Tramadol for Back Pain User Reviews (Page 3)

• Val...
• February 1, 2017

"I'm writing this on behalf of my wife. She was on tramadol for about a month, then that's where she had a severe and violent seizure, the worst I've ever seen, and she's never had one before. Well, come to find out from the neurologist, tramadol is the number one contender for causing seizures, look it up. I had to watch my beautiful wife convulse and shake and basically go brain dead for a short while. It was literally the most traumatizing thing I'd ever seen, and mind you, I did two tours in Iraq. We were very fortunate there was no permanent damage and she wasn't driving. Stay away from this drug."

• bro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 7, 2015

"I suffer from chronic back pain due to scoliosis, and I've been on tramadol for almost a year, and the pain has subsided, it's tolerable. I would recommend it to anyone. I also take it with an NSAID, but it has worked wonders for me. Also, I was curious to know if it causes withdrawals."

• lil...
• March 28, 2012

"I have been taking Tramadol 50 mg for about 2 years now, and before I found this medicine, my activities with my children were very limited. I have extreme lower back pain due to a slipped disc. I felt like a terrible mommy because I could not move around well at all, and I was only in my early 30s. I could not even do simple house cleaning activities for any longer than 30 minutes, if that! But now, with Tramadol, I have my life back! I am able to run and play with my kids, and conduct myself as normal at work, and my daily household chores are done with no problems. My relationship with my children and my husband has definitely gotten 100% better because I don’t feel like I am a burden anymore. I can do so much more now."

• spa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2018

"Rx beginning 150 mg/day, up’d to 400/day. Worked somewhat, but not as well as narcotic pain relievers, i.e., Norco or oxycodone. Used them for 6 mo. The real pain was getting off of tramadol. I read very little of the nightmare of stopping this med. I would rather go through hydrocodone withdrawals 10x over to the withdrawal off of tramadol. Norco withdrawal took around 5-7-10 days. Had been through that many times over 11 years. Tramadol took months to physically get over. Not mental, physical dependence. They should come with a heroin-type caveat. Don’t try to “wean” from narcotic pain pills to tramadol. Only kidding yourself, and the withdrawals are so much worse."

• Alf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2016

"I had rods put in my back about 7 years ago due to DDD. My doctor put me on several different narcotics, but none seemed to work. Went to my regular doctor, and she prescribed me tramadol HCL (Ultram) 50 mg. Just one day on it, the pain really just went away and my mood changed for the better. Great pain reliever and improves your mood. I take 50 mg every 6 hours."

• Bil...
• September 30, 2019

"Took tramadol for 14 years as a result of shoulder injury and ongoing issues. Worked wonders throughout the time frame for moderate pain. By the end, I was taking 100 mg three times daily. As I entered my 50s, I believe the long-term use triggered an acute mental health nightmare of anxiety. I slowly weaned myself down over 2 weeks. The physical withdrawals were significant, particularly night sweats, intestinal complications, and constant tremors. After six months of non-use, I slowly returned to “normal,” and all physical symptoms of withdrawal were absent. My mental health is well one year later and under the consult of psychiatry. Indeed, tramadol “took the edge off” of pain, but retrospectively, it was also leaned upon for the opiate-like feel good mentally. Shoulder pain still sucks, but much better than losing my mind, and now I am staying well grounded. I’m stunned to hear the off-script uses for depression. Maybe initially, it’s all good - but there are classic opioid consequences."

• Kat...
• September 11, 2018

"Helps with almost everything, though temporary. I am prescribed 50 mg every 4-6 hours as needed for lower back pain. It helps the pain 10/10, boosts my energy, and reduces anxiety. It helps me focus and puts me in a good mood. I don’t take it every day, but I’m glad I have it for when I actually need it. The only side effect I’ve experienced while on it is increased heart rate. Regardless, this is a great but addictive drug. Don’t abuse it!"

