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Tramadol Helps with Exhaustion
Neuropathy | Last Active: May 19, 2023 | Replies (125)Comment receiving replies
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
Replies to "Hello @keeptrying , welcome to the Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry to hear you are dealing..."
I know this post is 3 years old but WOW .. everything you stated in your post concerning Tramadol and its affects on you are very similar to mine. I get a burst of clarity / energy or more of an anti depressant effect after taking it. I can think clearly and I am not inhibited by heavy issues in my life. I try to be mindful and cognizant of whether this is just a "feel good" feeling like someone may feel when they get high? I have never smoked weed o done recreational drugs before, so I can't really speak to how they feel, but the best way i can explain my feeling is that I feel more "NORMAL" with some undeniable euphoric feeling, but its more a matter of clarity for me. Another side effect is that my sinus and allergy issues all but subside when I take Tramadol. Just want to leave this post in case someone else was experiencing the same thing and had questions as well.
I experienced the same experience that you have about taking it before bed...
I had almost the same reaction that you describe .
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Thank you so much. I am surprised by the number of kind people going through this I found on this site. I think your point about Tramadol being an antidepressant is true for myself as well, and I had not considered that. On the other hand, I try not to emphasize this to my neurologist for fear she will think it is "all in my head." The exhaustion is very real, ten years ago I was a swimmer and horseback rider...I feel lucky these days to make it to the grocery. The Tramadol is the difference between being able to "lift my legs" or not - and taking a ridiculous number of "naps" a day, is 4 or 5. Thank you for your info. I'm not too good at sharing: This is the first website I have been on.