Painkiller buzz and time of day

Factual Questions
1

Not a big deal, just something I’m curious about.

I have a prescription for Tramadol, which I’ve been taking occasionally for leg pain (you can see some of my previous posts from fall and winter that get into the details of that).

The first time I took a Tramadol, I had a slightly buzzed feeling. It was actually fairly pleasant - feeling relaxed and in a good mood. (Similar to the way I felt when I had taken vicodin/hydrocodone a few years ago.) So for a while I only took it (as needed) in the evening, to avoid it interfering with work, or interfering with the cleaning and other housework I did during the day on weekends.

After a while I noticed that I didn’t seem to be getting that buzzed feeling anymore, probably because my body had gotten accustomed to the drug. No big deal - I wasn’t taking it for the buzz. So one Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago when the pain got bad, I figured I’d take one. I was surprised to feel a buzz later.

I don’t take a pill every day, but since that day I’ve started paying attention to how I feel after taking one. And every time, it seems that if I take a pill in the afternoon, I get a buzz, but if I take it in the evening, I don’t. So just out of idle curiosity, does anyone know why this might be? I’m not looking to take it recreationally - and I’ll be glad if/when the day comes that I no longer need it. It’s just something that I’ve been wondering about.

Or maybe it’s all in my head? Maybe I’m already more relaxed/tired in the evening so I wouldn’t notice the effect of the pill, but during the day when I have more energy (and more caffeine in my system) it’s more noticeable?

2

When do you usually eat?

3

It is my experience that your body does get used to when you take a medicine. I believe that’s the reason doctors say to take the medicine at the same time every day.

4

Is the drug more effective if you take it on an empty stomach? One of my coworkers swears she doesn’t feel any effects from hydrocodone unless her stomach is completely empty. So she schedules it for first thing in the morning before breakfast, three to four hours after a light breakfast, or six-plus hours after a full lunch if no snacks are taken in between.

5

Yes, generally I have been taking it on an empty stomach - shortly before lunch if I take it in the afternoon, or shortly before dinner if I take it in the evening.