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Tramadol - Angel or Devil

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DecoDiva Tue 09-Apr-24 17:44:40

Just wanted to post my experience. I was prescribed Tramadol when I was 55 following a bad ankle break which resulted in traumatic arthritis. In those days it was on repeat prescription and I must have taken it for well over 7 years with no problem at all. Lost weight and ankle improved so just stopped taking them

In November this year (I am now 70) I was diagnosed with 2 prolapsed lumbar discs and my GP gave me Tramadol to ease the pain. I thought OK, had them before with no problems. Please beware - I am sure it is because I am now older but I took them on and off, never more than 4 in a day and never every day. However in March I had a particularly bad episode and took 3 a days for nearly 3 weeks. Back eased so I decided to stop. After 10 days I had to start taking them again as the withdrawal symptoms were horrendous. Am now making a plan to reduce them over the next month. I couldn’t believe how bad it was, chills, shaking, fever, terrible nausea, palpitations. I shall never take it again and hope it doesn’t cause me great problems tapering it.

Couldn’t get a GP appointment to discuss - and even if I had my surgery only signposts to a drugs and alcohol service - so ended up using my BUPA online GP service where the GP assured me that I couldn’t possibly be dependent on such a low dose for such a short a period. How wrong he was, almost immediately I started taking it again all the horrible symptoms went.

Anyone considering it, please think very carefully about it - there’s lots of information out there about it and quite honestly its frightening

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DG45 Fri 12-Apr-24 22:23:44

I have been on Tramadol for 2 and a half years since I had
2 hairline fractures in my pelvis. For 4 and a half months I couldn't walk or put weight on my right leg but I managed to
walk with the tablets 2 in am/2 lunch/2 teatime/2
nightime I then got breast Cancer so I had the Op and Radiotherapy, and now I am trying to come off of it.
I am now taking 1 am/1 lunch/1 teatime and 2 at night so I am getting there but, My brain goes blank at the drop of a hat, and all my bones in my legs hurt for no reason.
I haven't lost any weight, but I do feel sick at teatime for the past 6 days I have eaten fish in sauce because I know I can
keep it down..

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GrannySomerset Fri 12-Apr-24 22:41:31

We obviously have highly individual reactions to morphine-based drugs. Given tramadol after my first TKR I threw up for England, making a miserable circumstance infinitely worse. Was given co-codamol after the second knee which has less disastrous results.

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Abcdefg Tue 23-Apr-24 19:26:19

My DH was precribed oxy after two knee replacements. Every American drama has at least one person addicted to them. DH was very careful to use sparingly but he says they were terrific for the pain.

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Huia Thu 25-Apr-24 00:54:39

Tramadol after a hip replacement made me vomit. Talking to an anaesthetist later he said tramadol causes nausea and vomiting in half those who take it. I can’t help wondering why it is prescribed.

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