Tramadol for Depression User Reviews

• Quando
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 17, 2020

"I've been prescribed EVERY anti-depressant known. I have what is known as Treatment-Resistant Depression. I stumbled across Tramadol 7 years ago and WOW, after an hour, energy, happy, feel like I can do things again after 20 years. Haven't had to increase the dosage after 7 years. This medicine has saved my life. After I take it, my wife says my eyes aren't bloodshot, my mood is like it was 30 years ago, and now working full-time and building a business up on the side! It's helping my Psoriatic Arthritis which I had to increase to 300mg a day since being diagnosed in 2017."

• Terry...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 25, 2024

"Tramadol literally saved my life. I had suffered from treatment-resistant depression and anxiety for decades until I accidentally found this drug. It was prescribed for pain after an accident. Yet I noticed that while on it, for the first time in my life, my brain felt like it was working, the heavy weight lifted, and all the talk therapy and self-help books I had studied for years finally all made sense. It was as if I was a new person. I found a psychiatrist who would prescribe it (since in addition to being an SNRI it is also a weakly binding opioid), and I've been on it for 7 years and have never felt better, been happier, fitter, healthier, or more successful, etc. ever in my life. EVERYTHING, literally every aspect of my life, improved after being treated with this drug (NOTE: you MUST also do the work, including counseling; there is no magic cure for anything). This drug is a life saver - the stigma around opioids needs to be removed. They can kill people or save lives, just like water."

• Anonymous
• September 5, 2020

"I recently had a prescription of Tramadol prescribed to me for severe lower back pain. I was taking an average of 300mg of Tramadol daily for several months (some days slightly more and other days none at all). It was indescribably successful in helping my sleep, my worries, my motivation, my energy, my anxiety, my attention, my social engagement, and general happiness that I’m convinced that I could've weaned off of possibly all 8 of my current psychoactive medications if I was prescribed Tramadol regularly. I came to feel even more confident about this when my prescription ran out. Unbelievably, I had absolutely no withdrawals and the only feeling I have in terms of a possible dependency is only due to how miraculously well it worked for me. It even completely eliminated my urge to drink alcohol, of which I was so proud. Tramadol would be a universal solution for the psychological abyss that has destroyed my life since grade school."

• CatMom
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2020

"I have suffered from depression for years, and also have PTSD. Last year, my depression became much, much worse. I was in tears most of the day, with no positivity in anything, and to the point where I was contemplating suicide. I had tried so many medications and CBT, nothing worked. I was given tramadol for my depression, and they worked within hours. I could not believe that one little tablet could have such a drastic effect. I now take 50mg in the morning and 50mg at night; I have never taken more. I have no side effects and can honestly say that Tramadol saved my life. I know that it does not work this way for everyone; this is just my experience with them, and I am truly grateful."

• Elano
• July 29, 2019

"After 45 years of having depression, I have realized that tramadol takes away the symptoms of depression better than antidepressants. I consider myself an expert in depression because I’ve survived this long and I’m still alive. No psychologist or psychiatrist in the world knows this illness better than a person who’s had it all their lives. Reading the comments here, it’s very sad to me that the organization has so little concern for the welfare of the people who need this drug, that they have demonized it and put it in the same category as heroin. If you are taking 50 mg a day of tramadol, you can quit immediately. It is such a low dose that it’s sold in many countries (like Mexico) over the counter. Not only is our healthcare too expensive, we can’t even get treated with drugs that work. I hope doctors in America start to listen to their patients and read the testimonies here instead of what is dictated as real. It’s infuriating."

