Use of Co-codomol

[Bluepainter]

Firstly thank you for all the information and support available on this forum. Thanks to you I realised I was augmenting and took my last Ropinerole on 13th January. My daytime symptoms of RLS have mostly disappeared. The GP would only prescribe me co-codomol 30/100 to help with this but that did help. I have since very gradually increased Gabapeptin, wanting to take as little as possible. I am now up to 600mg at 6.00pm and 600mg at 10pm but am still waking sometime between 12.00 and 2.00, taking half a 30/100 co-codomol and a warm drink and after half an hour am able to sleep for the rest of the night.

I am wondering if I should continue to increase the Gabapeptin and try to come off the co-codomol or IF the GP will continue to prescribe it should I continue with the co-codomol and reduce the Gabapeptin to the lowest dose that gives me a reasonable night?

I am also wondering why co-codomol isn’t usually the suggested opioid of the forum.

I would be grateful for any advice

[Joolsg]

You could try changing the timing of the first dose of gabapentin. If you take 600mg at 8pm and 600mg just before bed, it may last longer . You're still below the average dose for RLS so you could increase and take another 300mg if you wake at 2.Co codamol is not the best option because it contains paracetamol and too much paracetamol can cause liver problems. Your GP should consider 30mg codeine instead. Opioids are highly effective at treating RLS.

[Bluepainter in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you joolsg. I go to bed soon after 10 but could try taking another 300gm tablet at 2.00 or asking for just codene

[SueJohnson]

First all, take the 600 mg 1-2 hours before bedtime and the 2nd 600 mg 2 hours before that. Then increase by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. The additional amount should be taken 2 hours before the second dose. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? Are you taking any other medicines or over the counter? If so what?

[Bluepainter in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you SueJohnson. I was prescribed ferrous Fumerate, but now am taking iron biglycinate every other day, also Opti-magnesium on the same day but different time.

[SueJohnson in reply to Bluepainter]

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it?

[Bluepainter in reply to SueJohnson]

Had it done before starting iron. Probably need to get it done again.

[SueJohnson in reply to Bluepainter]

What was it?

[SueJohnson in reply to Bluepainter]

Be sure you take your magnesium at least 3 hours before you take the gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of the gabapentin. I learned this the hard way.

[Bluepainter in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue. Yes I’m taking that at breakfast time!

[67Waterman]

As I have written on here a few times, Gabapentin helps but it does not work perfectly for me. So like you, I always resort to an addition ... in my case 0.125mg of my old tablet Ropinirole. I would be interested to hear if anyone can rely 100% on Gabapentin alone to relieve their night time RLS.

[SueJohnson in reply to 67Waterman]

I take 1500 mg of gabapentin and it completely controls my RLS symptoms. I previously took ropinirole but augmented on it so came completely of it.

[marysway in reply to SueJohnson]

I was on .50 Ropinirole for a little over a month from .25 for about 4 or 5 months. There were way to many side effects for me and I’m trying 3 supplements now Vit C Magnesium and Vit D-3. I’m fine with iron. But I also have bad nerve damage in both legs. I gained 25 lbs on n 6 months. Bloated and my digestive system is so messed up. I basically has little to no acid reflux to getting sick every single night. I just felt blah. So I seriously hope the supplements work.

[SueJohnson in reply to marysway]

I am glad you are off the ropinirole. If the supplements don't work, I suggest you try gabapentin especially since you have nerve damage. It is now the first-line treatment for RLS. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know about it including the latest treatment and refer your doctor to it as s/he was wrong to put you on ropinirole at

Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a... If you decide to go on gabapentin: Beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin or 100 mg if you are over the age of 65. It will take 3 weeks to be fully effective. After that increase it by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. take it 1-2 hours before bedtime. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects of gabapentin or pregabalin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." If you take magnesium don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of the gabapentin. You say your iron is fine. What was your ferritin? Doctors will you tell you it is fine, but a ferritin that is fine for others is not high enough for RLS. It needs to be 100 or more. What medicines and over the counter supplements are you taking other than the ones you mentioned?