Gabapentin with dihydrocodein - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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Gabapentin with dihydrocodein

Kinga2500 profile image
25 Replies

hi. I’m just wondering if someone taking Gabapentin with dihydrocodein? How u felling like? I’m worried if is that addictive so quick? Or is anything else what we can swap with? I allready had lot of medications but looks like Gabapentin works better but still need to taking painkillers

i have ddd just one year but is really progressive. Day by day I’m suffering from pain stock in bed. Struggling with daily tasks. Because I’m young my physio thinks I can sort out pain with exercise. I uate all tablets but seems like I have no choice.

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Kinga2500
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25 Replies

HI, Kinga2500. Slow day on HealthUnlocked today; while you wait for more-informed replies, I'll share my thoughts.

Though I never took "dihyrdocodeine" (and am not at all familiar with it), for more than 20 years, I regularly took Vicodin (codiene + acetaminophen) as needed for pain (usually one tablet every three days, give or take). Throughout this 20+ year period, I also daily took tramadol (2 x 50 mg AM; and 2 .x 50 mg PM) and any one or more of RLS-dedicated Rx's (usually pramipexole). While I also took gabapentin (Neurontin) for awhile, I do not believe that I took contemporaneous with Vicodin or Tramadol, so I can't comment on that.

I stopped Vicodin cold-turkey (made me itch and other side-effects). I did a slow taper off tramadol over a period of months. Though I may have been "dependent" (whatever the heck that means) upon either or both, I never was addicted. I am not a doctor, but I understand that when a drug is taken for pain rather than for "getting high," a different part of the brain is involved. The part of the brain that is involved when drugs are taken for pain somehow bypasses the addiction receptors or whatever.

It may be wise for you to work closely with a knowledgeable health care provider (prescribing physician?) who can offer expert guidance and answer your questions more accurately..

Be well.

Matrix profile image
Matrix in reply to

I’m the same and at the moment trying to come off dydtacodeine and it’s very hard let me tell you . Never took more than prescribed so on a need to take not addiction although it’s hard to get off . I’m going to keep trying . 🥰🥰

Vonnie66 profile image
Vonnie66

Hi kinga I've been in dihydracodeine for 30 years. I have fm plus oa put on gabapentin 11 years ago. My body can't function without the codeine but it's the only painkiller that worked but not working after being on it so long. Taking the 2meds together isn't a problem my bodies user to it. I'll always be on meds I've accepted that. Currently on 23 to 29 meds a day.

Kinga2500 profile image
Kinga2500 in reply to Vonnie66

oh sorry to hear that. So how long take time for u to stop dihydrocodeine? I already had like 10-12 meds a day too but now I’m just on Gabapentin and dihydrocodeine which usually work perfectly. I stop dihydrocodeine after one year just for two weeks but I have just cold turkey, But I do not like to take it. I’m taking dihydrocodeine for one year and I can’t imagine that I have to carry on for another year.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply to Vonnie66

My goodness - 23 to 29 meds per day. Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.

Vonnie66 profile image
Vonnie66 in reply to SueJohnson

I have fibromyalgia which is one of the reasons for all the meds and restless legs is one of my symptoms. I have been reviewed by the pharmacist on a regular basis. He found no contra indications taking my medications. I habe noticed if I've gone out for a drink, the alcohol can trigger it very bad, though I rarely do have alcohol. My legs are bad enough without. But thank you 😊

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply to Vonnie66

You might be surprised that some of your medications do make RLS worse and that there may be substitutes that could do the same job. The pharmacist may not to know which medications make RLS worse. since most doctors don't even know.

Kinga2500 profile image
Kinga2500 in reply to Vonnie66

just i wonder if we want to reduce dosage because of better days, should be dihydrocodeine or Gabapentin? I know people doing that

Lou-Lou2812 profile image
Lou-Lou2812

hi I’m on exactly that combination for withdrawal from Ropinirol. Have been for nearly a year and it’s working very well. My ropinirole is reduced to a third of original dose and I’ve not had any negative side effects. Suggest gradual introduction to dihydracodeine as too much caused terrible itching!

Good luck

Daewood1949 profile image
Daewood1949

SueJohnson has helped me immeasurably with her wonderful responses to questions.I've never heard of that drug either Kinga2500 but I think there are other unwanted side effects i.e. low blood presssure and just feeling "wonky" and not alert. SueJohnson, what do you think?

michou profile image
michou

I have been taking Gabapentin - only 400 mg for 4 or 5 years - doesn't work that well but recently am also taking codeine only 60mg a night - prescribed for something quite different and the combination is great. Still not 100% free of RLS but great improvement. In terms of addiction there is bound to be some dependence - unlike you I am no spring chicken so frankly I don't care - to me the greatest risk at my age is that the doctor will stop prescribing; I ensure I do not up the zone - I am a believer in taking small doses of drugs and I think that your body does respond to them; drugs are usually tested on young fit men (usually students) not on smaller older women.

kygigi3 profile image
kygigi3

I took gabapentin for 15 years then stopped because it no longer worked and I was on the highest dose. 1 day after quitting I ended up deathly worse than the flu symptoms. After 9 days I was no better so my husband took me to ER. After talking to doctors for hours they determined I was having withdrawals. They gave me a gaba pill and 45 mins later I went from not being able to lift my head and sweat pouring from my body, to being totally back to normal! It took 8 mths for me to wean totally off of it without getting sick! If I were you I’d run like hell away from Gabapentin!!!!