• Sober...
• May 22, 2020

"Took first dose 2 years ago. Was 1 year sober (alcohol) and took unprescribed for pain. Took 2 weeks to go 300mg/day. 6 months later at 800mg/day; had 2 seizures. After I maintained at 600mg/day for 8 months. Was happy, energetic, and productive. Wanted out, not willing to give up benefits. Then pandemic came/shut down my source. Self-tapered, now at 100mg/day, can’t taper further without physical withdrawal. Altered mental state to point of suicidal ideations during taper. Works as antidepressant, very addicting. Wish had never taken. I read these forums when I first started experimenting and thought I could manage it. I was wrong. I guess it treats everyone a little differently, but if this post could persuade one person to get out of it before it’s too late then I have my purpose for posting. Please be very careful with this drug, I am still in so much psychological pain unlike anything I’ve experienced since getting sober."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 22, 2019

"I just wanted to do a follow-up from a previous post about Tramadol for pain. So let me just say Tramadol is a depression and anxiety killer. Point blank. There is not another drug like it. The chemical makeup is so unique because, yes, it does help with pain. But it will absolutely give you a new lease on life if you are depressed. But please, please use with caution, never ever take more than prescribed. Because let me tell you, if you ever have to quit the Tramadol. The withdrawals are a living hell. And that is putting it mildly. There are two classes of people I would recommend Tramadol to. One with severe depression that other SSRIs did not work for. And those who plan on staying on Tramadol for life and not coming off. If you ever have to go without for a couple of days, you will see what I mean. Great drug, a lifesaver in some cases. But proceed with caution. Please"

• The...
• January 21, 2021

"It is criminal that Tramadol isn't being researched to develop it specifically for depression. I've suffered from major depressive disorder for over 30 years. I have been prescribed every antidepressant available. Some worked for a while, some not at all. I was given Tramadol for something else and within an hour, I felt pretty much alive again. For me, it's a miracle drug. I've been going through a really horrific time in the last couple of months, and I believe I know I wouldn't have gotten through it without Tramadol. I take two 50mg capsules a day. There are absolutely no negative side effects. With depression being one of the worst diseases in the world, I find it incomprehensible that it is not being widely used to help the hundreds of millions in terrible distress. Even if it didn't help every person, I know it would help millions. It can be life-changing, and it's very inexpensive where I am."

• getti...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2020

"I was prescribed Tramadol 50mg a day for chronic pain and found it also cleared my foggy head and low energy. This has been a life changer for me. I've gone from sitting looking at a pile of work thinking, I just don't have the energy to do this, to wow getting everything done and more. I was not depressed, my foggy head and low energy are from chronic inflammation, arthritis, insomnia, and autoimmune disorder. GP does not understand so just keep taking them for the pain with the wonderful side effect of getting my life back."

• stephen
• March 2, 2020

"The SNRI metabolite for Tramadol yields most of the antidepressant action. More mental and emotional energy. Personally, I haven't noticed any addictive quality at all. I have used other hard pain relievers (OxyContin and Fentanyl) in the past, so I know my Tramadol is not like those. Also, I have used Tramadol for 8 years at 400 mg/day; I have experienced NO tolerance-building; I don't have to increase the dose. Psychiatric usefulness definitive."

• The...
• March 22, 2021

"My husband of almost 30 years died 6 weeks ago, and left me without a cent, no will, in a foreign country, alone. If not for Tramadol there is no way I would survive preparing to leave here to return to my home country. Have commented here before, but in such a traumatic situation it is even more effective. Some days I up my mgs as needed, and it's honestly keeping me alive. Again I feel it is criminal that it's not prescribed as an antidepressant for those who have tried everything else with no success. It must be approved as an antidepressant!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 7, 2023

"Tramadol was prescribed to me for hip bursitis, and to my surprise, it had an unexpected benefit. For the first time in my life, my depression and anxiety were under control, as no other medication had ever worked before. I took the two 50mg tablets prescribed daily, and once everything was under control, I only took it as needed. I never experienced any withdrawal symptoms when I skipped a day or two, or even three. It was prescribed as needed and worked relatively quickly. I have been struggling with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and bulimia, all my life due to childhood abuse. For the first time, I could function, hold a long-term job, and not spend every day battling with my mental health and depressive thoughts. Now, my bursitis is no longer chronic, and my doctor will not prescribe Tramadol anymore. It has been three months since I stopped taking it, and I never felt any withdrawal symptoms. However, I am back to my old self, where I fight with my brain and depression every day. I don't think doctors realize that this medicine can be a wonder drug for some people."

