Appointment with Dr. Buchfuhrer

[Climberguy]

Had first appointment with Dr. Buchfuhrer about ten days ago. He is very attentive, determined to find a solution, and his follow through is exactly as he told us it would be. He follows up immediately as he told us he would via phone and patient portal. He started my husband on Methadone, a small dose one tablet at 7 PM and half a tablet at 10 or 11 PM. It is working like a miracle. He had to wean off the Ripinorole and he did that before seeing Dr. B. He was down to just taking Tramadol which hardly worked but now he is off that. We did have to work on the dosage and time to take the Methadone last week and experiment. Dr. B, true to his word, was there for us every day and on Thursday to today the dosage and time seem to be working extremely well. It is almost unbelievable that one doctor visit has seemingly changed our lives already. I remember reading someone's post a few months ago that had a very similar scenario with RLS as my husband, and I believe I read Methadone worked for that gentlemen. I can't remember who it was that posted that. It seems that all of you who are on the drugs like Mirapex or Ripinorole and not getting good results should look further into getting off of those and finding a doctor that will try other avenues. Of course, I can't recommend Dr. B highly enough. If this stops working, the great news is Dr. B will always work to find another solution and help you get your life back.

[Madlegs1]

That's really great news.

Of course, many of us in other parts of the world can only be in awe of your fortunate situation, since doctors simply refuse to prescribe methadone, or are not allowed to, unless we are accredited addicts. 😏😥

Hopefully, some day, we will become civilized enough to be able to have access to all medications necessary for the merciful living of full lives.

Until then, governments will continue to make us suffer unnecessarily.

Hope your experience continues in a good vein.😎

[Climberguy in reply to Madlegs1]

I am sorry to hear you are not able to get that! Terrible!

I feel guilty now touting this great news..... : (

[Madlegs1 in reply to Climberguy]

Please don't feel guilty in any way.

News such as yours, can only help in persuading authorities of the correct management of rls.

Cheers

[LotteM]

What good news. And thank you for describing the approach of Dr. Bichfuhrer with his follow-up consultations. Hoe did they happen? By phone? Skype? Email? Other? I think that part, the follow-up intil you found the right dose and timing is crucial. I wish every doctor would take this approach, and not just with RLS.

I hope this relief lasts. And that the side effects will be nill or negligible.

[Climberguy in reply to LotteM]

Hi, he has a patient portal that his office hooks you up with once you are a patient. It is nice because we go into that and just basically message him and then he answers in that and we get a notice we have a new message. It is amazing he answers so quickly because we know he is a busy Doctor!

[Hidden]

I wish we had Dr. B, i wish everyone had Dr. B , so happy to hear he is working with your husband.

[Climberguy in reply to Hidden]

I agree!

[martino]

I am so pleased for you. He suggested methadone to me so it is good news that it is working so well

[Jumpey]

Wonderful. news.x

[Gmc54]

It’s good that you realise how lucky you are. Could you clone Dr. B please and send him to the UK, preferably somewhere near me. 🙂

[RLSdaily]

Wonderful news. I have suffered since 1994 and I had a doctor at one time that prescribed tynelol #3 it worked so awesome for so long. One at bedtime and if needed for car rides, movies, work meetings, 1/2 a pill worked great with zero side effects. Then....... over prescribed and abusers limited access for everyday people.

Now I do okay , after many failures on Gabapentin.

Relief is hope for all of us. Best of luck to your husband 😊

[Lolly53]

So glad to hear your report. I have also had miraculous success with Methadone as prescribed by Dr. Ondo in Houston. I have completely weaned off of Temazapam. It truly has been a Godsend for me! Not even a twinge of RLS since i started the Methadone three weeks ago. The only side effect from the Methadone for me has been neurological itching that cannot be relieved by lotions or oral antihistamines. But 75mg of Lyrica has relieved the itching problem and so now i am both RLS free and with no itching!! I feel like a new person. I had struggled with RLS for over 30 years and the Methadone was going to be the last resort. I am so very thankful. And one 5mg tablet before bedtime is sufficient for me. Blessings!

[Joolsg in reply to Lolly53]

Wonderful! The more good news we hear about methadone the more chance we have of persuading the many dinosaur doctors and governments that it is a lifesaving treatment at low dose for RLS with very small risk of addiction/abuse.

Delighted for you 👍

[Joolsg]

I am absolutely delighted for you and your partner.He is lucky to have you looking out for him. It is so good to read success stories on here.

I just hope the UK follows the USA and starts prescribing methadone. It is the first choice treatment of most RLS experts.

Enjoy life again.

[btthemd]

I visited Dr. Steven Poceta at scripps in San Diego CA and had a good visit. He also is very knowledgeable in working with RLS. He mentioned that I could try Methadone but the problem is that I live in Arizona and can't find a doctor willing to give the drug to me. I hav had RLS for over 30 years and have tried everything but Methadone. I have been on Tramadol for over 15 years but now it is not working. What are we to do if there is not a doctor who is willing to give us the medicine we need? I am up every night with RLS and can't find any relief. I guess I will have to wait until the end of life to get any relief. OR move to CA. I guess that is an option....just wish it wasn't so expensive to live there. Oh well I could keep driving to CA but its taking its toll on us. I am sure there are many of us in this situation.....IF anyone in Arizona knows of a doctor willing to work with Methadone please reply......The doctor at Scripps will work with him to get the dose right. Thanks

[Joolsg in reply to btthemd]

You could always try asking someone on the US site. This is the UK site so there won’t be as many Americans visiting.

rls.org/

Or

houstonmethodist.org/doctor...

I’m sure Dr Ondo has prescribed methadone to people in Texas- he may know a knowledgeable doctor in Arizona

Or you could email Dr Buchfuhrer and ask if he knows anyone in Arizona.

Good luck

[Smiler53]

Such good news, so pleased for you. If only we had someone with Dr B's expertise in the UK. Wishing you all the best. X

[Mona7]

Thrilled for you both as it is life changing for you both! I too saw Dr B a few wks ago. The methadone didnt work for the first 3 days, in fact I had several episodes every night. The 4th night no episodes and a little longer portions of sleep. The 5th night was awesome, only woke once to pee and got in 7hrs of sleep!! Wish you both the best as you now can continue living life to the fullest. 😊

[Climberguy in reply to Mona7]

That is interesting because my husband had almost the same experience. First night was not great, second night OK, and third night just OK. Then the next four nights were awesome. Dr. B tweaked the dosage and time to take the med and I think on night four it was the perfect fit. Maybe it just takes a few nights to settle in too. Glad you are getting some good nights! I wish our friends in the UK could get this medication.... : (

[Mona7 in reply to Climberguy]

Yes,I wish everyone had access to Doc B and the meds he prescribes!

[Hidden]

Wow, Dr Buchfuhrer sounds a truly amazing guy. He sounds a saint offering miraculous cures!

It does offer hope to those of us who don't have access to such knowledgeable RLS experts.

[Sara_2611]

I agree with the comments on my fellow members personally speaking I couldn't take all of that medication because I'm on medication for blood pressure & epilepsy. Thats why I use Balneum Cream

Good luck

[btthemd]

Any idea if Methadone augments after time? How long does the Methadone treatment work until it stops working? Any answers?

[TeddiJ in reply to btthemd]

Very late to answer you but, just in case others read, it does not augment, which is why the leading researchers recommend opioids for tough patients.