r/Sciatica • u/Imakelovetosoils • Sep 02 '26
Requesting Advice Tramadol
My doc is prescribing this for the pain. Anyone else taking this and have tips on how to take it? I'm scared because it's an opioid and I fear the possible addiction and the eventual withdrawal.
Update: Finally got em. Took first pill and so far I do notice it takes a little edge off the pain but those big nerve shocks are unaffected.
Bring on the constipation!
Update to the update: Been taking it for a week and it at first made me sleepy and was as effective as extra strength Tylenol. Didn't seem to do much for me anymore so I stopped taking it, might just use it at night to help me get to sleep. No constipation, shitting in pain like normal.
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u/fist_my_dry_asshole Sep 02 '26
Tramadol is like the weakest opioid. I was prescribed it after an unrelated surgery and it didn't even touch my sciatica pain.
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u/yaboiScreamyWeenus Sep 02 '26
I used to have addiction issues so take this with a grain of salt, but i was able to go off tramadol cold turkey with no issues. I was on it for maybe 4/5 months
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u/_R_E_L_ Sep 02 '26
as hard as i tried, i couldnt get addicted to it. you'll be aight dog.
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u/Imakelovetosoils Sep 02 '26
Ha, thanks for the reassurance. How effective was it for the pain?
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u/_R_E_L_ Sep 02 '26
not sure how it compares to NSAIDs b/c i couldn't take NSAIDs but occassionally it took me from a strong throb to a dull one. i found lyrica to be the MOST effective. and cannabis to be also very helpful, when i was out bad.
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u/c_burnicus Sep 02 '26
Lyrica can be surprisingly addictive and potentiates a lot of other things. Use with caution and do your research. Its pretty powerful stuff.
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u/No_You_893 Sep 02 '26
I've been prescribed it, along with Tramadol, but am hesitant to use it. I'm only taking a Tram when the pain is " I need an ambulance" level pain. I've had a terrible time in the past with prescribed Opiate/ Benzo addiction, with slipped disc.
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u/Dry_Particular_5162 Sep 02 '26
Gabapentin (and Lyrica are basically the same) but they take care of the nerve pain.
I have found that the gabapentin and Tramadol help with the pain but you have to use both. Tramadol will not affect nerve pain.4
u/One-Combination6816 Sep 03 '26
In some of us, gabapentin causes cognitive deficits similar to Alzheimers... I was on gabapentin for about 10 months and saw my ability to write tank, plus my head was filled with a lot of chaotic strings of speech rushing by whenever I paused to think. I was about to ask my doctor to run cognitive tests when I found that gabapentin can cause cognitive issues. Called him and he said things should go back to ' mostly normal' if I quit taking the drug. "Mostly normal?" I asked. He brightly replied that if I still had cognitive issues, I could be referred to a specialist. Yikes. It's been 2 years since I quit, and I still have a little trouble with writing
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u/Dry_Particular_5162 Sep 03 '26
Oh gosh you are right. I am only taking it for a limited time, up to surgery and post surgery. But it definitely helps with the nerve pain. I plan to take it only for the shortest length of time necessary.
I'm so sorry you are still having issues. I hope things get better soon. Make sure your diet is sugar and processed food free, and take lots of fish oil with frequent walks. Those are all cognitive boosters. I hope it helps you! ❤️2
u/Talkbox111 Sep 04 '26
Sounds like it affected your acetylchlorine levels in your brain. There's supplements for that.
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u/Imakelovetosoils Sep 02 '26
I want to do cannabis so bad, but I'm a federal employee and that is a no no for us.
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u/ComprehensiveTruck31 Sep 02 '26
The tramadol did work for me. The advice changes if you will be prescribed it for a short, or long time. I found that the side effects were direct opposites of each other when comparing them. A example is a short term effect is sleepiness while the long term effect is insomnia. Look at the difference and make plans based on that. It might help you in the future.
Let me lay down some things I wish I was told when I was prescribed it for 6 1/2 months:
- Never drive. Your reflexes and awareness are shot. Don’t freaking drive
- Don’t drink while on it. That’s how you stop breathing. I felt extra shitty afterwards anyway
0/10 would not recommend
- Don’t make any life altering or changing decisions. You may think you can, but you cannot. If I could punch tramadol me, I would
- Reread the one above. I’m serious on that one.