• Til...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2017

"Tramadol does two things: relieve pain and alter mood. It affects opioid receptors in the brain and gut and acts in the same way as a serotonin uptake SSRI/SNRI drug. So, it makes you feel good and acts like an antidepressant. For short-term use (very short), it's useful, but it is highly addictive in spite of what the docs and FDA say. The withdrawals are insanely awful if you have taken it for more than a week or so since you are withdrawing from an opiate and an antidepressant. Unbelievably, medical professionals are still prescribing this drug as non-addictive and non-habit forming. If you have serious pain, take opiates, resist any attempt to give you this drug."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2020

"Tramadol was worthless for my back pain. This drug is pushed by drug companies to replace narcotics that, with responsible use, actually relieve pain very well. Tramadol is called 'baby aspirin' by many people who have been pushed into using it. Meanwhile, Tramadol includes ingredients that can cause suicidal thoughts or a potentially lethal serotonin syndrome when it interacts with other medications. It did nothing to relieve my lower back pain after a hard fall. I have been in agony. I will never use Tramadol again because there's no point in taking a useless drug that contains negative side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2012

"I started using this a week ago. I have gone from chronic high pain to a level of 1 to 2. I can function like a person again. While this is only until we address the actual problem causing the back pain, this has made me look forward to having days with very little pain. The difference is like night and day. I still have the pain if I stand for too long, or if I do too much physical activity, but I can now sit for extended periods of time pain-free. I have a slight upward tic, nervousness, and at times dizzy. I take this with food. For me, it is a relief to be so pain-free after dealing with the problem for over 18 years without any real relief."

• Pti...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 11, 2015

"Barely takes the edge off pain. Usually have to take 2 and a Soma to help. I also have Crohn's and COPD. I've tried many meds, but due to all medical problems, nothing I'm allowed to take works. Used to have an extremely high tolerance for pain, but with chronic pain from so many medical issues, it's worn me down. Just want to be pain-free one day. Seriously, just one day."

• tra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2015

"I was diagnosed with a herniated disc about a year and a half ago. At first, I was prescribed Percocet for the first month and went to physical therapy and chiropractic, physical therapy did not work for me. Then, I was prescribed Lortab for a few months. But due to others abusing these drugs, doctors now are reluctant to prescribe them anymore. So they put me on tramadol at 50 mg 2x a day. After a few days on it, I was still in excruciating pain. I went back to my Dr., and she said to try taking two of the 50 mg tramadol pills with 800 mg of ibuprofen and a shot of espresso 2x a day. This combination worked! Side effects: I can't take it no later than 8 pm or else I can't fall into a deep sleep."

• Luc...
• May 1, 2016

"I was in a car accident 5 years ago and was prescribed tramadol for my chronic back pain. For 2 years, I was on dozens of other medications, and tramadol was the only medication that worked. I took 50 mg 2 times per day. Well, 5 years later, I decided to quit the drug. I tapered off the drug myself. I decreased each day by 25 mg. It took 2 weeks, but I did it. I can't believe it. There were some nights when I would get jittery, but I took amitriptyline to help me sleep. I feel amazing now, so much better. I have my energy back and I take Tylenol for pain."

• mik...
• December 26, 2014

"2002 fell, injured my lower back. Tried a bunch of different meds, and just made me gaga and the same pain. Then, after a plea to my doctor, he wanted to do something different. We tried two: tramadol and Robaxin. To my surprise, no back pain and no more gaga."

• nor...
• December 31, 2016

"I have been taking anywhere from 50 to 150 mg of Tramadol per day as a part of my pain management regimen. This regimen includes 3600 mg Gabapentin and 15 mg Meloxicam per day. I've been on this regimen for 4 years for a back injury and fibromyalgia. My pharmacy switched the manufacturer of my Tramadol, and I immediately noticed that the new pill doesn't work! I don't mean just in terms of pain relief, there's not even any side effects such as the warm fuzzy feeling, dizziness, slurred speech, or cottonmouth. The 50 mg white oblong pill marked 377 is complete rubbish because I have to take 4 of them at a time (200 mg) to feel the same amount of relief I would get from the previous manufacturer pill (50 mg white oval 93/58), which worked great."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2015

"This drug has helped me for 3 years after 3 arthroscopic knee surgeries and finally a total replacement (5-year period). Getting off the Vicodin was horrible! Now I have been through 1 neck fusion, 3 back surgeries ending with a fusion. I have severe arthritis in my back. The tramadol helps me to be able to resume my life somewhat, without the agonizing pain that I live with. I take 50 mg 4 times a day. I do not feel as if I need my dosage upped after this long. I seem to do just fine. I can have my grandchildren, work in my garden, and do general household chores. In general, I can continue a fairly normal life."

