what can i do about RLS during w/d

Hi, I just found this forum tonight. I am currently withdrawing from hydrocodone and have the worst lower back ache but even worse is I cannot sleep,,,at all!  I am taking valium to help me rest.  The only thing that is working on is my head and not my body. I can be so out of it but toss and turn in bed then just get up and walk in a stupor. I cannot lie in hot water because my body won't let me rest that long.  In fact I have to get up from here and get moving again.
CAS

[Florida_Guy737]

Welcome to this forum. RLS is a common wd symptom and you'll hear a few different recommendations.  Potassium seems to help and bananas provide plenty of potassium.  I understand about not sitting a bath; I just took hot showers and that seemed to help.

Where are you (what day/hour) are you in your wd?  Usually at 5-7 days things start to improve.  Sleep will be erratic for some time so grab the sleep whenever you can.

Guy

[kim715]

The RLS was the worst part for me too.Like Guy suggested try the hot showers.Exercise is the best remedy for many of the symptoms,especially the RLS.Bananas for the potassium.They also sell something at Walmart called Hylands Restful Legs.For me the one thing,besides exercise,that brought me the most relief was to get a hot bath/shower,rub my legs down with a mentholated rub,then wrap my legs tight,but not too tight,with ace bandages and use heating pads.Doing this brought me enough relief that I could get some rest.It gets better,just hang in there.Keep posting.all the best....Kim

[CAS5381]

Guy, shamefully after reading about all the white knucklers, I am only tapering. I cannot believe I allowed myself to get here again. Less than 2 years ago I went into the hospital detox and thought no way would I ever go through this again. But I did. My husband is helping me but I am wondering after all this, if I shouldn't just get it over with. To tell you the truth I need a support system in place and I do not have one.  I am so thankful I have found this forum. It is the only one I have ever seen with all the support.  I am going to have my husband go to Walmart and look for the Hylands Restful Legs, Kim.  Thanks for much for the support guys.....CAS

[Kleo38]

How much were you on and for how long?I would take a hot epson salt bath wait about a half hour have your hubby rub your arms and legs down with any kind of muscle cream,then get a few boxes of icy hot sleeves at wal mart and put a sleeve on bothe your knees and both your elbos and put a heating pad behind your back.Eat a few bananas a day drink as much water you can get down and it will help.I had really really bad restless arms and legs and my back killed me.Good luck

[CAS5381]

I do not remember this much back pain. In the hospital they gave me a shot of ativan and I walked for 24 hours non stop running into walls and almost broke my nose.  They kept telling me to just lay down. I could not sit down much less lay down. My lower back hurt horribly but it seems to be worse now on a taper. I guess the 'now' always seems worse.

I could not imagine my back hurting from tapering and even found blood in my urine. I was convinced I was in kidney failure and going to be on dialysis. Went to the hospital last night waiting for the blood work to come back and pretty much planning my funeral. In comes the doctor and NADA.  All of my blood work perfect. I asked her if tapering off of the hydrocodone could cause my back to hurt like this and what about the blood in my urine. She sending me to a urologist Monday BUT she wanted to give me something for pain.  She said, "look I am your doctor and it is my job to make you comfortable." Ohmygosh my head swung around looking at my husband with the most pleading look on my face. He stood his ground. I was so disappointed but yet happy he was there because I would have surely succumbed.  I am definately going to need support after this. I have visited several NA groups in the past but never 'got it'. What should I do?  keep going?  CAS

[CAS5381]

Kleo, I was taking upwards of 300 mg a day for the past 4 to 5 years. I am down to 60 mg daily and omygosh I am hurting.  The only thing that actually aches beyond comprehension is my back.  My arms and legs do not hurt, they just cannot be still. I am making a list for hubby and will add epson salt and and icy hot sleeves to it. Do you think bananas are better than supplements or even the Hylands Restful Legs that Kim spoke of?  Thanks so much for responding. Really.  CAS

[dominosarah]

Is the pain in your lower back??  You might want to get this checked out by a doctor if it doesnt go away.  Hope today is better for you.......sara

[outotown]

Pain is always worse in w/d dont know what the blood is but I passed it to and felt like I was punched in the kidneys, Maybe you need WATER, drink lots of it. and gator aid will help The RLS I tried all the above heating pad worked best and walking bout the same, Hey I did get to kick my wife at nite she just thought it was my RLS Please  dont tell ok LOL she kicks back Aaron

[CAS5381]

Sara, yes lower back, and I will get it checked out if it doesn't go away.

Aaron, how can you sit still or lay still for a heating pad?  I cannot stay in one place for any length of time.  I have been drinking water and will tell hubby to get me some gator aid.  The poor guy is tiring of this.    And I'll keep your secret.  CAS

[outotown]

Ok try taking some benadryl it helps calm you down some and will help you sit still I have took three or four at a time when in bad w/d it will also help if have have that feeling like you are being shocked. If you use benadryl it helps with a few of the w/d symptoms, so you should be able to sit for awhile if you have an eletric blanket try using it ok

[Ella789]

Get the potassium supplements and some magnesium, it also helps muscles.  Hot showers, so you can move around and get the heat too.  Massage with body oil and try not to over do the walking too very much, you need some rest too. You need the fluids and gator aid is good stuff for that also has minerals in it too.  Try to clean your kidneys with liquids, sounds like you may have an infection and that makes you back problems worse.  Hugs

Ella

[CAS5381]

Ella, I took the shower until I ran the 50 gallon tank out, but no infection,,Dr checked that. I actually sat still for a second this afternoon and fell asleep for about 10 minutes. Then I was right back at it. Now the headache begins. O sheeesh. Aaron i am afraid to take benadryl and the valium.  Can you believe that!! After all the hydrocodone I have ingested over the years now I am afraid to mix valium and benedryl.  I am afraid to ask hubby to go to the store one more time and I am not up to going after the supplements.  Thanks you two.  CAS

[Ella789]

Please don't be afraid of the benadryl. It shouldn't do very much at all for you except maybe slow you down to 90mph.  I used opiates for 5 yrs. and detoxed with the help of clonidine,tranzene(cut in 1/4's)benedryl,immodium,&otc pain meds.  I think perhaps I am older than you too,only guessing,as I am old as dirt :(..............

Ella

[philster]

Try 1. Hyland Restful Legs, (works for me)
      2. Tonic Water, diet or regular
quinine in it helps
      3. Epsom salt
      4. Prayer
Blessings !

[CAS5381]

Thanks Phil for the blessings!  Ella, I never did take the benadryl but I too am taking clonidine, so that and the valium kept me down to 90 mph. I am over the worst of it now but am still aching (I feel sure there is something more with the back.) and a little restless but I can sit for a little bit now without pacing. I slept!!  I actually slept 2 hours. It was wonderful! I am a bit worried because hubby goes to work today and I will have to trust myself to taper on my own. My gosh I feel like such a baby after reading what some are going through. CAS

[SophieShine]

Hey there,
I think you should check out this one:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Addiction/Thomas-Recipe-Re-Posted/show/
16?cid=66
Best of luck to you.