Tramadol and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Tim...
• August 25, 2015

For Pain "I've been taking tramadol for a few months because of pain in my thumb joints. The recommended dose (50 mg 3x per day) was too much for me, resulting in headaches and nausea and (if taken just before bed) sleeplessness. But I reduced the dose to just 1/2 of a 50 mg pill taken at 10 a.m. and the other half at 4 p.m., and that seems to be working fine. Pain gone and a major boost in my mood. Also, I had to reduce the dose gradually over the course of a couple of weeks as I felt a little anxious when I cut the 3x 50 mg per day down to just 1/3 of that dosage. I feel much better but am careful not to take too much."

• Ski...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2021

For Anxiety "Got given tramadol for gallbladder pain I was having. I've suffered with anxiety/depression most of my life and been on all sorts of medications. I didn't feel any benefit from any of them but didn't want to just stop them. The tramadol, I found, wasn't great for pain, but I started to realize that when I did take it, my anxiety was a lot less. I take 50 mg in the morning and another in the evening. This medicine has turned me from being an absolute emotional wreck who was constantly having thoughts of impending doom and struggling to leave the house into a person who now feels alive again. I've stopped all other antidepressants. Hopefully, my GP will continue to prescribe it to me."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2022

For Depression "I was prescribed Tramadol for pain after a hysterectomy. I took it twice a day for 8 weeks. After 1 week, I noticed my mood was consistent contentment. Not elevated or elated, but a complete sense of well-being. I did research on the medication and realized it was the Tramadol. I have experienced depression and anxiety my entire life. I was blown away. No weird side effects either. I can't remember the dosage, I think they were 50 mg."

• Zan...
• December 13, 2019

For Chronic Pain "The doc said this was not addictive and that I could take up to 6 pills a day. I built up a tolerance and always ran out early. I also found out that I may have anxiety and depression because I felt like I was on cloud 9 on this stuff. But running out... running out is like plunging from heaven and falling to the depths of the ocean. Even reducing my dosage or waiting 2 hours from my regular schedule, I would start feeling the withdrawals... sweating, terrible diarrhea, body zaps, and restless legs. Constant wishing that I had just one more pill... sleepy during the day and cannot sleep at night. Feeling like I would do anything to relieve the pain. This stuff is more addictive than hydrocodone, but it is also an SNRI, so the taper has to be no more than 10% each week. Now I am currently taking hydrocodone again as well as Cymbalta... I wish I had never heard of tramadol... if you have an addictive personality and run out of your meds early, DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG."

• MsG...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 3, 2016

For Pain "I've been on tramadol 50 mg 3x a day for 7 years now for arthritis. It's a very good pain relief, it also helps sleep well and helps with my anxiety issues. But my tolerance level started to get high after a year of taking it. It stopped working well, so I had to start taking four a day, then ended up finding out I'm having withdrawal symptoms, which is a VERY TERRIBLE thing to go through. I suggest if anyone is taking this... *WARNING* if you feel like it's not working anymore and you've been taking it for a long period of time, stop taking it, that means you're getting addicted. Or just take a break from taking it for a bit. I went through hell with the withdrawal from those."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2018

For Back Pain "I was given Tramadol for back pain. I was very adamant in making sure my doctor knew that I am bipolar, as my last doctor kept trying to prescribe me steroids, which can induce hypomania/mania in bipolar people. Apparently, my doctor did NOT know that Tramadol is a partial antidepressant, and he prescribed me this medication for a herniated disc in my back. For one, this medicine is useless as a painkiller for me. It doesn't even touch the pain. And then on top of it, Tramadol induced the worst manic episode of my life, leaving me severely anxious, wound up, restless, unable to sleep, and in a dark place. I've almost gone to the emergency room about five times because of my thoughts. I finally googled tramadol and bipolar disorder and realized that I should never have been prescribed this medication. I failed to read the paperwork the pharmacy gave me because I had taken this medication in the past, before being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and had no adverse reactions."

• Ccc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2021

For Anxiety "I didn’t realize how bad my anxiety was until I took this drug. I used to use kratom, but it started making me feel badly, I think because of its stimulating nature. Luckily, in the country I am living in now, I can purchase tramadol over the counter for very cheap. I have only been taking 25mg every other day, as I do not want to become dependent on it. 25mg (half a capsule) makes me feel calm, fearless, and peaceful. I rate it a 9 because I am unsure of long-term effects, and generally, I do not trust pharmaceuticals. But overall, it is working great so far."

• Ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2019

For Back Pain "I tried Tramadol a few times to quell the pain in my lower back. It did help my back just a little but still had the pain. Every time, even after the first dose, I felt very nervous and dizzy and felt as though I was going to pass out. I found that some neurologists will not give it to patients. I now take Hydrocodone 5 mg a day, and it completely eliminates the pain. My doctor says this med has no side effects like Tramadol."

• SCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2019

For Back Pain "This medication is awful. I have severe back pain and leg pain that, when it gets at its worst, I can’t do anything without screaming and crying. I can’t even stand, sit, or lie down. Due to the opioid crisis, I was prescribed tramadol, and it did absolutely nothing. I kept taking it because I was desperate for anything to help. The only thing I got from it was awful withdrawals from when I finally stopped taking it after a couple of weeks. I didn’t sleep but 2 hours a night for months, I had awful anxiety and depression and was severely agitated all the time for no reason. I would never recommend taking this to anybody."

• Ski...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2020

For Anxiety "I've been taking a low dose of tramadol for a long time for pain and Klonopin for anxiety. I can wake up with anxiety so bad I can't talk, so now I asked my doc to up it. He said, and I googled it, to take tramadol with 2 Tylenol, it ups it. I don't know, but it sure helps anxiety. I hardly take it now. I had to google to see that it does help people. I'm not stopping!"

• Mar...
• August 7, 2009

For Pain "I take 1 to 2, 50 mg tablets of tramadol a day (a very small dose) for a pulled nerve in my brachial plexus. I have been on it nearly a year. My prescription calls for me to take 1 to 2 tablets every 4 hours or as needed. I am able to get by on just 1 or 2 a day. I find tramadol not only relieves the dull pain in my neck and the other short-circuit issues one faces with a pulled nerve, but it also lightens my load, so to speak. In other words, I feel less anxious and overwhelmed when I'm on it, but it's all very subtle. I don't feel like I'm drugged out. I take a VERY small dose each day."

• Taz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 7, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I’ve taken narcotics for fifteen years until I decided on a change because it affected my mood and long-term memory. Tramadol has allowed me to be free from the harsher pain pills, but it does not resolve my pain. It does help in other ways as well. I’ve never abused my prescriptions and take only what’s prescribed. The only side effects are sometimes I feel more anxious at times, but it goes away. I’m very happy with this medication, it works for what I wanted it to work for in alleviating some pain and allows me to be a little more mobile, and it got me free from the stronger narcotic prescriptions."

• Anonymous
• November 20, 2011

Tramadol for Pain "Please be very aware of the side effects. I was taking this with no problem for about 6 months, then started having mini blackouts (10-20 secs). Blacked out at the wheel and at work. Apparently, this is called microsleeps and is a possible side effect (under somnolence). I also experience the CNS stimulation side effects-mostly anxiety and euphoria. I have been off it for 6 months and have no issues, but my doctors had no clue it was the medication until I stopped taking it and the problems went away."

• moo...
• January 18, 2017

For Back Pain "I don't understand how all the comments I've read on here about tramadol being great for anxiety and depression because when I took tramadol for back pain, it made me feel all anxious, shaky, and caused insomnia. I had to stop after 2 days of taking it, plus it made me itch all over, I felt awful on it. I've had bouts of anxiety and depression all my life, and I'm sure it was the tramadol I took 5 and a half years ago that started my anxiety off again. Once it started, it kind of went into a vicious circle of having panic attacks, then fearing the next panic attack, which then would start another panic attack, and so it went on for months, me ending up in the hospital, so I'd never take tramadol again no matter how much pain I'm in."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2009

For Pain "I have severe leg pain caused by renal failure, and I have arthritic knee joints. I was taking Solpadol effervescent for 3 years, but the sodium caused high blood pressure (be warned). I went on to Tramadol 50 mg, but after 3 months of use, I was feeling unwell on waking from a night's sleep, so I stopped use and suffered terribly with withdrawal symptoms: nervousness, unable to sleep, anxiety, and pain. I was prescribed Tramadol slow release (SR) capsules 100 mg, and they have been brilliant for pain, no problems for at least 5 years. Recommended."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2009

For Pain "I have severe leg pain caused by renal failure, and I have arthritic knee joints. I was taking Solpadol effervescent for 3 years, but the sodium caused high blood pressure (be warned). I went on to Tramadol 50 mg, but after 3 months of use, I was feeling unwell on waking from a night's sleep, so I stopped use and suffered terribly with withdrawal symptoms: nervousness, unable to sleep, anxiety, and pain. I was prescribed Tramadol slow release (SR) capsules 100 mg, and they have been brilliant for pain, no problems for at least 5 years. Recommended."

