Tramadol & buprenorphine & RLS

[m1946]

I feel that I might be augmenting on Tramadol having recently increased my intake to 150mg from 100mgHowever I notice buprenorphine mentioned and wondered what the difference is between Tramadol & buprenorphine

[Joolsg]

Tramadol is the ONLY opioid to cause a worsening of RLS ( augmentation). Buprenorphine is a synthetic opiate and affects slightly different opioid receptors. It works when other opioids become ineffective. It also has a long half life so covers RLS 24/7 for most people. Oxycodone and tramadol have a much shorter half life.Buprenorphine has more severe side effects. Nausea and palpitations and sweats are more common but they can be treated with non sedating anti histamines and medical cannabis.

In the UK, many health authorities will not allow GPs to prescribe Buprenorphine as it is on the red list and requires a specialist to prescribe and monitor.

In the USA it is becoming the favoured opioid amongst specialists as it has a slightly lower risk of respiratory depression than methadone.

Put Buprenorphine in the search engine and you'll see many of us are taking it and having excellent results.

[Ephemera in reply to Joolsg]

Hi Jools, just wondered if offered Tramadol by our GP should we refuse it or give it a go?

[Joolsg in reply to Ephemera]

I would be very wary as tramadol is the ONLY opioid that causes Augmentation. As your husband was on such high doses of dopaminergic drugs, his D1 receptors will have been badly affected and tramadol will quickly do the same.Safer option is codeine, hydrocodeine or oxycodone.

[Nanpat in reply to Joolsg]

I am afraid I disagree with the “ONLY opioid “ in your above comment. Targin which worked wonderfully for me stopped working after some time and my symptoms returned full force. I had miraculous results initially for 3 months with the Bup. Patch but am now having a lot of breakthrough rls on it. I suppose there are always the exceptions

[Joolsg in reply to Nanpat]

Augmentation actually means the drug feeds the disease and makes it much worse than originally. It does not mean tolerance or loss of effectiveness.The Bup patch can cause problems for RLS because it releases a steady, small amount over the 5 or 7 days. Buprenorphine pills are often far more effective as they last 24 hours and have most effect during the night when RLS is at its worst.

Like you, Oxycontin didn't work for me because it has a short half life &,only lasts 4 hours. We then get mini opioid withdrawals, and the main symptom is RLS.

If I were you, I'd ask to try Buprenorphine pills and take at night.

Hopefully, that will work long term.

The effective dose can be anywhere between 0.2mg and 2mg. Some people need a higher dose of 4mg.

[Typicallygaslit]

Structurally, they are quite different from one another. My GP went on leave and agreed to leave me with both, and that was very fortunate since the Buprenorphine started to cause severe stomach pains. It seems to be extremely acidic. I’ve also had other issues with it that are slightly less severe with Tramadol. e..g depression. I’m currently looking into medical cannabis.

[m1946 in reply to Typicallygaslit]

Thank you very much. I would love to hear from you regarding your cannabis research

[Typicallygaslit in reply to m1946]

I had a rummage around and chose a clinic, it was a bit tough going at first but I have now spoken to a very nice doctor who was thorough and professional. So I will be receiving my first delivery soon. I will probably post on here about my experiences at some point. At the moment I’m not doing well at all, can’t tolerate the opioids or anyting else for that matter.