Assuming you've dealt thoroughly with any underlying medical issues (at least as best as they can be dealth with), have you considered a pain management specialist? There are lots of things that may help other than opiates.

I use Ultracet (Tramadol) for relief from pain and while it doesn't get rid of the pain totally, it takes the edge off enough so that I have no problem living with it without even thinking about it. I don't believe Tramadol is an opiate. It does require a prescription, though. Best wishes!

Tramadol is unfortunately an opiate, too.

I need something that is potent enough to control my aches and pains. Would a pain mgt specialist help me control my intake?

DO you live in a state with medical cannibus? If so you can get it with low, which is the part that makes you high. I unfortunately can not get this as I live in a stupid state. I have a Facebook friend that lives in a medical cannibus state and is prescribed this for cuffitis and other pouch related pain and anxiety and it works better than narcotics.

I wish I could move...tired of taking Norco

I can't predict what a particular pain management doc might offer. Some folks have had surprisingly good results, though. It's much more complex than how much opiate you consume.

There are pain management strategies other than narcotic medications. A pain clinic would be able to treat you with a holistic approach.

If you're up for it, accupuncture can also help. I went regularly for a year; after my first treatment I had so much energy and so little pain that my husband was amazed! The treatment got me off of all painkillers immediately, and I never needed them again. (Eventually the root of the pain was discovered and treated successfully.)

The key, if you try this, is to find a VERY good accupuncturist. My bias is also for one with a medical degree. The one I saw was brilliant (literally). He had both Eastern and Western MDs, a PhD, and was working on another. Treatments were initially weekly, then every other week, then monthly and, as I said, I didn't need ANY painkillers after the very first treatment.

Hope you get some relief soon,
Gin

Tramadol is not an opiate but it works on the same receptors.

There seems to be some disagreement about whether Tramadol is an opiate, an opioid, or something else. OTOH, all the sources I checked seem to be in general agreement that Tramadol comes with the same concerns about dependency as any opiate, and has essentially the same mechanism of action. It seems like the difference is mainly academic, and substituting Tramadol for codeine (or another opiate) doesn't change very much at all. They will tend to have different side effects profiles, and thus differ in how much they slow the gut or make a person drowsy/stoned, but someone who's had a problem with opiate dependency should use Tramadol with extreme caution, IMO, and only with attentive and caring professional guidance.

I just spoke with a registered pharmacist -
he said - Tramidol is NOT an opiate. It is just a tiny bit more effective than Tylenol.
It is no more addictive than coffee. Stop spreading false info. Please.

I agree that Tramadol isn't very potent.

Thanks, Marie. I have Tramadol. I hardly ever use it - as I said above - it is only a tiny bit more effective than Tylenol.

Well, the most reliable source is the package insert as approved by the FDA.
Ultram Package Insert
Here are some quotes copied from that document and other package inserts:

"Tramadol is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic."

"Although tramadol can produce drug dependence of the μ-opioid type (like codeine or dextropropoxyphene) and potentially may be abused, there has been little evidence of abuse in clinical experience to date. In clinical trials, tramadol produced some effects similar to an opioid, and at supratherapeutic doses was recognised as an opioid in subjective/behavioural studies." (New Zealand package insert)

"Tramadol has mu-opioid agonist activity. ULTRAM® can be sought by drug abusers and people with addiction disorders and may be subject to criminal diversion."

It's recommended at fairly low doses, which is why folks are reporting that it doesn't work very well. But IMO it's a terrible medication to casually recommend to someone who's had trouble with opiates before.

OK, before this gets blown out of proportion:

I don't think that Scott was spreading false information.

It was long thought that tramadol (Ultram) was completely safe and had no abuse potential, even though it acts upon the opiate receptors.

However, over time they found that with long term use some people were developing tolerance and dependence, just like with opiates. So, even though it is not a controlled substance in most states, it is not without potential problems.

It may be considered a weak pain killer to you, but you cannot compare it to Tylenol. It is prescribed for moderate to moderately severe pain. There are moves within the FDA to place it in the list of Schedule IV narcotics.

There are numerous warnings about it. So, while the abuse potential is fairly low, it is a drug to be respected.

This is the safety alert issued in 2010 (not new information):
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/S...oducts/UCM213265.pdf

Jan

I use Tramadol when I need to. As I mentioned, it doesn't seem to get rid of the pain. It takes the edge off for me. After using it one or two days I am good to go.....without it for quite some time. For whatever reason, I never feel drowsy or out of it in any way when taking it. I have a feeling it may or may not help relieve all pain or all people. I use it for sciatica and it sure beats having epidurals...for me, anyway!

samlc25, I'd start by talking to your Doctor. Maybe s/he can tell you stopping cold turkey was a mistake and help you transition to something else and control your intake better.

If not, maybe your Doctor will recommend a pain specialist who will be able to help you find a way to control your pain while getting off of whatever you used to have available.

I'm over my withdrawal period. I just experience a lot of pain and discomfort and I would love a pain pill.

I wish there was a way to still get the pain pills and it be managed better by me. This is a tough situation since I developed the dependency.

I've had tramadol in the past and that doesn't help me.

Should I talk with my dr about prescribing pain meds to me again at maybe around 10-15 pills a month? That will force me not to abuse.