Kinga2500 profile image
Kinga2500 in reply to kygigi3

Geez that’s terrible. did u stop suddenly? Do u know what we can substitute for gabapentin? For right now nothing helps me except gabapentin but I'm afraid of windows symptoms

Kinga2500 profile image
Kinga2500 in reply to Kinga2500

is someone know what in medical report TADEQ mean?

Hi Kinga, have you been checked for ankylosing spondylitis (AS)? It’s hard for doctors to tell the difference between DDD and AS sometimes. Unlike DDD, AS can also affect the heart

webmd.com/arthritis/feature...

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Kinga2500 profile image
Kinga2500

no never they suggest from mri I’ll check this out

Kinga2500 profile image
Kinga2500 in reply to Kinga2500

just I read about this and exactly same symptoms which I got. How doc can find out if is as?

in reply to Kinga2500

An excellent Rheumatologist should be able to diagnose you.

in reply to Kinga2500

Here’s what the Mayo Clinic (a very highly regarded medical institution) indicates are ways to check for AS:

“Imaging tests X-rays allow doctors to check for changes in joints and bones, though the visible signs of ankylosing spondylitis might not be evident early in the disease.An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to provide more-detailed images of bones and soft tissues. MRI scans can reveal evidence of ankylosing spondylitis earlier in the disease process, but are much more expensive.  Lab tests There are no specific lab tests to identify ankylosing spondylitis. Certain blood tests can check for markers of inflammation, but inflammation can be caused by many different health problems.Blood can be tested for the HLA-B27 gene. But many people who have that gene don't have ankylosing spondylitis and people can have the disease without having the gene.”

Kinga2500 profile image
Kinga2500 in reply to

they confirmed degenerative disc desise. Bulge disc. Spasm. Pinch nerve who is know what next doesnt fella that good like mri showing

in reply to Kinga2500

It’s worth asking a rheumatologist about. You’re very young to have such severe DDD.

in reply to Kinga2500

ankylosingspondylitis.net/c...

Kinga2500 profile image
Kinga2500

Ohhh yes everyone saying that. From the last day of Dec, I had just two -half days when I moved around the house. Then bed again. Even if is the better day I’m anxious to do something because after that I’m in pain shot means I have to take more painkillers. I’m just feeling lost;/

in reply to Kinga2500

I found this very uplifting and really applies to a lot of conditions. healthcentral.com/article/l...

in reply to Kinga2500

While I have your attention, let me also make some recommendations for your back. I too have DDD, but I am much older and it has actually gotten better in recent years.

One thing I do as soon as I feel any pain is wrap my back in one of those rubber back braces. I buy the cheap ones that do NOT let your back breath. Can’t really call them a brace. Anyways, as soon as my back starts to sweat I get a good amount of relief.

The next best thing I found for my lower back pain is sleeping on a wedge. HUGE difference for me. Once again, I bought a cheap polyurethane one. Here’s the proper way to use: wedgepillowblog.com/is-your...

Lastly, and the most controversial is Topical DMSO. I buy 99.9% pure in glass bottle from Amazon…allegedly pharmaceutical grade. I used to do a 50/50 mixture with distilled water and rub into painful area with very clean hands and let dry before dressing. I was doing some more research on it and I read that a 2% solution is most effective. That would mean one drop of DMSO to 50 drops of distilled water. Can’t wait to try it. Here’s a general article on DMSO for back pain: healthydirections.com/artic...

And the one about only using 2% healthline.com/health/arthr...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/365...

DMSO is amazing and not to be taken lightly. It readily enters the bloodstream, even topically, AND, it will carry whatever is on your hands into your bloodstream as well. And you might notice a hint of what seems like garlic on your breath. The FDA has approved the use of DMSO for a condition called interstitial cystitis. It’s instilled into the bladder. I have this condition but have never tried DMSO instillations for it. I read that you will leave the doctor’s office smelling of garlic from every pore.

Lastly, I just read that resveratrol is good for AS and DDD. I might have to try it. The article is above

Also, don’t underestimate the pain relieving abilities of lidocaine patches. I find them more effective than Salonpas

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