Hi

Has anyone here used tramadol solely for depression? I have chronic physical pain and found quite by accident that it relieves my depression (which predates my physical pain) better than any of the Many antidepressants I've used.


Pam

I have read that tramadol should not be used with SSRI or SNRI antidepressants as they can amplify the effect and lead to a Serotonin Crisis (excess Serotonin levels).

It would seem that would indicate that tramadol works in the same brain chemistry realm as do those types of antidepressants.

Hi

That makes sense. I'm feeling better than I have in many years. Pam

Hi Pam, while I use Tramadol just for pain relief, I have noticed that it can have a mood improving effect quite often ( and I need it!).
It also keeps me awake at night if I take it in the evening or night. Doctors always tell me that it usually makes people sleepy, but for me, and I few others in this forum, it has the opposite effect.

I took Tramadol for pain 2 different times, the first time was sporadic on an as needed basis and while I did notice a heightening of mood the withdrawals were not near as bad as the second time when I was on a steady dose.

I was taking 75mg 2x a day and if I missed even one dose I was the woman from he** within a couple of hours which could be reversed within an hour by taking my normal dose. I had to titrate off by 25mg starting in the a.m and then finally working my way down to only 25mg in the pm. I had no withdrawals that way. Never had that kind of reaction with any med like that one, at least not yet lol.

I have never heard of anyone using this medication for depression.
My first thought was simply that pain can cause depression, so if you relieve the pain, the depression might lift.
I know that I have had that experience both with pain and fatigue issues. These things can become a vicious cycle. I think this is why it is very important to have an understanding/patient physician.
Wishing you well.