Tramadol and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Dke...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 21, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I started taking tramadol for chronic back pain 4 years ago. I noticed it helped my fibromyalgia right away. Many doctors have told me that it doesn't work with fibromyalgia, but my new PCP has me on 100 mg ER 24 hour for my fibromyalgia, and it's working fine along with my gabapentin. Without the tramadol, I can barely move, it is my wonder drug. Withdrawals from it are intense."

• Fox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

For Anxiety "Tramadol does wonders to treat anxiety. If you do a search online, you will find stories of horrible side effects and withdrawal symptoms. But keep in mind that happens when taken way too much per day. I stick to 50-100 mg per day."

• Pat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 12, 2020

Tramadol for Chronic Pain "I have been on Ultram for 15 years. I started with 150 mg a day, and I am up to 350 mg daily. If I do not take it every 5-6 hours, I start feeling sleepy and irritable. Worst of all, my pain comes back twofold. I cannot stand up straight due to the severe pain and weakness in both my legs. I had a lumbar fusion that has left me with neurological leg weakness and SI joint pain. I have severe DJD and arthritis. I was recently changed to a generic type of Ultram. I feel like I am in withdrawal all the time. How do I get my pharmacy to replace this generic garbage?"

• Tat...
• March 27, 2017

For Anxiety "I had breast reduction surgery, so I was prescribed tramadol for pain. It didn't do much for pain at all, but really cleared my head up and helped me get through the day. After I ran out, I talked to my doctor. We tried other anxiety meds before she agreed to prescribe tramadol, so I've been taking it for 4 months now, 100 mg a day, and last Saturday I ran out and don't get a refill till April. The withdrawal is insanely bad. I feel like I'm sick. I can't lay still, falling asleep is a nightmare. I feel angered, no energy. I don't know what to do, but I'm thinking to stop taking tramadol. I can't go through the withdrawals again. Some people say there are no withdrawal symptoms, but I think it's for people who take it a couple of times a week."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 17, 2023

For Depression "I've been using tramadol for my treatment-resistant depression for about 3 years now, taking 300 mg every day, and I feel like my life has improved significantly. I used to barely be able to get out of bed in the mornings. I used to work for just 3 hours a day, and even that felt like too much. Now, I'm working 7 hours a day without any problems. I have no issues waking up at 3:45 am each morning, and I spend all day feeling energized and content. I'm honestly amazed at how well this has worked for me. I've also had to stop taking it a few times and haven't experienced any withdrawal symptoms despite taking it so frequently, nor have I ever had to increase the dosage in three years of use."

• Tra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 7, 2024

For Fibromyalgia "Helped me for 20 years, low dosage, fibromyalgia. Withdrawals if you try to stop, like flu and restless legs. So much pain before this treatment. Other meds did nothing and made things worse. Too bad it’s being abused by people and hard to get."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2020

For Back Pain "So I was on alprazolam for over a year for anxiety and seizure-related purposes, and a few weeks back, I pulled my entire back out and didn't know what to do. Went to the doc and was prescribed tramadol. It has helped with my anxiety and pain, which I didn't think would happen. I take 100 mg a day, but I find I can't sleep on these, so I take 50 mg in the morning (8 am) and again at 4 pm so that by 9 pm, I can take my melatonin and go to sleep. I've heard long-term use causes horrible withdrawals, so I'll probably take it for another week and should be good as new. So in conclusion, if you have anxiety and really bad back pain or pain in general, I'd recommend it, but only for short-term use."

• joh...
• June 16, 2008

For Pain "I have been prescribed Tramadol for the past 5 years, and it has completely relieved my back pain. I have stopped a few times, but the pain returned. Initially, I took 2 x 50mg tablets a day, but now I need 3 x 50mg a day to get the same relief. I had a feeling of euphoria and some anxiety side effects during the first year, but now these have gone, and I just get the pain relief. I do have mild withdrawal symptoms if I discontinue the Tramadol, which I do every few months for a few days. The withdrawal is in the form of anxiety and an uncomfortable feeling for a couple of days, but nothing that I cannot easily put up with. Breaking the continuity of use for a few days is good to prevent more severe withdrawal, I believe, but Tramadol is still the best and most effective pain reliever I have tried, and I plan to continue using it."

