the use of tramadol for rls

[stan38angler]

ive seen many posts about tramadol being used for rls have always thought  it was a painkiller any advice on what strength of tabs or capsules would be of benefit  ????

[Pippins2]

Hi Stan, yes you are right Tramadol is a painkiller but it works on the dopamine receptors as do all opiate type of painkillers. Therefore it also helps with the urge to move sensations as well as pain.The capsules come in 50 mg and some can manage with taking just one whilst others need to take 2.The maximum daily dose I believe is 8 of the 50 mg capsules a day.Some take them just in the evening and at bedtime whilst others with daytime symptoms need them more often.I am one of the few who they don't work for but many find them very good.A milder opiate is Codeine, then the next strength up is Tramadol. Recently in the UK Tramadol was reclassified as a controlled drug so some GPS can be reluctant to prescribe .Hopethat helps,best wishes. ..Pipps x

[ukmsmi4 in reply to Pippins2]

That's interesting.  I have ME and fibromyalgia but have several other co-morbidities with them, restless leg and myoclonus included.  I take Tramadol and Paracetomol for the pain of ME and fibro but since taking it my restless leg and myoclonus have actually got much worse.  May be a coincidence I don't know and I have yet to speak to my GP about it.

[beady3]

Hi Stan I am one of those that use Tramodol after taking most of the other drugs for rls,I take 2 X 50 mg  in the evening and am quite happy with that but don't expect 100percent  because nothing is,also it's the slow release ones I do have to ask my doc every month for a prescription  ,hope this is some help x

[Madlegs1]

I opened a thread on coming off Mirapex and changing to Tramadol - there may be some help there. So far ive had a lot of insomnia and rsl at night - even with oxycontin 10. I dont know which med is causing them or is it just uncontrolled  withdrawal.  

Am working through it.

[johannasuar]

I've been on TRAMADOL for SIX years now with great success.  I started with the lowest dose which is 50 mg, pill form, only before bedtime.  However, last year I started to feel a little RLS around 7:30 pm so I added another 50 mg pill just before 7:30 to keep ahead of getting any symptoms, that's the game, to keep ahead of the RLS before it starts.  So now I take one 50 mg pill at 5:30pm and another at 11:30 pm.  I sleep perfectly and feel great the next day.  TRAMADOL doesn't cause heavy side effects other than some complain about feeling a bit sleepy during the day.  I do feel sleepy sometimes but I have the privilege to be able to take a nap and then I'm fine for the rest of the days.  The good part about TRAMADOL is that it's one of a few meds that causes little augmentation if none at all.  Give it a try, there's nothing to loose and it's not an addictive medication like others even though it's an opiate, synthetic.  Good luck.

[netty1957 in reply to johannasuar]

I'm afraid that whoever told you that Tramadol is not addictive was wrong. I'm currently on my 4th day of stopping it and can honestly say that I have never felt so bad. I'm lucky in that I no longer need it due to a brilliant total knee replacement but the withdrawal symptoms are hideous.

[Tawascan in reply to netty1957]

Hi, joining in on this topic late I had been on Tramadol for years for Fibromyalgia. I had no problem stopping, but than I only took up to 50 mg a day. In my opinion and at my age and personal experience with RLS/Pain, we aren't offered many if any Meds that truly work. One should take what is necessary to live My life has not been anywhere normal with rls, I deal with pain more than any other issue. Just my thoughts. God Bless you all that are dealing with this.

[Pippins2]

Tramadol is not available in pill form in the UK, only capsules x

[ukmsmi4 in reply to Pippins2]

Actually I take it as a soluble tablet because I can't swallow tablets.

[Hidden in reply to ukmsmi4]

Can i ask you what strength the soluble tablets come in.?   

[ukmsmi4 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Elisse

They are Zydol 50mg soluble Tramadol hydrochloride tablets.

Margaret.x

[Mum27]

Hi Johannasuar. Can you tell me are you on any other meds for rls Carol1948 xx

[Lor7]

Hi

My GP also said "not a chance" when I asked to try Tramadol I have tried all the meds and nothing works for me (including Magnesium, iron etc etc).  However, I have been advised and looked it up that Targinact (way stronger than Trmadol) has been approved and licensed for use for RLS when all other meds fail! 

 sleepreviewmag.com/2015/05/... 

[beady3]

Well Stan what a shame you can't have any Tramodol,if you are getting augmentation  from your other med I wouldn't take them     Why didn't the doc understand that ,maybe you could try something else  and start n a lower dose,  good luck sorting yourself out x

[Lor7]

Sorry, for the late reply.

No I haven't tried it but I think Raffs has.  I wouldn't want to give it a go when Tramadol might help which is not as strong.  I am going to ask to be referred in the hope that a consultant will actually prescribe either a cocktail for me to Tramadol, which my GP won't be able to argue with.

[Lor7 in reply to Lor7]

PS  Targinact is available for your GP to prescribe as it is in fact a licensed med for RLS.  The Parkinson's and most other drugs aren't and are prescribed off licence to treat RLS.

[Lor7]

Sorry for the late reply  Stan not getting emails for some reason!  I know that my ferritin level was around 88 some years ago.  

However, I decided that maybe ti should be higher and I have been taking Spatone Apple for around six months now in case it needed increasing and will ask nurse a GP Practice to test it again but I am sure it will now be much higher having taking the Spatone iron.

[beady3]

Morning Stan,if you are taking to many tabs maybe that's what is causing the prob,just do what  he said if no luck go back, and back,I have been doing good of late. Pippin is fine she is having her opp 26th this month xx

[Lor7]

Hi Stan

Spatone Aspple is a liquid iron formula with Vit C (apple) which is required to help absorb the iron.  It is also non constipating and more easily absorbed.  I do know that it definitely increased my red blood count and my white blood count level increased too.  I didn't get ferritin testd then but will do so soon.  However, I am told, Spatone will increase ferritin levels.  I take it in a little water and down it.

I buy it on Amazon and initially took one sachet twice a day for a month and then reduced it to one per day.

Link below for blurb.

nelsonsnaturalworld.com/en-... 

Lor7

[stan38angler in reply to Lor7]

cheers  lor7  have just sent for some will let you how I get on with it  STAN

[Lor7 in reply to stan38angler]

Hi Stan  

Yes please do.  Am sure it will make a difference.

Lor7

[Retren]

It varies the Tramadol dosage ones physician changes the dosage around to try to get a relief for one it is a pain medication used For RLS and in conjunction with other drugs. Hope this is of help.

[Retren]

16May toStan38angler I take tramadol300mgmsDivided daily and lyrica 300mgms divided daily.also get side effects.Is not always competent. Just cross ones fingers.

[dinyar65]

I am on Tramadol 100mg a day (controlled release) tablets. Only Tramadol works for RLS.