RLS hell!!!

[gem1angel]

Hi everyone,Happy new year to u all! I came off subutex 4mths ago and I still have RLS bad, its keeping me up at night and i just cant seem to relax.

Everything has been going well for the past month apart from this RLS, i feel like i have an electric current in my legs.

How long does this last? and does anyone know of a mineral or supplement i can take to help with this problem?

Thanx in advance.

[liquidgal]

All sympathy to you Gem. I get restless legs really badly too. The only thing I can recommend - is the same as what they suggest for RLS in pregnancy (which I got really badly) - high doses of calcium &  magnesium & either less or more salt (depending on your intake - meaning if you use lots of slat, decreases theamount, or if you hardly ever use, increase it).

I really HTH's.

Did you come of Methadone with Subutex? (I am doing it at the moment - day 6 of no methadone &  day 5 of being on the Sub.....I just wish I could sleep......)

With warmth, Liquid.

[skipper]

gem1angel:
for you RLS:
1) you could try quinine. in some state you can buy pills of it over the counter in a drug store. you can also buy quinine water (for gin
an tonics). you could also see if your doc would perscrib bacloven. it is a neuro-musclar relaxer that works wonder on led cramps from
w/d and post w/d rls.

keep an angel om your shoulder

[gem1angel]

Thanx liqiudgal and skipper for your quick response,
Liquidgal, I came off methadone using subutex, and i also didnt sleep for about a month and a half, the only bad withdrawals i had was not sleeping, this restless leg and feeling generally weak, i didnt have stomach cramps,or sweats, but after the 3mth mark i started to get my energy back and i am sleeping better but i wake through the night with this RlS, I started taking daily vitamins and minerals and go to the gym 3 times a week, to speed things up, good luck with the sub!

Skipper, I live in the UK so i,ll keep my eye out for that quinne.

Thanx for the info, take care

[liquidgal]

WELL DONE!! :-)

It is SOOOOoooooo good for me to read of people who've successfully come-off the Methadone. WOOHOO!! for you!!!

PLEASE if you feel at all inspired. I'd love to know what dose of Methadone you came off? & how long you were on Methadone?

I was on it 7 years (30mg when I stopped). Tranferred to the Sub on the 2nd. I can't say I am comfortable but I'm not hanging out either. My SUB dose is 8mg.

Oh the RLS suck. I get it too. I HOPE you get some relief.

With warmth, Liquid.

[gem1angel]

Hi, thanx for your kind words, Well i was on meth for 3 and a half years, I tapered from 60mls to 30mls then switched to 2mgs of sub went up daily to 7mgs, then came down slowly, all in all it took 3mths to get stabilized and taper.

How you finding it so far? The stage you are at, i found so hard, the sleeping part was a nightmare!

Hang in there, and well done for getting this far!!!

[liquidgal]

Oh wow! Gem WELLDONE!! :-)

You should be SOOOOooo PROUD to be where you are!!.

It means such alot to me to hear of someone who knows so similarly what it is like to be where I am.....
It hasn't been easy. The sheer lack of sleep & the feelings of w/d going on just under the surface. It is like I am "hanging-out" even though I'm not, KWIM?

But every day that passes is one more day that I am OFF the methadone & one step closer to regaining MY life!

It gives me SO MUCH strength to know that there are people out there who DID it! Who kicked this drug & are getting well again. YAY!

THANKYOU!

With all warmth. Liquid.

[Amethyst11]

Have you tried Melatonin to help you sleep.  It is available over the counter.

Melatonin helps maintain healthy sleep cycles.

Normally the human body produces melatonin to regulate our sleep-wake cycles.  Studies suggest that melatonin can hasten sleep and ease jet lag, without the hazards or side effects of prescription sleeping pills.

Melatonin may have many other uses and has been reported to make people feel better, strengthen the immune system, and reduce free radicals in the body. Current research is underway to determine melatonin's effect as an anti-oxidant, immno-modulator in cancer, delayed sleep-phase disorders, and jet lag. Tests are still under way so there is much to still be learned about melatonin and its effects on the human body.

Best wishes to all!

[teeitup]

We need to hear from you 2, how are you doing?

teeitup!

[liquidgal]

Hi there! :-)

Yes the lack of sleep has been brutal. A bit better today 'cos I was able to get some sleep last night thanks to 2 5mg valium (which do OH-SO help with w/d).

