Hydrocodone?

[MountainWanderer]

My doctor is prescribing hydrocodone for help with my restless legs during plane flights, in addition to my regular meds, ropinirole and pregabalin.

Has anyone had experience with this?

Thank you.

[SueJohnson]

It should definitely help.

Book your flight for early in the day and book an aisle seat so you can get up and walk around and preferably an emergency exit or bulkhead. Pack activities that serve as distractions. If you belong to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, download the Restless Legs Syndrome Special Accommodations Card to give to the flight attendant. You can join for $40 even if you don't live in the US and it is well worth it. RLS-UK also has a medical alert card available to members for things like flights. Otherwise be sure to talk to the flight attendant and explain that you will be walking a lot although you may not need to with the hydrocodone.

[MountainWanderer in reply to SueJohnson]

Sue

Thank you so much for your answer and advice. I have been a little nervous anticipating this trip.

[Joolsg]

Low dose opioids are highly effective for relieving RLS, particularly breakthrough RLS.

I used them to help me get off ropinirole and I now take low dose buprenorphine.

I was terrified at the thought of taking opioids, but now I see that they are a lifeline to some of us. Addiction does not happen, unless there's a history of abuse and the dose for RLS is far lower than for pain.

Hopefully, your flight will go smoothly and you will have a wonderful time.

[MountainWanderer in reply to Joolsg]

Joolsg, thank you for your support.

[Golfislikelife]

I’m taking hydromorphone. How does the pregbalin work. I might try it for my nerve pains everywhere

[MountainWanderer in reply to Golfislikelife]

It seems to be working but I just started taking it and my doctor is still adjusting the dose. So we'll see. Good luck to you.

[Plight]

How long is the flight?

[MountainWanderer in reply to Plight]

Our flight is 6 hours, with one layover. 🙄

[Madlegs1]

Your best choice is oxynorm 5 mg. It acts quickly and last 5 to 6 hrs. You can repeat as needed.However, some people react to it, so it may be worthwhile trying one out days beforehand.

Good luck.

[MountainWanderer in reply to Madlegs1]

Madlegs1, thank you. I will see how the hydrocodone works, and keep your suggestion of oxynorm in mind for future trips if needed.

[Madlegs1 in reply to MountainWanderer]

Oxynorm is just a version of hydrocodone. It's advantage is the short acting bit. Kicks in in15 mins.Others such as Oxycontin are extended release and can take 2 to 3 hours to take effect.

Make sure Dr gives you the short acting version.

[MountainWanderer in reply to Madlegs1]

I will check with my doctor. Thanks!

[Matmmhg7]

I like hydrocodone for flying, not to sedating.

[MountainWanderer in reply to Matmmhg7]

That's good to hear. Thank you!

[SlaxGA]

that sounds like a good plan. I have a similar diagnosis/treatment, although finding H in the states these days is tricky as heck. mainly because of the Sackler family, but others too, getting greedy off the backs of folks in pain. thanks for sharing!

[EndlessRLS99 in reply to SlaxGA]

I wish people would stop blaming the pharmaceutical industry for addiction. Opioids are perfectly the good drugs for a number of conditions, and many of us would have long ago lost our minds from RLS but for the relief offered by these drugs. The unnecessary blame and vitriol directed at "Big Pharma" is a large part of the reason getting help with opioids has become almost impossible. Any industry is going to be filled with both good and bad people and decision making. And I don't care if they make huge profits, that's what business is all about. These drugs have been affordable to even those on lower incomes, so please, just stop with the blame game.

[SlaxGA in reply to EndlessRLS99]

two things can be simultaneously true: Big Pharma was/is complicit in criminally pushing drugs on vulnerable Americans *and* pain drugs themselves legitimately help folks with acute needs. what you're suggesting above is a false choice imo, and chalking Sackler/Pharma greed up to "well, they're just making coin" is naive at best.