As long as I can remember, I have been bothered by a stuffy nose, which causes difficulty breathing. Because I hate taking medicines, I have mostly just tolerated the symptoms. Now that I take a couple of Tramadol tabs every morning for my back and leg pain, I find that both nostrils are wide open and I can breathe freely all day long. I've experimented with this, too, alternating NOT taking the med and noticing stuffiness, then TAKING the tabs and almost immediately noticing my stuffy nose opening up, so I'm sure this is not just coincidental.
NOW --- has anyone else had such an experience, or am I just as weird as some say I am?
I've heard of hydrocodone clearing up, suppressing coughs, but not so much nasal congestion. And no, you're not as weird as some think you are. :-)
Who knows, there may be some ingredient in the tramadol that has an effect on you this way. Anything's possible, I suppose.
Best wishes, chris
Votes: +2
CA
caringsonbj
14 Feb 2011
it wasn't tramadol but it was another analgesic that I had the same effect with so if people think you are weird then I am right along side of you, but I am not offended by that in the least, its good to have company!! Seriously, I mean that with all sincerity, there is a lot of caring people who are in this group of people who I am honored to be part of
Votes: +4
CH
christineATU
14 Feb 2011
If that's the case, consider me a member of the group! Normal is over rated anyway, lol
DO
docputer
14 Feb 2011
You got that right, Chris. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably be a hippie --- they had a HECK of a lot more fun; and at age 76, even if I'd had all that fun rather than slaving away behind a desk as a teacher for 40+ years, I probably wouldn't be any more unhealthy.
CH
christineATU
14 Feb 2011
Good one! Hubby taught collision repair program in the inner city, Chicago. Teenagers and power tools don't mix! Hubby once instructed a Junior to "wet sand the whole car." Oh he did the whole car alright, even the windows and chrome bumper!! If they aren't instructed, step by step, forget it. They love hearing the whir whir of an impact wrench, go figure...
DO
docputer
14 Feb 2011
Thanks. Actually, I don't mind being thought of as weird, which equates more to "different" than to "strange," anyway, with most people.
By the way, my allergies are really dealing me misery this morning --- sneezing, runny nose, one nostril or the other either completely stopped up or running like a small faucet, eyes and ears itchy, head feels as if stuffed with cotton, etc. So at exactly 11:00 AM CST I took my two 50mg Tramadol tabs. NOW let's see what happens!
CH
christineATU
14 Feb 2011
Let us know what happens. CST here too. I know the miserable feeling of clogged head! One nostril completely stopped up, turn your head on the pillow and that one clears, stopping up the other. Terrible conditions for trying to sleep.
CA
caringsonbj
14 Feb 2011
Christine, I was just being honest I just thought if thats the case that people view use as weird due to the fact that a pain medicine has worked as a decongestant just one thing to add been there done that, then I went on to comment about what a caring group of individuals that composed this group, and that I felt honored to be part o this forum. thats my story and I'm sticking to it!!!
CH
christineATU
14 Feb 2011
Me too my friend. I'm honored to be a part of the group too. And laughter truly CAN help quite a bit. By the way, how are the rib fractures healing? Try not to laugh too much, I know that can hurt ribs. Hope you are healing well and fast!!
CA
caringsonbj
14 Feb 2011
tell you more about it later, got out last Friday after the Ice storm on the (1-31-2011) and caught another fall affecting the frontal left arm and chest area, I think I may own some stock in the Bengay company or whoever puts those patches out. and the smell...
DO
docputer
14 Feb 2011
Okay, I'm back. No, no... hold the applause, please! LOL
Here's the verdict: After about an hour and a half, my nose was wide open and working the way noses are supposed to work --- except there's still a bit of "drip" and sniffling going on. THAT I can handle... it's the "totally plugged" feeling that really makes me miserable. Now I KNOW it's the Tramadol that does the job for me on the stuffiness as WELL as the back/leg pain.
NEXT thing I'm going to do is try to figure out whether --- as I suspect --- Tramado is also helping me to lose weight. Since I started on a diet exactly one week ago and have already shed MORE than 10 pounds, I really think I might be getting some help from Tramadol as WELL as from the Symlin that I have to inject to aid the insulin injections I have to do for my diabetes.
