I am being treated with Ultracet for neuropatic pain. Previously I was on Tramadol than my doctor?

Long term pain is genrally better treated with a long acting drug. When you have something that is sustained release you get less spikes. Short acting drugs tend to slam the brain with a narcotic and cause more feelings of euphoria that the long acting preparations which release slowly in a more controlled manner into the system so you generally have less "highs" with this type of medicine. Short acting meds are often lead to addiction quicker than the long acting meds (that is not to say that either one can be addictive. They both can be abused!) If you are going to be on medication long term ask your Dr about a long term preparation. Studies have shown this is a better option for those with chronic pain. You could start at a very low dose. You do take the long acting meds around clock, not on an as needed basis, so you are taking to keep pain under continuous control.

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Usually you will get a short acting drug for breakthrough pain which is pain that "breaks through" the long acting dose. Breakthrough medicine is usually used for activities that will cause a brief increase in pain levels. If your long term pain drug is providing adequate pain relief you shouldnt have to take the breakthrough very often. Any opioid pain medicine will cause physical dependence when you take long term. Physical dependence doesnt mean you are addicted. Addiction is a seperate entity. Addiction is uncontrolled use, craving and continued use in spite of harm. A person who is addicted loses control over taking their meds. They may continuously escalate their dose or take more often than they should. They may continue to use even knowing the use of their drug is causing problems, be they physical, like harming the liver or respiratory depression or they may be psychologically harming, like affecting the persons ability to work or their personal relationships. Many people confuse addiction with physical dependence. Read up on chronic pain. Check out websites like The National Pain Foundation, The American Pain Society etc. These sites often have links to others or just google chronic pain. Just steer clear of sites trying to sell something because they tend to have biased info. Good Luck in your quest and keep us posted on how you are doing!