RLS

[desatni133]

Suffered with RLS for 20 yrs. tried all sorts of tablets they did not work. I then found Co Codomol which I take for pain. Take two at night just before bed and must say they work

[involuntarydancer]

Thank you for posting. It is most likely the codeine in the co-codomol that is helping your rls. There is a long history - going back to the 16th century - of opiates being used to treat rls successfully. Paracetemol does not usually help with rls symptoms. If you wanted to avoid taking the paracetemol element of the co-codomol (though I notice you take it for pain so maybe the paracetemol also helps with this), you could try getting a prescription for codeine from you GP.

If you find that you get occasional break through symptoms in spite of the co-codomol there are loads of tips for dealing with these running through this forum. In general with rls it is worth making sure that your iron levels are high. Sufferers should request a serum ferritin test from their GP. It is important to get the actual figure - not just that you are 'normal' or 'within range'. RLS sufferers should aim to get the figure to over 100 and 'normal' can be as low as 20. If you are less than 100 it is worth starting an iron supplement.

[Eryl]

I was prescribed Co Codamol for back pain and concussion following an accident. After three days I had such severe chest pains, I thought I was having a heart attack.

[Hidden]

It's great that the co codamol works for you. It is, as Involuntarydancer says, possibly the codeine in it that's working.

Apart from the side effects of the codeine, e.g. constipation you need to be very careful of being tempted to take more than 2 tablets, not necessarily because of the codeine but because of the paracetamol which can cause liver failure in relatively small doses.

For this reason and also if you're getting over the counter co codamol without prescription, which is quite a low dose of codeine, it might be better, (also as involuntarydancer) says to get a prescription for Codeine Phosphate.

[Allyp69]

That's good if that works for you. My RLS starts late evening and I wouldn't want to be taking any medication that could have long term side effects as I don't have any pain etc...I just walk about in the evening if I'm at home....difficult if out for evening. I'm trying folic acid, slow release iron and leg cream recommended on here. No cure yet!

[martino]

What you say is very interesting. I have Zapain prescribed. It is a 30/500 codeine to paracetamol mix. If I woke in the early hours and was twitchy I sometimes took Zapain and it settled me down for a few more hours. When I switched from Gabapentin to Pregabalin my sleep has been better and I am loathe to use Zapain now as they did leave me very zonked.

[TIMLEWIS7777]

I found talking to a physician, specifically a neurologist recommended by my family doctor, helped me. Prescription works great. i sleep the whole night through. Good Luck!

[Clive_w]

I overdose on codine, parasetamol indemetasin and allipuranolevery day for rls and arthritis type pails to my joints and lower back. I am trying to get my iron up with ferrous tablets as t it around 30 and I take stomach tablets to try to prvent side effects. I hav had rls since I was born and doctors stil dont take it seriously

[Conifer]

my pain consultant recommended I try my liquid Oxinorm for restless legs and find it helps quite a lot.