Does Tramadol Works For Fibromyalgia

Tramadol for Fibromyalgia: Does It works!

Around 12 million Americans are suffering from fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and fatigue.

If you’re feeling generalized musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, memory, sleep, and mood issues, then, it is more likely that you’re suffering from Fibromyalgia.

When you’re suffering from Fibromyalgia, your brain processes the pain signals in a different way, due to which the pain sensations amplified and you’re uncomfortable till the pain lasts.

While there is no cure for this condition, many people with fibromyalgia find relief from their symptoms through treatments such as Tramadol.

Prescribed to patients suffering from moderate or severe levels of pain, tramadol has been reported to reduce the number of “pain flares” due to fibromyalgia.

Unfortunately, not enough is known about the drug or its effects on people suffering from this syndrome.

It is believed that one of the causes for this syndrome is an imbalance in brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which are responsible for feelings of pain and pleasure.

While Tramadol does not target serotonin and norepinephrine, the drug increases the levels of these chemicals in certain parts of the brain. This leads to a decrease in pain levels and an increase in feelings of pleasure.

Does Tramadol Works For Fibromyalgia?

Tramadol is also helpful in reducing the severity of headaches, sleep problems, and depression. It can be effective to reduce pain in people with fibromyalgia.

Tramadol is an effective medicine to treat some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia which can be intolerable and exhausting. However, tramadol is not effective for every symptom that comes with fibromyalgia.

Using tramadol for a long time may increase your risk of having seizures or other side effects if you are also taking antidepressant medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Tramadol may also cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache loss of appetite (poor weight loss), dry mouth, sleepiness (somnolence), and fatigue.

The primary drawback to tramadol is that it does not work effectively for every symptom that comes with fibromyalgia.

Importance of Using Tramadol for Fibromyalgia

Tramadol is an analgesic (painkiller) used for relieving moderate to severe pain. Because it’s an opiate and monoamine uptake inhibitor, it increases the availability of more neurotransmitters in your brain.

Tramadol is effective for treating many types of neuralgia. Other than Fibromyalgia, tramadol is used off-label for restless leg syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and migraine.

When NSAIDs don’t work on fixing the pain, tramadol is often recommended due to its stronger pain-relieving effects. After administration, tramadol can help in relieving the pain within one hour.

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How Does Tramadol Work for Fibromyalgia?

It acts in two ways, rather by directly impacting certain opioid receptors in a brain or increasing the neurotransmitters, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

Both these neurotransmitters are usually low in people experiencing fibromyalgia.

When serotonin levels are pumped up, your sleep cycle and pain processes will be regulated more profoundly. However, Norepinephrine helps to de-clutter your stressful mind.

Research About the Effectiveness of Tramadol on Fibromyalgia

Tramadol has been used in combination or alone with acetaminophen and it has been found very effective for fibromyalgia, revealed by Randomized Clinical Trials.

In 2015, a study concluded that people suffering from fibromyalgia taking tramadol as per prescription had lesser doctor’s visits.

A literature review suggested that tramadol is tremendous as a second-line of treatment for people with fibromyalgia having more severe pain.

What is the dosage of tramadol and how to use it?

Because the higher dose of tramadol has the potential of higher side effects, the tramadol is started at a dose of 25 mg in a day. In order to improve the drug tolerance, increase 25mg after every 3 days.

Afterward, the dose can be increased gradually up to 100-200 mg in a day, depending on the severity of the disease. It is suggested to take tramadol after every 4-6 hours.

Make sure that you should consult your doctor and pharmacist’s instructions while increasing the dosage. Remember, more than 400mg dosage can be extremely dangerous for you.

To relieve your pain immediately, oral tramadol is available in extended-release tablets.

When continuous treatment of fibromyalgia is required, extended-release tramadol is most commonly preferred.

For treating moderate and severe chronic pain, you would need tramadol at consecutive intervals.

Initially, 100mg dose once a day is prescribed and every five days, 100mg can be increased to get the optimal relief. 300mg is the maximum dose of extended-release tramadol. So, try not to exceed this limit.

Without the supervision of a doctor, you should avoid increments in the dosage of tramadol.

What are the Side Effects of Tramadol?

Tramadol has some side effects likewise other medicines. If you’re experiencing difficulty in breathing or wheezing, itching, confusion, lightheadedness, seizures, and red skin, and fainting, then you should report to the doctor right away.

Other symptoms, including, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and vomiting may not need immediate medical attention until unless these symptoms progress to days or become problematic for you.

People having a previous history of seizures, head injury, and metabolic disorder are at higher risk of getting seizures after the administration of tramadol.

However, if you’re taking certain medications, like drugs for nausea and vomiting, antidepressants, and muscle relaxers, you can develop seizures when the tramadol dose is taken parallel to the above-mentioned medicines.

