gobsmacked

I can't believe they won't prescribe Subutex to a suffering chronic pain sufferer, but freely give it out to drug addicts.......I'm just gobsmacked. There is a drug out there that could potentially stop me from jumping off a bridge but they won't give it to me. They look at me as if I'm a drug seeker. I fought for my country, then nursed people through their traumas...when the time comes to be helped myself, I'm treated like scum and thrown on the heap.

[Joolsg]

I've sent you a reply about this. Subutex is exactly the same as Temgesic. As long as you get the right dose of Temgesic, it should cover your RLS.But the brand names are different. The licence for Subutex only covers opioid addiction,so anyone prescribing for RLS/pain off licence can get into trouble with authorities and the payments won't be covered.numarknet.com/advice-guidan...

[Oscarcat63 in reply to Joolsg]

Yes, I believe you are correct. They are the same thing.Subutex CAN be prescribed off label at 0.2 mg dose for chronic pain, apoarently.

The prescribing advice for Temgesic is to use it for one week only.

But I get it - it DOES seem counter-intuitive and unfair that person addicted to opiates can obtain buprenophine at a constant prescribed dose, to enable them to live a 'productive' life, (read Employed), whereas the person in chronic pain is denied the same drug, do to fears of addiction.

What they refuse to see is that by allowing people to access drugs/medications - even if addictive - would potentially cost the government/community LESS.

A functioning person is more likely to eat better, exercise more, smoke/drink less, have better mental health, even if they have an addiction.

But they don't see it like that...and it is VERY frustrating !!!

[Oscarcat63 in reply to Oscarcat63]

PS. I live in the same state as Kathandkell...and I can tell you, healthcare is a NIGHTMARE here, even if it is mostly free.

[Hidden in reply to Oscarcat63]

I haven't found anything to be free.... in fact we are broke now because we had to use all our savings on specialist apts mris drugs etc

[Oscarcat63 in reply to Hidden]

Yes. I was meaning that our heatlth system is generally touted to be 'free'

[restlessstoz]

Hi Kathandkell, I too am in Tasmania- near Launceston, and have managed to work my way to a satisfactory treatment thanks to my GP being very open to reading the information I've presented to him. He couldn't put me on Subutex because it's too hard to get the approval for, but did agree quite readily to a trial of Norspan patch three years ago. I'm still on them and get almost 95% relief from my restless legs. If I do get them it's due to having eaten too much sugar, or fat or it being nearly time to change the patch to another one. They are supposed to last for 7 days but don't usually. The last two days of the week I do get some symptoms but they are relatively mild and settle with a few of the management tricks, like a cup of coffee...

I would suggest you ask your doctor for the patches instead of the oral medication as they can put it down to severe pain unrelieved by anything else. (or other wording) and the risks of abuse aren't as high with patches. Maybe try that if you haven't already.

Good luck and please message me privately if you want to make contact. I've suffered from RLS for twenty years and tried all and every medication known to help, as well as many others which aren't.

I have been suicidal when weaning off pramipexole due to no sleep for days on end so I do understand what it can be like. Hang in there and keep trying.

[Oscarcat63 in reply to restlessstoz]

Hi there !I live in Launceston 👋

[Hidden in reply to restlessstoz]

What amount is your patch?

[restlessstoz in reply to Hidden]

I started with 10 mcg which was better than nothing but not great, but worked up to 20 where I've stayed. I have some symptoms on the last night before the new patch, maybe the last two nights. There is not a pattern. Then once I change patches, it takes a few hours to get coverage so I try to do it earlier in the day so I'm covered by nighttime. It also helps with the osteoarthritis that I suffer but breakthrough pain can also trigger leg symptoms so it's a bit of a juggling act to manage the arthritis pain. Keeping up with paracetamol osteo is a great help but I'm not always consistent at taking the tablets.

[Hidden in reply to restlessstoz]

what amount of patch did your gp put you on to cover the restless legs? thanks

[restlessstoz in reply to Hidden]

Sorry Kathandkell, I forgot to put that! I am now on a 20mcg/hour patch. It gives me about 95% coverage.- until, as I said, it wears off a bit on the last night or two. It's SO much better though than I've ever had before, even on DAs. I do need to take something though as the buprenorphine does make me alert at night. I'm not one of those lucky people who get drowsy and sleep well with opioids. I take gabapentin to shut my brain down and the combination works pretty well.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

15mcgs but she will take me up to 20 if this doesn't help