Anybody else had a bad reaction to Tramadol?

Treatment and medication
1

I was prescribed Tramadol for chronic pain, I chose to take one tablet each time instead of 2.  After taking 5 tablets across 2 days I started to feel very strange, I was confused, emotional, coudn't think straight.  I contacted out of hours who arranged for me to see a GP.  Unfortunately before I got to the GP I suffered stroke like symptoms eg face drooped, speech slurred, eyes shut and wouldn't open, left arm drooped.  My husband called an ambulance etc.  After an MRI and seeing both a stroke consultant and neurologist consultant it was agreed that what happened was a bad reaction to Tramadol and not a stroke.  These symptoms aren't described in the leaflet.  Since then (7 weeks ago) I am suffering with chronic fatigue and I walk sideways after 3 or 4 steps.  The Neurologist has told me this is due to the stress/trauma of what my body went through caused by the Tramadol and he doesn't know how long it will be until I recover.  Just wondering if anybody else has suffered something similar and how long it took them to recover. Thanks

2

Could've been Seretonin syndrome.

Don't take them anymore, they're terrible.

3

Serotonin syndrome symptoms usually occur within several hours of taking a new drug or increasing the dose of a drug you're already taking. Signs and symptoms include:

Agitation or restlessness

Confusion

Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure

Dilated pupils

Loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles

Muscle rigidity

Heavy sweating

Diarrhea

Headache

Shivering

Goose bumps

4

I'll google that, thanks.  

I'll never be taking them again in my lifetime, I can't believe how badly it's affected me  Never thought taking a painkiller, albeit a strong one, would do this to me.  

Thanks for responding.

 

5

I hear ya! They're a pain killer and antidepressant all in one. They gave me a grand mal seizure when I took them and I had withdrawals for months from the pain killing part and AD part... MISERABLE!! Meds effect everyone differently, and unfortunately you got some of the worst side effects from tramadevil I hope you start to feel better!!!

6

Tramadevil, love it!  I'll be calling it that from now on!  

I can't wait to start feeling better.  I couldn't find anything online that somebody had those sort of symptoms so I'm kinda glad I'm not alone but hate that anybody else has been through something similar  Glad to hear you're better!

7

Those aren't exactly typical symptoms of Serotonin Toxicity, but that's still the most likely suspect. Here's a list of substances known to cause this when taken with tramadol:  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), amphetamines, meperidine (demerol), dextromethorphan, buspirone (BuSpar), St. John's wort, triptans (migraine medicines), ecstasy, metoclopramide, ondansetron, and cocaine.

8

Ah, OK, thanks. I was on 10mg Citalopram and taking Naproxen as prescribed by GP too for the pain. Do you know how long it would take to fully recover as it's been 7 weeks and been given no indication as to how long before I'm fully recovered.

Thanks for replying

9

I would think that your serotonin should be back in balance by now, although some people may take longer. Your doctor may be correct about neurological damage that you have not yet recovered from. A quick look around the internet leads me to believe that serotonin syndrome (which would be more correctly called serotonin toxicity) can narrow blood vessels in your brain, which can cause a sort of a transient ischemic attack (TIA). This is a type of stroke. And, according to your symptoms, this sounds like what has happened to you. If this is the case, your brain will take some time to recover and/or establish new connections. These types of TIA don't usually do as much damage as the clot type, so it probably isn't as bad as it sounds.

10

Thank you! I thought it was a TIA too as my Dad has suffered with these so know a bit about them.

Will just have to continue to take it easy and let my body recover I guess. Neurologist has recommended physio to help with fatigue and walking sideways so that's the next step.

Thanks again.

11

Hi

I have had over 20 different painkillers over a four year period and I can say that the symptoms I had with Tramadol were the worst I have ever felt.My face drooped like yours and the hospital thought I had a stoke.I was like a zombie and could not get out of bed.I stopped taken them and within a week I was back to my normal self. Please do not take them again.All the best.

12

Your the first person that I've found had the same symptoms. It is an evil drug. I can understand why people take it for pain as it did help but I will never take them again. Hope you've found something different to help with your pain

13

Hi

I have gone back to  takenco-codamol,a couple of my friends had the same symtoms as we did.I was having the most awful dreams as well.I hope you get better soon.

14

Physio as in physical exercise? Thanks

15

Physio as in physiotherapy. Normally for muscoskeletal but saw one today and she's highlighted quite a few things to help with my balance and walking, been sent home with lots of specific exercises to do. Am hoping I won't keep falling forwards, stumbling and walking sideways within a few weeks

16

Hi there sorry to here that happening too you I've been taken tramadol for 2-3 years and have started having seizures bc of them. Tramadol has taken over my life i hate them but cant stop there so addictive. 😢 it really is a evil drug my gp gave me them for back pain and culdnt stop taken them once the pain stopped wish i new then what i no now 😯

17

They really are evil, I can't believe they're prescribed so easily when they can cause so much damage to people. I read a lot about people being addicted to them Can't your GP help you get off them and give something else for the pain? They should hold responsibility as they prescribed in first place!

18

Not gona lie a dont even take them for tge pain anymore bc when the back pain went away it was to late i was hooked started taken these other pain killers instead but got hooked to them instead. I just cant stand the thought of goin into withdrawal as its the worst feeling in the world and I've gave birth 😰 my GP dosnt no much or how to deal with addictions so she reffered me to a drug councillor but they seem to be taken there time gettin in contact with me :-( its pathetic im sitting here drowning while they take there time to help me. I think i will beat this with there help this time as I've been dealing with this addicion on my own 😢im cutting down now as of today tho. Xox

19

Oh bless ya. I know what you mean, everyone is so slow in coming forward to help. I made a pest of myself and kept ringing to chase. There might be a local charity that will help in the meantime if you google in your area. You've taken the biggest step in admitting the addiction and seeing your GP about it. Just cut one down (or even half a tablet) at a time and see how you go until you get the support you need. Good luck and feel free to message me on here

20

Hey Sarah hope you are well. Its been 1week since i last spoke to you and i still haven't herd from the councilors i havent cut down this week i failed miserably. Im sitting here feeling ashamed of myself. I need help to beat my demons as going at it alone just isn't working. The shame makes it easier for me to take more to not feel so bad. Im going around in circles fighting myself. Rehab would probably be my best bet but thst would mean telling all my loved ones what I've been doing to myself and i can't do that. How are you getting on.