User Reviews for Tramadol to treat Depression
Also known as: Ultram, Tramadol Hydrochloride ER, ConZip Qdolo
Tramadol has an average rating of 9.1 out of 10 from a total of 146 ratings for the treatment of Depression. 90% of those users who reviewed Tramadol reported a positive effect, while 4% reported a negative effect.
“Tramadol has been a miracle for me. It was prescribed for a back injury but I also suffer from pain & depression from having fibromyalgia and ME/CFS since '97. I've never taken any pharma meds for it but the struggles have been great. Tramadol initially felt like a miracle. It removed all pain but it also teated my depression 100%. Wonderfully shocking! I still just take 1 a day, lowest dosage. After a year, It no longer works "as good" as it did in the beginning but still offers significant help. I refuse to up my dose because it is an addictive drug. The one big negative for me.”
“Tramadol works but I get Serotonin Syndrome that made me very anxious”
“Like most, it was prescribed to me for pain (arthritic), for which it does diddly squat. In particular, I broke a couple of ribs over a year ago while rough camping, and 3 x 50mg had no impact on the pain to speak of; I moaned and screamed just as loudly with, or without. They did make life worth living again, and 4 years or so later, I still take 1 x 50mg every SECOND day. I seem not to get extra benefit from a DAILY dose, and have no real desire to increase the dosage.... also thru fear of dependancy. I've never been much addicted to anything and that may be a helpful part of my psychology that allows me to not over indulge. Maybe doctors should look at the personality/history file of a patient, and be less fearful of prescribing it. (Yep the other drugs were nowhere as good, too too long to work; if at all, and left me a zombie thruout the day.) Great forum here, very reassuring”
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take for tramadol to start working?
- How long does tramadol withdrawal last?
- Does tramadol raise or lower blood pressure?
- Is tramadol an anti-inflammatory drug?
- Does tramadol make you sleepy?
“I've been prescribed EVERY anti-depressant known. I have what is knows as Treatment Resistant Depression. I stumbled across Tramadol 7 years ago and WOW, after an hour, energy, happy, feel like I can do things again after 20 years. Haven't had to increase the dosage after 7 years. This medicine has saved my life. After I take it, my wife says my eyes aren't blood shot, my mood is like it was 30 years ago, and now working full time and building a business up on the side! It's helping my Psoratic Arthritis which I had to increase to 300mg's a day since being diagnosed in 2017”
“I recently had a prescription of Tramadol prescribed to me for severe lower back pain. I was taking an average of 300mg of Tramadol daily for several months (some days slightly more and other days none at all). It was INDESCRIBABLY successful in helping my sleep, my worries, my motivation, my energy, my anxiety, my attention, my social engagement and general happiness that I’m convinced that I could've weened off of possibly all 8 of my current psychoactive medications if I was prescribed Tramadol regularly. I came to feel even more confident about this when my prescription ran out. UNBELIEVABLY, I had absolutely no withdrawals and the only feeling I have in terms of a possible dependency is only due to how miraculously well it worked for me. It even completely eliminated my urge to drink alcohol of which I was so proud. Tramadol would be a UNIVERSAL solution for the psychological abyss that has destroyed my life since grade school.”
“I have suffered from depression for years, and also have PTSD. Last year my depression became much, much worse. I was in tears most of the day, no positivity with anything and to the point where I was contemplating suicide. I had tried so many medications and CBT , nothing worked. I was given these tramadol for my depression and they worked within hours. I could not believe that one little tablet could have such a drastic effect. I now take 50mg in the morning and 50mg at night, I have never taken more. I have no side effects and can honestly say that Tramadol saved my life. I know that it does and will not work this way for everyone, this is just my experience with them and I am truly grateful.”
