1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Tramadol

Can Tramadol cause swelling of joints?

Posted , 5 users are following.

SteV3
SteV3

Hi,

I am hoping someone can tell me if they have had similar symptoms when taking Tramadol. I know they are bad for you, and my consultant is trying to get me on to something that is not so bad, but it cannot conflict with other medications, some of which are high dosages (Epilim 1,900mg a day, etc).

I was put on Amitriptyline about 2 months ago now, so I am ruling these out, they were prescribed for pain (20mg at night), mainly to aid better sleep. However, after a month I was given Tramadol to take, starting at 50mg and over 3 weeks working upto 150mg.

Now, I know the above concoction can cause seizures to even a person that does not suffer from them, but I was prescribed them even though I suffer from Epilepsy. I am receiving an appointment very soon due to the amount of medications I am on at the moment, so they are referring me to the Pain Clinic, hopefully for a more suitable painkiller than I mentioned above. The trouble with me is I cannot take any painkiller which is codeine based, due to two large stomach operations about 2 and half years ago.

What I have noticed lately is joints really aching more than normal and very painfull swelling in the feet, ankles and legs. My doctor sent for some blood tests to be done, these all come back clear.

I have been told by my Epilepsy Specialist not to change any medication at present, as it may imbalance others, so I'm stuck with pain and swelling painful joints. So, basically all I wanted to know is if Tramadol can cause these symptoms?

Regards,

Les.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • lin06321
    lin06321 SteV3

    Posted

    I don't think so, I've been on 200 mg Tramadol for quite a few years.  Isn't Amitriptyline simiilar to Gabapentin?  I am also taking 1800 mg a day of Gabapentin.  Not sure if Amitript is a anti seizure med like Gabapentin?  As far as the risk of Tramadol I don't worry at that level.  I refuse, no matter how bad the pain is, to go above 200mg a day though.  My OD told me that 300mg a day is the safest max as far as risking seizures--but of course it could happen at any time.  My doctor said the Gabapentin may reduce the chance of seizure more.  I take it for nerve issues.

    I truly don't think that Tramadol is the culprit.  It does say that swelling of hands, face, or mouth is a side affect.  However, when I looked it did show an interaction problem with Amitriptyline--didn't say what, just happened to be on the page I wasj looking at.

     

  • happyjoy
    happyjoy SteV3

    Posted

    Ask the pain clinic about interactions. Tramadol won't do that by itself unless you are having an allergic reaction to it, and then you would let a rash abd difficult breathing as well. I would suggest you do not take multiple things for your pain. Amitriptiline or tramadol, not both. Yes, they do target different types of pain, but taking both is harsh on the body, and sounds like your stomach need some tlc, not bombardment. 

    Tramadol is a great short term med, but long term it can cause dependence that leads to needing more for the same result. It might take two years, it might take ten. But then it happens and you have to stop and find something else, and suffer the ravages of stopping tramadol. If you can possibly not take tramadol for a long term need, then please don't. It is best kept as a post op under 6month drug.

  • patient59414
    patient59414 SteV3

    Posted

    Yes I have had this. Confirmed it by coming on/off it. I even tried it again after 5 years off it, same symptoms returned, I have no idea why, perhaps an allergy. Why the joints though? I don't think it is an Opioid thing I have had other Opioids. It could even be the shell capsules or the capsules dye etc. It is hard to pin it down. Amitriptyline does not do this it just gives a dry mouth and perhaps dizzy. I can't take Tramdol because of joint pain. Usually it starts about 4-6 hours after a single pill. Stopping Tramadol resolves the situation. The problem is if you are hooked on Tramadol, likely as it is a serious narcotic, you won't know until you suffer through the withdrawals to get 100% off it. I know people who get all sorts of weird effects from Tramaol but not usually this extreme. Probbaly better staying on a cleaner perhaps less effective Opioid. I also get seizures from Tramadol over about 200mg or rather I can feel it happen but can suppress it (you won't understand that feeling unless you sense it). As for pain killing in general it is "wonderful". I just can't handle it. There is alternatives if you can't handle it you just need to make the medics understand you can't and you want to try something else. The reason they don't believe it, is it is usually safe and a gold standard and better than the alternatives in most people. I know old post but was searching this exact problem and you seem to have it to so I thought to leave this for the next person along.

