1. < Neuropathy

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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greenacres | @greenacres | Dec 12, 2021
In reply to @swajuihian "I feel the same way.. I wake up every morning feeling very tired/fatigued and exhausted. Sad..." + (show)
@swajuihian

I feel the same way..

I wake up every morning feeling very tired/fatigued and exhausted.

Sad to say as soon i take some capsules of tramadol, i feel automatically energized...am worried that I am getting addicted or dependent on tramadol

My worry is: does overuse of tramadol increase creatinine level and then lower eGFR?
KINDLY HELP

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My husband finds that taking a Tramadol gives him energy as it tones down the pain however, he rarely reaches for it. His neurologist said that like other opiates that when you use it on a regular basis your body adjusts to it and it's not as effective. Maybe you could discuss with your neurologist.

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1 reply
swajuihian | @swajuihian | Dec 12, 2021
In reply to @greenacres "My husband finds that taking a Tramadol gives him energy as it tones down the pain..." + (show)
@greenacres

My husband finds that taking a Tramadol gives him energy as it tones down the pain however, he rarely reaches for it. His neurologist said that like other opiates that when you use it on a regular basis your body adjusts to it and it's not as effective. Maybe you could discuss with your neurologist.

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That is very correct. I Keep on increasing the dose to achieve the same effect of the dosage i started with originally...that is not ok...dependence.!!
Thank you

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2 replies
crustycat | @crustycat | Dec 12, 2021

I have been taking tramadol 50mg (one or two a day) in addition to pregabalin and oxcarbazepine. It really does take the edge off of my small fiber neuropathy symptoms (aching and burning). I usually only need it at night and sometimes only take one tablet. I have the same concerns as you do about dependence and I suspect this is a healthy position to take. As with any opioid, tramadol has the potential for dependence and abuse. If you have previous tendencies toward abuse, as I have in my past, you need to be mindful of this and open with your doctor.

I am NOT dispensing any medical advice but I will offer these points that you should research on your own and discuss with your doctor.

I noticed that my mood in general seemed to be lifted, but not to be confused with euphoria. So I started doing some searching on the internet and there does seem to be some evidence of antidepressant properties with tramadol.

In addition to the concern of dependence, I would also be concerned of serotonin syndrome if already taking antidepressants.

I take quite a number of meds for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid, blah, blah, blah, so I am always searching for potential interactions. My doctor is great, but like most medical professionals he is overwhelmed with a huge patient list. You are you own best health advocate. Do lot's of research on the internet, but be aware that the internet is loaded with information and disinformation. Take what you find and consult with your doctor.

Best Wishes!

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1 reply
twobrooklyn | @twobrooklyn | Dec 12, 2021
In reply to @swajuihian "That is very correct. I Keep on increasing the dose to achieve the same effect of..." + (show)
@swajuihian

That is very correct. I Keep on increasing the dose to achieve the same effect of the dosage i started with originally...that is not ok...dependence.!!
Thank you

Jump to this post

If you simply rely on meds then you will always have to up your dose. Include vitamins exercise and strict diet.

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greenacres | @greenacres | Dec 13, 2021
In reply to @swajuihian "That is very correct. I Keep on increasing the dose to achieve the same effect of..." + (show)
@swajuihian

That is very correct. I Keep on increasing the dose to achieve the same effect of the dosage i started with originally...that is not ok...dependence.!!
Thank you

Jump to this post

Some people find medical marijuana helpful. My husband not so much. He continues to exercise, meditate sometimes, doing specific stretching exercises, goes for acupuncture (had to try 3 different ones until he found one he liked) and is currently working with a myofascial release therapist who is trained in the Barnes technique. Nothing takes the pain away but helps how he thinks about the pain. Currently researching the Curable website.

