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
Could've been Seretonin syndrome.
Don't take them anymore, they're terrible.
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
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.
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!!!
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Physio as in physical exercise? Thanks
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
Bonjour, désolé d'apprendre que cela vous arrive aussi. J'ai pris du tramadol pendant 2-3 ans et j'ai commencé à avoir des convulsions à cause de cela. Le tramadol a pris le contrôle de ma vie, je les déteste mais je ne peux pas arrêter, ils sont si addictifs. 😢 C'est vraiment une drogue maléfique, mon médecin généraliste me les a prescrits pour des maux de dos et je n'ai pas pu m'arrêter de les prendre une fois la douleur disparue, je savais alors ce que je sais maintenant 😔
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!
Je ne vais pas mentir, je ne les prends même plus pour la douleur maintenant car quand la douleur dans le dos a disparu, il était trop tard, j'étais accro. J'ai commencé à prendre d'autres antidouleurs à la place, mais je suis devenu accro à ceux-là aussi. Je ne peux tout simplement pas supporter l'idée d'entrer en sevrage, car c'est la pire sensation au monde et j'ai déjà accouché 😊. Mon médecin généraliste ne sait pas grand-chose ou comment gérer les addictions, alors elle m'a orientée vers un conseiller en toxicomanie, mais ils semblent prendre leur temps pour me contacter :-( c'est pathétique, je suis assise ici en train de me noyer pendant qu'ils prennent leur temps pour m'aider. Je pense que je vais réussir à surmonter cela avec leur aide cette fois-ci, car j'ai déjà traité cette addiction toute seule 😔. Je commence à réduire ma consommation dès aujourd'hui. Xox
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
Salut Sarah, j'espère que tu vas bien. Cela fait 1 semaine que je ne t'ai pas parlé et je n'ai toujours pas eu de nouvelles des conseillers. Je n'ai pas réussi à couper cette semaine, j'ai lamentablement échoué. Je suis assis ici, me sentant honteux de moi-même. J'ai besoin d'aide pour vaincre mes démons, car les affronter seul ne fonctionne pas. La honte me rend plus facile à en prendre davantage pour ne pas me sentir si mal. Je tourne en rond en me battant contre moi-même. La réhabilitation serait probablement ma meilleure option, mais cela signifierait dire à tous mes proches ce que je me suis fait à moi-même et je ne peux pas faire ça. Comment vas-tu ?