Query re changing from Oxycodone liquid to Buprenorphine to curb RLS

[smilingjane]

Morning everybody 😉

I have been taking 30mls Oxy daily for two years now and have been hugely greatfull to my GP for prescribing it.

As some may remember from past posts, I developed refactory RL and Augmentation. It was with me 24 hours a day and in my arms too. Without wanting to sound melodramatic I think my GP saved my life.

I have tried all the other drugs on offer and all failed in one way or another. Oxycodone works well for me. As far as the illimination of RL goes.

But I am thinking my chronic fatigue and depression may be hampered by Oxy. I need to get my energy back. The Oxy may or may not be holding me back from recovery of Chronic Fatigue (I know there isnt necessarily always recovery), but I want to investigate.

There are one or two others on this forum that are taking Buprophormine. Can you tell me are the side effects different from Oxycodone? I realise that we are all individual. Also I understand with Buprenorphine it is one dose under the tongue every 24 hours. I am wondering, how does it last so long in the body? I am assuming it is sustained release. If so, does it last the full 24 hours?

I have recently been diognosed with Fibromyalgia also and am wondering whether anyone who has experience of Buprenorphine for RL has that too, and has noticed if it helps Fibromyalgia along with RL ?

Thank you for reading and for any input.

😊

[Shumbah]

Hi Jane

Buprenorphine is mostly used for pain. Oxycodone destroyed my brain thanks to buprenorphine it’s back and better than ever.

Buprenorphine has a long half life not as long as methadone.

Yes 24 hour coverage it hangs onto the least receptors in the brain of all the opioids. Dr Glen brooks in New York uses buprenorphine in his Ketamin clinic for patients over 50 to treat depression.

The only side effect is sluggish bowel.

I eat a lot of watermelon 🍉 that helps.

I have just posted my 12 month update you will see as per. dr Brooks instructions it was a straight switch no weaning off my oxycodone.

All the best Jane 🌸

[smilingjane in reply to Shumbah]

Thank you Shumbah 😊

I will be aiming to switch. Just need to bet all info needed for my GP appointment.

One more question if you dont mind?

Did Oxy affect your sleep? It spoils mine. It tends to wake me up which is no good If its nighttime!!

And, does Bup affect your sleep

Thank you 😊😊

[Shumbah in reply to smilingjane]

Hi Jane

When I visited Professor John Winkleman in Boston I had been on buprenorphine for about 12 days he said I obviously don’t have insomnia, as a lot of people who suffer from RLS suffer from Insomnia and they require an additional sleeping pill.

I did not sleep well on oxycodone.

Buprenorphine hangs onto less receptors in the brain than oxycodone which has to be a good things.

[Arkangel]

Hello Jane, I take Oxyodone and also have a brupenorphine patch. This is pretty heavy stuff and I'm sure that it makes the fatigue worse, but I am in constant pain and without the medication, I couldn't cope at all. I also suffer from insomnia. I have adjusted that I just sleep whenever I can, a few hours at time, day or night. They do seem to help with the RLS, but again not completely.

[smilingjane in reply to Arkangel]

Thank you for getting back to me.

I am sorry to hear you are in constant pain. Do you find it varies according to where you are in the medication cycle?

Are your RL completely masked by your meds?

I know what you mean about sleeping. People ask me what time I generally get up? There isnt much delineation between day and night. I sleep for no more than 2 hours at a time. So lots of getting up for short periods, to get meds, food etc then hack to bed.

It's a strange old world. I have been told that I have Fibromyalgia now, whatever that really is

My pain isn't horrendous, its just constant... and moves from different parts my legs on it's own little journey.

I wonder if the 24 hours pill that Shumbha takes would suit you?

[Arkangel in reply to smilingjane]

I don't think my doctor would look at anything else. She only agreed to the oxycodone because a visiting nurse practitioner - I have COPD too - told her I needed something stronger. She could see the pain wasn't being controlled. I have just started CBD oil. It doesn't stop the pain, but it does help me relax. I don't often bother with bed. I paint at night. The nagging pain is quite depressing isn't it - I hope you find relief

[smilingjane in reply to Arkangel]

You are already taking Bubronophine patches though. One wonders whether a switch to the pill would concern her too much?

So sorry to hear of that you have COPD . But good to know that you have some relief with CBD oil.

Do you mind me asking what you paint with and what you paint?

😊

[Arkangel in reply to smilingjane]

I paint mostly cats. I had to re-home my 5 cats last year when I was too unwell to look after them, I was so depressed and then I found that it helped to paint pictures of them. Now I paint cats everyday, quite often for other people who have lost their cats. I usually use acrylic and sometimes watercolour or graphite. Do you paint?

[smilingjane in reply to Arkangel]

I havent tried in ernest yet.

I was a crafter up until a year or so ago, but I have lost the creative drive I had. The interest is there but my energy is very low. Atm I am in bed most of the time

I am trying some new pills that I am hoping will lift my depression and pain and seeing a new consultant in December so am hopefull

I am so sorry you had to rehome your cats that is sad. But lovely that you paint cats and for others.

My mother a few years ago did a lovely drawing of her cat which passed away 😑. They are beautiful creatures arnt they?

Sending you a hug ♥️

Keep up the good work and look after you 😘

Stay cosy.

[Arkangel in reply to smilingjane]

Thank you, Jane. I hope the consultant can help you. Take care xx

[smilingjane in reply to Arkangel]

Thank you. ⚘

[Amrob]

Oxycodone gives me insomnia. Buprenorphine makes me feel incredibly nauseous. Apparently a portion of the population can't take opioids for this reason. Having said that, i read recently that the nausea may lessen if you remain on Buprenorphine for several days.

[smilingjane in reply to Amrob]

Interesting how people are affected differently. I was given liquid morphine when I started the Oxy for breakthrough. I found it gave me bed headaches after two days.

What helps you now Amrob?

Thanks for the input

😊

[Amrob in reply to smilingjane]

I take pregabalin (Lyrica) 300mg and have done so for several years. It works a treat but has undesirable side effects (reduced cognitive function, spaced out feeling, potentially some vision impairment).

[smilingjane in reply to Amrob]

I am pleased that works for you.

Were your RL sevear and did you have it in any other part of your body?

I am extremely nervous about changing meds in case they dont work. I am wondering whether my GP would consider me starting on Pregab whilst staying on Oxy to see of it works when reducing Oxy?

Also though I am aware that coming off opiods can precipitate RL. All a little confusing

How did you manage coming off opiods on to Pregab?

🤔

[involuntarydancer in reply to smilingjane]

I took pregabalin and oxycontin at the same time at one stage. It was helpful because I needed less of each drug so the side effects of each weren't quite so severe. If I hadn't found an alternative system, I might have stuck with that even though the coverage wasn't perfect.

[Amrob in reply to smilingjane]

I haven't taken opioids long enough to have withdrawal issues SmilingJane.

My sleep specialist recommended trying oxy while on pregabalin.

My main issue is periodic limb movement disorder and yes it's severe.

While pregabalin works for me in terms of controlling symptoms, it's far from the holy grail!

[smilingjane in reply to Amrob]

That's interesting so maybe I could try the Pregabalin and reduce the Oxy ..... If GP wont describe Buprenorphine.

Will see.👍