12 days no meds but still restless nights

[momwithnosleep]

Short back ground. I have had 2 back surgeries for DDD. i was completely off all meds for about 9 months. About 4 years ago i was put back on hydro. The dosages were upped until reaching norco 10/325. 4 per day. This with Tramadol 300. Within the last year I have had to add flexeril multiple times per day as well as gabapentin multiple times per day. As if this wasnt enough i have severe RLS but the meds made me VERY sick so dr upped my xanax rx to help with sleep because of the RLS.

I first stopped the tramadol, 1 1/2 weeks later I stopped the gabapentin and then a few days later the flexeril.
14 days ago i cut Norco dose from 4 per day to 2. I felt so much better that 13 days ago i took 1/2 at 5:30am and that was the last. I did take a couple xanax
the first 3 days of w/d but flushed them with everything else. my back pain has been tolerable. I have had to take a couple OTC ibuprofen for my back or headache and immodium because of stomach issues. I am taking the supplements in the "Thomas method". At night i have been taking melatonin as well as drinking a mix of oj, honey & apple cider vinegar that my parents swear by for their RLS but I still fight the RLS VERY bad most nights.
Any ideas of anything else I can try. I work from home so sitting home alone all day is enough time to "think" I really don't need to sit up all night also.

Ps i have tried hot soaks, quiet/dark room, no tv, phone, computer etc. Im sleepy as all get out but soon as I lay down it starts. And its not just my legs but also my arms.

[Durty_South]

Hey I'm on the same day. Well since I'm up into another night we can count it as 13 days. Similar opiates but not as good of reasons. Either way yay us for quitting. I been stressing about the literally not sleeping all week but I usually dose off about 2 hours before I need to be up. Take my vitamins and ONE cup of coffee and I work my tail off all day. I know this will pass one day. It sure beats being addicted IMO though. Lets just hope we sleep sometime in the not so distant future:)

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

We often prescribe Requip for our patients for post acute withdrawal RLS.  When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself.  It will takes time weeks, for your receptors to down-regulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime. You are doing great! Be proud of yourself.