“Took first dose 2 years ago. Was 1 year sober (alcohol) and took unprescribed for pain. Took 2 weeks to go 300mg/day. 6 months later at 800mg/day; had 2 seizures. After I maintained at 600mg/day for 8 months. Was happy, energetic, and productive. Wanted out, not willing to give up benefits. Then pandemic came/shut down my source. Self-tapered, now at 100mg/day, can’t taper further without physical withdrawal. Altered mental state to point of suicidal ideations during taper. Works as antidepressant, very addicting. Wish had never taken. I read these forums when I first started experimenting and thought I could manage it. I was wrong. I guess it treats everyone a little differently, but if this post could persuade one person to get out of it before it’s too late then I have my purpose for posting. Please be very careful with this drug, I am still in so much psychological pain unlike anything I’ve experienced since getting sober.”
- How long does tramadol stay in your system?
- Does tramadol cause constipation?
- What are the bad side effects of tramadol?
- Is Toradol related to tramadol?
- Can I take tramadol with sertraline?
“The SNRI metabolite for Tramadol yields most of the anti-depressant action. More mental and emotional energy. Personally, I haven't noticed any addictive quality at all. I have used other hard pain relievers (Oxycontin and Fentanyl) in the past, so I know my Tramadol is not like those. Also I have used Tramadol for 8 years at 400 mg/day; I have experienced NO tolerance-building; I don't have to increase the dose. Psychiatric usefulness definitive.”
“My husband of almost 30 years died 6 weeks ago, and left me without a cent, no will, in a foreign country, alone. If not for Tramadol there is no way I would survive preparing to leave here to return to my home country. Have commented here before, but in such a traumatic situation it is even more effective. Some days I up my mgs as needed, and it's honestly keeping me alive. Again I feel it is criminal that it's not prescribed as an anti depressant for those who have tried everything else with no success. It must be approved as an anti depressant!!!”
“Tramadol works GREAT for depression. With so many other people claiming this I don’t understand why it isn’t prescribed more for depression. It is very weak for helping with pain but works wonders with depression. I took it for years. Have now been off for 2 years due to moving to TN and unsure where I could go. Apparently there is a drug problem here and you bring up anything regarding any pain medication and they think you are an addict lol. I took 50mg twice daily for years with no need to increase my dosage. I had zero withdrawals when I stopped. But recently have been very depressed. Sucks they will not listen to us and help us.”
“I was prescribed Tramadol 50mg a day for chronic pain and found it also cleared my foggy head and low energy. This has been a life changer for me. I've gone from sitting looking at a pile of work thinking, I just don't have the energy to do this, to wow getting everything done and more. I was not depressed, my foggy head and low energy is from chronic inflammation, arthritis, insomnia and autoimmune disorder. GP does not understand so just keep taking them for the pain with the wonderful side effect of getting my life back.”
“I just wanted to do a follow up , from a previous post about Tram for pain. So let me just say Tram is a depression, anxiety killer. Point blank. There is not another drug like it. The chemical make up is so unique because, yes it does help with pain. But it will absolutely give you a new lease on life if you are depressed. But please, please use with caution, never ever take more than prescribed. Because let me tell you, If you ever have to quit the Tram. The withdrawals are a living hell. And that is putting it mild. There are two classes of people I would recommend Tram too. One with severe depression, that other SSRI did not work. And those who plan on staying on Tram for life. And not conning off. If you ever have to go without for couple days. You will see what I mean. Great drug, lifesaver in some cases. But proceed with caution. Please”
“It is criminal that Tramadol isn't being researched to develop it specifically for depression. I've suffered from major depressive disorder for over 30 years. Have been prescribed every antidepressant available. Some worked for a while, some not at all. I was given Tramadol for something else and within an hour I felt pretty much alive again. For me it's a miracle drug. I've been going through a really horrific time the last couple of months, and I believe I know I wouldn't have got through it without Tramadol. I take two 50mg capsules a day. There are absolutely no negative side effects. With depression being one of the worst diseases in the world, I find it incomprehensible that it is not being widely used to help the hundreds of millions in terrible distress. Even if it didn't help every person, I know it would help millions. It can be life changing, and it's very inexpensive where I am.”