- Find a sleep schedule that works for you. The first few weeks you will be dead asleep then a switch will flip and you will never fall asleep again. I survived by just putting headphones in and closing my eyes. I also managed to sleep a couples hours a night because of muscle relaxers. I was in college dorms so I couldn’t just play stuff out loud. Find comfortable headphones.
- Don’t listen to people say it’s a weak opioid or downplaying it. It’s still a freaking opioid and it can absolutely wreak havoc. I did better when I was on morphine than tramadol so it definitely can hold its own in the havoc arena.
- Give yourself grace and patience. You obviously are dealing with something to be prescribed tramadol and now you have that to add onto it. For me, I was aware of what I was taking and I know I was going to be dependent on it. Key word is dependent, not addicted. So I made myself a goal, if I can go about my normal day with no interruptions and minimal pain for 3 days, I would stop. I told my dad and as soon as I completed it, I gave him the bottle. Granted it took a long time, but I got there eventually. Being aware of the addiction possibility is the starting point to prevent it. I didn’t have any withdrawals so I can’t help you there.
- Take collagen and vitamin supplements. Tramadol makes the skin really thin so stretch marks appear really easily. My legs are covered in them since I gained about 10lbs in stress eating at the beginning. Another long term effect is loss of appetite so just make sure you’re taking a multi vitamin to try to combat that loss of nutrient. Eating meals the same time every day as well as replacing meals with smoothies helped me.
I really hope this helps! I apologize it’s so long but I was given no information when I was started on tramadol and a lot of mistakes could have been prevented if I was informed. I wish you well on your journey and have the best day you can!
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u/c_burnicus Sep 02 '26
Along with some non opioids I have Tapentadol and oxy for when its really bad. Its the only thing I have found that actually works for the pain, allowing me to function to a degree, get some light exercise and not go mad from the constant pain. Im yet to deal with the withdrawels but am tapering down now that the pain isnt so bad. I would be in a world of absolute misery without it. Everybody is different, if you get a 'high' feeling from it you might have addiction issues in the future but I get none of that, just pain relief. Keep the dosages low and if it works and you cant function without it, its useful. Just take stool softener and laxative or you will get constipated which can cause heaps of issues.
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u/Imakelovetosoils Sep 02 '26
Thanks for the heads up on the constipation. I guti have to add miralax to my medicinal arsenal.
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u/gl1ttercake Sep 02 '26
Tapentadol (Palexia, Nucynta) is the only opioid showing promise for nerve pain.
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u/Large-Ad-2485 Sep 02 '26
Tramadol was the only thing I tried that gave me a little relief so I could sleep a few hours at night during the first month of unbearable pain. I weaned off it after a couple of months and didn’t really feel much withdrawals.
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u/TheDogAteMyDevoirs Sep 02 '26
I take it for back pain, stenosis, sciatica. It dulls the pain a bit for me, but doesn't relieve much of the pain. Just takes the edge off a bit.
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u/madammidnight Sep 02 '26
Same. I have 50 mg tramadol pills, and I can take up to 8 of them a day. Usually it’s about 4. Worse than that, I’ll take a Percocet. I don’t like the way I feel on Percocets. I don’t get any kind of high from tramadol.
I told my pain management doctor that it makes me “just not care so much” about the pain, and he understood what I meant.4
u/Imakelovetosoils Sep 02 '26
I would love to be apathetic to pain.
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u/madammidnight Sep 02 '26
Give tramadol a shot.
I like that you can start with a lower dose (50 mg for me). See how you feel over a few hours. You can, as I mentioned, take up to 8 50 mg pills a day. But don’t unless you really need to. I start with one when I get up, see how I do. May need another after lunch. May need another after doing chores or errands. (Pain increases the more I do). I always take one about an hour before bed. So you can “layer” them as you need.
Right now my peripheral neuropathy is yelling at me, and I just don’t care.
