I have always fought to keep my requip at a low level, and so supplemented with codeine, with varied success. By that I mean, if I work at it I can probably ensure that I can be medicated sufficiently to go sit through a movie or some such. However I struggle with breakthrough all the time, still have nights when I am up for most of the time, and others where I awake several times but manage about 4 hours sleep. Every evening had walkabout time.
Last week I made the decision........... I want to sort this out so I get as much relief as is possible, whatever it takes, within reason.
So I emailed Dr B. who responded in 4 hours. My symptoms are 24/7.
He suggested instead of spreading my requip in little doses over the day, that I take l mg requip every 8 hours. (upping it as far as 2mg every 8 hours if necessary but I don't want to think about taking that much).
So I have been taking 1mg requip x 3 daily. This is a 50% increase.
I still supplemented with 30mg codeine twice daily, and still had a little breakthrough..... but it was so much improved.
In his response Dr B had advised that codeine was not the best opiate to supplement for rls, he suggested a couple of others, including Tramadol. I have never taken Tramadol in my life before, for anything.
As it happens my friend is taking Tramadol 100mg Slow Release for a back condition, and she gave me 6 tablets. Yesterday I took my requip as usual and at 4pm took a Tramadol SR. What a difference!!! I could not believe it. We watched a movie last night, we watched something else on tv. I did not have any crawlies, my shoulder and hip pain also seemed to have been eased by the Tramadol. It was the best I have felt for so many years. It was a joy to be in bed. No fidgeting and no trying to lie in a certain way to ease my hip/shoulder. I told hubby that I felt like what I imagine 'normal' would be.
OK, very late in the evening, if I really really thought about it, there was the tiniest little 'feeling' in my leg, but it was so little that I could ignore it. Today was also good and I took another Tramadol 100mg SR today at 4pm. I don't know how long each pill lasts so reckoned that 4pm was a good time to cover the evening/night.
If this works ok, for each day that I take the Tramadol along with my requip, then I shall go to my doc and tell him of my trial, and ask him to prescribe it for me. However, I don't know how he will feel about me using someone else's medication
I may just ask for it as per the advice of Dr B. or I may tell him of my trial period using it.
However, Dr B took the time to help me, I am a stranger to him, and I feel such gratitude. His emailed response gave my body the most comfortable and pleasant evening in memory. My body was not fighting with itself.
There are still some wonderful people in this world..........
I'm hoping he will learn as we go. Anyway, I read in a post about Dr. B and that you could email him with your questions, which I did, and he answered me within hours. I was totally amazed that a doctor would do that. One question led to another and I ended up emailing him 3 times, and each time he answered right away. This man should be given an award. He is one of a kind. 