Tramadol/coldeine?

[Bowie4eva]

Hello all,

I am UK based, 65, with RLS from hell, night and often day, which I’m sure is familiar to most!

I’m currently on 300mg Pregabalin, which I take at night, but which is becoming less and less effective. Like many, I’ve put on masses of weight since taking it, so am not willing to raise the dose.

A specialist at my hospital has now agreed to Tramadol or Codeine (not Bupremorphine).

Should I go for this? I have MS and get up a few times a night to use the toilet! Will I risk a fall?

All views and advice (could be one for Joolz?) gratefully received. Thank you and best wishes to all.

[Joolsg]

Definitely try it. Tramadol and codeine are less likely to cause falls at night than pregabalin.Reduce pregabalin very, very slowly to avoid any withdrawal symptoms.

It's a shame the neurologist refused Buprenorphine. Bart's MS team use methadone. So many MS neurologists now realise the benefits of the long half life opioids.

Tramadol and codeine have short half lives so might cause mini opioid withdrawals during the day, and the main symptom of opioid withdrawals is RLS. It's why many heroin addicts fail to get off the stuff.

So try taking 100 mg Tramadol or 60mg codeine at night and keep asking for Buprenorphine or methadone.

[SueJohnson]

I've given you this advice before but it has been awhile so let me repeat it. If you decide to come off pregabalin and at the very least with tramadol or codeine you should be able to reduce it. you need to do so very slowly to avoid withdrawal effects. Reduce by 25 mg every 2 weeks. If you do so you will have very few or no withdrawal effects.

[Calm2]

Hi, this could have no relation to your problem but I was put on Pregabalin for pains in my leg after an accident in which I tore the calf muscle. After doing some research into Pregabalin and mainly reading the side effects I decided not to take it. The doctor then prescribed Amitriptyline 2 x 10mg each night. I have to say they work very well, the pain in my leg was much more bearable and I wasn’t moving my legs all night to get comfortable. Although not prescribed for RLS maybe it’s worth a shot?

[SueJohnson in reply to Calm2]

Unfortunately for many it makes RLS worse.

[Calm2 in reply to SueJohnson]

I’m not completely sure what RLS is Restless Leg Syndrome, would that be like a severe case of “The Fidgets” as we call it?

[wildlegs]

hi there, I’m 80 year old male from USA and I’ve had RLS for30+ years. I’ve taken Tramadol for 20+ years and it works if taken ln proper order. I take 100 mg a day. I take one tablet (50 mg) three hours before bed time and another 90 minutes before and no more walking the floors. Good luck