• rob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2024

"I have taken tramadol for 2 years so far. Cervical foraminal stenosis at 4 different levels and 3 disc bulges, plus lots of bone spurs. I was operated on at c7, opening up the space a little, and no doubt will have further surgery in years to come. I am 55 years old. The surgeon tells me to take 75mg of tramadol in the morning and 75mg at night, but as it disrupts my sleep, I take it at 9 am and then at 4 pm. In fact, I get by with 50mg in the morning and 50mg in the evening, and some days only 50mg once as I also take paracetamol 100 and sometimes ibuprofen in the gaps between tramadol. It works really well for me, and an added bonus is it stops me from getting caught in a 'worry about my spine' loop. I find it better than gabapentin as an antidepressant. I was on gabapentin for about 3 months, but it gave me bad dreams. I would really recommend tramadol. Stay at the minimum dose possible, and if you have to increase, do so slowly and over the longest time possible. It's better to function and have a life than be a manic depressive in constant pain."

• Foo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2014

"This medicine worked decently. I've recently had a spinal fusion due to blowing out my back from lifting weights for football. My L5 disk literally exploded, and bone particles were seeping down my spine. This helped relieve the pain after surgery, but I did build a tolerance quickly."

• mon...
• October 11, 2019

"This drug, tramadol, works. You do have to watch out for side effects, especially if you take it on a regular basis. Withdrawal usually lasts a week and can be a bit on the rough side due to: bowels, weakness, temperature control. It really slows down the bowels. I actually think it is better for mood enhancement than pain relief. Can be a positive experience if managed properly-tolerance control is key."

• Bob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2016

"Works very well when I use it to prevent the sensation of stiffness/pain in the back when playing tennis. Effect may not last for the full 8 hours (more like 5 to 6 hours). Generally, I use it in conjunction with naproxen and acetaminophen. Do not use it other times even though I experience effects of degenerative disc disease in the lumbar region chronically."

• goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2013

"Been using naproxen almost daily for years, for back and hand-related near-chronic pain-partially due to inflammation and swelling. Had to stop taking ALL NSAIDs on orders from my GI Dr. Used 3,000 mg daily acetaminophen for 3 months-much less effective than the minimum dose naproxen had been for pain and useless for inflammation/swelling (using large doses of omega 3/fish oil for inflammation). Started tramadol about 2 weeks ago, noticed a difference over acetaminophen alone in the first 2 days while taking 25 mg at a time and still ramping up to 4x daily. Now I take it every 6 hours, and if I miss a dose-especially the last one at night-significant pain and stiffness return. Hope to switch to the extended-release version."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 17, 2018

"I have chronic back pain associated with scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and osteoporosis. My doctor prescribed Tramadol, 50 mg, twice daily. I’m now up to 3 times daily. From the time I started taking it, my pain subsided, but I noticed that the drug made me “mean.” It’s caused problems in my relationship with my partner to the point that I want to quit taking it but can’t tolerate the pain. I wish there was something else that worked. Anyone else experience these same symptoms?"

• Lov...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 16, 2016

"I have been taking Tramadol for about 4 years for spinal stenosis and now rheumatoid arthritis. Tramadol works very well for me. I have the 50 mg. I generally take 2, 3 times per day. It used to be less, but I guess I've built up some type of tolerance since this is all they give me, and it is most ineffective on the RA attacks. When that happens, I have to take 6 just to be able to lay down. The attacks usually last about 3 days, and the prednisone helps a great deal once it kicks in, I can go back to taking 2. I'm thankful for this medication, but just recently (the past two months), I have noticed a change in the Tramadol. I break out in sweats, feel feverish, lots of aches, and feel very hungry all the time, and no, it's not me."

• led...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2014

"After being on opiate therapy since 2000 for a spinal injury and fusion, I found tramadol to be a great substitute. After some initial discomfort from slight withdrawal, tramadol is a lifesaver. It acts upon the same receptors for opiates, which makes it easier to come off them without the major side effects and severe withdrawal sickness I experienced with another drug I had tried. Still feel a little rough from being on opiates for so long. Would do better with a stronger dose with extended release. Thank goodness for no more positive drug tests."

• Tas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2019

"I suffer with a degenerative spine disease, and the pain is worst at night, so I take a tramadol before I go to sleep. It works, and I sleep throughout the whole night. If I don't take one before bed, I really suffer with the pain in the night and don't sleep, or very little."