Tramadol and Lexapro

[seajay4563]

I've been diagonised with a rare illness called Relapsing Poly Crondritis and have had for almost 15years with no diagnosis. Every Dr., which were many, would give out antibiotics. I found a GREAT Rhumatoligist that finally gave me the diagnosis. I take Lexapro 20mgs a day for depression and have been taking Tramadol for almost a year 100 mg 2 or 3 times a day for pain. I was told to take 4 X day, but usually would take 100 mgs only 2X daily. I went to pick up my Tramadol for the pharmacy and they said they would not fill because of drug ineractions with the lexapro and said the Dr. would have to sign off on the refill, which she did. The fact that the pharmacy said there were drug ineractions I thought I would quit taking and the fatique has taken over so bad I was unable to work. I decided to take 2 this a.m. and wonder what to do now. I must take my lexapro ~ what should I do now. Any answers would be wonderful!!!!

[ImDONENoMore]

Sure - feel free to send me a message and I can share what I did to get through the early withdrawal stage and early recovery.

GOOD for you for deciding to quit.  :)

[confused1208]

Your post is exactly what is happening to me.  The tramadol mixed with cymbalta has pushed me into a severe depression.  I am now tapering down rather quickly over the next 4 weeks and would appreciate any information on how to ease withdrawal symptoms.  thanks

[ImDONENoMore]

No need to thank me.  This place is for sharing our experiences and that's all I did.  Good luck to you seajay4563 - I wish only the best for you.  :)

[vicki595]

Thanks for understanding!  :)

[ImDONENoMore]

That's okay vicki - I understand.  I wanted to just share what happened to me.  But I do respect the rules of the forum so thanks - and to seajay4563 I hope I did not upset you with my reply as I would never want to upset anyone here - I only wanted to share with you what I learned.  I'm sure your Dr. knows best in this situation and I wish only the best outcome for you.

Thanks again vicki!  :)

[vicki595]

To: ImDone: Uh...her doctor has ok'd taking this combo. It's really not our place to usurp this physician(that's why they hate these forums) and scare the daylights out of someone who has been taking these meds for some time and has had no problems.

Did you have seratonin syndrome when you took Cymbalta and Tram together?

I really don't mean to be rude at all...it's just that when a doctor instructs someone to do something,that trumps us!!

[ImDONENoMore]

I can tell you exactly what the problem is as this happened to me.

They had me on cymbalta (anti-depressant) and then put me on tramadol (the worst drug on the planet in my opinion) and the tramadol isn't only a synthetic opiate, it's also an anti-depressant - so there's a serious risk of raising the serotonin levels in your brain that can cause seizures (it's called serotonin syndrome).  And because you're also on the lexapro, that's why the pharmacist warned you and needed an okay from the Dr.

And vicki is right - talk to you Dr. as soon as you can and tell her your concerns.  I can't comment on your condition since obviously, I'm not a Dr., so I don't have any suggestions for you regarding your pain.  See what your Dr. recommends.  Getting off of the tramadol was the WORST experience of my life and many others as well (there's a whole thread dedicated to other members trying to get off tramadol.  It's a nasty little drug that causes horrible horrible withdrawals when quitting).  But I suppose that's not everyone's experience with this drug, but it was for me and as I said, many other members here.

Good luck to you - and I'm happy to share what I did after I stopped the tramadol to help get through the withdrawals if you end up taking that route.  I wish the best for you.  :)

[vicki595]

You should call the doctor and talk to her. Tell her what you did and why and ask her what you should be doing. That's really the safest suggestion I have for you. Did you ask the pharmacist what the interaction was?    Do you trust your doctor? If she said it's okay...no one here will argue with that.

Good luck and keep posting...