My two major issues are 1) chronic pain in my lower back and 2) depression. I had tried some Endocet for the back pain (and nothing for the depression) but have since been switched to Tramadol...and now I am totally amazed that the Tramadol does so much more for me than to merely relieve pain. Concerned about possible addiction, however, I have these two following excerpts (slightly edited) that summarize my thoughts behind posting and asking for any insights and personal experience anyone here might have to share:
Quote:
"...there is no shame in become dependent [upon a medication]...you're only an addict if you're taking the drug to get a high, otherwise you're just dependent. I can either take the drug to alleviate the pain and get some normal things done on a daily basis or not take it and live with a pain that will most likely prevent me from leaving my bed (my chair in my own case) and become agitated and irritated with everything and everyone because of my relentless pain."
"Always take paracetamol (acetaminophen) at the same time you take any opiate...[and then] when you feel the pain is minimal to moderate, try taking just paracetamol and skipping a dose of your opiate. More often than not you can...live with minimal pain and only take the opiate sporadically as needed."
Tramadol is not evil.. Thread discussing Tramadol is not evil. | Patient
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My past practice with the Endocet was to only take one whenever I really needed it to stop the worst of my back pain -- my pain is minimal while I am here in my chair -- and that ultimately added up to a little over twenty (20) doses over nearly sixty (60) days. But now that I have discovered the "almost too good to be true" effect of the Tramadol, I have begun taking one late in the mornings if I am feeling any pain at all...and that means I am using it more as a mood-alterant than for actual pain relief.
Along with whatever else, please ask any questions you might have...