When I was abusing pain meds, for a short period of time, I could only get ahold of Ultram, so I ate them, and I can tell you that they did nothing at all for me. I stopped taking them, I didn't even bother, because I too felt like they weren't any different than advil for me.. They did nothing for me.
Now I know there are others out there who have really suffered over Ultram, but I didn't even take it long, because it just didn't produce the feelings I was looking for while I was abusing.
Have you tried really strong prescribed ibuprophen? That works really well for alot fo people. I have heard of people having root canals, and teeth pulled, and alot of different painful things done, and just using the prescribed ibuprophen.. Because when it comes down to it, pain killers, really do not kill any pain at all, ( opiates, hydros, etc...) they just make you high, so you don't know you are in pain. It's the advil, or the tylenol in the percs, or vicoden that help with the pain. That is what a pain clinic doctor told my friend that was getting pain killers from him.
I am sure you probably already know this, since you are a paramedic though.
But for anyone else who may read it, who may not know.??
I'll pray for your pain Tina..
Love,
Becky