Is there any prescription medication that can be taken as needed ?

[MFNS]

I have suffered RLS all my life, Augmented on Ropinerole. Tried other medications that did not work. Just started taking 5 mg Methodone. i am worried about becoming addicted and requiring larger doses .

[Madlegs1]

There is a lot of hysteria about opiates and addiction.You need to ask yourself 2 questions.

Am I an addictive personality?

Am I taking a higher dose than is necessary?

Opiates at low doses are not addictive, unless you allow them to be so .

Under 30 mg ,equivalent, per day would be considered low.

Dr Buchfuhrer has patients on that dose and under, for up to 30 years, with no concerns.

He makes a good point about the difference between addiction and dependancy.

If the low dose works for you, and you can't live without it, and are not needing a higher dose, the you are dependent- not addicted.

Good luck.

[Joolsg]

I wholeheartedly agree with Madlegs’ reply.

RLS is a chronic, progressive, neurological diseases & those with severe RLS will need to take meds.

Study on opioids attached. Majority are on low dose and do not increase the dose.

mcusercontent.com/068feaf31...

[Whippetmama]

I take Tramadol as needed and always before bed.

[involuntarydancer]

If your opioid dose is low enough you can take it as needed. So far as I'm aware, the only reason you need to take it consistently is that you may experience withdrawals as a result of not taking the opioid - particularly if the dose is large. That is not the same as being addicted.