I have chronic Osteoarthritis of my cervical / lumbar spine with multilevel stenosis and neural compromise, I now have the Osteoarthritis in my hands mainly my thumb joints are badly worn causing crepitus and a extreme toothache type pain 24/7 . All my main joints ache/are painful and are stiff. My Pain is badly managed and I've been through the mill of facet joint injections/epidurals with no effect and caused further nerve irritation numbness and more pain etc. I know from previous spells of being on tramadol that I become super sensitive to other pain i.e. sudden accidental bump or knock, But I feel as though I have become supersensitive to all the pain I am suffering with? is it possible for tramadol to do this? I don't tolerate meds. very well at all and tend to suffer the extreme side effects. I have become quite anxious, twitchy feel that tramadol keeps me awake so my last dose is approx 16.00pm (along with the pain at night) Its hard to say whether my other symptoms are due to my lumbar spine related problems or ? could be part the tramadol. G.P. etc are useless and I'm totally exhausted by it all...
Can Tramadol make you hypersensitive with the pain you were originally prescribed the tramadol for?
Question posted by Joannaemt on 17 March 2014
Last updated on 2 October 2022
7 Answers
Joannaemt, I have suffered with RLS forever. I have found that pramipexole does a good job relieving the restlessness in my legs. I think it may help you. Definitely worth asking your Dr for a prescription. God bless you.
Pramipexole can be very helpful with RLS, but it belongs to a class of drugs called dopamine agonists, and can have some nasty side effects, such as compulsive gambling, and excessive shopping, when taken in higher doses.
I’ve been Taking Tramadol for extreme RLS for 5 years. For most of those years, I’ve been suffering with body aches, and joint pain. At times, I can barely walk. I’m 60 years old, and have been on all the usual drugs prescribed for RLS, with no relief. Tramadol does keep my RLS controlled for the most part, but I also think it is causing my body aches, and joint pain. I’m seeing a neurologist this month, and plan to discuss this with him. Unfortunately, the opioid crisis is not helping those of us who are taking our medicine as prescribed. So I’m not so optimistic about the outcome of my appointment. I hope you have found relief. No one should have to suffer with pain. It’s about having quality of life, and suffering in that way is not quality of life. Good luck to you❤️
tramadol gives me bad headaches and some itching.
I had the Nervo implant HFX 10 (trial) three days ago for back pain. Though surgery site pain was bad after surgery drugs wore off. That pain is much better. This device blocks pain signals. I am hoping that it works and so far, it is promising. I only tell you this, because I cannot believe none of my doctors suggested this alternative. Good Luck and God Bless.
Truthfully Tramadol should be pulled from the market because of it's dangerous and most common side effects .I refuse to prescribe this malicious drug to my patients the danger outweighs the benefits.
You truly need better medical care and a change in drugs. Is Tramadol all you take -- no anti-depressants, muscle relaxants, etc? I have almost every spine problem possible and two surgeries so far. if my doctor thought Tramadol would be all I need for pain, I'd quicky get a new doctor. Its hard to find docs who fully understand severe spine disease and its pain. Most who do are surgeons. Neurosurgeons and Orthopedic spine surgeons.
To me, the pain you describe in ur thumb sounds like its actually rreferred nerve root pain that originates in your neck (radiculopathy). I frequently could describe my referred pain as like a tootheache or severe bee or wasp sting. One location is my thumb. Not sure why the crepitus is in ur thumbs, so maybe I'm wrong, but cervical spine probems can manifest in lots of strange symptoms felt far from ur neck -- even the hypersensitivity that you attribute to Tramadol. I have that but no Tramadol.
You can also have referred nerve root pain alongside another condition such as arthritis. Your problems truly sound like they require surgery, not injections. Your joint pain and stiffness can be symptoms of nerve root compression or spinal cord compression. But I'm no doctor, just a patient.
Hi Rockfish552
Many thanks 4 your input I have Osteoarthritis in my thumb joints seen on x-ray, but It didn't occur to me to think of cervical spine?! I have, you guessed it Osteoarthritis in my cervical spine with stenosis but alas no treatment offered some years ago by neurosurgeon as quote him 'There's no point in wasting money on getting an MRI done, when I wont be offering you treatment / surgery based on your symptoms / x-rays! I replied 'How do you know that when an MRI will give you a much clearer picture of what's going on'! I was having a few small paralysis attacks on turning my neck lasting maybe 1 or 2 mins with acute sharp pain in my neck... that was when I lived in Wales. A few months ago I had similar again 'Your Trapping a nerve my old G.P. said? I am about to attend my new practice and G.P.
at 3.30pm today, armed with info etc and MRI results, but you have given me great input I just didn't think cervical spine!! I have been having other symptoms but my lumbar spine probs. and thumbs have been so bad I haven't given thought to my neck! Thank you so much! because I'm loosing sensation in my finger tips and my grip has been crap for some time!
