Went to GP

[Retiredandrestless]

Well I went to my GPS today (Florida) told him the hydrocodone was not doing anything anymore. I suggested Gabapentin 1st, he looked back and I had alot of problems getting off that as it stopped working. Mentioned Buprenorphine explained how alot of you in here have had great success with it and he had no problems prescribing it to me. I was so happy! I will be starting it tonight. Here in US it comes in 0.2 or 0.8 MG. I opted for the 0.2mg sublingual tablets. I will start out low see how it goes. I hope I'm as lucky as alot of you with this drug. I will keep you informed. Also got anti nausea medicine just in case. Thanks everyone!

[SueJohnson]

That's terrific! I'm so pleased for you.

Could you tell me your doctor's name as there are so few that will prescribe buprenorphine so I can add him/her to my list of doctor's names.

[Retiredandrestless in reply to SueJohnson]

He's in loxahatchee Florida just alittle west of west palm beach. Dr David Evans. I even have a refill.

[Purpleyam]

Yes please tell us how it goes for your first few weeks. I am in the same place as you; going to my sleep specialist today and I think I'll request the change to Suboxone (buprenorphine sublingual) as my Gabapentin plus tramadol isn't covering my RLS. He offered it before but I was a bit scared of it. Byw...I'm also a 64 yr old woman, live in Canada.

[DesertOasis in reply to Purpleyam]

Hi Purple, long time no talk. Think about switching to Codeine before you go on to stronger opiates. Tramadol is a combination mild opiate and SNRI. It seems like after 6 months to a year the SNRI portion overwhelms the opiate portion for us with RLS. Some of us, at least. I believe this is what happened to RestlessInLondon and codeine was the answer. I’ll try to find her post. Also, try the iron at night trick again, one time.

Tramadol doesn’t cause augmentation, it’s the SNRI in it that gets to us with RLS. healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[Purpleyam in reply to DesertOasis]

Interesting, I'll discuss it with the doc. I had an iron infusion late June and it didn't alleviate or lessen my RLS. I might start taking my iron bisglycinate and vit c again on alternate nights.

[DesertOasis in reply to Purpleyam]

Alternate nights are fine, but as you know, if it provides you with immediate relief you must take it every night. I am now advising people to take the lowest effective dose. So I would first go with around 25mg and not exceed 50mg. RLS has little to nothing to do with bodily stores of ferritin. It’s all about serum iron - that free floating iron in the blood that our brains readily suck up and that keeps our dopamine receptors chugging along, sans RLS. I wish we would stop recommending IV iron, it just rarely seems to be of benefit.

[Purpleyam in reply to DesertOasis]

Too bad but I've never felt relief taking iron at night time.

[DesertOasis in reply to Purpleyam]

Then give the codeine a shot if your doc will oblige you in place of tramadol.

[GoForward in reply to Purpleyam]

Would be wonderful if you could give your doctor’s name. I’m a 69 year old woman living in Quebec. I absolutely need to get off Pramipexole but cannot find a doc/neurologist who agrees with me or who understands/accepts? the new Mayo algorithm. Just learned via this site of Dr. Valerio at UBC, am waiting for a call back, but would be great to have another possible option.

[Purpleyam in reply to GoForward]

Hi Goforward, definitely I will give you the sleep specialist doctor that I see, but keep in mind I am in Calgary. I go to Centre for Sleep and Human Performance, my doctor is: Dr Joseph Askin.

[GoForward in reply to Purpleyam]

Many thanks Purpleyam! I’m not yet sure how difficult it is for me to have access to a doctor in another province but it’s a wonderful starting place for me. If nothing else, perhaps Dr. Askin could refer me to someone closer to home. I’m grasping at all possible straws at the moment! Grateful.

[Retiredandrestless]

So far the Buprenorphine is doing great. Just wondering is having troubles getting to sleep one of the side effects? I do have 0.5mg of clonazapam and I've been having to take 1/2 one now to put me to sleep. Is the insomnia a temporary effect? I know I had it with the hydrocodone also. Thanks

[amrob123 in reply to Retiredandrestless]

I tend to get insomnia on opiods. Can't comment specifically on buprenorphine as i only took it once. I expect your doctor has advised of the risks in taking benzodiazepines (clonazepam) and opioids together?

[Retiredandrestless in reply to amrob123]

I've been taking it for over 20 years. I took it,when I was on hydrocodone but not together. I would give it a couple hours after taking the pain med. My Dr is aware,but next time i,see him ill ask if there is an anxiety drug that won't interfere with the Buprenorphine.