Recently I have read some stuff on here about Ultram for depression,I have also done some research and it is used for depression,it is also a seratonin and neuroenephrine reuptake inhibitor,this is all new to me.I was just curious if anyone has tried it.or if anyone has had any sucess with it for depression,anxiety,or ocd???????I know it doesn't to a darn thing for pain!!!!!Any info , or replies would be greatly appreciated!

Thank You All
Poppyale

Actually I kind of wondered the same thing at one time.I found that Ultram actually does help my pain,although it can depend on when I catch the pain and what type of pain it is.But back to your original question,I like it also because it gives me a bit of a "speed" type buzz,I feel like I have more energy and pep and that in turn makes me feel less depressed I think.I think it even lessens my appetitewhich is great so when I take it for any amount of time,between having more energy and less of an appetite I usually end up losing a couple pounds also and added bonus!I do suffer from depression and I do seem to have a general feeling of well being so maybe there is something to it.I think I just talked myslf into putting in an order! Good Luck...........Wren

Yes it certainly seems to alleviate depression and very quickly too compared to most antidepressants. You can feel the antidepressant effects the first time you take it, and not have to wait weeks, which is a nice benefit. One problem is that there is potential for tolerance increase, so you must be very careful with dosage and may sometimes need to take breaks to ensure that tolerance isn't increased. However some people report no tolerance increase at all with Tramadol, so you never know. It can help with depression definitely, for anxiety it may help but it may also worsen it so you must be very careful there, and for OCD it may also have varied effects (may help or worsen symptoms) so be careful using it for this disorder as well. Your best bet would be to discuss this with your doctor/psychiatrist because they will be able to give you a much better response probably. Be careful if you decide to self-medicate for these serious conditions!

pop, I have been on Tramadol for quite a while now for FM. I was originally given Ultram ER, but the cost was prohibitive. At first I didn't notice much of anything and was just going to stop taking them. Then the doctor upped my dose to 300 mg. and I noticed that it gave me a mental and physical boost. I felt peppy and more conversive. I definitely believe it helps to elevate mood, or reduce depression. As far as pain relief, I don't see nearly as much relief as I would like. Hope that helps.

Maybe I should try that. I take DHC. I've tried Tramadol for pain before and it did absolutely nothing for me, zilch, zip, nada. I just figured it wasn't the drug for me as I know our bodies all respond differently to drug chemistry.
But now I am wondering if I just needed to up the dose a bit?

Tramadol has been both effective and ineffective in various research/case studies for OCD, often effective but discontinued by participants/patients due to side effects

Tramadol has nearly immediate relief of depressive symptoms due to the action on [mu] opioid receptors, the serotonin and norepinephrine anti-depressive effects will still take a few weeks to become regulated, same as a SSRI/SNRI, however Tramadol competitively displaces a serotonin receptor (5HT2c) that many other SSRI/SNRIs do not and thus Tramadol prevents a period of anxiety/suicidal ideation (jitteriness syndrom) sometimes upon noted upon beginning treatment with antidepressants

Tramadol is not prescribed as an antidepressant on a casual basis. MDs are aware that it is still an opiate, and despite the reluctance [in most people] to build a tolerance, and the low abuse potential (in most people), it is a narcotic and would likely only be prescribed in severe cases

I have found found Tramadol very effective in treating my case of depression.

After my script of celexa ran out and the doc i got them from went MIA, i decided to try zoloft, then prozac, nothing compared. then my buddy gave me trams, they work GREAT! the instant effect is what sold me.

Im not sure how long term use of these affects someone as ive just started taking 100mg once a day (50mg in the morning and 50mg at night)... i dont feel a need to up the dose any... if anything i might down it to just once 50mg a day.

It is still an opiate, which is good for me because i am a recovering OP addict and this is the lowest form that (opiate wise) helps me. Mood lift is a plus too as there is no need for an SSSRI as tram does wonders.


***My name favorite drug***

=)

i think Tramadol has the potential to be a great antidepressant, especially after some medicinal tweeking.. evidence suggests atleast 2-3 different mu opioid receptors which Tramadol binds too, perhaps a specific receptor could be singled out to prevent any opioid like dependence and/or tolerance

unfortantely Tramadol has two (+/-) enantiomers, + i believe is responsible for opioid and serotonin where as - is responsible for norepinephrine

i would be interested to read case studies of long term Tramadol use by depressed patients who are not taking it as a result of physical pain.. i would like to read if the minor monoamine inhibitory function can cause robotic feelings after several years like some SSRI/SSNRIs have been known to do

only time can tell there fallen, the invention of new drugs also leads to the invention of new problems... i just know what works for now. and im sticking with it. =)

Are there any known side effects for tram??? i have yet to see any..