    • SteV3
      SteV3 patient59414

      Posted

      Hi,

      Interesting read and thanks for the reply!

      I was on 200mg, dropped to 150mg about 3 months ago... then I changed it to 100mg slow release per day.

      I have pain in most joints, numbness in my fingers, hands, arms, neck, and brain. It seems to be affecting the brain receptors on the right side of the brain. I take Clonazepam for control of the left side of the brain neurotransmitters.

      Thank you for your additional input! smile

      Regards,

      Les.

  • happyjoy
    happyjoy SteV3

    Posted

    Blood work does not always show low B12, but it is the first thing to add to your diet if having joint pains. I take 2000MCG methylocobalamin daily. It starts to make a difference in a month, and it makes a big difference to joints and to brain clarity. There is indication that tramadol users and post tramadol users need B12. It is also indicated that people who have long term health problems need more B12, as do we all as we age. 
    • SteV3
      SteV3 happyjoy

      Posted

      Hi Happy,

      I have heard of B12 before now, not sure on what it actually does - one area I've never really looked in too. The main issues I have is:

      1. Complete 'pins & needles' all day in my fingers and hands, this makes me using my walker impossible because my hands are just so painful. If I look at my hands both have a bright red rash on them.

      2. I keep getting very annoying 'pins & needles' in the back of the skull, side and neck and in to my right arm. Today has been a good day, it has only happened about 15-17 times, it lasts a few minutes - I cannot do anything to make it go away apart from waiting, which can be up to 5-10 minutes at a time.

      3. Every morning is the same, chronic pain in my back and shoulders, swollen feet, ankles and legs and I sleep on a hospital bed. My wife has to dress me, I cannot touch anything without feeling a burning sensation in my hands and fingers. I have tried exercising my fingers, but that just makes the rash worse and hands more painful.

      Do you think this is down to B12? A neurologist I spoke to about 2 weeks said we really need a blood test of some type of marker in the muscles, I hoping to find out more in a few weeks.

      Regards,

      Les.

    • happyjoy
      happyjoy SteV3

      Posted

      Yes, it could be, but it is not recognised in the UK as much as the Netherlands, where the main research is happening. There have been dramtic cases of what seemed to be incurable advanced dementia being cured with large doses of B12. But, since B12 is like Vitamin C, in that the body expells extra with not damage or build up, it is a safe thing to try. The thing with B12 is that it can be found in the blood but still not be enough in the system for what you need, and so the blood tests are often not as helpful as simply trying takiing it. Also, B12 in the bllod is in one form and has to be changed to another by the body, so , if you are not conducting that change well, it won't be utilised. If you really want to test it out, get the methylocobalamin form, which is what your body converts it into, in a microlingual pill. Take 10 pills of 1000MCG a day, all at once. A dutch GP told me to do this, and then to lower the does once my body started to use it. I lowered to 2000MCG over time. B12 is a neurological neccesity, so I am surprised you have not been put on a trial yet. I am guessing it is due to the prescrition form of injection B12 being cyanocobalamin, which is the reconverted form. Of course, run this by your neurologist...but it is a fairly easy and safe experiment. 

    • happyjoy
      happyjoy

      Posted

      \I mean preconverted. My typing errors are bad due to being in a hurry. sorry.
  • faith24885
    faith24885 SteV3

    Posted

    I had a problem like that and the Doctor perscribed lyrica worked very well .at that time they suspected I had fibromyalgia as it turns out I have MS and have had for years ,never quite knew what was wrong with me.Finally a doctor listened to me and was surprised.He said the symptons were right out of the book.I think its just that MS has so many symptons that come and go it makes the patient

    Sound neurotic.Thank God for the patient MD's that listen.I feel a lot better.new diet ,new meds,new organized lifestyle for me .Also I wanted to tell you my friend has a beautiful daughter with epilepsy the really bad kindmedical marijauna has

    literally made the problem disappear.she is over the moon her daughter has a life .who knew..Good Luck Les.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.