Tramadol Helps with Exhaustion

I have SLE and have been on tramadol for 12 years. I also notice that it gives me an increase in energy and productivity. I told my rheumatologist this years ago and he said, “That’s weird.” As a person with a fatigue rendering illness, this “weird” side effect has helped me push through after school activities with three kids when my energy felt nonexistent. I’m not sure if it is because my pain takes my energy or the serotonin boost that tramadol gives. Someone with a better scientific mind should definitely do some research!

PS On the flip side. After taking 100-150 mg of Tramadol every day for 12 years, except during pregnancy and nursing, I do feel withdrawal symptoms if I do not take Tramadol on a low pain day. I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin almost. I hate that feeling! It makes me think that this drug definitely causes dependency, which I do not like. However, I have never had to go up on my dose once.

Butterflymama I love your handle I agree when I take my Tramadol ,as it relieves the pain My energy increases

@vibert22 l was taking gabapentin for neurorapathy after my surgery but l found out using my support hose were just as good but sometimes l will take tramadol because l can't take anything else for pain not even tylenol because of my liver but when l was taking the gabapentin l wasnt thinking clearly and l didn't want to do anything. I really didn't think it helped the pain because you wa forgetting so much. I had my tramadol filled the last time in June and l still have 25 pills left out of 30. And l went to a health food store and found a medicine for my headache. My husband one time had brought me a generic pill for headaches and l still had an allergic reaction. And l also have valium and l was give 20 and still have a lot left. So now l am trying to learn how to deal with pain but sometimes you can't. I was prescribed that last time for tramadol was because l fractured my ankle. I thought it was an opioid because I read it was but the doctors and pharmacists reassured me it wasn't. I am very cautious about my meds the doctors give me because my previous gastrointestist when l asked him about how l got liver disease. He told me it was from the meds l was taken because l have no family history of liver disease

@butterflymama

First, I see you're a new Mayo Connect member. Welcome to the group. The people on the threads here are very supportive and helpful with sharing things that have helped them and making suggestions for actions that may help. We're here to listen if you just want to "talk" to someone. I'm a Volunteer Mentor and not a medical professional, so I can't diagnose or give medical advice. I do offer my experience, knowledge, and support when I can.

I took Tramadol 50 mg. 4x day for 1 year and it really helped my pain after back surgery. I also noticed a boost in my energy level and my mood while I was taking it. I decided to withdraw from it so I could try CBD and THC for my pain instead. Also, I had started Active Release Technique (ART) and my pain was nearly gone. My pain doctor had told me he couldn't prescribe any medications for me if I was taking anything derived from marijuana, so I withdrew from Tramadol. I never had to increase my dose, so it's not addictive, but it will make you dependant on it.

You will have withdrawal symptoms if you miss your dose of Tramadol. I slowly cut back over several months, finally taking 1/2 pill twice a day. I had a lot of anxiety and sleeplessness after I stopped completely, so I tried the CBD with 1/4 THC to see if it would help. It was great for the withdrawal symptoms. If you decide to withdraw from Tramadol be sure to take it slow and talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to do it. If you are in a state where CBD or marijuana is legal, you may want to try it for your symptoms.

Many thanks for sharing your experience with us all. It gives some hope that you have found and tried a couple of things which worked for you. I sort of focused on your last line and your experience with CBD with 1/4THC.I would politely ask for the name and address and email address for the source of your CBD. I live in Mass. and they are still wandering around in the dark trying to implement a voters referendum that legalized marijuana in Mass. over a year ago. Thanks again

I have the same experience with tramadol. It also gets rid if my headache. Other opiates I've tried don't work for energy. Now with the opiate crisis, I only get one 50mg tablet a day. I need 3. I'm thinking of going to a pain clinic,although my insurance won't cover it.

@pat1962 hi Ive been on Tramadol 50 along time ,alone it wasn't keeping the pain at bay so ask your Dr if you can take an nsaid along with it. my Dr told me I could take an Aleve or Ibuprofen with it .This has helped me wishing you to pain free time

I had trouble with stomachaches with diclifenac, even though it's enteric coated. I take 300 of gabapentin twice a day, 37.5 of zoloft and Tylenol. I took tramadol for years, before it was a narcotic (in 2014). Now it's like pulling teeth to get it. Thanks for the reply.

@pat1962 Ive been on it since I fractured my back in 05 my rheumatologist now gives me 1a day every 8hrs ,so if needed I can do 2 I couldn't take Gabapentin and Tylenol does nothing for me be careful of Tylenol it will effect your liver if to much in one day some people where on 12 a day I heard .Glad you can take what you do do you need to see rheumatologist? Maybe she would give you Tramadol I get it now for fibromyalgia ,back problems @arthritis Best to you Linda