Tramadol and Constipation: What Users Say

• Alo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 27, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I'm an athlete who has several injuries as well as degenerative changes. I've been on Tramadol 50mg, 4x a day for several years. It works really well for me. Side effects are minimal, or at least I don't notice them. Hydrocodone constipated me terribly, but Tramadol doesn't at all. Lately, I am troubled immensely by hip pain and Tramadol isn't as effective for this. I've been complementing it with Ibuprofen (six 250mg tablets per day) and that combination works really well. Like many on this site, I'm frustrated with the new laws surrounding opiates for those of us who are responsible and take only the recommended doses, and have been for many years. It's really a challenge to get prescriptions filled, to travel state to state without first making sure I get my prescription filled so I won't run out while away. Stressful! Don't know what the answer is, but the government needs to get out of the middle of the patient/doctor relationship!!"

• gin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 10, 2014

For Fibromyalgia "I've got fibromyalgia, as well as osteoarthritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome-C, anxiety/depression, and ulcers. I've tried EVERYTHING, but because my tummy is so sensitive, most medicines make my constipation problem worse, or upset my stomach. Plus, the 'usual' side effects of many medicines (feeling hungover, bloating, weight gain, etc.) can be just as debilitating as the condition itself. Tramadol helps with ALL of my problems without unbearable side effects! My doctor wanted me to wean off of it, so I tried other medicines again (gabapentin, Cymbalta) but my body just does not like any of them. I am quite thin, and only take 25-50 mg a day (I cut the pills in half!) and this works for me. I have not had to increase this dosage and it's been about a year."

• Ely...
• April 28, 2015

For Depression "I have been on just about every antidepressant you can name. They started giving me bad side effects like constipation, so I had to stop taking them. For about two years, I could hardly get out of bed in the morning. I was suffering from severe depression and had absolutely no motivation to do anything. I had gotten tennis elbow, and the doc put me on tramadol. Within a couple of days, not only did it help with the pain, but I started feeling my depression lifting as well as my motivation. I told the doctor it was working great for my depression, so he kept me on it. I take 150 mg a day. I no longer sleep all day and have even decided to go back to school. It helps with not only my motivation and depression, it helps me concentrate. I love it!"

• El ...
• September 6, 2014

For Pain "I have been taking tramadol for four years. It works for me! Sometimes I want to get off tramadol, not because it doesn't work, but because I don't want to have a medicine at all. On the other hand, I came to the conclusion I need to support my family and tramadol does not upset my stomach. I was diagnosed with sciatica, a tear, and tendonitis which are very painful. Tramadol doesn't completely take away my pain, but I can work without side effects. I was on Mobic, it is good, but unfortunately it affects my stomach and makes me constipated. So, I am going to stay with one medication until there is a better one. So far, tramadol is the winner for me!"

• apr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2019

For Depression "I have always suffered from depression and was using antidepressants, which helped somewhat. Then I ended up with back pain and was prescribed tramadol, which has helped me a lot. I lost my husband last year, and at times I just cannot be bothered with life, but if I take tramadol, it improves my mood and I get on with my life. It has made a big difference. I want to give it up because I get constipated, which I think is a side effect, but there are things I can take, like fruit and high fiber, to get rid of that problem. Every time I try to give it up, I get so down that I have decided, at the age of 72, why not continue taking it and enjoy life the best I can. I take 50mg in the morning and evening and half at lunchtime every day. I still take an antidepressant with it. My doctor told me if the pills work, that's what it is all about: feeling better."

• Mis...
• November 9, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "Before taking Tramadol I was living off of ridiculous amounts of Vicodin and Aleve. I was still in considerable pain and I knew I was becoming addicted to the hydrocodone. I took Tramadol not expecting anything, and I was blown away. I can do my job again (waiting tables) without needing to collapse in pain by the end of the day, and my boyfriend no longer has to sleep on the couch because it hurts my back to be in the same bed! It does cause me some nausea, but that has gotten better as I take it regularly. The pain does come back if I miss a dose, but I now only need 1-2 pills to live a normal life, not 10 or more a day. The only downside to this medicine is it causes me awful constipation."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 19, 2019

Tramadol for Chronic Pain "I have CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) in my hands, with the myelin sheath around the nerves in my fingertips destroyed (nerves are exposed). I also have sensory neuronopathy with chronic pain in the front of my thighs and lower legs. So yes, I'm in a lot of pain. I take Tramadol ER 200 mg in the morning and Tramadol 50 mg approximately 8 hours later, depending on how much I use my hands and fingers the first 8 hours of my waking hours. Tramadol in both doses works to allow me to do much more with my hands and fingers while clearly improving my way of life. Neither dose takes the pain away completely, but it certainly helps make life bearable. The only side effect I have is constipation, which I resolve with a stool softener."