I also take 2mg Diazepam at night only and also take paracetamol too, but having Asthma limits all anti inflammatories! tried amitriptyline which did nothing for nerve pain etc. side effects were horrendous but I gave them a good go! I don't want to try Gabapentin as the side effects are likely to cause problems from the way they work i.e. anticonvulsant etc. risking falling/ balance etc. I have had quite a few of late, never a good idea with my probs. and being an amputee etc. Fingers crossed this new G.P. will be receptive and supportive with more positive help!!
Thank you again will let you know how I get on... Joanna.
Hi Rockfish552,
I attended my new G.P. dr. appointment last week, She appears really nice, was attentive, gave me extra time and was really keen to help me with my pain / and related problems.
She has referred me to a Orthopaedic Hand surgeon for the thumb joint problems and thinks surgery with the worn joints is the only way forward there...
My Lumbar spine probs. and pain she has put me on Pregabalin 25mgs a low dose to start twice a day, (I am so not good with Meds. I tend to suffer extreme side effects 'Badly' or after a few days I get Quite Toxic with the drug... )
I have been taking the Pregabalin for just 2 days and already It appears to prevent me sleeping, I haven't been able to get much sleep till the early hrs. of the morning... Just don't feel as if I need to fall sleep even tho by 3am I am totally exhausted and then there's the dizziness / loss of balance! thats quite worrying for me as an amputee, I'm hoping this may fade after a few more days, but last night I got extreme pain in all my finger joints?? and my left knee/ foot/ankle that pain was sharp these symptoms are new to me and are not so extreme this
am?? any ideas? Some of the sciatic nerve pain in my left leg/ buttock has improved and some of the numbness is not as bad...
My new Dr wants me to try this med. for a wk. at 25 mg twice daily then if I'm ok increase the dose to 50 mg twice daily and then return to see her etc... She didn't feel the pain in my thumbs/hands was due to my Cervical spine...
I hope you are ok? and would value any comments / thoughts you may have... Joanna
Hi it is possible for patients to be especially sensitive to Tramadol. Some of the side effects would be as you have described, and i would urge you to discuss this with the prescribing physician... I see that you don't have much faith in doctors that have treated you, but an alternative pain management medication needs to be researched and prescribed. You can request a second, third, forth... opinion, until you are satisfied. I know it is exhausting, but it isn't fair to carry on like this, someone has to help you!
Hi Delila,
Thankyou for your comments /advice I totally agree with you, sadly No I don't have much faith in Doctors any more, I'm in the U.K. so things are slightly different here!
It made me really angry to have orthopaedic consultants sit in front of me and tell me that the facet joint injections/ epidural will definitely help me, I have every confidence they told me! and the worst that could happen is that it doesn't help the pain at all for you? I should have researched better, because after my terrible painful experience I was informed that (when I asked how long before I could expect some relief) 'Oh hang on', said Dr doing the procedure 'you are a lumbar spine stenosis yes?' mmm ...
I'm afraid it's not very helpful for lumbar stenosis! any relief you may get, will only be short lived I'm afraid! But you could be one of the lucky ones? Sadly I wasn't, I was one of the very unlucky ones who experienced great pain from poor needle placements, and further nerve irritation with permanent numbness in buttocks with pain thru the numbness?. All that information should have been given to me before, so I could make a better informed choice, I am now left to get on with it? I did ask /get a referral to Neurologist see my reply above, I live alone and have no family, the last thing I want to risk is double incontinence, or being in a wheel chair... For an operation that I am sure isn't possible to do, and my Dr G.P. agrees! But in this day and age 'No one' should be left in such pain to just get on with it... I do worry for the future I'm 62 yrs.old very independant despite my probs. Thanks for your comments/ advice.
Hi, i am so sorry to hear of the lack of successful treatment you have been given so far! I am also in the UK, so understand how things are. What are your plans for moving forward now, if any?
Hi Delila,
I have been forced into taking early retirement from 15yrs. in healthcare, so Have settled in a new area, and about to join new G.P. practice. I have an appointment with a new G.P. word from other patients I have spoken to say she is very good!
