Tramadol is awful but...Sorry for the novel, just trying to help!
That was actually really interesting - I've always regarded Tramadol with some suspicion - it just doesn't *seem* right to me, the way the molecule looks (
), and the description of it's binding profile.
A while back, someone I know was prescribed Tramadol, Neurontin, Gabapentin and Amytryptalilne for a messed-up back, and none of them seemed to help their pain, but made them feel awful.
The doctor then prescribed Meptazinol, which seems to be a weird 'not-opiate' like Tramadol, but I can find a lot less information about it - it doesn't seem to be much known or used.