I'm really hoping that losing 100 pounds --- which will put me below 200 for the first time since I left the service fifty years ago --- will get me completely OFF of insulin. Insulin, as you may know, actually causes weight gain, which diabetes worse. NOT a happy sort of situation at all.
Oh, boy... now the drip is about gone. I DO love me some Tramadol!
Later!
CH
christineATU
9 Mar 2011
I guess you just never know, do you? By the way, good luck on continued weight loss, you're off to a great start! When you said "service" I assume you meant the military? If so, thank you. Keep us posted on your nasal progress lol.
I have allergies, & when I've been on pain type of medicines, they did the same thing to me. My doctor told me that they actually dehydrate you, so be sure to drink lots of water! Take care.
Votes: +2
JO
jordinsmom
10 Mar 2014
I realize it has been a few years since you posted this question but I just found it. And Yes, I have found that it does relieve my nasal stuffiness! I wish I knew what was causing the stuffiness and why Tramadol works. Just wanted you to know you are not alone.
Votes: +1
RS
rslinford
30 Mar 2017
+1
Old thread. But just had to add my 2 cents.
Tramadol shuts off the mucus. At least for this weirdo :-) Works better than any decongestant or expectorant. Which is why I'm here. Had to check if I was the only one. The effect is immediate and dramatic. I'm suffering from a terrible head cold and took a couple of Tramadols for the aches and pains. And, surprise, I got this much welcomed side effect. For several hours I don't sound sick. Otherwise I'm drowning, going through boxes of tissues.
Votes: +1
RD
rdeburger
18 Apr 2017
2 birds with one stone , Tramadol releaves my backpain and clears my sinuses
Votes: +1
DR
Dr-Mom
28 Dec 2017
I took some Tramadol in the wee hours of the morning for a raging headache, and it didn't do so much for the headache, but my sinuses cleared up for the first time in days. It wasn't your imagination.
Votes: +1
CH
chopinryu
13 Feb 2018
The reason it works is because Tramadol also acts as an SNRI. The increased action of norepinephrine likely produces the vasoconstriction in the nasal and sinus passages similar to that of pseudoephedrine.
Votes: +4
FA
fay1965
11 Mar 2018
hello, yup me too so i guess we're all weirdo's lol i am amazed at how quickly it relieved my sinus after taking for rheumatoid pain...
Votes: +1
RI
Richard Sande
18 Jun 2018
Yes it works for me 50mg a day and my head is clear and cough is gone,but I have a hard time finding a doc to give prescribed it. Richard
Votes: +0
VH
Vhood112
12 Dec 2018
Yes... I’m on Tramadol for back pain but I’m having problems with my sinuses/cold... decided to take half of a Tramadol and now I can breathe... my symptoms are gone, but it has made me dehydrated a little...
Votes: +1
CH
CheriRN13
28 Apr 2020
I have chronic sinus infections with chronic nasal congestion. I take tramadol for back pain. I also noticed after taking Tramadol I can actually breath. It works better than anything else I have tried. I just happened to google this cuz I never heard of that, and saw your thread.
Votes: +1
DO
donnalisa777
17 May 2020
Yes! Absolutely... It works better than Mucinex or Sudafed!!! ... if I take a Tramadol for pain, my sinuses clear up within an hour!!! It is Amazing!!! ... and it doesn’t dry you out like sinus meds.
Votes: +0
AN
Andreas Cariolou
30 May 2020
It does that for me too!
Votes: +1
CJ
CJN
22 Mar 2021
After suffering with nasal drainage and coughing every night, I would never get a good night's sleep. Would end up sitting up in a recliner using too much cough syrup in desperation. Visited several specialist doctors, but all the meds, whether liquid or inhaler, only lasted 4-5 hours before waking back up choking and coughing (was not sleep apnea) and back to the recliner. It wrecks your schedule and you're dragged out. Accidentally, discovered taking tramadol for my migraine while having a cold miraculously cleared up my sinuses and slept like a baby for the first time in years ALL NIGHT and did not feel "hung over" the next morning as with the other meds prescribed. Now the question remains, "How long before this positive effect is recognized and used as such by the medical community?"
