it it will be addictive or this and that I say TOO BAD, would you rather people have no results and kill themselves because of no relief because of a hell of existance, or would you allow them the chance of a respite with this drug, even though some may over do it on this drug.

And SHAME on the medical community for not allowing this drug to be used and investigated for depression more. Investigate the internet of all the horrible side effects of the SSRI's including suicidal urges and increased anxiety etc, why are these freely prescribed like lollies??

And some in here (a minority from the sounds) have had bad experiences, well so what, everyone is different in their body wiring and makeup, thus if it works for us and SSRI's may work for you then both have their place, why the hysteria becaue this happens to be a synthetic 'opiate'. If it works for people and saves lives why is it stopped, issues like addiction can be worked around and monitored. And as previously mentioned SSRI's can give you withdrawl.

If anyone was severely depressed and not had success with other depression treatments all I would say is try 100mg of tramadol (get your doctor to give you a sample) and notice how you feel the next day or after, if like me, its a miracle!

[MaisieC]

I find it extremely disheartening the way people who advocate tramadol use come on this board and use a mocking tone toward those of us who urge caution with this drug. It also wears me out the way people say "WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE ME KILL MYSELF!?!?!?!?!?"

No, of course I don't want you to kill yourself. However, I do want you to understand the risk you're taking with this medication.

Read through the thread below, if you will, and then decide whether you think tramadol addiction is really occasion for dismissive comments like "so what?" and "too bad." You obviously have not the foggiest notion what addiction is.

http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-...wal-37722.html

Still think it's just "hysteria"?

I hope you don't end up learning the hard way, but it sounds as though you're going to do just as you please regardless. However I'm not going to let your promotion of this "miracle drug" pass unanswered. Of course tramadol makes you feel good. I bet you'd feel pretty darn good if you shot up some heroin, too, but that wouldn't make it a good idea.

You do what you want. But don't you DARE tell other people that addiction is nothing to worry about.

[fresh223]

Originally Posted by MaisieC

I find it extremely disheartening the way people who advocate tramadol use come on this board and use a mocking tone toward those of us who urge caution with this drug. It also wears me out the way people say "WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE ME KILL MYSELF!?!?!?!?!?"

No, of course I don't want you to kill yourself. However, I do want you to understand the risk you're taking with this medication.

Read through the thread below, if you will, and then decide whether you think tramadol addiction is really occasion for dismissive comments like "so what?" and "too bad." You obviously have not the foggiest notion what addiction is.

http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-...wal-37722.html

Still think it's just "hysteria"?

I hope you don't end up learning the hard way, but it sounds as though you're going to do just as you please regardless. However I'm not going to let your promotion of this "miracle drug" pass unanswered. Of course tramadol makes you feel good. I bet you'd feel pretty darn good if you shot up some heroin, too, but that wouldn't make it a good idea.

You do what you want. But don't you DARE tell other people that addiction is nothing to worry about.

Please note: Tramadol is "It is a non-narcotic, synthetic agent, and it appears to have actions at the μ-opioid receptor as well as the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems." It also is "quite different from those of opiates. The closest chemical relative of tramadol in clinical use is tapentadol, which is a member of the same chemical class as tramadol and also developed by Grünethal." (Wikipedia).

THUS it is fundamentally different from opiates.

ALSO look up SNRI's on Wikipedia, those drugs that effect the reuptake of seretonin and norepenephrine and Tramadol is listed there along with Effexor, Pristiq, cymbalta etc, all classified as anti depressants, so similar actions yet big differences in classification, funny that.


So some people have addiction problems with it? So people have struggles with all sorts of addictions, food, sex, cigarettes, alcohol, so ban all of those??? You make a very week analogy to injecting heroin for depression (which I have already said above tramadol is chemically very different to opiates), so would you then ban all the codeines in pain tablets, pseudopehedrines in cough medicines that help people get through the day?

As most posts on here have said tramadol used responsibly does NOT give a high but seems to have the action of normalising ones mood (maybe because of its action on norepinephrine and seretonin, if some abuse it then why should others that use it responsibly be restricted.

You obviously have not had the harsh effects of these other poisons they call SSRI's, the increased anxiety, the suicidal thoughts, the weight gain, the toxic effects. As far as im concerned I won't put the poison that is called prozac or zoloft etc near my body again, others can die on it, I won't, period!

