dihydrocodeine

[pixie6579]

im new to the forum so i want to start by saying hi to everyone

i have a question im hoping someone can answer....i take30mg dihydrocodeine as and when needed for pain relief for Erythromelalgia, i tend to need to take them mostly at night for pain relief as thats when my EM seems to be the worst but ive noticed that everytime i take them i cant sleep, is insomnia a side effect of these meds? because my GP is convinced that they should make me sleepy so now i dont know what to think

[DavidS]

It's a new one on me. I've had a quick look in the literature, which reminded me that is can cause confusion and occasionally hallucinations, but I don't think either of them would cover insomnia. On the other hand I would imagine it would be difficult to sleep with the condition.

Is dihydrocodeine working for you, anyway: looking at the treatment options it isn't first-line?

[pixie6579]

thank you for the reply, yes it is difficult to sleep with this condition what doesnt help is not alot of UK doctors have even heard of it let alone know how to help me. my pain management specialist recently performed a biers block on one of my legs to see if i notice any difference in pain levels in my legs, nothing so far.

ive tried so many different meds i cant even begin to remember half of them. at the moment im on
300mg gabapentin 3 times daily (specialist wants to increase that next time i see him)
and the dihydrocodeine, they actually help me alot but like i said i cant sleep when i take them, my GP says they should make me tired but i feel to complete opposite every time i take them. The specialist is looking into a ketamine topical cream for me to see if theres any success there. what are your thoughts on that?