Avoid tramadol, if you’ve got a drug or alcohol addiction history. If you’ve got a history of kidney disease, liver disease, stomach disease, depression, mental illness, and suicide attempts, then, your doctor may ask you to take a special dosage or tests.

Don’t stop tramadol suddenly. Try to discontinue it slowly in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

tramadol for fibromyalgia

What are the Precautions While Taking Tramadol?

If you’re feeling dizziness, try avoiding activities in which concentration is required. Quit alcohol consumption as soon as you can because it can slow the responses and reactions.

So, is Tramadol the Right Choice For You?

Before making any decision blindly, try to see the pros and cons of the drug. If you’re starting the tramadol, make sure to watch out for the side effects.

Undoubtedly, tramadol is highly effective for mild to severe forms of fibromyalgia, but be aware that you’re taking it right after the consultation of the healthcare provider.

However, if you take the medicine according to the doctor’s prescription and report any unwanted symptoms immediately, you can deal the fibromyalgia more efficiently.

Cymbalta and Tramadol for Fibromyalgia

When suffering from Fibromyalgia, having medication that can take the pain away is a must-have for a lot of patients.

With 6-12 million Americans approximately suffering from Fibromyalgia pain, unfortunately, there are not many physicians that are qualified to deal with it.

What is Cymbalta used for?

If you go to physicians that are qualified to deal with Fibromyalgia, you are likely to be given Cymbalta and Tramadol to help you with the pain.

Cymbalta is an antidepressant medication that works positively with the nerve cell communication in the brain to restore chemical balance.

Anti-depressants are given to many Fibromyalgia patients as most of them suffer from depression and it can be crippling.

Duloxetine found in Cymbalta helps to regulate moods and block pain signals that are going through the brain.

This is possible because Duloxetine increases neurotransmitters’ norepinephrine and serotonin levels.

For adults who suffer from depressive disorder treatment, Cymbalta is the drug administered to them.

Anxieties that last for six months, chronic bone pain or muscle pain as a result of osteoarthritis, pain caused by diabetic nerve damage Cymbalta is likely to be the drug given.

What does Tramadol do?

Tramadol is a generic name for the prescription drug that moderates severe pain. Tramadol is under brand names such as Rybix ODT, Ultram ER, and Conzip.

This drug is used to treat around-the-clock pain. Tramadol is an opiate narcotic analgesic that alters the way the brain reacts to pain.

Like Cymbalta, it also increases the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine levels.

Dosages of Tramadol are immediate-release tablets at 50mg and 100mg, extended-release capsules at 100mg, 150mg, 200,g and 300mg, which are oral.

How Cymbalta and Tramadol help Fibro pain

Cymbalta acts as a pain reliever when you use it for a minimum of three months, but it mainly depends on an individual’s pain level. The pain once reduced will help you get back to your routine and daily tasks.

You are also guaranteed better sleep which allows your muscle tissues to heal. Taking the drugs at the right time and according to the dosage that has been prescribed by your doctor will work wonders for you. Incorporate other lifestyle changes such as exercise to help alleviate the pain.

Tramadol drugs such as Ultram are given for severe cases but should be taken for a short while as they are addictive.

Can they be used together?

It is best to ask your doctor if you can take both together as having drugs that have serotonin (Cymbalta) and Tramadol together can cause serotonin toxicity. It can increase when you start or increase the dosage.

Gabapentin and Tramadol for Fibromyalgia

The symptoms of Fibromyalgia can interfere with one’s personal and work life. Fibromyalgia has various medications that can be used to treat it and make life easier and one can get back to their daily activities.

Gabapentin is one of those drugs used. It is an anti-seizure medication and acts as a pain reliever for Fibromyalgia patients. Gabapentin when administered to the elderly, they are advised to use it with caution.

When taken for about 12 weeks, you will have a better sleep, your pain improves, and you are less tired.

Though the drug is effective, it is recommended to be taken at night as it makes one quite sleepy, which will interfere with your work.

Tramadol is a great pain reliever for those who experience moderately severe pain. It works by modifying the way the body reacts to pain.

When used at the first sign of pain, it will work best compared to when the pain is so severe, and it might not work as well.

Do they work together?

Using Gabapentin with Tramadol (acetaminophen specifically), the levels of acetaminophen will decrease as Gabapentin enhances metabolism. Metabolism then increases the levels of hepatotoxic metabolites, which is horrible!

Lyrica and Tramadol for Fibromyalgia

Lyrica is an anti-seizure medicine that helps with Fibromyalgia pain. It is an anticonvulsant drug called Pregabalin, which is approved to treat Fibromyalgia by the FDA.

How Lyrica helps with Fibro pain

Lyrica helps to reduce the pain levels of people suffering from Fibromyalgia as well as improve the daily function of some individuals.

It also helps with sleep problems and fatigue. Your body heals better and faster if you have a good sleep, hence Lyrica comes in handy if you have insomnia or other sleep-related problems.