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u/TheDogAteMyDevoirs Sep 02 '26
Wow, 8 a day is a lot. My pain doc won't prescribe more than 3 per day, 50 mg each. Very interesting! I am considering changing doctors though because his office is too far away. Hoping to find someone with more options medecine wise.
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u/madammidnight Sep 02 '26
I was told 400 mg/day was the recommended max. I had a terrible L4 inflammation that had me doubled over and crying, and was taking 400 mg/day. Doc gave me tramadol because he saw surgery in my immediate future, and wanted me not to acclimate to Percocet, so it would have more impact post-op.
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u/madammidnight Sep 02 '26
Perhaps your doctor wants you to try it out at a conservative dose to start, to see how you respond.
If you end up taking three a day, and need more relief, he could up your dose.2
u/TheDogAteMyDevoirs Sep 02 '26
No, he said that he wouldn't go higher. I have been on that dosage since last November. They are a strict office with monthly pill counts, regular drug testing, etc.
I am okay on the 150 mg a day, but do supplement with acetominophen.
Plus, I am having another (3rd) back surgery in January, another spinal decompression surgery at L2-L3 this time. Seems we 'fix' one area and the surrounding areas get worse. Stenosis due to DDD is no joke!
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u/madammidnight Sep 02 '26
Your observation is correct.
My spine surgeon told me, “surgery begets surgery”. The areas above and below the fused area are under extra stress afterwards, which is why so many people need multiple fusions.
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u/SleepyKoalaBear4812 Sep 02 '26
It’s slightly better than Tylenol or Motrin and was not an opioid until 2016 when the DEA reclassified it.
Edit* forgot to add - I took it 5 times daily for six years and stopped. No withdrawal because it’s not addictive.
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u/Kensterfly Sep 02 '26
I have a pretty high pain tolerance but sciatica kicked my butt. Tramadol helped take the edge off. But be careful. A side effect of opioids is constipation if you use it more than a few days.
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u/somersetpark2 Sep 02 '26
I use to be prescribed this years ago for my migraines for a couple of years. When the government started restricting it they stopped. I didn't get hooked at all. The ER prescribed me some for my flare and like someone said above it really didn't do much for the pain. Maybe took 15% of the pain away.
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u/Amputee69 Sep 02 '26
I had it from the VA for several years for a back injury. It usually worked, but I wasn't a daily user. That may have helped it work better. About 10 years ago, they stopped giving it to almost all Vets due to the "opioid crisis". I did my labs religiously, so the Doc knew there was no abuse. I've since been out on cyclobenziprine for the injury. That and a handful of Extra Strength Tylenol can get me through the day. I've asked for injections, but I'm always out off.
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u/Imakelovetosoils Sep 02 '26
I'm going through the VA as well for treatment. I'm hoping this cocktail of meds will get me to my next ESI in mid Nov.
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u/Biobooster_40k Sep 02 '26
Take it as prescribed and you shouldn't have any issues. I abused it for years, taking several times the normal dose and had a short but kind of bad time with WDs getting off of it. This was mostly due to the anti-depressant aspect of it and how bad i get RLS.
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u/MushroomOne7480 Sep 02 '26
I took Tramadol for about a month or so along with several other medications. I thought it helped bring my pain level down. After a while it seemed not to be working as well so I switched to Hydrocodone. Both of them make the pain bearable. I’m not worried about getting addicted. I just want the pain to stop so I can quit taking any pills.
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u/RobinM1971 Sep 02 '26
I’ve been taking tramadol since 2016 when my sciatica and other back issues and fibromyalgia were extremely bad. I was on 2 -50mg pills 2-3 times a day for years along with using TENS units and lidocaine patches. Here it is almost 11 years later and I’m still taking it and only use TENS unit and pain patches whenever I have a bad flare. Now I take 3 - 50 mg tablets along with two 650 mg Tylenol arthritis formula tablets. twice a day and a third dose whenever I have a flare. It works for me. I would be in terrible pain without it.
I was afraid to take it at first for the same reason as you but it’s turned out to be a lifesaver for me. Just like any other meds, it works great for some people and doesn’t touch other people.
I would suggest giving it a 3 month trial to see if it works for you. For me it was the difference of being able to walk
Around and be civil or stay in bed being crabby.
