Patch buprenorphine help needed asap

[lorri214]

I am in agony. Cant take it. Rls off the wall. I put the 5mg patch on yesterday. Have had rls since. would it be ok to put another 5 mg patch on to help. Cant get in touch with dr. help

[Classof69]

Lori, I have had RLS for 15 years as bad as it get. I won’t get in to that other than I got it days straight without a break. Walking days without being able to sleep, lay down , all I could do was walk 24 hr a day for days.

I found a product, over the counter, all natural . It took 15 days for it to really start working , over two months in and I have no RLS . It’s called Seratame, by purebiogenics out of Carlsbad California. Phone # is 877 269 2694

[Truth24 in reply to Classof69]

Me too had this over 25 years as bad as it gets. Walking no sleep for a week. Thanks it worth a try what you suggest. Blessings

[lorri214 in reply to Classof69]

Im thinking of trying the neuppro patch instead of buprenorphine. I cant take it any longer. I have not eaten in two days. I never had a problem with eating. The neupro patch was an option. Maybe that will work better. I can't go on any more =. i need relief right away.

[LotteM]

Lorri, I already replied to you other post. Like Kakally did. We both think you should add another patch. Hooe you have and that it helps settle the RLS. Hang on.

[lorri214 in reply to LotteM]

I hate to do that without dr approval. I am calling her today. But i am desperate

[Joolsg in reply to lorri214]

Lorri, Are you still on Pramipexole, or did the doctor tell you to switch overnight???

Here are links for you and your doctor.

Watch ALL Dr Berkowski's videos.

He explains that you need a long taper off dopamine agonists.

Your doctor can also use Curbside to get expert, free advice from a rls.org funded help site.

I agree with Kakally and Lotte.

Pills would probably be better for you at this stage, because you are either STILL on Pramipexole or not through withdrawal, so your brain will be in severe withdrawal.

youtube.com/@andyberkowskim...

advances.massgeneral.org/ne...

[lorri214 in reply to Joolsg]

I went off pramapexole last month, but the dr. told me to add one pramapexole while starting the patch. Doesn't help. Waiting to hear from dr.

[LotteM in reply to lorri214]

Would you mind telling us the dose of that one pramipexole? Your RLS may also still be extra bothersome owing to the recent withdrawal. How much did you take before reducing? And at what timespan did you reduce? It may actually be good to stay away from the pramipexole when you have been off for already a month. Otherwise you may have to redo the last - and most difficult - part of the withdrawal all over again. A somewhat higher dose may help, as the 5 mcg/h patch is a very low dose. Most people on the patch need 10 or 15 mcg/h. Or on pills: 0.4mg (-0.8mg?) in the evening.

[lorri214 in reply to LotteM]

Pramapexole was0.125. When I was taking it regulary I took 0.125 mg 3 times a night.

[Joolsg in reply to lorri214]

You switched from 20mg oxycodone to a 5mcg patch overnight. The 5mcg patch releases the rough equivalent of 0.12 mg of Buprenorphine pills. The average Buprenorphine pill dose for RLS is 1mg, so nearly 9 times more than you are taking.As you have gone a month without Pramipexole, it seems counter productive to add it back now.

I would speak to your doctor and say the dose is too low and also ask for pills. You can cut the 2mg pill into ¼ or ½.

I think you will do better on pills.

[LotteM in reply to lorri214]

I understand. But if she is an empathic person and has some idea of what you are going through, she should understand. 🤞🏻🤞🏻 you’ll get to speak to her today. Ask for the sublingual buprenorphine pills as they allow for daily and fast- acting adjustment.

[Truth24 in reply to lorri214]

Or call pharmacy. They may be better to ask.

[Swillet50]

You sho uld get tested for the mthfr gene. If you have it you are eligible for medical marijuana. If helps a lot forsleep. So sorry you are suffering!

[707twitcher]

If you haven't done so already and if it's been over 30 hours since you put the patch on, I, too, would suggest adding a second. And that will take another 24+ hours to fully take effect...

The risk with this is that you may be unable to refill the Rx prior to the original 28 days from the original one if the insurance company is involved. But at least you will know whether buprenorphine works for you. If it does work at 10mcg, then I'd suggest asking the doctor for an Rx for sublinguals. Pills would be easiest, but I think the strips are more available in US for some reason. As I mentioned previously, you should be able to get 30 2mg strips for around $40 without insurance (assuming you have insurance issues in this 28 day window).

[lorri214 in reply to 707twitcher]

how do you apply the second patch. dr wants me to do it. she said the pharmacy had to tell me how to apply it. Do you know how. how difficult can it be

[707twitcher in reply to lorri214]

Who put your first patch on? There are detailed instructions in the box. It’s quite easy - just peel back half of the foil backing, put it where you want it, then remove the remaining backing. I’d suggest putting it on same arm as the first patch, nearby. That way you only have to worry about keeping one area somewhat dry. Not really any harder than applying a band-aid.

[lorri214 in reply to 707twitcher]

Ever since I got this patch, I can't eat. Have absolutely no appetite. If I eat 1000 calories a day thats a lot. Food doesn't appeal to me now.

[LotteM in reply to lorri214]

Lorri, just saw your comment about food and that you can put on a second patch. Just put it not too fa from the first one. Upper body. I usually put it on my shoulder (and next wek on other shoulder etc) or on upper arm.

Re the food, quite a few people have loss of appetite on buprenorphine. There was a very recent post on it. It is a listed side effect. Try to make sure you get the main essentials of food (protein, fat, carbs). I hope this lack of appetite will disappear.

[707twitcher in reply to lorri214]

Is that your only side effect? Many side effects do lessen after a few weeks or months. But as LotteM says, a recent post had comments from several people about lack of appetite being a long-lasting one. If you’re up for it, there’s always cannabis - helps with nausea, appetite, etc.

Unfortunately life with RLS post-DAs seems to be an ongoing struggle with meds and their side effects. Fortunately most people here do find a regimen that works eventually.