“Waouh, tramadol had helped me so much to cope with bits of anxiety and depression that has been drug resistant for decades. Just make sure u keep the dosage low and don't take it from time to time. The robustness of the anti anxiety and anti depressant effect is real, when are doctors gonna trust patients that 90 per cent of the time do want to get better and stop suffering!!”
“I have suffered with Depression for 25 yrs and have tried every medication that has been made! They all either didn't work or had horrible side effects not making it worth taking. I was prescribed Tramadol for chronic headaches and it has changed my life as it got rid of my depression . I take it about an hour before I get up. I get up wanting to live my life and be around people! I have lost 20lbs because I want to do things and exercise. I eat healthy now and have this incredible drive for life! It has saved my life and my marriage. I have recently moved and have to find a new doctor and I am petrified that I won't be able to get my prescription. ”
“After 45 years of having depression, I have realized that tramadol takes away the symptoms of depression better than antidepressants. I consider myself an expert in depression because I’ve survived this long and I’m still alive. No psychologist or psychiatrist in the world that knows this illness better than a person who’s had it all their lives. Reading the comments here it’s very sad to me that the organisation has so little concern for the welfare of the people who need this drug that they have demonized it and put it in the same category as heroin. If you are taking 50 mg a day of tramadol you can quit immediately. It is such a low dose that it’s sold in many countries (like Mexico) over the counter. Not only is our healthcare too expensive, we can’t even get treated with drugs that work. I hope doctors in America start to listen to their patients and read the testimonies here instead of what is dictated as real. It’s infuriating.”
“I was gonna respond to the people saying Tram is a life saver. Well , it can be, but be cautious because it will be the hardest drug you have ever tried to quit. From 8 years of experience. I take 400 mg a day. I have 2 bad vertebrae , stenosis, degenerative disc. Nerve compression . Tram was prescribed for the pain. But it took only a week for me to know something was different After years of Anxiety, depression. Suicidal thoughts. It all ended by the end of that week. There is no other medicine made to do what Tram does. None. Effexor comes the closest. But Tram blows it out of the water. Tram never makes you have that high spacey feeling, just a relief from the panic, depressed. I don’t ever plan on quitting. Like I said earlier, you better plan on being on Tram for the long haul, because their is no going back, once you start. Your depression and Anxiety, pain will be unbearable. So please use caution and count the cost of taking Tram. It is a life saver. Until you go off of it.”
“I actually found tramadol worked for depression while being treated for pain in back. Noticed how great I began to feel. No depression and actually felt like myself for the first time in years. So I actually had a long talk with my psychiatrist and after showing him several articles from various sources, the NEJM for one and much more and telling him of my experience why using it for pain and how it uplifted me he finally agreed to it on a trial bases. I haven’t looked back since. Now I still take my other depression meds. The tramadol is in additional drug. Yes it is addictive and no I don’t care. Your body will start showing signs of tolerance and you made need to adjust your dosage over time. I recommend starting on the lowest dosage that works for this reason. Do not abuse it because it makes you feel high or buzzed. This will increase the quickness in tolerance and you will eventually run in to the ceiling on daily maximum dosage”
“I take tramadol for lower pain, however, I use it mainly for depression and anxiety. It works better than any antidepressant I’ve ever taken. I’m on the 50mg instant release tablets, and I take it up to 4 times a day. I keep my dose between 100mg-200mg a day. I don’t overtake it, as tolerance builds up quickly. In reference to the people who warned that this drug is very addictive, and that it shouldn’t be prescribed for depression because of that, I have to say, regular antidepressants are just as bad if you quit taking them (MAJOR withdrawals, brain zaps, etc) ...so prescribing tramadol shouldn’t be any different. This drug has done wonders for me, and I’m so happy I was able to find a doctor who would write it for me.”
