What to do when the painkillers causes itching?

I've seen 3 different GP's that tells me that it's impossible for the painkillers to cause itching, the last one agreed to prescribe another kind of painkiller, but it doesn't kill the pain.

I've been taking painkillers for over 15 years now and I have never had a problem like this before. It all started when I had surgery about 18 months ago. The itching drives me crazy and I've been to the ER a couple of times because of it. They said that it is some sort of allergy, but couldn't say against what.

I know it's the painkillers since it only itches when I take them.

My problem is that the other kind of painkillers that the GP gave me isn't doing anything for the pain. I need to stop the pain and I take the painkillers that itch.

Has anyone heard of anything like this?
Do you know what causes the itching?
Is it dangerous for me to take the painkillers that makes me itch?
Any suggestions about how to stop the itching?

The kind of painkillers that causes the itching are Distalgesic, Tramadol and such. The kind of painkiller that doesn't help with the pain is Voltaren.

Ok, i looked up all the meds that you listed. the thing that i found with all the meds that you had itching with was they where all opioids (opium based) now there is a good chance that you have an alergy to opium. There are sevral non-opioid based pain medications that are out there but you would have to get a Rx from your doctor. I would recomend that next time you see him/her bring this up to them and see what can be done. Now you had asked if it could be dangerious, it can be but it just depends on what the reaction is. If its only itching i dont see any major threats. Now i have heard of people having alergies to opioids before. Just be carefull because alot of people that are drug chasers (fake a problem for the meds) will go into the E.R. sayn "ohhh i hurt but i cant take this this or that." By doing this they know what drugs to say they cant take for the sole purpose of getting what they want.

ADD ON

I read some of the responses. Morphine is also an opioid. Now some one has said benadril(sp?). while that is a good idea it is not the only option. benadril is an antihystamin. there are sevral out there and not all will make you sleepy. Also, they do not change the formula to a medication. if they did that they would loose millions. Every time they change the medication even slightly they have to go back through FDA testing.

2nd ADD ON

If nothing else ask them to do blood work before and after to see what levels raise when you take medication. If you would like i just signed onto YAHOO IM. I should be on for a little while so if you would like feel free to hit me up.

3RD ADD

I lost the message you sent me but have them check you white blood cell counts. Typically if your having an alergic reaction your white blood cell counts will go up.

I am not sure but I know that morphine causes itching. I am not sure if those do but you can look the meds up online on the pill index and read about the side effects then tell your dr what you find out. I have severe itching where I had surgery and the scars are now there...sometimes it is from sweating and stuff and usually if I clean the area the itching stops. I am not sure what area itches you though.

It sounds like an allergy all right. Do you get them filled at the same pharmacy? It could be that they have changed the formulation of the pill. Can you try to get them filled at a different pharmacy, to see if a different brand of the pill makes any difference. Have you asked the pharmacist if it has changed? The only thing to stop the itching is benadryl, which can make you drowsy. To be honest, you have been taking painkillers for a long time. 15 years? I would have thought maybe you could try something else like acupuncture, or anything really. I am sure you have genuine reasons for taking the painkillers, but I know personally I would want to try something drug free, as long term drug use messes up your liver. Tramadol does absolutely nothing for me, I use Ibuprofen.

ALOT of pain med's cause itching...YOU can get something from the Dr. for this...in the meantime, if you have an antihistamine, use that...sinus and cold med's have
antihistamines in them
Those pills are pretty strong...YOU may be taking to much at one time..try cutting the dosage by 1/4 and see if that helps you out.....Good Luck.

well, stop taking it. maybe there are more painkillers more available for you that will cause no harm to your body.

I have had episodes where I've taken two Tramadols and started itching. That usually means that you've taken too much. The next time I took Tramadol, I reduced it to 1 1/2 tablets and the problem was solved.