I'm definitely not trying to start any argument because I actually think we're both right. It's absolutely amazing how two human beings can intake the same substance and have such different reactions. Consider amphetamines as used for people on ADD: a "normal" person takes it and they bounce off the walls and an ADD'er takes it and calms down. With painkillers too, i had the "taste" for them almost immediately where as some people (to my absolute amazement) just "don't like the way it makes you feel". So i'm glad that YOU did not have the trouble but please believe me, I did. I also have been on Suboxone and it was tough too but I would do it twice before I'd try going off of Tramadol.

One big difference was that you were at a "therapeutic dose" which means you weren't abusing it. I WAS! I was not one of those erowid people either but i was getting close to that number simply over time because of the tolerance i built up and the symptoms if i tried to drop back. I won't go over all the gorey details but it was really awful and if you search these boards you'll find out that I'm not alone in what I went through. So count your lucky Stars my friend that you didn't have to add that one onto your list of challenges. It sounds like you've been through a lot, and i truly hope you continue to find relief and can find a good (cheap) dr who will work with you. There's not really a magic pill combo that is going to solve any emotional/psychological on its own. Please don't take this wrong, i'm not being preachy or 'teachy', but for others who can empathize with your situation and are also looking for help. Don't look for an easy way out or it won't last. Be willing to do the other work along with it.

God bless.

How long would you have to take tramadol to get dependant? Would you get bad withdrawls taking it for like a week or so to take a break from hydro?

Personally I think trams are a poor excuse for anything other than something else to get dependant on. They offer no pain relief at all and your body can become physically dependant on them quickly. Wd's from trams are reported to be as bad or worse than hydro and or oxy.

I also take Tramadol, as a substitute for hydro if I run out to ease the w/d's and it works very well for this. However my husbands Dr told him not to take it with the Effexor he takes. I take Buspar and the combination is fine apparently, and have been extremely pleased with the anti anxiety component of these two medications.

I know that some people feel that Tramadol/Ultram helps with depression. Is there an antidepressant med that is chemically similar to Tramadol or has the same antidepressant ingredient? Something with the same chemical structure?

Actually it does increase my libido, too, and makes the whole experience more pleasureable, but I hate that I'm hooked on it and withdrawals are pure hell. I've taken as many as 30 in one day (I know, stupid, but since when does an addict make a reasonable choice?) I guess I'm a case study.

Well if you're going on Tramadol for life-long chronic depression then withdrawals will never be an issue for u since you will be taking it the rest of your life. In that case Tramadol is the best cure hands down that i know of. I know, because nothing else ever worked for me as well as this pill has.