I took a nasty spill on the ice (we had nasty storm here in the midwest) and sprained my already crippled carpel-tunnel hand and hurt my elbow pretty bad. They gave me hydrocodone 10/325 (10mg hydrocodone, 325 asprin) I used to abuse these like crazy in high school, never had any problems with them. This time around it's making me itch like crazy. No lotions have seemed to help. I'm thinking it's the hydro's because it's the only new addition to my regimen. I do have the occasional lamictal rash, but those aren't like this. Anybody had to deal with something like this? I don't want to quit taking them because I can't hardly use my right arm it's in so much pain right now. I'm also a bit manic I think, possibly euphoria from the drug? Should I tell my doc about this? I'm enjoying it actually, but something in me says something isn't right...I don't know...my mixed up brain doesn't make sense to me anymore....I guess I can't expect it to make sense to anyone else either. Thanks

Hydrocodone always makes me itch. I look like a crack addict scratching myself silly everytime I have to take it. I've found that I can take a benadryl to help. (Not that I'm suggesting you do that - consult your doc) But maybe between the hydro and benadryl they just knock me out so I can't scratch.
Anyways, Completely normal.

Croix

opiates cause itching. usually my nose is what itches. (try not to itch your arm raw, scratching won't help an opiate itch.)

unless there's a rash i wouldn't worry about it.

opiates can be sedating, or they can be activating. i know people think of "nodding off" with pain killers, but not everyone reacts like that. hydrocodone makes me an insomniac.

i think this is just how you react to this pain killer.

After about a week of taking Percocet after a surgery a couple years ago, they made me itch, too. Not at first... but any more than one pill and I'm an itchy wreck now.

And they usually wake me up for about an hour, after which I would promptly pass out. But they did always make me pretty happy and giggly. That's a pretty common reaction, too.

I hope your arm heals soon.

Yea...the hydro's don't make me sleepy at all, I get the giddy effect. It's kind of nice. As for the benadryl, that stuff keeps me up all night climbing the walls, a weird reaction I know. At least I know that this is what is causing the itch, which gives me some peace of mind. I only have enough for 2 more days, so I guess I'll just grin an bear it and try not to scratch.

Thanks for your replies, you guys are great!