Lyrica when comming of ropinerole.

[Shaft1952]

I have seen GP today who has started me on lyrica 25mgs with a view to increase, i am reducing ropinerole on 1mg now reducing to 500mgs in 2 weeks, then 2 weeks later stop ropinerole. She wants me to stop codiene. My GP is also reffering me to Dr Kirstie Anderson at newcastle in UK. Have read some of the items on line, but if anybody could give me some more advice or information that would be great, cheers shaft1952

[Hidden]

You really NEED the codeine while you are weaning off the Ropinerole, and it would be better in my opinion that you reduce that dose by just a 1/4 of a pill at a time. halving it is a big drop down. When weaning down from Dopamine med, it cant be rushed. Slowly slowly should be the way to do it. The Lyrica might help, but i hope your GP is still allowing the codeine.

[Shaft1952 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Elisse she dosen't want me to have codeine, but I can go back if things are bad & she will review things cheers shaft1952

[Hidden in reply to Shaft1952]

I'd like to +1 on what Elisse has said. If she pushes about the codeine request a referral to a pain clinic so that your pain can be properly treated - the pain Dr's are a bit more willing to prescribe as they understand a bit better.

Your Dr is likely worried about addiction, unfortunately I'll bet my house they don't understand addiction properly and get confused on tolerance, dependence and addiction.

If you are treating a physical complaint with an opioid and not taking it for a buzz or to medicate psychological distress then the chance of addiction is low - many people after surgery are given pharmaceutical grade heroin for a few weeks and they do not become addicted as it is used to treat physical and not emotional/spiritual/mental pain.

I have been on opioids for over 10 years off and on, (more on than off thankfully), I am dependant on opioids to control my RLS, I will have withdrawals, when in a lot of pain I crave them but I am not addicted. I was on tramadol 300mg and instead of going higher I stopped dead horrible withdrawals and with a half a box there it wasn't touched.

I urge all here to educate themselves on addiction, dependence, tolerance and withdrawal. We should know this for 2 reasons - 1) we are taking potentially addicting drugs, and 2) the Drs don't understand and get confused and then don't prescribe the drugs we need due to fear. If we are able to explain to them we may get further.

Hope things aren't too rough on you.

Take care.

[Pippins2]

I doubt very much that Lyrica would be sufficient to wean off the Ropinerole, it is ok as an add on but an opiate such as the Codeine is normally necessary. Plus Lyrica takes a few weeks to build up to full strength. I agree with Elisse that you need to go a bit slower. At least you are being referred to an excellent Neurologist. X

[Madlegs1]

Really good advice there.

Take it! 😎