Great success with pregabalin and dihydrocodeine.

[Islay9]

This is an update if what’s helping me just now in case it can also help others.

I increased to 450mg pregabalin and it’s made a HUGE difference in my sleep.

I was also taking 30mg dihydrocodeine which is the only thing that has ever “switched off” my legs.

However I was still getting breakthroughs in the night. But it was such an improvement to before.

I mentioned this to my neurologist recently and he prescribed me 60mg modified release dihydrocodeine.

Early days but it’s really helping.

A huge thank you to the people on this forum and RLS-UK. You have literally saved my life.

I keep a nightly diary of my sleep pattern and it was only 4 months ago that I was in tears every night and seriously contemplating suicide as my legs were so bad and I could see no light at the end of the tunnel.

I know the meds are only a sticking plaster but until there is a cure I’ll make the best of it.

[SueJohnson]

That's great! So pleased for you.😀

[Drls]

hello Iskay - could you just clarify how much pregabalin and dihydrocodeine you are taking? I’m currently on 200mg pretension and 0.6 buprenorphine and it’s not covering much of my symptoms - unfortunately any increase the bup. Leads to breathing issues for me …

I’d like to try another opioid - does the modified release version last 24 hours?

Thank you - I’m pleased that you have found something that works for you

[Islay9 in reply to Drls]

This is UK.

450mg pregabalin (but highest dose is 600mg) and 60mg Dhc. It only lasts around 10 hours.

No where near what I have heard about Bup.

[nocturne]

Would you know how long 60mg. of DHC by itself (without Pregabalin) lasts? I'm currently on codeine-acetaminophen, but it wears off after 3 hours, and if I have to take a second pill 2 or 3 am, it takes a full hour or more before working. I would love to find an opiod that lasts 6 hours or so.

[Islay9 in reply to nocturne]

That was the problem when I was taking 30mg of DHC which is why I was put on these.

It says 1 tablet every 12 hours which would suggest to me that they last that long.

I’ve not taken them without pregabalin but I would say they definitely last the night (I take it at 10pm, have 1-2 wakenings but no RLS)

So yes I think they would last more than 6 hours on their own. In fact my hope is to eventually reduce the pregabalin and only take the DHC if that’s possible.

[nocturne in reply to Islay9]

Thank you for your reply! Hmm, interesting that 30 mg of DHC lasts no longer than 30 mg. of acetapminophen-codeine. I've never taken 60 mg. of acetaminphen-codeine at once, and am reluctant to try it. I wish they made a slow-release version of it.

[SueJohnson in reply to nocturne]

It's supposed to last 4 to 6 hours and it takes 1-1/2 to 2 hours to work.

[Islay9 in reply to SueJohnson]

I was led to believe that the modified release lasted longer? This had certainly been my experience so far thankfully.

[SueJohnson in reply to Islay9]

You're right. Modified release wasn't mentioned so I was giving for the immediate release. In fact I wasn't even aware there was a modified release until you mentioned it so thank you for that information.

[nocturne in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks to both Sue and Islay! I will look into modified release and run it by my primary care practitioner.