A second medication-advice from DR.B

[Jumpey]

I recently posted asking for advice for a possible second medication to rotate with Codeine.And I received some very helpful advice.Thank you so much to those of you who responded. I thought that people may be interested to learn what Dr. Buchfuhrer said. Bearing in mind I asked for something that I wouldn't have to take every day. I don't want to become dependent on any medication. He suggested either Tramadol-which although an opiate doesn't work in the same way as Codeine. He also said that he hadn't heard of anyone experiencing tolerance of Codeine before-as I have done-and doubted that this had happened. I know that this has happened. My body doesn't lie and I am very attuned to it. He told me very strongly to steer clear of any DA's-indicating that they would be very difficult to stop once started. His best suggestion was Gabapentin which he says can be taken as needed. I will follow this up with my doctor. Hope this may help someone else in my position who wants to steer away from at taking drugs daily.x

[Madlegs1]

That's interesting about the Gaba- I always understood it to need to be accumulated to become effective.

Handy to know that- so it can be used as an adjunct to opiates if a lower dose is required.

Thanks for sharing.

[Hidden]

Never heard of Gaba being a take as needed med before. Always understood it had to build up in your system to work.

[Bajatom]

When I started Gabapentin my doc had me take 100 mg/night for several nights, then up it to 200, etc, until I reached a theraputic effect. The reason was to be sure I did not have an adverse reaction to Gabapentin, not that the medicine needed to build up to a certain level in ones body. However, he did say once I took that or a higher dose for a few weeks continuously, I should taper over a week or so if I decided to stop. Probably no need to taper if low dose such as 300mg works and just taken a few nights a week. As time goes by higher doses often needed.