Thanks to Bruce Anderson for the warning on the addictivness of Ultram.I will take these words sereously. I must tell you that mine is more than just a back ache. I have a back ache because of the bad posture due to parkinson.When I was in the hospital for quad cardiac bypass they told me to use a four prong cane. That caused my spine to twist to the right. I have a 4 (large wheel) walker now. I also have a rupture disk and bad arthritice. I have complete faith in my primary physician and can talk easily with him.Addictiveness is one of my first concerns. My postings have been just to tell the listserv friends that ultram is working for me now. What is good for me might not be good for someone else and what is good for me now might not be good for me three months from now. The pain is not gone completly but it is tolerable now. Bud Harrington