Has anyone been on Tramadol long term?

[mmb8083]

Im taking 50mg Tramadol and it is helping not totally but enough that I can get a few hours of sleep. I try to go without it some nights thinking magnesium, potassium and iron will do the trick but inevitably resort back to the tramadol. With it being an opiod, Im worried about the addiction factor. I will NEVER again go back on Recuip or any DA for that matter. Had my horror story with that drug. Has anyone successfully maintained some success with long term use of tramadol?

[Amrob]

Not from personal experience however from memory there are some studies showing that opioids have been used effectively in RLS populations over years if not decades. Further, the studies show that once the correct dose is achieved, there's no need to increase the dose i.e. it remains effective over a long period. Generally the dose for RLS patients is well below that prescribed for pain management. Your prescribing doctor should screen for "addiction" tendencies and monitor your use regularly. If you need medication on an ongoing basis to function, low dose opioids aren't a bad option. Buprenorphine is a low dose opioid that is gaining recognition as an effective treatment option, however it is not readily prescribed in many countries.

[smilingjane]

Hello there

Anrob is spot on.

I take Oxycodone (Longtec), 15mls every 12 hours because my RL is 24/7 . Opiods can be extremely effective for RL. Taking them has literally changed my life.

I am not familiar with the dosing for Tramadol. Are you on the lowest dose and do you have to get out of bed when its still nighttime? your dose may need adjusting.

In answer to you question. I have been on the same dose for 16 months. I am extremely carefull with timings. I read of one doctor who has successfully treated patients for over 20 years (in the states) on opiods. I am aware that dependancy will probably occur but that is different from addiction.

Keep researching and dont worry to much. as long as you keep to the dose and never overshoot.

Good luck and enjoy your sleep.

Jane 😊

[martino]

Yes. I take 200mg of Tramulief every day. I have been on this for 2 or 3 years. I know that it helps to control my severe RLS.

[Simo7]

I take tramadol primarily for pain from endometriosis, have done on & off for 10 years. I noticed that my RLS is controlled by the tramadol, my dosing is much higher than yours but on a day where pain is lower I lower my dosage, so 50mg is fine for my RLS without needing to increase it - despite my long term usage. I do try to take breaks and I gradually lower my dosage to do this - but that’s pain related not RLS. For RLS though, 50mg is fine for me despite long term use (I know we’re all different!) As smilingjane said “dependency is different from addiction” - I’d rather be dependant on tramadol than a lot of other medication that I’ve been given. It is habit forming, but make sure you’re taking it for its purpose & not for any other reason. Glad you’ve finally found something that helps.

[Heatherlss]

I sure hope that it works long time for you. I know that it is going to be my go-to medication in the near future.

Dr Diego though was of the opinion that oxycodone should be considered if that is available.

[cicek]

I have been on 4 Tramadol a day now for about 5 years and not felt any need to increase the dose. I still take 2mg Roprinerol per day which I would like to stop but as my RLS is very manageable at the moment I am reluctant to "mend what isn't really broken". Eventually I would like to take Tramadol only. Hope this helps x

[mmb8083]

Thanks everyone for replying. This is such a menacing disorder that every night is yet another calculation of what to try, in what order and how much. I so envy people who can just go to bed and sleep period

[Bganim1947 in reply to mmb8083]

As I have posted many times, I have been on 300 mgs of Tramadol & 300 mgs of Pregabalin, both 3x/ day for over 5 years. This cocktail has changed my life! I had severe RLS through my torso and arms. This has turned me into a normal person; I sleep well through the night. I have had no side effects and have felt no need to increase my dosage. I stopped drinking except for an occasional beer or glass of wine—both of which give me a headache—not worth it. I don’t miss alcohol anyway. Tramadol & Pregabalin are game changers for RLS suffers.

[Gmc54]

I take 50mg Tramadol daily, and have done for several years. It helps, but some nights I still get rls and have to get up, so it isn’t working as well as it used to. Like you I was on the ds’s and really don’t want to go down that road again.

[bill54321]

I take it for back pain when I stand up. DO NOT go for oxycodone or hydrocodone. I weaed myself. It sounds like you need to talk to another opinion. Tramodol is not a sleeping pill. You may need medication specificlally for RLS. In that case, see a Movement Disorder specialist who is also a neurologist. or maybe 2 or three of them. This area is complicated.

