Back again!!

[Delilah162]

As a few of you know a few months ago I was started on 10mgs oxycodone which took a while to kick in but I did get some relief. However lately I've been tired not feeling refreshed after thinking I'm sleeping so spoke yo the neurologist about upping the dose ( that was on the 6th of December) he said do a sleep diary for a month on 10mg then 12.5mg then 15mg.Anyway my husband says I'm still running marathons in my sleep and still doing the lift leg slam it down dance every 10 secs. ( He's a night worker but with the hols has been off so been able to report my night time antics to me) this will explain my non refreshed sleep.

From 3pm until 6 pm when I take my 10mgs and for about half an hour after I'm flaying about. Arms going legs going head nodding. Should I tell him I need some in the morning or ask for something that gives 24hr cover. I'm starting a new job on the 20th of January and can't be performing the 3pm antics there. I also think sugar is a trigger I've been doing a food diary.

Your suggestions would be gratefully received as per usual.

[SueJohnson]

Yes you need something to cover the full 24 hours - buprenorphine or methadone. You have PLMD - periodic limb movement disease which is treated the same way as RLS.

[Joolsg]

Hi Delilah.Oxycontin only lasts around 4 or 5 hours for most people on here- even though the literature & the manufacturers state that it lasts 12 hours.

Two options- take 5mg 4 times a day to see if it covers/stops the PLMD. Or, see Dr Chris Murphy at Salford hospital and get an iron infusion to see if it improves things and, if not, switch to 0.4mg Buprenorphine sub lingual pills.

Dr Murphy can arrange both the infusion and the Buprenorphine.

[SleeplessinMO]

I d k, but for me, taking an opioid medication causes RLS flare when my body wants more opioid. It is a a drug that can cause a high level of physiological tolerance. Due to this fact, the biological mechanism of opiates creates a need within the body for more & more. It’s not actually addiction, but you may have worse RLS after starting opiates. Just a thought.

[Goldy700]

I was on Oxycodone in the form of Targen but after 3 months it stopped working for RLS. I am now trying Bupramorphine and am in the process of getting the dose right. I think Bupramorphine is a better medication as it does not suppress your immune system, does not suppress your sex hormones and does not suppress your respiratory system. My problem at the moment is the Bup patch is fine in the day but not strong enough at night. I am in the processs of getting my doctor to look at additional sublingual bup.

[Delilah162 in reply to Goldy700]

Hi, Thanks for your reply. It's good you've managed to get sorted on another medication. Maybe my neurologist will look at something different for me, or up my dose.