• Cat...
• September 20, 2019

For Anxiety "I’ve been taking many prescriptions because I have been through many traumatic experiences. I was given tramadol for low back disc herniations. Wow! It helps with my pain, depression, anxiety as well. I’m allowed to take 100 mg 3 times a day. I don’t notice the improvement until the second dose, and it’s something I would have to have every day. Drawbacks for me are constipation and insomnia."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2017

For Anxiety "Began taking after a minor operation to deal with pain. I told my doctor that it had a calming effect and asked if it was safe to take to deal with anxiety. Been taking it for about a year. Two to four 50 mg pills per day. Some days I take none. No constipation, no insomnia."

• Ben...
• January 24, 2019

Tramadol for Back Pain "I’m a college student. I have severe scoliosis in my back and need surgery kind of soon :( My doctor prescribed me Tramadol recently due to chronic back pain. I currently take 50 mg three times a day for moderate pain. Sometimes more. My pain still exists slightly, but my depression is killed by the Tramadol :) I feel energetic and motivated compared to before. I don’t seem to mind the back pain even though it’s still noticeable. Tramadol is the ultimate pain relief combo for me. However, I experienced withdrawal symptoms, which included vomiting, restless leg syndrome, tiredness, chills, and profuse sweating. Felt like a fever! Tramadol is great when you’re on it, but really hard when you stop. The only other side effect I hated was severe constipation. No joke, worst of my life. In conclusion, Tramadol helped me a lot for my chronic pain, but surprisingly useful for elevating my mood. I would have highly recommended Tramadol if getting off this drug was easier!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 1, 2019

For Pain "I take one every night for shoulder pain. I tore both the left and right rotator cuffs and had a replacement on the left, which no longer hurts. The right shoulder still hurts, mostly at night for some reason. It is something to do with the position, but even doctors are not sure why. Tramadol relieves my pain but has none of the nasty side effects of hydrocodone or other opioids. No constipation, drowsiness, etc. I'd say it's a great drug. Oh, and no trouble with addiction. I have stopped taking it for a day or two, and there are no cravings or any of the other side."

• Tam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2019

For Anxiety "Was prescribed tramadol for chronic pain, which was ruining my quality of life. It not only helps with my pain, but it genuinely lifted me out of the emotional pain I was living in. I never take more than 150 mg per day... most days, 75 mg does the trick. A two-for-one drug! It does cause constipation, though. I have been taking tramadol for 5 years. I do not feel addicted and have not increased my dosage in that time. I take less than prescribed."

• Ral...
• January 12, 2017

Tramadol for Pain "I have taken Tramadol for a year and have found it very helpful with my body pain, especially my back pain. I usually have to take ONE 50 mg of the pill, and that really helps. There are many days that I may NOT have to take it. I don't find it addicting at all. I take it only if I really need it. My prescription says to take it 4 times a day. I would never do that. It helps with only one. It can be constipating, and that is why I only take one to give me a lot of relief. I take it now with a stool softener. I am sorry if people find it addictive, but I don't feel that at all. Perhaps they are taking 4 a day. I do not plan on dropping this pill for my pain any time soon."

• Del...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2016

For Back Pain "Pulled muscles in lower back from lifting on delivery route. Needed meds I could take during the day while driving. One 50 mg in the a.m. with 2 Advil liquid gels & I'm pain-free all day. The best side effect has been the clarity to mental processes. Like a cloud has been lifted & my concentration has dramatically increased. Focus like I've never experienced before & general attitude improvement. The worse side effect is the occasional constipation, but that's what prunes are for. This is my 'Limitless' pill from the movie."

• Wal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2017

For Pain "It doesn't take the pain completely away, but it makes life tolerable. I can at least walk my dog and work while on it. It also does a pretty decent job controlling my depression that has come from having chronic pain. Only side effect so far is slight constipation, but I'll take that every day as opposed to the ridiculous pain I was in. Thank you, Tramadol."

• xan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2014

For Chronic Pain "I have temporomandibular joint disorder, which is chronic and very painful. I asked the doctor for something for pain, and he wrote tramadol. It has been very helpful, more so than hydrocodone. I recommend it to anyone. The only negative side effect I've experienced is slight constipation."