“I am a single mother of 3 boys one who has autism and some days we're soooo hard that I was only just coping. I had anxiety and depression. I was prescribed me some tramadol for a headache I had and let's just say in about 40 mins I went from feeling anxious, stressed and angry to happy, energetic and playing with my children. Complete life changer for me for the better. My quality of life improved along with my families as now they have a mother who is happy, patient and calm. I've been on tramadol for about 7 years with no complications. At most I have gone up to on "bad" days was 800mg but now I taper down or have a couple of days break so my tolerance does not build, because obviously like other pills the withdrawal is awful. But so worth it for me ”
“I’m using tramadol off label for depression as well as chronic back pain, just 50 to 100 mg daily. It doesn't have any of the nasty side effects like all of the typical antidepressants. I virtually have no side effects from it. It’s a godsend for me, it cures anxiety and lifts my mood.”
“First, tramadol is NOT an opiate, it may work somehow (no one knows how nor can claim to understand how) with receptors for them in the brain but please stop the completely false statements that this is an opiate-simply not true. Ultram was first used for in the 1990s was pain and then it became clear that if was also helpful for people who were not getting relief from anti-depressants (and did big Pharma push out every variation of SSRI uptake inhibitor at great cost to the public and of course with no clue if they would work). EXCELLENT alternative to ineffective anti-depressants that big pharma wants to keep pushing. Again, wrong to even begin to compare it to an opiate, and time for it to be acknowledged as an option for depression.”
“I've had a mesh implant. It's not getting any better as far as the pain. I've been diagnosed with depression and severe anxiety. I've been on all types of medication , but they had caused way too many side effects. Tiredness was something that I can't deal with, and tramadol doesn't make me feel like that. I've been taking tramadol for pain, but it has totally made my life better. My mood is up, I'm no longer depressed, and I only take 150mg a day. Virtually no side effects. I truly wish that tramadol could be prescribed for my mental issues. It has kept me from relapsing. I've been clean and sober for three years now. I haven't had any cravings since I've started taking tramadol.”
“I have taken tramadol off and on for 3 years for hip bursitis and I also have suffered from depression for the last 30 years. When I take it I feel any signs of depression lift...I feel motivation to engage in life, my mind feels clear, and I have more energy. I recently had an honest conversation with my psychiatrist about using low dose tramadol for depression. I've tried a dozen different antidepressants with ton of side effects and hardly any good long lasting results. I don't feel any side effects from the tramadol and 50 mg can last me all day. I do notice when it wears off but I don't mind as I've had a good 8 hours feeling normal, not high. I am hopeful now. I've been able to just stop it without side effects when needed to so far...its such a low dose but does wonders.”
“This is the best medicine for anxiety and depression. Fast results and no side effects, please fight so doctors prescribe this more. They now treat depression with ketamine - a very dangerous and very illegal drug that I used to take 20 years ago at trance parties. But they say tramadol is addictive..SSRI's are more addictive. I am an ex junkie so I know what I am talking about.”
“I was reading some of these past comments and I have to say some of you I am very disappointed. Every single drug you take on this planet has side effects and it has withdraw symptoms I don't care what medicine you take! Every drug you take long enough has a dependency issue. I mean come on even coffee people have withdrawals to that. I have taken tramadol for back pain ovarian cyst, and then my psychiatrist told me he wanted me to continue on this medicine because it's been proven effective in treating depression, and I have been on every anti depressant they have ever made and horrible health and side effects and I was not having a good quality of life. The good out weighs the bad. And my life is finally getting better. Now shame on you adults that are bashing people for taking tramadol for depression. My life is good.”
“I love tramadol. I use it for both mood and pain. I usually take 50mg a day but some days none and some days 100mg. I like it because I take as needed. Ive been addicted to opioids but this one is different. It’s like a miracle drug for me”
“I suffer from MDD and have taken about 7 different antidepressants which have been, for the most part, ineffective. On the 4 or 5 occasions I have taken tramadol, it has has noticeable effects on my mood. Tramadol doesn't make me drowsy and has powerful antidepressant effects. I feel better for days after a single dose of Tramadol, in which I feel I have more energy, less anxiety and feel oddly clearheaded. I know this drug is not typically indicated for depression or anxiety, but it seems to crush both in one go, at least for me anyways.”
This information is NOT intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners.
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