use of Tramadol ...

[serengazer]

I noticed some questions about Tramadol, so I decided to tell you my experience.

I have used Tramadol on more than one occasion, and in hindsight, it has some serious side effects. At one point several years ago, I had a severely broken arm and was in extreme pain, and had just had surgery. While on tramadol, I made the decision to move to an island, where there was little to no support, and had to live with that decision until my arm healed. It was a very stressful and difficult time!. I did not associate my bad decision making with my medication at that time.

Then two years later, while again, on tramadol for pain and help with RLS, I made the decision to buy a horse. I went through all the processes- research, etc. and was almost ready to have the horse shipped when I woke up in the night with a very clear thought 'you were on tramadol for severe pain. How can you buy a huge 17 hand horse ?!' I was able to cancel this decision, but the horse trader was not very happy with me.

When I did some research, I realize that tramadol does affect the decision-making and many other things in the mind. My then Dr. laughing told me that he knew a man that bought or sold his house while on tramadol. The doc seemed to think it was a joke . At no time has a doctor or pharmacist warned me that my thinking and decision making may be affected by tramadol. I do not use it anymore and I am very upset that it does not come with more severe warnings. I hope this is helpful to someone.

Quote

"Tramadol addiction has hazardous effects on cognitive functions mainly memory, attention, visuospatial functions, executive functions, decision making, and reaction time. The longer duration and the higher doses are non-significantly associated with more worsening of the cognitive functions." Oct 2017.

[Madlegs1]

Really good warning.

I had no idea it had such an effect.

Thankyou.👍🤕

[Joolsg]

Impulse Control Disorder is common on dopaminergic medications. Million dollar class actions have been made against big Pharma. As tramadol is the ONLY opioid that causes augmentation, like dopaminergic meds, it is entirely possible that it also causes ICD.I presume you're off levodopa and Pramipexole, because they are likely to cause ICD.

[serengazer in reply to Joolsg]

I tried both of those years ago until augmentation began. I am very fortunate that a doctor agreed to methadone treatment which has taken away all symptoms of RLS... It's a shame it is so hard to get on in some countries. Have been on Methadone three years and so far all is good.

[RLSLearner]

thanks for pointing out

[nocturne]

Thank you so much for sharing this frightening story with us. I'm glad you got out of the horse deal, and hope that you've found yourself a new doctor. We in the US have a website called Yelp where we can post reviews about businesses, including physicians. If there's a similar site in Canada, your doctor who thought people buying property while on Tramadol was funny deserves to be outed for his unprofessionalism.

[Jumpey]

I'm sorry you suffered in this way. For balance , I took tramadol for many years for RLS with no adverse side effects.

[serengazer in reply to Jumpey]

I think I am hypersensitive to drugs! You are fortunate. It can make for a good story but only if it ends well!

[Jumpey in reply to serengazer]

I dearly hope it does.

[Whippetmama]

For every if there's a but. I've been taking 200mgs of tramadol and 900 mgs of gabapentin every night for over 10 years (the gabapentin since it was neurontin - 40 years?) with no problems. I don't even get sleepy. But don't give me pregabalin -- I'd forget who I am.

[Hidden in reply to Whippetmama]

Have you taken gabapentin for 40 years Whippetmama?

[Whippetmama in reply to Hidden]

My math wad off -- 30+ years. It was originally prescribed for nerve entrapment syndrome and wad prescribed off-label. The neurologist who prescribed it said it wad a crappy anti-convulsant but an excellent pain reliever for nerve pain.

[Whippetmama in reply to Whippetmama]

Was, over and over

[SueJohnson in reply to Whippetmama]

My laugh for the day.

[johannasuar]

I would like to share my feelings about Tramadol. I have been on Tramadol for over 12-13 years on a daily basis for my RLS. I have been very lucky that I have never had augmentation nor have I had it affect my mental stability and I am very happy to say that the only side effects I have is insomnia for about four to five hours per night and then on the fourth night I’ll get a full nights sleep. I am so willing to give up some sleep than suffer with RLS or using other drugs that REALLY had horrible side effects for me. In all these years I have never heard of Tramadol causing mind altering decisions as opposed to gabapentin that says it might cause you to gamble or prostitute yourself plus a very long list of other side effects. I’m not knocking any drug because not everyone can use the same meds, but I just wanted to defend Tramadol that has been a life saver for me. Sorry to hear it affected you so badly and I hope you found something to get you through the restless nights. Good luck.

[SueJohnson in reply to johannasuar]

I think you are confusing gabapentin with DAs which can cause one to gamble or prostitute oneself. Gabapentin may have side effects all drugs do, but those are one of them.

[johannasuar in reply to SueJohnson]

I looked it up again just to be completely sure and gabapenting CAN cause compulsive thoughts. That’s saying it mildly. I was not confused with DA’s

[SueJohnson in reply to johannasuar]

Can you give me the link

[ELLSBELLS]

Has anyone who had impulse control disorder on dopamine agonists then been prescribed tramadol and had same reaction? I have only taken tramadol for a few weeks after surgery and so presumably not long enough to suffer from impulse control disorder. Thank you for sharing this side effect.

[funkyday in reply to ELLSBELLS]

Yes, I definitely have had impulse control issues but I have been on Tramadol for two years now and it, combined with pregabalin, has saved my life from the misery of RLS. I haven't had any issues or side effects while on Tramadol.

[ELLSBELLS in reply to funkyday]

Thank you so much. Tramadol relieved restless legs and I hoped it could be an alternative for me if dihydocodeine stopped working.

[johannasuar in reply to ELLSBELLS]

I’ve been on Tramadol for 12+ years and have never had any reactions nor any compulsive thoughts, however, all drugs can give some people different reactions. Just like some meds work great for some but not for others. Do what feels best for you and don’t depend on others, hear comments but you decide at the end and discus any reactions with your MD.

[serengazer]

while I did make some bad decisions that made no sense, while on Tramadol; I am hypersensitive to drugs so my reaction was probably an outlier! All you can do is try and be aware of any changes in your self. All the best

[McClintok]

how many mg were you taking?

[serengazer in reply to McClintok]

I can't remember now. I have long Covid 18 months and counting and the details of life before are fading. 😊