Honestly I am finding this rather depressing after reading Dawn & others comments about buprenorphine.I was thinking, as you know, of asking my GP if I could change from oxycontin to buprenorphine but it sounds as if I will get even more tired plus I will have to ask my doctor for anti sickness pills & possibly have other complications.
It sounds to me like out of the frying pan into the fire.
Maybe I would be better to stick to 1,500 gabapentin & 10mg oxycontin & just bear with .....
Most opioids including oxycontin and buprenorphine have the same side effects. And not everyone gets them. You might want to try it.
Ok.
Inevitably, buprenorphine brings with it the same payload of side effects that all powerful meds will carry. And equally those side effects will vary both in their nature and their intensity. I’ve been on 0.6 mg of buprenorphine for 2.5 months now and my particular side effect burden is short-scale sleep and bouts of insomnia. But I don’t suffer from headaches or nausea, nor is the attendant tiredness a significant problem. I tackle the sleep issues with a range of prescription and alternative meds and I tackle the tiredness with gentle exercise and dog walking. A nuisance, maybe, that I have to fight side effects, but a small price to pay for the most effective (in my case) anti-PLMD treatment across the board. Don’t despair!
It is strange how people have a side effect with one medication but dont necessarily have it with another of the same class. It is not really what we get taught in medical school - usually you change class of med if you hit a SE. But there are not that many medication class choices in RLS - although there are plenty of things to try (physical therapies, chinese medicine, supplements...). But every change risks losing the control you currently have. Good luck
Hello Simkin,
I'm sorry you feel so conflicted about commencing Buprenorphine.
I was augmenting on a DA called Pramipexole and was at the end of my tether - I simply felt couldn't continue to keep going the way I was. I then came across this group and learned about Buprenorphine.
I commenced it in February 2023, and for the first few weeks I felt very sick - so much so I required an Ondansetron prescription. However, since then, I have found the daily dosage of Buprenorphine that works for me. I take it around 5.30 - 6pm daily and that's all I need. Very rarely I have some breakthrough RLS symptoms, so I'll take a little extra - and then I'm back to sleep.
Quite simply - this drug and this group has saved me. I now have a quality of life that has eluded me for so long due to my horrific RLS symptoms.
I hope you find a happy resolution.
Actually what dosage of buprenorphine do you take?
I live in the US. The lowest dosage available here (I believe) is 2mg sublingual- so this is what I'm prescribed. However, I quarter my tablet, and this is USUALLY all I need. So I take approximately 0.4 to 0.5mg daily.
Ok thanks. Hope to speak to my doctor tomorrow.
Hoping you get some positive news. Buprenorphine REALLY has change my life.
Incidentally, what medication are you currently taking for your RLS?
1,500mg gabapentin and 10mg oxycontin.
Please, please update us and let us know how you get on with the doctor.
Wishing you all the very best. 🙏
I have just sent you a long reply to your message starting with thanking you & everyone else for their support .... & ending with saying how lucky we are to have Sue Johnson & Joolsg in our group as their knowledge is invaluable.But my message has disappeared into the ether & I am too tired to write it all out again!
Thank you FloridaRN. All very helpful & positive info re buprenorphine.I agree re this group. I think the support we get from each other & the sharing of experiences is like no other.
It has helped me more than I can say.
I had a horrendous time coming off pramipexole so I can totally sympathise.
Maxed out on Pregabalin 
Pregabalin and Augmentation
Anyone out there similar to me?
Why is everyone judging me for taking Oxycontin to manage my RLS?