I've found that the anti-depressive effects of Tramadol fade with time, and higher doses lead to mental fuzziness, and can give you strange visual effects, plus there is the constipation--not to mention that Tramadol is every bit as additive as actual opiates, and certain individuals can get seizures from it, so good luck to you.

As for pain relief from Tramadol it depends on the individuals body chemistry. Some people lack the required liver enzyme that allows Tramadol to be converted into the opioid that gives pain relief. Tramadol has worked well for me, but after being on it for nearly 10 years, problems with tolerance definately occur. If I remember correctly the D-1 metabolite, the opioid that Tramadol is converted into, has about 1/30th the analgesic ability of morphine, again if I remember correctly.

The problem, at least to me, with Tramadol is the withdrawal profile it has. The SNRI effects it has cause it to have a lengthy withdrawal.

I have read post's in a few forums that indicate that some doctors are using Tramadol, off label, for depression, especially for those types of depression that do not respond to more conventional anti-depressants. How factual those reports are, are unknown to me as no sources were ever given.

It is being prescribed off-label for depressive conditions but the problem with long term treatment vs. SSRI's/SNRI's is the frequent occurrence of tolerance with Tramadol which does not happen with typical AD's.
I have personal experience working with people who have problems with addictive behavior related to Tramadol. I've never seen that problem with antidepressants.

100% agree





depends, there are always side effects... technically, the antinociception, euphoria, antidepression would all be side effects of your body trying to metabolize it and remove it from your system -- however, see below




maybe 6-10% caucasoids, double (?) in african decent i can't remember the rest, however;



Tramadol itself is like 1/6000 the affinity for mu-opioid receptors of morphine where as the M-1 metabolite has about 1/20 affinity for mu that morphine has, so yea, you were in there

also pain relief arises from the 5HT and NE action



truthful, but these are specific case studies mostly in the states, though i have not combed through European journals myself



how long did that take?



typically in greater than therapeutic doses, or in a steady state due to regular administration



.. the reoccurring theme...






yea, agree 100%

I would be very careful. Tramadol has an alarmingly high rate of seizures as a side effect once if used habitually. It's not something I'd want to use consistently.

The best and most effective antidepressant I have tried is Effexor.

This issue of depression not being treated anywhere by any country in the world looks understated

Its talked about very casually like its no big deal at all, like its the same as a stoplight that's timer is 20 seconds too long or an unfixed street cracks. The weak-minded way people talk about it makes it sound similar to an issue like 5 cent tax hike or a good restaurant going out of business.

I dont really see hardly any people saying how bad this is. Its like 100% complacency with no complaints, like its good. Or pretending to play dumb about it. Youd think it would be an issue to have have the same reaction as pedophilia or cops shooting unarmed people. But i guess there arent that many depressed people (major depression)

Certainly doctors speak real calmly and casually about it like either its no big deal that its untreated for 60 years, or play dumb and pretend its treated and that depressives are actually a minority group called "treatment-resistant" and its no big deal. They might even have a slight smile on their face when talking about it. But thats doctors who feel so well & awesome they could go through medical school and work as a doctor, for people to discuss it weakly is even more surprising.

To summarize, im simply stating how surprising the issue of untreated depression is so causally discussed like nothings going on and its no big deal. Things like amineptine being banned, things like not allowing a depressive to try anything possible out of desperation and then saying its good. Theres really no words.

Depression resulting in suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Opoid treatment for depression should be at least studied and considered not just thrown out based on the risks involved.
There are risks associated with all medications.
Tolerance is an issue with Antidepressants as well.

You put something like this on a similar thread related to Tramadol as a substitute for lexapro. I'd be very curious to see a good reason for doing such a thing. Tramadol isn't really a very good opioid if that's what you're arguing.

I've had direct experience with SSRIs and Tramadol, and people should be very careful with Tramadol. I would consider it to be a poor substitute for SSRI/SNRI because Tramadol dependency happens quickly and causes problems for a lot of people. With Tramadol, the dosage seems to need to be increased repeatedly to maintain effectiveness. This is not the case with a typical SSRI.

Rarely if ever.
Where do you come up with these statements you offer as advice about antidepressants?
Have you experienced a problem with tolerance when taking them or simply the titration process to achieve an optimum dosage?