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2009

Tramadol for Fibromyalgia "I have been using Ultram (tramadol) for over 8 years for my fibromyalgia pain. I started on it for a shoulder and neck injury, and it worked so great that I have been able to stay on it. In those 8 years, I have actually lowered my dose by less than half and get through a day on 75 mg. It keeps me working. I cannot take it late in the day or it keeps me from sleeping well. If you are in pain, on moderate to bad days, I suggest you try it in moderate levels. It will not help for headaches for me. Stopping taking it will produce withdrawal symptoms after some time. Be prepared to go through a miserable, cranky day. Good luck, and feel well."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2018

For Back Pain "I have had on and off back pain from a prior injury. I was just dealing with the pain because I didn’t want to take ibuprofen all the time. My doctor prescribed the lower dose of tramadol. All I can say is why didn’t I try this before? Not only does it mute the pain, the anxiety I feel is just gone. I feel happy and my concentration is way better. I only take it when I can’t deal with the pain, but have started researching it for anxiety as well. So far no withdrawals, but I do not take it every day."

• par...
• December 9, 2010

Tramadol for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been taking tramadol for over 11 years for RLS, and while I think it works pretty well for my legs, I feel I have to take more than prescribed to get the same amount of relief that I did when I began the medication. I have not told my doctor for fear that she will take me off the medicine. The withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. My legs are 10 times worse when I am coming off tramadol. I get involuntary spasms in both my arms and legs and am extremely moody. It is near impossible for me to sleep without the tramadol. I am not trying to scare anyone away from taking it because I know it has worked wonders for a lot of other people."

• Elm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 12, 2016

For Back Pain "I've taken Tramadol 50 mg 3 times a day for 3 years because of my L1 vertebra being crushed in an accident. It does reduce the pain level down to tolerable. A word of caution though, this medication is addictive. As with all opioid-like meds, withdrawal symptoms are very, very hard to deal with."

• bro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 7, 2015

For Back Pain "I suffer from chronic back pain due to scoliosis, and I've been on tramadol for almost a year, and the pain has subsided, it's tolerable. I would recommend it to anyone. I also take it with an NSAID, but it has worked wonders for me. Also, I was curious to know if it causes withdrawals."

• spa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2018

For Back Pain "Rx beginning 150 mg/day, up’d to 400/day. Worked somewhat, but not as well as narcotic pain relievers, i.e., Norco or oxycodone. Used them for 6 mo. The real pain was getting off of tramadol. I read very little of the nightmare of stopping this med. I would rather go through hydrocodone withdrawals 10x over to the withdrawal off of tramadol. Norco withdrawal took around 5-7-10 days. Had been through that many times over 11 years. Tramadol took months to physically get over. Not mental, physical dependence. They should come with a heroin-type caveat. Don’t try to “wean” from narcotic pain pills to tramadol. Only kidding yourself, and the withdrawals are so much worse."

• med...
• November 12, 2008

Tramadol for Pain "I had back surgery in 02, and I have severe leg and foot pain ever since. Since that time, I have been on Ultram and am pain-free. I know they just classified it as a narcotic, where I live, a year ago. It's a shame because I've been on it for 6 years and have never felt better. It is addictive because when I go for longer than 24 hours without it, I have withdrawals, but I've been on it for 6 years, so it is to be expected. I highly recommend this drug."

• Til...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2017

For Back Pain "Tramadol does two things: relieve pain and alter mood. It affects opioid receptors in the brain and gut and acts in the same way as a serotonin uptake SSRI/SNRI drug. So, it makes you feel good and acts like an antidepressant. For short-term use (very short), it's useful, but it is highly addictive in spite of what the docs and FDA say. The withdrawals are insanely awful if you have taken it for more than a week or so since you are withdrawing from an opiate and an antidepressant. Unbelievably, medical professionals are still prescribing this drug as non-addictive and non-habit forming. If you have serious pain, take opiates, resist any attempt to give you this drug."

