Methadone vs Tramadol

[Covenant1962]

One thing that’s loud and clear from this forum is that nearly everyone finds comfort from a different type or mix of drug. No one size fits all! However from what I’ve read so far it seems that nearly everyone is positive about their experience with Methadone. If someone feels they need an opioid to get some relief why not go straight to Methadone and sooner rather than later? Notwithstanding there are still some reluctant GPs out there. I suppose it’s just very difficult to get on it??

[Hidden]

I think you hit the nail on the head! I doubt if you'll easily be able to obtain methadone.

However you may be more likely to get a prescription for targinact, (oxycodone and naloxone), which is licensed for RLS. I doubt however you'd get that from a GP.

Some people have had some success with getting temgesic, (buprenorphine) from a GP. Perhaps you could try that.

[Quiltingmum]

I agree with Manerva my GP made me come off Tramadol, which was ok then as I was becoming addicted and it just wasn’t working any more. When I mentioned Targinact he looked at me as if I was crazy and said no way. I have not said Methadone as I know the reaction! This is very sad too because in the US Methadone is available and very successful in helping us RLS sufferers at very low doses. As has been mentioned here before, you have to be a confirmed heroin addict to get it.I presently take Pregabalin which works pretty well but puts on weight - a horrible side effect! Also Gabapentin is useful. I have a friend who has been taking this successfully for several years.

Good luck.

[Joolsg]

We need a campaign in the UK to make doctors and neurologists aware that methadone is safe and highly effective at low doses for RLS.Mind you, they need to learn the basics of the disease first.

Sigh.

[Heatherlss in reply to Joolsg]

Jools, In India, the definition of augmentation itself is flawed. One neuro, when I told him that I feared I was augmenting, told me that augmentation is when the drug makes your RLS worse within 10 days of you taking it for the first time. I was shocked to hear that. There should be a RLS seminar yearly by the RLS experts for neurologists across the globe. Some kind of a mandatory thing just to make sure they're updated.

[Joolsg in reply to Heatherlss]

Absolutely Heather. That's worrying.

[Legsandmore]

Which opioid to take is simply not an option for me. My GP will not even discuss this approach to treating my RLS and chronic nerve pain.It really makes me angry, when he patronises me with the old chestnut ......... l am thinking of your long term welfare, l don’t want you to become dependant.

If he walked a week in my shoes, he would be singing a different tune, l guarantee that.

I asked about Targinact, and he told me it was banned.

What he meant is that, my local medical authority has placed this drug on the not allowed to be prescribed list.

To be honest, l dont bother seeking help from my GP anymore, l don’t feel supported, empowered or even understood by him. So l just try my best to self medicate this condition.

[Covenant1962 in reply to Legsandmore]

So sorry to hear that Legsandmore. Can you not change your GP?