• Karen
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 24, 2019

"I have suffered with depression for 25 years and have tried every medication that has been made! They all either didn't work or had horrible side effects not making it worth taking. I was prescribed Tramadol for chronic headaches, and it has changed my life as it got rid of my depression. I take it about an hour before I get up. I get up wanting to live my life and be around people! I have lost 20 lbs because I want to do things and exercise. I eat healthy now and have this incredible drive for life! It has saved my life and my marriage. I have recently moved and have to find a new doctor, and I am petrified that I won't be able to get my prescription."

• healt...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 7, 2017

"First, tramadol is NOT an opiate. It may work somehow - no one knows how, nor can claim to understand how - with receptors for them in the brain. But please stop the completely false statements that this is an opiate; simply not true. Ultram was first used in the 1990s for pain, and then it became clear that it was also helpful for people who were not getting relief from antidepressants. (Did big pharma push out every variation of SSRI uptake inhibitor at great cost to the public and of course with no clue if they would work?) EXCELLENT alternative to ineffective antidepressants that big pharma wants to keep pushing. Again, wrong to even begin to compare it to an opiate, and time for it to be acknowledged as an option for depression."

• Shell...
• May 7, 2018

"I was reading some of these past comments, and I have to say some of you, I am very disappointed. Every single drug you take on this planet has side effects and it has withdrawal symptoms. I don't care what medicine you take! Every drug you take long enough has a dependency issue. I mean come on, even coffee – people have withdrawals to that. I have taken tramadol for back pain and ovarian cyst, and then my psychiatrist told me he wanted me to continue on this medicine because it's been proven effective in treating depression. I have been on every antidepressant they have ever made, and horrible health and side effects, and I was not having a good quality of life. The good outweighs the bad. And my life is finally getting better. Now, shame on you adults that are bashing people for taking tramadol for depression. My life is good."

• Hong
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 16, 2023

"My doc prescribed it for my migraine @ .37 mg plus acetaminophen. It coincided with days that I got up, out of bed and picked up my laundry. It also coincided with getting work done and acting like a responsible adult. So, I've microdosed it daily by breaking it in half and taking them at 18 mg a day. It was my saving grace with my productivity and not getting fired from my job. Because of the stigma attached to it, I was ashamed to tell my psychiatrist. But from seeing other patients' reviews, I feel quite hopeful that I might have a chance in living life. I don't drink or do any drugs, and I'm not here to get high and abuse it for any pleasure, I just want a fair chance of feeling normal and picking up my own slack."

• Anno
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 26, 2021

"Tramadol works GREAT for depression. With so many other people claiming this, I don’t understand why it isn’t prescribed more for depression. It is very weak for helping with pain but works wonders with depression. I took it for years. Have now been off for 2 years due to moving to TN and unsure where I could go. Apparently, there is a drug problem here, and if you bring up anything regarding any pain medication, they think you are an addict, lol. I took 50mg twice daily for years with no need to increase my dosage. I had zero withdrawals when I stopped. But recently have been very depressed. Sucks they will not listen to us and help us."

• Robot
• July 2, 2019

"I was gonna respond to the people saying Tram is a life saver. Well, it can be, but be cautious because it will be the hardest drug you have ever tried to quit. From 8 years of experience. I take 400 mg a day. I have 2 bad vertebrae, stenosis, degenerative disc. Nerve compression. Tram was prescribed for the pain. But it took only a week for me to know something was different. After years of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, it all ended by the end of that week. There is no other medicine made to do what Tram does. None. Effexor comes the closest. But Tram blows it out of the water. Tram never makes you have that high spacey feeling, just a relief from the panic, depressed. I don’t ever plan on quitting. Like I said earlier, you better plan on being on Tram for the long haul, because there is no going back once you start. Your depression and anxiety, pain will be unbearable. So please use caution and count the cost of taking Tram. It is a life saver. Until you go off of it."