To avoid dizziness, your doctor will recommend, to begin with, small doses and increase it gradually.

Have a chat with your physician first before you stop taking the drug, as some conditions can become worse when you stop taking it.

Do they work?

Combining Lyrica and Tramadol hasn’t shown any benefits from using them. Consult your doctor so that you can know if they are safe to use.

Can Tramadol cause Fibromyalgia?

According to the FDA, Fibromyalgia is common in people who take Tramadol. It is common among females aged 50-59 and has been using the drug for less than a month.

It also has been included in the list of symptoms of Fibromyalgia and isn’t a drug that is easily recommended by doctors to patients. Tramadol can cause joint pain, brain fog, and fainting.

People who have used Tramadol experience blackouts, seizures, lack of sleep, and concentrating on a simple task such as driving is hard, and you can end up in an accident.

Not only does this happen, but the likelihood of increasing the risk of you having serotonin syndrome is almost guaranteed.

It isn’t something that can be quickly picked up by doctors, as the symptoms can be misleading and show that one has epilepsy or has Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD).

Your symptoms aren’t just from having Fibromyalgia, always push your doctor to investigate further. Educate yourself into understanding the side effects of the medications you are taking.

How to stop using Tramadol

Your doctor will recommend you to come off Tramadol by reducing the dosage gradually, or you’ll suffer from withdrawals which are nasty! Talk to your doctor if you have such symptoms and you are using Tramadol.

In conclusion, Tramadol is used to treat pain in CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia patients. Doctors haven’t understood the link between blackouts, seizures as well as serotonin syndrome with Tramadol.

In the YouTube video, you will learn about warm-up exercises that can help ease the pain if you have Fibromyalgia.

REFERENCES:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/Treatment.aspx

https://healthunlocked.com/fibromyalgia-action-uk/posts/1235266/tramadol

http://www.foundhealth.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-and-tramadol

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19078481

http://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-and-painkillers.aspx

https://www.verywell.com/ultram-for-fibromyalgia-716075

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11 Comments

  1. Tramadol is highly addictive.
    The side effects are far worse than fibromyalgia.
    Tramadol can destroy your kidneys & liver.
    Coming off tramadol is extremely hard.

    Tramadol is not the answer.

    1. As far as I use Tramadol, it really helps me greatly, especially waking up feeling so destroyed and painful and taking some 50 mg in liquid form before night sleep. Not more.

    2. With respect, you can’t generalise. I have no side effects from tramadol and, to be honest, would try anything at times to give relief from the debilitating pain that comes from FMS. I am a health professional and certainly wouldn’t be taking any medication that wasn’t necessary.

    3. Wow, really? Tramadol is the only thing that has helped my fibro. I tried all the on book fibro treatments and not one worked. Before Tramadol I was taking 8 Ibuprofen and 8 Tylenol a day and still in terrible pain. Pretty sure those are so much worse than tramadol for liver and kidneys. After 9 years, my kidneys and liver are tested regularly and they are fine. Tramadol may be hard to come off of, but it’s a moot point when you have a lifetime chronic pain condition. I hope I am never forced to come off them because then I’m going to be living in HE double hockey sticks from the pain itself.

      Until they find a real working treatment for fibro, I will NOT be giving up my tramadol!

  2. I’ve used Tramadol and it’s had very little effect at all.
    My GP prescribes them as for -‘ extra ‘ pain releif when needed
    I don’t take them as an ‘ongoing medication’ just when needed – maybe 2 0r 3 times a month.

  3. Every1s body is different, so for 1person tramadol might not agree with them, but for another they may be 1of the only things that help, some ppl have a super sensitivity to other meds, but if uve got fibromyalgia and its that bad! u would try anything! to see if it would help and the side affects are certainly no where near or can compare to the affect fibromyalgia has on ur body!

  4. Tramadol was good for me….and i stopped suddenly because i was swithced to hydrcodone..didnt have no side effects.no problem coming off

    1. That would be because you were switched directly over to another narcotic. If they took you off the Tramadol and put you on a non-narcotic medication such as an NSAID, you would have had serious withdrawl symptoms. It is so important to slowly taper down on the dosages when coming off of narcotics as it is extremely dangerous on your body to just stop “cold turkey”. If going that route, you must do so in a medically controlled environment where you can be on monitors and be given fluids and medications to control the side effects of the withdrawl symptoms.

  5. Tramadol is the only thing that touches my pain. I take 50-100mg as required. I also take 30mg amytriptiline at night – not sure if this does anything to be honest.

  6. If you have any kind of seizure disorder or are allergic to codeine, be aware that this drug is not for you as it is dangerous to take. Always check with your pharmacy for interactions with any of your other meds as well. They will do the research for you so don’t hesitate to ask them, it will save you a lot of problems in the long run. Doctors aren’t always up on the negative side effects and drug interactions when they prescribe it for patients.

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