"about six years after injuring my back and being advised to have surgery (refused!), i was prescribed tramadol. it has quite literally given my life back. i had pain 24/7, but learned to live with it taking high doses of ibuprofen. i was in my 60&#039;s by then and assumed the lack of energy and interest in -- anything-- was due to my age. since tramadol, i am the energetic positive person i used to be without pain! the only side effect that really bothers me is that i seem to clench my teeth- maybe due to the dry mouth. don&#039;t want to ever be without it! also, i can stop taking it for any period of time without any noticeable issues other than the return of the pain."