My appointment is for thursday this week so I'm hoping to have all pain problems etc reviewed with some positive help to keep going and a better quality of life than I have at present... My thumb joints/pain is the worse to bear of the two as everything you do your thumbs are involved and at the moment its a nagging toothache 24/7. I'm hoping I'll get a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon as surgery I believe is the only thing thats going to really help that. As you know it will be at least a 3mth wait for appointment, and then ??? how long a waiting list will be?. I know loads of operations are constantly being cancelled, due to not enough beds etc.
So maybe a good 9 months / a year to wait if all goes reasonably well, which is a long time when your in such pain as you first said someone has to help me... thanks for your input and support Delia...
I hope you get on/got on well with the new doctor? Sorry for the delay in my response! Thank you for letting me know how you are getting on...
This was my experience with tramadol. I was taking it with great relief of my original pain in my lower back and the nerve pain down my leg. After a couple of weeks, I thought I was getting a cold because my throat became very hoarse. On top of that, my knees felt like they were going to break every time I squatted down (I can't bend at the waist). This kept up for a while so, I called my md to tell her and she said that it was a reaction to the tramadol and immediately stepped me down off of it. My throat is no longer hoarse and my knees are fine now. Vi really wish that I hadn't had the side effects because it was the only thing that took all this agonizing pain away :(. I was also more sensitive to other pain as well. My husband could touch my arm and I would scream out in pain. I would bump my leg just the slightest bit and I would cry. I didn't associate it with the tramadol until my md told me that it's very rare, but could happen. I wish you the best and hope your md finds a solution for you very soon :)
I also forgot to mention this... my thumb joints became super painful after about a week on tramadol. It hurt to move them any at all. My hands felt generally weak, and my ankles ached constantly. after being off of the tramadol for a couple of weeks, all those odd aches and pains subsided.
Hi Kennedyhanau,
Thanks for your comments and experience, yes I suffer from hoarse voice sore throat type problems too, along with any knock or bump that makes you cry out and has had the tears running down my face from the sudden pain, I am wondering if it can also make the pain you already have more painful ? does that make sense? I've asked G.P. (I'm in U.K.) and the odd pharmacist they tell me Not that I'm aware off with a look that almost say's You can Not be Serious! but I am, very! I end up so exhausted by the process of trying to get some medic to help advise, I smile say thanks and walk out I just don't have the energy any more. I used to have patients in my care say similar to me when I advised 'You need to go back to your G.P. Dr and explain, Now I know first hand exactly how they felt and what they meant... Tramadol is a good analgesia maybe short term etc but side effects can be very severe for some of us gentle sensitive souls!
Hi again
Just read your extra on the thumb pain!! that is very interesting my thumb pain is unbearable and can reduce me to tears many times a day! its like a constant nagging toothache you can't get rid of, and like the toothache you want to bang your head against a wall to relieve it... I've been sitting with pillow on my lap and hot water bottle trying to get relief. My hands have been x-rayed and my thumb joints are badly worn etc. I am being told surgery to remove bone to ease it? now I'm wondering mmmmm I thought at one point that the Tramadol wasn't working or doing anything so began to with draw off them slowly (as I have down many times over the yrs. when I've been on them for shorter periods of time) got down to 3 caps. a day and my pain levels were thru the roof and I had to admit OK yep! you are helping my pain, Just not as much as I'd like... thanks for your input!!
The thumb pain, hoarseness, ultrasensitivity, pain thats worse on one side, and joint stiffness you describe are all potential symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis with nerve and spinal cord involvement -- a condition that can worsen into bladder and bowel incontinance and even paralysis. Whether Tramadol changes your symptoms may be the least of your worries. As in my other post, I urge you to take ur C-spine MRI to a neurosurgeon or the equivalent -- not a neurologist or GP. Question -- do you have highly exaggerated knee reflexes? Do you drop things? Do various fingers have pain at times? Do your legs feel heavy or uncoordinated? These are more symptoms. I had all symptoms listed and after my neck surgery they went away or at least improved so I know it's all neck related. I didn't take Tramadol or any other drug before that surgery. But I do take pain meds now.
