Tramadol for Back Pain User Reviews (Page 4)

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2019

"I have an ovarian cyst that is compressing my sciatic nerve and causing severe, constant back, hip, knee pain. Doctors keep prescribing me tramadol even though it doesn't work. I hate the new push for this medication because it doesn't work well, but doctors are using it as an alternative to the opioid epidemic. At least Percocet helped. Tramadol is addictive and doesn't do anything. Thanks, doctors..."

• MDM...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 12, 2018

"Was given this pain killer by my doctor due to a back injury. The doctor didn't really tell me much, just said it was a good pain reliever. Taking 8x50mg daily, the pain reduced, but felt that I was becoming dependent. If I missed a dose or was running late, I would start to feel sick. After 6 months, I have now started to reduce tramadol. PLEASE - If you can find another pain killer able to manage your symptoms, use it. Tramadol is difficult to stop. The withdrawal coming off tramadol is terrible. No sleep, diarrhea, dizziness, restless legs, cramps, sweats, unable to function, headaches. Tramadol is really not worth taking when you weigh up the pain relief and the withdrawal. AWFUL. PLEASE SPEAK TO YOUR DR OR PHARMACIST ABOUT THIS DRUG BEFORE STARTING. EVEN IF THEY SUGGEST IT, GET ANOTHER OPINION. I feel like an illegal drug addict trying to stop this."

• Lon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 1, 2016

"I have been taking tramadol for over 10 years now. I take 2 50 mg pills 3x a day. I have found a huge difference in the generics. I thought Mylan was the best, but the last few months something has changed. It's almost like the Mylan pills are fake. They don't work at all. They only give me a headache. I used to take Amneal until those stopped working. So this month I went to a different pharmacy and got the Zydus brand even though I have read bad reviews of Zydus brand tramadol. After 1 hour of taking my first dose, it was like night and day. These work great. It was almost like the first time I took hydrocodone. I had little pain, my pain went from an 8 to a 2. I don't take these to get high, but I had a warm fuzzy itch all over my body."

• pro...
• February 3, 2012

"Tramadol has been little short of a miracle for me. Was first prescribed in the mid-90s for a painful back injury. Used it off and on since then when pain flared up. For about the last 4 years, I have been taking Tramadol daily, either 50 or 100 mg. Have never had the need, urge, or whatever to increase dosage."

• Gle...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 27, 2019

"My doctor prescribed Tramadol as a last resort for my lower back pain that had become unbearable while sleeping, and it worked like a charm. Then, my doctor wanted me to try Cymbalta. That worked even better, as it essentially eliminated my pain 24/7. Coming off Tramadol has been a different story. Many sleepless nights and restless leg syndrome for about a week."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2025

Tramadol "I was prescribed Tramadol 100 mg ER for osteoarthritis of the spine, after 3 rear-end collisions and being kicked in the gut by a PT with combat boots. It did take the pain away for me, and I do believe now that it changes your mood for the better! I was taken off of it because I was to have surgery per pain management. I had a second opinion for back surgery to make sure I was doing the right thing. Back pain definitely became unbearable without Tramadol! The pain doctor allowed me to have some, then for 2 months, I didn't get medication! The second doctor opinion said I had 'soft bones' and to have my doctor put me back on Tramadol because the surgery wouldn't take! I canceled my surgery and told my pain doctor that I was told to go back on them because I can't have surgery! After restarting Tramadol, they weren't working for my pain. The pain doctor was decreasing the percentage of Tramadol, I believe because I was getting itchy skin and had this before due to fillers in drugs! So, I still want to get surgery but need pain relief until then!"

• no ...
• September 30, 2011

"I have been on Ultram for over 15 years. Doctor took me off Darvocet. I take 2 x 50 mg pills in the morning and 2 at night. Without this, I could not function at all. I hope they never stop making this medicine."

• Suz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 9, 2020

Tramadol "Just got my refill, and these are different pills than I usually take, which are white oval TV 58 tablets. This new refill is of white round AN 627 tablets. I normally have adequate coverage of my chronic back, sciatic, and arthritic joint pain, but this refill has been completely ineffective. Except for lack of withdrawal symptoms, it is as if I am taking no pain medication at all."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2019

"I was prescribed a course of Tramadol 50 mg for severe back pain and became violently ill. I had been prescribed Tramadol once before and had no problems, but this time after taking just two tablets 4 hrs. apart, I experienced extreme vomiting and diarrhea with profuse sweating. It took me a week to get over it. I thought perhaps I had the flu and tried taking the Tramadol again, once I was better, but became ill once again. The vomiting and diarrhea stopped after the first day, but the nausea and profuse sweating continued for another 5 days. It was TEVA brand."