My doctor is obviously very anti prescribing sleeping tablets. Admittedly I haven't "pushed" him - but his signals are very clear. On the 3rd night of basically NO sleep & the fact that I have 3 children to care for (thankGOD for my husband), I indicated to my doc that the lack of sleep was absolutely crucuifying me - & he gave me 3 10mg temazipan (Normison). I find these sleeping tablets VERY weak, but hey they were better than nothing!. I maybe got 4hrs a night for the next 3 nights taking them (only 1 each night as I'd prefer 3 nights of a bit of sleep than only 1 night of reasonable sleep).

My doc also reckons that the no sleeping is part of the w/d & something that has to be gotten through. It has been my experience that most docs are VERY unsympathatic with sleeping medication through w/d. Sigh.

It is mentioned in the literature I received on BUP treatment that sedatives, alcohol, etc are contraindicated - but this I personally believe is just the general warning issued with any opiate medication, due primarily to the respitatory depression it can cause if people take large doses.
I certainly do not believe it is harmful to take in small doses -  & my doc hasn't told me to NOT take anything.

Sharon, I have found the transistion to the BUP rough (I am feeling better today  - day 7 of NO methadone & day 6 of BUP). But if it is as comparably "easier" to get-off than the methadone then IMHO there is NO question you should try to get it.

I will definitely keep you updated & share my experiences.

I hope for you very much that you will find your best way through this.

With all warmth, Liquid.

[sharonver]

Glad to hear that you were able to get some sleep! That is one of the worse parts of W/D's.  Your doctor seems to be very unsympathetic.  I haven't asked my doctor yet, so I don't know how he is going to react.  I just bought some melatonin today, I took it a little while ago, so I am hoping that this will help a little. Have you ever tried that?  Right now I am holding at 6mg for awhile until I decide what to do, I keep hearing positive & negative thoughts on bup. so i am a little bit confused right now.

Sharon

[Pinkit]

Okay I'm alittle confused.  Are you guys having trouble sleeping because of the anxiety that accompanies the withdrawals.  I'm addicted to vicodin ES.  I tell you when I tried to quit cold turkey there was no sleeping for me.  I tried everything, but I had no energy.  I felt so run down, but just could not sleep.  I went in and talked to my DR. and begged her to help me.  She was so caring towards my addiction.  I'm so sorry to hear how some doctors are though.  Anyways, she started by putting me on a taper schedule which is working out.  I'm on ativan for the anxiety and to help me sleep.  I take 2 1 mg tabs a night.  It really helps me sleep.  Maybe you could talk to your dr about that.  Unfortunatly, ativan is addictive so use causion and I think in small doses you'll be just fine.  I hope I helped alittle.  I just know how hard it is # 1 to fight this addiction and # 2 to feel so run down the next morning that all you want to do is take another pill to feel more awake....  I really hope doctors start to learn more about addiction.  No one should have to feel guilty for talking about this...

[Jennibean]

Well I guess it is not just me! When I am in withdrawal my restless legs are almost my worst symptom besides the overall insomnia and fatigue yet when I went inot detox a few months ago and have gone to Pills anonomous meetings nobody else seems to understand what I am saying about the RLS. Mine has gotten so severe to the point now that I have that feeling in my knees, feet, elbows, hands and even my abdomen now. I guess because I was taking so much last time. I always try to describe it to people and they just cannot imagine how awful it is! I say it feels as if those areas have been numb for so long and they are coming back to life and I can't stand it. I also say it just feels as if there is an energy running through these areas. I try to sleep and I almost go insane trying not to move my arms and legs until I cannot stand it anymore and have to jerk them and shake them and it only goes away for maybe a minute. If I finally do fall asleep it doesn't last and I wake up and have to start all over with the RLS. I am glad that people have listed a few things that might help because I am about to detox myself at home if I ever get the nerve or else I may end up cold turkey, I cannot seem to start the tapering process. I am going to ask for some of those meds mentioned to help. Anyway just wanted you to know that you are not alone. And it helps me to now know that it is not just me and others go through that horror as well. I was thinking something was majorly wrong with me, probably is.
Jen

[Jennibean]