Joannaemt, yes, it does make sense. It didn't make my original pain worse really, it just caused the hoarseness, knee pain and thumb pain. As soon as I stopped taking it, within a week those symptoms had abated, but my original pain level went through the roof, just as you said! It's too bad that it gave me a bad reaction because it's the only thing thus far that's helped my back and leg. I've been through 12 different meds, multiple epidural injections including caudal epidural which are SUPER painful, so many tests that I've lost count and I'm now in pain management. My last doctor told me that I'm just playing a waiting game to see when my next disk is going to rupture. Plus, I have arthritis all in my spine. I am tempted to just tell them to give my tramadol back and I will just deal with the side effects.
If your symptoms continue, I would go To the doc tell them you need something different because you are experiencing horrible side effects. Hopefully something strong so that you can get some relief. I wish you the best, and I hope that you can find relief soon. (Btw I'm in the US in the state of Alabama )
Hi Joannaemt,
I believe it is possible for your pain levels to increase while taking a synthetic opioid like Tramadol, at least your pain levels have increased and that's what matters.
You probably should see a good neurologist, you may have more spinal problems than you think or your arthritis may have taken a turn for the worse.
You need to be made comfortable! Ask your physician for a referral to a neurologist, then go have an MRI, as most neurologists will order one for people that are suffering from arthritic conditions or nerve pain.
I wish you the best, oh yes - forgot to say, tell the doc that is rx'ing the tramadol that it makes your pain worse, try something else.
Lara
Hi Lara,
Thanks for your reply. Sadly Been there done that Neurologist wise and Have had MRI scans which showed the Multi level neural compromise and 3 levels of bulges and Stenosis! Neurologist didn't even perform appropriate neuro examination? he wanted another MRI done (Previous findings above) and said he would perform a straight forward Laminectomy on levels L4/L5 to relieve numbness pain in right leg and some in the left (Left is worse than right?) I lost part of my right leg below knee in trauma in my twenties hence a crap spine now, mainly from poor fitting Limbs over the years and previous injuries, they now admit probably not pick up at the time of trauma etc.
I worked in health care till last year when forced to retire with my spine. So have Training and much knowledge! (Too much!) My facet joints are involved at all levels so ?? I don't see how he could perform Laminectomy? without having to stabilise facet joints /spine! making it a 5 to 6 hr. operation, not the 1 hr. he told me ? ? my G.P. agreed with me and wrote to him! He didn't reply to her letter or answer my concerns which are; 1) Doing one level probably wont ease the majority of my pain. 2) Increased risk of double incontinence. 3) Scare tissue that would cause more problems / pain issues 4) (with my luck so far) I'd end up in a wheel chair... I asked several Dr's would you trust him with what you know, and what he has advised me surgery wise? They all answered NO! Over the years I have used complementary therapies Osteopath, Chiropractor, acupuncture, Massage, and lately for years, Shiatsu has been a god send in keeping me moving and helping ease pain etc. but now I'm retired don't have the cash needed, plus this last bad flare up caused by the fitting of new limb, that was made 3/8th inch to long in length took them too long to put the problem right and I'm left with permanent sciatica, numbness in genital area, from facet joint injections and more nerve irritation in lumbar spine, numbness down left calf (I've had on and off for some years mind) into left foot around outside of foot / ankle. I feel as if I walk on pebbles under my toes, walking any distance my legs feel like lead weights (typical of Stenosis!) and constant weakness. So sitting and driving can be unbearable trying to sleep a nightmare I now rest in a recliner chair have given up on beds! I get burning pains, shooting, aching pains and now freezing cold type pain at night in my left calf leg/ foot? thats new to me? my foot can be freezing cold, pale yet capillary refill appears ok to me. I had a doppler done on my circulation in that left leg and was told it was good? I was put on Amitriptyline 10mgs but side effects were so bad, drinking 2 litres of water at night, slowed down my speed of thought, I found it difficult to function at all during day and I ended up with personality traits of a cornered rattle snake!! But gave them a good try but had to stop cos they didn't do much for the nerve pain etc anyway! Gabapentin has very long list of side effects, and is an anticonvulsant so will slow down my brain function like amitriptyline etc and I have had enough falls of late!! I've just joined new G.P. practice and have an appointment on the 27th fingers grossed I get better support, help, I'm so worn out by the pain etc. and I'm a strong person have dealt with loads in my life, still worked and helped others too! But all this is... too much! Any other thoughts Lara
Related topics
anxiety, osteoarthritis, pain, restless legs syndrome, back pain, tramadol, chronic pain, chronic, prescription, stenosis
Further information
- Tramadol uses and safety info
- Tramadol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Tramadol (detailed)
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