Can’t get off cocodamol

[Bunnyflop]

Hi all

I was prescribed 30/500 cocodamol (the highest dose) for fibromyalgia about five years ago. After a while it was clear that it wasn’t doing much for the pain anymore so I started reducing it. I went from the highest strength and dose to 2x 8/500 tablets twice a day. However, every time I try to reduce that to get off it totally I am woken up multiple times a night with jolting painful restless legs. It’s unbearable. But obviously I don’t want to take these tablets forever.

Any suggestions or advice?? Dr is useless.

What exactly so you mean when you say Dr is useless? Have you spoken to an alternative doctor, or pharmacist?

May I suggest gradually swapping the cocodamol for soluble paracetomel as you try to reduce and use Nytol at night which should help you sleep through the restless legs. The restless legs should cease once you get the codeine out of your system and the Nytol is not so addictive and easy to stop

@KellyHall the dr just said to stick with this dose because of the restless legs!

The restless legs are a sign that your body is in withdrawal... Believe me I know.. I had an issue with these tablets and that was one of the withdrawal symptoms that lasted a while.

@charlotte2029 how did you deal with it?

@Bunnyflop.. I avoided caffeine and too much sugar ate lots of bananas for the potassium and eventually it passed. Hope this helps

Someone told me gabapentin is supposed to help restless legs?
Cocodamol is combined codeine and paracetamol.
Both can be prescribed/bought individually.
Try taking one or the other only, for a few days.
Then you might have a better idea which drug is giving you issues.
Both are addictive.

How much are you reducing by? Its a nuisance but you can break the tablets into quarters or even smaller and try and go from 1 tablet to 3/4 for a while, wean off really slowly?

Some good ideas here, thank you.

@Bunnyflop Before going to bed, try putting Tiger Balm on the bit of your leg(s) affected by restless legs - it works for me .

Ooh thanks @misscockerspaniel

Ask the doctor if you can swap it for diazepam for 3-4 nights while it leaves your system perhaps?

That's what I would ask for but I have a soft spot for diazepam.

Thank God I wasn't a mother in the 60's because I would well and truly hooked.

Ask your GP if you can have Gabapentin, and reduce the Cocodamol.

My father is a dihydrocodeine addict and gets jerking limbs when in withdrawal. The only thing that would help was amytryptiline.

Wean off gradually. The withdrawal will be easier, doesn’t mean there won’t be any symptoms but they WILL pass. Baths help with restless legs. Good luck!

Magnesium supplements!