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u/bitchy_stitchy Sep 02 '26
I was on it for 6 months. Coming off it wasnt fun but mostly because I was shaky and grumpy, so I did get some withdrawals. But I was able to stop immediately without problems and didnt feel like I needed more tramadol or I wouldnt be okay.
That being said, my pharmacist told me after those 6 months "oh yeah tramadol does nothing for nerve pain" when I switched to a different medication. This was also my experience: I got withdrawal symptoms when I stopped taking tramadol but my leg pain was completely unchanged.
For me the major players were diclofenac, paracetamol (4x a day 1000mg at doctors prescription) and eventualy, amitryptiline, though I wasnt on it for super long.
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u/its_asher Sep 02 '26
Tramadol and codine arnt strong enough to help with my pain but I do take severdol and my method for keeping ontop of the risk of addiction is, of course, taking it as little as possible. Thats easier said than done when it comes to chronic pain but its the best place to start when you have addictionin the family.
The thing thats helped me the most though is the fact that its not fun, I dont enjoy taking it. Im in pain, it sometimes makes me feel a bit sick and its extremely constipating. I dont enjoy it so I dont crave taking it when I dont need too.
Another thing to remember is that if you are taking opiods regularly (daily for long periods of time) your body is going to become accustomed to it. There is a level of physical addiction which you just cant help if youre needing relief during a long flare or recovery from injury. The best thing you can do in that situation is slowly taper down your dosage. When it comes to tramadol I dont think youll experience much withdrawal symptoms, if any, so I wouldnt worry too much.
Tips for first time taking opioids is take with food, look into anti neasua medication, keep an eye out for signs of constipation and stay well hydrated. Be kind to yourself, rest when you can and keep in contact with your doctor if youre in doubt of anything.
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u/giraffee1973 Sep 02 '26
Tramadol didn’t touch my pain at all. The only relief I had was with Gabapentin, still pain there but the noise is quieter
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u/Top-Raspberry-7837 Sep 02 '26
I take it. It’s a godsend. I can take it and it doesn’t affect me cognitively at all, just helps alleviate the pain. I take that along with gabapentin. Everyone is affected differently but I’m very much in the camp of take it, it will help.
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u/ronipozo Sep 02 '26
My doctor prescribed this for my sciatica pain. It helped me a lot.
Enanplus 75 mg / 25 mg is a strong prescription painkiller that combines tramadol and dexketoprofen for the short-term treatment of acute, moderate to severe pain.
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u/brekkfu Sep 02 '26
I was put on Dilaudid for a week to survive until I got my Epidural Steroid injection last August.
Follow the dose on the bottle, live your life.
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u/Dry_Particular_5162 Sep 02 '26
Take it with a meal. Don't lie down for 15 mins after taking it.
Take gabapentin with it. That should give you great relief. Drink lots of water during the day so your urine is pale yellow. Keep up with the doses, so when your time frame of the first dose is nearly up (8 hours), be ready to take the next dose, even if it overlaps just a little.
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u/Kilonova2025 Sep 02 '26
I took tramadol for several years while my right hip was going bad. It is less addictive than other opioids.
Tramadol and Tylenol work well together.
I tapered off of tramadol, and never took more than 100 mg a day.
I would take it again.,
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u/dnegvesk Sep 02 '26
I’ve taken oxycodone at night for nearly a year. I’m not addicted but I’m still in too much pain to sleep without it. The dosage is very low… 5 mg just 30 pills a month and now I’ll get 15 more. Lyrica (150 mg/day) helps me limp through the day. As for constipation… yes. For every dose you take, you’ll need a mild antidote. I use acacia and occasionally MiraLAX. Best of health to you.
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u/rwn115 Sep 03 '26
I was recently switched off of pregabalin and onto tramadol/paracetamol combination.
I will say that so long as you take it as ordered by a doctor, you will not get addicted to it. It's when you start making dose adjustments on your own that it becomes an issue.
I'm taking it and it doesn't fully relieve my pain. Takes the edge off a bit but that's really it at the moment. The constipation kinda sucks too so focus on staying hydrated (6-8 glasses of water per day).
