Isn't there an old quote about the difference between medicine and poison is the dose? Surely morphine was one of the greatest gifts and worst curses, all dependent on that. I had a real comic pratfall of an accident (one of those at-home thingies) 8 years ago that left me with five fractured bones in my foot, a sprained ankle on the same side, and a split-open forehead. The hospital prescribed Tramadol for pain. I took it only a few times, mostly before sleeping so I could sleep and so any bad effects would occur in bed. But it wasn't really all that great a remedy; did nothing for inflammation (walking around in a dinosaur boot ends up ravaging the healthy leg) and aspirin--regular strength taken 3 at a time--was the magic. I dislike pain but have a fair degree of endurance so I never over-use analgesics. The right dose at the right time, and not using when you don't really need it--that's the magic.