tramadol taper restless legs...advice please

[pinkgirl73]

Hi everyone.  I've posted my story and have been lurking around for a week and this sight is so supportive.  Anyway, quick question...  I have been on tramadol for 1o yrs.  This month when I heard the DEA was making it a controlled substance as of August 18th, I decided I better do a taper and quick, since I buy them online through a doctor, which is legal in my state, but not a very good idea.  I was up to 10 to 14 a day and jumped down to 8 a day to start the taper.  I plan to drop next time in a few weeks but only by a half a pill at a time because dropping 2 pills at once is pretty miserable.  I cant even imagine how people go cold turkey.  I have some minor anxiety now along with sweating, freezing, insomnia, a crawling skin feeling and restless leg syndrome and I am on day 4 of the withdrawals.  My question is...how long until I level off at this dose?  Because I can deal with the sweating and freezing and general discomfort, but its getting annoying to be woken up with restless legs and body at 4:30 every day.  Its driving me nuts.  I take 4 tramadol in the am and then they start to wear off at about 3 pm so I take 4 more but then by bedtime the restless legs start and all the other symptoms so its hard to even get to sleep let alone stay asleep.  I am currently taking only advil pm to sleep since the wd's started but I just wondered how long this mild discomfort will last.  Thank you.

[pinkgirl73]

drifter0213...telling my dr isn't an option for me.  no can do.  thanks for the concern tho:)  I appreciate any advice I can get.

[pinkgirl73]

thanks @thebeach...I am doing much better finally.  I finally leveled off at 4 in the am and 4 in the pm so soon I plan to drop another half a pill.  I jumped from 14 a day to 8 a day and that wasn't fun but I finally am feeling better.  Just gotta keep going.

[atthebeach]

also melatonin is good for sleep.
you can wrap your legs in an ace bandage, heating pad, warm towels from the dryer.

[atthebeach]

for rls hot baths with Epsom salts, magnesium/calcium/zinc supplements, bananas, hylands restful leg tabs ( otc) walking around and getting exercise also helps.
maybe you should try to spread out the pills more, take the 8 - 3x a day instead of two.
make sure you are staying hydrated, eating protein, veggies.
keep moving forward you are doing awesome.
try some sleepy time tea and valerian root before bed.
alteril is a great natural sleep aid.

[drifter0213]

you should let your doctor know ok i have anxiety too i have the inability to manage it .....uggghhh