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Tramadol Helps with Exhaustion

Posted by keeptrying @keeptrying, Dec 6, 2017

Besides the constant pain, the exhaustion of trying to carry around 2 dead, numb legs (I call logs) exhausts me until I can do nothing. My neurologist prescribed a minimal dose of Tramadol for pain, but it is wonderfully effective at giving me some ENERGY so I can just do simple basic tasks. Anyone else either have this extreme fatigue or a Tramadol experience?

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germangal | @germangal | Dec 29, 2024

Pain anywhere is exhausting. You are lucky to get that. I sleep 3 to 4 hours most nights and in pain at night too. I would think you are energetic because you get some much needed rest from your misery. Take care.

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inquisitive50 | @inquisitive50 | 1 day ago
In reply to @vdouglas "Hello @keeptrying , welcome to the Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry to hear you are dealing..." + (show)
Profile picture for Von, Alumni Mentor @vdouglas

Hello @keeptrying , welcome to the Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with an issue that causes a lot of constant pain and exhaustion. I find your reaction to Tramadol very informative and I appreciate @johnbishop connecting us so that I can share my experience using it with you.

I use Tramadol for moderate to severe joint pain. I am prescribed 50 mg 3 times daily but usually only take 50 mg to get me through my work day. I do not consider Tramadol a very effective pain medication but it does help and it's effects are unique. I take the 50 mg and about an hour later I feel a twinge of mild nausea that last maybe 30 minutes, I know the medication is kicking in when this occurs. I then feel unusually optimistic for about an hour, maybe two then it begins to taper off. By optimistic I mean that I want to become active, I begin to look forward to doing things at work and begin mentally planning after work projects. I had not thought of this as a boost in energy but more of an antidepressant effect. This reaction lasts for about 4 hours or slightly longer. I did ask my G.P. about this and got a funny look along with "Hmmmm".
I would add that I cannot sleep if I take Tramadol before bed. 4 hours before yes, but any sooner I will not sleep until the effects wear off. I am more alert driving and it never makes me drowsy and no euphoria.
I have read that Tramadol is closely related to some antidepressant medications and can have an antidepressant effect.
Maybe more than you needed to hear but it does have a unique effect.

@keeptrying do you find it difficult to sleep if you take it near your bedtime?

@vdouglas
Von

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@vdouglas
I agree. It was prescribed to me for arthritis pain... 1 50mg per day. I would like to know if anyone has experienced hair loss since starting this medication.

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gizmojay | @gizmojay | 1 day ago

my legs feel like logs” exhaustion is very real with neuropathy, not just the pain. On tramadol, what you’re feeling isn’t unusual. Some people get a bit of an “energy” or motivation boost, partly because: it reduces pain (so you’re less drained)
it has mild serotonin/norepinephrine effects that can feel a bit activating

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