Opiods and sleep

[mackmann]

Next week I see Dr. Buckfurer as I have augmented on 1.25 of Ropinerole and 900 mg. of Gabapentin daily. I feel he might put me on an opioid at this point and I’m concerned about sleep.

I know it’s all very individual as to how we react to meds., but I would love some input about what opioids might cause less of a sleep problem and/ or strategies to sleep while on them.

Thanks!
Mackmann

[Rustsmith]

We all react differently when it comes to how the opioids impact our sleep. For some, they are sedating and for others they cause alerting. I take methadone and it causes alerting, but I counter this side effect by taking it at lunch instead of at bedtime. Since methadone is a 1/day med, it doesn't matter when you take it so long as you take it at the same time each day.

And since you are seeing Dr B, there is a good chance that he will start you off with methadone if he wants you on an opioid. He is like many other RLS experts who prefer methadone because 1) it is 1/day and 2) it has a slight interaction with the dopamine receptors, which seems to help a little bit.

[QyX]

Next week I see Dr. Buckfurer as I have augmented on 1.25 of Ropinerole and 900 mg. of Gabapentin daily. I feel he might put me on an opioid at this point and I’m concerned about sleep.

I know it’s all very individual as to how we react to meds., but I would love some input about what opioids might cause less of a sleep problem and/ or strategies to sleep while on them.

Thanks!
Mackmann

Nobody can know in advance because we are all so different. Fentanyl is a very neutral opioid regarding sleep but basically impossible to get for RLS in the U.S. ... morphine is quite a nice option sometimes because it is sedative, almost like a classic hypnotic but tolerance will develop.

Some opioids are more stimulant and some are less. What rules apply for others might not apply for you. The variance is high. Thinking about strategies and ways to deal with opioid side effects makes sense once you understand how you react to the drug.

In general, all opioids can cause sleep problems while also all opioids can improve sleep.

Also tolerance occurs regarding side effects. For some people oxycodone is a very stimulating opioid, for others not. It is important that your doctor works with you and that you can address your concerns with your doctor.

[debbluebird]

If he puts you on an opioid, just wait and see what happens. At first it should be fine. If you start to have some alertness, try taking the dose earlier. I'm taking buprenorphine film, 1/4 of a 2 mg film. I am now taking it at 2:30 pm. I might even try 2 pm. I'm waiting to see how tonight goes.