Rebound headache?

[gobojo]

I am currently taking 30mg codeine and 300mg pregabalin. I now only very occasionally have any rls. However, since taking this dose of codeine, I have started to experience severe headaches starting around 4pm, sometimes earlier. The headaches are so bad that I have no choice but to take 3 over the counter codeine, which is 24mg. I am now seriously worried about addiction but don't know what to do because the headaches are so bad. Any advice please.

[LotteM]

Book an appointment with your gp and discuss your findings. I know that paracetamol can cause headaches when taken consistently, and this may also apply to you re codeine. Getting headaches doesn’t mean you are addicted. That is when you crave the susbstance just for itself, not for the pain or other symptoms it quells.

Did your headaches begin with or after the codeine? Or did you start the pregabalin at the same time? Make sure you outline clearly to your gp the effects and when they started. I hope you can get it sorted. Trading one problem for another is no fun.

[Jelbea]

Are you sure it’s codeine causing your head pain as this is not a named side effect. Pregabalin side effects do list head pain. Hope you get help soon

[Hidden]

The fact that you're getting headaches when you started on codeine may be just coincidental. Alternatively, the codeine may be interacting with some other factor. Either way you need to consult a doctor.

As regards addiction, there seems to be some confusion about this. Addiction consists of several things. One is tolerance, i.e. with time you need more and more of the drug to get the same effect. The other is withdrawal symptoms that happen when you stop taking the drug. Both are caused by physiological dependance. Addictive drugs make physiological changes to your brain.

If you take an addictive drug regularly and suffer no cravings, it doesn't necessarily mean you aren't addicted.

Some drugs like opiates and cocaine make permanent changes to the "reward" circuits in your brain. So, even after successful withdrawal, you can still get cravings.

Cravings does not equal addiction either way.

There are a lot of people being prescribed addictive drugs on a regular basis and some of them will actually be addicted without even realising it. These include such things as benzodiazepines e.g.clonazepam for RLS.

To avoid addiction, it's best to take a low a dose as possible and not to take it for any length of time.

If you are going to take opiates long term, you will be addicted, but it can be what you might call a controlled addiction. You need to stick to the prescribed dose and not top it up with more. You'll end up with an out of control addiction. Problems occur with addiction because people think they're in control when they're not.

[gobojo in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this.

[Parminter]

Codeine 30mg could certainly give rebound headaches.

[Silax20110]

Hi ive just read your message can I say I have been on Dihydrocodeine for 20 year 2 tabs 3 times a day and it actually stops the RLS as your doctor seems to be understanding were codeine is involved as most will not subscribe it you could ask to try them I haven’t ever had a side effect nor any headaches due to the tabs I’ve never had to up the dose in 20 years either which is amazing I’m not addicted to the tabs but I am addicted to the total peace I have once medicated I do live in fear of the doctor stopping them mind as after all the meds I’ve tried this one works amazing and for only 6 tabs a day spread out and if taken before bed I sleep all night! I’ve tried just codeine and it did nowt there’s something else in the tabs that stop my RLS don’t know what it isn’t the codeine I know it isn’t would love to find out what never mind I get peace and that’s enough maybe well worth a try for you too x

[Hidden in reply to Silax20110]

Sorry to contradict you. It's perfectly OK for you to do as you've done with Dihydrocodeine. You are in control of it. However, putting aside the emotional connotations of the word "addiction", you are physiologically dependent on it. You'd soon realise this if you tried to stop taking it, which I don't advise at all. You are also psychologically dependent on it, as you say "addicted to the total peace".

When folks say "addiction" we tend to think of the stereotypical "drug abuser". I believe the majority of folks who are drug dependent are not abusers, they are taking a drug by prescription, but they are still dependent.

I am addicted to Pramipexole. I don't crave for it and it's doing me more harm than good at the moment, but if I miss a dose I know about it within hours! I am NOT an abuser but I can't deny that I am an addict and don't feel the need to. I set an alarm each day to remind me to take it, in case I forget for any reason. I worry about getting my repeat prescription before I run out. I have an emergency stash just in case this might happen. If I go abroad I carry sufficient supply for the stay physically on my person, for fear of lost luggage etc.

As I say, if it suits you then it's OK to take opiates for RLS under control. There is no need to defend taking it and no need to worry about addiction.

However, I wouldn't like to give anyone the impression that it's OK to take more than the prescribed dose. This is the point I was trying to make.

[Salgados]

Watch channel 5 at 9 pm tonight

[Bee27]

Pregabalin gives me a headache, but a headache is a million times better than RLS for me.

[Oscarsaurus]

My Gp prescribed me x2 Salpadol which are 30mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol. This was to help me through the last stages of weaning off morphine.I also take 1800mg a day of gabapentin. If you google the side effects then you will find that headaches are a side effect of the drug and yes you will be dependant on these tablets and unless you really need such a high dose of codeine then ask your Gp for a smaller dose which maybe can be controlled. I will have to slowly wean down the dose of codeine i am taking. One thing i have learnt from this site is always know everything you can about every drug you take aswell as your condition. If your RLS is very mild then believe me you do not need what you are taking now because you will need the strong stuff for a later date if it did become severe and we all know how that feels on here . Some Gps are quick to prescribe too much which i learnt for my pain management so its your turn to be in control. Good luck

[gobojo in reply to Oscarsaurus]

Very helpful, thank you

[davidofqwerty]

I was diagnosed with RLS when I was 20. And I've had the extreme version of it which was also in my arms and neck. I'm now 40 and do not suffer from it any more because of a tablet called subutex which is used for heroin withdrawal in addicts. I started taking them 3 years ago and am currently taking 16mg per day. Within 35 minutes of taking it for the first time the RLS completely disappeared. I stopped taking them after 18 months and within 48hrs of stopping them the RLS returned with vengence, so 2 days later i started taking them again and again within 35 mins it completely stopped again and I'm still taking them today. I honestly believe the subutex saved my life.