[confusedvette]

Originally Posted by fresh223

This is my very first post to this site, I found this site after doing a google search on tramadol and depression after the almost instant and profound affect tramadol had on my fibromyalgia or myalgia (muscle soreness and tightness) as well as depression and anxiety, miraculous to say the least.

I will say in the past I have had tried prozac and zoloft and found these HORRIBLE, with bad side effects including more anxiety, restless legs and massive digestive problems.

To the people who say ohhhhhh you shouldn't take it it will be addictive or this and that I say TOO BAD, would you rather people have no results and kill themselves because of no relief because of a hell of existance, or would you allow them the chance of a respite with this drug, even though some may over do it on this drug.

And SHAME on the medical community for not allowing this drug to be used and investigated for depression more. Investigate the internet of all the horrible side effects of the SSRI's including suicidal urges and increased anxiety etc, why are these freely prescribed like lollies??

And some in here (a minority from the sounds) have had bad experiences, well so what, everyone is different in their body wiring and makeup, thus if it works for us and SSRI's may work for you then both have their place, why the hysteria becaue this happens to be a synthetic 'opiate'. If it works for people and saves lives why is it stopped, issues like addiction can be worked around and monitored. And as previously mentioned SSRI's can give you withdrawl.

If anyone was severely depressed and not had success with other depression treatments all I would say is try 100mg of tramadol (get your doctor to give you a sample) and notice how you feel the next day or after, if like me, its a miracle!

how can you sleep taking Tramadol? When I took it, I was wired like being on Vicodin? I was hyper during the day as well. And that was on 2 50 mg pills a day.

[Heather43]

Originally Posted by confusedvette

how can you sleep taking Tramadol? When I took it, I was wired like being on Vicodin? I was hyper during the day as well. And that was on 2 50 mg pills a day.

First before anything thank you Maise. I did not ditch you..You took time to respond to me during your busy schedule and I did not reply. The last this you asked me on your post was how many Tram do I have left to let you know the number so you could help me ween off. You see I had a brand new shiny bottle on its way so I was not ready. I went through that bottle so fast they would not let me re order so quickly from that one site..Anyway long to short,there I was with ten left and no more on the way...My detox has come as suprise..kindof blindsided me.. I have written before and will say again that going through the withdrawls from Tram is the most horrible helpless torture. With kids around I would always pretend like I had the flu in the past if my pills were a few days short getting to me and the withdrawl started.
Anyway... I have been taking Tramadol for 4 years yes 4.
I was gitty for the first few years about this miricle drug fell into my lap and saved me from depression and suicide. When as I have said before nothing worked. I get it "Fresh"
I understand your defense and your frustration about this miricle you want to shout to the rooftops about.
The problem is that its like a sick joke. One day its just not the same. I once called the Pharmacy being very green to drugs and said to that sales women. "You sent me the wrong stuff! This must be something else" She said No....
"You have built up a tolerance and need to take more.
AHHHH there it is and there it began.
For the past year and half I have been medicating myself with my once wonder drug ONLY out of fear from the detox because you see it no longer made me feel like wonder women, it stopped giving me the get up and go and there I was now taking these pills and sleeeeeeeeeeping way way to much, motivation GONE!!! Back to square one my friend.
So her I am day 6 or 7 I beleive in my detox..Can I please mention that the wondeful person who by chance decided to post "If you have any SSRIs laying around, take them" Because he said it helps with the aweful symptoms...
I could not beleive it... I have a medicine cab FULL of all that ********....so began with Celexa and guess what...The rocking is very minimul ( you know what I mean by rocking rite> The restless leg a slight tingle...the thing I find most odd about detox is why is it so much more aweful at night?
Any hoo.... I'm off the stuff... It did great for a while but then became a crutch and an added expence every month for what? Sleep? Have you guys seen the new commercial for "Pristiq" ant thoughts? I still have a brain prob so of course back on the hunt for something to get my transmitters on tract...
XX

[MaisieC]

Hi Heather,

I am soooooo happy to hear from you! I have been thinking of you and hoping you were doing well. I'm sorry you had to go through all that misery. But I'm glad you're getting through it. That's interesting about the Celexa.

Good question about why the withdrawal symptoms are worse at night. It's really frustrating! Just when you're really tired and want to check out for a while, it won't let you. I took Benadryl for sleep, which did help a lot. Also it gets better over time. That doesn't help you tonight, but the knowledge that it will get better helped me keep going when it was hard.

I wish I had some answers about the depression issue. SSRIs worked for me, so I don't know what to say.

It's great to hear from you! Please hang in there and take care of yourself!

