Came here for RLS advice, but maybe can help someone too.

In short, Im on day 6 of withdrawal of 15mg/IM Oxy (8-day) after 3 back surgerys, the last 2 being a cervical fusion and a lumbar fusion occuring 2 days apart.  I have had back pain for 25 yrs and have seen every PT in the city.  Im not facing "failed back syndrome" and they want to go back in to correct the lumbar fusion, fuse the disc below that, and fuse the cervical disc above that fusion.  So thats a down and dirty summary of my issue.  Besides the fact that I work from home so am blessed to not have to be dealing with driving alot, office chairs, long hours on my feet, etc..

I came here hoping to find some answers about the wrestless leg syndrome.  You see, and many of you obviously do, after 2+ yrs of percs. then oxy's, Im not getting to the 30 day mark with my script the 2nd time in 3 months.  My doc is cool and wants to adjust my meds on Friday, but I ran out 6 days ago and am over the worst of it, except the restless legs and crawling skin.  I read that Potassium is great so will go get some of that tomorrow, but what else?  Being that we are all biologically/chemically different Im willing to get anything that will help; that is the single worst part of detox in my opinion.  I have detoxed 6 times since my injury 25 yrs ago.  

I have been told I need back surgery for years but waited until the technology was to the point that I was not going to be crippled, or risk way to much.   I guess I didnt wait long enough because Im going back in when our new insurance kicks in next spring.

I know Im all over the place with this because my mind wants to share EVERYTHING, but I havent truely slept in 4 days because of my legs so am a bit all over the place. I will share more as I go; to those interested of course.  I just need to sleep so bad and when I take clonazepam it just makes me a zombie with restless legs.

Anyway, I have read alot here and can add one thing that has helped me tremendously in the stomach area and thats Probiotics.  As much as I can relate to those who take these drugs for recreaction because they do feel great, Im the guy who watchs the neuro surgeon squint when he looks at my MRI films; I had 3 completely random opinions prior to surgery and all had the same concensus so while Im still in a ton of breath taking pain, I did it to prevent permanent nerve damage leading to my legs.  

I would love to be free of this stuff, but have a ways to go and 3 kids and a wife picking up most of the load while I lay on the couch and try like hell not to ***** to much about either my pain, or my lack of pain management.

In summary, what other suggestions beyond potassium will help me to rid myself of the restless legs so I can get a few hours a sleep a night?

And to those just starting, yes its a physical and emotional climb, but very possible.  The light is very bright once to the top of the mountain and ready to climb down the other side.

Many thanks for any thoughts or feedback you can provide.

paingame

[gnarly_1]

HI Welcom to the forum I to have had failed back surgery's so I know thev feeling you just want the pain to go away unfortunately I liked the way the meds made me feel a bit to much and abused my scripts I lived 10yrs on every concevable pill out there finely was put on methadone did that for 6 1/2 yrs and it quit working so I said enough was enough and detoxed myself it was hell but today I live much more pain free and been off narcotics for a little over 2yrs as for the legs eat bananas and they make some stuff call higlands restful leggs you can find it at walmart mixed in with the herbals and vitamins many of our members myself inculded it has worked good for also tak a blanket rap it tighlyty around you legs like swaddling a baby this should bring you some relief keep posting for support we all want to see you get better getting off this crap was the best move I ever made good luck and God bless......Gnarly  

[littlebit667]

I normally have RLS which while I was addicted to hydro was under control as it seems to stop RLS.  LOL  Anyway, my dr. prescribes carbidopa which is a parkinson's med.  It works on RLS but at a much lower dose than those with Parkinson's takes.  I take anywhere from 3-6 a day depending on how bad the RLS is.  As opposed to taking for Parkinson's which is about 36 a day so side effects really are not an issue with most.  It is generic and works great for me.  Good luck on your surgery.....they wanted to do surgery years ago and I ran from the office.  :)