Spinal arthritis, Tramadol and weight loss

jacquih2981

I was diagnosed with spinal arthritis in my 30s ( genetic inheritance - cheers mom!) And it a bit painful at the moment so taking some Tramadol to get me through, usually only need a couple of days on the strong stuff and I can go back to over the counter meds

Anyone know if it will affect my rate of weight loss?

L1zardQueen

When I was on Tramadol, I lost my appetite which was weird for me. Lol

Spliner1969

My suggestion is try to get off the Tramadol, it's got a nasty withdrawal/addiction problem for most people. Eventually your doctor will decide that you don't need it and you'll be screwed if you're on it long term. I have spinal stenosis, several previously herniated and bulging discs in my lumbar area, some bulging discs in my cervical spine, and general pain from the arthritis (stenosis) on almost a daily basis. I use Tylenol, about 4000mg a day spread out (max is around 6000mg/day) when I need it (I don't always need it). I'll also take iburpfen from time to time, but generally keep my back as limber as I can using yoga daily. It helps more than you would think. Most mornings I get up in pain, and 30 seconds after stretching with yoga I'm fine for the day. My daughter has scoliosis, and they have her on Tramadol for the last few years. She gets physically ill when the doctors decide she can't have a refill right now. It sucks, and they do it fairly often to her. She's even on a lower dose of it but they tend to insist on an appointment for refills then if she has to re-schedule for whatever reason they aren't very apologetic about not refilling it until she can get there. You're better off without it if you can manage another way to help your symptoms.

ruqayyahsmum

I lose my appetite on tramadol too
Im only allowed it if im hospitalized due to my age apparently
Instead they have me on amitriptaline to lessen pain signals being recieved and large doses of codiene for any bad pain breaking through

I find keeping moving helps me. If i have to sit around from injuries, sickness or surgeries i stiffen up, pain increases and its hard to get walking after

kshama2001

Well, with Tramadol I am personally a little sluggish, and not inclined to exercise, so my Calories Out would decrease, but if this is not an issue for you I don't see how it would affect your rate of loss, especially since you're just going to be on it for a few days.

Not sure if foam rolling would be counter-indicated for spinal arthritis, but it helps me with lower back pain.

Regular yoga and walking do wonders as well.

Running_and_Coffee

When I have taken it on rare occasions, I have lost my appetite and felt spacey.

ronjsteele1

Tramadol hasn't affected weight loss, appetite, etc. for me at all. I've been on the lowest possible dose for 15yrs. I'm surprised someone would have trouble getting off of it. I purposely chose this to deal with an autoimmune issue because it's a hydrochloride which is *less* likely (I didn't say impossible) to become addicted to then a narcotic. It is not technically a narcotic. However, the FDA recently reclassified it as such for the purposes of prescribing, tracking, etc. I've stopped it cold turkey a number of times with no issues. There must be a personal physical factor (or genetics) involved for those that get physically addicted to it.

cross2bear

Tramadol hasnt affected me either and I am on both the slow release (Zytram) and the break through pain one (cant remember what its called) Been on them for a couple of years now, and have successfully lost 115 lbs on them. Sadly, it has no effect on my appetite - I can still win the gold medal for eating for Canada.

Spliner1969

ronjsteele1 wrote: »

Tramadol hasn't affected weight loss, appetite, etc. for me at all. I've been on the lowest possible dose for 15yrs. I'm surprised someone would have trouble getting off of it. I purposely chose this to deal with an autoimmune issue because it's a hydrochloride which is *less* likely (I didn't say impossible) to become addicted to then a narcotic. It is not technically a narcotic. However, the FDA recently reclassified it as such for the purposes of prescribing, tracking, etc. I've stopped it cold turkey a number of times with no issues. There must be a personal physical factor (or genetics) involved for those that get physically addicted to it.

It may be the amount she takes a day, she's been on it for a few years. She takes a low(er) dose I think 3x daily. The withdrawal part is, well in part anyway, the return of pain from her condition as well, the other part is stomach upset and headache usually (typical withdrawal symptoms). Usually within 1-2 days she'll not have the symptoms any longer but then they'll refill and she's back to taking the Tramadol. I've been trying to talk her into seeking a pain management doctor so she can get rid of them. It's a synthetic opioid, which is why they re-classified it as a controlled substance.

jacquih2981

Thanks for the replies. I only take them for a couple of days and I do Pilates as often as I can (mostly when not on painkillers or I tend to overdo it) . I do tend to be a little spacey and sluggish but mostly incredibly thirsty taking them and I hate feeling like that so stop taking them as soon as I can.

doittoitgirl

I was on Tramadol long term after a car wreck. If made me a little more sluggish and spacey at first so less willing to exercise. But I didn't have a problem with withdrawing when it was time to stop taking it. I was still able to lose weight woke taking it.