• kai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2014

For Pain "For relieving pain, especially after a surgery like TKR, I found tramadol very useful. However, as this medicine causes severe constipation, you should be careful in using it continuously. I am taking 50 mg only at night and trying to control pain with an NSAID during daytime."

• Cho...
• January 29, 2019

For Pain "Over the past few years, I have been dealing with back pain, specifically due to spinal arthritis. There had been times when merely trying to get up out of bed was a major ordeal. Various prescriptions were tried for inflammation and pain, but the one medication that seems to be consistently helpful is tramadol. What's interesting about the tramadol is that not only is it effective with the pain, but it also seems to have somewhat of a stimulating effect (for lack of a better description). I become a bit more lively, able to carry on with a busy day, more functional. As for side effects, constipation is a challenge but can be managed. Withdrawal does not seem to be as pronounced as some of the descriptions here, the most notable effect is tiredness, lack of energy for a couple of days if I skip the tramadol for several days. My best guess is that these reactions vary among individuals, but at least in my case, the benefits definitely outweigh the potential downsides of this medication."

• Tra...
• March 28, 2008

For Pain "Good med for moderate pain and can help with anxiety, but will cause headaches and constipation, but not as bad as opiates. The #1 problem is if you have to stop, then you MUST taper off over weeks, especially if taking a high dose over 200 mg a day or for more than 2 weeks, or you will experience some wild withdrawals, like not sleeping and tingling down to the tips of your fingers and other horrible feelings. If you're lucky to have it, you can take the drug LYRICA, and it will stop most of the withdrawals, especially the nerve tingling."

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I am prescribed Tramadol 50 mg every 4 hours for severe, chronic pain from fibromyalgia, CFS, and osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease. It has worked wonderfully well thus far (1 week). Other than mild constipation, I’ve had no side effects. My activity level is much greater now, and I am enjoying life again. I hope it continues to provide this relief."

• Ksa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2017

Tramadol for Pain "Took severe pain away. Hand and neck arthritis. Take with 2 Tylenol or ibuprofen every other dose for best relief. Brand name Ultram 50 mg every 5-6 hours if needed. For me, took most pain away! Better than Vicodin and not sure why, but so happy I have it. Cons: occasional nausea and big-time constipation-take with laxative or Colace. I started the pill slowly-two 25 mg per day over a period of a week and worked up to 50 3 times per day over 3 weeks."

• Joh...
• December 5, 2012

For Pain "I have a bleeding disorder, so I can't take NSAIDs. Unfortunately, I also have arthritis and shoulder pain. I was taking Tylenol #3 but didn't like the mental clouding side effect. Tramadol has worked great for me. I take 100 to 300 mg a day, tending toward the 100 side, with 300 being for active weekends of running and biking (300 spread out in 3 doses, not all at once, obviously). This works really well. I'm giving it an 8 because of the side effects (constipation and dry mouth). I've skipped a couple of days with no problem and no overwhelming desire to take it (other than I hurt!)"

• Bet...
• December 29, 2019

For Pain "Tramadol was prescribed by the orthopedic surgeon who fixed my knee in 2011. He guaranteed it would not cause constipation or addiction. While it was helpful for the surgical pain to some degree, it wasn't enough to allow me to complete physical therapy. It gave me abdominal pain and a permanent megacolon with constipation. It gave me headaches and increased my shoulder pain. Never lowered pain from arthritis/fibromyalgia better than 9 down to 7. I quit that awful drug in 2014 on my own, and the detox was horrific."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 4, 2016

For Pain "Everyone is different, and not everyone will like tramadol, but I suffer from chronic TMJ dysfunction, where my jaw locks up, clicks, and pops, and is so very painful all the time. I was prescribed 50 mg to take 1-2 tabs every 6 hours. It worked AMAZING. I love tramadol for any type of pain, including back pain that I have on occasion. Only downside is it can make you constipated, can make you go through opioid withdrawal if not tapered off of it gradually when stopping, and also long-term use can make the dose less effective, and you will have to either take a break from it or be prescribed a stronger narcotic because more than 2 tablets of tramadol can damage your stomach, kidneys, etc."

• no...
• December 9, 2008

Tramadol for Pain "I take Ultram for degenerative changes in the lower lumbar spine (spinal stenosis, dry disc) and for neck pain from auto accidents and sterno and acromioclavicular joint pain from open-heart surgery. It is the only thing I have used that works and gives me 8 hours of sleep. I only take it when the pain gets intolerable and renders sleep impossible. Have no withdrawal, and the only side effect is constipation. I highly recommend Tramadol. It helped me more than anything else."