Tramadol for 22 yrs.

[btthemd]

Was taking tramadol for over 22 years. The only med I could get to work. No problems for 22 years but now I am having to increase the dose from 2 (50mg) day to now 6 pills a day. The Dr.'s are trying to get me off the tramadol to reset my system to be able to go back to 2 pills a day but not having a very good time. Little sleep if any. We need more research to find a cure for this terrible problem.

[Jumpey]

I empathise with you. So sorry you are having such a hard time. From my experience the doctors are right. Tolerance to Tramadol builds up.I've had similar problems.Having a holiday from worked for me.I used kratom to help with this.Good luck.x

[Hidden]

Yeah - It can be very hard.. And I know tolerance does build up. I have gone from about 100 mg a day to currently about 150. I am trying to pull myself back off of it but it is hard. Best of luck!

[rls_optimist]

The problem you're experiencing is likely augmentation. There may be tolerance build-up, too, but Tramadol is the only opioid (as far as I know) that is known to lead to augmentation in some cases. What other RLS medications are you on, if any, and what dosages? You might consider a different class of drugs. For instance, the alpha-2-delta drugs like gabapentin and pregabalin have been helpful to many of us here, and have only a low chance of augmentation. I wouldn't recommend any dopamine agonist (DA) like pramipexole or ropinerole due to their high chance of augmentation. Many of us here have struggled mightily to get off DAs. That said, however, many of us have had success and less augmentation with the rotigotine patch, a long-acting DA, so long as the dose is kept low (best to use no higher than 2 mg patch).

If you want to stay with the opioids, you might discuss alternatives with your doctor. For instance, oxycodone, OxyContin, or Targinact. If you're in the USA, methadone is another alternative, one favored by most RLS experts among the opioids. Good luck!

[btthemd]

Thanks for all the suggestions...I have tried all the normal RLS drugs like Pramipaxol , Gabapentin, Mirapax, etc , And have had a terrible time due to not being able to keep them down without vomiting. The patches made me sick all day long. Not much of a cure. I have not tried any of the other opioids nor methadone due to the bad rap they have been getting in the press and the reluctance of the doctors to prescribe. I am hoping/praying that lowering the dose of tramadol will allow my system to reset and I can go back on a lower dose with good results...but not sure if this is going to work. My heart goes out to all my family RLS people as I know what a struggle this problem is and the sad part is most (Not all), but most doctors are unwilling to learn or work with the patients. FOR EXAMPLE: I called the RLS org. to get doctors in the Phoenix area who worked with RLS patients, and was given 4 doctors names.. Of the 4 doctors 2 of them said they don't know why they are giving their name out as they don't know anything about RLS. One doctor asked me what is RLS. The last doctor said I needed a neurologist recommendation before he could see me and he wasn't sure there was much he could do. There you have it our fine doctors in Phoenix. Alone again naturally.

[LotteM in reply to btthemd]

This paper may be helpful to discuss and select an other opioid to help you during your time-out from tramadol. mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

I hope the time-out works for you and that you will get another stretch of 22 years with controlled symptoms on tramadol. For me, the tramadol lasted only a few months, unfortunately. I am currently enjoying a longer time on oxycodon SR (slow release). Only 5 months though, but counting!

[tmshepard35]

I also have only been on tramadol. I haven't ever tried any other meds and, like you, was taking 2 - 50mg tabs at night. I discovered kratom in this forum. From the first time I took it, no withdrawal from the tramadol. I've been taking 1 tramadol with 1 serving of kratom (powder, so 1 level teaspoon). I'm looking to transition away from tramadol altogether. Been on for maybe 7 years. I'm sorry you are going through it. If anything, I would recommend kratom, if you can get it where you are.

[Legsbohn]

I’m 74 have been taking Tramadol for a few years now and if it continues to work I’ll be happy to keep taking for another 30 years. It beats not sleeping and walking every night.