Maisie

[Scott...]

Originally Posted by MaisieC

In the end it was the tramadol that was the last nail in the coffin. I couldn't get to work I was so wiped out. I felt sleepy while I was there. I lost my job. I didn't have the energy to look for another one. My home went into foreclosure. They turned out the lights. Lost my phone service. All the while I'm sleeping away. I abused the other pills for years and never had this lethargy.

Maisie

Thanks Maisie, that struck a nerve (had to laugh a little). While on my first Tramadol voyage I couldn't hold a job so I sold things to pay bills. After I ran out of things to sell the power was turned off, phone was cut off, no more Internet or cable tv. The last thing to go is always the place where we live. Of course I was swallowing little white pills 8 and 16 at a time, so just what exactly was I expecting to happen.

Seems insane now, and it is insanity! I'm not an insane person and I'm glad I see pain pills for what they are. Temporary relief of accute pain, and that's all. Any other use and yer askin' fer trouble.

Scott

[Adrian70]

Originally Posted by Steve53

I am new to this forum posting so hope I am doing ok, pressing the right buttons. Well anyway is there anyone out there who takes Tramadol purely for depression. A pal gave me a strip when I had a bad back and I found they were the best thing since sliced bread. When my back got better I carried on takeing them to treat my depression. I have been on them about a year now. I have taken many anti-depressants over the years but non have worked anywhere near as well as tramadol. They have been life transforming for me. I do treat them with caution and every so often will come off for three or four days when I will suffer mild opiate type withdrawal effects and then go back. I do not need to take more than Two 50mg caps per day and there is no need for me to increase the dose. I have not built up a tolerance to them, which I susspect would have been the case had the opiate effect been responsible for my mood enhancement. I have lots more energy and enthusiasm . I am aware that tramadol is prescribed primarily as a painkiller that acts on the same receptors as opiates but less so, hence the belief it is less addictive than most opiate type drugs, which I do believe. I have taken opiate drugs in the past so I no what an opiate buzz feels like and what I get from Tramadol isn’t that. It did not take me long to work out that something else was going on here, so I looked up tramadol for depression and found that it is indeed recognized as having anti-depressant qualities, not because of the opiate element but for its effect on serotonin, and more importantly its effect on noradrenalin. Tramadol has a weak effect on serotonin uptake but a strong effect on noradrenalin something the SSRIs don’t have. I deduced from this that it might be a noradrenalin deficiency in my case as opposed to serotonin. And a noradrenalin specific medicine might be the answer to my depression. Noradrenalin Reuptake Inhibitors (NNRIs) are apparently under used in the treatment of depression as they are relatively new medicines. Reboxetine (Edronax) being one of them is banned in the USA, but nobody can find out why. However there must be others that do the same job which the US has granted a licence for. Hear in the UK it is allowed and I hope this medicine could replace my Tramadol as I don’t need the pain killing effect tramadol offers. I have spoken to my doctor but here only a psychiatrist can prescribe Reboxetine, so I am waiting to find out if I can get it prescribed. If SSRIs are having little beneficial effects your problem might not be serotonin related at all it could be a Noradrenalin Defisiancy in which case NNRIs and not SSRIs might work best for you, hope you find this of some interest, I am not advocating anybody takes tramadol for depression but it worked for me and I think maybe gave me a pointer towards lack of noradrenalin as my problem. Have to wait and see. best wishes to you all. Steve

i sort of stumbled on tramadol in a similar way and it transformed my life also.i actually like life and im doing well in all areas of life now.enthusiasticaly too. i do come off now and then but i also have not built up much of a tolerance either.and if i feel my doses are creeping up to where im not liking them to go i slow down and i do feel a bit edgy for a few days but then that dissapears and its back to life again as normal.i have no tolerance to the drug and i have been using them for clinical depression for over 4 years now.

[Adrian70]

Originally Posted by mpvt

Using Tramadol for depression is not a good idea. Firstly you grow tolerance to the drug and have to continually raise your dosage. Secondly it's addictive so now you have 2 problems instead of just one.
This is an old debate on whether or not using opiates or opiate like drugs is useful for depression. The outcome is always the same, you can't stabilize on a dose and have to continuously raise your dose and you generally get addicted. So try something else before you have major addiction issues.....Good luck to you......Dave

with due respect, i have heard similar quotes. things are never concrete in this world.the variables are massive in every aspect.you might like to bolster your opinion by saying im the odd one out. ok heres my facts.i have been using tramadol for over 4 years to treat depression where no other drug has worked.my tolerance to tramadol is very minimal,more minimal then effexor, proxac and the list goes on.yes when i taper down i feel edgy.but no different to how i feel coming off traditional depression meds. i have been using tramadol religiously for over 4 years.my base dose is still 100mg. period.

