Codipar

[Golferie]

I told my story here before but in a nutshell I’m off Premipexole since May23. Can’t take gabapentin.

Still have restless legs every night.

Have a reasonably good GP that has given me Codipar…15mg of codeine. I take one every night about an hour before bed. Has really helped but I’m worried about codeine addiction.

Any suggestions or thoughts on this or is this amount of Codeine quite low?

N

[Joolsg]

It's VERY Low.Unless you have a history of abuse, addiction is unlikely. Tolerance usually doesn't happen for RLS patients either.

Have a look at Dr Winkelman's opioid register. It was set up to prove RLS parents did not develop addiction or tolerance to opioids.

Make sure your serum ferritin is above 200ųg/L as that will also help.

You may need a longer lasting opioid to settle your RLS completely.

massgeneral.org/rls-registry

[Golferie in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you so much, really appreciate your advice.

[Oscarcat63 in reply to Joolsg]

I have a history of alcohol 'abuse'. I was self-medicating for agoraphobia from 1984 - 1991.I am a bit fed up to say the least with all this 'history of Abuse ' nonsense, tbh.

I guess I will never be allowed 'opioids' in the future because of my past! Fortunately not interested, nor need them at present !

[Joolsg in reply to Oscarcat63]

That may not be the case. If you have an agreement with your doctor and you are closely monitored, low dose opioids might be prescribed.And when RLS is refractory, opioids are the only class of meds that work. If your RLS ever becomes refractory- they might be suitable.

Buprenorphine is used to help heroin addicts and has a lower risk of respiratory depression.

It might be a possibility.

[SueJohnson]

As Joolsg said, it is very low. The usual starting dose is 15 to 30 mg and the usual effective dose per the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm is 60 mg to 180 mg. Also as she said RLS patients on low dose opioids don't get addicted.

[Golferie in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you very much so appreciate your advice

[nocturne]

I've been taking one 30 mg. codeine-acetaminophen for two years, although I sometimes need to take a second pill when the first one wears off in the middle of the night. I've had no signs of addiction, withdrawal, or need to increase the dose. It's great that you're getting by on only 15 mg. You'll be fine. : )

[Golferie in reply to nocturne]

Thank you that’s great to hear. 👍