If you search in the NIH or Johns Hopkins Hospital web sites, you can see information about RLS. Below is one thing I found after realizing that the codeine cough syrup I had been prescribed was 100% effective in eliminating RLS overnight. Instead of getting up twice/night I sleep 8 hours without interruption. The challenge will be to find a doctor who is willing to prescribe this for the rest of your life. I have not yet been successful in doing so.
"Dr. Willis in his description of this disease in 1685 also reported on the benefits of opiates for treating the symptoms. Thus for over 300 years opiates remained the only truly effective treatment for this disease. This category of medications includes codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone, methadone, buprenorphine and pentazocine.
An estimated 85 percent to 90 percent of patients with RLS will respond very well to opiates. An analysis of drug responses in RLS over a 2-10 year period showed that 85 percent of RLS patients who started on methadone were still on it compared to less than 20 percent of those started on a dopamine drug. The median starting dose for methadone in this study was 10 mg per day with a range between 2.5 mg and 20 mg per day.
It is important to realize that RLS for a majority of patients is not about pain; it is an abnormal, uncomfortable sensation. Tolerance to the opiates when treating RLS seems to be less of a problem than that seen with treatment of chronic pain disorders."
I was wanting to try CBD oil/capsules but found out from my doctor that if a drug test was done it would be positive for marijuana so I would need to get a card to carry with me. I am not sure if that is what I want to do as I work in the medical field. She gave me some literature on the different kinds and said that there is a cream or salve and that might help me better I think. I would be applying it directly onto my lower legs and ankles. Right now my ankles are hurting bad, stinging and starting to swell up. Hurts to walk and lately I am experiencing cramps from the foot, toes, shin area, calf muscles and upper muscle cramping. I take magnesium tablets, tums for the calcium and make sure that I drink a glass a milk at the supper meal. With the CBD it was a 14 day trial and since I noticed that $80 had been taken out of my checking I called them and told them I did not recall the advertisement stating 14 day trial offer. I just had to pay postage and handling. I had to cancel since at this time I can not afford it. But I am looking at the info my doctor gave me and may consider trying it if I can afford it. I live close to Durango, Colorado so it is easy to get and we have a medical facility here in town. Better go as I have many other things to do.
I agree with Madlegs , it sounds like you have a Neuropathic condition not RLS . For me the only symptom is a totally overwhelming need to move my legs . On paper it doesn't sound too bad but in reality it is hell. If you follow this link it will take you to and RLS symptom checker rls-uk.org/diagnosis/
Wow, I like the sound of immediate relief from the symptoms - multiple itches and horrible sensations in my legs, arms and back which I can only relieve for seconds by punching that area or pacing the floor for hours. I am taking neuropathic drugs (pramipexole etc). I wonder if codeine will work for me instead and give me a night's sleep?
The research says the odds are 85-90% that codeine would help you. The key, of course, is that if you get access to codeine you must be very careful to not get addicted to it in a damaging way.
Hi Neil46,the very mention of immediate relief for rls is Heaven to my ears.I have been suffering from this horrendous illness for far far far too long,tried all sorts of medications but nothing really stops the bloody thing. Anyway I just wanted to say I'm taking pramipexole and 2 co codamol at night,I find that if I don't take the both tablets that I'm up walking the floor so I feel I need the both to help at least sometimes.good luck with finding whatever works for you.
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Nightwalkers Magazine from the RLS Foundation and opiates
Glutathione for RLS
Hydroxychloroquine as a medication for RLS
Opioids for RLS- some useful information
