I used to take tramadol for fibromyalgia pain before Effexor & Cymbalta were available. I got a very mild antidepressant effect from it. I think it has a weak SSRI type effect.

I know that some people do have problems with it being habit-forming. When I first learned of that, though, I had a really hard time believing it. I took it every day for years and sometimes ran out for 4-5 days and didn't really notice any difference (except for more pain.)

It wasn't terribly great for fibromyalgia pain - it just sort of took the edge off.

Have you taken an SSRI antidepressant before? (Would be surprised if you hadn't.)