Codeine

[SomersetLily]

Hi

Does anyone have experience with codeine based products? I have RLS, just about managing through Fe and Mg tablets. I have been suffering with severe bouts of pain, in particular at night time, and have discovered that I need two hip replacements due to osteoarthritis. I took a codeine based product and it seemed to do the trick for one night. Is anyone aware of subsequent problems?

[ChrisColumbus]

See this chain for a recent discussion: healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[SomersetLily in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thank you

[nocturne]

When my RLS is really bad, I take one codeine-acetaminophen pill (called Codeine 30 in the US). It takes about 45 minute to kick in, then I sleep like a baby for a good 3 to 4 hours. I love it. I do this about two or three times a week, with no side effects or "hangovers." I was prescribed a very low dose of gabapentin for RLS, which gave me blurry vision and dizziness in the morning, but did nothing at all for the RLS.

[Fingerandus in reply to nocturne]

i really love this... i too can sleep on one paracetomol forte which is codeine + paras here in Australia but i cant get a script for enough for 1 a nite my doc only gives me 20 maybe its because i take lyrica i believe codeine can cause anaphalactic shock in some people if mixed Australia has just withdrawn all cough medicines containing codeine from the shelves 😱🙄

[nocturne in reply to Fingerandus]

Codeine has been available only by prescription for decades in the U.S., too. : (

[Retiredlady in reply to Fingerandus]

I also live in Australia and ,like you, need codeine/paracetamol to settle my rls symptoms and help me get back to sleep .I need to take it every night.I also take .125mg sifrol in the evening which I am trying to gradually reduce as I now now augmentation.My sleep specialist is the only dr that willingly prescribes 60 plus repeats as he truly understands how debilitating rls can be.He is based in Queensland .My consultations are via zoom as I live in Melbourne.Message me if u would like hie contact details.

[Birdland]

Opioids do ease RLS symptoms. Codeine is one of the milder opioids. I’ve tried many. Every variety (including codeine) gives me insomnia, except methadone. But some people don’t experience this side effect at all. Another side effect can be nausea. I hope codeine continues to work for you, with no annoying side effects!

[Hidden in reply to Birdland]

Do you experience any side effects on methadone Birdwood?

[Birdland in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I experience extreme nausea on all opiates. Not right away but as they build up in my system it comes on in a big way without warning. Because of this I have to limit the amount I take and give myself breaks in between. But it is that way for me with all opiates not just Methadone. There’s also the constipation with all opiates, but easily remedied with Miralax.

[nocturne in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Birdland. I'm so sorry that you can't tolerate Codeine . . . : (

[Hoochybaby]

hi I have been taking codeine for years for my severe rls the problems are constipation and weight gain I now take 90 mg at night up from 30 mg for effect

[Fingerandus in reply to Hoochybaby]

my goodness how do you get codeine. my doc moans if i ask for a script and i only take one occasionaly she only gives me 20 then i have to go back and it cant be every month i can no way get any sedatives except lyrica .and sifrol for rls but that now causes my rls yet i can only do one nite without sifrol codeine stops my legs jumping good ..

[Hoochybaby in reply to Fingerandus]

get a new doctor there is no reason why you shouldn’t be given more than 20 I get 72 a time no problem

[SueJohnson in reply to Fingerandus]

Print out the section on opioids of the Mayor Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

[Felicity21]

Hi there,

For the last few years I have been taking a cocktail of 2 co-dydramol (10/500) at 8 pm at night together with 0.26 mg of PR Mirapex and 0.5 mg of Clonazepam which all helps my RLS although still having bouts of it in the evening.

Now just after my foot fusion operation 3 weeks ago I increased the co-dydramol to 3 times a day for the pain. Amazingly my RLS symptoms disappeared which was very helpful for the first 2 weeks as I was stuck in bed with my leg up. I am now back on only taking the co-dydramol at night so my RLS has come back a bit in the evening but sort of manageable.

Please note that co-dydramol can cause constipation so what helps me is Senokot at night. Good luck.

[Dexterruf]

The codeine works ok on pain relief and insomnia but it's frequent side effect is constipation. Even more than Tramadol as an example, which I take for joint pain.

[Jumpey]

Codeine is an opioid and is prescribed for RLS.It helped me for many years.Good luck with the surgery. When you have it be aware to get an RLS friendly anti nausea drug like Zofran.Many others make RLS worse. The opioids you will be prescribed for pain relief will help your RLS.

[Renaul]

I take codeine and paracetamol together regularly and find no problems with RLS. Codeine does, however, cause constipation, which is just another problem with which to deal.

[Theonlypetied]

I take 4-8 Codeine along with 8 Paracetamol and 2 Neproxin per day for global pain and Fibromyalgia. Not had any issues with Codeine at all, although not convinced it makes any difference to my RLS/PLMD.