RLS AND OPIATES

[ELLSBELLS]

I HAVE FOUND THROUGH ACCIDENT THAT DIHYDROCODEINE CONTINUS WORKS SUPERBLY FOR MY RLS BUT CANNOT GET ANY GP TO PRESCRIBE THIS ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE PRESCRIBED MANY PARKINSON RELATED DRUGS ALL OF WHICH HAVE HAD TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. THE ONLY SIDE EFFECT WITH DHC IS CONSTIPATION (EASILY REMEDIED). MEANWHILE MY RLS HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND CAN START AT ANY TIME BUT IS ALWAYS THERE AT NIGHT AND I NOW EXPERIENCE IT IN MY LOWER ARMS. MY GP SAYS DHC IS NOT ON NICE'S APPROVED LIST OF TREATMENTS FOR RLS. HAS ANYONE BEEN PRESCRIBED DHC FOR RLS AND WITH WHAT SUCCESS?

[Hidden]

I havent any experience with Dihyrocodeine, but i know opiates do work for RLS. I am sure many years ago in the dark ages...lol way before anyone knew of RLS and any meds. were available, people found opiates worked when they tried to sleep at night and their legs would stop them.

But these days opiates are considered addictive. Your doctor is right they wouldnt be approved by NICE for RLS. But, some doctors would use opiates as an off label med.

Have you tried codeine OTC that can work for some. Altho might not be strong enough. I had oramorph prescribed once for me for my RLS, altho i couldnt handle being really sleepy during the day so stopped that one.

[ELLSBELLS]

thanks elisse for your comments. have tried over the counter codeine but as you suggest they are not strong enough. don't get sleepy with dhc indeed some nights i cannot sleep but it is just so wonderful to be able to read and do puzzles and not to be consumed by that crawling sensationi my legs that i can think of nothing else.

[thedragon]

I discovered codeine works for me and so far I don't see any addiction problems. If I don't need it I don't use it. It also helps me sleep,but leaves me feeling a bit grotty the next day .

[magggzzz]

You could always tell your doctor you suffer from migraines. I do suffer from them but not as much as my doctor thinks I do. I tried various meds for migraine but the only thing that works is the 500/30 paracetamol/codeine tablet so they're willing to prescribe it for me. I don't usually take it for my RLS but just sometimes I take 2 to help the other meds.

[Hidden]

Hi E

I have been using duragesic patches and dehydrcodine for chronic back pain. I've had numerous surgeries and even with taking These I still suffer from rls.

Don't understand why ur doctor won't prescribe them because I'm sure they're a lot cheaper than some of the other drugs..

Hang in there.

Best wishes

BB :))

[cefndaniel]

I do not quite understand all these drugs and what are opiates. I take ropinerole (an opiate I think) and have done from before NICE approved of them. (Did the drugs trial for Glaxo) Hate taking them but being in Wales that is all my local health authority will approve (pay for) Have started taking Tremadol (is this an opiate???) due to augmentation and have cut down the Ropinerole by half with the help of homeopathic dopamine. Now worried about the effect of Tremadol taking 2 x 50mg a day, anyone have any info on this. Because my GP cannot or will not help this is my only route!!!!!

[jumpylegs in reply to cefndaniel]

Ropinerole is not an opiate, it is a medication which in higher doses treats Parkinsons Disease, and in lower doses treats RLS. Tramadol is a synthetic opiate and sometimes a dr will prescribe this more readily that a true opiate. The suggested max dose of daily Tramadol is total 400mg. I take 4 x 50mg totalling 200mg daily.

[cefndaniel in reply to jumpylegs]

Thanks for the info. I think I am doing better with the Tremadol

[Hidden in reply to cefndaniel]

ropinerole is a dopamine drug, same as mirapexin and the neupro patch

[Hidden in reply to cefndaniel]

I answered you on the question you posted earlier...check it out...

[Darcy]

I take slow release dihydrocodiene, as a pain killer two 60mg each night .

If you take more than that, you run the risk of severe constipation, and I mean severe!!

You have to be really careful with these as they are highly addictive.

I get mine on prescription, which is really carefully monitored.

The reason it works for RLS I imagine, is that it is that strong that it numbs the nerves and therefore abates the RS symptoms.

I really would not recommend these as a long term answer to RLS, they are only prescribed for severe pain as far as I know.

[Darcy]

I take slow release dihydrocodiene, as a pain killer two 60mg each night .

If you take more than that, you run the risk of severe constipation, and I mean severe!!

You have to be really careful with these as they are highly addictive.

I get mine on prescription, which is really carefully monitored.

The reason it works for RLS I imagine, is that it is that strong that it numbs the nerves and therefore abates the RS symptoms.

I really would not recommend these as a long term answer to RLS, they are only prescribed for severe pain as far as I know.

[cefndaniel]

Thanks Darcy, hope you are haviong a good day

[DONSWAN]

Hi-- I have been prescribed Dihydrocodeine 30mgmb for my RLS and it works well. I take one tablet at 9.30PM on a empty stomach. If you have ameal late and then take it the effect is much reduced. i only take another tablet when I wake with RLS say 3AM but thatis not often.----all the other things like Pramipexole and the like do have side effects which are worse than the RLS.---your doctor should prescribe it as many do--I hope you can get him to do so.

Don Swanson