• dav...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 2, 2018

For Depression "My Pdoc tried this after so many SSRIs had little effect. Tramadol worked much better right away. I wouldn't suggest taking more than 100 mg, as this drug is very difficult to taper down from. When you taper off, reduce by 12.5 mg per month to avoid withdrawals and give your body time to adjust. I have since tried niacin and found it equally effective for depression and anxiety."

• 123...
• August 10, 2015

Tramadol for Chronic Pain "This did not do anything helpful for me. I tried it for 2 weeks as an opiate substitute after intramedullary nailing. (This surgery always has a very painful and long recovery.) I was given this by my surgeon because it was supposed to be less addictive. After two weeks, I decided to taper off it. This produced horrid withdrawals. They were far different and more severe than stopping the opioids, which I was over in one day. Don't take this med! If a doctor tells you it won't cause withdrawals, don't believe it. Opioids worked during my surgical recovery and were no problem to taper off then quit."

• jim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 25, 2015

For Pain "CAUTION! Used tramadol 50 mg for back pain. Started with 1 tab a couple of days a week, eventually up to a tab per day, finally a tab per day and 2 tabs per day a couple of days a week. Withdrawal would kick in about 18-24 hours after the last dose. Lethargy, tired, felt like the flu. Took a tab, and within an hour felt great. Read about this as a potential problem, began to wean myself off. Took several months. Every step down resulted in the above withdrawal symptoms (but worse), and the most horrible part was the restless body (RLS, but all over) at night when trying to sleep. Felt ready to explode. After taking 1/4 tab per day for weeks, used some leftover partial Valium tabs to finally break free from tramadol. Avoid tramadol if at all possible - withdrawal is absolutely horrible."

• led...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2014

For Back Pain "After being on opiate therapy since 2000 for a spinal injury and fusion, I found tramadol to be a great substitute. After some initial discomfort from slight withdrawal, tramadol is a lifesaver. It acts upon the same receptors for opiates, which makes it easier to come off them without the major side effects and severe withdrawal sickness I experienced with another drug I had tried. Still feel a little rough from being on opiates for so long. Would do better with a stronger dose with extended release. Thank goodness for no more positive drug tests."

• lon...
• January 21, 2010

Tramadol for Pain "I have been taking Ultram (200 mg a day) for several years now. I found that it does take the top off the pain down but doesn't give me great relief. I am finding its effectiveness less and less and will be trying to wean off of it, but withdrawal symptoms are pretty bad. Please be well aware of the dependency issue."

• Joh...
• January 31, 2017

For Depression "I have been taking Tramadol for 12 years for a number of reasons, just a wonderful medication. Arthritis in my shoulders, leg pain, and even RLS at night. Now I'm being told it's as bad (or good) as Vicodin and just as hard to get here in N.C. Now withdrawals are inevitable. What can I do?"

• Col...
• January 25, 2012

Tramadol for Pain "50 mg (2 every 6 hrs) has worked wonders on my pain. I have a small cerebral aneurysm (too small for surgery yet) that causes me to have a terrible ongoing headache (for almost 3 yrs now). If taken consistently, it keeps my pain very manageable. I weaned myself off of antidepressants when I was in my 20s (I'm now 37), but depression crept back up on me. When I started taking Ultram, the depression symptoms went away. I do have terrible withdrawals, though. Otherwise, it's been a lifesaver for me! Thumbs up!"

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

For Back Pain "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."

• Eva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2016

Tramadol for Chronic Pain "I have back pain every day of my life. My doctor prescribed Ultram. I took it for a few weeks, and the pain never subsided at all. This drug is as useful as screen windows in a submarine. And... After I stopped taking it, I had bad withdrawals!! Do not take this drug!!!!!"