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swajuihian | @swajuihian | Dec 13, 2021
In reply to @crustycat "I have been taking tramadol 50mg (one or two a day) in addition to pregabalin and..." + (show)
@crustycat

I have been taking tramadol 50mg (one or two a day) in addition to pregabalin and oxcarbazepine. It really does take the edge off of my small fiber neuropathy symptoms (aching and burning). I usually only need it at night and sometimes only take one tablet. I have the same concerns as you do about dependence and I suspect this is a healthy position to take. As with any opioid, tramadol has the potential for dependence and abuse. If you have previous tendencies toward abuse, as I have in my past, you need to be mindful of this and open with your doctor.

I am NOT dispensing any medical advice but I will offer these points that you should research on your own and discuss with your doctor.

I noticed that my mood in general seemed to be lifted, but not to be confused with euphoria. So I started doing some searching on the internet and there does seem to be some evidence of antidepressant properties with tramadol.

In addition to the concern of dependence, I would also be concerned of serotonin syndrome if already taking antidepressants.

I take quite a number of meds for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid, blah, blah, blah, so I am always searching for potential interactions. My doctor is great, but like most medical professionals he is overwhelmed with a huge patient list. You are you own best health advocate. Do lot's of research on the internet, but be aware that the internet is loaded with information and disinformation. Take what you find and consult with your doctor.

Best Wishes!

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Thanks so much..I absolutely agree with and accept all your suggestions.
Doctors are so overwhelmed with heir bookings that they dont even have the time to read pacllkage inserts of sample medications let alone reading research literature in their specialties.
Thanks again

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luann262 | @luann262 | Dec 14, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @keeptrying, welcome to Mayo Connect. I see this is your first post. I'm happy you..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @keeptrying, welcome to Mayo Connect. I see this is your first post. I'm happy you found us. Connect is a great place to ask questions, share your health story and learn what others with similar health issues are doing for treatments. I'm tagging other Connect members who have talked about using Tramadol to see if they can share their experience. @barbararene, @mrfish, @techi, @vdouglas, @carpe_bean, @steeldove are you able to offer @keeptrying any information or experience with Tramadol?

@keeptrying do you have a diagnosis for your neuropathy? I have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy but only have the numbness and no pain in my legs so I've never had to take pain medications.

John

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Interesting ! I take Tramadol when the pain is bad- I don’t think it’s all that helpful for breakout pain but it’s good for average neuropathy pain . It doesn’t makes me feel energized or sleepy. I guess it’s supposed to be less dangerous than some other pain medications.

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fala | @fala | Dec 16, 2021

I just found this WONDERFUL SITE today! Those of us with this nasty disease need all the info we can get! I can still manage alone for the most part with tolerable pain. I can only drive short distances because my foot goes numb .Also, my sleep was a problem, and it gets worse all the time. Does anyone have an unusual sudden itch spots? That makes no sense. My Doctor prescribed Cannabis, I live in a state where it is legal Medically .I have used CBD to relieve pain since September, 2018. Then, I tried not taking it during the day, I survived the first Day, but the 2nd day the pain went "through the roof". I tried to stop because of the huge expense, but must stay on it! Thanks to this site\, I have some new ideas! Thanks to Mayo.

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mmsayad | @mmsayad | Feb 20, 2022
In reply to @davido49 "My only experience with Tramodol was not good. A GP prescribed it for undiagnosable long term..." + (show)
@davido49

My only experience with Tramodol was not good. A GP prescribed it for undiagnosable long term upper abdominal and side pain. Tramodol did nothing for the pain but scrambled my brain. When I eventually moved town and changed to another GP his opinuon was that Tramodol was a horrible drug and I should not use it.

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Hi David, my name is Mike I've been having abdominal and side pain for about 3 years now, is there any way possible you can tell me which side exactly hurts, what triggers your pain, what precautions you take and what do you do to soothe the pain because it's been so painful for me, I've tried everything like you said you did (MRI, CT scan, x-ray, endoscopy and colonoscopy) to no avail still no one can figure out what it is. I hope that we can learn something from each other and hopefully end up helping each other and anybody else out there reading this.

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mmsayad | @mmsayad | Feb 20, 2022
In reply to @vdouglas "Hello @keeptrying , welcome to the Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry to hear you are dealing..." + (show)
@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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I experienced the same experience that you have about taking it before bed...

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