Restless Legs from Opiate withdrawal...

I know there was an old forum about this but figured I'd ask.... Does anyone know of any good ideas that help with restless legs at night?  So, I'm 31 and was hooked on oxy for 3 years.  I then went on suboxone for 4 years but recently lost my doctor due to not scheduling an appointment on time.  He's very strict.  I've heard that suboxone was easier to get off than methadone so that's why I chose that route.  I get never get under 8mg though.  Here and there I'd relapsed on heroin or oxy but for the bulk of the 4 years it was strictly the suboxone.  I finally put my foot down for the first time and went cold turkey.  The following was my experience...

The first 3 days were hellish.  I spent probably 65 of 72 hours in a bathtub.  For some reason it was the only place I could exist.  In the first 5 days I was comletely out of energy.  I always had trouble moving, and it was always in slow-motion.  I had about all the worst of the worst things going on except throwing up.  I'm very thankful for that.  But every other misery you can imagine that goes along w/ it was there.  Hot/Cold Sweats such a *****. on night 5 my arms were on fire and had to have fans on them and cold towels.  I couldn't comfortably sit up, sit down, lay down, nothing.  No matter what my position I was miserable.  I'm now on day 8 and the only thing left I'm dealing w/ in a bad way is restless leg syndrome, but it's very bad.  I've only slept 4 hrs in the whole 8 days.  I got meds from the doc but didn't seem to help too much.  He gave me Klonidine, methocarbomal, and lopiramide.  I've been back at day 4 cause the methocarbomal didn't work and he switched me to flexeril or something like that.  It didn't work either and today I just got back and he gave me xanax (a limited amount as not to begin a new addiction).  I'm really hoping xanax will help me to get some sleep for the second time only.  I'm so exhausted and just want to sleep but can't through the leg jerks and pain.  Does anyone have any clue on how long the leg crap will typically continue?  I appreciate any opinions on this subject.  Thanks.

[amaria]

Congrats on taking your life back. I was also on suboxone from an oxy habit. I was on it very short term. (21) days. 8 mgs is a very high dose to jump from but it looks like your doing it, and gettin through it. I tapered alllll the way down to under .25 mgs. I have heard alot of people talk about the Hylands vitamin for restless legs, most say it really helps. Also I used the natural sleep aid vitamin melatonin, you can get the extended release. That helped me alot. Hang n there, your doing it! :)

[Xopiater]

Yeah, I'll try melatonin.  I've been taking ibuprophen pm and some herbal sombapure stuff and it hasn't helped.  Crazy that you got down to .25 mgs.  2mg is the smallest pill i've heard of so you musta slpit it into eights or something?  I began at 16 and went to 8mg so i wouldn't have to go every month but every other.  I should have tapered off but it became such a security blanket I just kept on it.  Where I'm located suboxone doctors are so rare I had to travel 60 miles just to find one.  The only one in my town only accepts insurance customers and not cash customers.  So rediculous, like what... american currency is outlawed to them?  Isn't that like the best way to get paid, a pile of money?  I was willing to pay 700 a month for it, that's what the one by me charged.  My old doctor w/ the cost of meds was only like 200 a month.  And I was only 2 days late on scheduling my new appt and he sent me a letter saying he had to discharge me as a patient.  It's such a pitty they can only have 100 people on their list, or so I was told is the law.  I mean doctors only have to take this snall training to prescribe it but so few do.  Thanks for the post.

[IBKleen]

Leg cramps was the one single thing that drove me half insane. The baths helped but I also found that if I lay back in a recliner with my legs slightly elevated that it also helped. Laying flat always caused it to get worse. I also used heat from a heating pad which helped and when that wasn't enough, I used ace bandages to tie the heat pads to my calves. Between those three things I was able to get somewhat comfortable. Exercise helps because it stimulates the muscles but is often hard to do. Potassium will help--either in pill form or by eating bananas.

For me it lasted bout 5 days but felt like 20. Pretty much you will have to hang in there and know that it will pass. But try the things I mentioned and see if you can't get some relief.

I don't know what the Xanax will do for you. And it scares me that the doctor gave it to you. It is not for leg cramps and I doubt it will calm down your legs. Please be careful with it should you decide to use it.

I hope you get some rest. Let us know how you are doing.

[vicki595]

Hi there-   Good for you for getting this far after jumping at 8mgs...

Here's a list of things that could help RLS:

Poyassim/Magnesium tablets
Hyland's Restful Legs tablets
oranges and bananas
Hot soaks in Epsom salts

You can do all of it at the same time and something will help! Also, wrap your legs as IBK suggested and don't lie flat!  
Good Luck!