• bet...
• January 30, 2012

"Started taking tramadol (50 mg) for a bulging disc that was discovered after an X-ray and MRI in 2011. I didn't take 50 mg/day consistently until November. Tramadol worked extremely well for my back pain and elevated my mood quite a bit. (Always a great thing for the husband and kids.) I stopped taking it altogether 3 days ago because I'm convinced it lowered my libido, and it was making me gain a few pounds. I'm not a big person at 5'2" and 112 lbs. Someone had told me that it does aid in weight gain. The side effects of withdrawal are true and include (for me anyway): body aches, irritability, mood swings, sweating, and dizziness. Unfortunately, my back pain has returned."

• vl0...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 22, 2016

"I have been taking tramadol for 20 years, 4 mg pills a day. Recently, I have been trying to take myself off of this drug. I'm experiencing cold-like symptoms, sweating, can't sleep at night, restless leg. My attitude is in the dump. This is only my 3rd day. I'm trying to take one pill a day, and that is at night because I cannot deal with laying in bed not sleeping and the restless leg pain. I'm hoping and praying that God will give me the strength to get through this bad experience."

• Loc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2016

"Pain is dulled within the first 15-20 minutes. A substantial amount of relaxation for several hours. Helped much more than OTC chemicals. I obtained sample packets from the doctor. I'm very active and physical for 55 years young and used tramadol for 4 days."

• TRa...
• April 24, 2012

"I started taking tramadol 3 weeks after my spinal fusion. During the three weeks prior to starting tramadol, I was taking narcotics around the clock. Withdrawal from the narcotics was severe and a difficult process for me. Once I was finished with that process, I started taking tramadol 50-100 mg every 4-6 hours for back pain. With tramadol, I am able to stay awake during the day and manage my pain. These two factors allow me to work on my muscle strength and stamina. I am now 5 weeks post-op and do not require around-the-clock doses of tramadol. I am not experiencing any withdrawal symptoms."

• Nat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 20, 2014

"I have fibromyalgia and severe arthritis in my back. Woke up in so much pain today, and I don't have time for that because I have to attend a Christmas party. I took 600 mg of Motrin and an Ultram. Had no idea Ultram could help with back! I had a 12 on a scale of 1-10 for pain. Thank you, makers of Ultram - I can go to my husband's Christmas party now!"

• Sco...
• April 1, 2011

Tramadol "I had scoliosis surgery about 30 years ago. Was in an auto accident, herniated cervical and lumbar discs. Now fused T1-S1. Lumbar fusion resulted in nerve damage with pain radiating through my right leg to my toes. Lyrica and Neurontin didn't help. Tramadol worked wonders. I take 2-50 mg tabs, and they get me moving. But they keep me up at night, the pain keeps me up all night too, so I take temazepam for sleep. Now I'm trying the extended-release version at night, hoping the lag time until they start working will allow me some sleep, and I'll feel better when I wake up."

• XSJ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2018

"I have now been on tramadol for 4 years at between 300-400 mg a day, 3 x 300 mg gabapentin, 4 x naproxen 250 mg, 8 x paracetamol 500 mg, 2 x nortriptyline 10 mg, 2 x lansoprazole 15 mg. All this, and I am still in major back pain! I saw a neurosurgeon who, after spending less than 2 minutes looking at my MRI scan, saw that the vertebrae associated with the torn thecal sac was at that particular time not touching my spine. I'd already explained to him it slips, and I get a massive shooting pain the length of my body, and I hit the floor! He said I do have a genetically small spinal canal and obvious canal stenosis. But he had no target to operate on and completely overruled my previous diagnosis and said, in his view, I had no spinal impingement and a minor back condition! Upon getting home, I tried to commit suicide, and if it wasn't for the quick reactions of my fiancée, she and our son would be without me right now. I now have a second referral to a different neurosurgeon in London."