[wbdetroit]

I I have been taking Tramadol 50mg. off and on for the past 3 or 4 years but every night for the past 6 months. I use it along with Amitriptyline 10mg. for nerve pain. I rarely get RLS but if I do and it's really bothersome, I will take a Magnesium tablet which works good for me. These 2 meds have been a life saver. I would have many nights fussing and crying, from the burning stabbing pain in my feet (neuropathy) alternating with feeling like my legs wanted to take me for a walk. It took a while to get to this combination. I am so happy that it works for me and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Good luck to you.

[wildlegs]

I started with 50mg ten years ago. I increased it over the years and now10 years latter I take 200mg and it’s a life saver.

[Hidden]

I have been taking 50mg Tramadol 3-4 times a day as needed. For 6 years, and I have not had any issues with addiction or dependency, at least that I have noticed. It helps with the RLS but also with the back pain, I have had a lot of back surgery.

There is an excellent article in the latest National Geographic on pain and it shows how complicated pain management can be. Just like none of us have the same symptoms of RLS and we all respond differently to the same drugs. They have shown that chronic pain, which is long term and debilitating reacts differently than the medications for acute pain and there may even be a different nerve pathway for chronic pain sufferers.

What works for one person may not work for someone else unfortunately. At least they are trying to unravel the pain pathways and looking for new ways to help us. If it works for you then I would not worry and keep taking it. Its worked for me just fine!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I have been on Tramadol for 4 or 5 years and also have had 3 spinal surgeries with fusions so pain can be an issue too. I’ve not found Tramadol addicting and only take it when the pain is bad and one at night for the RLS. Totally agree with you. The National Geographic article was great, and A great explanation.

[Marrob]

Hi, I’ve been taking tramadol for about ten years now for RLS and find it works really well! I take 50mg usually about 6pm, same at 9pm and again before going to sleep and I sleep all night! I wouldn’t say I’m addicted to it more dependant on it which I’m ok with as I’m also dependant on other drugs for health problems so can’t see the difference! My GP said she was happier to prescribe Tramadol if it worked than some of the other drugs for RLS because of the side effects they give! If something works for you then stick with it, why would anyone want to suffer the misery that’s RLS if they don’t have to!

[connie50]

yes I've been on tramadol started of about 3yrs ago was taking 8 x 50mbut I have know reduced it to 3x50 a day trying to wean of it.but cant its the only thing that seem to wok for me. I was taking ropinirole but augmentation set in never again, Will never ever take it again.

[btthemd]

I have taken tramadol HCL 50mg for over 30 years. I have tried everything else but only tramadol has worked in the long run. I take up to 8 pills (50mg) over 24 hours as needed. I have never had a problem and am so grateful there is something on the market to allow me to get some sleep.

[wildlegs]

I’ve been on tramadol for almost 10 years now. I started with 50 mg but for the last three years I’ve been taking 200 mg and it works 90% of the time. The other 10% I still do the walking around the house for a hour or so.

I have no side effects and as I’m now 76 I’ll probably take it until I die. Because it’s classified as an opiate it’s hard to find a doctor to prescribe it sometimes.

[Bganim1947 in reply to wildlegs]

When you get those nights with occasional RLS, you might want to try using MagniLife Relaxing Legs cream. I have been using it for the last 3 years since I tried it on a whim to see if it worked—did it ever. My combo of Tramadol & Pregabalin work 95% of the time, But for those odd nights when my legs are bothering me, I apply the cream liberally all over my lower leg—from ankle to over and under my knee. It dries in a few minutes, and poof my RL symptoms are gone. No more walking around the house at night. I have found that my RLS comes back only when I have over worked my legs gardening or walking and my knees or ankles are a little swollen.

[wildlegs]

I take 200mg of Tramadol and have been for three plus years. I started with 50 mg ten years ago and worked my way up to 200mg. It works 95% of the time and at 76 I’m not about to quit now. I’ve had RLS for 25+ years and tried many different things. Tramadol works for me and I plan on taking it in any amount that works. I’ve had three different doctors tell me that there are no side effects so I’ll stick with what works for me. It sure beats the hundreds of sleepless nights I used to have.

[wildlegs]

keep up the tramadol it works.