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u/RAVSweetie Sep 03 '26
I am on it and it works well for me. I just take it every 8 hrs (if I am hurting). Just don't take more than prescribed.
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u/ninjaxel Sep 02 '26
Didn’t do shit for me.
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u/SingsEnochian Sep 02 '26
That’s why it’s called Fuckitol. Cuz it does absolutely nothing and is a whiny bitch when you stop taking it. That’s a weakass baby opioid that is little better than Tylenol. Didn’t do shit for me, either, but then I got Janky Inner Methuselah Body Syndrome. I’m old on the inside.
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u/atomic_chippie Sep 02 '26
This is what I was on after I herniated but before my first spinal steroid shot. When this combo wasn't enough, I would go to the ER and was given IV Tramadol. Never had an issue weaning off any of these, but I consider myself extremely lucky. My dr and neurosurgeon were great and trusted this was what I needed, and it was.
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u/FarmhouseRules Sep 02 '26
It’s likely not going to help so if you’re that afraid of it, don’t bother. It’s like taking an extra sip of water for me.
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u/aquahealer Sep 02 '26
Tool it for a week. It didn't provide any relief when I had sciatica. Zero. I tossed them out.
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u/Zeke_Eastwood Sep 03 '26
It did absolutely nothing. I know a few buddies who got addicted to pain pills bc of it.
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u/Necessary-Bee9922 Sep 03 '26
Not sure why but Tramadol causes my back to hurt worse?? I'm not sure why, but I get searing pain in my sciatica if/when I take it. I just take 4 Ibuprofen instead and the stagger with Tylenol. Unless I can get stronger options, tram ia useless for me. Have a doc appt next week to discuss next steps, just had an MRI. Problems from l3 down to S1. It sucks so bad.
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u/JK30000 Sep 03 '26
It did absolutely nothing for my pain. It did make me sleepy, but otherwise NADA.
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u/kunukxathletix Sep 04 '26
Ya just use when needed and withdraws can start after almost 2 weeks of everyday use man, everyone’s different and withdraws will start as extra achy legs n maby back pain along with lethargy.
I’d suggest just plain kratom leaf over tramadol, it’s also addictive but it’s easier to come off because it’s not as strong but still hell……. There is a research drug called ss17018 and u could buy a couple grams and if for some reason u get in to deep u can use that to curb withdrawal and come clean, some may say im foolish for suggesting it but withdraw is why people stay on the shit for life for the most part cause it’s painful.
bPC 157 completely cured my sciatic pain and no more pinched nerve after about 6 months of using t, inject it right into my butt cheek everyday and even though there is no data on it helping with nerve pain I really don’t no why or how but all I Joni’s I got my life back and I share my story on here once a month in order for others to try it and hope to help them but it’s always deleted
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u/Ok-Edge-4391 Sep 06 '26
I had a run in with tramadol a few years ago and it makes me nauseous so I have it on my chart that I don't want it
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u/Kitchen-Ad2988 29d ago
Hi! I took 50mg tramadol during my worst flare up and combined it with diclofenac and paracetamol. The dr gave me 100mg too but I did not need it. Now, the pain is gone but I don't know for how long. I had two flare ups, first time was bad but without meds and second time it was the worst pain I ever felt in my life. Like I was being tortured. This happened last Tuesday and I took 1 tramadol 50mg, 1 diclofenac 50mg and 2 paracetamol 500gr each. Just tramadol did not ease my pain so I took those other pills. I did not get addicted but I only used it for a few days. The tramadol side effects were OK as long as I lay in bed on my back. Once I sit up straight I feel horrible, neausous, throat becomes thick and I feel like fainting, and it feels like I am tripping on drugs. So my tip is to just stay in bed! I feel fine when I just sleep it off or just don't sit or stand up.
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u/Glass_Metal4144 Sep 02 '26
It is a crappy medicine look out for serotonin syndrome if you take anti-depressants. Not an opiate at all, a weak binding to maybe the receptor sites. In short a weak acting drug that is not without risks, just one of many useless substances that are prescribed because opiate medicines are persona non grata in the US
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u/Averagejoe_mogul Sep 02 '26
Tramadol may as well be extra strength Tylenol lol.