• JPW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2017

"After Meloxicam stopped being effective for my DDD back pain, my doctor prescribed tramadol. I did feel a little nauseous after taking the first 50 mg tablet, but the quick pain relief and reduction in muscle tension was dramatic. The next day, I noticed my thoracic back was flexing as I bent over in the shower, the first time in years. It seems to have broken the vicious cycle of pain causing muscle tension and muscle tension causing pain. My mental state has improved as well, due to being out of pain, no doubt. My sleep is much improved. I have not experienced nausea taking tramadol again. I read here about dependence and withdrawal, so I will reduce my dosage to one 50 mg tablet every other day and stop prior to being on it for a week."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2015

"I've been on this for one week and only taking as needed because after 4 hours or so I'm in a coma! And I have to take halves or I feel high for close to 12 hours. I'm very sensitive to medication, so my experience may not be typical, but overall, I'd say it helps me function. I have 3 slipped discs from a wreck 3 years ago, and I do hair for a living. I need to be able to move all day. Good medicine, I just wish it didn't make me so tired."

• Tom...
• April 27, 2011

"Worked construction for many years, and without tramadol, I would probably not be able to work. I have missed dosages and not experienced any withdrawal problems. This is a good solution for a problem back without any side effects."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2017

"I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis after many years of untreated back pain (the pain would come and go over the last 30 years). I was afraid to take tramadol 50 mg when I read all the reviews and side effects. One thing I made myself understand is that everybody is different. After taking Tylenol for arthritis, 650 mg, regular Tylenol 100 mg, to no avail. I opted for the tramadol and the pain was reduced (not eliminated) good enough for me to do normal functions. I have not tried walking long distances or standing for a long time yet. My neuro doctor prescribed physical therapy and gabapentin (I am really afraid of gabapentin's side effects), so I will stay with tramadol and physical therapy for now."

• EAH...
• October 15, 2016

"I was prescribed this medication while I was stationed in Korea. Halloween 2015, I was going on a 3-hour bus ride to a party on a boat. I didn't think about the fact that I'd be drinking in 4 hours, and I just thought, 'Oh, I'm going on a bus, I better take my pain meds because my back always hurts on buses.' Needless to say, I remember getting on the boat, and the next thing I know, I'm waking up in a hotel room the next morning. It was my first and last blackout I've ever experienced. I don't know how much I had to drink, but my friends said I was really out of it throughout the night and got a bit crazy. Definitely do not mix this drug with alcohol because I was lucky and only blacked out, it totally could have killed me."

• Bil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2016

"I have multiple herniated discs from L3 to S1 and was given this for pain. It didn't help at all with the pain and actually made me feel worse. It made me tremble and sweat terribly; this medication did nothing for my pain."

• Ate...
• June 18, 2015

"I have lower back pain due to spondylolisthesis. (Disk between L4 and L5 moving forward and putting pressure on nerves in the spinal column) Tramadol works like a narcotic; it can cause extreme nausea if never used before. Unfortunately, a tolerance develops very fast; at first, 100 mg would kill my back pain completely. But over two years' time, I need about 300 to 400 mg twice a day, with an NSAID booster. The injections my doctor gives me in my knees and spine are very effective in restoring lost flexibility, but still, Tramadol cocktail for pain. I'm 66 years old and also have tendonitis in my knees and SI syndrome. Pregabalin is great with tramadol."

• Ste...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 22, 2024

"I’ve had three back operations, and I’m still in pain. Tramadol is the best medication I’m on out of everything: 8 50mg pills per day. It takes the edge off my pain, and I know when I need more. I’ve tried so many other meds that don’t work, or I can’t function on or hold a conversation. Tramadol helps with my pain, and I can function with it and with other meds as a mix. I do get slightly constipated with it. That’s the only downside. Other meds help me with that. I’ve now been on this for over 10 years. It’s the best for me. It’s very easy to take with a glass of water."

• Iri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 10, 2016

"My personal experience: it helps my back pain for a couple of hours, but I just have to keep downing 100 mg every 2 hours, and I'm not doing that. You get high off of it with little pain relief. My side effects: severe headaches, nausea, dizziness. **If you are taking antidepressants, research serotonin syndrome.** Can also increase depression. Stay safe and check this site for drug interactions. Doctors prescribe tramadol for pain they don't consider severe enough for, say, Percocet or Vicodin, but severe enough that it still needs an opiate to manage the pain. Tramadol is the little brother of the opiate/opioid family. People don't talk about 'tramadol abuse,' but it is very addictive, and for tons of people, it simply does not cut it for chronic pain."