I've used this medication for quite a while now, myself. I had a couple of surgeries in my past that have led to chronic pain.

What I learned first is that tramadol is fantastic for depression, as mentioned above. However, I don't think it would be fair to limit it to that label--it gives me an outgoing attitude, confidence, energy, and patience. Without it, a nasty combination of lack of energy, basic pessimism, climbing levels of pain, and reclusiveness rule the day.

So, tramadol is a wonder drug, as far as I'm concerned. I take too much; sometimes I take up to 16 50mg pills per day. I used Hydro after one of my back surgeries for about 4 months, and I quit cold turkey; a miserable day that was, with joint pain, runny nose, diarrhea and an otherwise "death would feel better," feeling. When I'm out of tramadol, it's a bad feeling too. Jittery, pain comes back, can't sleep, miserable outlook.

The reason for the difference is that when the tramadol is gone, I get the pain back (I've dealt with pain) but I also have my personality taken from me. The part of me that wants to be outgoing and active and productive dies. I want to lay in my bed, read, hurt, and waller around in misery.

As far as prices; I tried the overseas one; got the tramacaps. They were weaker in my opinion; took six or seven of them to equal 4 "377," pills which is what my doc usually gives me. But, the ones you get from nonformulary (which, by the way, is directly connected to sisterpharmacy and netrxforless.com if I'm not mistaken; in other words, don't think you can order from one and then get more pills from another; they're all over it) are fantastic, if not better, than "377" ones. By the way, the VA gives 377s out in my area to vets requiring tramadol and no other, as far as I know.

I guess I just wanted to get my opinions out here as I have been very interested in tramadol and studying it; it is now a necessary part of my life, and I truly am thankful for what I does for me and my performance (and my outlook on life). I have maintained a very active and successful life while on it, so I don't see it as a typical downward-spiral drug, whether addictive or not.

And as addictions go, I'm addicted to sex, boxing, porn, working out, my computer, certain songs and videos by Gwen Stefani (mmmmm), and anything and everything to do with the little-celebrated actress, Jane March (God made her, and he had his A game on that day).

Thanks.