RLS: Pregabalin and Tramadol Update

[GoForward]

I first want to thank all of you for responding to my initial post on this subject. I am overwhelmed by the kindness, advice and support you continue to show me. I wanted to provide an update after seeing my doctor today.

I hope I am not charting too many paths in my attempt to find relief. Today, my doctor was quite amenable to my trying Suboxone (the Buprenorphine/Naloxone med). I will receive the sublingual film version at the minimum dosage (2 mg) available here in Canada. I plan on splitting it. Hopefully into quarters, if possible. I know that in Europe you can receive it in a .2 mg strength. Quite a difference.

If I do not have results on this, my doctor suggested going back to the Tramadol, but slow release version. I would take this in addition to the 100 mg of Pregabalin.

I forgot to ask the doctor if when on the Suboxone, I should continue to take the Pregabalin. Perhaps you could advise me on that.

I will also take this time to add that, in addition to the foregoing, I am taking the probiotic L-Plantarum 229v, Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, B12, and CanPrev Adrenal Chill which includes L-Theanine and Ashwagandha. For my iron levels I take CanPrev iron bis-glycinate 20, organic unsulfured molasses, and I drink stinging nettle tea. I will have my levels checked later on. Many thanks to SueJohnson and everyone for all your recommendations over these past months!

[SueJohnson]

The CanPrev iron bis-glycinate 20 has only 20 mg of elemental iron and you need at least 65 and since your ferritin is relatively low, I would suggest you take 4 tablets.

Molasses is fine but has very little iron.

I'm pleased you were able to get the Suboxone!

There is no harm in continuing the pregabalin while you experiment with the Suboxone but then you can reduce it by 25 mg every 2 weeks to avoid withdrawal effects.

[GoForward in reply to SueJohnson]

Will do. Thanks Sue.

[Joolsg]

I take pregabalin with Buprenorphine. I started it because I always develop opioid panic attacks after around 3 or 4 weeks. The pregabalin counters these. I started on 50mg pregabalin and have now reduced to 12.5mg. Pregabalin sedates so it counters opioid anxiety AND wakefulness. It also reduces opioid sweats.

Have a look at my posts headed Buprenorphine.

I had severe nausea for the first 10 days. I used medical cannabis for a week. It stopped the nausea and then I could reduce the cannabis. Zofran is another possibility.

[GoForward in reply to Joolsg]

Very good to know about the side effects you experienced Jools. Easier to get through them when one knows it’s all part of the beginning process. I am hoping it will be as good for me in the long term as it has for so many of you. Also hoping it is the answer to getting me through to the end of the Pramipexole. Thanking you once again.

[Joolsg in reply to GoForward]

Be wary of taking too much Buprenorphine before you stop the last dose of Pramipexole.Buprenorphine can be instant. I know a few people who then stayed on Pramipexole. Big mistake.

So add 0.1 or 0.2mg of Buprenorphine with each half 0.125mg pill reduction. You should try to stay on no more than 0.5mg Buprenorphine until 4 weeks after you drop Pramipexole. That will allow your dopamine receptors to settle.

You can then adjust upwards if necessary.

[GoForward in reply to Joolsg]

Good advice Jools. I will do just that.

[Typicallygaslit]

Just an idea but I wouldn’t drink nettle tea, it’s antihistaminic and could worsen the RLS. I had a lotion containing nettles that I used on my feet and had a horrible reaction to it.

[GoForward in reply to Typicallygaslit]

Really. I had no idea. It was recommended to me because of my low ferritin. Many thanks for letting me know.