[Adrian70]

Originally Posted by MaisieC

Hi Heather,

I never used Ultram, only tramadol, so I can't say anything about that. What I will say is that I had exactly the same experience as you're describing over the course of my tramadol use. In the beginning it gave me energy and made me feel vibrant. Over time, I got more lethargic. I slept a lot. I actually gained weight because my metabolism slowed down so much. Now sometimes I feel like I'll never feel strong again, I still get so tired. It's going to be a long way back for me.

None of the other opioids I used had this effect. Things like vicodin and percocet kept me awake. In the beginning, tramadol did the same thing. Gradually, though, I began to sleep more and more. I still don't understand why tramadol is different in this regard.

In the end it was the tramadol that was the last nail in the coffin. I couldn't get to work I was so wiped out. I felt sleepy while I was there. I lost my job. I didn't have the energy to look for another one. My home went into foreclosure. They turned out the lights. Lost my phone service. All the while I'm sleeping away. I abused the other pills for years and never had this lethargy.

Maisie

the generic brands are not all the same.they say they are.but they are not.period.one ingredient from another source has a miniscule variation.remember the butterfly effect?

[Adrian70]

If i can help anyone with questions relating to tramadol, particularly tramadol used for mood enhancement/depression. drop me an email. im a very long term user of this medication and i speak candidly and openly.

Cheers.
Adrian.

the_rainy_daze@hotmail.com

[Adrian70]

Originally Posted by MaisieC

Hi Heather,

I never used Ultram, only tramadol, so I can't say anything about that. What I will say is that I had exactly the same experience as you're describing over the course of my tramadol use. In the beginning it gave me energy and made me feel vibrant. Over time, I got more lethargic. I slept a lot. I actually gained weight because my metabolism slowed down so much. Now sometimes I feel like I'll never feel strong again, I still get so tired. It's going to be a long way back for me.

None of the other opioids I used had this effect. Things like vicodin and percocet kept me awake. In the beginning, tramadol did the same thing. Gradually, though, I began to sleep more and more. I still don't understand why tramadol is different in this regard.

In the end it was the tramadol that was the last nail in the coffin. I couldn't get to work I was so wiped out. I felt sleepy while I was there. I lost my job. I didn't have the energy to look for another one. My home went into foreclosure. They turned out the lights. Lost my phone service. All the while I'm sleeping away. I abused the other pills for years and never had this lethargy.

Maisie

my experiences have shown me that tramadol like a lot of other drugs can enhance the status quo. i found that if i take tramadol and dont get active i can slump. but one i get moving even if at first its forced.then they begin to work and the enthusiasm returns. if you lay around they can backfire.

[rhollusstar]

The likely reason tramadol helps some people who have depression is because it stimulates some non-opioid chemicals in the brain as well as some opioid receptors. It stimulates dopamine; plus, some research indicates it stimulates serotonin.

[Stephen1978]

Hi im new here, ive been depressed for years as many of you have, and tried suicide once, but survived that, and im looking to try tramadol, but im unemployed and cant get a doctors appointment, and if i could he probably wouldnt prescribe it to me, hes a very old school doctor. Is there any way to get this drug? Also would there be a natural herb that would mimic tramadol? I need to try something or im not going to make it ....ive tried all the antidepressants on the market for years (when i had health insurance) and none helped at all.
thanks for any input.
Steve

[freedomatlast]

Tramadol is doing wonders for me. For the past year I have been filing and appealing for disability due to severe fibromyalgia and depression. I just starting taking tramadol, and much of my pain and depression is gone. I am now wondering if I should continue appealing for disability as I am beginning to feel a hell of a lot better. In the past I have tried celexa, lexapro, welbutrin, cymbalta, and other antidepressants, and they either never worked or made me feel worse. But not tramadol! Praise God that He finally revealed to me a great miracle if used responsibly and wisely. Just the smallest dose of 50mg a day greatly helps me. I take it about mid day and the effects seem to last for the rest of the day and evening. I skip days as well. I do have a fear of addiction, but I must say, it is a miracle drug for me, so I suppose it could be for others as well if for the right cause with responsibility, of course.