Codipar

[Golferie]

I’m from Ireland so very little knowledge of RLS by doctors here!!

I weaned off premipexole as I mentioned here in my last post.

I cannot take gabapentin as it really upsets my stomach. I am now taking 1 codipar tablet before bed. I find it helps quite a bit but am worried that I will become dependent on it just like Premipexole. If I don’t take the Codipar I have severe restless legs. The tablet contains 15mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol.

Any help appreciated.

[SueJohnson]

You don't need to worry. You may become dependent since it works but it doesn't cause augmentation nor is it hard to get off it like pramipexole. we all become dependent on any medicine that works for to control your a health problem.

It only contains 15 mg of codeine so you may need a larger size at some point plus codeine is a weak opioid.

[Golferie in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you so much really appreciate your opinion.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Golferie]

Yes-- you should be grand with that.

You can always up the paracetamol if you want to boost the codeine effect.

I do that with Oxycontin, whenever a trigger hits me-- MSG is the usual culprit!😭

[Golferie in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you ☺️

[SomersetLily]

Hi, I have a tiny experience with Codeine, in that I have had two hip replacements and had to have codeine for the operations. Codeine removes the pain. The only effective method of controlling RLS is to deal with your Iron. Since I have achieved a Ferritin reading of over 100, my symptoms are minimal. If I allow my ferritin to drop they come back.

[Golferie in reply to SomersetLily]

My ferritin is 147 but I still have RLS

[SomersetLily in reply to Golferie]

Hi, sorry , misinterpretation. I got my first reprieve once my Ferritin was over 100. In fact I have no symptoms at 200, I am also taking Mg at night which is effective. for me. I'm not sure that the numbers translate across different people. I found that it was just a question of getting my ferritin numbers up for me.

[DesertOasis in reply to SomersetLily]

Not to disagree with you Somerset, but your reaction to the iron was immediate. You essentially got immediate relief which means, at least in your case, your relief has little, to possibly nothing, to do with ferritin and everything to do with something called serum iron. Welcome to the Ironman Club.

SomersetLily profile imageSomersetLilyLou9

4 years ago

HiI think I also developed RLS after having children. It has gone undetected for over 12 years and I just had a diagnosis this month. I have begun on Ferrous Fumerate, and was fine for three days, in pain on day 4, agony day 5, calm day 6, and now three weeks later on the same pills feel that after 12 years of debilitating RLS there is hope at last. In fact I have so much energy! What I am suggesting that you may need to get through a 'barrier' before the iron takes effect. At the same time as taking the fumerate I have been taking B12, Vitamin C and Vitamin D (just in case of COVID). Hope that helps.

Very happy for you Somnerset. Glad you didn’t go with the infusion that was being pushed on you. Had you done that, not only would the infusion have done nothing for you, but that daily iron you need to keep your RLS at bay would not be absorbed for several weeks, possibly longer, and your doctor would likely have advised you to stop the supplement all together.

[SomersetLily in reply to DesertOasis]

Thanks, that interesting. I have had a subsequent diagnosis of pernicious anemia which is perhaps why my iron intake has such an immediate reaction.

[Transimpact]

Codeine and alkalizing are the only things that stop my RLS. 52 yrs of RLS.

[Rameau]

I take my Gabapentin with milk or yoghurt, which helps.

[keelstep in reply to Rameau]

Hi Rameau:

Thanks for your info.

I'd appreciate learning how much gabapentin and how much milk or yoghurt. Did you always have it with milk or yoghurt? How soon before bedtime do you take it?

[Rameau in reply to keelstep]

600mg of gabapentin with a small glass of milk about 15-30 minutes before bed. Alternatively a few (3-4) desert spoonfuls of yoghurt (plain).

[SueJohnson in reply to keelstep]

The problem with that is that calcium or calcium rich foods interfere with gabapentin's absorption. They should be taken 2 hours apart.

[Golferie in reply to Rameau]

👍👍

[SueJohnson in reply to Rameau]

The problem with that is that calcium or calcium rich foods interfere with gabapentin's absorption.

[Rameau in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue, Looks like I need to find an alternative.