Fibromyalgia Support Group

You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.

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Narey 08/26/2010

Ok, I've been so happy that I am 'satisfied' with my ultracet generic med. It takes the edge off pain when I really need to. I try to avoid meds most of the time. And I don't want to have to keep upping the ante.

So... when it was mentioned that the opioids could cause itching, it got me noticing... I had thought the itching was part of a bad FM day or stretch of days. BUt I wondered if it was because I was taking more of the tramadol.

I didn't take any tram yesteray and my itching was subsiding. I've had a nasty headache today and so I took one this evening.... and.... now I've got The Itch.

I really like how the Tram helps the pain. But I'll never be able to take it now without anticipating this lousy itching. boo hoo

deleted_user 08/26/2010

Now that you mention it, I scratch a lot when I take my tramadol; I didn't notice until my friend was prescibed it after an injury and she started to complain of being itchy; it wasn't til just now that I put two and two together.

We've been blaming everything from the washing powder we use, to our pet rats, but thinking back, I don't scratch as much when I don't need Tramadol for a day.

I feel your pain! it's maddening, isn't it? I even get the heels of my foot itching, which inevitably finds me either breaking my nails, or finding out a scratchable item (pen lid works wonders) - I take the brand name Zydol.

deleted_user 08/26/2010

I took tramadol. for a while but I can't recall itching . You both have my sympathy .

My sisters BF takes it daily when she get on I will ask her if htey have noticed anything

deleted_user 08/26/2010

yes aga we both take tramadol bf says he dont notice the itching i have been putting mine down to my exzcema we both take the brand zydol so i dont know wether its the tramadol or not or is it a combonation of other meds we take it with which to work out when u on around 30 odd tablets a day will be tricky to work out

deleted_user 08/26/2010

I had to stop the Tramadol (generic and name brand) due to the itching....benedryl didn't help me stop the itch. My doc said it was a side effect that would go away but it never did. I would be up all night itching and would be worse off in the morning. I hated it. I hope you can get some relief.....check with your doc to see if he/she has any recommendations to help with the itch.

deleted_user 08/27/2010

im the same with tramadol, but switched to slow release version and took antihistimine with it helped.. lorraine x

Narey 08/27/2010

Thanks for all the responses. Is the time release only branded? I have the generic.

deleted_user 08/27/2010

Tramadol can cause itching. All real and synthetic opioids and opioid-like drugs can cause itching. Take some Benadryl or try something else. Good luck!

mtnfibroguy 08/27/2010

Thats interesting...I've been itching, and never knew why. Mostly on my face, but certainly not limited to there... now you have me wondering.

I've thought it was shampoo...or conditioner...or the hair gel. I've never been able to figure it out.

Now i will try to notice how the itch relates to my tramadol that I take. I bet thats it, cause nothing else is making sense....

I'm starting to itch all over now that im thinking of it....

deleted_user 08/27/2010

i asked my doc for a script for vistaril it makes the itch go away and helps the opiod work better and even helps with the fibro pain because sometimes its perscribed for hypersensitivity.

you can also take claritin or zertec, because they don't make you drowsy

Narey 08/27/2010

Thanks. I might ask for the vistaril then. I really don't take many meds. I keep reading take the antihistamines and they do make me loopy. I don't have any problems with the tramadol (other than the itching! ) and don't want to take somethign on top of it that will make me feel weird.

so.... now it'll cost even MORE for this bothersome illness if I have to take a med to counteract the side effect of the med! argh!!

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