i was put on tramadol cause i have a herniated L5 and i fractured it too...that shit made my ears very sensitive to loud sounds and i have two very young daughters
long story short, i ditched the tramadol and just take hydrocodone when needed...tramadol is some bad shit to take for a long time, very addictive
I also had a herniated L5 some yours ago and was put on Tramadol (and some other goodies). It was pretty useless though, the pain didn't subside that much and it made me really drowsy and constipated. I felt like a zombie.
The pain I experienced from my herniated disc was probably one of the worst pains I've experienced... and the "funny" thing with pain from a herniated disc is that it goes on all day for several months or even years.
Interesting that you experienced yourself sensitive to sounds while on tramadol. I developed tinnitus during my pain period but I've never associated it to the drug, I've always thought it was just the lack of sleep and the pain related stress that was the culprit.
Strangely enough I had no problem ditching the tramadol but I would have serious problems giving up caffeine. Maybe it's a "personality thing" but I've always loved stims.
Anyway, without sounding too gay I hope you're feeling better and that your L5 is healing - the pain from herniating AND fracturing it must be freaking terrible.