Update on Hydrocodone Insomnia

[jitters62]

My husband had his blood drawn for the iron panel this morning, they said results would take a few days so I don't suppose we'll know anything until next week. This afternoon we had the telehealth appointment with Dr Walters at Vanderbilt. Best we could gather, Buprenorphine isn't a readily viable option due to the regulations in Kentucky and Tennessee, it requires a diagnosis of substance abuse or some such, and there doesn't seem to be much room for discussion. So forget that, for now at least. We shared what we'd learned here about using gabapentin/pregabalin to combat the insomnia, Dr Walters thought it was worth a try and prescribed pregabalin. 25 mg to start, in 4 days increase to 50 if needed, and then again to 75 mg if necessary. So we're anxious to see how this goes. Thanks so much to all of you for offering your suggestions and sharing your experience, we were feeling lost and beginning to lose hope until we heard from the folks here.

[SueJohnson]

Sorry about the buprenorphine but glad you got the pregabalin.

[Joolsg]

youtu.be/h5Hyhmxli54?featur...(Not working as expected?)

Just a thought. Dr Winkelman's talk to rls.org patients mentions prescribing opioids, including Buprenorphine, for PAIN. He suggests that will allow US doctors to prescribe for RLS. Even though the majority of RLS patients do not experience RLS as 'pain'.

However, the prescribing rules in Tennessee & Kentucky may still be an issue.

Perhaps join rls.org and find a local RLS help group and someone may have a suggestion for a knowledgeable RLS doctor who is able to prescribe another drug if hydrocodone and pregabalindon't help.

[ID158 in reply to Joolsg]

That's how my doctor wrote it--"For severe pain." That seemed to be an important piece.

[Madlegs1]

That's how I got opioids prescribed in Ireland.

For back pain!

[jitters62 in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks to each of you for the suggestions and encouraging words. I've made note and will be ready to insist on furthering the Buprenorphine discussion if need be. Thanks again!