Ok guys I haven't been here in a little while. I have been trying to figure out what the hell I am doing with my life. I am taking way too much oxycodone instead of tapering like I have been talking about I have been increasing. I take the liquid with no tylenol thank God but I am now taking the equvilant of 12 percocets at one time 4 times a day so that is 240mg daily now. What I need help with is this. I said I would never take oxycontin again but I think i am going to use that to try and wean. I think because it works differently and is long acting I can try to take a pretty low dose and keep lowering it and then get to where I am just taking it every other day just to curb the withdrawal that is so awful because it is long acting. I CANNOT start on it by taking alot or I will never do this. I want to start tomorrow. I had my Dr give me just 20mg tabs so that I can take as little as possible initially without getting too sick. I expect some sickness. I am going to try and take 60mg twice daily to begin which will already be cutting my dose in half. My question is do you think this will work? I just cannot make myself taper on the short acting meds. Do you think starting with 60mg twice daily is realistic to start with? Also once I get to a lower dose do you start the Thomas recipe while you are still on some meds or just when you start your first day without any opiates? I am going to be given xanax, valium or klonopin also when I get to that point. Which do you think works best for teh first week or so to help with sleep? Should I get clonodine also and I need to look into those meds that haelp with the RLS. What the heck helps with energy? I am trying to make this as painless as possible because I want to make it this time. I fear withdrawal more than most other things in this world so it takes aklot for me to finally say Ok I am going to put myself through this. Thanks for any suggestions on how to use teh oxy to help me through this.
Jen

[sharonver]

I am hoping to be on this med to finish off my detox, a question to you, you say you are not getting any sleep?!  How come your doctor is not giving you anything to help with that?  Is it your choice, or is it that this med will not mix with sedative type drugs?  Wanting to know all I can about this med before I go on.

Sharon

[sharonver]

Can you share your experiences on this med with me? I am at a point right now where I am trying to decide if it is worth getting on buprenix or if I should try finishing the last 5mg without it. The no sleeping part is really hard when you have to work the next day! You can email me at ***@****

Thanks...
Sharon

[WifeofAddict]

Hi there, sorry to hear you are having a hard time.  I am excited for you though...with your plans to get clean!  Anyways, your energy question.  I use Ginseng for energy.  It is all natural, and works for me.  It takes about a week or two to start working though.  I almost gave up...because i wasn't feeling anything ....and then BOOM!  I have tooo much energy!  But at the same time, when my head hits the pillow...i am out.  So that would be my advice.  This way you are not putting anymore opiate into your body.  
Good luck and keep us posted!  
Catherine

[gem1angel]

Hi sharon, i would be more than happy to share my expierence with subutex with you, just let me know wat u wanna know
You can e-mail me at ***@****
I,ll wait to hear off you.

[minime]

Where do you all live that you can actually find Subutex?  My doctor tried to get it for me yesterday, but the manufacturer told him it wouldn't be in stock at pharmacy suppliers yet.  Thanks for any info you can offer.

[sharonver]

I was told that it would be in most pharmacies within 3 weeks.

Sharon

[minime]

But some people are getting it now, and some people have already undergone detox with it.  Someone mentioned they did it months ago.  My question is what state are they getting it in.  There are no pharmacies in my area that are getting it any time soon.  Plus, it will not be something they stock.  It will always be a special order item that they will have to order in advance from their wholesaler.

[sharonver]

One of the people that I talked to is getting it in Maine. I haven't asked my doctor yet I am going to make an app't soon.  I live in CT.  

Sharon

[liquidgal]

Hi!

I am in Australia - & it isn't easy to get here either.

Goodluck.

Liquid.

[gem1angel]

Hi

I live in the UK,and its been here for some time,i know "friends" who have been on it ages now,in my expierence its quite easy to get hold of here.

Good luck!

[Mr. Xx]

I cant take the rls nemore and its driven me to the point of fantasizing about suicide. I have a shotgun and 2 shells an i wont be here tomorrow. I know what youre going through. good luck.

[LadyBuck]

My doctor just put me on Methadone for RLS. Does anyone have any opinions about this?

[allaboutmary]

This is a very old post. You should probably post a new question. I have never heard of using methadone for RLS. It sounds pretty crazy to me. Are you coming off an opiate addiction ?

[addictedme]

Geez,I was gonna suggest hylands restless legs,an over the counter thing,,,METHADONE ?