Pain management is always a touchy subject. Some people don't require meds, some require the "big guns". With all the new laws on meds, like opioid meds, it is harder to get the pain managed. I tried Tramadol and it did help. However, you might try Savella. It has helped me the most and I don't get crap from the docs in order to get it!! Finding a good doc is extremely difficult! I've gone to the specialists and the general mds. Most of the time I actually know more about fibro. I'm a 20 year RN and since disability have a lot of time to research. There are also a multitude of non medication things you can do to help yourself manage your symptoms. I'm gonna throw in a couple of web sites that should be able to help you with some information. WWW.THEACPA.ORG is a chronic pain site. Lots of good fibro info and downloadable forms to help you manage and communicate with your doc. WWW.FIBROCENTER.COM has a good video called reframe your pain which I found helpful as well as general information. WWW.WEBMD.COM has a lot of general information, as well as treatment options. I find it "stuffy" at times and don't think they info is provided by people who actually have fibro. Good luck, keep looking and don't settle for poor care.

@A MyFibroTeam Member I don't and never have taken pain meds. I think the best shot at controlling your symptoms is going t come from sort of drastic lifestyle changes. That has been the case for me. You have tolearn how to listen to what your body needs and then provide. I have drastically changed my diet about 5 times in the 10 yrs I've had it. Found one that helps so I stick with it. Get about 9-10. Hrs of sleep a night, plus a nap. That helps too. Take some meds which help prevent migraines, and do common sense things like wear my sunglasses inside when I feel one coming on.
There are lots of thing besides prescriptions which provide relief.

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A MyFibro...

Actually Mare it is an opioid. This comes from the the Jansen Pharmaceutical phamplet for Ultram

ULTRAM ER is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic. Although its mode of
action is not completely understood, from animal tests, at least two complementary
mechanisms appear applicable: binding of parent and M1 metabolite to µ-opioid
receptors and weak inhibition of reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.

Tramadol is a narcotic. If you have a problem with narcotics try Turmeric capsules, apple cider vinager in orange juice and as @ mariema said life style changes and eating diffrent foods does make a differance. Positive mind makes it a little easier. You can be happy in pain or sad in pain, eather way with fibro you will have pain.

@A MyFibroTeam Member that's a well said point. It is unrealistic and foolish to think that any one thing, whether it be pharmacy meds or alternative therapies will extinguish the pain. The trick as you said is to make it bearable, so you can have some kind of quality of life.