I was given tramadol when I had an operation on my severely damaged ankle.

Initially in the hospital they gave me 3 a day, and when I went home, I contacted my GP who gave me a prescription (to my suprise) for a further 100.

Three tablets a day soon became 6, and then 10, eventually I was taking 14 a day.

This dosage only took the edge off of the pain, but I found that I was in effect addicted to them.

This lasted for months, every time I ran out the surgery gave me a new prescription.

Eventually I went to a different foot specialist, who on hearing that I was taking so many tablets, told me I would have to wean myself off.

I went from 14 down to 8with little or no trouble, the pain in my foot was the same.

I then went from 8 down to 5, again the pain styayed the same.

Then I made a big mistake and stopped them altogether, I had terible withdrawal symptoms, which my GP corrected by putting me back on thbe tramadol at 4 aday, and then changing me over to co-codomol, which I eventually came off.

I still have terrible pain in my foot but am loathed to take any medication