• EMT...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 1, 2017

Tramadol for Chronic Pain "I have been on this medication for about 4 years due to ankylosing spondylitis, and I find it pretty effective. However, I have found that this medication caused unexpected side effects. It was pointed out to me that shortly after taking a dose, I undertake massive projects that I normally wouldn't, become extremely talkative, have insomnia, and have motivation that wasn't there originally. I was diagnosed as being bipolar a year ago, and these are all symptoms of the 'hypermania' aspect of bipolar disorder. My doctor has found that Ultram put me in a 'manic state,' and when the medication begins to wear off, I tend to become anxious and agitated. There are studies reflecting this online. I would not recommend this medication if you are bipolar."

• Ran...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 19, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 10 years ago and have been on many different Rx regimes, including Tylenol 3 and 4, Cymbalta, Lyrica, and tramadol, with tramadol being the most effective. At my highest point, I was up to 400 mg per day, and that just made my entire personality change for the worse, so I backed off to 50 mg 4 times a day. Recently, I have experienced severe gastrointestinal issues, all pointing towards the tramadol usage, so I decided to wean myself off it. After 2 days at 100 mg a day, big trouble, now I have insomnia, anxiety, foot cramps, sweats, agitation, and overall pain."

• Csy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2017

Tramadol for Pain "Does not work, only made me anxious and angry. I wasted my money and my chance to not be in pain after surgery. Stop peddling this rubbish. All the doctors round here are prescribing it thanks to some pharmaceutical rep, but you're ruining people's rights to quality of life. You know it does not work."

• tai...
• June 10, 2011

For Back Pain "I was in a car accident a few weeks ago, and it turns out I have a fractured tailbone. My Dr. prescribed Tramadol so that I could get pain relief during the day, as I need a clear head in order to do my job (I am guessing almost everyone does). So far, I am noticing slight constipation and a little anxiety. I feel like it does help with the pain a little, but I find myself ready to take a second pill as soon as 4 hours have passed, and I do think that it helps if you take it before you feel the pain, like another reviewer said. I guess I feel like it is a good alternative to something stronger, but I am always ready to take my Flexeril at bedtime. I feel like it helps more, but I can't take it during the day."

• san...
• February 20, 2018

For Back Pain "In the meantime, while waiting for an MRI, Dr. prescribed the Tramadol 200 mg extended-release tablets. Seemed to help with pain relief the first night, but I only got 4 hours of sleep. (This was Friday going into Saturday.) Saturday night going into Sunday, I had BAD reactions. (Like the possessed or poltergeist movies) LOL. Anxiety, insomnia, tingly legs and feet that didn't want to touch my sheets in bed even. I began crying and asking myself questions and praying to please let me sleep as I was exhausted. I thought I either had a mental breakdown or anxiety/panic attack. Apparently, these were common side effects. I specifically told my Dr. I couldn't sleep at night, the pain was so bad, yet this drug causes insomnia. What? Seriously?? Still shaking my head as to why he prescribed this. It's now day 4 of the prescription, and I have called requesting something else, as this is not allowing me to sleep, and I feel like I'm losing my mind."

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2009

Tramadol for Pain "I have been using it for 3 months now. I skip using it for days at a time, but then the pain comes back. I use it mainly as an inflammatory and mild pain removal from a back surgery I had in 1997. It does make me jumpy, but when I combine it with Xanax, it evens me out, and I feel I can do anything. I am also taking Percocet for times it does not take the pain away completely. Now, I am starting to feel normal and evened out mentally."

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2020

For Anxiety "Dreadful stuff! I took this for 4-5 days for severe back pain. It didn't touch the pain, made me very drowsy, and worst of all, GAVE me anxiety. I have just stopped taking them, but the anxiety and drowsiness still remain 3 days later."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2018

For Chronic Pain "This medicine made me feel absolutely terrible. I was prescribed this to take for migraines, and after dealing with the side effects/withdrawal symptoms... I think I’d rather just deal with my migraine. Nausea, vomiting, itching, heart palpitations, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, etc. You name it, I was experiencing it. And have been for 3 days. Take at your own risk."

• mon...
• November 19, 2011

Tramadol for Back Pain "2005 started taking tramadol 50 mg, and within a few months started on 100 mg time release. These past few months I feel the medication hasn't helped like in the beginning. Sciatica pain 24/7, Thursday had another round of epidural, and the doctor wants me off tramadol. Well, tonight I've had such bad anxiety I can't sleep. I thought he would wean me off this medicine, like all other medicine in this category! Will call the doctor's office Monday, this is ridiculous to be miserable at night due to the doctor's advice. I'm tempted to just take a pill just to get some sleep, I have a little tingly on the right leg, but not in any pain. Hope this epidural works this time. Back in 2006, it did not help."