• Effectiveness

  Major (for pain)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (constipation, itchy skin, insomnia, mood swings)
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: As needed

Advice & Tips: Positive benefit included being able to function seemingly well on Tramadol. I could drive to school, sit attentively through classes, and felt a burst of energy after the pain subsided. I am now relying only on Vicodin for pain, but I am not sure how long that will last.

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for pain)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (constipation, itchy skin, insomnia, mood swings)
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: As needed

Advice & Tips: I have found that this painkiller is much better than Vicodin. I am able to study, go to class, drive, and continue my daily activities while taking Tramadol without feeling "loopy" or necessarily "high." If it were not for Tramadol, I would never have been able to get through a dual Master's degree. With that said, the downfalls of this drug is severe constipation and inability to urinate (I would have the urge, but then when I try to relieve myself, nothing comes). These symptoms are not too tough to deal with though - and they probably kept me from overusing or ever abusing Tramadol.