Tramadol for Fibromyalgia
Tramadol for Fibromyalgia PainPrescribing Tramadol for Fibromyalgia pain can be done by a GP as most over the counter painkillers are ineffective for the condition.
Tramadol, sold under the brand names Invodol, Larapam, Mabron, Maneo, Marol, Maxitram, Oldaram, Tilodol, Tradorec, Tramquel, Tramulief, Zamadol, Zeridame and Zydol is an opioid pain medication used to treat chronic pain.
As an opiate,Tramadol is classified as a class C drug. It is a prescription only medication. There is growing concern about the abuse and misuse of prescribed opiates such as Tramadol. Fibromyalgia sufferers who have been taking Tramadol for some time are facing a reluctance and in some cases a flat out refusal to re-fill their prescriptions.
Does Tramadol for Fibromyalgia Pain Work?
Although I could not find any specific proof to suggest that prescribing Tramadol for Fibromyalgia pain was effective, I did find evidence from Cochrane who looked at the studies of using Tramadol for treating neuropathic pain.
They found that:
“We found low-quality evidence that oral tramadol has any important beneficial effect on pain in people with moderate or severe neuropathic pain.
There is only modest information about the use of tramadol in neuropathic pain, coming from small, largely inadequate studies with potential risk of bias. That bias would normally increase the apparent benefits of tramadol.”
After reading this evidence and consulting with a Fibromyalgia Facebook group for their opinions on Tramadol for Fibromyalgia pain, I decided not to even ask my GP to try this drug.
Many of the members who responded were worried that they could become addicted to the drug or that their GP was very reluctant to even offer Tramadol for Fibromyalgia pain.
Tramadol Side Effects
There are many Tramadol side effects effecting both physical and mental health.
Confusion
Constipation
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Feeling spaced out
Hallucinations
Headache
Itching
Lack of energy
Nausea
Stomach pain
Sweating
Tiredness
Vertigo
Vomiting
Is Tramadol Addictive?
Yes, Tramadol is addictive and people tend to need higher doses overtime to get the same affect.
Because of the risk for Tramadol addiction and misuse it had been classified as a class C controlled substance in the UK.
Is Tramadol a Contolled Drug?
In the UK Tramadol has been classed as a controlled drug. There are strict regulations on who Tramadol is prescribed for and how it is prescribed.
Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you stop taking Tramadol abruptly you may experience serious withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, muscle aches, racing heart, shaking, and sweating.
It is recommended, therefore, to reduce slowly under a doctor’s guidance.