• bigbi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2023

"I am 44 years old. Been suffering from bouts of depression since teenage years. Last year (2022) had a house fire and I suffered burns on my arm. My 9-year-old son suffered burns on his leg. He was hospitalized and suffered a low blood sugar crisis and passed away. Physical pain and emotional pain brought on serious depression. I was suicidal. I was prescribed Tramadol for the pain but realized that when I took it, my depression dissolved. I have since been taking 50mg, sometimes 100mg, a day. Tramadol has saved my life."

• Grano
• September 24, 2019

"This is the best medicine for anxiety and depression. Fast results and no side effects, please fight so doctors prescribe this more. They now treat depression with ketamine - a very dangerous and very illegal drug that I used to take 20 years ago at trance parties. But they say tramadol is addictive..SSRI's are more addictive. I am an ex junkie so I know what I am talking about."

• Wonder...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2015

"Like many of the reviewers here, I discovered the benefits of the medicine for depression by accident. It had been prescribed for back pain after I hurt my back lifting a heavy bag out of the car trunk at the airport. Yes, it helped with the back pain from the injury, but it totally destroyed my depression immediately. It works in less than 1 hour, and you will feel uplifted and hopeful. If you suffer from depression, talk with your doctor about Tramadol. Plain and simple... it works and works fast. No kidding, this is a depression killer."

• Jake
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2019

"I’m using tramadol off label for depression as well as chronic back pain, just 50 to 100 mg daily. It doesn't have any of the nasty side effects like all of the typical antidepressants. I virtually have no side effects from it. It’s a godsend for me, it cures anxiety and lifts my mood."

• Becky
• December 23, 2019

"I am a single mother of 3 boys one who has autism and some days we're soooo hard that I was only just coping. I had anxiety and depression. I was prescribed me some tramadol for a headache I had and let's just say in about 40 mins I went from feeling anxious, stressed and angry to happy, energetic and playing with my children. Complete life changer for me for the better. My quality of life improved along with my families as now they have a mother who is happy, patient and calm. I've been on tramadol for about 7 years with no complications. At most I have gone up to on "bad" days was 800mg but now I taper down or have a couple of days break so my tolerance does not build, because obviously like other pills the withdrawal is awful. But so worth it for me "

• Alex
• December 3, 2019

"I've had a mesh implant. It's not getting any better as far as the pain. I've been diagnosed with depression and severe anxiety. I've been on all types of medication , but they had caused way too many side effects. Tiredness was something that I can't deal with, and tramadol doesn't make me feel like that. I've been taking tramadol for pain, but it has totally made my life better. My mood is up, I'm no longer depressed, and I only take 150mg a day. Virtually no side effects. I truly wish that tramadol could be prescribed for my mental issues. It has kept me from relapsing. I've been clean and sober for three years now. I haven't had any cravings since I've started taking tramadol."

• Beff
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2019

"I have taken tramadol off and on for 3 years for hip bursitis, and I also have suffered from depression for the last 30 years. When I take it, I feel any signs of depression lift. I feel motivation to engage in life, my mind feels clear, and I have more energy. I recently had an honest conversation with my psychiatrist about using a low dose of tramadol for depression. I've tried a dozen different antidepressants with a ton of side effects and hardly any good long-lasting results. I don't feel any side effects from the tramadol, and 50 mg can last me all day. I do notice when it wears off, but I don't mind, as I've had a good 8 hours feeling normal, not high. I am hopeful now. I've been able to just stop it without side effects when needed so far...it's such a low dose but does wonders."