Anti depressant Tramadol

[Skyvanilla22]

Many years ago I experienced an injury of my shoulder which was horrific. I was prescribed various pain relief including tramadol.
Around 3 years ago my shoulder was painful again so I requested tramadol. Long story short, I've been taking it every day since.2 per day. I've never increased the amount over the years and when I do have breaks from using it I don't experience withdrawals.
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid but it also has anti depressant qualities.
It's changed my life, for the better. I've been on a variety of anti depressants over the years which do work to a certain extent but the difference I've felt since taking Tramadol daily is quite unbelievable.
I don't get 'high' I don't get spaced out, they just help me function. I can work more effectively, my anxiety has improved & I've experienced no side effects whatsoever.
I have heard that it is being trialed as an anti depressant & some GP's will prescribe it for mood.
I've worked in addictions previously so I'm well aware of opiate addiction etc.
My GP is happy to prescribe it to me, I don't do anything illegal to obtain it.
The issue I have is that my GP thinks that I'm continuing to take it due to residual pain but I'm not taking it for this reason, I'm using it as an ant depressant.
I'm unsure whether to talk to him about it & be brutally honest with him.
Has anyone had a similar experience with Tramadol? Am i addicted? Yes I am but is it so different to taking a generic anti depressant every day?

Tramadol is an opioid pain killer, not an anti depressant. You should definitely be honest with the GP and with yourself.

Do you have a good GP or a stick in the mud?
Our GP surgery are too focused on the worry of people abusing medication.
I had trouble with pregabalin prescribed for migraine.

@TheQueef

Do you have a good GP or a stick in the mud? Our GP surgery are too focused on the worry of people abusing medication. I had trouble with pregabalin prescribed for migraine.

My GP is wonderful. Tramadol is sometimes used as an anti depressant when other types have failed. My GP probably won’t be aware of this but I am as I work in psychiatry

How much of it are you taking each day?

I took tramadol for years; have only stopped due to being pregnant.

I also took it alongside anti depressants - yes you should speak to your GP, if you're not taking it for pain then going into an anti depressant may be better for you in the long run for your mental health / organs etc

You may find he will just say continue to take it then follow what he says - if not and he offers an alternative; you can try and then take it from there

I asked a psychiatrist for Tramadol as an anti depressant, but he wouldn’t give it me.

I agree that it’s the best thing I’ve had as an antidepressant..

I think Venlafaxine is the closest in terms of chemical structure

I have only ever taken 2 daily.
No more, morning and afternoon. My life feels improved whilst taking them.

I think Venlafaxine is the closest in terms of chemical structure

That's really interesting Arse, I was addicted to heroin in the past, which I mainly took for depression/anxiety. These are now managed with venlafaxine.

I was prescribed venlafaxine years ago but had awful side effects. I think it is the closest chemical to Tramadol

If it works for you, there is nothing wrong with taking Tramadol as long as you don't take too many every day. Keep within the guidelines, you know it is possible to be addicted to it. I'm sure you've read about possible side effects and interactions with other drugs.

We all need a bit of help sometimes. Tramadol is relatively mild and as long as you are sensible, you'll be fine.

Be aware that you might develop tolerance and start needing to take more. Then it’s a slippery slope. I say that having been prescribed a similar opioid (not tramadol but similar and also a strong painkiller) post surgery and then also using it as a crutch to function.

I also felt that I was a much better version of myself on it - happier, more resilient, more productive. But there is a cliff edge and you don’t want to go over it. I’d be tempted to go and talk to your GP and get some proper support rather than self medicate. Good luck, OP

That’s exactly how I feel when I take it - a better version of myself. A better mum, employee, friend the list is endless.
I have never increased the amount in 3 years of taking it. 2 per day.

In that case (and I’m no medic) I’d be inclined to say continue BUT if you do find you are increasing your dose (even within the normal limits) definitely seek advice sooner rather than later

I sometimes miss how I felt when taking the painkillers but it wasn’t a sustainable habit for me.

It acts as a SNRI as well as a pain reliever.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

It acts as a SNRI as well as a pain reliever.

Yes it does and it’s so effective on me. I have never abused it or taken more than 2 daily & when I’ve stopped previously I’ve experienced no withdrawals! It really is a miracle drug for me.

It’s such a dirty drug. It might be making you feel better but it’s not helping you at all and it could be good to find someone to help you explore other ways of managing.

It’s also generally so much better to be as honest as you can be with your prescriber about your reasons for taking it - especially if you’re confident they have your best interests at heart?

If it’s making her feel better l would argue it is helping her tremendously.

I’ve tried zillions of different anti depressants. None made me feel happy like Tramadol did. When you have a chronic illness you tend to need medication and talking therapies.

Finding someone to explore other ways of managing doesn’t really cut it.

I would encourage you to speak to your prescriber as many are being strongly advised to stop long term opioid prescriptions and you need to consider how you would feel if the next time you put in for a repeat it’s denied. If you can’t imagine living without it, you are addicted. No judgement whatsoever, but this is what these drugs are designed to do (I’ve been there).

I’m not currently taking Tramadol, I stopped as I had to use co-codomol for sciatica & really didn’t want to be taking both.
I’m most certainly not addicted to it but I prefer to take it than to not.
I’ve not experienced any adverse side effects whilst taking it, improved sleep, decrease in anxiety & a marked lift of my mood

I can completely see your POV OP. I had a similar experience with gabapentin - prescribed for sciatica and peripheral neuropathy but side effect was eliminating anxiety and depression. My GP would have carried on prescribing, but being an ex addict, I wasn't comfortable with not being completely honest with GP as to why I wanted it. Also the worry that a well meaning GP may decide to stop prescribing and force a withdrawal.

Have you ever been prescribed pregabalin? Used for nerve pain, but off label for resistant depression. More commonly than tramadol.

I had Pregabalin. It was good for anxiety but made me cry all the time.

Codine makes me so happy too. I was quite sad when I stopped taking it. Does that mean I'm lacking In serotonin?

No never had gabapentin, currently using co cocodomol for my sciatica. I’ve also commenced fluoxetine for pmt so that’s why I stopped the Tramadol. The Tramadol helped my pain abs my mood.
I’m sure it’s risky taking both Tramadol & fluoxetine together - risk of serotonin syndrome.

I used to take it with Amitryptiline. And with Paroxetine and Mirtazapine combined.